Disney World 2009!

I know what you're thinking, "Why so long between blogs?" Well, it could be that I kindof forgot my password then put it off too long, or it could be that I've been busy planning our 2009 WDW vacation! (I prefer option B)

Yup, we are planning on returning to the World that Walt built during the Summer of 2009, which means we have just 18 months before we have to put in our dinner reservations!

We have recruited at least one other family to join us, and we're actively trying to enlist more. I have many ideas for our trip, but I'm hoping that Bear Grylls films his Man vs Wild show there so I can get more survival ideas... "Oh look at the size of that mouse! A mouse that size can snap a man's leg in two, I'd better steer clear of it but the only way out is across this monorail track, but the monorails that traverse these tracks are huge and can easily snap a man's leg in two. As I wait for a good opportunity to pass I notice some popcorn that has been discarded, it won't be as tasty, but I need the energy..."

We are planning on staying on site again, and while I like the Magical Express, I'd like to rent a car so I can explore just outside the World.

I missed the chocolate cake and large glass of milk that I had in 2002 in Celebration. Celebration is the Disney inspired town just outside of WDW. It's a real live town with schools, residents, mosquitoes and everything. Many snobbish writers negatively portray Celebration as a fake town. They seem to think that a town has to be built slowly over generations to be "real." They think that you give up way too much freedom when you live in a "town" with so many CCRs, but I think that we are in a time when I like having a choice to live in a town that will not permit an "Adult Bookstore" to open downtown. What price freedom? The new master designed housing divisions are designed to be more family friendly. Instead of having large yards that people turn into fortifications to stay away from the outside world, they build houses with small yards, but large common areas and parks. They are built with pedestrians in mind, not the automobile. Just think about how many more people you would meet if you walked more places. They actually build walking destinations. The more people who know you, the less anonymous you become. Anonymous people don't feel accountable for their actions. What made Mayberry idealic was the fact that everyone knew everyone's kids. If Opie was throwing rocks at a broken window across town, someone would see him, call his parent and make him acountable for his actions. If you don't know the kids in your neighborhood how will they be accountable for their actions?

Anyway, I like to check the progress of these neotraditional towns and neighborhoods to see the quality of life they breed, so, ah, that's why I need to rent a car. (If you'd like to read more, check out "Suburban Nation.")