One of the best loved, most popular and fastest rides in all of Walt Disney World is Test Track, found in Future World of Epcot. This unique experience puts guests in the “driver’s seat” of a test vehicle.
Originally opened on December 19, 1998, the attraction sponsored by General Motors replaced the previous World of Motion in the same basic structure. Many delays were experienced before the ride became operational owing to its complex nature and troubles encountered before it went live.
With one of the more elaborate queue lines in Disney, those waiting are given an indication of some of the testing that is done on vehicles and their parts before they are put in to use. Examples include electric windows, seat wear, tires, braking systems, drive-trains, etc. [click to continue…]
One of the more quirky but still entertaining attractions to be found in Walt Disney World is Journey Into Imagination With Figment, located in the Imagination Pavilion of Epcot.
“Journey” has actually been through three major incarnations since it first appeared in Epcot in 1983, just months after the theme park opened itself. The first version involved guests in an omnimover ride system which took them on a trip with an old man named Dreamfinder. Dreamfinder collected dreams and ideas and uses them to create new things. He did this along with the help of a “figment of his imagination” which resembles a winged dragon or alligator.
The original attraction was around for many years but closed in 1998 to allow for a major renovation which introduced the second version of “Journey.” Known as “Journey into YOUR Imagination”, the re-imagined attraction was based on the new 3-D film/show playing next door called Honey: I Shrunk the Audience. Accordingly, guests were now “touring” the Imagination Institute from the “Honey, I Shrunk…” world and served as test subjects for new inventions. [click to continue…]
For those planning a trip to Walt Disney World this holiday season, August 26th may be a very important day for you. It marks the first day in which Disney will be offering the 2010 Candlelight Processional Dinner Packages.
The free Candlelight Processional has come to be a favorite Christmas-time tradition for many who go to the world during this time. It combines holiday music with narration (usually performed by a well-known individual). In fact, the Processional has become so popular that it is difficult to find a seat during most showings.
One way to combat the limited seating is to book a dinner package at one of the participating restaurants in Epcot. Those who book such a package are given seating in a special reserved section of the American Gardens Theater in which the Processional is held. Package holders are also entitled to pre-arranged fireworks viewing. [click to continue…]
Walt Disney World has released the Park Hours for February 2011. These hours will be appreciated by those planning their early 2011 trips to the World and are ready to book their dining reservations – remember 180-days out!
Hours are posted below for all four of the Walt Disney World Parks – Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studies and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The operating schedule for the water parks is also available, but easy to remember. Blizzard Beach is closed the entire month for refurbishment while Typhoon Lagoon operates daily from 10AM – 5PM.
EMH (Extra Magic Hours) are noted on the calendar as well. For those who do not know what EMH is, they are additional hours when the parks are open, but only to select guests such as those who stay at one of the many Disney Resort hotels on-property. There are morning EMH hours and evening EMH hours. For the morning EMH, a select park will open one hour early, but only to those guests who qualify. Evening EMH hours occur when a park stays open up to three hours late. Once again, only for those guests who qualify.
Perhaps one of the most over-looked experiences in all of Walt Disney World is located in the Land Pavilion in Epcot. Known as “The Circle of Life”, this twenty-minute film uses an entertaining perspective to show the damage we can do to the environment.
In the film, we are treated to the main characters from Disney’s animated classic – The Lion King. Timon and Pumbaa are in the process of creating Hakuna Matata Lakeside Village when Simba steps in to explain the destructive nature of their ways.
To accomplish this, Simba refers to “a creature who sometimes forgets how everything is connected in the Great Circle of Life.” Humans! Immediately, Timon and Pumbaa express their disgust for humans and how they could never be like them. [click to continue…]
Walt Disney World has opened their reservation systems for the special events at the upcoming 15th annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival.
Held each year during the fall, the Food and Wine Festival has continually grown to become a favorite time of the year for many Disney fans. During the festival, special stands are set-up around World Showcase where special foods and drinks are offered from select international locations.
In addition to the stands (which charge for the food and drink but are available for anyone with a park ticket to experience), Epcot also hosts many special events linked to the festival. These special events require a special purchase but can be well worth the money for those who attend. [click to continue…]
Walt Disney World has announced that the much anticipated new restaurant in the Italy pavilion of Epcot known as Via Napoli will begin accepting reservations on August 6, 2010 - for meals beginning on September 10th.
The restaurant will actually be open starting on August 5, 2010 when Disney holds the “Grand Opening,” but this first [...]
Park Hours have been released by Walt Disney World for January 2011. While it may seem like this calendar is for a time that is way off, it is important to remember that Disney World operates on a 180-day-out system for their dining reservations making timely planning a necessity for those thinking they might visit [...]
No stranger to special celebrations, Walt Disney World has released some details about its plans for the upcoming 4th of July holiday.
To help celebrate the anniversary of American Independence, the Magic Kingdom will feature a special fireworks show called the “Celebrate America Fireworks”. The show will blast above the skys at Magic Kingdom beginning at [...]
Perhaps one of the best loved rides in all of Walt Disney World is Soarin’. Located at the Land Pavilion in Epcot, this attraction simulates a hang glider experience over practically the entire state of California (all in five minutes).
Why California? Many ask that question since Walt Disney World is in Florida. The reason is [...]