My spouse, (Becky) and I traveled to Orlando, Florida for a chance to renew our youth by visiting Disney World. Being raise on the west coast of the United States, we were both familiar with Disneyland in Anaheim, California. However, we were never taken to Disney World by our Parents as kids. So we went as adults.

Actually, Disney was not within Orlando city limits but is southwest of Downtown Orlando in Orange & Osceola Counties. Disney World was accessible from Central Florida’s I-4 via Exit 62B (World Drive).

In the year 2000, Becky and I purchased $50/person tickets to visit 3 different parks within Disney World. We chose the “Magic Kingdom”, “Epcote” and “Animal Kingdom”. We would visit a park per day for 3 days.

Our first day, we visited “Animal Kingdom”. It distinguishes itself from other Walt Disney World theme parks by featuring hundreds of live animal exhibits themed around the natural environment and animal conservation.  It was actually opened in opened on Earth Day, 1998; and was located located on the western edge of the property and was isolated from the other theme parks to minimize external disruptions to the animals. In other words, it was only 2 years old when we visited. (I don’t remember the Dino-land; I think it was closed).

Disney’s Animal Kingdom is divided into different themed areas. The park’s Discovery River separates Discovery Island from the other lands.

Pictured above, the “Tree-of-Life” is the park’s sculpted, man-made baobab tree that is located in the central Discovery Island and is surrounded by trails and animal enclosures for the African and Asian animals. The Africa-section was set in the fictional eastern African port-village of Harambe, resembling the local villages found in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.  The Asia-section is set in the fictional kingdom of Anandapur, evoking the traits of Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Mongolia, Nepal, Thailand, Tibet and China.

Pictured above, Disney World’s “Animal Kingdom” is home to approximately 2000 animals representing around 200 species. As a zoological park, Disney’s Animal Kingdom is engaged in research and conservation efforts involving its animal species. However, at the beginning, there were some controversy. It was revealed that 31 animals died at Animal Kingdom between September 1997 and April 1998 from accidents, poisonings, fights, and other causes. But by 2000, most other incidents has dropped to a minimum.

Our second day was spent in Magic Kingdom. We found this place similar to California’s “Magic Kingdom” and it brought back memories as kids. Magic Kingdom was/is a timeless centerpiece of Disney World.  Pictured below, Cinderella Castle, a symbol of the main Disney magic, with iconic attractions like Space Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, and the Haunted Mansion existing for decades at this point.

 Back then, we were still using paper tickets to enter Walt Disney World Resort theme parks and running around in the morning to collect FASTPASS slips for attractions during the day. We would insert our park tickets into kiosks and receive a paper slip with a return time. It required no additional cost and gave a sense of accomplishment as we planned our day. Additionally, main Street Philharmonic performed for the first time in that year of 2000.

Our favorite ride in the “Magic Kingdom” was “Splash Mountain”. Here, we boarded an eight-passenger log that seated us two by two. The log departed the loading area, where Br’er Frog provided us with an introductory narration. The log ascended a dual-chain lift that deposited us in a small pond at the bottom of the big drop. After a right turn, logs entered the barn and climbed another lift to the space behind the visible mountain, before floating gently through scenery designed to evoke the feeling of a river. After passing Br’er Bear’s cave, the log descended down a drop and crossed back under a flume. The log then entered the show building containing the indoor portion of the attraction, where various Audio-Animatronic animals including geese and frogs sang “How Do You Do?”. Several vignettes established the story of a restless Br’er Rabbit leaving home and being pursued by Br’er Fox and Br’er Bear. Br’er Fox and Br’er Bear saw Br’er Rabbit telling Mr. Bluebird that he was going to his Laughing Place. Eventually, the log reaches a dark tunnel followed by a drop into the Laughin’ Place. The log then went over another short drop, and headed further into the cavern scenes, where geyser-riding turtles and laughing, singing bullfrogs, and dancing water fountains guide the log to a dark area in which Br’er Rabbit was caught by Br’er Fox in a cave. There, Br’er Rabbit pleads not to be thrown into the briar patch, ‘his Laughin’ Place. Two vultures taunted us as we began our ascent up the final lift. At the top of this third lift hill, the log descends the 15 m drop at a 45-degree angle, reaching a maximum speed of 64 km/hr. and into a tunnel underneath the walkway while hearing the “Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah” in celebration of Br’er Rabbit’s return. Below is Becky and I enjoying the shared adventure on the 15m drop. Yey! {Note: this little story does not exist anymore at Disney with the controversial background with the movie “Song-of-the-South”}.

Later that night, we dazzled with the nighttime parade with its glowing floats and synthesized soundtrack. From its signature opening line, “Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls,” to the sparkling lights of Elliot the Dragon, the “Main Street Electrical Parade” has become a cherished memory for us.  The next day we visited, the Epcot Center.

“Celebrate the Future Hand in Hand” was the theme song of the the year 2000 celebration. Pictured below, a large wand was erected next to Spaceship Earth with “2000” written on it. Also, evening fireworks & light show was created for the World Showcase Lagoon called “IllumiNations 2000: Reflections of the Earth”. A parade located in Epcot called the “Tapestry of Nations” was also created for the celebration. Wow! Epcot was my kind of place to visit. On top of that, we could pick a restaurant from anyplace on earth to eat at around the “World Showcase”.