My Favorite Disney Park Photos: A Peaceful Morning at the Grand Floridian

Years ago, a visit to Walt Disney World could mean a relaxing time with tranquil evenings and leisurely paced days. No longer. Not even planning for a trip is simple and easy! But there's still peace to be found if you are willing to get up before the sun breaks. That's exactly what we did and when this photo was taken. Why were we up at the literal crack of dawn? To make absolutely sure we got to ride the Magic Kingdom's newest and hard to book attraction, Tron Lightcycle Run in Tomorrowland. Yes, we snagged seats on the ride, and the bonus was seeing this resort quiet and calm. Following the rush for a reservation was a wonderful sit down breakfast at the Grand Floridian Cafe. Not a bad way to start the day!

(Photograph copyright Mark Taft)

Sizzling Hot TRON!

Good LORD! What can I say? When the Disney Parks Blog does it well, the photography is some of the best on the web! These photos by Steven Miller at the Walt Disney World Resort are bursting with energy from the grid of TRON.

After five long years, it won't be long until the attraction is open to regular guests. The Magic Kingdom will be better for it- and I'm jsut waiting to book our next family vacation. Of everything to be added to the Florida parks in the last several years, this is the one I've been waiting for!

(Photographs copyright Disney Parks Blog.)

Magic Kingdom's Tomorrowland is Better Than Disneyland's Version of the Future

Among Disneyland purists, it's an unpopular opinion, but I've long maintained that Walt Disney World's Tomorrowland in the Magic Kingdom is far superior to its older California sibling. My last visit to Anaheim, we did not ride a single attraction in the Land of the Future. In contrast, during our last trip to Florida, I did as many as possible.

You've got the Peoplemover, the Astro Orbiter (way up high where it belongs), the Carousel of Progress, and of course, the wide open views of Space Mountain, the Contemporary Resort, and the upcoming TRON Lightcycle Run. Regardless of its charms- and the Submarine Lagoon itself is beautiful- Disneyland just can't compete in this arena.

In Florida, there are a good amount of classic vintage, retro focused attractions. Finally, the suits and Disney Imagineering are embracing this! The Tomorrowland Speedway gets a Christmas layover with a vibe straight from the 1960s and 70s. This piece of promo material / concept art makes me wish West Coast Disney fans had a chance for something similar. 

The food in either land is still bad, and the shopping is a joke as well. Yet, the vibe in Florida feels fresh not tired. TRON will only make it better. 

Now, about that space used up by Stitch's Great Escape...

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)