Originally Posted by
Aurora
The one vacation we've taken in the last few years that gave me the same sort of affection I feel for Disney was a couple of years ago when we went to Yellowstone National Park.
I was going to say there's really nothing very Disney-like about Yellowstone (except maybe the excellent signage :silly:), but then I started thinking about some of the apt comparisons.
> There is a huge "WOW" factor about nearly everything there -- all the different sorts of easily-seen wildlife, the fantastic scenery, the varied and unique geysers.
> There are "themed" areas: Mammoth Hot Springs, Fishing Bridge, Grant Village -- all with their own identities and National Park visitor's center stamps.
> There are headliners: Old Faithful, Mammoth Hot Springs, Grand Prismatic Spring, Tower Fall.
> The rangers and staffers at the visitor's centers are good-natured, helpful, friendly and humorous.
> There's a nostalgia and historic factor -- Yellowstone is the country's first National Park and proudly wears that crown.
> There is way more to been seen there than can be done in one day.
> It's sort of a great American family pilgrimage.
> After you go the first time, you want to go back.