This is the way to visit Disney World: no lines.

Most rides—The Tower of Terror, Rock’n'Roll Rollercoaster, Space Mountain, Expedition Everest—me and Jen walked through empty switchback line markers and on up to short queues onto the cars. I remember years back how horrible the lines were, waiting nearly an hour for a two-minute thrill. That sucked.

January cool temps and coming on the heels of holiday break, there were fewer crowds.

My Top-5 Rides were: 1. Expedition Everest (good roller coaster, neat gimmick to change up the traditional ride); 2. PhilharMagic (3-D with Mickey & Donald; very dramatic and eye-popping); 3. Mission to Mars (a centrifuge experience … don’t eat before you ride); 4. The Tower of Terror (elevator action like being in a disaster movie); and, 5. Rock’n'Roll Rollercoaster (feature Aerosmith’s music…a few loops in the dark, corkscrews, and one hell of a launch at the start!).

If you’ve never been, I highly recommend touring Epcot’s worldwide country pavilions. Two reasons: you can snack on things from different cultures, and you can drink good beer, wine and champange while you cover the globe. For many armchair travelers, the little movies and rides give just enough to whet your appetite to get off the couch, apply for a passport (come on, add to the measly 30% of USAers who have one), and get out of your potato chip comfort zone.

Maybe the cutest moment (besides being with Jen through it all) was when I ordered lunch near Space Mountain. We had cool weather, and I had bought a hooded sweatshirt with Grumpy on it. The cashier used that look to make her day less monotonous: “What would you like, Mr Grumpy?” “Do you want a drink with that, Mr Grumpy?” “That’ll be $11.50 Mr Grumpy.” “Have a nice day, Mr Grumpy.”

Yeah, cute.