Subscribe for FREE!
Receive our Daily Disney Newsletter.
Have the best in Disney News & Views Delivered to you!
Tag Archives: Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster
Hollywood Studios – More Than Just “Thrill” Rides!
We all know and love the big attractions at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, like Star Tours, Rock N Roller Coaster, and the Tower of Terror, but have you ever stopped to check out some of the other attractions and rides at Hollywood Studios? There really are some great ones that are totally worth a look!
Magic of Disney Animation – This is a great guided tour/show where you sit with a live artist for a 10 minute segment called “Drawn to Animation”, where you learn how Disney characters are brought to life. After that, you are led to an area where you can explore a series of interactive workstations, that teach you how characters are created, from drawing and coloring to sound and animation. You can even learn how to draw your own Disney character! This is really a fun attraction that shows you the magic behind the animated Disney movies we all love to watch over and over!
Great Movie Ride – This is one of my favorite rides of all time, and it is definitely one of the more popular ‘non thrill’ rides in Hollywood Studios. You board a tram that takes you through some of the best scenes in move history. You have a cast member who is your ‘tour guide’, and they even get a chance to get in on the movie action! Some of the more notable scenes include Dorothy in Oz (complete with munchkins and the yellow brick road!), Casablanca, and a scene from Alien. It’s a great way to relive some truly amazing movies, and what’s even better is there is movie memorabilia in the queue, and there is concrete hand/footprints of some of Hollywood’s most beloved actors outside the ride! While this attraction tends to be pretty popular, the lines usually aren’t too bad for it, but even if you have to wait – there is plenty to look at while in line
Top 10 Rides to Avoid After You Eat
So you just stuffed yourself on a scrumptious meal at your favorite Walt Disney World eatery. If you’re on the Disney Dining Plan, you likely enjoyed a four-square meal and beverage of choice, right? What you need is a nap, but what your family wants is a ride!
Do NOT “walk this way” when you are stuffed to the gills:
1) Rock ‘n Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith—A tour of G-Force Record Studio is cut short when the band Aerosmith takes off for a show. They take Guests with them, though, in a super stretch limo. Each “car” pumps 32,000 watts of onboard audio through a 125 speaker, 24 sub-woofer sound system and accelerates from a zero to 60 mph in 2.8 seconds with the force of a supersonic F-14. Three inversions offer a unique view of Los Angeles: upside-down! [Disney’s Hollywood Studios]
2) Mission: SPACE—Designed in consultation with 25 NASA experts and five astronauts, Mission Space is a flight training simulator that allows passengers to experience space travel without ever leaving Earth. Green offers a milder ride but still rough on a full tummy. Orange is full throttle, utilizing a multiple-arm centrifuge that spins and tilts to simulate speed and 2.4G gravitational forces—more than twice the force of the Earth’s gravitational pull. [Epcot]
3) Mad Tea Party—Climb into one of 18 tea cups set up for The Mad Hatter and the March Hare’s “Unbirthday” party and take a wild, dizzying adventure. Each ride vehicle has a wheel in the center that lets you control the speed of spin. The faster you turn the wheel, the faster you spin. The faster you spin, the faster you may learn what a “protein spill” is. [Magic Kingdom]
4) Twilight Zone Tower of Terror—According to legend, the once glamorous Hollywood Hotel hosted stars of the silver screen during Hollywood’s Golden Age until Halloween night 1939, when a violent storm struck the building, whisking 5 unfortunate souls “beyond the fifth dimension.” Guests board the “fright elevator,” which goes up, then down, then maybe up again…or down. Random drops depart the 13th floor and are determined by the Tower itself. [Disney’s Hollywood Studios]
5) Star Tours—This recently reimagined attraction features 54 ride sequences, offering motion-simulated 3D journeys aboard a Starspeeder 1000. Each ride is a different experience. You might flash through space at warp speed, zip past trees on the Wookiee planet Kashyyyk, weave through wrong-way traffic on the city-planet Coruscant, slide down treacherous slopes on the snowy planet Hoth, or just hang on for several other thrills before landing and safely delivering the spy to rebel headquarters. [Disney’s Hollywood Studios]
6) Space Mountain—This classic Magic Kingdom coaster is an all-time fan favorite. Climb the 180-foot mountain then blast off into deep, dark space through twists and turns and past shooting stars and black holes. Two separate tracks, the Alpha and the Omega, mirror each other as they hurl rocket ships through the cosmos at 28 miles per hour. [Magic Kingdom]
7) Cyber Space Mountain—This virtual roller coaster, custom built by you at Downtown Disney’s Disney Quest, can be as tame or as wild as you wish. Bill Nye the Science Guy directs the computer design. When you’re done, jump in a simulator and ride your creation in full 360° motion—rocking, tilting, rumbling along the “track” you created. [Disney Quest at Downtown Disney]
8) Expedition Everest—Legend of the Forbidden Mountain—The 199-foot “snow”-covered mountain adds a second “wienie” to Animal Kingdom Park. Board a runaway tea train and plunge into dark hairpin turns, careening forward and backward around and through this breathtaking Himalayan Mountain peak in effort to escape the mountain’s guardian Yeti, a phenomenal Audio-animatronic beast standing more than 18 feet tall that, when working, has an arm thrust equivalent to the force of a 747 jumbo jet. [Disney’s Animal Kingdom]
9) Big Thunder Mountain Railroad—The “wildest ride in the wilderness” reaches speeds of 25-30 mph, matching that of the monorail, as it rumbles past gold mining tools on two-and-a-half acres of desert canyons and caverns. Those rough-and-tumble twists and turns can make a full stomach churn. [Magic Kingdom]
10) Dinosaur —Dinosaur! is housed inside the Dino Institute toward the rear of DinoLand, USA. Once you eek past Dino Sue, a 40-foot long, 20-foot high exact replica of the largest, most complete Tyrannosaurus rex fossil ever unearthed, proceed through the ride queue, strap into your Time Rover and hang on for a turbulent tour of the Cretaceous era to fetch a dinosaur before it and you become extinct. [Disney’s Animal Kingdom]
You look a little green. Feeling OK? Don’t worry, you’ll have fun, but you might want to take in a show first.
Top 10 Extreme Rides at Walt Disney World
Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
With four theme parks and two water parks, thrill seekers are sure to find their happy place at Walt Disney World. Let’s take a look at 10 of the resort’s top extreme rides.
MAGIC KINGDOM:
Space Mountain—This classic Magic Kingdom coaster is an all-time fan favorite. Climb the 180-foot mountain then blast off into deep, dark space through twists and turns and past shooting stars and black holes. Two separate tracks, the Alpha and the Omega, mirror each other as they hurl rocket ships through the cosmos at 28 miles per hour. *Height requirement: 44 inches*
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad—Big Thunder Mountain Railroad was originally designed to be The Western River Expedition, a boat ride through the American West with hiking trails and pack mules featuring a runaway mine train and housed in a large complex called Thunder Mesa. Though Walt Disney World did receive its own attraction in 1980, Big Thunder Mountain was installed at Disneyland first in 1979. The “wildest ride in the wilderness” reaches speeds of 25-30 mph, matching that of the monorail, as it rumbles past actual gold mining tools on two-and-a-half acres of desert canyons and caverns. *Height reqirement: 40 inches*
ANIMAL KINGDOM:
Expedition Everest—Expedition Everest—Legend of the Forbidden Mountain adds a second “wienie” to Animal Kingdom Park with its 199-foot “snow”-covered mountain. A runaway tea train careens forward and backward around and through this breathtaking Himalayan Mountain peak in effort to escape the mountain’s guardian: the Yeti. The phenomenal Audio-animatronic beast stands more than 18 feet tall and has an arm thrust equivalent to the force of a 747 jumbo jet. *Height requirement: 44 inches*
Dinosaur!—Dinosaur! is housed inside the Dino Institute, a large building toward the rear of DinoLand, USA. Dino Sue, a 40-foot long, 20-foot high exact replica of the largest, most complete Tyrannosaurus rex fossil ever unearthed, stands charge by the entrance. Once you eek past her, proceed through the ride queue, strap into your Time Rover and hang on as you travel back in time to fetch a dinosaur before it and you become extinct. *Height requirement: 40 inches*
Dinosaur!
EPCOT:
Mission Space—Designed in consultation with 25 NASA experts and five astronauts, Mission Space is a flight training simulator that allows passengers to experience space travel without ever leaving Earth. Each team member has a specific role in commandeering the cosmic vessel. Passengers may choose their intensity level: Green for a milder ride and Orange for full throttle. *Height requirement: 44 inches*
Test Track—Ever wonder how a car is tested before it reaches your driveway? Epcot’s Test Track takes six Guests per vehicle through a series of quality tests that cars undergo before being released for sale to the public. Test braking systems, environmental factors and crash through barriers…er, um, maybe stop before you collide. Take a lap around the track outside at 65 mph, the fastest ride at Walt Disney World, before exiting to a showroom floor. *Height requirement: 40 inches*
DISNEY’S HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS:
Twilight Zone Tower of Terror—According to legend, the once glamorous Hollywood Hotel hosted stars of the silver screen during Hollywood’s Golden Age. But then on Halloween night, 1939, a violent storm struck the building, whisking 5 unfortunate souls “beyond the fifth dimension.” The hotel was left untouched after that disastrous eve. Guests board the “fright elevator,” which goes up, then down, then maybe up again…or down. Random drops depart the 13th floor and are determined by the Tower itself. Now if that doesn’t spook you, I don’t know what will! *Height requirement: 40 inches*
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith—A tour of G-Force Record Studio is cut short when the band Aerosmith takes off for a show. They take Guests with them, though, in a super stretch limo. Each “car” pumps 32,000 watts of onboard audio through a 125 speaker, 24 sub-woofer sound system and accelerates from a zero to 60 mph in 2.8 seconds with the force of a supersonic F-14. Three inversions offer a unique view of Los Angeles: upside-down! *Height requirement: 48 inches*
TYPHOON LAGOON:
Crush ‘n’ Gusher—The theme parks aren’t the only place to find thrill rides at Walt Disney World Resort. Head on over to Typhoon Lagoon for the white knuckle excitement of Crush ‘n’ Gusher. This water coaster defies gravity as its powerful jets pump water at 1,350 gallons per minute, propelling Guests down and up 420 feet of slide. Hold tight to your inflatable raft as you twist and turn through the chutes at speeds reaching 30 feet per second. *Height requirement: 48 inches*
BLIZZARD BEACH:
Summit Plummet—Take the plunge! The 12-story, high-speed drop from the top of Mount Gushmore, that is. The ride towers 30 feet above its mountain base and is built to resemble a ski jump. Riders do not really fly off the jump, though they do catch some air. The 8-second zoom down the 360-foot flume sends riders slightly over vertical then straight down and through a short tunnel under the jump at 50-60 miles per hour. It’s so exhilarating many “skiers” jump right up, adjust their wedgies and take the chair lift right back to the top. *Height requirement: 48 inches*
Summit Plummet
Whew! Now that ought to get your blood pumping.
My Fab Five Disney’s Hollywood Studios Attractions
This installment will be easy. Disney’s Hollywood Studios is one of two parks where I really enjoy all of the Biggies. I know there are quite a few folks who disagree with some of my choices for my Fab Five but here, all of the best attractions fit in to the choices. Let’s get going:
5. Star Tours – We have always enjoyed the original and are looking forward to trying the new 3-D version when we get back in October. The only concern I have is possible motion sickness issues when you combine the motion simulator and 3-D. But- I plan on being ready for that eventuality!!! It’s just a very fun attraction that always leaves me with a smile.
4. Fantasmic – This show has always been one of our favorite things to see at Walt Disney World. The staging is spectacular and if the wind isn’t blowing the water projection screens really add to the experience. It’s unfortunate that the number of performances has been so drastically reduced in recent years but that just requires a little better job of planning so that we are in the right place at the right time to see it.
The next three are all kind of equal as far my being my favorites – I truly enjoy all of them, A LOT!!! Even though they are designated 3, 2, and 1 they could all be #1 in my book!
3. Rock ‘n Roller Coaster – I remember my wife saying she would never go on a roller coaster that went upside down so I just left out 3 details when I was describing RnRC to her. The 3 details I didn’t mention were 3 inversions that awaited her. After the ride I asked her how she enjoyed it and she really enjoyed the ride. When I told her about the inversions she just said O.K. let’s ride again. It’s a fast, exciting, and very smooooooth ride. The lighting and music by Aerosmith really add to the experience so take the time to give it a try, you’ll enjoy it.
2. Toy Story Midway Mania – This attraction is totally addictive!!! We tried it for the first time in 2009 and rode it as many times as we could while we were there – we lost count!!! The whole “shooting gallery” type concept was a proven success with Buzz Lightyear but the Imagineers brought it to a whole new level with the 3-D effects. It’s just plain fun and the friendly competition it generates just adds to the enjoyment. Go for this one but watch out, you will get hooked!!!
1. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror - Remember when I said the last three on this list were equal, I was wrong! This has got to be one of the top 2 (Haunted Mansion is the other) attractions at Walt Disney World for me. The back story is intriguing, the themeing is absolutely magnificent, and the ride itself lives up to any hype it has been given. All of the details are incredible and fit together beautifully. Remember – if you see a Cast Member with gold epaulets on their shoulders congratulate them because they have been with that attraction since opening day. You will really like this one.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios is a very underrated park. Some of Walt Disney World’s very best attractions are here and concentrated in a very compact area. Do yourself a favor and don’t blow DHS off as a half day park because if you look around you will find plenty to enjoy. As always, enjoy your visit to Walt Disney World!!
Ken
Best things I love about Disney is… Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster
A 40-foot-tall electric guitar, giant keyboard and a larger-than-life painting of the legendary rock group Aerosmith adorn the exterior of the “Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith.”
The thrill attraction is an indoor roller coaster at Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Inside, riders board a limousine-themed roller coaster car and are launched from 0-60 mph in 2.8 seconds — all while listening to a custom-recorded soundtrack by the legendary rock group Aerosmith.
Now if that isn’t a reason to love Disney I don’t know what is..
Gene Duncan, photographer
