Attractions: DINOSAUR

DINOSAUR is the Animal Kingdom’s original thrill ride. It has been around since the park first opened in 1998, although back then it was called “Countdown to Extinction.” After the release of Disney’s animated feature film “Dinosaur” in 2000, the ride underwent minor changes to be themed with the movie.

Attraction Quick Facts:

• You must be 40 inches tall to ride.
• FASTPASS is available.
• The ride is completely indoors and is very low-lit. It’s also very bumpy (you’re off-roading in the jungle afterall) and will jar you around quite a bit. Be prepared for sudden stops and turns.
• I wouldn’t really recommend this one for the younger kids, unless they’re the kind that loves scary movies and loud noises. Angry dinosaurs jump out at you and chase you throughout your little trip. It might be a little too intense for anybody under 10 or 11.

Your trip to the Dino Institute takes a detour when an eager scientist sends you back in time to capture a specific dinosaur. You’ve got about 60 seconds to find it and get back to the present before the big meteor hits Earth. You’re sent off in a 12-passenger off-road jeep called the CTX Time Rover. Locking onto a homing signal from your targeted dino, it takes you deep into the prehistoric jungle where you meet up with a few not-so-friendly faces you’ll recognize from science class.

The first time I rode this I was 11, and I’ll be honest with you, it scared the crap out of me! It wasn’t until the second time I rode it, a year later, that I even saw the actual ride. I kept my eyes close the majority of the first time :) hehe. It’s still a little scary, but more like in that good adrenaline rush kind of way. The animatronics in this one is very impressive. You’ll feel like you’ve really went back in time to the deepest, darkest jungles and outrun the most beastly dinosaurs.

Although I've gotta admit, it seems like that triceratops gets faster every time he chases me... :/

Attractions: Finding Nemo the Musical

If you love "Finding Nemo" the movie, then you'll absolutely adore Disney's stage version! It's definitely one of (if not the) best stage show you can see at the parks. It opened in 2007 and is located just to the left after you cross the bridge from Asia to Dinoland in the Animal Kingdom.

Attraction Quick Facts:

• This is great for any and all ages. The younger kids will especially love the bright colors and puppets, and don't forget the shower of bubbles!
• There are about 5 showings per day, usually beginning around 10 or 11 a.m. Shows fill up fast, so get there early.
• FASTPASS is not available for any of the showings.
• There isn't really a bad seat here, but I recommend trying for any seats about midways up from the stage.

The stage version follows the same plot line as the movie, but with one notable difference: it's all set to great new musical numbers! Marlin, Dory, Nemo, Crush, and the other characters (even the sharks) show of their signing talents with songs like "Just Keep Swimming," "Fish are Friends, Not Food," "Big Blue World," and "Go With the Flow." The show also features dancers and acrobats, and sometimes the performance jumps off the stage and right into the middle of the audience!

*Imagination Photog Photo Tip! Flash photography is prohibited at shows like this one, for the safety of the performers. So take your camera off it's usual automatic setting and turn it to the "sports" or "action" mode, and make sure the flash is turned off. Your images should still be focused and true to life, but without that annoying bright light.

 

The whole family will absolutely love this show! Plus, it's a great way to sit down and take a rest for a while. Just make sure you give yourself plenty of time to get to whichever showing you plan to see. The first time Brandon and I tried to see the show, the line was backed up all the way to the Dinoland carnival games and before we could even get close to the entrance we were told the theater was already full. The next day we made sure we got there plenty early before the first showing. It was completely worth the wait!
Here's a short clip from Crush's big number (and one of my favorite scenes), "Go With the Flow."

Attractions: Expedition Everest

Expedition Everest is probably the number one attraction at the Animal Kingdom. This not-so-tranquil train ride through the Himalayas opened in 2006 and is the only Disney coaster that goes both backward and forward. It sits on the edge of the Asia area of the park, near the bridge to Dinoland.

Attraction Quick Facts:

• The best time to ride is either first thing in the morning or during the parade in the afternoon, to avoid the longer lines. This line does move pretty quickly though, even at peak times, so the wait isn’t too terrible.
• FASTPASS is available.
• You must be 44 inches tall to ride. (The smaller kids might be scared by the Yeti monster anyway.)
• This ride is really smooth, with no loops or crazy corkscrew maneuvers. There’s a pouch onboard to store all your belongings. Don’t worry, they’ll be perfectly safe there. I even ride it with my professional camera, and it comes through without a scratch. You might want to hang on tight to the sunglasses though… just in case.
• You’ll feel the effects of some serious G-forces when the ride goes backwards, so be prepared for that if you’re not used to that kind of stuff. It kinda took me by surprise the first time, but it is super cool!

The story of your crazy train adventure starts with a legend you’ve heard since you were a kid. The Yeti monster guards the Forbidden Mountain in the Himalayas. For years locals have feared and respected the creature, while outsiders have dared to enter his domain in hopes of proving his existence.

As you make your way down the waiting line, you’ll pass through a Yeti museum of sorts. You’ll see many ancient relics and artifacts devoted to the legend, plus more modern pieces like photographs and a giant mold of a footprint. The shredded remains of a yeti-hunters’ campsite is also something interesting to see.

Once you’re onboard the train, the ride seems calm enough at first. But as you near the summit, the Yeti starts to make his presence known. It all starts with a bit of missing track, and just goes wild from there. Before you know it, you’re trying to outrun an angry snow monster and make off the mountain in one piece.

*Imagination Photog Photo Tip! If there’s someone in your party who’s not riding, hand them the camera and send them over to the ride viewing area to snap a picture as you coming screaming down the mountain. Just to the right of the ride exit there is a small landing area just down a couple of steps. That’s the best spot for ride photos. Here’s a shot my dad took from there.

Me, my husband Brandon, and my mom are on the 5th and 6th rows from the back.

This is probably my favorite rollercoaster at Disney World. It’s a moderate thrill as far as coasters go, but it is the smoothest ride I’ve ever been on. Even my husband, who doesn’t like rollercoasters, loves this one! Again, it’s one of those I ride at least twice on every visit.

Here’s Disney’s sneak peek of Expedition Everest!

Attractions: Kilimanjaro Safaris

Kilimanjaro Safaris is one of the Animal Kingdom's top 3 attractions. It's as close as you can get to a real African safari without ever leaving the good ole USA, and the experience is different every time you ride it.

Attraction Quick Facts:

• The best time to ride is either first thing in the morning, or during late afternoon before the attraction closes. These are the times when the animals are most active, so you'll have more chances to see a variety of animals and get great photographs.
• FastPass is available.
• It's located in the Africa area of the park.
• The ride is a little bumpy, going over rocky terrain, across rivers and rickety bridges. But it won't jar your teeth or anything.
• Stroller parking is available about halfway down the waiting line.
• This ride is great for all ages and is both great fun and educational at the same time.

You'll hop aboard a rugged, open-air 4-wheel drive bus. Each bus is driven by a safari guide. (Your guide will point out the different animals to you and tell you a little about each one.)

*Imagination Photog Photo Tip! To get the best shots, sit on the end of the bench. I personally prefer to be the first one on my row so I have an unobstructed view of the left side of the bus. It seems like that side has the best views of most of the animals.

Your journey starts off with a little drive through a forest area where you can see animals like bongos, okapi, black rhinos, and a variety of birds. When you come to the first river crossing keep an eye out for hippos, pelicans, and hungry crocodiles.

From the forest you'll head out into the savanna. This is my favorite part of the entire ride, and it's where the majority of the animals are. You can see giraffes, zebras, antelope, rhinos, cheetahs, warthogs, wildebeests, lions, and more.

*Imagination Photog Photo Tip! If you have a camera with changeable lenses, you'll definitely want to use the one with the longest zoom, like a telephoto lens. Some animals will be right next to the bus, but others will be farther away. You'll need to zoom in to get the perfect shot.

Next, you'll head into elephant country. You'll also see colonies of monkeys and the newest baby elephants in the herd. And don't forget to keep an eye out for poachers!

My whole family and I really love this ride. It's one of those that we always go on at least twice when we visit. Every time we see something different and learn something new. The first time I rode was in May of 1999. I was 11 and The Lion King was my favorite movie at the time. I was so excited when we crossed into the savanna and I got to see real lions lounging on their very own "Pride Rock." I really felt like I had been to Africa and back in that one afternoon.

This ride is also a photographer's dream. I have a constant smile on my face snapping away at all the gorgeous animals and landscapes. And I always come back with great images. Here's a slide show of a few of my favorites.

Have a great safari adventure of your own!

Miranda

Animal Kingdom: An Overview Part II

Hey again! Ready to continue our tour of the Animal Kingdom? I thought so :). I believe I left you at Camp Minnie-Mickey, didn’t I? We’ll go back out of Camp the same way we came in, back onto Discovery Island. Now, we’ll keep heading to the left and cross the bridge into Africa.

*Imagination Photog Photo Tip! This is another bridge with a great view. When you get to the middle, look to your right and you’ll see the towering Mount Everest in the distance. It houses the park’s number one thrill ride, “Expedition Everest.” Stop here for a great photo with the mountain in the background.

View from the bridge to Africa.

Africa

I love this part of the park! You walk right into the quaint, but lively, African village of Harambe. Over to the right, natives are drumming and singing traditional African music that can lift up any bad mood. There are a couple of great places to eat here. The Tamu Tamu Refreshment stand is on the right, while the Kusafiri Coffee Shop and Tusker House Restaurant are on the left.

Straight ahead you’ll see the infamous “upside down tree,” more properly known as a Baobab tree. That’s where you’ll find Africa’s main attraction: Kilimanjaro Safaris. The safari takes you through the African Savannah and puts you right beside your favorite wild animals like elephants, giraffes, lions, antelope, rhinos and more.

As you exit the safari you’ll see two other attractions. To the left you’ll find the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail, where you can see and learn about gorillas and other animals. Straight ahead is the boarding station for the Wildlife Express Train. The train takes to you Rafiki’s Planet Watch, where you can enjoy more wildlife exhibits, plus a petting zoo. The train ride also gives you a little behind-the-scenes look at how Disney Cast Members care for the animals in the park. The train then loops back around to the Africa station.

After you hop off the train, head back through Harambe. Just before the bridge, hang a left. This path will take you into Asia. It’s a short, shaded walk with great views of the river and the Tree of Life. You might also see characters like Balo (from “The Jungle Book”) or Turk (from “Tarzan”) lounging around under the trees.

Asia

The first thing you’ll see as you cross into Asia is the Flights of Wonder attraction. This educational and entertaining show features 30 different birds that will show off their spectacular abilities. Next door to the Flights of Wonder is the Yak & Yeti Restaurant. I’ve never eaten here, but it smells amazing as you walk by. This little corner is a great spot to watch Mickey’s Jammin Jungle parade which goes by every day at 3:45 p.m.

*Imagination Photog Photo Tip! This area around Flights of Wonder and the Yak & Yeti has some great spots for unique photographs. My favorite is the large tree surrounded by rocks. The strips of bright fabric and bells hanging in it just fascinate me. Here are a few of my photos from that area:

  

Now you come to a sort of fork in the road. We’re going to go left for now, but we’ll be back to this crossroads in bit. Down this way is where you’ll find two more attractions. The Maharajah Jungle Trek is a beautiful walk through animal exhibits and neat Asian architecture. This is also the place where you can see the tigers. Just next door is Kali River Rapids, where you strap into a raft and float through the Asian jungle. This isn’t a calm cruise though. It’s called the Rapids for a reason. Be prepared to get wet!

After you’ve dried off, and stop to watch the monkeys play a while on the ruins close by, head back toward that crossroads we came to earlier. Go left toward the big mountain. That’s Expedition Everest, one of the best and smoothest rollercoasters you will ever ride. It’s probably the Animal Kingdom’s biggest attraction right now. Take a train ride up the mountain and battle a yeti before you head off to our next stop in the land of the dinosaurs.

Dinoland, USA

Leave Asia and cross another bridge into Dinoland. The first attraction you’ll see is Finding Nemo the Musical. This is a “can’t miss” show that the whole family will love! Get there early though; it tends to fill up really quick.

Finding Nemo - The Musical

The next stop looks like a dino-carnival. You’ll find traditional carnival games with a prehistoric twist, as well as a mini rollercoaster called the Primeval Whirl, plus the TriceraTop Spin.

Cross the painted on “road” that surrounds the carnival and you’ll find the rest of Dinoland. To the right is The Boneyard, where kids can have fun on the playground and dig up ancient fossils. Straight ahead you can grab a bite at the Restaurantosaurus, or keep going into the jungle to find a thrill ride back in time. “Dinosaur” the ride waits back there, along with a replica of the famous “Dino Sue,” as well as other replicas of prehistoric animals along the Cretaceous Trail.

Once you’re ready to come back to the present, just take the path back by the Restaurantosaurus and keep left. Walk under the dino skeleton, cross the bridge, and you’re back at the Tree of Life on Discovery Island.

Well folks, that completes our little tour of the Animal Kingdom. That’s how I make my way around the park, but remember, you can go directly to any area from Discovery Island. There are signs everywhere that will point you the way you want to go, plus you’ll have your trusty map.

In the next few blogs we’ll take a closer look at the park’s attractions. I’ll let you know what kind of attraction it is, what ages it’s good for, when to do it, and my personal review of it. I’ll also show you more pictures I’ve take from all over the park and share more of my Disney photography secrets.

Stay tuned!

Miranda

The Animal Kingdom: An Overview Part I

Opening ceremonies with Minnie, Goofy and Pluto at the Animal Kingdom.

Let’s start off our park tours with the newest addition to the Disney theme parks family, and my second favorite of the four: Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

The Animal Kingdom opened on Earth Day in 1998 and continues Walt’s legacy of preserving and learning about the wild nature around us. It is the largest animal-themed park in the world. You can discover over 1,700 animals within its 500-acre landscape. The Animal Kingdom functions as a theme park, research center and conservation area, all in one.

There are 7 unique areas of the park:

• Oasis
• Discovery Island
• Camp Minnie-Mickey
• Africa
• Rafiki’s Planet Watch
• Asia
• Dinoland, USA

I’ll give you a special “Miranda Tour” of each of these areas, along with some of my secrets for how to best navigate and make the most of your time at the park (plus be on the lookout for photo tips). And knowing me, I’ll also probably throw in a story or two of my own adventures here :).

I’ll do this same thing for each of the other theme parks, as well as the water parks and Downtown Disney area. There will most likely be multiple posts on each park, because there is a lot to see and do and I don’t want you to miss a minute of the magic.

Alrighty, enough chit-chat, let’s get ready to roll!

Map of entire Animal Kingdom park

The Oasis

After you walk through the gate, straight ahead are the Oasis Exhibits. The Oasis is a tiny “island” of sorts made up of ponds and tropical plants that houses a variety of wildlife. Short paths cut through the oasis to give you views of these animals. Each viewing spot also has information about each animal and it’s habitat.

There are wide walkways on either side of the Oasis. Both end up in the same spot, so take whichever side you prefer. The paths converge just before crossing the bridge to Discovery Island.

*Imagination Photog Photo Tip! This bridge is the most popular spot to snap a photo in front of the Tree of Life. You’ll see a Disney Parks photographer already set up here to take photos for Photo Pass. They’ll be happy to take a picture of your whole family, both for Photo Pass and with your own personal camera. If it seems really crowded, there is another lesser-used spot right in front of the Tree. (This is my personal favorite spot). It’s marked with a Kodak Picture Spot marker.



This shot was taken at the picture second spot on Discovery Island. That's me and my sweetheart on our honeymoon in October of 2009 :).



Discovery Island

This is the very heart of the park. You can get to all other areas of the park from here. Walt liked to design his theme parks like a wheel, with one central icon (in this case the Tree of Life) as the hub and all the other areas branching off from it like spokes.

On Discovery Island you’ll find more trails to more animal exhibits in front of the Tree of Life, as well as lots of shops and places to eat. My absolute favorite quick-service meal spot is to the left on Discovery Island. It’s called the Flame Tree BBQ, and it melts in your mouth!

There is only one attraction on Discovery Island. The 3-D interactive show “It’s Tough to Be a Bug” is located inside the Tree of Life. This show is great for all ages, although there are a few moments with Hopper (the mean grasshopper) that probably would’ve scared me a little bit when I was really young, and then been forgotten five seconds later as Flik told another funny joke. I don’t really want to tell you much about this one, because half the fun is in the surprise ;).

Parrots on one of the Discovery Island trails.

There are four different ways you can go from here, but I’ll just explain the way I usually do it. Most people make their way through the parks in a counter-clockwise motion, going from right to left. But I do it backwards. I always go from left to right. In this case, the first stop to the left is Camp Minnie-Mickey.

Camp Minnie-Mickey

This is the main character meet-and-greet spot in the park. There are pavilions set up everywhere where different characters will come out at scheduled times to take pictures and sign autographs.

There are also a couple of attractions in this area. The main one is The Festival of the Lion King. This is an amazing show of acrobatics, dancing, singing, plus appearances by some of your favorite Lion King characters. The audience also gets involved in the show, with the kids being asked to come down and dance in the final number.

There is another live performance area in Camp Minnie-Mickey that seems to change a lot. The first time I went in 1999 it was a Pocahontas show. The next year it was a Tarzan skate show. In 2007, it was back to the Pocahontas show. I’m not sure what it is right now, but everything I’ve seen there has been really great. Definitely drop by and check it out.

Ok, that seems like a good place to stop for now. I don’t want to make you scroll down for days reading this. The next blog will take you through the rest of the Animal Kingdom, which includes Africa, Rafiki’s Planet Watch, Asia, and Dinoland, USA.

Don’t forget to feed your wild side!

Miranda

The Top 6 Things You Absolutely Need to Know

Before we start talking in-depth about each of the parks, I thought I’d better give you some general advice. These tips apply to all the theme parks and pretty much all areas of the Walt Disney World Resort. Before you even walk through the gate, there are a few things you can do to make your trip more comfortable and easier for everyone.

Tip #1: For Heaven’s sake, DO NOT wear impractical shoes!

The best advice I could ever give you is to bring a pair of comfortable, broken-in sneakers and wear them… everywhere. You are going to be doing an insane amount of walking, and by the end of the day even your most comfortable pair of flip-flops just ain’t gonna cut it. You’ll be sore, aching, and miserable if you don’t wear shoes that give great support to your feet, legs, and back. I know they may not always look the best with your outfit, but trust me, you’ll be thanking me later.

Tip #2: It’s called the “Sunshine State” for a reason.

Florida is known for it’s warm (or more usually hot) sunshine. While there is a fair amount of shade in the parks, sunscreen is never a bad idea. You may not have to lather it on like you’re at the beach, but a little on your face and neck can be a big lifesaver. And don’t forget your sunglasses either!

Tip #3: Know your Disney characters so you can find your car.

The parking lots at Disney are HUGE. I’m talking acres and acres of shiny paint jobs and Mickey ear antenna toppers. So how do you remember which of them is yours? Well, Disney has a clever little way to jog your memory.

The parking lots are divided into several named areas. Each area has its own mascot and each row in that area is numbered. For example, at the Magic Kingdom you might end up parking in Minnie row 38, or at Epcot you might be in Imagination row 20. All the areas are clearly labeled, so you’ll know where you are when you leave your car. The tram drivers will also let you know where you are when you board the tram. Wherever you board the tram is also where you’ll want to get off when you come back to your car. Don’t worry, they’ll be sure and let you know that too.

You might want to designate someone in your party to be your “remember-er” as my mom says. This has been my job ever since I was little. Kids are great at remembering the characters, so maybe put them in charge of finding the car. I guarantee you it’s a job they’ll be proud to take.

Tip #4: Rise and shine for more magic time!

The best time to get to the parks is about 10 to 15 minutes before they open. All the parks have opening ceremony shows, so you’ll be entertained while you wait for the chime of the clock. Getting there early also means you can be first in line for some of the more popular attractions. Choose one of them and head straight for it when the gate opens. You’ll start your morning off with a smile and won’t have to wait in the long lines later in the day.

Tip #5: Don’t just “wing it.”

I’ve told you before that a Disney World vacation is not like any other vacation. Here, you want to at least have some skeleton of a plan for what you’re going to do and when. Having a plan will maximize your use of time at the parks and make it less likely that you’ll miss something you really wanted to see.

For example, I always decide ahead of time which parks I’m going to do on which days. I base this around what firework shows, parades, or special events are going on and what times they are. Most parks have nightly firework shows at closing time (around 9 or 10 p.m.). Magic Kingdom also has nighttime electrical parades before the fireworks. The daytime parades at most parks are at 3 p.m. These are also daily occurrences. If you have a dining plan that includes sit-down meals, you’ll also need to make reservations for those, so that is another timely event you’ll need to remember. Just mapping out a schedule for the big things can make everything seem a lot less hectic. I’ll share more about how I do this in a later post.

Tip #6: A stroller can be your best friend.

This tip comes straight from the woman who knows pretty much everything about being a Disney World parent: my mom. If you have a child younger than 7 or 8, bring or rent a stroller. Like I said in Tip #1, there is a lot of walking, and after a little while the kids will be stretching their arms up saying, “Tote me!” Lord knows my poor dad heard it enough the one time my parents elected not to rent the stroller.

You can bring your own stroller from home, or Disney has them available for rent in each park. They have single strollers for $15 per day and double strollers for $31 per day. A $100 credit card deposit is required upon rental, but when you return the stroller to the location you rented it from, you’ll get that deposit back. And don’t worry about hauling it on and off the attractions. Each attraction has a stroller parking area.

Well, there you have 6 pieces of the most basic and essential advice I can give you. If you don’t listen to another word I say, I hope you’ll at least consider these tips (especially #1!). Trust me, they’ve been learned the hard way!

Have a Zippity-Do-Dah kinda day!

Miranda