Orlando Things to Do Tips by moiraistyx

AFRICAN SAFARI Walt Disney World - Animal Kingdom Review

I would like to say that I really loved this attraction, but the truth is that I can't get those words out of my mouth in regards to the safari. We waited nearly an hour to take the tour through the lands of Africa only to find that the jeeps they loaded everyone into went so fast it was difficult to get a decent picture. I really liked all the different plants used to make this look authentic. My favorite were the trees that grow with their roots above the ground. They looked really spooky and dark. The lions were fast asleep when we were here but there were plenty of other animals to look at. Patrick loved the animals and each time he saw something kept jumping up to point it out to us. The driver truly got on my nerves. I think it was his thick accent and really lame attempt at entertaining the group on the jeep. Some of the animals you will see include, lions, elephants, monkeys, wildebeests, hippos and rhinos. If you luck out and get a driver that goes just a little bit slower than our driver you will get some good pictures as well.

Address: Animal Kingdom

Directions: Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida

MIDWAY MANIA Walt Disney World Review

This was one of the most fun things we did during our trip to Hollywood Studios. The wait online totally sucked, nearly 2 hours, but the kids were real troopers. Disney did a great job at giving those waiting online lots to look at. The ceilings are made up like board games (checkers, scrabble, chutes and ladders, candy land) and the walls are decorated with giant versions of childhood favorites (jax, paints, monkeys in a barrel). There is a human size version of Mr. Potato Head that sings and tells jokes. I recommend that park goers use the fast pass option on this ride.

Once you finally get to board the car for this ride you are in for a treat. Basically its a giant target. The car has a paint ball gun at the front of each seat. To fire the balls you fill the string. I learned real quick that you don't have to let go of the stupid string and that you can pull that string as fast as you can to fire the balls like wild fire. The object is to get the highest score by hitting as many of the targets as humanly possible. Richie and I kept yelling out our scores to each other in between scenes. I still say he only beat me cause it took me 2 screens to figure out the stupid string thing. The boys had loads of fun playing this and were eager to wait another 2 hours to ride it again.

Address: Hollywood Studios

Directions: Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida

BE A JEDI IN TRAINING Walt Disney World Review

As soon as the boys heard that there was a Jedi training show and that some boys would be chosen to train with a "REAL" Jedi, they all couldn't wait, especially Patrick. Little P is a die hard Star Wars fan, and since we were in Hollywood studio on his birthday, we all hoped that he would be picked to be one of the dozen boys chosen to train. Lucky for P he was chosen. I have to say this was the best any of the boys listened through out the entire trip. Little P glowed as he was taught how to use his light saber and he just about fell off the stage when Darth Vader walked through the doors onto the stage. We all kept joking that Patrick would be the one boy who would jump up and tell Vader that he wanted to join the dark side, but he didn't, it would have been funny if he had. The training shows are every couple of hours or so and are held on an outside stage near the flight simulator.

Address: Hollywood Studios

Directions: Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida

THE MAGIC KINGDOM Walt Disney World - Magic Kingdom Review

The Magic Kingdom was my favorite of all the Disney parks. Part of the reason is because it had a nice mix of rides, shows, restaurants and activities. The Magic Kingdom like all of the other Disney parks is loaded with stores and places to buy memorabilia. I had a great time in the evening hours before dinner exploring some of the shops. My favorite was a glass shop which had colorful glass dragons in the window and a man doing a glass blowing show in the back. I think the children all liked this park because of the rides. I got Sebastian to ride his very first roller coaster here and Patrick and I coaxed Thaddeus and Sebastian into going on Splash Down Mountain. Patrick really loved the Carousal of Progress and Mike Wazowski's Laugh Floor the most. There's loads of places to eat here, The Crystal Palace is great and so is Cosmic Rays. There's a train that goes around all of Magic Kingdom, a monorail that will take you through Space Mountain, Dumbo, Aladdin's Magic Carpet, Pirates of the Caribbean, Jungle Safari and so much more to do and see.

Directions: Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida

INDIANA JONES STUNT SHOW Walt Disney World Review

This is a really fun show at Disney's Hollywood Studios. I really liked that they pulled folks from the audience and had them play extras in the show. Being a long time Indiana Jones fan, it was cool to get a behind the scenes look at how the movie was made. I have to admit that some of the bangs actually made me and Patrick jump. I laughed when I looked over and saw Sebastian and Hammy holding their ears. I could feel the heat of the flames and explosions from where we were sitting. I'm not sure if I can pick a favorite scene or actor, it was all really cool. I don't recommend this show for the easily frightened or very young children. Be sure to arrive about a half hour early if you want to get a decent seat. Its also easiest to get out if you simply wait for everyone else to leave. There's a video posted of part of the show.

Address: Disney-Hollywood Studios

Directions: Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida

EXPEDITION EVEREST Walt Disney World Review

Patrick is now officially addicted to roller coasters. We waited online for this ride for a little over an hour and we are so glad that we did. While you are waiting online you are treated to a variety of art work, including pictures and masks, native to the land of the Yeti. They even have a display of the evidence supporting the existence of the infamous best complete with photos and tales from native peoples. I really liked the display of masks that was there. When you finally get to board the coaster car, you are treated to forwards and backwards thrills with both complete darkness and light. I have to admit that the Yeti portion of the ride is actually stupid. Patrick loved the ride and wanted to wait another hour to ride it again, but it was just to gosh darn hot and I was starving. This would be a great time for ticket holders to use the fast pass option.

Address: Disney-Animal Kingdom

Directions: Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida

EPCOT Walt Disney World - Epcot Review

I was looking forward to Epcot, alas was disappointed mainly because Epcot is more for the big kids than the little kids. To really enjoy Epcot you need to be able to stop and watch the street performers, look through the displays and interact with the area you are in. Some of the things we did in Epcot include visiting Mexico and going on the boat ride in the pyramid, riding test track, going on a Viking voyage, went on an undersea voyage in a clam-mobile and ate lots of good food. Richie and I have decided that we will go back to Epcot to do some shopping and tour around without the little ones.

Address: Epcot

Directions: Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida

ANIMAL KINGDOM Walt Disney World - Animal Kingdom Review

I was looking forward to visiting Animal Kingdom the most of all the parks, but alas, I was very disappointed with the park as a whole. First of all, this park was the most crowded of all the parks, it also had the longest lines, and the rides were the most boring of all the parks. I honestly was so excited to do the safari, but when we started out I soon learned that the driver was going so fast it was hard to get a good picture and the tour was so cheesy I couldn't stand it. The new roller coaster there, Expedition Everest was all right, but it really wasn't scary and if you're older than 10 it really isn't thrilling. Patrick loved it though. I think the best parts of this park was the animal exhibits at the beginning of the park and the performers in Africa.

Address: Animal Kingdom

Directions: Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida

ITS A SMALL WORLD Walt Disney World - It's a Small World Review

I have to admit that I dragged Richie and the boys on this ride and I also have to admit that I absolutely loved it. I fell in love with all the animatronics and the different scenes from around the world. I think my favorite were the scenes from Northern Europe. All the cool blues and silvers were really, really pretty. The boys were so excited and they kept yelling out things and pointing to things for me to look at and take pictures. I know the song gets annoying by the third area you've visited, but heck after a while you can tone it out.

Address: Disney-Magic Kingdom

Directions: Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida

THE TOWER OF TERROR Walt Disney World Review

This ride scared the living crap out of me, but Patrick absolutely loved it. You start off watching a short movie skit about a dark and stormy night when a family check into the hotel, but was never heard from again. The elevator conductor guides you into the car where you pull down a harness over your shoulders. As the doors close the conductor yells something into the riders, but you can't tell what he's saying. You ride up a bit then the doors open and some holograms come on telling you to go back then they disappear. The car comes out of the elevator shaft and goes in a curvy pattern to another elevator shaft. The doors close behind you leaving you in pitch black silence. The next thing you know the car just drops. It drops so fast your shoulders are pressed against the harness. The the car is lifted up and the doors open you can see the onlookers down below, but the ride is not over, before you know it, you are dropping again and being lifted again to another set of doors. This happened a total of 4 times for us. I squeezed Patrick's hand so hard I thought I was gonna break it. Rumor has it that the total number of drops and raises differs each time you ride the ride, but in all honesty, I have no intention of riding this thing ever again. Patrick loved it, but agrees that he doesn't want to go on it again. This ride is definitely not for the week at heart or pregnant women. If you get motion sickness I don't suggest this ride for you either. It is definitely thrilling and causes the heart to race and the adrenaline to pump.

Address: Walt Disney World-Holloywood Studios

Directions: Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida