One of the best innovations at Walt Disney World isn’t isolated to one park, or one attraction. It can be found in all but one of the Florida parks! And, it doesn’t cost extra to use it! What am I talking about, you might ask? The Single Rider Lines available at select attractions!
Sadly, there are also a limited number of attractions that offer this option. Those attractions are: Test Track in EPCOT, Expedition Everest at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Rock n Rollercoaster at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. However, these are three of the more popular attractions on the property! The time it saves can be as much a half the regular standby line. And, if you are willing to split up your party, you can all get through a bit quicker by riding as a single!
There are currently no single rider lines available at The Magic Kingdom, but I wonder if maybe a few of those attractions might be able to support the concept? I also am curious to know why they don’t exist at all in this park. My theory, it’s about FAMILY! The Magic Kingdom exudes the family atmosphere more than the other parks. So, maybe the idea of breaking up a family for a quick ride doesn’t lend itself to this park.
If there were Single Rider options for The Magic Kingdom, what would you choose? What other attractions would you like to see Single Rider added to? Let me know!
For now, I wish you all a Blessed and Magical Day, my friends!!
You probably think this is about getting around the parks, and it almost was! But, I decided it’s time to look at some of the workings of the attractions. So, today, in this installment of the ABCs of Walt Disney World, we will be looking at some of the ride VEHICLES that bring some of the great memories of being a guest at any of the four theme parks.
Today, I’m starting at Disney’s Animal Kingdom! There are two obvious ride vehicles that jump to mind, and maybe a third, when you think of this park. Kilimanjaro Safaris offers a ride through the African savanna in an open-air vehicle that allows you some unique views of the animals as they make their way around their habitats. It’s a bit of a rough ride, but it seems quite realistic!
What goes up, comes down…FAST!!
Expedition Everest is a ‘train’ ride through the Himalayan Mountain Range. The cars are a big part of the show offered on what may be the Big Kahuna of thrill rides at WDW! It’s my wife’s favorite! One other worth mentioning is, DINOSAUR! The cars themselves aren’t much to think about, but the way they respond, is all part of the attraction! Each car has pre-programmed reactions to each scene within this dark ride. And, it is very realistic as you make your way through this pre-historic jungle. Overall, it’s an exciting adventure!
At EPCOT, the most memorable ride vehicle is probably SOARIN’! The unique experience offered on this ride it something to behold! The actual vehicle is set up on a cantilever type structure that swings you up in front of an IMAX screen and you have the feeling of floating, flying, and soaring through the sky over various scenes in California. You even get the smells to go with the ride!
Hollywood Studios has Tower of Terror. You may not think of this as a vehicle driven ride, but I believe it qualifies! You are taken for a little tour before the doors open and you suddenly begin to drop several times and at different paces. But, it’s not an actual elevator, it is a carefully designed and skillfully programmed ride to give you the thrills that keep you coming back time after time.
And now, the Magic Kingdom! Probably some of the most loved and memorable ride vehicles are here! For me, the obvious first one to look at is the Tomorrowland Transit Authority, or Peoplemover! Who doesn’t enjoy a round (or two) on here? It’s a way to kick back, relax, and enjoy a different view of Tomorrowland attractions. One question, can someone tell me if they tend to turn up the juice on this thing when it’s busy? My last ride kind of messed up my hair!
Pirates of the Caribbean has the look of a pirate longboat for this classic Disney ride. It is one of the most popular rides in The Magic Kingdom, and a crowd favorite! And, since the movies have come out, some of the scenes have been enhanced with the presence of your favorite pirates.
Pooh has a Honey Pot, Peter Pan has a flying pirate ship, Big Thunder uses another train type car.
But, the one everyone is waiting for is coming soon! The Seven Dwarf’s Mine Coaster offers the most unique ride vehicle created to date! Each car is different! Not only are there the normal bumps along the way, but the cars will sway side to side as well. There will be some of the familiar scenes from the movie (or so we have been led to believe) throughout the ride. I don’t know about anyone else, but I can’t wait for this one! Hopefully, it will open to guests this spring.
Well, there are many more, but I don’t want to go on forever! So, I wish you a Blessed and Magical Day, my friends!
Many of us have probably heard that old Nat King Cole song! And, the remade duet with his daughter Natalie made it even more special! That seems to be an appropriate opening for this entry in the ABCs of Walt Disney World, as most visits to a Disney Theme Park is definitely UNFORGETTABLE!
How many of you remember the first time you stepped onto the ground at Walt Disney World? I know I remember! Every visit has a special memory of it’s own, doesn’t it? From the first impression of a Disney Resort to the first time you enter one of the four theme parks, you know that you are about to experience something unique to you and your family.
There is just something about that first time, each trip, when I walk up to The Magic Kingdom! I find the ability to forget the ‘real’ world and become immersed in the story unfolding before me. Life seems to roll right off my shoulders and out of my mind as I make my way under the train station to enter Main Street U.S.A.! And, from that moment on, it’s all about a different time and place!
Similar experiences await us all at the other three theme parks of Walt Disney World. And, for each person the first unforgettable memory may be different than someone else’s. And, that is what it’s all about!
My first memory of EPCOT Center, as it was known on my first visit in 1982, was the massive size of Spaceship Earth and the mix of futuristic music coming out of the speakers to put a lasting impression in my mind. To this day, I still get chills anytime I hear the EPCOT Entrance Loop on http://www.magicalmouseradio.com. I am transported back in time to my first experience here.
Spaceship Earth
Disney’s Hollywood Studios is a little different for me. As you approach the park by either car or bus, you get a glimpse of the Tower of Terror as it reaches above the skyline of the park to greet you! You may also have a memorable first impression as you walk through the entrance! As you enter you find yourself on Hollywood Blvd. The buildings have an early 20th century feel to them! You almost feel like a star as you walk in and are swept away by the beauty of this park!
Expedition Everest Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Disney’s Animal Kingdom almost offers two entrances! There is the initial entrance, but then there is the walk through Discovery Island on your way to Africa, Asia, or Dinoland U.S.A. The first thing you notice as you clear Discovery Island is the iconic Tree of Life! This towering piece of technology definitely makes a statement! And, of course, there’s the other ‘elephant’ in the land, Expedition Everest! The thrill ride of all thrill rides!
One thing I would suggest to help make any of your vacations UNFORGETTABLE, is to take time to stop and allow yourself to become a part of the show, even for a moment or two. As said before, Disney is IN the Details! And, if you just run from place to place without taking in some of the backstory, artwork, and design, you may miss half of the memories you could enjoy.
So, from my house to yours…make your next trip to Walt Disney World UNFORGETTABLE!!
Today brought about the need for a safari at Disney’s Animal Kingdom! We did not try for rope drop, simply because we were all completely wiped out! The kids headed straight to Primeval Whirl for a couple of quick rides and to get Dinoland USA out of their systems. We kind of got stuck there the last time and it cost us in the end!
After fetching FastPasses for my wife and kids to ride Expedition Everest, I met them at Finding Nemo: The Musical. Can I say this show is a Must See?!! The colors are vibrant, the music exhilarating, and the acting is really very well done! And, the young lady voicing Nemo has one of the purest singing voices I have ever heard! The choreography looked to be very intricate and I am sure that it takes a lot of work to put it all together. This show has been done with spectacular Disney flair!
Our meal for today was Flame Tree Barbecue. All of the food was prepared quite well, and the sauces were delicious! Watch out for the sweet and spicy, it sneaks up on you when you aren’t looking. And, while the birds were entertaining, they weren’t very intrusive. No one left hungry, and everyone agreed that may be another place we need to put on our every trip list!
What goes up, comes down…FAST!!
My son and I went to Kilimanjaro Safari. It was different from our last visit. My son didn’t like it as much, but I enjoyed seeing more animals and having a slightly closer view for many of them. Our guide was excellent and really made the journey enjoyable, as well as educational.
All in all, I’d say it was a very good day! I would like to suggest that you slow down and take a look at some of the detail that has been put into the environments of Animal Kingdom. There has been a lot put into every little corner, crease, and crevice. I do not believe that this is still a half-day park. And, if the walls are any indication, something very good is on it’s way.
Tomorrow is our last day for this trip. But, I am celebrating my birthday in a way that excites me! While the rest of my family will be returning to the Magic Kingdom for an all day marathon, I will be taking the Backstage Magic tour. I can’t wait to share this experience with all of you.
Until next time, I pray blessings and magic come your way!
Sadly, there are also a limited number of attractions that offer this option. Those attractions are: Test Track in EPCOT, Expedition Everest at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Rock n Rollercoaster at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. However, these are three of the more popular attractions on the property! The time it saves can be as much a half the regular standby line. And, if you are willing to split up your party, you can all get through a bit quicker by riding as a single!
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