A tradition can be defined as a customary or characteristic method or manner of doing something. Often we think of traditions as being handed down from generation to generation. But what do traditions have to do with Walt Disney World? As it turns out… plenty.
One of my extremely astute readers (that is, after all, the only type of reader I have), Frank Bischoff, responded to last year’s “Best of 2009” series of articles and offered that there’s a difference between the “best of” and “favorite.” I think he’s on to something there. I might think that Mission: Space is the best ride in Epcot, but Soarin’ is still my favorite.
Frank wrote of family members that make a favorite place, action or event a required part of each Disney trip. He further explained that once that favorite act becomes a required part of each trip, a tradition is born. He then asked if I had written any articles on family traditions and the answer, obviously, is “no”… until now.
Frank’s comments got me to thinking about my own trips and what might qualify as “tradition”. We always try to fly out on the first available non-stop flight of the day, which typically falls in the 7:00 a.m. area. We’re Disney Vacation Members and our home resort is the Boardwalk Villas. What all that means is we’re usually up very early—3:30 or 4:00 a.m.— and typically arrive at the Boardwalk around lunchtime. At this point, we’ve been traveling for six or seven hours and have been without food for longer.
We check in to the resort and then head out to the Boardwalk to take in some Florida sunshine and look for some sustenance. This usually (there’s that word again) involves the ESPN Club because 1) it’s convenient and 2) we like it. Once we had followed this pattern for two consecutive trips, it became a tradition. I can recall suggesting lunch at Big River Grill and Brewing Company and being overruled because “We have to eat at ESPN. It’s tradition.”
I’ll certainly tell you about the traditions within my own family but I wanted to broaden the scope a bit. I sent out an email to family, friends and internet acquaintances asking for their time-honored Walt Disney World traditions. I fully expected to receive a few items like drinking your way around World Showcase or wrestling the alligator that lives under the bridge at the Beach Club Villas. Thinking about those two, I’d probably have to do the first before attempting the second. Anyway… thanks to all of you that responded. I edited out the more bizarre and kinky items I felt weren’t appropriate for a Disney Web site (oh, you know who you are) and we’re left with what follows.
Pre-Trip
For my brood, traditions kick in quickly. Once a trip is planned, the first tradition occurs 90 or 180 days before the trip, depending on the current location of the indicator on Disney’s Carousel of Policy, Of course, I’m referring to the lead-time before one can book Disney World Advance Dining Reservations. It’s currently at 180 days but has been, and probably will again be, at 90.
We’ll gather at our home six months before the trip to plan our meals (and reading that sentence brings home just how absurd it is to plan meals six months in advance but… I digress). If the trip is just the wife and me, what we term one of our “solo” trips, it’s just some discussion over dinner—maybe with the laptop handy to review online menus.
If it’s a whole-family trip we all gather at our home for a meal and everyone brings their top two or three restaurant suggestions. The list is discussed and decisions are made. I don’t think we’ve ever taken a vote but usually arrive at a consensus.
One week before the trip, we traditionally (that fits better than “usually”, doesn’t it?) gather at our home for a pizza party. The anticipation of the trip has been building up and this is a way for us all to get together and let out that collective sigh indicating “it’s almost here”. We use the time to discuss and decide on how we’re getting to the airport, who’s picking up whom, etc. To be honest, we can do that in a few minutes over the phone but this party is, after all, a tradition.
My daughter, Stephanie, reminded me of our tradition of “watching videos from previous trips to get excited for the upcoming one.” I’ll bet we’re not alone there.
Transportation
In his email, Frank offered a few things that are transportation-related that he, and his family, try to do each trip:
- Take a ride on the steam train completely around the Magic Kingdom;
- Ride the Tomorrowland Transportation Authority (I’m betting this is a common tradition);
- Ride the boat between Magic Kingdom and the Grand Floridian or Polynesian – or between the Magic Kingdom and the Wilderness Lodge.
I would add a monorail ride to that list.