We have just returned from another visit to WDW, and there is a lot of fantastic things to do and see there. As always the people at Disney have come up with a few winners in our book. So here's the scoop on the hot stuff. At MGM STUDIOS is the ride 'ROCK'N' ROLLER COASTER'. This is not your typical Disney ride, and boy am I glad it's not. This is one wild ride and a lot of fun. How does 0 to 60 mph in 2.8 sec., along with 1 loop, 1 spiral, 5g's of force, and great music from Aerosmith sound? Oh, did I mention it's all in the DARK! For you lovers of Hollywood Tower of Terror you are in for a treat. Once is fun, twice is even better, but now every drop is completely different. It shakes, it quivers, and just about the time you think is going to go up it comes down. Some drops can be as many as 5 times!!! If you survive it, well you'll be back for more. New for smaller kids is 'Playhouse Disney- Live on Stage'. A stage show where Bear in the Big Blue House and all his friends are ready to sing and make you laugh. Also there's 'Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage' When the sun goes down the fun's not over. Be sure to see the 'FANTASMIC' show in the Hollywood Hills Amphitheater. Next to the IllumiNations at Epcot there is nothing better. The people have spent a lot of time on this extravaganza and it shows. Mixing action of some 500 people with animation, water, fire, and pyrotechnics it is well worth watching! Now it's on to Epcot where there is a lot that has been done. For starters a whole new entrance in front of Spaceship Earth. Pillars of granite that all seem to reach to support it. On these pillars you will find plaques with hundreds of pictures and names of people that have been there. You can 'Leave a Legacy' too for about $25 per square. Innoventions has been refurbished also. On the West side check out the Cool Zone for a taste of sodas from around the world all free. Journey into Imagination is open with a new ride featuring Figment. Test Track is now faster than when it first opened. The shinning star of rides at EPCOT is 'Mission: SPACE' This has to be one of the most reallistic rides that I have ever been on. It is unbelievably intense in the way that it makes you feel like you are actualy being shot into outer space. Not only do you ride but you also have a role to play in the mission. Firing the booster rocket, extending the wings, and flying the craft to safely make it to Mars. But be forewarned it can cause motion sickness. But if you do what they tell you to do you can make it through the mission fine.
For the Magic Kingdom there is Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin, and the all new Enchanted Tiki Room which is a very entertaining show. For the young at heart, or even kids is the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh a very nice ride the whole family will enjoy. But by far the best thing new there is Mickey's PhilharMagic. It is a wonderful 3D show with Maestro Mickey in the lead role. Try not to miss the new fireworks spectacular 'Wishes'
Now it's onto Animal Kingdom park. A lot of people told us not to bother with going there, that it was nothing but a big zoo. Well boy are they wrong! And they have a saying there 'It's NaTHaZü' Yes, there are animals. And yes they are enclosed, but not the way you would think. It is very hard to detect the enclosures because of the foliage that is there. Also walls are built to look like natural stone or native buildings of the countries that the animals come from. The Kilimanjaro Safaris which is a ride on an open air bus is just the perfect way to see most of the animals there. Set in an area that resembles the African bush you cross rivers, climb hills, and traverse the savannah viewing free roaming animals of which there are plenty. We viewed it in mid day and had no problem seeing any of the animals out and about feeding or just roaming about. It is an exciting ride also with the crossing of a rickety old bridge, and the catching of a poacher. In the Asia section is where you will find adventure on the Kali River Rapids. If you go on this ride do plan on being WET. Even still this is a very fun ride. There are many animals to be seen here also. The tigers are very pretty, and the bird house is something unexpected in the way it is set up. At Animal Kingdom, Chester and Hester's Dino-Rama is a wild and fun ride in the Dinoland area. Several people have complained about this area, which is theamed to be a carnival. Most of the complaints have to do with the area looking cheap and run-down. However, upon close inspection, it appears that this is exactly the atmosphere the park was looking for. They purposefully themed it to resemble one of those small carnivals that comes to the parking lot of your local department store. The rides are, Primeval Whirl and Triceratops Spin, are not too much different from those you would find at a carnival, or local fair, and the same can be said about the midway games. The story is that Chester and Hester, the owners of the nearby store selling cheap dinosaur merchandise to tourists, set up the carnival in their parking lot. If you look closely, you will notice that the pavement has cracked and been sealed, and the parking stripes are visible in many areas, contributing even more to the carnival atmosphere. So perhaps when people complain that it looks like a cheap carnival, someone at Disney is smiling, because that is exactly what they were after.
The crowning jewel of Dinoland is Dinosaur. This ride will get your blood pumping when you are taken back to the Cretaceous period to hunt for dinos. For maximum thrill try the back seat. For smaller kids there is the Boneyard Playground where you can dig up a woolly mammoth. In the middle of it all is the Tree of Life that stands 140 ft. tall and has 325 animals carved into it. Underneath it you can see the show 'It's Tough to be a Bug!' A 3D show with the characters from A Bug's Life. It is fun, and full of thrills. And don't miss the Rainforest Cafe it is a true eating, and shopping experience. Coming in 2006 will be the rollercoaster 'Expedition Everest'. From what we could see this looks to be one serious ride. I can't wait!!!
If you haven't been to Disney World in a while what used to be called Pleasure Island has expanded greatly. It is now called Downtown Disney. There are some great thing to see and do there also. Disney Quest is a place where you can try your hand at virtual reality games. Also there are a lot of restaurants there with tastes to please everyone. There is just to much to list so you'll have to see it for yourself.
Here are a few of our favorite rides;
Magic Kingdom
Space Mountain(Now Faster); Thunder Mountain Railroad; Splash Mountain; It's a Small World (Closed for renovation); Snow White; Peter Pan; Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh; Haunted Mansion; Country Bear Jamboree; Pirates of the Caribbean; Mickeys Philharmagic.
Epcot
Mission Space (What a Ride!!); Test Track; Spaceship Earth; Universe of Energy; Living Seas; Journey to Imagination; Honey I Blew up the Audience; Innovations; Boat ride in Norway; Of course SHOPPING!
MGM Studios
Tower of Terror (The Best); Rock'n' Roller Coaster (Two thumbs way up!); Indiana Jones; Great Movie Ride; Muppet 3D; Catastrophe Canyon; Little Mermaid Show; Honey I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set;
Animal Kingdom
Dinosaur (A list topper); Kali River Rapids(Hey, it's only water); It's Tough to be a Bug; Kilimanjaro Safaris; Coming in 2006 Expedition Everest (It looks like it will be a wild ride.)