Saturday, November 30, 2019

The Walt Disney Parks



        Greetings audience! It's Stephen Gaiber: The Autistic Traveler. Last month on my trip to Paris, I completed a major goal off my bucket list. I went to all the Disney Parks. People all over the world love Disney parks, particularly Disneyland in my new home in Orange County and The Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. I have been to Disneyland a lot as a child and in 2007 and the last time in 2014. I went to California Adventure for my first and only time in November 2014. I journeyed to Hong Kong Disneyland in 2010. For those who read my blogs last summer, I went to Shanghai Disneyland and Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea in 2018. Most recently, I went to both Disneyland Paris and Disney Studio Park this September. The best and most realistic Disney vacation was when I went to Walt Disney World in 2014. That was the highlight of my year and it impacted me with such positive experiences for 9 months in 2014. I even made a second trip there in 2015.

For people with disabilities, Disney Parks are the place to visit. It used to be better though. Let's talk about some of the most recent developments in how Disney caters to those with disabilities. The Disneyland Resort, The Walt Disney World Resort, Shanghai Disneyland, and Tokyo Disney resort give those who have a hard time waiting in line a return time, very similar to FastPass, and a cast member will give those who are with the disabled guest a special spot at a particular time to come back to the attraction. Originally, Disney used to allow people to just cut the lines, but due to abuse, they changed it. The Disneyland Paris resort still lets you cut the line. This was a plus at Disneyland Paris. There is a pending lawsuit set for trial in February to help the disabled get the privilege to not stand in line again.

Disney Parks are easily the most visited theme parks around the world. The Magic Kingdom in Florida and Disneyland in California have rounded in the top 2 most visited theme parks worldwide, and for good reason. The Disney theme parks offer magic and a special kind of joy that the other parks can't offer. Disney World feels like you're going to a big city rather than going to a theme park. Disney Parks create millions of jobs and tourism. I bet you are interested in knowing what ranking I think each park is. Let us start with the top 12 NOW!



                              12. HONG KONG DISNEYLAND

    I remember visiting this park when I visited Hong Kong 10 years ago. I wasn't sure whether or not I was still interested in Disney Parks at the time, but I decided to check it out. Let me tell you, it feels like a cheap rip-off of Disneyland. I barely even spent four hours there. This park opened in 2005 and I've heard that the park has grown a lot since I went.

    The facts clearly indicate that this park was a letdown. It has a daily cap of 34,000 and was visited by 5.2 million people, down from the projected 5.6 million in the first year. The second-year attendance was down by 20% to 4 million visitors. However, in the later years, attendance has grown and the park is now the 13th most visited theme park worldwide. That's probably due to the additions of Toy Story Land, Mystic Point, and Frontierland, which opened up after my visit to the park.

    The reason I put Hong Kong Disneyland at the bottom of the list was because of how small the park is compared to the other Disney Parks. As I said, the park has grown in the last 10 years. They have the basic lands of Disney Parks such as Main Street U.S.A., Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, and Adventureland. The rides in those lands don't really excite me. They also don't have the rides that other Disney Parks have, such as Pirates of the Caribbean. A philosophy I have is I'd happily spend more money if I enjoy the parks more and if I'd have a better time. In other words, I'd rather spend more money going to a better Disney Park even if it costs more money. Bottom line: Hong Kong Disneyland is a rip-off and should be skipped.




                                11. Walt Disney Studios Park
 
   The Walt Disney Studios Park next to Disneyland Paris is the second biggest stinker. This park opened up in 2002 and is the sister park and the much superior Disney's Hollywood Studios. It's visited by 5.2 million people a year and will feature new lands for Marvel, Star Wars, and Frozen in time for the 2024 Olympics. The Earffel Tower represents the water tower of the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, CA.

    You ALL may wonder why I think so little of this park. I will tell you why. The biggest reason is the park is too small -- I spent less than 2.5 hours there. In fact, I spent more time catching up on what I missed at Shanghai Disneyland the second day than I did at this park. Some of the attractions include Studio Tram Tour: Behind The Magic, The Twilight Tower of Terror, Moteurs...Action Stunt Show Spectacular, Toy Story Playland, Crush Coaster, and Ratatouille: L'Aventure Totalement Toquee de Remy. I felt that the Studio Tram ride was a cheap knock-off of the Universal Studios tour in Universal and didn't capture the thrills that Universal did. It disheartens me to say that I like the Universal tour over the Disney one since I usually like Disney better, but that's the fact. The Ratatouille ride is basically where one gets to live the life of Remy in the restaurant from the movie and is in 3D. Also, the Crush Coaster is a roller coaster that simulates some situations in Finding Nemo. Both the Ratatouille ride and Crush Coaster made me nauseous. The rides and how small the park is are both reasons to skip this. Definitely check out Disneyland Paris and maybe once the park is expanded, it will be worth checking out, but not now.



                                10. Disney's California Adventure

   This is the second park in the Disneyland Resort and opened up in 2001. I had never been until 2014 and only went once, and let us say, I wasn't impressed. At first, the park started off with few attractions but has expanded with Cars Land, Pixar Pier, Toy Story Mania, and World of Color. It was visited by 9.9 million people in 2018 and hopes to keep on growing. Another expansion is Buena Vista Street, which is supposed to represent where the Walt Disney Studios is located. Much like Disney Studios Park and Hong Kong Disneyland, the major reason that I rank this park so low is that it is small with relatively few attractions.

    I enjoy some of the attractions, such as Soarin' Over California, which has now become Soarin' Around The World. Soarin' is also in Hollywood Studios and Shanghai Disneyland, which I will talk about later. This ride depicted awesome parts of California, including the Golden Gate Bridge, PGA West in La Quinta, Malibu, Downtown Los Angeles, and ends in Disneyland Park. I will talk about Soarin' Around The World when I talk about Shanghai Disneyland.It has a long wait, so get a return time if possible


   As most of you know, I am a big Aladdin fan, and up until 2016, there was an Aladdin show called Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular. Let me tell you, it didn't amuse me like both the 1992 and 2019 movies or even the Broadway musical. It has been replaced by Frozen-Live at the Hyperion.


    Even though I am not a Cars fan. I enjoyed the rides at Cars Land. I had fun at Radiator Springs Racer, a very similar technology to Test Track at Epcot. It basically is a simulation of Radiator Springs where one drives in one of the Cars and goes around the track. There's also Luigi's Rollickin' Roadsters, which was originally Luigi's Flying Tires, which was bumper cars. Overall, while California Adventure has expanded, it doesn't have a lot to offer and I didn't even feel like staying up all night to watch World of Color. Worth seeing if you go to Disneyland Park for multiple days or with a park hopper pass to say you went.




                                        9. Tokyo DisneySea

      Some of you might have read my blog about Tokyo DisneySea last year. I thought that the rides were decent, but the lands and parks didn't feel magical. Basically, my problem with this park is that it didn't feel like a Disney Park because it lacked the charm of a Disney Park. The park opened up in 2001 and explores all the lands around the world. The lands include Mediterranean Harbor, where I went on a gondola like in Italy, Mysterious Island, Mermaid Lagoon, Arabian Coast, Lost River Delta, American Waterfront, and Port Discovery. The park’s attendance has soared to over 14 million visitors and it’s the 4th most visited theme park worldwide.



    As I mentioned before, the Mediterranean Harbor includes a gondola ride and a representation of Venice. It’s a step up above the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas but felt fake. The American Waterfront features a representation of Cape Cod and New York Harbor. The two longest waits include Toy Story Mania, which is also popular in Hollywood Studios and California Adventure, as well as Tower of Terror. They are very similar to the rides in Florida and Disneyland.



    Some of the different rides from the other Disney Parks include Raging Spirits, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, and Journey to the Center of the Earth. They are darker and more adult-oriented rides. Raging Spirits and Journey to the Center of the Earth are roller coasters that explore deep new lands such as the center of the earth and Peru. They are good for those who want thrills and to do something different than the typical Disney parks. I liked these rides but felt they were nothing special. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea is where one goes on a simulator submarine and explores Atlantis.

     The best ride is Sinbad's Storybook Voyage located in the Arabian Coast. I liked getting that feeling on the boat like It’s A Small World. It's a fun boat ride where one gets to hear the story about Sinbad and one gets to see his journey on the Arabian Coast. Alan Menken even wrote a song for the ride. At night, there's Fantasmic, but I missed it due to rain on the day I went. Overall, Tokyo DisneySea is worth checking out, but don't expect the magic of a Disney Park. Also, when taking the subway in Tokyo, there is a separate line at Disneyland that one has to take when they arrive at the Tokyo Disney Resort, and it costs additional money.



                                8. Disneyland Paris

     On my last day in Paris, I decided to cross off going to all the Disney Parks by going to Disneyland Paris. This park opened up in 1992 and is the second Disney park abroad after Tokyo Disneyland. A great way to get to Disneyland Paris from the city is by taking the metro, and the trip is 45 minutes. The Disneyland Paris Resort consists of two parks, Disney Village, and lots of hotels. The castle is Sleeping Beauty Castle like the one in Disneyland, but offers more of a French castle feeling.

    The park has the same lands as the other Disney Parks, such as Main Street U.S.A., Adventureland, Frontierland, Fantasyland, and Discoveryland. Even though it has most of the basic rides, it feels a lot smaller than some of the bigger Disney Parks. Some of the different attractions include The Haunted Mansion Phantom Manor, Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain, and Alice's Curious Labyrinth. I felt that the Star Wars ride made me nauseous, while I really enjoyed Alice's Curious Labyrinth because of all the visuals and how I got lost in the maze.

     Some of my favorite rides in the park include It's A Small World and Pirates of the Caribbean. They are both the same as they are in the Magic Kingdom, Disneyland, and Tokyo Disneyland. It's A Small World is a fun boat ride that represents how life is in different countries. Pirates of the Caribbean is also a fun boat ride showing pirates, well, being pirates! It has many updates that are from the movie such as Captain Jack Sparrow. Arr, it’s a pirate’s life for me. A fun attraction to get lost in is Adventure Isle, where one can go on an amazing walk around the land and can go to the Swiss Family Treehouse as well as the pirate ship on Pirate Beach. It feels like one is going on an amazing quest by seeing what's in the treehouse. If one has time in between attractions, one should hang on Adventure Isle to kill time, and there's no wait.


    Of course, it wouldn't be a Disney Park without a parade and evening show. There's a fun little late-afternoon show called Stars on Parade, which features Disney characters and floats in a special show. Some of those characters include characters from Frozen, Peter Pan, and Lion King. I had fun seeing all the characters having a good time, but wasn't amazed. The nighttime show is Disney Illuminations and it's a fun way to end the night. The show contains clips from The Lion King, Pirates of the Caribbean, Star Wars, and Frozen. I wouldn't say it's the best night show, but it’s worth seeing if one is at the park. Overall, I had a good time at Disneyland Paris, but one doesn't need the whole day as it's not big enough to spend the entire day. If one is at the park, one could go check out Disney Village or some of the hotels to kill time in between attractions.



                             7. Tokyo Disneyland

      As some of you read a year ago, I did a blog about Tokyo Disneyland. I liked it but felt it was a copycat of Disneyland in California. The symbol of the park is Cinderella's Castle like in the Magic Kingdom. The park opened up on April 15, 1983 and is the 3rd most visited theme park worldwide, only behind the Magic Kingdom and Disneyland. It's the only Disney park not owned by The Walt Disney Company and was visited by nearly 18 million people in 2018.



   This park is very similar to most Disney Parks by having Main Street U.S.A., Tomorrowland, Frontierland, Adventureland, Westernland, Fantasyland, Critter Country, and Toontown. Most of the rides are very similar to Disneyland, especially as they both have Toontown, which has Gadget Coaster and the Roger Rabbit Ride.



    My favorite rides at Adventureland include Pirates of the Caribbean and Jungle Cruise. I already have shared my opinion of Pirates of the Caribbean. I enjoy going on the Jungle Cruise. It feels like I'm going on a miniature ride around the jungle with animatronic animals such as elephants, birds, and hippos. Fantasyland has my favorite It's A Small World as well as Peter Pan's Flight, Pinocchio's Daring Journey, and Snow White's Adventures. Something unique is the wishing well at Snow White Grotto. A different attraction is Monsters, Inc. Ride and Go Seek, which I felt was nothing special. For those who want to get a return time, if possible use Google Translation to talk to cast members and have them help you.



    I went to Tokyo Disneyland for the 35th anniversary, so there was a lot of promotion for the event. For the nighttime show, it was Celebrate! Tokyo Disneyland and sadly it's gone. It was a nice little show with fireworks, and it focused on attractions and movies that make Tokyo Disneyland what it is today. Overall, it’s a big and fun park, but expect a copycat of Disneyland and not much different.



                                          6. Disneyland

 Let me first tell you and this is going to shock you. I have not been a fan of Disneyland since I was 11. I haven't even been in five years or had a pass. I felt it was a typical boring theme park. That being said, it still is the original and Walt Disney's dream before expanding into Disney World. Fans wanted to visit The Walt Disney Studios but realized the studio has little to offer tourists. Walt Disney acquired 160 acres of walnut and orange groves in Anaheim. Struggling to get financing for the park, Walt decided to create a show called Disneyland. The park opened on July 17, 1955 and only the press and a few people were invited. Others had counterfeit tickets or sneaked into the event. I remember seeing the opening day ceremony in a play about Walt Disney and when there was a Disney exhibit at the Ronald Reagan Library. Disneyland has grown throughout the years.



    A unique aspect about the Disney parks is that Walt wanted to look into the future and keep on changing, and so Disneyland keeps on changing. From anniversaries to special events, Disney always keeps the memories going. Disneyland of course has the original lands such as Adventureland, Frontierland, New Orleans Square, Crittercountry, Fantasyland, Toontown, Tomorrowland, and the recently added Star Wars: Galaxy Edge. Another way Disney kept changing is by having shopping and hotels close by, such as Downtown Disney and Disneyland Hotel. They keep changing shows and attractions based on current Disney movies.



    Some of the rides I enjoy are The Haunted Mansion, Jungle Cruise, It's A Small World, and Pirates of the Caribbean. What makes these rides special is the fact that they are the original ones and I've seen how they've changed throughout the years. One example is after the Pirates of the Caribbean movies came out, they changed the ride based on the movie. Some of the original rides, including Peter Pan's Flight and Snow White's Scary Adventures, are still there and draws a crowd. It’s fun to go on those rides at the original park because of the nostalgia.



    And it wouldn't be Disneyland without nighttime entertainment. One of the best nighttime shows is Fantasmic. I have not seen the updated one and I'm not sure if I saw the original one, but it's something I look forward to seeing next time I go to Disneyland. The nighttime shows, as usual, end with fireworks and clips of Disney movies to give us that nostalgia. Throughout the day, if one wants a break from the Disney parks, one can go to Downtown Disney and get a bite to eat. While I can understand why people love Disneyland, I lost interest as I got older as I felt that theme parks are more for kids. The reason I like Disney World so much is that it feels more like a city than a theme park.



                                          5. Shanghai Disneyland

     This is the newest Disney park, with a lot of technological updates. This park opened up in 2016 and feels so much different than all the other Disney parks. The way that the park is so much different is that it feels like a visual delight, such as how in Adventure Isle one can ride a canoe or play in a pirate ship. One should explore the growing land of these parks. The lands consist of Mickey Ave., which is the equivalence of Main Street U.S.A., Gardens of Imagination, Fantasyland, Treasure Cove, Adventure Isle, Tomorrowland, and Toy Story Land.



    As I've mentioned, the reason I like this Disney Park over others is that the all of the visuals make it different. In Tomorrowland there's the Tron Lightcycle Power Run, where one soars into the Tron ride. I thought personally it was nauseating. In Gardens of Imagination, there's a Marvel Land, where I met Captain America and Star Lord, and they had Avengers Training. Also there were pictures of all of the Disney movies and characters from Frozen, Robin Hood, Mulan, and The Princess and the Frog. Adventure Isle has the updated Soarin' Around The World, where one can fly across the Sydney Harbor, Great Wall of China, and the Pyramids in Egypt. Another difference is the visuals of Alice in Wonderland Maze. One can get lost exploring the visuals of all the Alice in Wonderland props.



    In my Shanghai Disneyland blog, I mentioned my two favorites include Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure and Voyage to the Crystal Grotto. The reason I loved both of those rides is that they made us, the riders, feel that we were part of the rides. The Pirates ride showed us the battle between the two ships, the Flying Dutchman and the Kraken in the Pirates of the Caribbean saga. Voyage to the Crystal Grotto took us on an amazing boat ride and showed us scenes from Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, Tangled, Mulan, and The Little Mermaid. There's also an amazing stunt show, Eye of the Storm: Captain Jack’s Stunt Spectacular. It’s Captain Jack Sparrow trying to escape and we have a lot of fun watching him do it. The technology is what makes the rides spectacular as well as the representation of the movies.



    If one wants a break from the park, one should check out Disneytown for a meal. There's even a Cheesecake Factory. Weird to see in China, ain’t it? One can do some shopping there and check out Wishing Star Lake as well as the Disneyland Hotel and Toy Story Hotel. At night, the show is Ignite the Dream, A Nighttime Spectacular of Magic and Light. It's a fireworks show with clips from The Lion King, Pirates of the Caribbean, Cinderella, Finding Nemo, Star Wars, and Frozen. It's a fun way to end a day at the park. Overall, I enjoyed Shanghai Disneyland, especially the visuals and technology, but the rides were hit or miss other than Pirates and Crystal Grotto. If one is in Shanghai and a Disney fan, make a visit to the park.

 


4. EPCOT

   Have you ever wanted to check out China, Mexico, France, England, Canada, or basically go around the world in a matter of hours? Well, one can do that at the amazing Epcot Center. This park is divided into two lands, World Showcase and Future World. This park just celebrated its 37th anniversary, having opened up on October 1, 1982 at the Walt Disney World Resort. Epcot holds some amazing annual festivals, such as The Flower and Garden and the Food and Wine. Wow! I can't believe a theme park can offer such events. Let's explore what makes Epcot so special.



    The first part of Epcot is Future World. Let’s go explore the future. The symbol of Epcot is Spaceship Earth, which is a ride that takes you throughout time and evolution. Mission Space takes one on a simulated mission to Mars. One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind. It was nauseating. Test Track takes you on a test drive into the future. The Land attraction is extremely educational by teaching us about nature. They even have the new Soarin' Around The World, which I have yet to see, but I did see it when it was Soarin' Around California. A fun former attraction was Circle of Life: An Environmental Fable, where Simba teaches Timon and Pumba about how we are all responsible for our actions on this earth. Environmentalists would love the message. Overall, while I did like Future World, I like World Showcase more because it feels more unique.



    As I stated before, the best part of Epcot is World Showcase. It features many countries such as Canada, United Kingdom, France, Morocco, Japan, United States, Japan, Italy, Germany, China, Mexico, and Italy. This exhibit represents the world's fair and what makes each country special. I enjoy the fact that one can see all these countries in one place. They represent the cultures and have the countries’ foods and representations. Overall, I do like World Showcase because seeing a representation of each country makes it different than other theme parks. I just don't feel the connection as much because I have visited most of these countries and it can feel fake seeing these representations.



     Epcot had a great closing show, IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth, which will be replaced with Epcot Forever and be permanently replaced by HarmonioUS, which will feature more music from the other countries. I look forward to seeing that show next time at Epcot. IllumiNations featured fireworks around the countries. It was a great way to end the night at Epcot and I hope HarmonioUS will not disappoint. Overall, I did like Epcot, but it feels more fake than other Disney Parks at Disney World.



                                           3. Animal Kingdom

       Have you ever wanted to explore a safari without going all the way to Africa? Well, in the amazing Animal Kingdom, one can go on that African safari without spending a load of money or leaving the continent. This park opened up on Earth Day 1998 and was a nature environment for animal conservation. This park cares for the animals’ well-being, and the nighttime show features no fireworks so as not to disturb the animals. It’s amazing to believe that the park is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and World Association of Zoos and Aquariums. I bet you no one would ever think of that for a Disney Park. The park attendance continues to grow annually and was visited by 13.7 million people. It’s the 3rd most visited theme park in the U.S. and the 6th most visited park worldwide.



    The lands consist of Africa, The Oasis, Discovery Island, Asia, Discovery Island, DinoLand U.S.A., and most recently Pandora: The World of Avatar. I have not visited Pandora yet, but I look forward to visiting it next time I go. The Oasis feels like you're visiting the equivalence of Main Street U.S.A. and the park entrance. Want to take an amazing walk around the areas of the park? Discovery Island connects you to explore all the lands of the park. In Asia, one is taken to the fictional land of Anandapur, which invokes traits of Thailand, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Mongolia, and Nepal. Some thrill rides include Expedition Everest: Legend of the Forbidden Mountain, Kali River Rapids, and Dinosaur. I like Expedition Everest and Kali River Rapids over Dinosaur because Dinosaur made me nauseous and Expedition Everest and Kali River Rapids are fun little thrill rides that take one around the land of Asia.



     The best land and most unique land is Africa. The most different attraction is the Kilimanjaro Safaris. As I mentioned, it feels very similar to an African Safari because one sees live animals such as elephants, hippos, giraffes, zebras, wild dogs, antelopes, Nile crocodiles, as well as many other animals. The best part is that they are all in the wild and not animatronic. I have no interest in going to Africa, so this will suffice. I had a good time going on the safari because I got to see wild animals run free. It's the first thing I did at Animal Kingdom because of how different it is from other attractions at the Disney Parks. Another amazing part about Africa is the Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail, where people can walk around and see wild animals from the safari attraction. If one wants to check out a show, check out The Festival of The Lion King, based off of the movie.


    This park used to be a daytime park, but now with Avatar and a nighttime show it’s an all-day park and remains open much later. If one is an animal lover or even a land lover, this park is for you. Overall, I enjoyed Disney's Animal Kingdom because of the safari, the animals, and the awesome walks.



                                  2. Disney's Hollywood Studios

     Let me give you a little note before I give you my review. The park has changed since the last time I've been there. It originally opened on May 1, 1989, 27 days before I was born. I bet The Walt Disney Company knew I was going to be born so they opened this park. Originally called Disney's MGM-Studios Park, the park imagines worlds from film, television, music, theater, and the Golden Age of Hollywood. As I've mentioned, this park has changed throughout the years and done away with many of its previous attractions. One of the reasons this park opened was to compete with the upcoming Universal Studios.


       This land really makes you feel like you're visiting Hollywood with Sunset Blvd. as well as Hollywood Blvd. This park more recently focuses more on live attractions and shows rather than rides. One of my favorite shows at night is Fantasmic. I'm not sure if I’ve seen the one at Disneyland, but the one in Hollywood Studios is still lots of fun -- Mickey Mouse battles Maleficent as she becomes a lot of the Disney villains. Steamboat Willie makes a cameo with all the Disney characters. For Indiana Jones fans, there's the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, in which Indy performs stunts. Some former shows I enjoyed were The Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow and Lights, Motors, Action! An Extreme Stunt Show. Also, there's Beauty and the Beast: Live on Stage, which tells the tale as old as time with all your favorite characters. For people who want to check out shows instead of rides, this is the park.



    For ride lovers, fear not, as there are of course some rides. One of the best former rides was The Great Movie Ride. The building looks like the Chinese theater and gives one a tour of all the movies of the early days. I know some people didn't love it, but as a movie lover, I enjoyed feeling like I was in Hollywood. I wish I had seen the Studio Backlot Tour -- as an avid movie lover, I would have loved to see how the movies were made. Some rides that still exist include Toy Story Mania, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, and Rock 'N' Rollin Roller Coaster. My favorite ride is Rock 'N' Rollin Roller Coaster, where one can take a coaster and feel like they're in California.



     This park has had some changes I have yet to see, such as Toy Story Land and Star Wars Galaxy Edge. I look forward to seeing how the park has changed since going 4 years ago. I know I didn't give a clear representation of the park because of all the changes. The reason I liked it so much is because of that feeling of being back in the movies. Years ago, it would have been my top favorite Disney Park. I hope that next time I go I'll have a better idea of where to rank it. Until then, this park will see you at the movies.



                                        1. Magic Kingdom

     What would make the best Disney Park better than anything in the world? It is Walt Disney's dream come true. Walt Disney sadly died years before his dream, the Florida Project, came true. The Florida Project is what became EPCOT. Walt wanted a bigger version of Disneyland and he knew it wasn't going to be in California. The park opened up on October 1, 1971. Something unique about Magic Kingdom is that one can take a monorail between the Disney's Contemporary Resort and Disney's Polynesian Village Resort. The Contemporary Resort's monorail has a Mickey Mouse symbol as one rides the track. The reason that I love this resort over the other Disney Parks is because of how magical the park feels.



It contains the usual lands of a Disney park, including Main Street U.S.A., Adventureland, Frontierland, Liberty Hall, Fantasyland, and Tomorrowland. I suppose one of the major differences is The Hall of Presidents in Liberty Hall, where one can hear animatronics of the presidents speaking. It's narrated by Morgan Freeman. I of course love Pirates of the Caribbean, Jungle Cruise, Tom Sawyers Island and Cinderella's Castle. I love this park because of the magic and how it’s a visual delight. I can understand how the park keeps growing with visitors and continues to be the number-one most visited theme park worldwide.



   The entertainment and nighttime spectaculars are a reason to spend the whole day at Disney World, especially the Magic Kingdom. Both these shows are no longer there, but the shows I saw include Wishes: A Magical Gathering of Disney Dreams and Celebrate the Magic. The show features clips from the amazing Disney movies and fireworks. You will be entertained. Most people including myself enjoy the magic that Walt brought upon us.



      Most people are unable to say they went to all the Disney Parks. From Europe to Asia to Orange County to Florida, they're international. To safaris to going around the world to jungle cruises to pirates to roller coasters, there's something for everyone at the Disney Parks. I hope I inspired YOU to take that Disney trip around the world.

Tuesday, October 8, 2019

Hawaii


    Hi everyone! Sorry for not blogging the last few months. I moved to Irvine and needed to get acclimated to that. There will be three upcoming blogs about my most recent travels. Let's talk about my first main summer trip, Hawaii. For many people, Hawaii is the perfect place to go on a vacation. There are many islands one would want to visit. The main four include Kona, known as the big island; Oahu; Maui; and Kaui. I haven't been to Kaui, so sadly I won't be able to give a pitch about it. Today we're going to discuss what makes Hawaii so special and everything every island has to offer.

    Let me first explain why tourists from all over the world go to Hawaii. People love to escape reality, and Hawaii is the best escape. Hawaii has some of the best beaches, resorts, swimming pools, and nature in the world. Tourism is actually Hawaii's main source of income after the military, and one can see why. Hawaii is to the west coast what the Caribbean is to the east coast. Unlike the Caribbean, I would recommend a land vacation because there is more to see in Hawaii than the Caribbean. The Caribbean only has so much to see and then one would get bored, which is why a cruise is good for the Caribbean and a week in Hawaiian paradise is the way to see Hawaii. Let's talk about the history of each island and what they have to offer.



OAHU

    Let's first talk about the number one main island people come to visit, Oahu. Here are some interesting facts: It's known as "The Gathering Place," it's the third largest island in Hawaii, and it's home to a million people, or two-thirds of the Hawaiian natives. The island has been inhabited since the 3rd century. The most infamous event is Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, when Pearl Harbor was attacked by the Japanese. Today, Oahu is visited by five million people a year, mostly from the United States and Japan.

    As I mentioned, tourism is a major part of the economy in Hawaii. Let's talk about some of the major tourist attractions in Oahu. The main places to visit are Waikiki, Waikiki Beach, Ala Moana Mall, Diamond Head, Pearl Harbor, and the North Shore. Some major sites in Waikiki include the major resorts, such as the Hilton Hawaiian Village; Waikiki Beach; and Honolulu Zoo and Aquarium. There's a lot people would want to see in Oahu, enough that one could spend a week in just Honolulu alone. If one wants to include a bunch of activities on one pass, one might want to get the All-Inclusive Oahu Pass.

    I would say Oahu is my second favorite island because of how much there is to see and all the beautiful beaches and tourist activities. There is a lot to see on this island. Some people complain that it's too much of a big city and not the real Hawaii. I strongly disagree because Waikiki Beach, Hanauma Bay, Hilton Hawaiian Village, and the North Shore offer amazing beaches with amazing blue water to snorkel in. If you're lucky, you can even see a sea turtle. Go out and explore Oahu and then decide if you want to go to another island.




                                                   MAUI

   Now let's talk about the best island in Hawaii, Maui. The reason that I think it's the best island is because of the fancy resorts and beaches. It has the real perfect blend of Hawaii and tourism and doesn't feel as touristy as Oahu. Also, it has excellent snorkeling.

   I am first going to discuss the history of Maui. It is the second biggest Hawaiian island. It has a population of 144,444 and is the third most populated island. The Polynesians came to populate Hawaii, probably how Maui from Moana came to be. Years after founding the constitution, explorer James Cook came to explore Maui and was the first from Europe to visit. The population has been growing throughout the years, which has expanded tourism.

    Now for the major reason to check out this part of the blog, the tourism. For those who are island hopping, let me give YOU a very good and time-saving tip. Don't fly into OGG Airport. There's an airport, Kapalua Airport, right in between Lahaina and Kaanapali. One can then take a bus or even walk to their resort. So much easier than going to Kahului Airport. Sadly those coming from LAX or the USA or international can't use this option.

    The tourism includes Lahaina town and the resorts near Kaanapali Beach. Some of those resorts include the Hyatt Regency Maui, Sheraton Maui Resort and Spa, as well as the Westin. There is a resort row in Kaanapali where one can check out resorts near the beach as well as shop at Whalers Village. One can also take the bus to Lahaina town and explore it. Another excellent part to check out in West Maui is Kapalua Resort, which includes the Ritz Carlton. I prefer the Hyatt to the Ritz Carlton. Both Kapalua and Kaanapali Beach have excellent snorkeling. If one wants to explore some unique parts outside of the Maui resorts, one should check out The Road to Hana and Waimea, which is known as Cowboy Town. Maui has a lot to see combining tourism and nature. This is one island not to miss.




                                KONA AKA THE BIG ISLAND

    Well, let's talk about one of the most visited islands in Hawaii, The Big Island of Hawaii AKA Kona. I stayed in the major tourist part, Kailua. This island is a lot more quiet than some of the other islands like Oahu and Maui. This is a place for those who want to explore Hawaii without the tourists. From volcanos to black sand beaches, Kona has some variety.

   I am personally not a big fan of Kailua because of how there's a lack of activities and the beaches aren't very beautiful. I also was bored there. I went on a circle island tour and even though some of the caves and volcanos were interesting, they didn't hold my interest on this island. Also, one might have to go deep in the island to find white sand beaches. One could tell that this island was formed by the volcanic ash. I guess if one doesn't want activities and to relax on the beach, this could suffice, but I would never recommend this island.

    Hawaii has a lot of diversity and a lot to offer. Some of the highlights include big cities, beaches, snorkeling, and fancy resorts. The Hawaiian Islands help people escape reality with relaxation and beautiful beaches. People from all over the world, not just from the west coast of the USA, should make a point to see Hawaii once. I hope I motivate YOU to either go back to Hawaii or to visit the new world for the first time.




Thursday, June 20, 2019

Ronald Regan Library



     Welcome audience to another presidential blog with Stephen Gaiber: The Autistic Traveler. Today, we are going to explore the life of our 40th president, Ronald Reagan, via the Ronald Reagan Library in Simi Valley, California. The museum goes into the details of Reagan's life before, during, and after his presidency. This is a great museum to check out if you're a fan or not a fan of Reagan, or if you live nearby in Southern California.

    When you drive to the library entrance, you will notice all the past and current presidents being honored for their time served in office. There are secret service agents protecting the building. I am currently a presidential library member, so I get to go to the museums for free. There are also free events on Presidents Day, such as photo opportunities with Lincoln and Washington, as well as reenactments of events of their time in office. When you enter the museum, YOU really get a feel for Reagan's life as president. It begins with an introduction video, then the story of his life as presidency begins.



 
        
  
     There is a lot to see at The Ronald Reagan Library. Some of the museum exhibits include Reagan's life as governor of California, his family life, his policies, and life as an actor. For people who are into history about Ronald Reagan, this is the place to go. Other exhibits include Reagan's assassination attempt, his life with Nancy, his "just say no to drugs" campaign, Air Force One, his meeting to improve Russian relations (unlike our current president), and the Berlin Wall.

    Whether you like Reagan or not, hopefully the museum can give YOU a perspective of some of his accomplishments as president. One of his major goals was to get government out of your personal life. I have mixed feelings about that. Sometimes I feel we need government to protect us from being taken advantage of by rich corporations or greedy capitalists. Also, rules and regulations can make starting a business and personal life harder. Something I was proud of Reagan for doing was destroying the Berlin Wall between East and West Germany. I actually went to the Berlin Wall in Berlin and saw some of the impact it had on Germany. I felt that his relationship with Nancy is a modern-day presidential love story, like the Obamas'. My hope is if you visit the Reagan library, you will learn some history and accomplishments of his presidency.


     The Ronald Reagan Library at times has temporary exhibits, which for members cost extra. The most recent one was Pompeii. The city of Pompeii was destroyed by a giant volcano. Its massive lava destroyed the city faster than you could scream. There also was a major earthquake that caused a lot of damage. Those who complain about the Northridge earthquake, be thankful the whole San Fernando Valley wasn't destroyed. I personally wasn't a fan of this exhibit. I did enjoy other exhibits, such as D23 (interesting fact: Ronald Reagan knew Walt Disney), Titanic, Genghis Khan, and many others. These exhibits are worth checking out if one visits the library.

    There is a lot to see for those who love history at the Ronald Reagan Library. From free shows to personal events and parties, the museum is more than another history museum. There's something for everyone to check out. I hope YOU will watch this video at https://youtu.be/shE0bE-Z7UI
    



Tuesday, May 14, 2019

New York



     Greetings everyone! It's Stephen Gaiber: The Autistic Traveler again. For today's blog, we're going to talk about the city that never sleeps, New York City. Let me tell you, it is a very lively city, from museums to family entertainment to tourist traps to restaurants to famous sites and everything you can imagine. This diverse city is where most of the immigrants came from, stopping on Ellis Island to start a new life. Some of these immigrants include Italians, Jews, Russian, all different types of people. There's a lot to explore and so little time to explore it all, so let's explore New York City.

   Since there's a lot to offer in New York City, let's talk about some interesting facts that make New York the city that it is. The city was originally called New Amsterdam -- too bad they aren't as liberal as real Amsterdam. The city was first founded in 1625, with the first settlers coming in 1624. The island of Manhattan was named after the Native American tribe that lived in Manhattan. For a year, 1789 to 1790, it was the nation's capital. Imagine if Trump was president then how he'd feel at home with his little adoring crowd. Speaking of minorities, 52% are women and half of residents over the age of 5 speak a foreign language. Even though most of us think New York is big, it's only 300 square miles.














 

    There are a lot of sites that New York has to offer, from big buildings, excellent museums, excellent views, and so much more. New York has many walking tours from Wall Street, movies, Madison Square Garden, and transportation walking tours. Sadly, since there is only so much time I've had throughout my duration in New York, I have been unable to do a walking tour, but I hope one day to do a walking tour.

    One of the most famous museums is the Natural History Museum. It has dinosaurs and creatures from all over the world, as well as science exhibits. It is one of New York's historic sites. There is a lot to learn, such as how the dinosaurs were made and a very topical subject, global warming. There are a lot of creatures from all over the world. I think this is an excellent place to explore if one has a free day.

    New York has no shortage of art museums. Some of the famous art museums include the Museum of Modern Art, which always has new exhibits. It is also free every Friday after 5pm, but be aware of very long lines. Another famous art museum is the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum. The art is displayed all around the museum and shows all different types of art on each level. Each level you walk up, you see the art on display and see different types of amazing art. It's definitely worth walking up all the floors.

    The best art museum is the Metropolitan Museum of Art, known as the Met. Wow! is this museum big and amazing. I mean, one could literately spend a whole day there and still miss out on a lot of art. The types of art include European and British art, Egyptian and Pharaoh art, Asian art, and New Zealand art. This museum consists of several main floors, where one would get engaged in seeing all the different types of art work and feel they are experiencing the culture. The best art, I feel, is the Egyptian art because it feels like YOU are in ancient Egypt. It is 2 million square feet. One might be able to get admission just by making a donation rather than paying the suggested price for admission. I've done that throughout the years, but it's at the discretion of the person selling tickets. If one has A LOT of time in New York and is not rushed, it's worth spending a whole day at the Met.

    New York has some great views, such as Top of the Rock, Chrysler Building, and Empire State Building. They're all really excellent. There is now a new excellent building to see views, the One World Observatory. It's right near the 9/11 Museum and is a great reminder of how great New York is. I loved exploring the excellent views really high up. One can see the beautiful skyline, showing the entire city, and get a history lesson too. One should definitely explore this if one happens to be near the 9/11 memorial.






    There's no reason why one should ever have to pay full price for admission unless one is only interested in literately seeing one thing throughout New York. There are many different passes that include the New York Pass, the New York Sightseeing Pass, the New York CityPass, and the New York Explorer Card. My two favorites that I would recommend if one wants to have unlimited choices for a certain amount of time would be between the New York Pass and the New York Sightseeing Pass. They are pretty much the same with some exceptions. Some of the things that the New York Pass offers that the Sightseeing pass doesn't offer are the Museum of Sex and the Empire State Building. The New York Sightseeing Pass does offer discounts at Planet Hollywood and Buffalo Wild Wings.

    If one only is in New York for a day or two and only has a select few attractions to see, maybe the New York CityPass or Explorer Card is right for YOU. The New York Explorer Card lets you pick a certain amount of attractions for a certain price. The New York CityPass will either let you pick between three of a certain amount of attractions or six attractions all together with three allowed and a choice between three others. There's a lot to explore in New York and to get the best bang for your buck, one should get at least one sort of pass.

    New York has a lot to offer the average person. Some of the attractions it has to offer include museums, history, shopping, tours, famous sporting events, and just a place to spend time. People from all over the world consider New York a prime place to visit and I hope I gave you some better insight into why that is. Please feel free to watch my video at https://youtu.be/dczxBA2SfzQ

Wednesday, March 20, 2019

Travel Show II



       Greetings audience! It's Stephen Gaiber: The Autistic Traveler. For today's blog, I am going to discuss my time at the Los Angeles Travel and Adventure Show. It's a travel show that advertises different travel itinerates such as Asia vacations, European vacations, Africa vacations, different styles of vacations and many different ways to see the world. The Travel and Adventure Show. There are booths of travel agents who work for particular companies and explain the benefits of all types of vacations.

     The Travel and Adventure Show travels to different cities to show all the different places that are available in the world. Some of the places that the Travel and Adventure Show goes to are Boston, Philadelphia, Dallas, San Francisco, and Washington D.C. They have been doing these shows for 15 years and 84 events, bringing 4,000 different exhibition companies around the world. I am proud to have attended these events for 10 years and I look forward to discussing the highlights of the travel show.




    The Travel and Adventure Show has a lot to offer those who love to travel. There are people who advertise many different tours such as safaris in Africa, Mediterranean Boat Vacations, all different destinations in Asia, and different counties in California. I have learned about more there is to do in different parts of California, such as what there is to do in San Bernardino County, Inyo County, or even more that there is to see in Ventura, San Luis Obispo, Mammoth, and Lancaster. The main aspect regarding California that the travel show likes to explore is that there is more to see than just Los Angeles and San Francisco.

    One can learn about many different types of vacations out there other than just the big cities. Different types of vacations include hiking and camping and sun vacations. As I've mentioned before, some of the big highlights that the travel show has to offer include the touristy parts of Asia and Europe. One can also learn about different types of vacations such as house-swapping, which is changing houses with a particular person like the movie The Holidays. They also have a website called Cashbackmonitor.com, which shows all the websites where one can do online shopping to get cash and frequent-flyer miles. There is a lot to learn about travel by visiting the travel show.

    There are some things I would like to see The Travel And Adventure Show expand on. I am an avid Disney fan, particularly of Disneyworld. They should advertise Orlando, Disneyworld, Universal Studios Orlando, SeaWorld Orlando, and many other parks. A lot of Californians might forget about those places and it might help draw tourists to check out Disneyworld. Also they should have other states from the Midwest or even the East Coast come in and explain why one should visit their states. One example would be South Carolina; there's a lot to see in that state, such as Beauty and the Beach. Also the big cities such as New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Boston, etc., should come and explain why one should visit their cities.

    Overall, I feel that The Travel and Adventure Show has a lot to offer world travelers who want to explore. I love coming here annually and I hope that I have given YOU an idea of what to explore when you're in the area. They at times can switch it from the Los Angeles Convention Center to Long Beach Convention Center, but both are accessible by the Metro, so no need to endure Los Angeles traffic. There are pleasant surprises at the end, such as this year I rode a zip line and last year I rode an elephant. I encourage all to check out this amazing show. Also please watch my video at https://youtu.be/bSrrwGYWv1U

Monday, February 18, 2019

The Richard Nixon Presidential Library



     Good day audience! I am a member of the presidential libraries and as a member, I get general admission included to visit the presidential libraries anytime. These libraries are great for history and people who want to learn facts about the presidents' administrations. There are 14 presidential libraries including the upcoming Obama museum. The libraries I have attended include those of JFK, Ronald Reagan, George W. Bush, Lyndon Johnson, and Richard Nixon. If one happens to visit Northeastern Orange County and wants to escape the shopping malls, beach, or Disneyland, one should hop to Yorba Linda, both Richard Nixon's birthplace and the location of his museum.

     The Richard Nixon Presidential Museum and Library is the final resting place of both Richard Nixon and his wife Pat. The museum was opened on July 19, 1990. The museum goes into exclusive detail about the president's life, history, and career. His family home was designed to appear as it did in the 1910s. Wow! What an impressive fact for those who like to explore history. The museum did a massive expansion in 2016 and includes the oval office, media to appeal to millennials, the Vietnam War, Nixon in China, and Nixon's sitting room. These exhibits add more variety and give one a better appreciation of Richard Nixon's legacy. The main topics I hope to address are Nixon's life, the Vietnam War, his accomplishments, and the Watergate Scandal. I'd rather relive Watergate than live Trump and Putin.

 

     Richard Nixon was born in Yorba Linda on January 9, 1913. Interesting fact: Richard Nixon's father was a grocer like I am. One of Nixon's earlier quotes about his life was, "We were poor, but the glory of it is we didn't know it." That would make everyone's financial problems much easier today if they adopted that mentality. Both of Nixon's brothers died before he turned 20. Richard Nixon got into Harvard, but due to finances, he went to Whittier College and got a full scholarship to Duke University Law School. In 1940, he married a schoolteacher Pat and had two daughters.

     Richard Nixon was determined to do what it took to be president. In 1960, he competed against John F. Kennedy. Talk about the heartbreaking loss, by just 120,000 votes. Reminds me of the 2000 election of Bush vs. Gore. At least JFK won the popular vote. Upon return to California, he was encouraged to run for governor against Pat Brown, ultimately loosing to her. Richard Nixon decided to come back and run for president against Hubert Humphrey and independent George Wallace. He won the election by 500,000. If Nixon taught us anything, it teaches us to do what it takes to follow our dreams. I can relate to Nixon in the sense that I've been trying for years to get a job in entertainment and travel, and despite my failures, I keep trying to get that job.



     
     One of the major conflicts that Richard Nixon had to endure was the war in Vietnam caused by Lyndon B. Johnson. He really had a dilemma because the war caused the country to be split. If he didn't end the war, there would be outrage, but if he did, it would be an outrage too. Part of the problems he faced with the Vietnam War was that Democrats could charge Nixon abandoning a peaceful solution with war crimes. But if he didn't end the war, Saigon would fall. He slowly pulled troops out of Vietnam. In 1972, there were no troops on the combat field and by 1973, only 25,000 soldiers remained in Vietnam. The Vietnam War is a subject we can all debate if it was necessary or not. However this ended the mandated draft. Ending the war will go down as one of Nixon's accomplishments.



     Like or hate Richard Nixon, he tried his best to make America better than when he came in. He accomplished some excellent goals that helped set up our country for success. He founded the Environment Protection Agency (EPA), which was in response to pollution and conservation. Some of the laws that were passed were the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and the Mamel Marine Act. These laws have been very beneficial to make the environment safer and easier to battle global warming. He started the War on Cancer which created national cancer centers and medications to battle cancer. My favorite accomplishment of Nixon was that he was the first US President to visit China. He eased relations between China and America, making it easier for me to go on my favorite trip since graduating high school and go to Shanghai Disneyland this summer. I think these were excellent traits of this president. Unfortinatly, the Watergate Scandle were what led to the end of Nixon.


     Most of us are aware of the Watergate scandal, and it is relevant today to Trump colluding with Russia. There was a break-in on June 17, 1972 at the Democratic National Committee. The people involved were with Richard Nixon's re-election campaign. They used wiretapping phones and stole documents. Nixon made sure that Watergate was covered up. This caused people to question their leaders. Two reporters, Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein from the Washington Post, did a deep investigation and were applauded for their efforts in investigating and won a Pulitzer prize. This was traced back to Nixon because phone numbers of the re-election campaign were with the burglars' stuff. Also Richard Nixon arranged hush money to the burglars to keep quiet about Watergate, like Donald Trump did for Stormy Daniels. Nixon's administration tried to impede the CIA, which was both an abuse of power and obstruction of justice. The Saturday Night Massacre, October 20, 1973, was when Archibald Cox was fired upon his request for Nixon to give up the tapes. Nixon was forced to resign on August 8, 1974 and six weeks later was pardoned by Gerald Ford. This was a dark time, causing a lot of problems for years to come. Nixon was at least admirable for leaving when he knew he was in trouble. We live in similar times now and I hope that we have a country where we can trust our leaders.

     After Nixon resigned, he returned to Southern California to have a regular life. He went back home to San Clemente. He had a lot of struggles, both physically and financially, since Watergate. He died on April 22, 1994, and his wife Pat died a year earlier. At the end of the library, they had the video of his memorial. Richard Nixon left a legacy both good and bad, but did care for America's best interests. I hope that if you happen to be in Orange County or traveling from Riverside County, you will get off the 91 freeway and make up your own opinion about Nixon. Please watch this video: https://youtu.be/zztLek59e_M