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Tag Archives: Expedition Everest
Wild By Design – Animal Kingdom Tour You Don’t Want To Miss
There is so much more to see and do at Walt Disney World than just four theme parks and the downtown area. We will be exploring all the “extra perks” that they have offer including tours, behinds the scenes and special little events throughout the year. Join us as we finish up the Animal Kingdom Park with Wild by Design Tour.
Delve into the intricate planning and design behind Disney’s Animal Kingdom park on this 3-hour walking tour.
The Disney Is In The Details
Transforming 500 acres of Florida wetlands into the world’s largest animal-themed park was no small task. Every single detail of this jungle paradise was carefully thought out, each habitat painstakingly re-created for an authentic, natural look and feel.
Discover how Disney Imagineers transport you to faraway lands inhabited by magnificent animals through the use of native art and architecture, indigenous flora, genuine historical artifacts and a dash of Disney storytelling. Your guide will provide real-time insights on everything you see—including hidden Mickeys—through an electronic headset.
What’s the Height Requirement at WDW?
Some of the most popular attractions at Walt Disney World have a height requirement for the younger guests. The reasons are for safety and age appropriateness. While most of the attractions don’t have height minimums, the shortest you can be to experience these attractions is between 38 and 48 inches. While many parents try to make their child taller by stuffing their shoes or buying thick soled shoes, I suggest you don’t. The only one who will potentially be hurt is your child.
Here is a list of attractions by park and the height requirements:
Magic Kingdom
- Goofy’s Barnstormer – 35″
- Stitch’s Great Escape – 40″
- Splash Mountain – 40″
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad – 40″
- Space Mountain – 44″
- Tomorrowland Indy Speedway – 54″ to drive your own car, 32″ to drive with a rider who is over 54″
How Kids See It: The Scary Side to Otherwise Tame Disney Rides
I love it when my students come back from a trip to Disney World. Their memories are so fresh, so vibrant, so real! I feel like a (teeny) bit of me has made the trek to the most magical place on Earth!
Five and Six year-old kids tend to speak about Disney trips in three major themed chunks; 1. the hotel (aka pool), 2. the most daring ride they braved, and 3. the characters they met. Everything is magnified, as hand gestures bring life to memories. I’m never surprised to hear that even the “bravest of the brave ones” were scared of rides that I would consider to be pretty tame. I’m talking about a 5 year old, who barely squeaked by the height requirement, yet hunkered down under that safety restraint, and stared the thrills and hills of rides like Expedition Everest, Space Mountain, and Tower of Terror, but was completely terrorized by the antics of 626 on Stitch’s Great Escape. Bizarre as it may seem, I get it.
Today I am sharing 5 rides that are surprisingly terrifying for little ones. Of course, this is by no means a “one size fits all” list. Some kids know no terror. Some kids would laugh in the face of these rides. But, today I am sharing rides I’ve heard mentioned again and again by little ones! Let’s look at it their way, how kids see it: the scary side to otherwise tame rides!
Do you remember ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter? I do! That think freak me right out! I remember shivering as the “alien” crept around the seats. The feel of the breathing on my neck sent me into overload. It’s funny that Stitches Great Escape is housed in the same place and is now sending waves of fear over little ones worldwide! Knowing how scary it use to be has made me see the lighthearted side to the ever lovable 626. But for kids, this ride is as terrifying as it gets. As Stitch makes his escape into the audience, pouncing on seats, burping out chili dog breath, and spitting on innocent spectators! When you say it like that, it makes sense…right?
What makes it scary: This ride contains a period of little to no lighting. Stitch gets up close and personal, creating a tense feeling for little ones who probably won’t understand that the seats are automated, but instead believe that 626 is running around the theater. Also, there is a sequence of laser blasts with loud noises that might be considered frightening.
Tower of Terror 10-Miler Registration is Now Open
Runners take your mark! The “Tower of Terror 10-Miler Weekend“ is ready to sign you up! If you want to join other runners and Disney fans for a weekend of running and fun, then this event may be for you. Take a look at runDisney’s website for more information and for registration. There are a few categories and different events for you to find out more about. Here are the deadlines and fees for them. Let me know if you are running this year! Maybe you will see me there…cheering you on that is!
Entry Fees and Deadlines
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 10-Miler
$135 by March 26, 2013
$150 between March 27 and May 21, 2013
$165 on or after May 22, 2013
Disney Happy Haunted 5K Trail Run
$50 per participant
Top 10 WDW Rides you must do at night!
Photo via Disney Parks
Let’s face it: all of the rides in Disney World are awesome. However, some rides are just better experienced at night. Below, I have made a list of ten rides that I think provide a better experience in the evenings. Do you agree with my suggestions?
One of the classic rides in the Magic Kingdom, Splash Mountain is considered the best ride to experience at night. Why? That pivotal moment before your car plunges 50ft below, the view of Cinderella Castle is exquisite. Not to mention, the darkness adds quite the thrill to your drop.
Another Magic Kingdom classic, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is a runaway train that whisks you through mines and canyons. Since this ride is set outdoors, the thrill factor increases in the darkness of the night especially with the rickety sounds of the out of control train ringing in your ears.
What is scarier than random free fall drops in the warped Hollywood Hotel? Darkness. The drops are already dark but when the doors open at the top of the elevator shaft and Hollywood Studios sits before you eyes in a nighttime setting, the view is breathtaking and creepy all at the same time.
