WDW Daily News

Meeting Disney characters has always been a highlight of my family’s trips. The excitement in my sons’ eyes when they first met Buzz Lightyear & Woody was priceless, and antics with characters such as Chip & Dale and Stitch have inspired many laughs and wonderful memories. A few years ago, many of these meetings seemed fairly spontaneous with only maybe a few families ahead of us. Indeed, there often was more of a gathering of people around the characters than an actual line to meet them.

These marvelous memories have got me thinking about character interactions in the park today. In particular, the current fervor for obtaining a FastPass+ reservation to meet Frozen’s Anna and Elsa has me wondering—can scheduling a character meeting well in advance bring the same level of joy as in the days of characters roaming the parks and guests delighting in impromptu character interactions?

Let’s face it—the days of roaming characters being a regular feature of the parks are long gone, and advanced planning is now needed to meet some characters. Nonetheless, there is evidence that under these circumstances the joy of character interactions is alive and well.

Case in point is the FastPass+ opportunity to meet Frozen’s Anna and Elsa. With FastPass+ for Anna and Elsa, Disney has hit upon a way to guarantee guests that they will meet these wildly popular characters. Not only that, but it seems that the joy of obtaining a FastPass+ for these characters can be almost as powerful as actually meeting them. And so guests get the double reward of first snagging that FastPass+ and later experiencing the thrill of meeting the characters.

Indeed, the ability to reserve character meet & greets using FastPass+ perfectly illustrates what I have found to be one of the main benefits of all of the changes at Disney World in the past several years—namely, the Joy of Anticipation! After I have reserved my hotel, dining, and FastPass+ reservations, I have an absolute blast adjusting plans, adding plans, and just plain anticipating all the fun!

Currently, FastPass+ is available in the Magic Kingdom to Meet Anna & Elsa with a Visiting Princess at Princess Fairytale Hall, to Meet Ariel at Her Grotto, to Meet Cinderella and Rapunzel at Princess Fairytale Hall, and to Meet Mickey Mouse at Townsquare Theater. You can also get a FastPass+ to Meet Disney Pals at the Epcot Character Spot, and you can Meet Favorite Disney Pals at Adventurers Outpost in Animal Kingdom.

My family has enjoyed several of meet & greets. In particular, meeting with Mickey the Magician at Townsquare Theater was fun and entertaining! At the same time, though, I think meeting characters more spontaneously (at least not by planning days in advance) is a different kind of special experience.

In fact, Disney recently announced and then quickly pulled FastPass+ only character meet & greets in Epcot, Disney Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom. So, maybe Disney realizes that while guests do like to anticipate and plan character meetings, they also value an opportunity for a same-day experience.

Summer is just around the corner, I think! For many this has been a long, long winter, cold wet and dreary. I hate to even mention the snow! But with the warm temperatures and sunny days, many in my family have begun to think about one of their favorite pass times, fishing. I thought it would be a good time to recall an old article about Fishing at Walt Disney World, updating where needed.

Yes, there are fish in the lakes in and around Walt Disney World. My family has taken fishing excursions in World Showcase Lagoon and Bay Lake and Seven Seas Lagoon. We have even fished at the Fishin’ Hole on Ol’ Man Island at Port Orleans Riverside. We have very fond memories of these trips and to this day it is an adventure my sons always want to add to our trips. We have even taken my new daughters-in-law!

As with most things at Walt Disney World there are many options in various price ranges. The least expensive of these experiences is from the bank using old fashioned cane poles. Dockside fishing is available without advance reservations. Find a magical spot, cast out your line and enjoy some old fashioned cane pole fishing at Port Orleans Riverside or reach for some casting-rod gear at Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground.

If you are more adventurous, you can take a guided fishing excursion year-round on a pontoon boat on several of the Walt Disney World waterways. These include Bay Lake, the Seven Seas Lagoon, Village Lake, Crescent Lake and/or World Showcase Lagoon. These excursions are for 5 Guests and last 2 to 4 hours. The fee includes an experienced guide, fishing gear and live bait, beverages and a one year membership to BASS (Bass Anglers Sportsman Society) including 11 issues of Bassmaster Magazine. There is even a tournament-style excursion aboard a Nitro Bass boat for two people!

Even if you don’t fish, the trip is really fun and enjoyable. We have learned new fishing skills over the years, like how to use an open-faced rod and reel. We have fished with shiners and artificial bait. We have found the Guides to be very knowledgeable and helpful. They are quick to figure out how much help each person needs to have a great time. They even have a Princess Fish Holder for the Princess who is leery of fins! An added bonus is the opportunity to view World Show Case from the Lake!!! It might be early but you could hear some of the music from the different countries and the lighting was great for pictures. I recommend these fishing excursions for all levels of experience. You might even find a new hobby, what a different souvenir to take home, a hobby!

All fishing excursions at Walt Disney World are catch and release. Prices, availability and reservations can be made in advance by phone or on-line. And once you arrive, you can even check at one of the marinas for availability. Consider adding this recreational activity to your next vacation for some added Magic!!!