7 things about Disney to be thankful for in 2019
The time has come again to gather the family for the Thanksgiving holiday and contemplate what we are thankful for this year in the Disney universe.
For some it might be a favorite ride at a theme park. For others, it’s a treasured piece of merchandise. Maybe it was a memorable snack or meal. Or maybe it’s just that warm feeling of joy you get from watching a movie or going to a theme park. For a few, it might even be the realization that they never want to step foot in a Disney theme park again.
So, I will start off with my list of what I am thankful for this year. Please add your thoughts in the comments.
This year I give thanks for:
1. Disney+. Yes, I needed to be glued to my TV, phone and iPad to watch Kristen Bell reunite adults to stage high school musicals. I needed another series to be addicted to with “The Mandalorian” (Baby Yoda forever!) and I needed to take more time to obsessively create personal playlists of movies and shows I need to watch in a specific order. Thank you for getting me addicted to another streaming service.
2. Ronto Morning Wraps: While many people will give thanks for the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and the impressive life-size recreation of the Millennium Falcon, I am much simpler. I fell in love with the Ronto Morning Wrap at Ronto Roasters — the best breakfast you can get at a theme park. The scrambled eggs, grilled pork sausage, shredded cheddar and sauce wrapped in a pita bread is heavenly and satisfying.
3. Not being on the Skyliner when it got stuck. Let me say that I am a fan of the Skyliner at Disney World. Is it a ride disguised as transportation? Is it transportation disguised as a ride? Is it both? I rode it on day one and believe it is something Walt himself would have approved of because it brings a special charm and some great views of the resort. However, I am also immensely grateful that I wasn’t stuck on it for 3 hours when it broke down that first week. And I hope that early experience has changed a number of protocols for the future so it never happens again.
4. The new Halloween and Christmas fireworks at the Magic Kingdom. Yes, it was about time to refresh these nighttime spectaculars, and Disney hit it out of the park, bringing the combination of fireworks and castle projections to the highest level. And it doesn’t hurt to have a Jersey girl, fourth-generation pyrotechnic family member design “Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks.” Now, can we talk about Epcot Forever? Well, I’m thankful that’s only temporary.
5. The major changes coming to Epcot. This is a theme park that has long been stagnant, a place that started off with the promise of imagination and discovery, but has been left to slowly wither. The resurgence that is planned for the next couple of years should help make Epcot much more dynamic and family-friendly. It will be fun to watch the transformation of this park — especially from the Monorail as it glides over the construction walls.
6. Avengers: Endgame. As a lifelong Marvel fan, I am thankful that the ending of the 10-year saga was true to the characters and who they were and what the MCU has become. The movies have become perfect extensions of the comic universe, weaving in a multitude of characters, creating clever team-ups and heartbreaking in-fighting. It is truly as if I were reading a comic book. Balancing all of the characters was a Hulkulean task for which I am extremely grateful.
7. Sharing Disney with friends and family. Yes, this sounds sappy. But there is nothing like being with someone on their first trip to a park or on a ride. Or meeting Mickey Mouse for the first time and giving him a hug. There’s a joy in talking with kids and adults about their favorite Disney characters, and ranking rides and movies.
We all know The Walt Disney Co. is a multi-billion dollar corporation. We all can see it for what is is, warts and all. But when you say Disney, there is a powerful feeling that overcomes people — and for that, I’m thankful.
Happy Thanksgiving.
