Disney World: Things You Probably Didn't Know

Disney World: Things You Probably Didn't Know

We're the Essary family and we're exploring America one destination at a time. On this episode of travel Essary we discuss Disney world and all the things you probably don't know about it.

Transcript

Where's the Essary family and we're exploring America one destination. At a time. On this episode of travel Essary we're going to talk about Disney world and all the things you probably don't know about it. Let's chat.  

Welcome and thank you for joining us on this episode, as we talk about the most magical place on this earth, and that of course is Disney world. And we're going to be talking about all sorts of things that you probably didn't realize, or you don't know about Disney world. And.  The reason that we want to talk about this is because whenever we went the first time, especially whenever we went the first time we, our knowledge of Disney world was not that vast.  And so we didn't know some of these things and.  It definitely caught us off guard about a few of them, of just the things that you find out. After you're already, there are you you've already visited and you were like, oh man, if I, if I'd have known that or if I'd have been prepared a little bit more for certain situations, It definitely would make the trip a whole lot better. It's not just us that, you know, didn't have this knowledge. I've had many family friends come to me. Ask me to help them plan their Disney world vacations. 

After we went, whenever I would start explaining certain things to them, they were completely caught off guard because they didn't know , these things either. Oh yeah. They had no idea of the different aspects that there are, , that Disney world has and what they offer in certain situations or kind of when's the best time to go or what are we really getting ourselves into or, Hey, this is just like a six flags. Kind of theme park.

Yeah. I think when people think of Disney world, They think of Disney land. Or Disney, California adventure. And those are theme parks. But Disney world is not a theme park.

No Disney world is way more than just one theme park.  It gets confused a lot with the California Disney land. Which is more like just a regular theme park , but Disney world is so much more than that. Matter of fact, I mean, Disney world. Itself, not including the other resorts, but just Disney world itself. Employees more than 70,000 people to keep it running,  

so the one in California or in Paris, Tokyo, Hong Kong. Shanghai. You put all of those together, it's still doesn't equal. The amount of employees that Disney world itself and Florida. Does 

which also makes Disney world resort, the largest single site employer in the United States of America.  And I'm glad you said Disney world. And that it was in Florida because I don't think a lot of people realize , if they just know a little bit about Disney, but they're not like knowledgeable, they don't realize Disney land is in California. 

Disney world is in Florida.  We actually ran into some people. Was it our second time that we went. As our second time, we ran into some people that were from the UK.  And they were asking how to get. To their reservations the next day they had in Disney land. Yeah. 

And they were renting a car while they were there you cannot drive from Florida to California in a day. It doesn't matter how fast you go. It doesn't matter how many hours that you drive. It is physically impossible to drive from one side to the other. . I felt so bad for them. Because. I don't know how, , they missed it, but somehow they scheduled stuff in Disney world in Florida, and then Disney land in California the very next day. 

And obviously they weren't going to be able to make that and they realize that, and they were very disappointed because that's already paid for. You don't get that back. They already purchased their tickets. And it was an interesting conversation that we had with him as, I can't remember if we were waiting in line or if we just got finished and we were waiting for the rain to stop so we can move towards. Next destination. In line for a ride.  That is one thing that you definitely need to know about Disney world. 

Um, just be prepared to wait.  But it's definitely worth it, but yes, we were waiting in line and we were having a nice conversation and that came up and.  Like, um, yeah, I hate to break this to you. That's not going to happen.

Yeah, I just felt awful for them. 

So Disney world, Florida Disney land, California. And for everybody who, if you're a Disney fan, you're probably rolling your eyes. Like duh, that's common knowledge. But actually you would be surprised at how many people do not know that. Well, I think that's common knowledge, you know, with.  People in the, in the United States that have, you know, have that general knowledge.  I mean, not just the United, there are people. That we know personally that I've had to explain that to well, I mean, yes, the, the difference between a Disney world and Disney land, especially if you're a Disney advocate and , you've been to either one of these and especially if you've been to Disney world, whenever people are like, oh yeah, Disney land is just the same as Disney world.  That's fighting words in reality because they're not even more close. 

Like Disney world is so far and better than Disneyland. I'm not saying Florida's better than California or vice versa. I'm just talking about the resorts themselves at Disney world is absolutely top notch to all of them. Well, it's just because it's so large, it has so much to offer Disney world is actually roughly the size of San Francisco.  

 It covers nearly 40 square miles. See, I saw that it said 47 square mile. I think they just took in some more acreage. That brought it in.  And so, but even, I mean the size of San Francisco, so anyone that's from the California from the west coast, so definitely , knows how big San Francisco is and. Just , the population and , the square miles and how much you have to walk, or you have to ride or drive one side to the other, how big it is. 

But off all my east side people, I want you to know that if you're around the Manhattan,  islands, It takes two of you to fit inside Disney world.  

To Manhattan islands. Yes. Okay. Well, yeah, not just two of you people. To Manhattan islands to fit inside this.  

Yeah,  and not only is it the size of a major us city Disney world itself is actually considered a city.  So there is a lot of confusion and even the articles that are read the research that I did, um, didn't really make it very clear, Disney world is not its own municipality. Now Disney world has a special district that was made in Florida by their legislation that allows Disney world to Do its own building codes, its own zoning. 

And. Things of that nature. So essentially it kind of has its own government. So yes, I mean, Government, it can't be influenced by like counties or our outside. It has its own regulations that has, it's gotta be there's votes that happen. Now there are means. There's people who actually live inside of the Disney world resort. 

There are people that live there and there are actually  two municipalities inside the special district. It has the cities of bay lake and lake bueno Vista. Yeah. That actually have. Their own citizens. They have , their own mayor, , their own. Elected officials that govern those cities. 

And then there's a central Florida tourism oversight district that actually looks over. Disney world and the special district itself.

, so Disney world. Not a theme park. It's not a theme park. Not at all. And I,  and I know that that last little section might be really confusing, but whenever you start getting into the technicality of it, Especially for myself that works for a municipality. Whenever you talk about municipalities and you talk about special districts and what they're allowed and what they can and can't do is vastly different. 

And so having two minutes palette is inside of this special district that they have is actually very significant for Disney world.  Yeah. Disney world. It has its own transportation system. It has its own little road networks.  It is its own little city, a very interesting and unique city, but essentially it's its own little city. Yes, there are theme parks inside of Disney world, which we're going to talk about those extensively next week. 

They're our theme parks inside of Disney world, multiple theme parks, not just one. There are multiple theme parks, which I am excited to talk about because some of those things, parks are amazing. I think. I think they're all pretty amazing, but yes. There's so, so much more to Disney world than just, you know, a theme park. 

It is nothing compared to six flags. I've actually heard. Uh, family one time say they don't really have any interest in going to Disney world because they've been to six flags so many times, and I just wanted to be like, okay, but that's like comparing apples and oranges. 

Absolutely. That blew my mind , I mean, now I've always wanted to go there for. Whenever I was a young kid. Same same, same, and just never had the opportunity. Never had the ability to go. And so. Finances. Then we're definitely going to be talking about that in a future episode because everyone can afford to go. 

. Oh, you're definitely not going to be staying at like the Ritz motel. But  it's definitely doable and you can go and have a great and wonderful time. I mean, yeah. You can camp in Disney world. Oh yeah, totally forgot about.  That the wilderness one that , you can bring your RV. To Disney world. I can go camping. 

You can stay in cabins. It's not just like big luxurious. They do have the big fancy ritzy kind of resorts, but they also have your camping resorts too. Oh yeah. So I mean, whatever you're kind of into , whether you're staying at a hotel or I don't want to get too much into it, but like on a tree house or staying in an RV or something like that. The tree houses. Yeah, whatever your heart desires. 

I mean, they pretty much have it. It's pretty amazing. Y'all should definitely check those out. Yeah. Disney world actually has, , their own hotels systems and things that you stay in. If you get the Disney world packages, you're getting dining, you're getting. 

Resorts. That you can stay in inside of Disney world and they like to make the magic immersive. They want to immerse you completely in the magic. And I totally advocate for being immersive. It's if you can do it at least one time, it's absolutely wonderful, but it's not, you're not just like staying in a hotel. They are, you're staying in a resort and Disney world has over 20 resorts. 

I can't remember how many it is now. 21, 22. I know they're always adding new ones, so I can't keep up. These resorts are massive. Even the lowest tier resorts. Are bigger than any hotel. You've probably stayed in.  Each one has its own soulmate pole. Some of them have multiple swimming pools. Each resort has its own restaurant. 

Each resort has its own shopping. They have entertainment,  there's so much. And then you have multiple buildings for each resort.  And they're all themed differently. And each one has a very special theme. None of them are the same. 

And.  I know whenever we went and I think you can still do it today is you can go from resort to resort without ever having a reservation at that resort. And still go and enjoy  other resorts pools or their food or their entertainment sets there. Restaurants. Yes, it's all interconnected and it's all woven together so nicely in such a smooth way. 

And whenever Misty was talking about immersion, I'm telling you, I mean, They went above and beyond and every little detail. That they do. And I don't want to get too much into the theme parks cause we're going to talk about those specifically. As we go from a macro, as far as how, what is Disney world down into a micro of? 

, what do they offer specifically  in certain areas? But do you know that there is 4,000 acres? That is around Disney world that is technically empty land and they have no plans to building in that.  Kind of like a, a buffer. It's a buffer. It's so that whenever you go into Disney world, From anywhere you are, you cannot see the outside world. Oh, man. 

I love that so much. I love how they just completely immerse you in their little, little Disney bubble. It is like a little Disney, but it takes you from this. You know, the world and everything that is going on. And there's some other stuff that they, that they specifically do to try to remove the world from, you know, from around you and bring you into a magical place that Disney world is. 

And.  Whenever  you're at this resource or you're at , these parks and , you don't hear the highway noise. You don't hear interstates.  I don't think I ever heard a plane fly over. Yeah, no. If I did, I was too busy enjoying my day, too. It could have been some other white noise that they were making the, that kind of blends that out. 

 I that's one of the reasons why I fully think at least one time, everybody should do the full package that you're eating, sleeping, driving. You're living basically in the Disney world resort. Like you're not leaving it during the period of time that you were there. 

So the longest that we have stayed there is 10 days. And we did that. We parked our car. That first day in our resort parking lot. And we did not get back in our car until the day we left. Because while we were there, we were staying in the hotels there. We were eating at the restaurants there, which are top notch. 

You guys. Some of the best food I've ever had was at Disney world. Absolutely. I mean, I can, I can tell you this place right now that I would be like, Hey.  If I had an opportunity to go back to, this is exactly where I would go, and this is exactly what I would order, because it was just that amazing.. The transportation, they have their own transportation within Disney world completely free. 

You know, as long as you are.  On the resort and you're staying in that resort. It'll take you between theme parks. It'll take you to downtown Disney.  There are boats that will take you back and forth that they use for transportation. 

There's the monorail system. There's the train there. There's so much. So many different ways to get around Disneyworld  depending on where you're going and where you're coming. It's convenient. It's not like it's a hassle to get from one part to the other part. It doesn't matter where you go. 

Doesn't matter what resort you. Oh, wait, wait. I'm going to, I'm going to.  Backtrack that every time we went to Disney Springs, The downtown Disney, whatever, whatever it's called now.  We always had a little bit of complication with transportation.  Well, I think we were always trying to look and find out which bus is going to take us there. 

Yeah. Also when we did travel to that area, it was always.  Our longest travel time as well. 

And it's a whole lot simpler because if you're going to drive. I mean.  Google does a pretty good job as far as telling you where you need to go. But there are some things where you can definitely get turned around and it can get confusing. I mean, I remember one time whenever. We were on a bus and we were going to one of the parks that . We passed the McDonald's. That was like full of people trying to eat breakfast. 

Then we already had breakfast at our hotel. We passed, , several gas stations where people trying to fill up  I mean , it's really intriguing.  The road system that they built. And then even whenever you're inside the theme parks, and I guess this is , really were. I love Disney the most, whenever we're talking about, you know, just the immersion. Is even whenever you're inside the theme parks. You don't even know that there's roads around you, that people are driving on because you can't even see them. 

They do such a good job. As far as blocking your view and in keeping you immersed.  They think of transportation for almost everything and. They're unique and they're really cool. One thing that we did miss. The times that we've been there and that I really wanted to check out well, it's the monorail I wanted to get on the monorail and ride it. It was just never convenient. 

And, you know, whenever you Google, like how long does it take to do Disney world? Google will tell you four to five days. You guys, we were there for 10 days and we didn't even see a fraction of what there is to see and do in Disney world. Oh yeah. . If you're trying to check the box that you went to Disney world. Yeah, you can absolutely do that in two or three days, but if you want to check the box of full experience, Disney world and checking all the.  Oh, my goodness. 

All the rides, all the shows, all the parades, all the fireworks, all the food, all the other entertainment that they have, the. Theme parks. And that's just the four major themes. That doesn't include the other resource that they have. It doesn't include. All the other stuff that they have that we're going to be talking about in one of our later. Podcasts. In a month, you couldn't even do it all in a month. 

 If you stayed in one hotel room every night.

It would still take you. 81 years to stay in every hotel room. Well, it'd probably take you more than that because I feel like they're making new ones every few years. They're building new resorts. They. Do keep on building new resorts. And either repurposing.  You know, building on new buildings or expanding, they're always expanding because it is the most visited. Place on earth on earth. 

Yeah, it is the most visited place on earth. It actually is. And so whenever you plan on going to visit, whenever you plan on.  The what time that you want to go check it out. It's really important to make sure that,  When you're going, or when you're wanting to go as, as far as how crowded it's going to be. Yeah, most people. Love to go for Christmas. 

They have a huge Christmas blow out. He's a Maisie and a beautiful, but it is the most crowded and the most expensive time of the year. So just be aware and everyone, we know, it seems like the first time they go to Disney world is at Christmas. And I just want to be like, no, don't do that because you're not going to actually experience it. 

And we know several people that they do not have a good time because they went and just spent as much money as you can spend at Disney world. And they did it when it's the most crowded, which means that they got to do the least amount of stuff. Just because you know, the Christmas, I do get wanting to go at Christmas time. I mean, it's the most. Tom should ever do that. Your first time. 

 Because I feel like it's going to set a precedence of what it's always going to be like, but Disney, world's not always that crowded or always that expensive, you know? Right. I do think there is a time. That is, is the key point. To go to Disney world. And then of course, I mean, you're going to enjoy Disney world at any point in time that you ever go, but.  Especially Christmas time is the most iconic. Time that people want to go Christmas and Halloween and Halloween is another one. 

And a lot of people, , they're taking their. That are vacations. Their kids are off of, out of school. , they're planning their trips around those times. And we were blessed that we homeschooled our children. So going the, the prime time, the time that I believe is actually the best time. I  was so amazing and so worth it. 

 I understand kids want and parents want, , the perfect attendance for their children, but. Disney world is one of those things that you make exceptions you. Make exceptions.  You know, you want to pull your kids out of school for it? I think you're totally cool with it.  



I wish my parents would've taken me out of, out of school. 

So I'd go Disney world. Yeah. But that's why the summer is, you know, also a peak time is going to be more crowded, more expensive in the summer. , just be prepared in the summer. It's going to rain like every afternoon and then it's gonna get hot and humid. Right.  

And spring it, you start getting those spring afternoon showers. But, you know, when we went April, it wasn't that bad. But when we went in July, it was, or even mid June, like it was bad. Yeah, whenever we went at the end of may, the beginning of June. It was pretty bad where it was raining every day.  Well, I think while we were there during that time, we also went through a tropical storm, came through, so that might've contributed to how much rain. Number one time. We're getting off track here, but I remember one time whenever we were in the hotel and that tropical storm came through. And we, we actually called the day early just because our kids weren't feeling good or we were tired. I got sick and running fever. 

And.  It was probably. It was somewhere around 8 30, 9 o'clock somewhere around there. And it just came blowing in and I was still hearing fireworks of the distance. And I was like, people are still out and it. The fun. Doesn't stop. But it doesn't stop. The rain is nothing for people in Florida. I mean Disney world itself has not shut down more than a handful of times. 

And it's a tire existence.  I think we have to go back to the rain. I have a mental picture of the first time we went, if my brother sitting on the sidewalk. In life. Poncho. His hoodie and it was raining and he was sitting there eating his churros and he did not care because he was just so happy. He finally got his chiro.  Oh, my goodness. We were in Hollywood.  Yes, it was Holly.  

He was just so happy to have his churros. And in the picture, he looks absolutely miserable. I have a picture of him sitting there eating his churros. But in reality, he, it was like pure bliss. Yes.  We're trying to get out of the rain and he's like, I don't care. I'm eating my churros and I don't care where it's going to be at. Yeah. Or what's going on? We actually enjoy when the rain comes, because , it calls me off a little and, but I'm, I'm always a play in the rain kind of person. 

So I got that Disney spirit when it comes to it's just a little rain. Yeah. And another thing about the rain. Is.  Whenever we went that first time, whenever it was raining and there we got off of. We were in the Kilimanjaro safari. Yes. And there were people that didn't want to move. Under the storm came through the tropical storm that came through that night. People didn't want to move out of the canopy to go on and the cast members were doing their best being as friendly as they possibly could and be like, Hey, I need y'all to leave so we can get it. The other people off the ride. And continue this to keep it going. And there were people that were like, nah, we're landed. It's raining. We're so afraid of getting rich. Great of getting wet and I'm like,  We're in a drought at that point in time in Texas. 

And I was like, Nope, I am walking. I haven't seen rain in like six months. So I'm going to enjoy this . We walked through like the next door that was there and we picked up ponchos for everyone. 'cause we went because I didn't want one. Because we went unprepared. Um, so we picked up ponchos.  And then we halfway put on ponchos and it stopped raining and then it got really hot. 

So we took our ponchos back off. And then, yeah, so a little known fact about Disney world. Um, For majority of the year, you know, you will be taking ponchos on and off all day. Oh, yeah. Just get used to it. If you're afraid to get wet, I just liked to get wet. It didn't bother me. I didn't mind the rain, but if you don't want to get soaking wet, Um, you'll be taking ponchos on and off all day because it rains often. 

Oh yeah. It's normal. They're there kiosks all of them sell ponchos, almost every store that you can get. Uh, merchandise from sales ponchos because they understand that it's Florida.

I feel like we've talked a lot about rain.  We have been talking a lot about. You don't know in Florida. It rains. Be prepared. If you're not prepared, you will, you might not have a good time. It doesn't stop Disneyworld. Oh no, no, it doesn't sit on.  I mean, you know, lightning may shut down some outdoor rollercoasters or something like that. I note on the lightning, they actually have lightening rods and they have specific places where they've placed these to keep everyone safe. Whether they're on a ride or not. 

They think of everything. They. Six flags. They shut the rides down at the light, the least little bit of rain or. I mean, or somebody just sprinkles. There's even a high chance of random closed down everything, but, you know, Disney world is so much more than just roller coasters. And so there's, there's just so much to do. Uh, the cheapest times of the year for Disney world and the least crowded. Is between mid January and mid February.  So if you're wanting to go on a budget or you want to go when there's.  Way more adults than there are minors. 

And then that is the time to go. Now that is also the time that they do a vast majority of their maintenance. Yes, they do it, which is why it's so cheap. There, there will be things that will be shut down during that time. So if there are very specific things you want to do, you might want to check if those are open because Jeremy's is right. 

They do a lot of maintenance during that time. Right. They know that it's their slow time and that's whenever they refurbish something or they, , do general maintenance on their rides or roller coasters. Or their, their buildings. And so, , just be prepared, although it is going to be the cheapest.  You're definitely going to need some type of light jacket or something. 

Cause it's going to be the coldest as well. , but my favorite season is actually the season that comes after that.  My favorite season is the spring season  after they've already planted all their flowers and everything, that's usually whenever we go after that, we get the tail end. 

And so they still have a lot of their, their food vendors that are kind of out there. And their flowers are fresh and they've just, oh my gosh, they're beautiful. So many picturesque places that you could go and set up and take pictures,  

so I enjoyed that. Absolutely. The most, especially since.  Epcot is definitely our favorite theme park. We have to talk about that next week. That's next podcast. So if you want to know more about theme parks and.  What to really do and enjoy join us next week. Yeah. So next week we are going to be talking about the four main theme parks. 

We do have a favorite.  But, you know, it's really hard because there are certain things about each one that I absolutely love. Oh, absolutely. Each so unique. They're so unique. They offer and they have, especially for us, they have very specific things that we love about Disney world. And that's what draws us there. But every park has its its own theme and none of them double and it's, it's amazing.   You got to tune in next week. Yeah. So join us next week when we're going to talk about the four main parks in Disney world, and I hope today's podcast was. More informative if you've never been, or if you're planning on going that you've learned a little something .  📍 About Disney world. And if you have any more questions or things you like to say or add about Disney world specifically, that's what we're going to be talking about for the next few weeks. 

Um, send us a message. Send us a message or email us, get ahold of us and ask your questions and we will do our best to get to them.  

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