M’s Are Wild: Mike’s Mailbag

Mike’s Mailbag

Before they get lost in the shuffle let me share some recently received emails.

Most of them touch upon my recent discussion on Disney Withdrawal and Disney Saturation:

First up, Heidi Potenza:

It has been 1 whole month since we got back from our trip to Disney. Mike’s blog brought a smile to my face because we too have had this very discussion about “too much of a good thing.” We started out visiting WDW every couple years when we could afford to. We have now made it an annual pilgrimage with our kids who truly look forward to it as much as we do!

I agree with Mike’s observations about how your appreciation changes for different things the more you visit. We just spent 8 days park hopping, as well as the Pirates & Princesses Party one night. The last night of our vacation, we stayed until 10 p.m. even though we had to be at the Orlando airport for a 6 a.m. flight just to get every last little bit of Disney magic in until next time!

I will know that I have had enough Disney when I walk into the Magic Kingdom, and stand there gazing down Main Street at that beautiful castle, and not have tears streaming down my face.

Then perhaps we will have a serious discussion about saturation!!

Heidi

Thanks for the email Heidi. My tears usually appear on the last night of a trip when I’m leaving Magic Kingdom. Once I hit the Emporium area I cannot turn back to look at the castle.

From Jon Simon:

I fully comprehend what Mike refers to as saturation. I would rather use a different term, because I think saturation equals a lack of appreciation.

More appropriate is commonplace. He is used to going and lacks the excitement the vast majority of people face going and the withdrawal he describes.

Two members of my family recently went to WDW and I felt a form of withdrawal every day they were there. It was the first time I was unable to accompany them.

Every time I hear the Year of a Million Dreams theme I get chills. My wife who just returned does not share this feeling.

My withdrawal was made a little easier while they were away because Mr. Scopa made me feel wonderful by calling me while he met up with my son while at Epcot.

Jon

Thanks for the note Jon. I had a great time chatting with your son Ben. The only thing better would have been if you were there to take part in the conversation.

We called you from the top of the hill in the picture below…right near International Gateway.

From Philip DeLuccia (who I happen to know just celebrated a birthday”¦Happy Birthday Phil)

Mike, I just finished reading your blog about Saturation Point. My family and I have been down there every other year since 1994, but recently my wife and I are trying to go once a year. We find ourselves visiting the newest attractions (or recently upgraded), then we take in our favorites as time permits. We’ve also tried out of the ordinary outings like renting a boat from Old Key West and traveling along the waterways to The Marketplace, Port Orleans, and back. We’ve also tried Para-sailing behind The Contemporary and are planning on going to Discovery Cove this coming January 2009 (weather permitting).

I have to say that just being in the parks gives me a feeling of fulfillment and pleasure, whether I get on an attraction or not. Evelyn (my wife) is looking forward to upcoming races and I look forward just to be in The World. We experienced Mickey’s Not so Scary this past October as well as the Tower of Terror 13K (if you remember, Evelyn and I chatted with you while waiting for the beginning of the race). I’m going to pick up Annual Passes for the two of us, since we’ll be going down this coming October for 5 days, 10 days in January, and another 5 days in October 2009. I figured Oct 2009 would be at the beginning of the month, so Evelyn can run the Race for the Taste. I enjoyed talking to you this past October, and, after reading your blogs and listening to your opinions on the podcasts, I find that we have much in common. I totally agree with you regarding not letting my children roam around a Theme park by themselves. I don’t care if it’s WDW or not, I trust my children, but I don’t trust everyone else. Our children are our most valuable possessions and I know I’d die if anything happened to mine. Hopefully we’ll get to chat again while in Florida (maybe Jan 2009). Until then, I’ll keep reading your blogs and listening to your podcast.

Keep Well,

Phil DeLuccia

Phil is referring to a recent discussion on the WDWTODAY podcast in which the panelists debated on whether or not they would allow a thirteen year old and his eight year old brother to roam in the Magic Kingdom while the parents enjoyed a quiet meal at California Grill.

By the way Phil, my wife and I and two of our cast member friends spent one afternoon on a boat and went to see Old Key West. Here is what it looked like as we arrived at OKW.

From Jenny:

I found your blog on saturation to be extremely true. Walt Disney World definitely means many different things to everyone. Like your early years, we can only manage family trips every other year and are working towards our biggest one yet and the anticipation and planning are only part of the fun. We have celebrated all (honeymoon, birthdays, Christmas, New Years, & soon anniversary) at the World and the saturation has not yet set in and I hope that it never does. For us, it truly is THE HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH!

Your Blog is great, keep it up!!

Thank you for the kind words Jenny. I think annual trips work well for most folks because of the excitement of planning and anticipation of every trip and more importantly, annual trips keep everything fresh and that saturation point well off the radar.

Here’s a note from a fellow AllEars colleague

From Glo
Mike,

Just wanted to say that I loved your blog segment about withdrawal/saturation.

Like you, when we had family, living in Michigan, our trips were about every 18 months. Once the kids were gone, just Gary and I went every year in January …same awful withdrawal!
Then we moved to Miami in 1998 and went about once a month. In 2001 we bought a small home in Kissimmee just so we could go more often and stay longer.

Guess what! Saturation 😉 We still love WDW and always look forward to going, but, just as you said, now it’s the atmosphere, it’s the people-watching, it’s the beauty of the landscaping and architecture. It’s simply strolling down the rose walk and photographing particularly beautiful blossoms.

…and virtually the only time we do attractions is when we have friends, family or the grandkids visit.

Now about those fireworks! You may skip them sometimes, but that’s one thing I can’t do without LOL

Glo

Glo, your note triggered a thought. I have another friend who moved from Michigan to Florida and he lives about an hour from WDW. I’m not sure where he is on the saturation scale but one of the things he said his family misses is the resort atmosphere. There is no need for them to stay at the resorts and that, he said, is part of the whole WDW experience….

…and I’m with you all the way on the fireworks! Have you ever watched Wishes from the California Grill?

From a fellow Red Sox fan

From Kathleen:
Dear Mike:

I just returned from the World and at your advice, I checked out Spaceship Earth. I can offer a mixed review. I enjoyed the new narrative, but was underwhelmed by even the computer room.

I prefer by far the recent Pirates and Haunted Mansion rehabs! My kids (10, 8, and 8) LOVED the quiz at the end. As I think Deb may have mentioned in an All Ears review, I concur that a memorable song like “Tomorrow’s Child” would enhance the experience. Nice but not a “must see.”

I will be able to return April 17-23 (I NEVER get 2 trips a year–this is HUGE) and can’t wait!!!
Thanks for asking my opinion. Wishing you and your family many trips to the World full of moments in the “zone.”

Good luck to your knees and the Red Sox this spring!!

Kathleen

Thanks Kathleen. Everyone needs to see the new Spaceship Earth for themselves. There have been some amazing improvements to this attraction. I somehow get the feeling however that there is still more to do.

Go Sox!

Here’s one from a New England neighbor Virginia Pierce

Being a fellow New Englander from RI, I must start off by saying “Go Sox!”

Reading your article in All Ears Newsletter made me think those are the special things about Disney that cause us to make the trek several times a year, the thing that most people don’t understand. I want to add one to your list.

Last October while I was waiting for Spectromagic to begin, I was eating a snack on a side street off Main Street. I heard a terrible sounding piano, then a women yelling. Then I heard tap dancing. It took me a minute to figure it out. Across the street, a window read something out Piano Lessons and/or Tap Dance Lessons, and that was the commotion I heard.

Those are the details that make Disney special to me; most people are too busy running to the next attraction to take the time to appreciate the small things.

Thanks for reliving the magic,
Virginia Pierce

Virginia I am so glad you sent me that email because it points out how rushing around a theme park prevents some guests from noticing the details that go into the design and development of each area of the theme parks. Once you noticed these details you develop a deeper appreciation for what Walt Disney World offers its guests. I’m always discovering these subtle touches.

I discovered something last Summer while riding the steamboat at Magic Kingdom. Have you ever noticed this dog watching this fish jump out of the water?

From Jennifer

Awesome blog post! What great observations! I love your point that although you don’t take in as many attractions, you enjoy the atmosphere and just being there without the stress!

A short but very insightful email from Jennifer. I hope everyone sees Jennifer’s point here. A trip to WDW is supposed to relieve stress not add to it and sometimes you have to relax and not worry about making every attraction you can on every day of your trip.

From Nikki

Mike,

I totally loved your article “Disney Withdrawal vs. Disney Saturation.” It spoke directly to my husband and me. We recently returned from our latest Disney vacation in Feb of 08. We had the discussion about how Disney is changing for us. We no longer have the same excitement about the same things as we once had! The examples in your article directly described us! We no longer get the excitement out of being at a park for the rope drop. We would rather sleep in and take it easy. We have found other “attractions” at Disney World that appeal to us!

Keep up the great writing!

Nikki

Very interesting comments Nikki”¦although the theme park excitement isn’t there for you anymore there is still something that keeps bringing you back to WDW. This is yet another testimony that there is something for everyone at Walt Disney World….like…

From Shea:

Mike I could not agree with you more. My wife and I go to Disney about 1 X a month. We live in West Palm Beach. Since the new dog has arrived we have not been there since December. We go at the end of March for the day.

However some of our best attractions are now people watching. It’s really great and we try to spend a little time doing just that. When we go back for the day it will be just for a few hours with lunch at our favorite restaurant Le Cellier.

Keep up the great work,

Shea

Shea, I love people watching. I could sit on a bench all day and watch guests walk by. I play a game and try to identify those guests who I feel are first time visitors and for those who are WDW veterans. I mostly enjoy watching the children. For those who know me you obviously realize that I can never get enough of Le Cellier.

Finally, from George, a note regarding the WDW Marathon weekend:

Mike,

The Marathoning with Mickey post was fantastic! I always enjoy your trip reports and reading how your trip is going. The pictures of an almost empty Epcot were jaw-dropping!

I had another question for you. I tore my meniscus and my ACL in a mixed-martial arts class in 2004. I would love to participate in something like the half-marathon, but I am afraid the damage I would do to my knee would be unbearable. I do focus on working out my quads and hamstrings (along with all of the other muscles in the legs) so I don’t hurt my knee further.

I know this is rather ambiguous, but do you have any thoughts on how someone like me could participate? Are there volunteer positions along the race? I would love to be part of it!

Thanks!

George

Well George, obviously the best thing to do is to consult with your doctor before deciding whether or not you could participate in the half-marathon.

Everyone is different and what works for one person may not work for another.

Consult with your doctor to discuss what your limitations are rather than risk more damage to your knee. You never know, there could be some therapy available to help you.

There are quite a few people who love volunterring for Marathon Weekend. You should find information on how to volunteer by going to the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend Home Page as we get closer to the event.

Thanks to everyone for sending their thoughts along and sharing them with me and everyone else.

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