Disney World

 

Magic Kingdom Visit the Disney park that started it all, the Magic Kingdom. The Magic Kingdom has it all with two roller coasters (Big Thunder Mountain Railroad & Space Mountain), a thrilling water ride (Splash Mountain). I was hoping to ride "Its a small World" but it is closed for renovation until 2005. At the Haunted Mansion it is Halloween every day, and is one of the last rides inspired by Walt Disney. A new ride, Mickey's PhilharMagic is a must see. This is a 3D (actually 4D) show that is amazing. The movie is so real you will be reaching out trying to grasp objects out of the air that are only an illusion.

 

Epcot Take a tour around the World in Disney World Epcot. In just one day you can visit Mexico, Norway, China, Germany, Italy, USA, Japan, Morocco, France United Kingdom and Canada. Epcot is also the home to one of Central Florida's best and newest theme park ride: Mission Space. The flight to space and back is very real and you will feel true weightlessness, as will your lunch. When you have landed you can test drive a car on Test Track. You will get to experience first hand the brutal torture that car makers put cars through when testing a new car. If you want to see the World's largest aquarium, check out the The Living Seas..

 

Animal Kingdom is located in the Disney World Resort and is part theme park and part zoo and animal education. The only real "thrill ride" at the Animal Kingdom right now would be the Kali River Rapids depicted in photo at the left. They are building a roller coaster call "Expedition Everest", due to be finished in 2005. For the kids there is a special section to meet all the famous Disney characters call "Camp Mickey Minnie". The kids will also enjoy the petting zoo and learn how to preserve wildlife from many exhibits. The best ride of all is the Kilimanjaro Safaris, where you take a tour getting a relatively close look at many animals.

 

Hollywood Studios is the movie themed park at Disney World Resort. The most famous attraction here by far is the Tower of Terror (picture at right). Here is where you ride an elevator and find yourself in the twilight zone, as your elevator suddenly climbs and falls stories at a time. If that doesn't thrill you enough try the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith. You get a back stage view of how movies are made on The Great Movie Ride, backstage tour. There are many surprises including a "bone yard" of famous movie cars, boats, helicopters and more.

Disney Quest is a 100,000 square foot, indoor attraction with 5 levels included in the theme park section, because it requires a separate admission. Disney Quest is located in Downtown Disney. Some of the fun things to do at Disney Quest include:

  • CyberSpace Mountain – Build a rollercoaster, as tame or thrilling as you want and then ride it in the rollercoaster simulator.

  • Pirates of the Caribbean - 3D ride where 1 person in your party steers the ship and the rest tries to destroy pirate ships and get gold.

  • Virtual Jungle Cruise – Ride a raft with your friends, through a prehistoric river and ride the river rapids.

  • Aladdin's Magic Carpet Ride – Wear a virtual-reality helmet and take a trip on a magic carpet ride.

  • Invasion! An ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter – Launch into space on a virtual-reality spaceship and rescue humans kidnapped by aliens to become the hero.

  • Buzz Lightyear's Astroblasters – Bumper cars with a twist, you can fire cannon balls at your opponents.

  • Animation Academy – Be a Disney animator! An instructor takes you through the process of drawing a Disney Character.

  • Ride the Comix – Wear a virtual-reality helmet and try to become a superhero.

  • Mighty Ducks Pinball Slam: Become a life-size pinball as you bounce off bumpers and flippers to score points.