Hello everybody and welcome back! This blog is going to be in a totally different direction as this blog marks the 30th blog I've published on this blog. So I figured after 30 blogs, it'd probably be a good idea to really introduce myself and throw some things out there about myself so you guys have somewhat of an idea who is typing what you are reading. If you don't want to know, that's totally fine, thanks for reading to this point and I hope you will return for the next blog (coming real soon!).
My name is Doug. Disney has always been a part of my life in one way or another. Growing up I loved all of the animated classics ranging from the popular entries such as Aladdin and Peter Pan to the less talked about ones in The Great Mouse Detective and The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad. The Disney animated collection of movies to me are nearly all timeless tales that are as old as time, diamonds in the rough, and movies that I have been able to go back to again and again and again. So what's my favorite animated Disney movie? Believe it or not it is The Emperor's New Groove. It does not matter how many times I've watched that movie, I will literally need to go to the bathroom from laughing every time. There is literally nothing I dislike about the movie and it has never failed to bring a smile to my face. Movies though is certainly not where my childhood love of Disney ended.
I was fortunate enough to grow up in the era of the video game wars of the nineties. Nintendo and Sega are two companies that at the time were fighting so hard against each other with the Super Nintendo and Sega Genesis that the real winners were the gamers. At the time Disney was heavily involved in the action as well. In fact, Toy Story was the first Super Nintendo game I owned and to this day it still ranks in my view as one of the coolest looking games on the system. Being able to play classics like The Jungle Book, The Lion King, Pinocchio, and The Little Mermaid felt so amazing. Being able to take control of Aladdin in Aladdin and pilot the magic carpet out of the Cave of Wonders was well, wondrous. Video games has remained a huge part of my life, and while Disney has largely stepped away from the scene, the classic Disney games still hold a special place in my heart and I still play them to this day. If I had to pick one to call my favorite I would probably pick Epic Mickey, but if I had to pick a classic Disney game I'd probably go with Aladdin on Super Nintendo (which is different from the Sega version most people seem to prefer).
Another major part of my life is music. I love nearly all forms of music (with just a couple exceptions). To say that the music of Disney movies has been some of my favorite since I was young is an understatement. I have an absolute plethora of Disney music from all kinds of sources. I listen to it pretty much all the time and now that I'm older and technology is what it is, the apps of Dparkradio and Sorcerer Radio frequent the airwaves where I'm living. To pick out one song and say it's my absolute favorite of all time is simply impossible. I will call out Fantasia though as one of the most incredible movies I've ever seen. While it is not my favorite, my appreciation of this movie is second to none. The way that all the animation went along with the music is such an art form and it's a shame it's only been done one other time (Fantasia 2000).
There's one more big Disney thing that I haven't mentioned yet. I mean the majority of this blog is about them.... The Disney Parks. My first time visiting Walt Disney World was in 2014 and since then my life changed. I fell in love with pretty much everything about the parks. How they operate, their history, how the whole show works, the attractions, the shows, the food, everything. I wanted to learn so much more about all of it and so I did. I went on a tour, I've read various books, listened to all kinds of podcasts, news articles, historical articles, and watch documentaries about the history of these parks and the secrets within. So much has changed from 2014 in the parks that I can say I was super lucky to have seen them all as they were because here's just a small list of things I got to see before they were removed or changed.
Hollywood Studios
The sorcerer's hat
The Great Movie Ride
Lights Motors Action
The Earful Tower
Starring Rolls (so many good pastries)
Pixar Place
Animation Academy
EPCOT
Illuminations: Reflections of Earth
Ellen's Energy Adventure
Future World as it was
Malestrom
Soarin over California
The Magic Kingdom
Wishes
Celebrate the Magic
Happy Hallowishes
The Main Street Electrical Parade
Dream Along With Mickey
Stitch's Great Escape
I really can't think of anything from Animal Kingdom that is no longer there. Pandora: The World of Avatar has been added on since I've started going, but I can't think of anything big that has gone away. Whatever the case I consider myself to be extremely lucky to have experienced all of those attractions and shows before they closed. I also consider myself extremely lucky to have been following along with the transformation of Hollywood Studios and now EPCOT as well. So favorites... My favorite park was originally Hollywood Studios. During the major construction it fell off, but I think with Galaxy's Edge now open I can say it is my favorite once again. As far as rides go, The Great Movie Ride was my favorite, since it's closure Avatar: Flight of Passage has taken over with Splash Mountain being my favorite in The Magic Kingdom.
So that's me in a Disney nutshell. I started this blog because while I have a passion for Disney, not many people I talk to in every day life even know what Tomorrowland is or what it means to score that fast pass for that new ride. This is a place where I hope as time goes on people can react to what I'm typing and just have some fun, relax, and read a possibly different view on all things Disney. So with that. Thank you as always for reading! Stay tuned because the next blog will be coming real soon!
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