A List Of Things Thrown Five Minutes Ago

DID YA MISS ME? Having returned from Disney World, I will not offer a lengthy list of Hot Disney Things or a list of Top Seven Must-Sees at the Walt Disney World Resort (shut up, Stacy--you know what I mean if you've been there in recent years). A few thoughts:

• Animal Kingdom is a nice concept, but isn't really a full-fledged park right now-it's a zoo (though a very well done and designed zoo) with a few rides tacked in. Not being a roller coaster person, I didn't ride the Everest ride, the park's big attraction, but really not a lot to do, especially since the hot show at the park is a Lion King inspired show that mixes Taymor's Broadway production with more than a little Cirque du Soleil, managing to strip most of Taymor's theatrical magic from the show.
• Epcot has some brilliant stuff (Soarin' is just extraordinary--possibly the most innovative ride design I've experienced, and Mission Space (at least the "green" version) is well-done without being excessive), but World Showcase continues to need work. Yes, the food and shopping is top-notch throughout, but there are only so many "look at the beauty of my country!" films one can experience (and the Canada one really needs to be updated--it's from the 70s). One note--once the new Nemo-themed attraction opens in the Seas pavilion, it's going to be a nightmare in there--lines for the Crush show were 30-40 minutes at times, and that's without any ride or anything to draw folks in.
• Even though I didn't do Tower of Terror or the Rock 'N' Roller Coaster, MGM may well have been my favorite--lots of little details pitched to adults. One problem--why doesn't Disney leverage ABC at all? Replace the Indiana Jones Stunt Show (fun, but dated) with Sydney Bristow. Give us Dr. McDreamy's Emotional Roller Coaster (first you go one direction, then the other, and you conclude by leaning against things and being shouted at by the voice of Miranda Bailey), the Craphole Island Adventure (dodge polar bears, The Others, and Lostzilla!), and a walking tour down Wisteria Lane. Also, the night show at MGM, Fantasmic!, is excellent. Also, sure to impress friends of the blog, I was within 10 feet of Dan Zanes (whom I recognized solely because of the promotional photos all over the park for his conert) at one point, who was signing autographs for an adoring fan.
• The Magic Kingdom was generally excellent, though a bit odd. While ordinarily, the long lines build at the "Mountains," because of the time I went, preschool attractions, like Winnie The Pooh and Peter Pan, had the long waits (40 minutes). Best ride? The Buzz Lightyear one, which takes the classic "slow-moving vehicle on conveyor belt" ride, and mixes it with a shooting gallery and a score display. A little too day-glo, but still a ton of fun.
• Two fashion notes. Tim Gunn would be horrified by just how many pairs of Crocs I saw. Also, unacceptable both on the Amazing Race and at Disney World? Custom-made matching/coordinated t-shirts for your party. (Everyone wearing the same color t-shirt? OK. Custom-made shirts with extensive monogramming and infringing graphic designs? Not OK.)
• Finally, there's a fine fine line between adorable, disturbing, and annoying. I am still attempting to figure out in which of those sectors the spontaneous rendition of "We Will Rock You" from a bunch of 7-9 year olds in the Italy Section of World Showcase falls.