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Best Walt Disney World Rides part 3

6:34 PM |

read part 1 , part 2


3. The Haunted Mansion

©Arthur Levine, 2003. Licensed to About.com.
  • Thrill Scale (0=Wimpy!, 10=Yikes!): 3.5
    More silly than scary, the ride is dark, loud...and haunted! Very young children may find it disconcerting.
  • Height Requirement: None
  • Location: Liberty Square in the Magic Kingdom
  • Fastpass: No
Casual and ardent fans alike typically pair The Haunted Mansion with Pirates of the Caribbean as the archetypal Disney attractions. Coming on the heels of the wildly successful and innovative Pirates and Disney's New York World's Fair attractions, the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland was part of an incredible burst of creative energy from the company and one of its high watermark moments. The classic ride is essentially the same in Florida.
Haunted Mansion Ride Review and Links to History, Secrets, and More
 

2. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror©Arthur Levine, 2004. Licensed to About.com.
  • Thrill Scale (0=Wimpy!, 10=Yikes!): 7
    Multiple freefall drops and launches, sensations of weightlessness, psychological thrills.
  • Height Requirement: 40 inches
  • Location: Sunset Boulevard in Disney's Hollywood Studios
  • Fastpass: Yes
The Tower of Terror is a modern-day classic Disney theme park attraction. Combining a thrilling freefall ride, dazzling effects, and an inspired and fiendishly clever storyline based on the seminal "The Twilight Zone" television series, Disney Imagineers have created a ride that, like a select few E-ticket attractions, is so much greater than the sum of its parts.
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror Ride Review

1. Pirates of the Caribbean

Pirates of the Caribbean©Arthur Levine, 2003. Licensed to About.com.
  • Thrill Scale (0=Wimpy!, 10=Yikes!): 2.5
    Small splashdowns, mildly frightening images.
  • Height Requirement: None
  • Location: Adventureland in the Magic Kingdom
  • Fastpass: No
Dead men may tell no tales, but Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean have entertained millions with their salty tales. A landmark achievement in theme park storytelling when it debuted at Disneyland in 1967, Pirates remains one of Disney's--and all of parkdom's--most beloved attractions. First-timers and those returning with nostalgia-tinged memories alike adore its timeless tales and pitch-perfect presentation.
Pirates Ride Review and Links to Photos, Song Lyrics, and Background Info
 

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Best Walt Disney World Rides part 2

6:32 PM |

read part 1 click here !

7. Soarin'

  • Thrill Scale (0=Wimpy!, 10=Yikes!): 2.5
    Gentle motion simulation, moderate height, and "soaring" simulation.
  • Height Requirement: 40 inches
  • Location: Living with the Land Pavilion in Epcot
  • Fastpass: Yes
A captivating Disney E-ticket ride that incorporates technology in a new and exciting way, Soarin' is a charming and giddy adventure up, over, and through the sights of California. It will engage your senses and figuratively, if not damn near literally, send you soarin'.

6. IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth

  • Thrill Scale (0=Wimpy!, 10=Yikes!): 1.5
    Loud, bright fireworks.
  • Height Requirement: None
  • Location: World Showcase Lagoon in Epcot
  • Fastpass: No
Another Disney nighttime spectacular, IllumiNations is audacious in scope. It uses the pavilions that circle Epcot's World Showcase as its canvas to paint a pyrotechnic tapestry of international goodwill. The rousing soundtrack, soaring fireworks, dazzling lasers, and sonic booms are sure to leave you, um, illuminated.

5. Mission: SPACE

  • Thrill Scale (0=Wimpy!, 10=Yikes!): 7.5
    The sustained G-forces can be unnerving; the simulated liftoff and flight is very realistic; the capsule is quite confining.
  • Height Requirement: 44 inches
  • Location: Future World in Epcot
  • Fastpass: Yes
A groundbreaking, awe-inspiring attraction that delivers sensations unlike any you have ever felt (unless you're an astronaut) and replicates space travel with an astonishing degree of reality. It figuratively--and literally-- takes your breath away.

4. Fantasmic!

Fantasmic!Disney. Used with permission.
  • Thrill Scale (0=Wimpy!, 10=Yikes!): 2.5
    Percussive explosions, nightmare scenes.
  • Height Requirement: None
  • Location: Sunset Boulevard in Disney's Hollywood Studios
  • Fastpass: No
The nightly Fantasmic! show is an incredible Imagineering achievement that combines classic Disney animation (projected on enormous water screens), pyrotechnics, animatronics, live actors, and other wizardry to deliver a storytelling tour-de-force. With Sorcerer Mickey at the helm, Fantasmic! positively oozes "Disney-ness." Be sure to get to the stadium at least an hour before show time for decent seats, especially when the park is crowded.
to be continued in part 3

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Best Walt Disney World Rides part1

6:19 PM |


The Top 10 Best Rides and Shows at Walt Disney World's Theme Parks

By , About.com Guide

Are you planning a trip to Walt Disney World in Florida? Do you want to know which rides, shows, and attractions are must-sees at the resort's four theme parks? Herewith, a list of the very best Walt Disney World rides.

10. Turtle Talk with Crush

  • Thrill Scale (0=Wimpy!, 10=Yikes!): 0
    This is a charming show with no gotchas or scary moments.
  • Height Requirement: None
  • Location: The Seas with Nemo & Friends Pavilion in Epcot
  • Fastpass: No
            Some might find it odd to choose the "Finding Nemo"-themed show above classics such as Jungle Cruise, Star Tours, and Big Thunder Mountain for a top-10 list of best Walt Disney World attractions. But Turtle Talk with Crush, in which the surfer dude interacts with audience members via real-time animation, is an astonishing Imagineering breakthrough. Between laughs, adults scratch their heads in bewilderment, while young kids nonchalantly, if delightedly, chat with the witty reptile. If you haven't seen it, what are you waiting for, dude?

9. Splash Mountain

  • Thrill Scale (0=Wimpy!, 10=Yikes!): 4.5
    One giant splashdown
  • Height Requirement: 40 inches
  • Location: Frontierland in the Magic Kingdom
  • Fastpass: Yes
Disney marries the classic log flume ride (with one humdinger of a drop) to an animatronics-filled dark ride themed to the Uncle Remus characters from "Song of the South." You'll be humming "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah" (once you regain your composure from the drop).

8. Expedition Everest

  • Thrill Scale (0=Wimpy!, 10=Yikes!): 6
    Fairly intense positive G-forces, backwards coaster motion, darkness.
  • Height Requirement: 44 inches
  • Location: Asia land in Disney's Animal Kingdom
  • Fastpass: Yes
As a roller coaster, Expedition Everest is just OK. And as a themed dark ride, the attraction would be just OK without the coaster elements. But the combination of the coaster, which is integral to the ride's story, and the attraction's lavish, immersive environment, creates another Disney E-ticket must-ride and a welcome addition to Disney's Animal Kingdom.

 to be continued in part 2, part 3

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5-Year-Old Boy Sells Lemonade for Haiti

6:12 PM |

5-Year-Old Boy Sells Lemonade for Haiti

 
           A 5-year-old Kindergartner in California has tried to do his part to help the people of Haiti by raising money with a lemonade stand. In reading the article about him in the Sanbernardino Sun, I was struck by the line, "Instead of watching Nickelodeon, he watches the news." 
 
           According to the story, as little Alexander watched the news story about Haiti on TV, he felt the desire to do something to help, and he translated that desire into action. What an amazing experience for that child and the people he must have touched by his efforts. Not only did he feel compassion, but he felt a desire to help. 
 
            I think most of us, as fellow human beings, experience that. But, many times that is where it ends. This little boy actually took action. More than just sending a little money from his piggy bank, he went to work. With a little help from mom and dad, he even got a few businesses to donate items for the cause. The amazing thing is that Alexander put in some major effort to help his fellow man, but there are wonderful lessons for him on so many other levels that will probably stay with him for life. I have no doubt this kid will go on to do big things.
               As for the 5-year-old watching the news, I think the story goes to show that TV can be a force for good in kids lives when used appropriately. We can't all be in Haiti, but we can get a look at what is going on, and we can be inspired to do something about it. I assume that Alexander watches the news with his parents, and judging by their level of involvement and support, they probably talk as a family about the things they watch.

In our house, we chose to show our kids a few pictures of Haiti from the internet instead of allowing them to watch news coverage.

                We try to talk to them about world events and important news, but some things are just more disturbing than I want them to have to deal with right now. Every kid is different, so parents have to decide when the news is appropriate TV viewing for their children. What about your family? When do you allow your kids to start watching the news?

Quote :: Every child begins the world again.- Henry David Thoreau.

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