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Category Archives: Rides
Top 5 Hollywood Studios Traditions
If you have been bitten by the Disney bug, then chances are you try to visit Walt Disney World as often as you can. If so, then you probably have some traditions that you must embrace each time you visit to make your trip complete. I have some Hollywood Studios traditions that I would like to share with you, and they just might be some of your traditions too!
5. Star Tours-Since I am a huge Star Wars fan, a trip to a galaxy far far away is definitely a tradition for me! Before the opening of Star Tours: The Adventure Continues last year, it was a tradition for my brother and I to ride the original and repeat Rex’s old lines; and now I look forward to seeing what place in the Star Wars universe the ride is going to take me!
4. Writer’s Stop-This little cafe is tucked next to the popular Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater and sells a variety of Disney books and an excellent array of bakery goods and refreshments! It’s one of my traditions to drop by this spot for a quick breakfast or a snack during one of my visits to Hollywood Studios.
3. Shopping for Pins-I always look forward to shopping for new Disney pins to add to my collection; and it’s a tradition for me to spend some time browsing the pins for sale under the giant Sorcerer’s Hat at the center of the park.
2. Tower of Terror-This is one of my favorite attractions at Walt Disney World, so naturally it’s one of my traditions! I always try to find new details when waiting in the lobby and choose the left line when waiting in the boiler room. Some guests say the left line is faster and the drops on that side are more intense; and while I can’t be sure, I think they’re right!
1. Rock n’ Roller Coaster-Another of one of my favorite attractions, I can’t leave WDW without a wild and crazy ride on Rock n’ Roller Coaster! My favorite part of the ride is the catapult from 0 to 60 mph straight into a loop. It’s also a personal tradition of mine to perform my own air guitar solo while rocketing upside down!
Now it’s your turn! I want to hear your own Hollywood Studios traditions so be sure to leave a comment and share them with us!
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Disney to Begin Testing Next Generation FASTPASS System
Disney is set to begin tests on portions of their next generation FASTPASS system according to WDW Magic. From May 1 to May 15 random guests will be selected to participate upon their arrival to Walt Disney World. Guests participating will be able to choose their itinerary and FASTPASS windows for the Magic Kingdom prior to their arrival at the park. Their itinerary will then be e-mailed to them and they will be given an FASTPASS card embedded with a RFID chip that they will use to gain FASTPASS access to the attractions they have chosen.
What is important here is that guests can now plan their day BEFORE they even arrive at the park. This new system would eliminate the current system where guests can only get one FASTPASS at a time and then have to wait for their FASTPASS window to become available. It is expected that this new system will become an integral part of guests Disney vacation planning process. Potentially you could plan your entire vacation to the point where you know exactly when you will be riding certain attractions months before your actually leave for your Disney vacation.
What do you think about planning your Fastpasses before you even goto the park?
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- Coming Soon: Disney World to add Fast Pass option for Fast Pass machines (chipandco.com)
New Artist Renderings Depict a Reimagined Test Track at Epcot
Many of you have asked for an update on what’s going on at Test Track at Epcot, and we’re happy to announce that new renderings were just released by Walt Disney Imagineering this morning!
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When complete, the reimagining of this attraction will allow guests to design their own custom concept vehicle, and then put it through its paces on the exhilarating hills and switchbacks of the Test Track circuit. In the post-show, guests can make a TV commercial featuring their concept car or truck, race their car or truck on our virtual track and take a picture with their custom concept vehicle.
The attraction is currently scheduled to reopen late fall.
What do you think?
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Don’t miss this Top Disney World Attraction!
What is this top Disney World Attraction you might ask?
Well here are some clues…
This top attraction at Walt Disney World is often overlooked. It goes a whopping 13.5 mph and operates rain or shine. The queue moves faster than most other attractions and you’re often greeted by a cast member who is entertaining as well as concerned with your “Safe-D”.
You can find it not only at the Magic Kingdom, but EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
No it’s not The Jungle Cruise..Why its the Disney World Trams!
Look at those smiling faces. They look like they’re having a blast don’t they? That’s because they are!
As we park our car and board the Courtesy Tram at Walt Disney World, excitement mounts second by second.
You will see almost majestic colorful poles to stand behind and wait safely for a tram to arrive and carry you toward your destination. In our case, the Transportation and Ticket Center which will lead us to the Magic Kingdom for a day of fun.
Walt Disney World trams are not like any other courtesy trams you will have experienced. The cast member on the back of the tram will instruct you to make sure your little ones are sitting in the middle. We don’t want any little ones pitched overboard by the fantastic ride to our destination. Hold on tight to your belongings, things can get a little tricky, especially if you’re in the villains lot. You never know when Cruella might need to return to her parked car. That’s right, she has her own parking lot. You might just be lucky enough to park there.
The cast member on the back of the tram can be a wealth of information. On your journey to the park entrance, or in my case the Transportation and Ticket Center, this person will fill you in on all the happenings of the day — what time is the parade, the fireworks and how long the tram will run after the park closes.
One very important thing the cast member will say to you is the lot and row you have parked in. After a long day of playing, I mean touring, if you forget where you’ve parked, panic may set in. Never fear, if you can slightly remember what time you arrived, Disney Security can help you find your long lost car. However, to avoid this panic, the cast member on the tram will tell you that you parked in Aladdin row 36. It would be a good idea to tell your very mindful daughter, who loves to remember numbers, where you have parked. She will not forget. You, on the other hand, will forget almost instantly. That’s why you tell the daughter. She will know and she will save the day!
After boarding the tram, little ones away from the doors and to the middle, strollers emptied and folded, if you’re sprinkled with some pixie dust to sit in the back, make conversation with the cast member. Try to do this when they’re not on the microphone telling everyone which row you’re parked in, because that is some very important information.
We have had some pretty amazing conversations with cast members who do the tram spiels. They’re by far overlooked by most guests. Give it a try next time. You might be surprised.
We’ve waited at the poles, boarded in a safely manner, spoke to the cast member and had an interesting conversation, and guess what? We’re at our destination! Topping out at no more than 13.5 mph, the hill going into the Transportation and Ticket Center was a blast, one of the fastest rides in the Magic Kingdom and that’s how we start our Magical day. Disembark and purchase your tickets if you haven’t already. Then choose your pathway — ferry or monorail. You can return, exhausted after memory-making filled day, and ride this attraction transportation to your parking area. You’ve returned within an hour and half of park closing because you did remember the cast member telling you that the tram will operate that long after the park closes. You will remember where you’ve parked because the awesome cast member reminded you to tell your amazing daughter.
Lisa loves all things Disney! You can read or follow her chronicles. She’s a homeschooling mom who loves to plan her family’s Disney adventures.
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Opening Dates Announced for Disney’s Fantasyland Expansion!
Great News Disney has finally released dates and details on the Fantasyland Expansion Opening! While they are not opening all areas at once the area we have been waiting for is coming later this year.
Here are the details:
The next phase of Storybook Circus, which includes the second half of the Dumbo the Flying Elephant attraction and the Casey Jr. Splash ‘n’ Soak Station, will open in July 2012.
Disney will have plenty to celebrate the 2012 holiday season, including the openings of Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid, Enchanted Tales with Belle, Be Our Guest Restaurant, Gaston’s Tavern, and Ariel’s Grotto. I would watch for a soft opening in November 2012.
Additionally, the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train will debut in 2014.
Now, who’s planning a visit?
Source Disney Parks Blog
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