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Top 10 Disney Magic Kingdom Rides for Seniors

March 21, 2012 by Alison 1 Comment

What are the Top 10 Disney Magic Kingdom rides for seniors? When we think of Disney World many think that it is a place just for children but really it is for everyone of any age. Whether you are traveling with family or making the trip to Walt Disney World by yourselves it really can be The Happiest Place on Earth for seniors too.

Photos by expressmonorail

So here is a Top 10 list of attractions which may particularly appeal to seniors in Disney’s Magic Kingdom.

Jungle Cruise

This 10 minute boat tour is one of the original Disney World rides which opened in 1971. Guests board a boat and take a trip down The Amazon, The Congo, The Nile and The Macong River. Along the way you will encounter lots of animatronic animals including elephants, monkeys, snakes and hippos. The main attraction of the Jungle Cruise is your guide. Corny jokes abound but it is all good fun for all ages.

This is a Fast Pass attraction so make use of that if you can. Lines can get pretty long but they do move quickly as the boats are loaded. The line area is under cover but it can get pretty hot in the waiting area so make sure you get a Fast Pass if the line is over 20 minutes.

Peter Pan’s Flight

This wonderful ride will take you flying over the streets of London in a magical flying pirate ship. The theme is of course the story of Peter Pan. You will fly over scenes from the story and encounter Captain Hook , The Crocodile and Mr Smee.

Peter Pan’s Flight is one of the most popular Magic Kingdom attractions. It also has one of the longest wait times anywhere in a Disney park. Make sure that you get a Fast Pass. Don’t be fooled into thinking that the line is shorter than the published wait time – there is a hidden element to the line which you only discover once you have been standing in it for quite a while!

Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin

Fight the evil Emperor Zurg on this fun Tomorrowland attraction. Guests board a 2 person space cruiser to start their journey through 10 very colorful scenes. As one of Buzz LIghtyear’s Junior Space Rangers you use the laser guns to shoot at the targets. When you hit one of the targets you will get points. At the end of the ride you can compare your scores on the Space Ranger board to see how you measure up to your fellow Rangers.

This ride is a lot of fun and brings out the competitor in most everyone of all ages. Often you will be tempted to go back to improve your score!

This is a Fast Pass attraction. The line does move quickly most of the time but if it is over 20 minutes get a Fast Pass. Most of the line is indoors but if it is extending outside then get a Fast Pass.

Pirates of the Caribbean

Pirates of the Caribbean is one of the original and best of all of the Disney World attractions. This should be on everyone’s must see list whatever their age.

Guests board a 15 passenger boat to take an almost 9 minute water ride to encounter the Pirates of the Caribbean. There is a small drop in the dark but nothing too scary. You will glide past over 100 animatronic figures and encounter a pirate attack complete with explosions. All good fun and set to a song which will probably remain with you forever!

There isn’t a Fast Pass for this ride but lines tend to move quickly. Another great feature is that the line is completely under cover so you can escape from the Florida heat for a while.

Carousel of Progress

There’s A Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow. So goes the song which is sung throughout this original and very nostalgic Magic Kingdom attraction. The attraction is set in a huge revolving theater which takes you from around the beginning of the 1900s to what is meant to be the present day. There are 4 scenes which represent the different generations of one family. At the end of each scene the theater rotates and you move to the next one.

This is one of those thought provoking attractions which appeals to most ages. The animatronics figures tell the story of how technology has changed their lives, from the invention of electricity to the technology of the present day (well to the mid 90s anyway).

This is one of those attractions that you should see at least once but probably won’t be on your list of things to do again. The lines are generally very short.

It’s A Small World

A Disney classic and a must see on anyones list, but this will particularly appeal to seniors. A slow moving indoor boat ride past hundreds of animatronic dolls happily singing a song about the unity of the world. This is a Disney World classic and was the last ride to be overseen by Walt himself. The one warning is that you will probably never be able to get the song out of your head!

There is no Fast Pass for It’s A Small World but the lines do tend to move pretty fast as it loads continuously. If the lines are outside the building then wait until later in the day, or during a parade when lines should be shorter.

The Many Adventures of Winnie The Pooh

This is a gentle and colorful ride through the whimsical world of Winnie the Pooh and friends. Guests board a 4 person vehicle (or Hunny Pot) and head off on a short but sweet ride with Winnie the Pooh on his search for his pot of honey.

Wait times can be long for this popular ride and the line is outside so get a Fast Pass or ride early or late in the day. Often you will get a surprise Fast Pass for Mickey’s PhilharMagic show so be sure that you stop by and watch this very entertaining attraction too.

Tomorrowland Transit Authority People Mover

This is a great place to give you a wonderful overview of the park and have a much needed rest after walking around the Magic Kingdom! I always advise people of all ages to take a break on the Transit Authority as it is a relatively quiet and restful place to sit down for a while.

Walt Disney was fascinated by innovative transport systems. The Transit Authority is a 10 minute ride on a track above Tomorrowland which gives you great views of Cinderella’s Castle. It even takes you right through Space Mountain so that you can see the ride vehicles flashing by and often hear the screams of the passengers! If you want to go around again the Cast Members are usually fine with this unless there is a line.

Wait times for Transit Authority tend to be short at most times of the day.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

If you enjoy mild roller coasters then Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is a great option for seniors. It is thrilling rather than scary, but be aware that it is bumpy with twists and turns so if you have any of the health problems listed on the warning then you should avoid the ride.

The theming on the ride is some of the best in the whole of Walt Disney World. You board a runaway mine train for a 3 and a half minute fun ride at speeds of up to 30 miles an hour. There are no big drops but there are 3 small dips and plenty of twists and turns.

There is a Fast Pass for Big Thunder Mountain. Lines can be up to 60 minutes so make sure you ride early, late or get a Fast Pass.

Splash Mountain

If you don’t mind getting wet then head for Splash Mountain. Take the warnings seriously – there is a serious risk you will get absolutely drenched!

The ride is based on the 1946 Disney classic movie Song of the South. Lots of cheerful animatronic characters and scenes with Brer Rabbit and Brer Fox. The tune is very catchy and you will be sure to be singing it by the end of this ride.

Guests board 8 passenger logs for this 11 minute ride. There are several climbs, drops, and twists but of course the major event is the 5 story 40 mph drop.

There is a Fast Pass for Splash Mountain. If you plan to ride both this and Big Thunder Mountain then get a Fast Pass for the one that you aren’t riding.

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Filed Under: Disney Parks, Disney Tips, Disney Top 10, Disney's Magic Kingdom, Rides Tagged With: disney world rides, disney world rides for seniors

Disney World Fast Pass Rides and Attractions

March 18, 2012 by Alison 3 Comments

When you visit Walt Disney World one of the best ways of saving time standing in line is to use the Fast Pass system. The Disney Fast Pass system is very simple, and it is completely free. How it works is that for certain popular attractions in each of the parks, Disney Magic Kingdom, Disney Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom and Epcot all guests can get a Fast Pass to return to the ride at a particular time. They will then use their Fast Pass to join the Fast Pass line, which is almost always much shorter than the regular stand by line.

All photos by expressmonorail

There is a lot of confusion about the Fast Pass system but really it is very simple. If you do take some time to plan using the system then you will save yourself hours of standing in line. Some other theme parks do charge for their priority line system (like Universal Orlando Express Pass) but the Disney system is completely free.

When you arrive at any park then a priority should be to get a Fast Pass for a popular attraction. The Fast Pass attractions are marked on each Walt Disney World map that you will pick up when you arrive at the park. Also so that you can plan before you go, here is a list of all the Fast Pass attractions in Walt Disney World.

Magic Kingdom

Splash Mountain
Space Mountain
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Peter Pan’s Flight
Jungle Cruise

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Kilimanjaro Safari
DINOSAUR
Kali River Rapids
Primeval Whirl
Expedition Everest

Disney Hollywood Studios

Toy Story Mania!
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster
Star Tours

Epcot

Test Track
Soarin’
Maelstrom
Captain EO

Each of these attractions will have a Fast Pass ticket kiosk station somewhere close to the entrance to the ride. The current Fast Pass return time will be displayed above the ticket kiosks. You simply insert your Key to the World or Disney ticket into the machine and it will give you a paper slip with a return time on it. Each ticket will have a return time with a window of an hour. So for example you go to the Soarin’ Fast Pass ticket machine and you are given a return time of 1.00 to 2.00pm.

There are certain rules. The system doesn’t allow you to just go around and get lots of Fast Passes. You can usually only have one at any one time. So if you have your Fast Pass for Test Track it will also show on that Pass the exact time that any machine will give you another Fast Pass.

All members of your party have to have a Fast Pass. An exception to this is for a child under the age of 3 who does not have an entrance ticket.

When the time posted on your Fast Pass arrives then go back to the attraction and show your pass to the Cast Member at the front of the attraction. They will then allow you to join the Fast Pass line.

The Fast Pass line does not mean ‘front of line’. Most likely there will be other guests there with you and often there will still be a wait. This wait is usually short but can be up to 20 minutes. It will definitely be shorter than the stand by line though! As an example the line for Soarin’ can reach 120 minutes. Yes that is 2 hours. But if you have a Fast Pass the wait will likely only be around 15 to 20 minutes.

The Not So Good Recent Changes to the Fast Pass System

It used to be that even though you had a Fast Pass for 1.15 to 2.15 if you missed that window you could go to the attraction and still use it when it had expired. The Cast Member would most likely not even bat and eyelid and would wave you on with a cheery smile. You could even go with Fast Passes from weeks or months ago and still have them honored.

Now a Cast Member will politely tell you that your time has passed. Will they stop you entering the Fast Pass line late? That is for you to try and I would love to hear of your experience of this in the Comments below.

Are Some Fast Passes Better Than Others?

The very simple answer to this is yes. Some attractions have formidable wait times (Soarin’ comes to mind). So when you arrive at Epcot my advice is always to go to get either a Test Track or a Soarin’ Fast Pass first and then ride the other attraction. Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain are the equivalent in Magic Kingdom, as are Kilimanjaro Safaris and Expedition Everest in Animal Kingdom. In Hollywood Studios it is Tower of Terror and Rock and Roller Coaster.

Use the Fast Pass system and you definitely will spend less time in line. Is it a good system? Well that is another question and I would love to hear your views in the comments below.

Disney World Mad Tea Cups Ride

March 11, 2012 by Alison Leave a Comment

People of all ages will enjoy the Disney World Mad Tea Party. If your idea of fun is being spun around in a giant tea cup then this is the Magic Kingdom ride for you! But if you get motion sickness then it is definitely best to watch your family and friends from the sidelines. The ride is one of the few which appear in all all the Disney parks around the world. Even though the official name at Disney World is the Mad Tea Party Ride it is more commonly known as “The Tea Cup Ride”.

Photo by expressmonorail

The theme for the ride is taken from the Unbirthday celebration in Alice in Wonderland. The first thing that you will notice when you approach the Mad Tea Party ride is the bright colors. Multicolored lanterns hang from the covered pavilion. Look for the dormouse in the middle of the ride platform – it pops it’s head out of the tea pot. There are 18 beautifully painted tea cups which are each on a turn table in groups of 6.

Each of the tea cups holds up to 5 guests although this can be a bit of a squeeze. If you are particularly tall it is best to sit at one of the edges closest to the door so that your legs have a bit more room!

The ride is about 90 seconds long but it always seems longer. The tea cups spin on the rotating platform and you can also make them spin more if you move the rotating wheel in the middle of the cup. Be careful when you get out of the tea cup as you will most certainly be dizzy!. Young children usually absolutely love this ride.

The Tea Cups look particularly beautiful at night when the lanterns are all lit and the colors just seem even more magical.

Lines for the Tea Cups aren’t usually too bad. There is no Fast Pass for this attraction. The line moves pretty quickly as it is one of the fast loading rides in Magic Kingdom’s Fantasyland.

Sometimes you will even get to ride the Mad Tea Party with one of the Alice in Wonderland characters. The Made Hatter and Alice can often be see taking a spin!

Magic Kingdom Fireworks

February 12, 2012 by Alison 2 Comments

If you are visiting Walt Disney World then the Magic Kingdom Fireworks have to be on your list of Top 10 things to see. No visit is complete without seeing this spectacular fireworks extravaganza which is staged with Disney’s Cinderella Castle as a back drop.

The Disney Wishes: A Magical Gathering of Disney Dreams fireworks are usually shown nightly, but as with all shows check your daily schedule in advance to avoid disappointment. There are some nights at slower times when it will not be shown. But at busy times Wishes are usually scheduled for two performances each evening.

All the amazing photos are by expressmonorail

What Makes the Magic Kingdom Fireworks So Special?

The Wishes fireworks show is unlike anything else you will have seen. The combination of fireworks, lightning, music and of course Tinker Bell flying across the skies is a wonderfully unique Disney experience.

The show has been running since 8th October 2003 and replaced the Fireworks in The Sky show which had run since Magic Kingdom opened in 1971.

There are also a couple of seasonal versions of the fireworks show: HalloWishes and the very popular Holiday Wishes.

Your hosts are Jiminy Cricket and the Blue Fairy. The theme is – you guessed it – wishes. But wishes can be good or bad and so the popular Disney theme of good versus evil plays out in this display. Of course we all know that if you wish upon a star your dreams will come true (come on the cynical ones amongst you)!

Disney Wishes is 12 minutes of Disney magic. The show features music from the popular Disney movies including Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Fantasia, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Hercules and The Little Mermaid.

The only character who actually appears in person is Tinker Bell. Make sure that you look up at the start of the show to see her flying across the skies!

The show is so much more than fireworks. Guests marvel at the changing colors and images projected on Cinderella’s Castle.

Many feel that Magic Kingdom Wishes is the very best of all of the fireworks shows in any of the Disney theme parks world wide. No visit to Magic Kingdom is complete without a viewing of the show!

Where are the Best Places To View the Magic Kingdom Fireworks?

This is one of those Disney questions which causes a lot of debate! Regular visitors tend to work out their own favorite viewing spots. I have my own particular favorites:

On the platform of the Magic Kingdom Railroad. This is a great spot not only because you get a good, elevated view of the Castle and fireworks, but also because it is a good spot from which to exit the park as soon as the show is over. As you can imagine, when the fireworks end it feels as if everyone in the whole park is leaving at the same time. That is because they are! That can add up to a whole lot of people wanting to get onto the monorail or the boat. If you want to be ahead of the crowd then it is good to be at the bottom of Main Street so you can get a good start!

Another favorite place is just outside the Plaza Restaurant at the other end of Main Street closer to Cinderella Castle. This is a particularly great place if you get there early enough to get a table. You get a good view of the show and of course you can rest your tired feet at the same time.

If you want a rather different experience and are not watching the fireworks for the first time why not try this? An interesting place to experience the fireworks is whilst riding either Splash Mountain or Big Thunder Mountain. Big Thunder Mountain is better than Splash Mountain because of course Big Thunder is outside all the time. You can get the timing a little wrong with Splash Mountain as of course a lot of it is inside!

Another great viewing spot in Adventureland if you want to watch the fireworks with your feet on solid ground is just by the exit of Big Thunder Mountain near the geyser.

Even though Fantasyland is at the back of Cinderella Castle it does have some great viewing spots. The disadvantage is that you can’t see Tinkerbell and of course you are watching something from the back which is designed to be seen from the front! But the advantage is that it tends to be a lot quieter and you are more likely to be able to find a place to sit and a place away from the crowds. If you do view from Fantasyland then usually it is better to wait for a while to give the chance for the crowds to die down a bit getting through Main Street. Otherwise it can be quite a difficult walk out, particularly if you have young children.

For a good view of Tinker Bell it is good to watch on the Tomorrowland side of the Castle. A favorite spot is outside Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe. You do have to get there pretty early to get a table though.

There are of course places where you can watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks outside of the park. A favorite spot is the California Grill is Disney’s Contemporary Resort Hotel. This is an amazing restaurant and the view of the Wishes fireworks is amazing. You do have to be dining there to have access to the restaurant. This didn’t always used to be the case but Disney got wise to the fact that non diners were also enjoying this amazing view, so restricted access to patrons only.

Another good place to view is from the beach at the Grand Floridian. It is usually very quiet and peaceful – a very romantic spot to watch the fireworks from.

One very overlooked place to watch the fireworks is from the back porch at Narcoossee’s Grill at the Grand Floridian Resort. They even play the music so you can enjoy the full effect of the display.

The beach at the Disney Polynesian Resort is another great viewing spot. They are quite a lot of chairs there and usually it is not crowded.

Of course there are so many places to view the Magic Kingdom fireworks and everyone has a favorite spot. Leave me a Comment and let me know which is your favorite.

Walt Disney World March 2012

January 28, 2012 by Alison Leave a Comment

If you are visiting Disney World in March 2012 it is always good to know what events are happening and which rides and attractions will be closed for refurbishment. Planning ahead is always a good idea when you vista Walt Disney World. The more you know before you go, the more you will enjoy your vacation! We have tried to be as accurate as possible with these dates but things do change, so if you are visiting in March always check schedules before you arrive.

All photos by hubsterdisney

Is March a good time to visit Walt Disney World?

In early March crowds do tend to be relatively low and the weather is usually great with an average temperature of 78 degrees. March of course brings Spring Break so expect the crowds to be heavier, particularly around the week of March 10th when many schools are on vacation.

Which Disney World Rides are Closed in March 2012?

One of the most popular rides with young children is Dumbo The Flying Elephant and this will be closed until March 12th 2012. You will want to warn the little ones about this to avoid disappointment. The Magic Carpets of Aladdin is close by and is exactly the same type of ride, but for many it just isn’t the same!

Another Magic Kingdom headline ride Big Thunder Mountain is close for refurbishment until May 27th. This is a very popular ride in the park so the fact that it is closed may mean that crowds are heavier in that area and that the lines for the adjacent ride Splash Mountain are longer. As always with the popular rides get a Fast Pass if you can and this will cut down the amount of time that you spend in line.

The Studio Backlot Tour in Disney Hollywood Studios is closed is closed from February 13th to March 9th 2012.

Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon is closed until March 18th but Blizzard Beach is open if you want to enjoy one of the water parks. This doesn’t tend to have too much effect on crowd levels as traditionally attendance at the water parks is lower in these winter months.

Disney World Restaurant and Resort Facility Closures for March 2012

One of the restaurants in Epcot’s Italy, Tutto Italia Ristorante will be closed until April 28th 2012. The Plaza Ice Cream Parlor in Magic Kingdom is also closed until March 28th.

If you are a guest of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa then you will want to know that the pool slide will be closed from February 6th and reopen on March 3rd. The pool itself is still open, it is just the slide that is being refurbished.

Epcot’s Flower and Garden Festival

This is a very popular annual event in Disney’s Epcot park and runs from March 7th to May 20th 2012. No separate entrance ticket is needed – it is included with your general admission to Epcot. The park is beautifully decorated with flowers and spectacular topiary designs.

This popular Flower Power Concert Series is held at the weekends at the American Gardens Theater in World Showcase. Performances are at 5:15 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 7:45 p.m.

March 9th to 11th Jose Feliciano
March 16th to 18th Starship Starring Mickey Thomas
March 23rd to 25th The Guess Who
March 30th to April 1st The Spinners
April 6th to 8th Chubby Checker & The Wildcats
April 13th to 15th Paul Revere & The Raiders
April 20th to 22nd The Turtles Featuring Flo & Eddie
April 27th to 29th Chuck Negron, Formerly of Three Dog Night
May 4th to 6th The Orchestra Starring Former Members of ELO
May 11th to 13th Herman’s Hermits Starring Peter Noone
May 18th to 20th Davy Jones

There are also HGTV celebrities scheduled to present the concert series as follows:

John Gidding from HGTV’s Curb Appeal: The Block – March 9th to 11th
Sabrina Soto of The High/Low Project – March 16th to 18th
Jason Cameron from DIY Network’s Desperate Landscapes and Man Caves – March 23rd to 25th
Camille Styles who is an HGTV.com Entertainment contributor – March 30th to April 1st
Dan Faires of HGTV.com’s DanMade and Fan Favorite HGTV Design Star Season 5 – April 6th to 8th
Brandon Johnson who is host of HGTV’s My Yard Goes Disney – April 13th to 15th
Meg Caswell, of Meg’s Great Rooms is presenting April 20th to 22nd
Monica Pedersen from HGTV Dream Home Tour 2012 and Designed to Sell is presenting April 27th to 29th
Antonio Ballatore, HGTV’s The Antonio Treatment – May 4th to 6th
To be determined – presenting May 11th to 13th
Genevieve Gorder of Dear Genevieve and HGTV Design Star – May 18th to 20th

Have a wonderful vacation if you are visiting Walt Disney World in March 2012.

Top 10 Walt Disney World Must See Rides and Attractions

January 26, 2012 by Alison 14 Comments

What are the must see Walt Disney World rides and attractions? This is of course a very difficult question to answer. There are so many things to see and do at Walt Disney World that to choose just a few that you absolutely must do is rather a challenge. But of course I am never one to walk away from a difficult task so here is my own personal Top 10 Walt Disney World must see rides and attractions. They are in no particular order – choosing a Top 10 is difficult enough, putting them in order would have been impossible!

All of the amazing photos are by expressmonorail

Disney Wishes: A Magical Gathering of Disney Dreams Fireworks

No visit to Walt Disney World is complete without seeing the Wishes Fireworks at Magic Kingdom. This spectacular fireworks show debuted in 2003 and has been enchanting guests ever since. The show is hosted by Jiminy Cricket and The Blue Fairy and is a classic tale of good against evil. It is a magical mix of fireworks, music and lighting effects. Watch out for Tinkerbell flying across the skies!

Which is the best viewing spot for Disney Wishes fireworks? There are many to choose from but some of my favorites include on the platform of the train station at the end of Main Street, sitting at one of the tables outside at the Plaza Restaurant, various spots in Fantasyland (which is less crowded but you can’t see Tinkerbell) and of course California Grill restaurant in the Contemporary Resort.

Be careful to check the schedule for times and dates of showings for Wishes as these do vary.

Disney Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

The thing about Disney attractions is that they are just so amazingly themed – and Disney’s Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is one of the best examples of this anywhere in Walt Disney World. Want to drop 13 stories in an elevator? This is the Disney attraction for you!

Disney is the master of theme park story telling and every great ride has a back story. The Hollywood Tower Hotel has a history. It opened in 1919 and soon established itself as one of the places to be for the movie crowd. But on October 31st 1939 five guests enter the elevator of the hotel just as lightning strikes. The child star, her nanny, two young starlets and the bell hop vanish . All the other hotel guests run from the building leaving their belongings behind.

The attention to detail in the line is exceptional. It looks just as though you would imagine it would if it had been abandoned in 1939. The Cast Members play their part brilliantly, all adding to the anticipation of the ride.

The Tower of Terror is not for the feint of heart. It is a thrill ride and has a height requirement of 40″. It is very popular so make sure that you use a Fast Pass or arrive very early in the morning.

For more on this amazing attraction visit

Disney Twilight Zone of Terror

Star Tours The Adventure Continues

If you are a fan of Star Wars (and even if you aren’t) this motion simulator ride is one of the best Disney World attractions. Located in Disney’s Hollywood Studios this classic ride has a complete overhaul in 2011. You will see all your Star Wars favorites including your accidental pilot C3PO who will take you on a journey which has 54 variations. This new technology means that you never know quite which direction your journey will take.

Kilimanjaro Safari

Not many of us will get to experience a real safari in Africa but The Kilimanjaro Safari in Disney’s Animal Kingdom park is a great substitute for the real thing. Walt Disney himself always wanted to have a theme park which allowed guests to see real live animals and Animal Kingdom was the realization of his dream.

Guests board an authentic safari type vehicle as they are taken on a tour of the 100 acre African savanna. The ride is also authentically bumpy so take note of those warnings! The very best time to take the safari is in the early morning. This is not just because the lines are likely to be shorter but also because this is the time when the animals are at their most active.

There is a great commentary by the tour guide who will help you to see as many of the animals as possible. Some of the most popular sitings are of elephants, zebra, giraffe, rhino, hippopotamus and of course the lions (don’t worry they are kept out of your reach by some very clever discreet Disney landscaping). You may even be lucky enough to see the Cheetah (they are often quite difficult to see). Also on the savanna are warthogs, gazelle, flamingo, ostrich, okapis and wildebeest.

As with all popular Disney attractions make sure that you get a Fast Pass or ride early in the morning. It will cut your time waiting in line.

It’s A Small World

This classic Disney ride is one of the original attractions which was over seen by Walt Disney himself. Disney World has seen many changes over the years but this cheerful musical boat ride remains true to the original ideals of Walt himself. The theme is quite simply world peace through global understanding. Hundreds of animatronic dolls representing many countries around the world sing the unforgettable It’s A Small World theme song. Guests board a slow moving boat and sail around watching the brightly colored moving dolls sing their happy message. You know you will never get that song out of your head, but somehow it is worth it!

Epcot Test Track

Another very original Disney World ride, Epcot Test Track is a theme park ride unlike any other. The story is that guests are needed to test the cars just like the crash test dummies do! Guests board a 6 passenger vehicle which will take them on a journey through various tests. These tests include braking, heat and cold tests, hair pin bends and of course the final speed test. Your test Track vehicle will reach speeds of up to 65 mph before bringing you back to the testing facility.

This one is a lot of fun and is a truly unique ride. It is thrilling without being scary so a lot of guests who don’t usually enjoy thrill rides like roller coasters will enjoy Test Track. It is of course very popular so use the Fast Pass or if you don’t mind riding without the other members of your party the Single Rider line will save you a lot of time.

For more details visit

Epcot Test Track

Epcot Illuminations Reflections of Earth

This is another must see fireworks event at Walt Disney World. Illuminations: Reflections of Earth is a unique fireworks, lights, pyrotechnics and music spectacular which is shown every night (weather permitting) around Epcot’s World Showcase Lagoon.

Most places around the World Showcase Lagoon give a good view of the show but do be aware that trees can block your view so choose your viewing spot carefully. At busy times you do need to reserve a place at least an hour ahead of the show. Some of the best places to view are the bridge between the United Kingdom and France, on the platform just outside the Japanese restaurants, and if you can get a reservation, the outside viewing area in the restaurant at the Rose and Crown Restaurant.

For more information about this amazing fireworks show:

Epcot Illuminations

Soarin

Located in Disney’s Epcot Future World, Soarin’ is a must see attraction. It is a ride which simulates flight, rather than a flight simulator! Another very unique experience only available in Disneyland, where it originally debuted, and Disney’s Epcot.

Guests board a huge structure which has rows of seats in front of an extremely large screen. The seats are then lifted up into the air and have gentle motion which feels like flying. The movie Soarin Over California is then projected onto the huge screen so guests feel as though they are flying over the state. The movie is beautifully filmed and seems to fly you over many destinations including Yosemite, The Wine Country, San Francisco, Palm Springs, San Diego and of course Disneyland.

Pirates of the Caribbean Ride

This is another classic Disney ride which originally debuted in Disneyland in 1967. This was the last attraction which Walt Disney personally supervised and participated in it’s design. Guests board a slow moving boat which will plunge down a (very small) waterfall and then take them through a series of dark scenes with animatronics, pyrotechnics, and explosions all to the tune of Yo Ho It’s a Pirates Life For Me!

Most guests these days will be very familiar with the Pirates of the Caribbean movies and they will be pleased to see that Jack Sparrow appears in the ride more than once.

Fantasmic!

Make sure that you arrive early for this Disney Hollywood Studios night time spectacular. Even though the auditorium has seats for 6,900 guests and standing room for 3,000 more it does reach capacity. To get the best seats you do have to be there 60 to 90 minutes before the show starts.

Once again the theme is good against evil, with Mickey Mouse dressed as the Sorcerer’s Apprentice battling the Disney villains. The show is spectacular. Expect pyrotechnics, a huge dragon, images projected onto water, fire which seems to be right in front of you, fireworks and an epic musical score. This show seems to have every special effect known to Disney World thrown in! Of course all ends well for Mickey and at the end of this 25 minute show many of your favorite characters sail past you on the water in front of the set.

Never under estimate how popular this show is – arrive as early as you possibly can to get a good seat. This can be a long wait if you have young children or if it is cold out at night. The only way to beat the crowds is to book a Fantasmic Dining Package which you can reserve ahead by calling 407 WDW DINE. You then reserve a meal at one of the Disney Hollywood Studios restaurants and get a place is the reserved seating area for Fantasmic. This is a reserved area, not a reserved seat so you do still have to be there around 30 minutes before the show.

It is very difficult to pick a Top 10 Walt Disney World must see rides and attractions but here are my personal favorites. Which ones have I left out? Which have I included that you really don’t enjoy? Leave me a Comment below!

Top 10 Disney Magic Kingdom Rides for Toddlers

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Walt Disney World January 2012

November 14, 2011 by Alison Leave a Comment

If you are visiting Walt Disney World in January 2012 here is a guide to what is happening in the parks at that time including parades, special events and ride closures.

Disney World Ride and Attraction Closures for Refurbishment in January 2012

It is always best to be prepared for which attractions will be closed when you visit, so here are the scheduled refurbishments for January 2012.

In Magic Kingdom the very popular Dumbo ride will be closed from January 9th to February 17th. You do need to warn the younger children about this as they may be disappointed. An alternative ride is The Magic Carpets of Aladdin which is very similar to Dumbo.

Also Big Thunder Mountain in Magic Kingdom will be closed for refurbishment from January 9th to 27th May 2012. This is a major attraction which will be closed for quite a considerable time. Expect Splash Mountain to have longer lines as it will take up some of the capacity of guests who would have been riding on Big Thunder Mountain.

The Plaza Ice Cream Parlor on Main Street in Magic Kingdom will be closed from January 4th to March 27th 2012.

The only closure in Epcot for January will be Tutto Italia Ristorante in the Italy World Showcase Pavilion which will be closed from January 7th to April 30, 2012.

If you are visiting Disney Hollywood Studios in January and early February 2012 you will be disappointed to find out that Fantasmic! will not be playing for much of the time. It will be dark from 9th January to 12th February 2012.

Also in Epcot the Sounds Dangerous Soundstage is open only seasonally and due to low attendance is unlikely to be open for any of January.

The water parks always close over the winter for refurbishment – whilst one is closed the other will be open. If you are visiting in January then Blizzard Beach will be open but Typhoon Laggon is closed from 4th December 2011 to 17th March 2012.

Disney World Magic Kingdom Parade in January 2012

If you possibly can then you should always try and catch Disney’s Main Street Electric Parade in Magic Kingdom. It will be performed most nights in January 2012 but will not be run on 8th, 11th, 13th, 15th, 17th, 18th, 22nd, 24th, 25th, 27th, 29th, and 31st January.

Disney has a very good idea of which days will be the highest attendance days – so expect the days when the Electric Parade is scheduled to be the busier ones in Magic Kingdom.

Disney World Hotel Refurbishments

These closures generally only affect Disney World hotel guests but are worth noting.

The Disney Grand Floridian Resort Spa closed in September 2011 and will remain closed for 18 months. The fitness center is still open.

In the Polynesian Resort the sand beach is being refurbished from 24th December to 10th January 2012.

Walt Disney World Special Events January 2012

The major event in January 2012 is the Walt Disney World Marathon. This event is held every year in January and this year various races will be held in the theme parks from 5th January to 8th January 2012. This is a popular event and will mean that attendance at the parks is heavier than you may expect at this time.

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Top 10 Disney Magic Kingdom Rides For Toddlers

November 11, 2011 by Alison 5 Comments

Which are the best Disney Magic Kingdom rides for toddlers? Visiting the most magical place on earth is great fun with kids of all ages but it is always best to be prepared so that you can know which rides everyone is likely to enjoy the most. So here is my top 10 guide to the best rides and attractions that Magic Kingdom has to offer for toddlers.

All photos by expressmonorail

The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

Most young children love Winnie the Pooh so this almost 4 minute ride will keep most of them happy. This indoor ride is very upbeat and is based on the story Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day. Children will see all of their favorites, Tigger, Eeyore, Piglet, Owl, and Rabbit in very bright colors. One of the best parts of the ride is the Winnie the Pooh dream sequence. This is one which all the family will love and is likely to be a favorite with very young children in particular. This is of course a popular ride. A Fast Pass is available (the machine is located close to Mickey’s Philarmagic). The standby line now has some interactive features to keep you entertained whilst waiting in line.

Prince Charming Regal Carrousel

Sometimes the simplest designs are the most captivating and this is certainly true of the classic carrousel now named Prince Charming Regal Carrousel. The ride was built almost 100 years ago it was purchased in 1967 for Walt Disney World. This attraction was for many years called Cinderella’s Golden Carousel but was renamed in 2010.

Try and steer your toddler towards one of the inside horses. They move much slower than the ones on the outside. You can stand with your toddler if you feel that they are not balanced enough or confident enough to ride by themselves.

Although the Carousel is quite slow to load the wait is not usually less than 30 minutes.

Dumbo the Flying Elephant

Your toddler is likely to say that Dumbo is his favorite ride in the world. This cute flying elephant is a wonderful ride for toddlers. 16 flying Dumbos spin around slowly on this 90 second ride. A Disney classic. There is only one problem with Dumbo. The lines. As this ride only takes 32 riders at a time and is very slow to load the line moves at a snail’s pace.

In the new Fantasyland which is due to open it’s first phase in 2012 there will be 2 Dumbo rides. Disney is doing something to help guests as it knows that his is a hugely popular ride, the only downside is the line.

The Magic Carpets of Aladdin

This is based on exactly the same ride design as Dumbo. It does have one very big advantage over the Dumbo ride though. Less time in line. The theme is different of course – you board a flying carpet and not a cute elephant – but the basic idea is just the same and your toddler will most likely love it. Riders can control the height of the carpet so as to avoid (or not) the lights sprays of water.

It’s A Small World

The ‘happiest cruise that ever sailed’ is sure to be a favorite with your toddler. This 11 minute ride is one of the best known of all the Disney rides, and not just because once you have experienced it you will never be able to get that song out of your head! Guests board a boat for this 11 minute ride past cute animatronic figures representing many countries around the world. The younger ones will also enjoy the relatively recent additions of Disney movie favorites including Nemo and Ariel The Little Mermaid.

Peter Pan’s Flight

Another very popular ride in Fantasyland which your toddler will enjoy. Guests board 2 seater pirate ships to be taken on a ride over the streets of London. The ride was designed for Disneyland in 1964 and is truly one of the classic Disney dark rides. Guests ride through scenes from Peter Pan and although the ride technology is far from sophisticated in this day and age, this is part of it’s appeal.

Unfortunately Peter Pan’s Flight line rivals that of Dumbo. You should aim to either arrive early and ride this first or pick up a Fast Pass. The line is not magical when you have been standing in it for 60 minutes with a toddler!

Mickey’s Philharmagic

As with many toddler friendly rides this one is located in Fantasyland. This is a very entertaining show for all ages but toddlers will mostly love the characters, the music and the funny effects. Guests are seated in a 450 capacity theater to watch the 3D show. The story is that Mickey is late for a concert but Donald Duck tries to step in and help. Lots of Disney movies are referenced so there is sure to be something that your toddler recognizes.

Usually the line for this is not over 30 minutes. Often you will get a surprise Fast Pass for this with your Winnie The Pooh Fast Pass.

Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin

Young children love Toy Story so this will be a lot of the appeal of this ride for them. Guests board a 2 person vehicle and shoot at targets to get points. Your toddler is most likely not going to be able to reach the ‘laser gun’ very well so that part of the ride is not going to work well but usually they just love the activity and the colors. And of course Buzz Lightyear appears along the way.

The Enchanted Tiki Room

The Enchanted Tiki Room is an original Disneyland attraction and you can certainly say that it is showing it’s age. As an adult you probably want to experience it once just to see why everyone is saying it is outdated! But for a toddler it can be a favorite attraction. Young children will enjoy the upbeat songs and all the moving animatronic figures. For the grown ups it may just be a chance to sit down for 9 minutes and rest their feet!

Mad Tea Party

Toddlers love this spinning tea cup ride. Bright colors and a Alice in Wonderland theme will catch the attention of the little ones. Guests spin around in tea cups which they can spin faster and faster if they want to. Your 2 year old probably won’t be able to make a difference to the speed but your 5 year old certainly will want to make it go faster.

There is plenty to keep your toddler very happy in a visit to the Magic Kingdom. There are certain rides that they can’t go on of course but that does not mean that the older children and grown ups can’t go on these attractions. Where there is a height requirement there is always a Child Swap option. This means that all the family can stand in line and then one waits with the child whilst the other rides, and then the non riding guest swaps and rides the attraction. This is available at Splash Mountain, Space Mountain and Bit Thunder Mountain.

Do you agree with the rides chosen for the top 10 Disney Magic Kingdom Rides for Toddlers? If you have your own suggestions and tips for visiting the Magic Kingdom with toddlers then leave me a Comment below.

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Top 10 Disney World Rides for Teenagers

November 9, 2011 by Alison 3 Comments

What are the very best rides for teenagers at Walt Disney World? Although the Disney parks are perhaps best known for their appeal to younger children and adults this does not mean that if you have teenagers in your group they are going to feel left out. A Disney World vacation truly is for everyone, including the teens.

Here is my list of Top 10 Disney World rides for teenagers.

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster

What better than a mix of rock music and a high speed roller coaster? The teens are likely to want to ride this major Disney Hollywood Studios attraction more than once. This Aerosmith inspired roller coaster ride accelerates from 0-57 mph in just 2.8 seconds cataputing riders 200 feet! This is an intense roller coaster particularly by Disney World standards – riders experience G Force of up to 4.5.

Read more in this Disney Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster guide.

Disney Hollywood Tower of Terror

The Hollywood Tower of Terror is another attraction in Disney’s Hollywood Studios which is sure to keep the teenagers happy. Riders plunge 13 stories in this 199 feet tall very imposing attraction. The ride sequence is random so you never quite know which ride you will experience. The theming on this ride is excellent. The teenagers may not ever have seen the Twilight Zone television series but they will appreciate the general spookiness of the place, right down to the excellent bell hops who control the elevator.

If you want to know more go to Disney’s Tower of Terror Guide.

Star Tours The Adventure Continues

You don’t have to be a Star Wars fan to appreciate this amazing motion simulator ride (but it helps). Star Tours has just undergone a major redesign and it is now one of the very best rides in the Disney parks. This is another attraction in Disney Hollywood Studios which the teenagers will really enjoy. There are now 54 possible variations so you never know which sequence you are going to get. If you are familiar with the Star Wars movies you will recognize the classic pod race scenes on Naboo, enjoy the snowy lands of Hoth and of course love to battle it out on the Death Star.

Mission Space

This is the ultimate thrill ride for teens at Disney’s Epcot. Tell them that it was the first ride to supply vomit bags for guests and you are sure to get their attention. This is an extreme ride. Heed the warnings and if you are not ready for this ride then you can select the Green line which is the none spinning version.

Nasa astronauts say that Mission Space gives riders a good idea what it feels like to be launched into space. I guess you can’t beat that endorsement! As with all Disney rides this one has a story. Guests board a 4 person vehicle to be launched on a mission to Mars. You experience up to 2.5 G Force on the Orange ride so even the most reluctant teenager can’t fail to be impressed by this intense Disney ride.

Test Track

This one is a highly unique ride which really doesn’t have any comparison with any other theme park ride. The whole idea is that this is a test facility for new vehicles. Guest board a 6 person vehicle. Riders will experience a series of tests including handling, breaking, and a hot and cold test. The final test is the high speed test where you will reach speeds of 65 mph on an outside steeply banked circular track. This is one for the thrill seekers out there and the teenagers are going to love it.

If you want to know more here is a guide to Epcot Test Track

Soarin’

Another very original ride located in Disney’s Epcot theme park. This 4 minute 40 second simulated flight ride is a flight simulator of a very different kind. You board a huge structure in front of a very large screen. The structure goes up to 40 feet into the air and guests get a sensation of flying. It takes guests over the amazing sights of California including Yosemite, The Wine Country, Monterey, San Francisco, San Diego and of course Disneyland. This is a very unique ride with no other attraction in the world quite like it.

Expedition Everest

The newest and the most thrilling of the Disney World Mountains is located in Disney Animal Kingdom park. Guests board the Anandapur Rail Service train which is scheduled to take them to the foot of Mount Everest. The journey begins mildly enough but then the tests, turns and drops begin. This is a classic roller coaster with amazing Disney theming. The attention to detail is amazing – Imagineers spent 6 years researching this ride.

Kilimanjaro Safari

Disney’s Animal Kingdom is a very unique place to experience a very different animal park. The Kilimanjaro Safari ride is a favorite with all ages and teenagers are likely to enjoy this very unique opportunity to get as close to a safari experience as you can without traveling to Africa. Board a safari vehicle and your guide will take you through the plains of Africa to see lions, zebras, elephants, giraffe, hippo and many other animals at very close quarters. Don’t worry it is all in a very controlled environment so whilst you can see the lions this is Disney after all and they aren’t going to get near you!

Disney Pirates of the Caribbean Ride

This Magic Kingdom ride will be a big hit with the teenagers if they enjoyed the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. Plenty of chances to catch sight of hero Captain Jack Sparrow even if he is just an audio animatronic figure. This is one of the oldest of the Disney rides (it debuted in Disneyland in 1967) and is the last attraction which Walt Disney worked on personally. A dark boat ride with lots of dark images, fighting and explosions, this one should appeal to the teens.

Space Mountain

Space Mountain is a classic Disney roller coaster which teenagers should enjoy. Not because it is fast or particularly thrilling (it only ever reaches 28 mph which is a snails pace for modern roller coasters) but because it is a unique experience. The appeal of Disney’s Space Mountain appeal is that it uses light very effectively and creates the great Disney illusion of not being quite what it seems.

What are your favorite Disney World rides for teenagers? I would love to hear from you. Leave me a comment below!

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Space Mountain Disney World

July 14, 2011 by Alison 2 Comments

Space Mountain Disney World is one of the most popular rides in all of the Disney parks. What makes it so popular? It certainly isn’t the longest, the fastest or the latest technology. But still it remains one of the most popular attractions in Walt Disney World. This roller coaster in the dark has been a must experience attraction at Disney World for almost 40 years.

The Disney World Space Mountain ride opened on January 15th 1975 and was the first Space Mountain ride at any of the Disney Parks. Now all of the Disney parks worldwide have their own. The Orlando Space Mountain was refurbished in 2009 at an estimated cost of $12.3 million.

Walt Disney himself had the idea for the original concept of the Space Mountain ride. He wanted a new futuristic ride to be a major attraction for the Disneyland Tomorrowland rennovation. The attraction concept was originally named Space Port but later changed to Space Mountain – and so the tradition of the Disney Mountains became firmly established (the first being The Matterhorn Ride in Disneyland).

Following the death of Walt Disney in 1966 the designs were put on hold for Disneyland, but the ideas resurfaced in the early 1970s when Imagineers were looking for a thrill ride for the new Disney World which opened in 1971.

The outside of Space Mountain is an imposing 183 feet high and 300 feet in diameter. You can catch a glimpse of it when you approace Magic Kingdom by boat or monorail. Lines are pretty much always long. There is a Fast Pass so you should use that if you can, or if you don’t mind being separated from the rest of your party the Single Rider Line is also a good option. There is a height requirement of 44″ and age 7.

There are 2 tracks – Alpha and Omega. They both give exactly the same ride experience but the Omega track is 10 feet shorter than Alpha (simply because the ride design means they cross over each other).

Guests will board a 6 person space rocket. Riders sit in single file one in front of the other. The total ride time is 2 minutes and 47 seconds. The maximum speed which Space Mountain reaches is a fairly sedate 28 miles an hour. The speed varies slightly according to the weight load of each ride vehicle and the temperature of the vehicle and tracks. The longer the ride has been running during the day the faster it will go (but only by a small variant). The longest drop is 35 feet.

You can actually go inside Space Mountain without experiencing the ride if you board the Tomorrowland Transit Authority. On a couple of occasions I have been riding this when the lights have been turned on in Space Mountain. From here you get a unique view and see that the ride really isn’t that big of impressive – it is the amazing themeing which makes it one of the best Walt Disney World rides.

The lighting and sound effects are what makes the Space Mountain ride so unique. Space Mountain is a roller coaster in the dark. Strobe lighting effects and carefully synchronized music create a unique experience. This was all updated as part of the 2009 refurbishment. Space Mountain has ‘Starry-O-Phonic Sound’ which uses 60 speakers installed on the sides of the track. Sound effects and music are timed to play as each train passes. The soundtrack which is unique to the Magic Kingdom Space Mountain ride was written by composer Mike Brassell.

All images courtesy of expressmonorail

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