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Review and Guide
The Magic Kingdom Tomorrowland Mickey's Toontown Fair Fantasyland Libery Square Frontierland Adventureland Main Street This is the main event. This is what everyone pictures when they think of Disney parks. The spires of the castle and Space Mountain, the waters of Adventureland and Frontierland, the spinning tea cups and carousel – it’s everything Disney wanted it to be, and one of the most recognized places in the world. In the most visited place in the world, it’s the most visited attraction. Tell me that’s not a lot to live up to. It’s hard not to look at the Magic Kingdom through the lens of someone who has spent considerably more time at Disneyland over the last few years. The comparisons are unavoidable, if not entire fair – for either site. Comparing the aura and magic of the only park Walt ever set foot in to the impressive expanse and complete control that he always dreamed of is all but futile. What we can compare, however, are the pieces that make of these special places. And when comparing only the Magic Kingdom parks themselves, there are just more pieces in Anaheim. No Matterhorn, no Nemo Submarine Voyage, no Alice in Wonderland, no Mr. Toad, no Pinocchio, no Storybook Boats, no Casey Junior, no Roger Rabbit’s Spin, no Primeval World. Yea, there is a ride akin to Indiana Jones over at Animal Kingdom, but that doesn’t count for the purposes of this straight comparison. What results is pretty stark decrease in not only the number of attractions, but also the feeling of a full and well-rounded park. And you can also forget about the Snow White wishing well and waterfall sculptures, Lillian’s petrified tree, Sleeping Beauty’s Castle walk-though, Club 33, Walt’s apartment above the firehouse, the Primeval World and Grand Canyon dioramas, and the Lilly Belle. Don’t get me wrong, the Magic Kingdom in Orlando is terrific. All of the headliners you’ve come to enjoy are there, and there is still the wonderful magic about the place. But to those who’ve gotten used to the original, it seems like the place is ever so slightly glossed over. An incomplete caricature. Hitting all the notes of the melody but without the rich notes that fill out the harmony. It’s still a great tune and a ton of fun to sing along with, but the depth and richness just isn’t there. Anyone can clearly see that despite this observation, WDW has considerably more to offer than Disneyland. There is no question of that. But instead of wanting what the other resort has (Disneyland wanting space and variety, WDW wanting originality and Walt’s personal touch), I like to think of their respective glasses each being half full. So forgive the underwhelmed impression I may convey, and know that I think there is nothing unimpressive about the Magic Kingdom – any Magic Kingdom. The Park There is no question that the setting of this park is unmatched, by Disney or others. At the top of Seven Seas lagoon, overlooked by the Polynesian, Contemporary, and Grand Floridian resorts, this is the aesthetic Walt Disney always wanted. It’s funny, there’s no berm here. No need for a physical barrier between the park and the outside world, because here, the outside world is still Disney. The entry gates are but a mere few hundred feet from the water’s edge, and from there on, it’s all the Magic Kingdom mainstays you would expect – the Mickey floral flanked on both sides by underpasses, the railroad station, City Hall, the famous street, and of course the iconic castle. Wow, what a change from Disneyland! It’s a good 2.5 times taller, and at least that much more impressive. Here’s one of the many places where stepping slightly away from Walt’s plans has turned out with great results. Geographically the park is laid out much the same as Disneyland. Obviously, you’ve got the old hub and spokes. Tomorrowland to your immediate right, Fantasyland straight ahead, Adventureland at the hard left, and Frontierland at the 10 o’clock position. The Toon Town/kids areas are generally in the same spot, a weird offshoot between and behind Fantasy and Tomorrow. Liberty Square is swapped for New Orleans Square (alas, no Club 33!), and Thunder Mountain is in the back of Frontierland instead of the front. Anyone who has been to one Magic Kingdom and not the other will have a decent feel for the layout, but I’d recommend a map if you’re trying to get to someplace specific. Aside from the small differences, much of the overall park experience is the same. Of course you’ve got the same level of customer service, cleanliness, efficiency, and all those kids going out of their minds. Despite the slightly depleted attraction line-up, there is nothing second rate about being in the Magic Kingdom in Orlando. For what it’s worth, there are even a few one-of-a-kind experiences here, both old and new. So let’s get right to it! Back to the top Tomorrowland Space Mountain I can’t imagine starting anywhere else than with the headliner of headliners. The ride that, over the decades, has become the model for Disney’s interpretation of thrill rides – immense themeing, one-of-a-kind execution, and a modest rush. Really, much of the enjoyment from this ride doesn’t necessarily come from its physical effects, but rather the overwhelming immersion and disorientation. Disney somehow is able to create an analogy to a journey through the stars with one of the tamest roller coasters ever. So before I get to the comparisons, let’s get some perspective. This ride is ancient. This was the very first Space Mountain. 35 years is an impressive lifespan for even the ancient wooden coaster, let alone these new-fangled steel contraptions. While the Disneyland version opened a mere two years later, it was completely rebuilt a few years ago – rebuilt meaning same building, new ride inside. By contrast, this installation has had minimal alterations over the years. As a matter of fact, riding this in 2009 was remarkably similar to my first experience riding in 1996. Now same doesn’t mean bad, sure, but I want to be as honest as possible with this review. For reference, I’ve been riding the Space Mountains in Disneyland and Disneyland Paris for years now, probably more than a dozen rides on each during the handful of visits I’ve made. To be completely honest, this version doesn’t compare. When you do try to compare, you’ll find the physical ride experience is sub par, the visual effects to be noticeably lacking, and the audio synchronization to be, well, non-existent. While the Paris version is a whole different beast, with more in common with the Rock ‘n’ Rollercoasters than the U.S. Space Mountains – the Disneyland version is similar enough to compare, but different enough to be embarrassing to WDW. Rougher, lamer effects and no music. I got off the first ride wondering how I could have liked this so much. Obviously the answer is that I had nothing to compare it to. Fortunately for most riders, that is the case. I can only imagine how small the percentage of riders is that had ridden any Space Mountain besides this, let alone two. And it’s with that in mind that I aim offer a more objective evaluation. In much the way that the originality of Disneyland adds to its charm, there is a special aura about this attraction, having been the first. There is no roller coaster better known than Space Mountain, and this is where that started. There is something uniquely special about the queue, the weird first room filled with all those silver orbs, the “holographic” images in that ridiculously long hallway, the dynamic sky overlooking the stations with the occasional chocolate chip cookie meteor. I also found the lack of station gates to be positively charming. I don’t know if the crowds were too light to warrant using the any of the station queue, or if that’s kept intentionally kept empty these days. That’s probably one of those things it’s best not to question. It’s helpful to note that this ride has considerably more in common with the Matterhorn Bobsleds than any other Space Mountain, both in terms of physical ride experience and the ride system itself. Riders sit in-line with toboggan style seats, fortunately one person to a seat these days. As a matter of fact, the original trains were exact clones of the ones used on the Matterhorn. The single-file seating itself isn’t unpleasant, and the trains have also been upgraded with more comfortable padding over the years. But it’s fair to say that it has been definitely needed. After climbing in, you’re off through the trademark strobe tunnel and then up the lift through the space port. This scene could not be more different than the set up at Disneyland. Not better or worse, just different – although having the People Mover fly through this scene is pretty awesome. At the top of the lift there’s the U-turn over the loading area to head away from the roof, and you’re on your way. You’ve got some star effects and plenty of wind in your face. There are some good airtime pops, better in the back if you don’t mind the moderate roughness back there. Much like the Matterhorn the ride experience can be jarring, even unpleasant in a few spots. It’s definitely strange having a soundtrack simply of whooshing air, rumbling trains, and riders’ screams. After a few rides, I found it to be almost peaceful, actually. But at the heart, the experience is much the same - it’s dark, it’s hard to tell where you’re going, and you feel like you could crash into something at any moment. I would suspect that’s probably pretty close to actual space travel. By the second or third ride, when we fully knew what to expect, I think we ended up enjoying it immensely. Lessons are always learned after the fact, and to still be able to produce an overall enjoyable experience after almost three and a half decades is a testament to those who followed in Walt’s footsteps. Do I prefer the Disneyland version to this installation? Absolutely, but there remains plenty of charm and nostalgia for this experience. It’s easy to forget that this was once my most anticipated roller coaster, and I suspect that will be true for a whole other generation of space travelers to come. It’s most definitely worth pointing out that an extensive upgrade is in the works, as in 8 months of downtime throughout most of 2009. Specifics are still hazy, but it would be reasonable to expect moderate changes to the queue and station, new trains with onboard audio capabilities, upgraded special effects, and most notably some amount of track work. I suspect it will be the typical challenge of delicately balancing upgrades with preservation. We see every so often how resistant the Disney-going public is to change, and in the case of this attraction, unique and outdated seem to go hand in hand. We either rode with Fastpasses, or early in the day. As a result, we didn’t have a wait over 10 minutes, getting the first few rides on the Alpha side, followed by a couple over on Omega. Tomorrowland Transit Authority So I guess that’s the new name for the People Mover. I’m not sure when they updated that, but this ride is the same as ever, or at least it seemed that way. Here’s one of the handful of example where WDW has a leg up, Disneyland doesn’t have this anymore. Let’s all remember the debacle that was Rocket Rods, and not try to dwell on the empty highway on the sky in Anaheim (yes, I know that’s the tagline for the Monorail, but whatever). To get to come to Orlando and ride this was a rare treat, and a real trip down memory lane. This is such a great diversion, a fun attraction that’s a nice way to take a load off. You have to appreciate the technology, and the high hopes for this sort of thing that were clearly in mind when it was created. For now, it merely offers a brisk tour of Tomorrowland with views of most of the highlights. We made a couple visits to this, both in the middle of the day, and both with no wait. This is definitely a ride you can hit when crowds are at their worst. Maybe not the most engaging attraction, but it’s a Disney classic and definitely a one-of-a-kind experience. Highly recommended. Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin This is another Disney attraction you’ll find all over the globe. It’s fundamentally the same everywhere, blast targets to score points and stick it to Emperor Zurg. Who doesn’t love these interactive shoot ‘em up dark rides? Only a few small differences, most notably that the guns are fixed to the cars (which makes aiming slightly more challenging) and the trigger is a button on top pushed with your thumb (which can get tiring if you’re serious about racking up points). While these do somewhat detract from the experience as compared to Anaheim and Paris, it definitely seemed as though this original version of the ride has scenes that are considerably more elaborate. I especially enjoyed the projection tunnel (which I swear gave me serious déjà vu about a scene in the old Spaceship Earth). The line for this one moves quickly, and while it wasn’t an early morning priority, we usually hit it on the second loop of the day, and never found anything more than a negligible wait. It’s easily worth that, though probably only a couple of times until the novelty wears off. Carousel of Progress Here we have a great example of a Disney classic that’s still going strong, at least in my mind anyway. I was disappointed when first planning this trip to see that this was in “seasonal operation”, which supposedly means that it only runs when crowds are excessive. That obviously wasn’t the case for our visit, so I was quite pleased to see it open for business. I didn’t want to chance it so we rode it our first day, though not exactly first thing in the morning. What makes this attraction a classic is that it was developed under the watchful eye of Walt himself. It, along with the original Small World, Primeval World, and Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln attractions (all at Disneyland, though Mr. Lincoln is on hiatus) were developed for the 1964 World’s Fair in New York. Disney’s participation was at least partially to test the waters for an east coast installation of his already world-famous park, and it resulted in a handful of cutting-edge and engaging attractions. CoP tells the story of the effects of technology on home living, from daily chores to electronic conveniences, all set across the span of four generations. The story (and the recognizable theme song) has changed and changed back a number of times over the decades, but at its heart is still a one-of-a-kind exposition of what the future has looked like over the past 100 years. And you know that’s something Walt must have really treasured. A good bit of my enjoyment of this attraction comes from a great deal of nostalgia, having ridden this during my first visits to Disney World in the 1980s. I didn’t know then how it had traveled from New York, to California, and then finally in front of me in Orlando, but the intricacies of the show design, the appreciation for the technology the ride itself utilized, and the fact that a theater could rotate around its stage all made quite an impression then, and I suspect that still holds true for the many loyal visitors who enjoy it today. You can enjoy this one anytime, along with TTA it’s a great way to break up the crowded mid-day, and not just because it offers a good 20 minutes or so of sitting. There’s almost never a wait, except perhaps a few minutes to catch the next show. Legend has it that this was Walt’s favorite attraction, and while it has certainly seen its share of upgrades and revamps, it certainly feels true to its original design. I wouldn’t consider a visit to WDW complete without getting to take a spin. Stitch’s Great Escape I’m hard pressed to think of another attraction that has been re-themed so extensively while keeping essentially the same show elements. Almost the entirety of the former Alien Encounter’s infrastructure remains in place, but with a completely different story, one that’s supposedly more tolerable for younger guests. I had mixed feelings about the previous tenant, and I have them again about this version. I was always a little wary of Alien Encounter - how scary could it be? The entire premise is that an alien escapes and you may be eaten (or at least brutally maimed). I’m all for suspension of disbelief, but putting me in a dark room and blowing hot air on the back of my neck won’t exactly make me fear for my life and safety. After riding, I was mildly impressed, mostly because my expectations were so low, but also because the technology and the scare tactics used were not insignificant. I could certainly see those who don’t care for themeing and story not caring for it, but if you let yourself go along with it, you might have enjoyed it. And for the most part, that applies to the version that stands today. The story and the show elements have been greatly toned down, most notably the “terror” factor. Instead of fearing you may be killed, you’re mildly worried you may be harassed. But what struck me the most is that many of the elements that may frighten children still exist. It’s still set in the dark, it’s still loud, you’re still exposed to a handful of freaky effects, and most importantly, you’re still “restrained” by some seriously intimidating harnesses. On the positive side, the new story is still mostly cohesive. It’s not nearly as “shoehorned” into the attraction space as I was expecting. For those that like Stitch, which based on a surprising number of character appearances is a lot, this will surely be a must-ride. Disney has obviously done another great job of marketing one of its many characters. Overall it was worth the minimal wait, even if only to see how the retheming was executed. But on the down side, I felt as though the watering down is going to bother the excitement-seeking crowd who are no longer interested more than it will add to the enjoyment of already over-stimulated kids who can now experience it. I can only suspect that the ridership numbers justify the change, but it seems odd that an attraction would be completely changed so as to appeal to an entirely different audience – even if that made it more popular. Couldn’t Disney slow down the launch and take out the loops on Rock ‘n’ Rollercoaster? Couldn’t they change Tower of Terror to a scary escalator? If a ride is intended to thrill, and does so somewhat effectively, isn’t it reasonable to expect that this will limit the participation of younger guests? Perhaps Alien Encounter wasn’t deemed scary enough for thrill seekers and deemed too scary for everyone else. I really have no idea of the impetus for the modifications, save for increasing ridership among younger guests. But it seems to me that if that’s all that Disney wants, they should just rename every ride Peter Pan’s Flight. Tomorrowland Speedway Usually you won’t catch us dead on these drive-‘em-yourself car rides unless lines are ridiculously short, or we’re ridiculously bored. I don’t know that this kind of ride would help much with the boredom, but when crowds are low there is a sense of obligation to hit everything you can. It’s important to keep in mind that the original version of this (Autopia at Disneyland) was an opening day attraction, and there aren’t many of those left. I suppose the big gripe about this one is that there isn’t much of a story. For adults, the experience of driving a car is hardly something they want to reproduce when they’re trying to forget the everyday world. Obviously for kids there is a fair amount more excitement around this, though the story is still lacking for them too. The ride itself is quite scenic, touring the otherwise inaccessible green expanses of Tomorrowland. There isn’t quite the same view as Disneyland, overlooking the sub lagoon and with the Monorail and former PeopleMover tracks winding about overhead, but the experience is much the same on this slightly shorter version. The leg cramp after the four or five minutes, for example, was eerily similar. There’s not really too much to be surprised about here one way or the other, you pretty much get what you’re expecting. I’m not looking forward to the day our kid begs to wait in the 45 minute line to get a chance to drive. I’ll probably end up letting them drive our real car instead. The ride is fun enough, but definitely not worth anything over 5 or 10 minutes of waiting. Things might be worth sticking around a little more if you could actually race. The way the queue is set up for the 4 parallel tracks is one track per queue. That is, if you have 4 people in your group, you will end up on the same track, one after the other. No question it would be considerably harder to arrange for side-by-side racing (either by Disney changing the queuing/loading set up, or by guests taking their chances trying to coordinate it themselves), but that’d certainly add some excitement to it. Did not experience: Astro Orbiter – Dumbo of the future? No thanks. Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor – While they were hyping this one a great deal, and supposedly the technology of the interaction is impressive, audience participation and jokes meant for kids didn’t appeal at all. Shows: None Food: None Back to the top Mickey’s Toontown Fair In case you (and your children) haven’t had enough of Mickey and the gang, Disney has set aside an entire land where you can visit them all, tour their homes, and even go on a ride or two. Strangely enough, it really doesn’t offer any of the usual kiddie rides, but rather venues for character encounters – photos, autographs, hugs, whatever your kids have been screaming for all day. If this isn’t something that would interest you, would be wise to avoid this area altogether, unless you’re crazy enough to want to add a coaster to your count. The Barnstormer at Goofy's Wiseacre Farm Why such a small coaster has a name this long isn’t entirely clear. If nothing else, it does acknowledge an unfortunately overlooked queue. Apparently Goofy is working on building his one airplane, and things don’t go according to plan. The props and gags are actually pretty entertaining, though a full queue should certainly be avoided. We visited right when the section opened, an hour after the park did and found no line and two trains. Instead of rushing to the station, we let a few folks pass by as I snapped a few shots of some of the scenes. We were able to board in our own cars, which are great for an parent and a kid, but not exactly designed for two adults. There’s nothing especially remarkable about the ride, it’s fun and fast and smooth enough. But in addition to the themeing, it also happens to be a great introduction to roller coasters for the young and apprehensive. Taking on Space Mountain can seem an overwhelming feat on its own, and starting here may help build some courage. Walt Disney World Railroad If there was one attraction Walt Disney had in mind when Disneyland was only a dream, it was his beloved railroad. His fascination with trains is legendary, and even the original plans for the flagship were referred to as a little “train park”. Obviously his imagination poured out a lot more, but the railroad was still assured to make it from the drawing board to reality. Since the original park was built amidst a growing city, it was bordered by an earthen berm, atop which was placed the railroad. Since Disney wants guests to focus on the park, the seats in the cars are faced inwards, and riders are given a few nice views to enjoy always looking to the center of the park. Here in Orlando, the experience is somewhat abridged – one less stop, no Primeval World, and a considerably lesser amount to see. It’s still most certainly worth a ride, though we took it more for transportation purposes as we traveled to Frontierland. Aside from the view above Main Street of the lagoon and entry plaza, there wasn’t really much to see. If nothing else, it’s offers a relaxing way to get around. It probably won’t save you much time in the end, but every step it saves you from walking, the better your feet will feel. Back to the top Fantasyland This is the heart of the park, the center of the universe of Disney magic. It can also be the most absurdly crowded and hectic patch of land outside of Times Square. Just like at Disneyland, the charm and aura here is easy to feel, as though you are watched over by Walt himself. While you’re missing a handful of beloved Disneyland attractions, you’d likely never notice unless you were callous enough to make an objective comparison. Like me. Both have: Peter Pan, Snow White, Tea Party, Small World, Dumbo, Carousel, Winnie the Pooh (though in Critter Country at DL) Only at WDW: Philharmagic Only at Disneyland: Alice in Wonderland, Storybook Canal Boats, Casey Junior Circus Train, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, Pinocchio, Finding Nemo Sub Adventure (though geographically and thematically on the border between Tomorrow and Fantasy), Matterhorn Bobsleds (same comment applies) For all the complaints that Disneyland is too small, there’s no question they do more per acre than Disney World does (or needs to, fine.) Also, the almost renaissance fair-themed tents that make up the facades of the rides are a bit underwhelming when compared to the (faux) stone structures at Disneyland. But there’s no need to dwell, I’ve already explained how there’s still the same kind of magic, even if there is slightly less of it. Also similar is that you need to be very careful about how to see Fantasyland. While there have been a number of improvements in ride capacity over the Disneyland attractions, this area still becomes a bottleneck. The increase in crowds between 9am, 11am, and 1pm is exponential, and not to be taken lightly. I’m sure the need to be there early in the morning is old news, but it certainly made our touring much easier, even in the low season. No matter the time of year, watch out for huge, disorganized, meandering tour groups. This is not something we’ve ever experienced at Disneyland and were quite stunned at the size and the obliviousness of these groups. We never found a real trick to handle these moving roadblocks, other than avoiding them or assertively pushing our way through when our paths did cross. Unfortunately, giving dirty looks was completely ineffective. Granted, these moving masses of tourists can be found all over each of the parks, but they create much more of a barrier and seem infinitely more aimless here in Fantasyland. The physical area is pretty small, so while crowds can be tough later in the day, it’s actually pretty easy to see everything in but a few minutes first thing in the morning. Hopping through the dark rides will take barely more then 15-20 minutes without waiting if you catch them right away. In doing so, you’ll easily have saved yourself 90 minutes. Fastpass are available for Peter Pan, Pooh, and Philharmagic, but allotment rules still apply, so get them early. Mad Tea Party Also known the world over as The Teacups, you can have a great time spinning yourself silly on what is now an amusement park mainstay in one form or another (e.g., spinning gorilla heads at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom). Now I can’t exactly explain how I can have so much appreciation for such a “common” ride like this, but not for Dumbo or Astro Orbiter – I just think this one is way more fun. The ride itself is essentially the same as the Anaheim version, though this one is covered thanks to the tropical climate. Also a bit different is the placement. Out in California, this one is placed a bit more in the action. While not the center of attention like Dumbo or the Carousel, you’ve got Alice in Wonderland, the Monorail, Matterhorn, and the Canal Boats all around. Here it seems to be in a bit of a “no man’s land” around the corner from both Tomorrowland and Fantasyland. A minor gripe, there’s just less in the blur around you when you’re mixing it up. This one can have waits similar to Dumbo since it’s the same interval load carnival-type ride, though not quite as popular. I don’t know if we just timed it right once early and once late in the day, but we were able to immediately catch the next cycle. Even if we had to wait a few minutes, it’s fun for people-watching. Try to predict the crazy ones who will end up spinning it the fastest with the least regard for their inner ears. If you happen to see us hop in, we’re a pretty good bet. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh I’m not sure if this one fits in better here or in Critter Country, but as far as ride experience goes, it definitely has more in common with the other Fantasyland dark rides than it does with Splash Mountain. Here you board beehive themed cars and head into the 100 Acre Woods. The setting more clearly revolves around the pages of the storybook, and while that’s apparent at Disneyland, here the station walls are oversized pages themselves, a stark contrast to a simple outdoor station. The ride itself is much the same, save for the flood scene coming at the end here instead of the beginning. Many of the Disney dark ride tricks are played, and it’s definitely worth a ride, even for adults, provided the line isn’t too long. It’s quite sad that Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride had to be removed for this, though Disneyland’s version replaced a classic as well, the Country Bear Jamboree. At least you can still ride them each at the other resort. Just a word of warning, while I’ve never seen much of a wait for this at Disneyland, here it suffers from the same over-population as the other Fantasyland dark rides. I’m not sure if being tucked away behind Splash Mountain in Anaheim has doomed it to obscurity or if it’s simply less popular there, but there’s no such lack of attention here. Though probably less popular than the other two small dark rides, waits can still add up, and if you’ve already got a Fastpass for Peter Pan, you may be out of luck. Snow White’s Scary Adventures We see some more subtle improvements over the Disneyland version, with a few added scenes, including the trip around the wishing well right out of the gate. Just as a note, Disneyland has the actual wishing well, though it’s on the other side of the castle. Here you follow along as the witch attempts to poison Snow White, and the dwarfs attempt to thwart her. Of course, Prince Charming comes along to save the day – and we actually get to see the rescue here in the scene, as oppose to the confusing “And they lived happily ever after” scrolled on the wall in Anaheim. There is a slight preference for this version, considering its added depth, and it’s definitely a top notch dark ride. No Fastpass on this one, so be sure to time it well. Again, nothing here is as popular as Peter Pan, but Snow White can have her share of long wait times as well. Mickey’s PhilharMagic This is a bit of a change of pace from what you’re used to in Fantasyland. And considering we had never ridden it here nor is there an installation in California, it was one of the rare completely new experiences for us. To say this attraction is another 3D theater akin to Honey I Shrunk the Audience and Muppet Vision 3D is not incorrect. But to lump it with those isn’t entirely fair. For one, it doesn’t rely nearly as heavily on typical 3D gimmicks, instead focusing on the story – sort of. Essentially, Donald’s loss of Mickey’s sorcerer’s hat has led him on a wild chase through the Disney archive of musical numbers to get it back. It is a little strange that the ride’s namesake is only on the screen for mere seconds, but the story really isn’t the point, it’s about the music. And the music is terrific. I have no problem with Disney milking their classics yet again, because they are classics for great reason. Between Be Our Guest, Just Can’t Wait to be King, Whole New World, among several others, it’s hard to fight the swell of emotion that most Disney-lovers experience time and time again when reliving their favorites. The computer animation is great too, realistic and crisp. I won’t go so far as to say Disney has finally mastered the 3D attraction experience, but this seems to me to be a huge step in that direction. There’s a huge capacity theater, and while we were able to catch the next show each time, every performance was packed to capacity. I can imagine having to wait an extra cycle or two – or whatever the queue will hold in the busy season. For our visit, it wasn’t even necessary to operate the Fastpasses, which is always a great sign. Peter Pan’s Flight You never feel more like you’re at the center of the Disney universe than when you’re experiencing Peter Pan’s Flight. There’s something special about being on this beloved ride that strikes a chord with generations of guests, and also makes them willing to wait to do it. At least the crowd moves a little quicker here than it does on the original. You can thank the moving walkway in the loading area for the increase in capacity, and the entire ride feels a good bit larger and more elaborate. I definitely miss the flight through the stars and the thrilling “drops” you have on the less-controlled track at Disneyland, but this version gets an ever so slight nod. Both installations are packed full of our favorite scenes, flying out of the bedroom, over London, approaching Neverland, all the action on the pirate ship, and finally Captain Hook finally getting his comeuppance in the jaws of the gator. There’s nostalgia for all, and the ride itself is a classic among classics. It’s most certainly a can’t miss, and it’s clear that almost everyone feels the same way. While I scoff at those who can’t visit without a spin on Dumbo, I’m right in line with all those kids for this one. Fastpasses are available, but seem to be the hottest ticket in town – running out quicker than even Space Mountain and Thunder Mountain, though mostly because of the significant lower hourly capacity. A 30-45 minute wait here is pretty much standard, but it’s walk-on like everything else first thing in the morning. You may be able to hit a another headliner and still find a negligible wait within an hour of opening, but be aware, every second you delay, it’s only getting worse. It's a Small World The situation could not be any more different over at Small World, where you’ll often have to wait longer to get off the ride than to get on it. Once you’re in the show building, there are only a few subtle changes which mostly go unnoticed. But to get there you’ll surely notice how different the loading area and ride façade is. I’m not sure if it’s again due to the weather, or because this version is a clone, but the grandness that is Small World in Anaheim is greatly diminished in Florida. It’s much smaller, it’s hidden indoors, and most notably the railroad doesn’t go through it. At Disneyland, this ride is an anchor, off by itself attracting the attention of anyone who walks by. If anything, I think it suits that version well – in case you forgot this is another of Walt’s beloved World’s Fair attractions. It was packed up and sent to California and retains much of its original charm. As for the ride itself, you’d probably never notice the differences – I certainly didn’t. Some of the scenes are swapped and characters are in different spots, but the experience (and song, of course) is almost entirely the same. That is, fun in small doses. A must-ride, but nothing you need to experience over and over. The only other change is that the Pinocchio Village Haus overlooks the queue and station area. A nice touch, I’m a fan of being able to watch attractions while eating, though we never actually got around to going there. Fantasyland is crazy enough, let alone in a restaurant during meal time. Did not experience: Dumbo the Flying Elephant – Haha, yea right. Good one. Cinderella's Golden Carousel – I’ve got to be in the right mood to go on a Carousel these days. Unfortunately, there’s no alcohol in the Magic Kingdom. Shows: None Food: None Back to the top Liberty Square Here we have something of a “secondary” land, mostly due to its small size and limited number of attractions. Not that it doesn’t deserve a visit or is any less accurate and convincing in its theme, it’s just not a spot in the park people are going to wait for a rope drop to get to. In this way it’s much like New Orleans Square in Disneyland, a very nice place to walk through for a few minutes, find a quiet spot or enjoy the shops, and has only a couple attractions. Haunted Mansion Finally, I get to see the non-seasonal version of the original attraction, although there have been some noticeable upgrades. It’s been a long time coming, mostly because this is closed at Disneyland during our January visits, but more recently because we’ve seen the holiday version and Phantom Manor installation instead. Not that those aren’t great, but this is an all-time favorite of mine and I’ve missed the classic version. I’ve lived in both the north and the south, and while I appreciate the originality of the plantation-style mansion at Disneyland, this gothic Victorian is much creepier, and obviously more fitting since it’s not in New Orleans anymore. It’s a shame you don’t get to go through the front door, but the queue does provide a nice view, both day and night, provided you find a wait. And from then on, the differences are all over the place. The 360 degree ghost host effect in the stretch room is really great, even if you aren’t going underground. While the loading area is really lacking without the grand foyer and staircases, it’s made up for by having the flickering paintings and the staring busts actually on the ride. I had completely forgotten about the library full of ghost stories written by ghost writers. I also really love the glowing eyes as they turn into the wallpaper. It’s such a simple effect, like most of these, but it really adds to the experience. As for the additions, the Escher-esque stairs is a very cool scene, and the updated attic is great. I definitely miss the Phantom and full orchestral score from DLP’s Manor, but the original versions, along with the handful of enhancements, are hard to beat. You can ride anytime, as it has an enormous capacity and likely won’t have a wait more than 15 minutes or so. In fact, it’s a good indicator of how crowded the park is. I highly recommend riding it at night if at all possible. Not only is the creep factor higher, but with your eyes already adjusted to lower light levels, you’re be able to see a lot easier. Did not experience: The Hall of Presidents – Down for maintenance, unfortunately. I can’t actually recall if I’ve ever experienced this. If I did, it didn’t make much of an impression on me in the 80’s, though I suspect this isn’t exactly a favorite among kids. I would have liked to have seen this, mostly because we don’t have it here in California, but also because I’m excited about that new guy they’re adding – the one with all the hope. Liberty Square Riverboat – We finally gave this a shot at Disneyland a couple visits ago. Despite all my Disney visits, I couldn’t ever remember going on a riverboat until then. Well, we ended up on the Columbia instead of the steamboat, mostly out of guilt for having never ridden. I don’t know if this offers a different experience through the Rivers of America in Anaheim, but it most certainly fell under the category of, “we have one at home, and we’re really not even all that into it there.” It wasn’t really a matter of not having time, but I’d rather go on a headliner I really like twice instead of going on this just for the sake of it. Shows: Spectromagic While this parade goes through much of the park, we saw it here, so that’s where I’ll put it. Few non-ride experiences at Disney parks live up to my all-time favorite, the Main Street Electrical Parade. Fantasmic is fun, the fireworks are awesome, but there’s something about the MSEP that holds a special place in my heart. Right next to it, is Spectromagic. I’m not sure if it’s because they’re mostly the same experience, or because it’s a terrifically executed take on the classic, but this is easily one of my most anticipated Disney happenings. Unfortunately this was running the same day as the aforementioned Fantasmic, and only twice a week, so we’d only get one shot at each. Considering the iffy weather, I didn’t watch to chance it, and this definitely got top priority. We have Fantasmic in California anyway, and even though we have MSEP (now Disney’s Electrical Parade) at California Adventure, it seems as though that runs less and less these days. We set up way in advance, pretty exhausted after two intense days. We took a spot on the wall next to the Liberty Bell, and spent the next 30 minutes or so pretending as though we didn’t notice the handicapped signs they had put up near us after we got there. We certainly would have moved if there had been a need, but I don’t see why they make the handicapped area along a wall perfect for sitting. Folks in wheelchairs are already sitting, why would they take this space from everyone who’s been on their feet all day? Maybe I’m being insensitive, but like I said there was plenty of open space up until the last few minutes before the show, when jerks more blatant than us starting climbing into the shrubbery behind us. Not only weren’t they handicapped, by they were trampling the bushes. And older lady next to us was sure to tattle on them for both reasons, as we stuck our heads into a park map and waited for the lights to go down. Once underway, we were able to enjoy the parade. The only real big difference (besides upgrades in lighting and parade technology) between this version and MSEP is the music, and while this doesn’t have the unforgettable and beloved quirky electronic sound, it’s still a sweeping and engaging score. The only Disney parade in ¾ time gives it the feel of a majestic waltz. Now keep in mind most of the joy comes from that base human instinct to be entranced by pretty lights, but the Disney characters and the great music take it from trippy to extraordinary. I can’t help but stop and have one of those memorable Disney moments. Food: None – Unless you count a bucket of popcorn and a Sprite purchased from a nearby cart while waiting for Spectromagic. Seeing as we were scheduled for a late dinner, it was one of the many critical snacks. Back to the top Frontierland Thunder Mountain The anchor of this wild west-inspired area is none other than the world-famous Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. The rocky red bluffs and abundance of animatronic wildlife are recognizable the world over. Unlike the Disneylands in Anaheim and Paris, this version is way in the back, so you almost have to earn it. No shortcuts here, though cutting through Adventureland may shave a couple seconds if you’re coming from the entrance. Seeing it right next to Splash Mountain is a little strange to be honest, so rarely do you get two headliners immediately next to each other. The ride is right on par with its counterparts, though no dive under the river like in France. The queue and station is much more like that than the Disneyland incarnation, where you climb up a hill and queue in an abandoned mining building. You’ve got the same 3 lifts, some great spins and banked turns, and the distinctive train sound effects. The delightful animatronic animals seem a bit quieter here, no braying from the goats or yipping from the coyotes, but that guy in the bathtub more than makes up for it. The hot springs are a little more active here as they replace the Rainbow Ridge scene, though the sulfur pools by the first lift are still there. There’s no question this will hold a special place in my heart even though I put this installation slightly behind the other two. This was my very first rollercoaster, and I can only guess what a great experience I had (which I don’t remember) that began a string of great amusement park memories. I can’t say this ride is solely responsible for this odd addiction of mine, but it certainly got it started on the right foot. Standard headliner rules apply here, this has a huge capacity and can churn through riders by the thousands, but obviously it’s a major draw. I’ve never felt the need to rush to this like I do for Space Mountain and Fantasyland, but this is definitely a “first thing” kind of ride. But here in Florida, with Splash Mountain right next door, the rules may go out the window since you can check off two of the three mountains right away. Assuming you’re into those kinds of rides, of course. Country Bear Jamboree Here I found a Disney classic that I just don’t get. Unlike the Hall of Presidents, I can safely assume my parents took me here as a child, though I have no memory of it whatsoever. You can be certain I sure didn’t go on this when visiting as a teenager with my high school friends. We opted to ride Splash Mountain repeatedly in 45 degree weather instead. With that in mind, and in an attempt to have a well-rounded Disney World experience, we certainly couldn’t miss it. That being said, we didn’t happen to get to it until much later in the week, always remarking that we could “catch it later”. Sorry, but seeing the show is one thing, waiting 15 minutes to see it is another. Wow, so I can see what they’re going for, and I’m sure it has a following similar to Tiki Room, but this isn’t for me. I suppose “bor-RING” is the stereotypical response, and I wouldn’t quite go that far in my assessment. Yes, I realize it’s an opening day mainstay, but to me it just seems too “new” to be considered classic and too cheesy to be considered charming. I’m sure a vocal few out there would take me to task for this, but we all have those attractions we only go on because of some mental (or literal) checklist. It’s not bad, it’s not a waste of space, it was just one of those where you exit and think to yourself, “meh.” But hey, we sure did enjoy calling it the “Jamboroo” the entire week, so there’s that. Shows: None Food: Pecos Bill Café –This is one of the few non-ride or parade experiences I actually remember from decades past. I’m not sure why, but I think I end up eating here every time I come. Known for its “fixins” bar, and for good reason. You could make a meal from that alone. Instead, we split a double bacon cheeseburger and fries and a drink. Stacking on all the accoutrements, it was more than enough. I may have looked like a fool filling a paper to-go carton with banana peppers, but they were “free”, and they hit the spot. Recommended. Did not experience: Splash Mountain – I don’t want to talk about it. Fine, I will, but I won’t be happy about it. This is easily my favorite Disney ride. It’s what I like to call a “new classic”, something I think Walt would be very proud of, if not amazed by. It was down for maintenance…for a week…for the week we were there. Yep, it closed the day before we got there and opened the day after we left. Figures on the timing, right? The only reason I wasn’t supremely upset about this was because it was the only major attraction closed. As I mentioned, President’s was down, as was Ellen over at Epcot and Sounds Dangerous and the Tram Tour in Hollywood Studios. That’s it, that’s the list. Pretty good for the middle of January, right? Seeing as this was the only “E” ticket I would miss, I decided not to dwell. Besides, we have one of these in California. It’s not as though it was Everest or Mission: Space that was out of commission. Plus, I knew it would be down way in advance, even during our visit to Disneyland in November – which meant I was able to compensate with double rides during that visit. I just pretended I was sitting two across, and it was like I was there. Now all I have to do is ride it twice as much on our next visit as well, and it’ll all even out. Let’s hope it’s warm again. Back to the top Adventureland Pirates of the Caribbean I suppose a trip to the Caribbean can be an adventure, and placement in this land makes a little more sense than being in New Orleans. Here we have some of the starkest contrast between installations of the same ride. This is seen right as you enter the queue, which is an elaborate recreation of a Spanish fort here in Florida, compared a quite plain antebellum-style entranceway in Disneyland. The queue here is very realistic, an armory, a dungeon, very convincing and the complete opposite end of the spectrum from the original. But once you board, everything shifts the other way. Sure, the themeing and attention to detail for Florida’s Pirates is still top notch, there’s still considerably less of it. Gone is the absolutely wonderful first scene in the bayou, floating past the beloved Blue Bayou and a Louisiana swamp shack emanating dulcet banjo tones. Gone is the talking skull and bones above the drops. Heck, even one of the drops is gone. There’s a drastically reduced beach scene, and much less treasure. Also gone is the armory. All told, the entire ride is half as long. I wouldn’t go so far as to say the overall experience is half as good. All the classic scenes are there, the siege on Isla Tesoro, the dunking mayor, and the wench auction to name a few. The recent upgrades are all there too, Davy Jones in the mist (although it’s about 20 feet after the boarding area), Captain Barbossa, and a handful of Jacks. No lift to ride, either, which probably cuts a couple minutes of ride time by itself. All in all, it’s a very noticeably abridged version, though still quite enjoyable. Despite the (lack of) length, I find it hard to express any serious distaste. It may be abridged, but it’s still Pirates. It’s also a great “anytime” headliner along with Small World and Haunted Mansion. The Enchanted Tiki Room (Under New Management) I’m almost not sure where to start here. I can only imagine what you think I’m going to write. Let’s start at the beginning. The original Tiki Room wasn’t an opening day attraction, but it was one Walt took a personal interest in and was unveilled in 1963. It was, however, an opening day attraction a few years later at WDW. It went by the name Tropical Serenade, and though the the name and the pre-show were different, the main show was the same. Until 1997, anyway. The following year, the attraction reopened with the current new and old name. And some changes. Instead of the usual charming, if not weighty, collection of tropically inspired tunes, we get halfway through the title track before Iago cuts in and it all goes downhill. Let me preface the rest of the review with this: I realize Disney has a very challenging job to balance preservation and improvement. They can very easily alienate thousands of fans with a single removal or alteration. And on the other hand, they can lose a decent chunk of their audience by not maximizing the space they have. So the tradeoff is a choice between “change something and piss people off,” or “leave it alone and watch popularity plummet.” I don’t think anyone was happy to see Mr. Toad go away, but Disney made a tough call and replaced with with Winnie the Pooh. At least that was something close to a fair trade. Nothing seems “fair” about this upgrade. Iago (i.e., Gilbert Gottfriend) yells and squawks for minutes on end about taking the place over, the Tiki birds are forced to sing cheesy pop music that they wouldn’t even play at a prom, and the “Tiki god” has to show herself to shut everyone up. While that animatronic character is definitely the highlight of the “improved” show, I think I liked her mostly because she (temporarily) took care of Iago. While I think disgrace may be too harsh of a word, I think disappointment captures it well. I understand the thinking that this is an old attraction and needed some dressing up. But the “plussing,” as is the Disney term, was really off the mark. Cheesy, unoriginal, and uninspired is how would describe it. It’s not something I would expect from Disney, anyway – the man or the company. I don’t know that I’d say they should be ashamed of themselves, but I certainly think they need to try harder next time. I can’t say that going back to the original is the answer (at least it’s still at Disneyland). I realize there’s only so much that can be done with the space and the infrastructure – but if anyone can put together a good show, it’s Disney. I’m willing to give them another chance. You’re welcome. And hey, if nothing else, at least Phil Hartman is in it. Jungle Cruise A notch above cheesy is campy. That’s cheesiness we like, right? Well, Jungle Cruise has camp in spades, provided you get the right guide. Here at WDW, this is a major attraction. Not that we overlook it in Anaheim, but since it sits but feet away from Indiana Jones, it’s not exactly the focus of the area. Here, it’s a Fastpass compliant and has a serious queueing area. We were able to avoid queues both times for one day ride (early in the morning), and one night right (mere seconds after the fireworks ended). I must say, the cruise is much closer to the three weeks they mention than the original version. The bad jokes are still present, as are much of the animals, and the trip through the temple is a nice addition. The change from real pop guns to a speaker was interesting, and seemed pretty indicitive of whole Disneyland versus Disney World concept. I do miss the pirhanas, but overall this version gets the nod. Watch out for lines here. It may not be a first thing attraction, but don’t put it off for too long. And definitely make sure to ride at night. Shows: None Food: None Did not experience: Magic Carpets of Aladdin – See Dumbo. Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse – This is one of the reasons we don’t make a ‘go on everything’ pact. I vaguely remember this from the 80s, and while we have an updated version in Disneyland (now Tarzan-themed), it’s mostly just a conservation of energy thing. Physically torturing ourselves to get to rides and shows is one thing – most of them have plenty of sitting. But an attraction that’s comprised mostly of climbing stairs? Double pass. I’m sure we’re missing out. We’re ok with that. Back to the top Main Street I suppose it may have made more sense to put this section at the beginning, but it’s actually more fitting since what little time we spent on Main Street, we spent towards the end of the vacation. Despite a lack of attractions, I really love this park of the park. As far as sights and sounds and smells, it may very well be my favorite. I’m always a little too amped up to really savor it early the morning, and as it worked out early in this vacation, we were always in a rush to get somewhere else. Trying to head to rides quickly or trying to exit quickly does not result in the deliberate exploring that this area deserves. Fortunately, we made a visit as part of the Backstage Magic tour, specifically at the end to see it “all come together”, and to watch the parade as well. We also took a little bit more time on our last day, luckily catching the Dapper Dans on the way out of the park. I say luckily because while I had wanted to see them, I actually made no effort to do so. Outside of that, we didn’t really spend much time there. We peeked our heads into Town Square Exposition Hall to try to track down the Walt Disney Story, not aware it has been on hiatus for a while now. Main Street Cinema is actually a store and not a cinema here, and there’s no ‘First 50 Years’. There was also no shopping, no snacks, not even any ice cream. I can’t say that there was a particular reason, but it may fall under the “we have one in California” category. Nothing short of terrific, but most of the time we had important places to be. To that end, the spot on Main Street we visited most was the wait time board, just short of the hub on the left. Shows: Disney Dreams Come True Parade For the most part, if it’s not a night parade, I’m not interested. I can’t say this was the exception, and it would likely have gone entirely overlooked if not for the prescribed viewing as the finale of the tour. The day parades definitely have a younger audience in mind, and parades and floats center primarily on the various loveable characters in the Disney arsenal. Exactly how they make one parade unique from another with the same 30 or so characters is beyond me. Then again, I don’t know that novelty is something guests are looking for from the afternoon parade. We stood at the very end of the route, just short of the backstage gates in the town square area of Main Street. A decent enough view, even in the shade, and no crowds to have to beat by arriving 30 minutes prior. The parade itself was nice, pretty standard so far as I could tell. All the usual characters come to life, all the music we’re more than familiar with after a week in the parks and at the hotels. I enjoyed watching the look on kids’ faces, and noticing how much the cast members go out of their way to engage onlookers. Even just holding eye contact while waving can be memorable for a guest. It was mostly interesting because we had just come from the shop services where they are currently building all-new floats for a new version of the parade. It was neat to see them as plywood and sawdust in the shop and then see completed floats in their full glory not 2 hours later. Still fun, and obviously a must-see for the little ones. In the end I’m glad we saw it, and probably even gladder we didn’t go one step out of our way to do so. Wishes Nighttime Spectacular Finally, we get to see fireworks! The last handful of pyrotechnic shows we should have seen at Disneyland we’re curbed due to wind. As a contrast, we kept seeing this nighttime display over and over, even when we weren’t in the park. As a matter of fact, we ended up seeing one firework display or another every night of our vacation even if we hadn’t planned on it. Our first viewing was through the window of Citricos on the night we arrived. We caught the tail end the next night as we were arriving from Epcot, slipping through the entranced crowd on our way to evening EMH. We did pause momentarily, but the official plan was to watch them the following night, immediately after Spectromagic. Our second day in the parks was the time the full viewing, for which we had briefly camped out in the hub after a short walk from Liberty Square. No need to arrive more than 15 minutes beforehand as far as we’re concerned. I can’t say I remember much about the particulars of Disney World fireworks, besides the general joy and euphoria. However, I must say they put on an impressive show over at Disneyland. Not only is there the stirring story of dreams coming true, but the show takes a musical tour around the park itself, visiting each of the lands and a handful of the attractions, all synced with the fireworks and projections on Sleeping Beauty’s Castle. Unfortunately, it’s something of an abridged version here. The whimsical and saccharine tale of dreams coming true is all you really get. No western theme, no ghost host, no pirates, so Star Wars – no focus on the park and the attractions. That being said, it’s still great. A lot of beloved Disney music is played and synchronized expertly with the pyrotechnics. It somewhat captures the difference between these two Magic Kingdoms, not nearly as much jam-packed into it, but still a wonderful experience to behold. Dapper Dans After seeing these guys backstage, I decided I really wanted to catch them, but considering what little time we spent on Main Street, it was something of a shock that we actually got to. At one point, I did consult the entertainment guide (which was probably the only time in the Magic Kingdom that we did so), but never got around to making a special trip. It wasn’t until the final (depressing) walk down the street and out the gates that we just happened to see them performing. They were a lot of fun, though we really only caught the end of the show. It was a nice mix of singing, jokes, and not too much audience participation. I’m not usually one for the impromptu street performances, but these guys are one of my favorite exceptions. (That weird talking garbage can in Tomorrowland is not.) I can’t say that it’s critical to stop what you’re doing and head to Main Street to catch a performance, but if you happen to hear the old-timey quartet, I suggest you step right up.
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