Aika Kanda’s Summer Vacation Travel Diary Part 2: Reflecting on Japan at the Real Disney

Enjoying the “Universe” in Florida

This summer, my wife and I visited Florida. After visiting the oldest city in the U.S., St. Augustine, we went to the Walt Disney World Resort (WDW), the world’s largest Disney resort.

On the way there, there was one place we really wanted to stop. As a science major, the Kennedy Space Center is the pinnacle of my dream. I had always wanted to take in the atmosphere of that place, even if it was only for a few seconds.

After an hour and a half of driving, the space shuttle assembly building came into view in the distance to the left of the endless flat prairie. I was very excited. In front of the actual Space Shuttle Atlantis on display, I took a deep breath through my nose. The air that touched the aircraft that returned from space went deep into my body. (Amazing ……). When I closed my eyes, I could see the universe spreading out through my eyelids. (If I were born again, I would like to go there.) I strongly felt this way and decided to be an astronaut, even though my dream in my next life was to be a pilot.

Finally, we went to WDW!　My wife and I have never been big Disney fans. This spring, however, I went on my last ride on Space Mountain, which had just announced it was shutting down, and my husband went to Tokyo DisneySea to film on location in the new area, and we both reaffirmed the appeal of Disney. We both confirmed the appeal of Disney to each other, and we decided, “If we’re going to Florida, we might as well go to the real Disney! We decided to go to Florida to see the real Disney.

As soon as we entered the property, we were all surprised by the long stretch of road that led us to the site. We were so astonished by the vastness of the site that we kept checking each other. It would be difficult to get around in just two days!　I was terrified, but having studied the strategies in Japan, I was able to cover all the major attractions. However, there was no way my husband, a middle-aged man classified as obese, could walk around from morning to night for two days in the strong Florida sunshine. …… Finally, in the evening of the second day, he said, “I’m tired, let me sleep at the hotel. That meant that …… (Holy crap!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)　Aika’s free time!) (Aika’s free time!). When we travel abroad together, my husband’s suddenly appearing rest time is a precious free time for me. I hurried back to the hotel, put my husband to bed, and returned to the park alone.

I was looking forward to seeing the real Space Mountain. It was the first roller coaster I ever rode in Japan, and I have a special attachment to it. So I really wanted to experience the real thing.

I could not ride it during the day due to technical trouble, but it was back in operation. I was able to get on the ride within a two-minute wait time, as I aimed for the time when the fireworks were about to go off. First of all, I was surprised at the rows of seats. I felt a little sad because in Japan, another person sits next to you.

And then it started. Soon several dolls in space suits appeared and slowly drove through the air. The message “We are going into space now! (This is a performance that we don’t have in Japan.) (This is a performance not seen in Japan.

Even though I want to immerse myself in outer space: ……

Now, we’re going into high speed!　But then (……)?　Huh?　Hmm?) . I was stunned by the difference. The speed seemed slower and not scary at all. The thrill of gliding at high speed in the dark is the attraction, but for some reason, it was always faintly bright. Thanks to this, I could see everything, from the structure of the ceiling to the direction of the rails we were about to run on, to the other cars passing us.

Furthermore, the ride was bumpy and rickety. If I were to compare the difference, it would be like the difference in ride quality between the subways in New York and Japan. The jostling and vibration brought me back to myself.

The final blow was the sound. The music and sound effects coming from the speakers were reflected on the ceiling and walls. This made me wonder if I was far from the source of the sound or not, and I sometimes turned my head to see if I was in the right place (the source was here!). I sometimes turned my head to see if I was far away from the sound source or not.

I was distracted by the realistic phenomena that occurred one after another in spite of the fact that I was in outer space. (Maybe I was mistaken!?). I went back and tried again, but it was the same.

Every attraction at WDW far exceeded what we had experienced in Japan, and my husband and I had a lot of fun and excitement. However, only my favorite attraction, Space Mountain, seemed a little more immersive than the one in Japan, and it made my nose turn up a little. ), I felt a little bit proud of myself.

And so, the next article will be the last in this travelogue. We will move to the other side of the Florida peninsula and swim with wild manatees!

His first book, “Where are you going on the high road? is now on sale!

Aika Kanda was born in 1980 in Kanagawa Prefecture. After graduating from Gakushuin University with a degree in mathematics, she joined NHK as an announcer in 2003, and left in 2012 to become a freelance announcer. Since then, she has been active mainly in variety shows, and currently makes regular appearances as the main MC of the daytime TV program “Poka Poka” (Fuji Television Network).

From the October 11, 2024 issue of FRIDAY