David Kriso
So many have attended my lecture, “Cruising: Making Waves & Sense”. It has been an immediate success and well-received. So far, three libraries have booked my latest program, “Amtrak: Staying On ‘Track’ With America’s Railroad”. I can’t be more excited to present the topic in late September. While my Amtrak presentation is picking up speed, I decided to focus on another hot travel topic. Why not do a presentation on Walt Disney World? For a destination well-visited by millions from around the world, there’s no reason not to do so.
When I was four years old, Walt Disney World was a very “small world”. Pun intended! Ha-Ha! Honestly, it was a very small world. There was only the Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, and Disney’s Polynesian Resort. That was it! Also, the Transportation & Ticket Center, connected guests to Magic Kingdom parking and the hotels in the Downtown Disney area (originally known as the Disney Village). In 1982, Disney added Epcot. In 1989, the Disney-MGM Studios (now known as Disney’s Hollywood Studios) opened its gates for the first time. In 1998, Disney outdid themselves, opening their largest theme park to date, Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Disney’s Animal Kingdom spans five hundred acres. The park is big enough to fit the Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Epcot comfortably inside. The park is indeed that big!
When Walt Disney World first opened, there were only two resort hotels on property, the Contemporary and the Polynesian. Now there are more than twenty resort hotels on the Walt Disney World property. In 1988, Disney added the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. In 1989-1990, the Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin were built, along with Disney’s Yacht & Beach Resorts. In 1995, Disney built the Wilderness Lodge. Aside from those large hotels, value resorts such as the All-Star Sports, Movies, and Music Resorts were built. Later, Disney’s Pop Century Resort was added. Recently, Disney opened the Art of Animation Resort, opening a whole new realm of resort magic to the guests. With Disney, the sky’s the limit.
What’s this presentation all about? When I was a first timer in 1981, getting around Walt Disney World was rather simple. As the years progressed, it became second nature as newer resort areas, parks and attractions were added. What about first timers of now? This presentation will give Walt Disney World first timers a first hand glimpse of what to expect and what they will truly enjoy when they first arrive on the Walt Disney World property. The presentation, without a doubt, will ease that overwhelming feeling that first timers often encounter. Most definitely, it will give them plenty to look forward to, and a whole lot of nothing to worry about.
Disney has family entertainment down to a science. Being a former Walt Disney World cast member and having done guest check-in for the Disney Magic in New York City gives me the great honor of presenting this exciting new program. First timers without a doubt will enjoy it. From seeing examples of Disney’s resort areas, to park attractions, and other notable guest experiences, they will for sure leave with the desire to get their bags packed for Orlando. Once first timers, they immediately become multi-timers. From multi-timers, they’ll become Disney Vacation Club members. This presentation will definitely to open “a whole new world” to the would-be Disney traveler.
