Fun in Disney World – Orlando, Florida

A highlight ride of Disney World’s Hollywood Studios is the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith. This high-speed, high-action roller coaster is a favorite among coaster enthusiasts as well as Disney fans. Separating itself from the traditional roller coaster, the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith combines the speed and thrills of a coaster with a Disney-style light show and a driving soundtrack provided by Aerosmith. In keeping with the rock ‘n roll theme of the ride, the rider starts out in a ’studio’ where he or she gets to meet the band, then is quickly ushered to a waiting limo for a high-speed ride through Los Angeles to the back stage of Aerosmith’s concert. The limousine-shaped cars of the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster are then launched from a dead stop to 60mph in less than three seconds. Once in motion, the thrills are non-stop as the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster goes through a series of twists, turns and corkscrews while Aerosmith tunes add the perfect background to your experience. As quickly as it started, the ride comes to a halt just in time for the Aerosmith show.

Disney World’s Hollywood Studios created the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith in classic Disney style, by seemingly making the impossible, possible. The entire roller coaster is contained indoors, with the track twisting and turning around itself. While the majority of the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster ride takes place in near total darkness, well-placed lighting highlight signs and visual effects along the route of travel, perfectly adding to the overall action of the ride. The Aerosmith soundtrack is delivered to the rider through perfectly-tuned speakers placed in the headrests of the individual seats and throughout each individual ‘limousine’. This provides a constant level of music for the rider to enjoy, while keeping it synchronized perfectly with the action of the coaster. Don’t be surprised if you don’t notice the quality of music the first time though, as the ride itself is very good at stealing your total attention.

The Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith is billed as an action ride at Disney World’s Hollywood Studios, so there are certain precautions that should be taken before experiencing it. The Rock ‘n’ roller Coaster isn’t recommended for expectant mothers, very young children or people with heart, back or neck problems. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, make sure to check with a Disney World Hollywood Studios cast member before getting in line for the ride. Fastpass is available for this ride, and it’s located close to the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, so thrill-seekers can enjoy both rides back to back.

Bringing it all together, the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith brings together the jolt of an aircraft carrier-style takeoff, the non-stop motion of a world class roller coaster and the music of Aerosmith to provide a total Disney World experience that will have you taking the ride over and over again.

One of the newer rides at Disney World’s Epcot is Soarin’, a flying experience that recreates a hang gliding ride along the coastline of California. What seems at first glance to be a ‘sit and watch’ attraction, Soarin’ separates itself by totally immersing the rider in a full-sensory flight over the different terrains of the west coast, from creeks and orchards to deserts all the way through to the California coast. The ride provides a wonderful simulation of the experience of flight; and not only do you feel yourself moving, but you feel the air rush by you and you can actually catch some of the scents of the terrain. Terrain like orange groves and pine forests make themselves known not only by their visual presence, but by their pleasantly distinct smells as well. The whole experience feels so real that you’ll find yourself ducking under things and picking your feet up so your toes don’t drag over anything.

The way Epcot’s Soarin’ works is by actually putting the rider ‘in’ the movie they’re watching. A large -and I mean large- array of machinery picks the ride up and places everyone in a fish-eye shaped movie screen. Computer controls rotate and tilt the seats of the ride to match the movement on the screen, while visors above the rider provide airflow, scents and even a quick spray of water. All of this, of course, is timed perfectly with the visual show in impeccable Disney World style. Once the ‘flight’ is over, the rider is smoothly and quietly set back down on the ground in the exact same spot that he or she started at. Taking a quick look around during entry or exit will give the rider a feel for the massive scale of the machinery involved in the ride, as well as the screen that provided such a pleasant ‘trip’.

While Soarin’ at Disney World’s Epcot park is billed as an ‘all ages’ ride, some thought should be given to taking very young children on this ride. Those who are uncomfortable with heights or flying may also want to put some thought into whether or not they are ready for a ‘total flight’ experience. The average rider, though, will find the ride very enjoyable. Don’t be surprised if you exit the ride asking, ‘want to go again?’

Soarin’ is one of the more popular rides at Epcot and the infamous Disney World Fastpass is available for this great ride. I would recommend to either get there early or use your Fastpass to reserve a time, as the lines build quickly. Although, even if the park says there will be over an hour wait to get on the ride, the lines do move quickly and are inside under cover, rather than standing outside in the Florida elements.

To sum it up, Soarin’ is a ‘must do’ for anyone traveling to Epcot and Disney World. While it doesn’t have the roller-coaster style of plunges and jerking movements that thrill-seekers look for, the total experience of Soarin’ will be one of your most memorable rides.

The whimsical ride, Peter Pan’s Flight, is located in the Fatasyland section of Disney’s Magic Kingdom and is geared towards children.  Parents along for the ride with their child will be delighted by their child’s reactions to the fun they are having on Peter Pan’s Flight.  So if  you do go with your kids here are some hints not only Peter Pan’s Flight, but navigating most of Fantasyland.

• Park your strollers in one spot.  Fantasyland is rather small so it is easier than loading and unloading at every ride.
• The best time to visit Fantasyland is before 11am and after 7pm.  The lines for these rides can get extremely long during midday and in the summer months.

Peter Pan’s Flight starts as you board a pirate ship that suspends riders just a foot or so off the floor.  As you sail above Nana’s doghouse and into the city lights of London, riders fly over Big Ben and then it’s off to the second star to the right and straight on till morning. as the story goes, you have now entered Never Never Land.

The ride continues to show you the wonders of Peter Pan’s home, flying you over the Indian camp, Captain Hook’s cove,  and the tree where the Lost Boys live.   Riders are also shown the mermaids, along with the Indian princesses held captive by Captain Hook.   Finally riders on Peter Pan’s flight are entertained by the battle between Peter and Hook, and of course Disney didn’t forget about the ol’ crocodile that Captain Hook “loves” so much, too.

Out of all the the Fantasyland rides in Disney’s Magic Kingdom,  this one gives riders the feeling like they are riding really riding through a movie set as a spectator to what’s going on. A great ride for all ages, even parents will be reminded why they loved this Disney Classic.  If you are a fan of the Peter Pan movie, you’ll definitely love the ride and your children will too!

Long before Eddie Murphy’s movie of the same name, The Haunted Mansion, has  always been another hit at the Magic Kingdom. Located in Liberty Square, overlooking the small river that runs through the park, you cannot pass by the ride without hearing the ghoulish sounds from inside, and maybe a couple of hellacious screams too.  While you wait to enter the Haunted Mansion, the line winds you through a graveyard and actors telling you to ” Fill the Dead Space “.  As you approach the doors to the ride make sure you take a look at the headstones, your sure to get a chuckle out of the these.

As you are waiting to get on the ride, take a look at the building itself.  Along the rooftop is adorned with chess pieces, everything  from the pawns to queens.  The only piece that is not there is the knight. That’s just fine though, because it is always ( K ) night inside, as the players who entertain you in line say.  Another nice touch to the architecture of the house is the weather vane that sits atop, it’s a bat, quite fittingly for this house.  The original idea  for the house was for it to look like an early 1800’s Southern style mansion, however the Harry Packer Mansion in Jim Thorpe, PA turned out to be the final inspiration and the mansion looks more like a an old home in northeastern United States.

Once you enter you will be led to a strange room,  this is the staging area before you are loaded onto the ride.  There are portraits of the former owners on the wall,  and while you wait a story is being told about them as either the floor goes down or the ceiling goes up (can you tell which it is?).  The portraits elongate as well not as faltering as before. The story stops and a flash of lightning shocks the audience, they look up and it seems as if some one has been murdered.  With that set up for the ride, the door opens and you on your way to ride through the mansion.

As you are walking to the chairs of the ride, you will notice two  busts that resemble Romans , they do not take their eyes off you and follow you every where you got just as if the know your fate.  As you sit down your in your set, you are in  for a treat!  Some of the best wall to wall creeps with a few laughs thrown in throughout the Haunted Mansion ride.  There  is everything from ghostly needle-point, to a ghostly wedding reception that has a banquet hall full of dancers with a very unique face in a suspended in mid-air crystal ball. Just a side note of trivia about this neat crystal ball, the face in within it belongs to Disney’s own Leota Thomas.

The special effects on this ride are outstanding!  It’s spooks and ghouls even rivals the Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disney’s Magic Kingdom.  There are not as many animatronics on the Haunted Mansion ride,  but it does have a lot to offer in the ways of fun and wow!  Make sure to look at the chandler during the dance a drunken patron has take his final drink from there.  And as one of the last parts of the ride, make sure you look into the mirrors closely as you may or may not have a ghost on your lap as you pass by.  Oh, and don’t forget to read some more gravestones on your way out.

This ride is more for an older patron to the park, as it is a little frighting  for the little ones because the ride is essentially in the dark.  If your children are accustomed to the dark and being “spooked” for fun, the Haunted Mansion ride is definitely one ride worth the wait, and maybe even a second ride, as there is so much going on you will always see or discover something new everytime you ride.

One of the most popular rides at any of the Disney attractions,  entirely due to the fame of the movies and their actors such as Johnny Depp, is Pirates of the Caribbean in Disney’s Magic Kingdom.  The movie mirrors the ride, such as the jail scene, waterfalls, ocean scenes and other very memorable scenes from the pirate village the cast visits. It is definitely an adventure from start to finish.

As you ride along this infamous attraction, you are besieged by the pirate ships battling each other, cannonballs exploding all around you and splashing in the water all as you travel in a broad beamed boat through the waters.  This might be a little scary for younger children due to the darkness of the entire ride, but if they are a little older this is definitely an experience they will never forget.

The animatronics have been totally reworked in recent years and are outstanding, especially with the new additions of characters from all three of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies including Captain Jack,  Captain Barbossa, Davey Jones and even the jail house gaurd dog.  Along with chickens, and pigs, and over 125 pirates and villagers this attraction definitely gives you a feel of going through the pirate towns featured in the movies. In addition to reworking the animatronics, Disney has so added new sound system , so that all the lines that are said can be heard and clearly understood as the riders pass by.

Due to the popularity of the Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disney’s Magic Kingdom, lines for this attraction can become long, so this should definitely be your first stop when you arrive at the park.  As you exit the ride, you are dropped right into the Pirates of the Caribbean gift store with all sorts of pirate memorabilia including tshirts, frames, magnets and even those famous “Mickey Ears” in pirate style.  Once you are out of the ride, if you love it as much as myself  it should be your last stop before you leave the Magic Kingdom, too!

Admit it you laugh like most people do when a team wins the Super Bowl and immediately we see one of the heroes of the game yelling into a camera, “I’m going to Disney World!” For many people Disney is the place where young and old alike can return to their childhood roots. Never does this come into play more than on one’s birthday. I don’t know about you but I know a few people who try and celebrate the weekend, week and month of their birthday.

As crazy as it sounds you would think these are the people I am referring to. In fact it’s those people who hardly ever celebrate their birthday that get the most out a Disney World Birthday Experience. Think about it, where else could you have breakfast with your favorite Disney Character, Lunch in an authentic Moroccan establishment and dinner at a Parisian Restaurant all without boarding 5 different flights and losing countless hours traveling back and forth across the ocean.

Disney offers this between the Magic Kingdom and EPCOT Center endless opportunities for you to both quench your appetite for fun, adventure and fine dining. Better yet it forces you to remember what it is like to be a kid again. In 2009 you can even go to the Parks for Free on your Birthday. That’s right folks one day no admission price. You have to register your birthday on the Disney Parks Website and this is only good for 2009. On your special day go to the Park of your choice with a proof of Identification which includes your date of birth and enjoy the day.

Here are a few recommendations to make your day more memorable

* Inform Cast Members/Travel Agent when you book your reservation that it is a Birthday celebration and provide them with the name and age of the Birthday boy or girl.

* Let your Resort know when you check-in. Sometimes they will do something special for you ranging from autographed character pictures to balloons in your room. This does not always happen but we have heard of many instances where it has.

* Visit ‘City Hall’ on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom, ‘Guest Services’ in EPCOT, ‘Guest Services’ in Disney’s Hollywood Studios and ‘Guest Services’ in the Animal Kingdom for a ‘”IT’S MY BIRTHDAY” button. This always generates special attention from the Cast Members in the Parks.

* If you are celebrating your child’s birthday, make sure your child has an ‘Autograph Book’ when they wear the button. They will receive special Birthday greetings from the Characters.

* When you are having a meal at any one of the restaurants, tell the server about your birthday. They will bring a decorated cupcake to the table with a candle in it. This only applies to sit down meals.

* If you are staying at one of the Disney Resort Hotels, contact the front desk and request a special birthday phone call for your child (young and old) from a Disney Character.

* Purchase a passport in EPCOT to have stamped in each country around the ‘World Showcase’ and make sure the Cast Member’s who signs it know it’s your Birthday. You will receive Birthday greetings in many different languages.

All in all remember to have fun, it’s your day and you are at Disney World, the sky is the limit.

In our first part of “Getting to Disney World” we examined the Air Travel options to the area of Orlando where Walt Disney World resides.  Of course if you do fancy the old fashioned road trip option, you can get Disney World from a variety of directions. Again not everyone is from Florida so this will be more on the road trip side of things and if you are traveling with kids in the car you’ll definitely want to plan some games or entertainment (those in car DVD systems do wonders!) for the ride down to Orlando, FL.

• Atlanta, GA: I-75 South to the Florida Turnpike South toward Orlando to I-4 West to Walt Disney World Resort Exits
• Boston, MA: I-95 South to I-4 West to Walt Disney World Exits
• Chicago, IL: I-65 South to I-24 East to I-75 South to the Florida Turnpike South toward Orlando to I-4 West to Walt Disney World Resort Exits
• Columbia, SC: I-26 East to I-95 South to I-4 West to Walt Disney World Exits
• Dallas, TX: I-20 East to I-10 East to I-75 South to the Florida Turnpike South toward Orlando to I-4 West to Walt Disney World Resort Exits
• Hilton Head Island, SC: US 278 West to I-95 South to I-4 West to Walt Disney World Exits
• New Orleans, LA: I-10 East to I-75 South to the Florida Turnpike South toward Orlando to I-4 West to Walt Disney World Resort Exits
• New York, NY: I-95 South to I-4 West to Walt Disney World Exits
• Raleigh, NC: I-95 South to I-4 West to Walt Disney World Exits
• Washington, DC: I-95 South to I-4 West to Walt Disney World Exits

For those of us who still consider Disney World the main event of any family vacation, the best way to get there is not as important as being there is. After all getting there is only the beginning of a lot of family fun!

So far we have covered what to do when you are at Disney. This week we are going to take a quick step backwards and talk about how to get there and how to get around Disney World. Like anywhere you go these days, how you get there is an important component of the overall experience. It can literally make or break your vacation if you let it. Now granted there is no sure thing when it comes to travel, but we are going see if we can help you make your travel experience as pain and stress free as possible with some tips and tricks we have learned along the way.

Back when Disney first started, the most popular form of transportation was car travel. Parents bundling their kids in the middle of the night for a long trip. Most, my 4 year old self included, never even realized they were not in there beds until they woke up and saw the wonders before them for the very first time. These days though transportation to Disney World is a whole lot more than just driving up the Florida Turnpike from Miami. Nowadays, people fly into Orlando, Miami or even Tampa and make it more than just a week vacation.

Since not everybody lives in Florida, let’s focus on the main route of travel, air. Flying in to Orlando is the easy part. in fact there are two ways to fly in. The first is the most obvious, Orlando International Airport. Handling 34 million passengers a year which to many seem to be way too much given it’s overly complex security checkpoint system. As with any travel destination, you have a variety of options.

1. You can rent a car.
2. You can take a taxi or town car service
3. You can take a shuttle service
4. You can take the Official Disney Transportation Options

The other option and frankly the less stressful of the two is to fly in to Sanford International Airport. A smaller, regional style airport it is a totally hassle free and easily accessible. Unfortunately like anything else it too has its downsides. First it is a 45 minute drive in a rental car. Second the primary carrier of the airport is, Allegiant Air. Normally these would be reasons alone to avoid such an airport but the stress free environment makes it well worth it and it’s definitely something to check out.

Usually getting somewhere is half the fun but getting to Disney is actually just about getting to the fun. So please don’t let travel ruin it for you, make it as easy an stress free as you can.

In our series of Back Stage Tours & Tickets of Disney Word, we’ve covered Magic Kingdom’s Back Stage Tours, Epcot’s Back Stage Tours and Animal Kingdom’s Back Stage Tours.  There’s only a few other tours left to cover that are a specific tour to one of Walt Disney’s Attractions not previously covered, or, they are a seasonal tour to one of the attractions covered.

The Floral Experience Back Stage Tour

If you’re into flowers and flower arranging, then this back stage tour is just for you!  Disney World allows visitors to create their own Disney themed floral arrangement to take home with them, just keep in mind the arrangements will vary by the season and availability of the flowers and plants used to create the arrangements.  This behind the scenes event takes place at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., and is $50.  All ages are welcome, as well as there’s a special discount for Disney Vacation Club members, and admission is not included nor required.

Wilderness Back Trail Adventure Segway Back Stage Tour

Get ready for a backstage tour of the trails of Disney World’s Ft. Wilderness via a Segway!  This unique 2 hour tour gives you the behind the scenes ins and outs of one of Walt Disney World’s more unique attractions.  The tour runs $85 per person and there are some restrictions on this tour. Minimum age 16 with the signature of parent or guardian required for ages 16 & 17 and a strict 250 lb maximum weight restriction is followed.   Helmets are required for this tour and Disney World does provide them.  The Wilderness Backtrail Adventure Segway Tour runs at two times on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 8:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.

Yuletide Fantasy Backstage Tour

Christmas time in Magic Kingdom, Epcot & Disney Resorts is probably one of the most magical time of year at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. By taking this tour you’ll get a behind the scenes look at how holiday Magic is created at Disney World. Visitors on this tour get to see how the Magic Kingdom is transformed into a scene from Currier & Ives, how the Disney Resorts are dressed up and decorated during this special time of year, and how Epcot captures the international flavor of the different cultures and their traditions in celebrating the holidays. At the end of this 3 and a half hour walking tour, you’ll receive a special holiday gift from Disney World. The price of this unique seasonal back stage tour is $69 per person, and it starts at the guest relations window outside of Epcot. Admission to the parks is neither required nor included. The Yuletide Fantasy Back Stage Tour starts at 9:00am Monday through Saturday from November 27th to December 30th, there are no tours on Sundays or Christmas Day.

The next theme park we’re going to look at in our Back Stage Tours of Disney World is Animal Kingdom.  Animal Kingdom is a huge park, mostly consisting of grounds for the animals to live on.  Animal Kingdom in Disney World, Orlando, Florida has a few interesting behind the scenes tours of this park that you can purchase.

Wild By Design Tour

This three hour tour lets you in on the secrets of how Animal Kingdom’s designers combined authentic architecture, ethnic art and artifacts and a story line to create the parks special appeal.  This tour costs $60 and admission to Animal Kingdom is required.  Wild By Design start at 8:30 a.m. on Thursdays and Fridays.  Tour guests must be at least 14 years of age to go on the Wild by Design Tour.  Discounts for this tour are available for AP, DVC, AAA DiamondDisney Visa members.

Backstage Safari Tour

Explore the where the animals are kept, meet the park safari/zoo keepers and learned how the animals are cared for in Animal Kingdom on this 3 hour tour.  Tour visitors will be able to tour the backstage area of the Veterinary Care Hospital at Conservation Station and the visit the nutrition center where the animals’ food is prepared.  The tour wraps up with a special tour through Kilimanjaro Safaris.  There are two tours 8:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.  The Backstage Safari Tour costs $70 in addition to your admission to Animal Kingdom.  To attend this backstage tour, attendees must be at least 16 years of age.  The tour starts at Conservation Station in Animal Kingdom.

Wanyama Safari Tour

The Wanyama Safari Tour is an exclusive tour offered to guests staying at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. On this three hour behind the scenes experience, attendees get an opportunity to tour with members of the Disney Animal Kingdom Lodge’s animal programs team. Discover how Animal Kingdom developed the resort’s safaris and get a glimpse into  what goes into maintaining the animals in a resort environment. Make sure that you bring your camera too, guests get an opportunity to take unique photos from the resort’s Savannas. Following your in-depth tour, guests get to have dinner at Jiko – The Cooking Place, the Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge’s award winning restaurant. Make sure you book this tour early as it is limited to only 12 guests.    While admission to Animal Kingdom isn’t required for this tour, there is specfic pricing for it – Concierge Level: $160 ages 10 and up, $80 Ages 8-9; All other rooms $210 ages 10 and up, $105 ages 8-9.  The tour runs Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays in the afternoon.

Wildlife Discovery Excursion Tour

Take a trip into the the Harambe Wildlife Reserve. An animal expert is your guide for this fun safari ride.  Tour guests get to visit special observation and photo ops exclusive to the Wildlife Discovery Excursion Tour.  This is a 1 hour tour that is exclusive to concierge level guests at all Disney Resorts.  The tour costs $45 and Animal Kingdom admission is required for this tour.  The Wildlife Discovery Excursion Tour is for ages 3 and up and runs Tuesday through Saturday at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Sunrise Safari Tour

Another exclusive tour to guests staying at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Kilimanjaro Club Level. IF you get to attend the Sunrise Safari, you’ll get  an in depth look at the daily operation of the Animal Kingdom theme park. The tour includes a 30 minutes safari ride and breakfast at the Pizzafari restaurant. This two hour tour (including breakfast) runs $58.58 ages 10 and up, $29.29 ages 3-10 and runs Thursdays and Sundays at 7:00 a.m.  Admission to Disney’s Animal Kingdom is required for this tour, too.