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We Came To Play!

We Came To Play!

Opening Magic Kingdom

Opening Magic Kingdom

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Dinosaurs Are Alive at Jurassic Park

Are dinosaurs still alive? If you visit Jurassic Park at Islands of Adventure, you’re likely to say “yes.” In addition to the Jurassic Park ride, a flume ride with a huge drop, which is the headline attraction on the island, there is a prehistoric field museum of sorts, a multi-story Camp Jurassic playground, and Pteranodon Fliers, a 2 person swing ride that circles around Camp Jurassic.  You can see the track for Pteranodon Fliers just to the right in the photo above.




We all rode Jurassic Park. All 3 of us fit into one of the rows in the boat with room to spare. The ride is pretty tame until you get to the large T-Rex growling at you before you hang on for the 65 ft. plummet. The premise of the ride is that the dinosaurs have escaped the confines of Jurassic Park and you have to search and find them before they attack. Good luck!



The boy and I rode Pteranodon Fliers—the two rider swing ride. The line for this ride can get pretty long. If you have any issues with heights, this ride is not for you.



Camp Jurassic was a unique playground and we explored a bit.





The place we spent most of our time was the prehistoric field museum. The two story building hosts many dinosaur displays including a dinosaur egg nursery and museum quality replicas of dinosaurs. There are many interactive displays as well.



The most unique interaction came at the entrance. A handler was holding a “live, baby dinosaur” that moved and responded to your touch. Are you a believer yet?



There is a dining location on the top floor of this building, which is the same level you enter. The view from the back, near the restaurant is incredible, as it sits on the lake that is the middle of all the islands of Islands of Adventure. If we were to come here again, I would plan to dine here and get an outside table.

To read about Marvel Super Hero Island click here.  To read about Seuss Landing click here.

Monday, August 30, 2010

Characters at Universal Studios

We’ve met some pretty “famous” characters at Universal Studios in Orlando Florida.  Do you recognize Doc Brown from Back to The Future?






Just as you exit Shrek 4D and make your way through the store, there is a meet and greet for the Shrek characters just across the street. Donkey comes out every now and again to throw insults or compliments your way. Donkey was then joined by Princess Fiona. Moments later, Shrek appeared for photos and autographs.




There are many street performers circulating throughout the thoroughfares of the park. They are happy to smile for the camera and interact with you “in character.”



Jaws is on display for a photo op just outside the Jaws attraction.

Barney can be found in his Backyard just after the Barney show.




The Simpsons are on hand, as they have a ride at Universal Studios. We saw Bart first at the meet and greet. He was later joined by Marge and Homer. It was the Williams Family meets the Simpson Family!



Remember that Universal Studios is just one park/part of Universal Studios. Islands of Adventure is adjacent as is City Walk which anchors both the parks and all the parking.

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Kali River Rapids at Animal Kingdom

Kali River Rapids in Animal Kingdom at the Walt Disney World Resort is a floating conservation story.




One of a handful of FASTPASS attractions at Animal Kingdom, Kali is located in Africa near the Yak and Yeti Restaurant.



The first time we rode Kali, the boy was tall enough, but didn’t want to ride. No problem. We had FASTPASSes, so we used rider swap. Explain to the Cast Member that you want to swap and they tell you where to wait. The husband rode first and the boy and I waited on the bridge that crosses over the last leg of Kali and watched the ride. We had the camera and got some cool shots as the husband made his way back to the loading/unloading area. Let’s just say, he was much cooler when he returned as he was SOAKED!



Then it was my turn and I approached the Cast Member through the exit and was allowed to get into the FASTPASS line and made my way quickly to the loading area. The loading area is in itself unique, as it continually spins. Think of it like a gear that keeps going. As it spins, it “grabs” the rafts and holds onto them until they exit the loading area. This means the ride is continually moving while you get on. Got my seat and off we went.



After the first conveyor belt ride up, the ride descends and tells the story of rainforest destruction and its harmful effects. You even get to see a logging truck on fire and I can remember the smell of the fire. There are twists, turns, plunges, caves, waterfalls, and geysers all meant to get you nice and wet. As you can see in the photo above, I’m nice and dry during the return trip, especially from the waist up.  The husband was baffled that I remained relatively unscathed (meaning dry) during the ride.



The next time we rode Kali, the boy joined us. A bit hesitant at first, but he loved it—especially the burning log truck. Since we were all riding, the photos were limited. But the ending was the same. The husband soaked. . . me dry!



OK, here’s the secret for staying dry, and let’s just hope he doesn’t read the blog. . . when you load the ride, the Cast Members will tell you to move all the way across the raft to sit, so that they can fill in the seats near the dock last. Don’t move across the raft. Sit on the seat just to the right of where you are entering the raft. Works like a charm!



In the middle of each raft, is a place to put items you would like to remain dry during the trip and is covered with a thick plastic “lid” which is held in place by Velcro. While the rules state that your shoes must be on at all times on the ride, many riders placed their shoes in the middle of the raft after they were out of eyeshot from the Cast Members. We had a bag that fit in the compartment easily and I put the camera in my fanny pack and we were fine.



Know that bathrooms are located just outside the Yak and Yeti Restaurant, just as you exit Kali for those who need a stop to ring out their clothes or whatever. The irony is that there is a wonderful water fountain just outside the bathrooms that you will often see children frolicking in and around while their parents are desperately trying to get dry.



You can don a poncho for the ride, but why?



Enjoy your next ride on Kali!



To read about Kilimanjaro Safari, another headline attraction at Animal Kingdom, click here.

Other Animal Kingdom features include The Festival of the Lion King, Rafiki's Planet Watch, and Character Greeting TrailsClick here to read about dining at Tusker House at Animal Kingdom.

Saturday, August 28, 2010

Marvel Super Hero Island at Islands of Adventure


The husband is a comic book fan, especially Marvel comics and their superhero characters. So, heading to Marvel Super Hero Island at Islands of Adventure at Universal Studios was a big treat for him. Well, it was more than that. . . he was in heaven!







From riding the Amazing Adventures of Spider-man ride, which we did together as a family, to riding the Incredible Hulk Coaster, which he did by himself, to meeting Marvel characters, he enjoyed every moment.




We even had a character meal with Spiderman—his favorite Marvel character! As you can tell in the photos, he was extremely happy.



Marvel Island is just to the left of the Port of Entry for Islands of Adventure. Toon Lagon comes next. . . but that’s for another time.



Now that Disney—you knew I would get it in there-- has purchased rights to Marvel, including the superheroes and the comics, we may have an even happier family at the Walt Disney World Resort. Already you can purchase superhero themed items on-line at Disneystore.com and you can find superhero themed items at many of the shops on Disney property. Universal can keep it Marvel Super Hero Island for now, but if they shut down or want to change any of the attractions it gives the rights to the attraction to Disney. Who knows what the future holds?



To read about Seuss Landing at Islands of Adventure—click here.

Friday, August 27, 2010

Where Can You Make SMORE's at Walt Disney World?

Where in Walt Disney World can you stay in excellent accommodations and participate in super fun activities at night, such as roasting marshmallows? Port Orleans Riverside, of course.




Regular readers already know it’s our favorite on-site resort because of the themed and quiet pools, food court, bike rentals, fishing, boats to Downtown Disney and the French Quarter, live entertainment, horse and carriage rides, the arcade, immaculate landscaping, playground, boat rentals, and our personal favorite—it’s the first stop on the Magical Express bus from the airport! Whew! And, proximity to the 4 theme parks and 2 water parks! Click here to read more about why Port Orleans Riverside is our favorite.



In addition to horse and carriage rides—click here to read more—another evening activity is a campfire on Ol’ Man Island just behind the playground. Staff members, a.k.a. cast members will clear the area and start the fire. You can just enjoy the fire, or you can purchase a Smore’s kit and make Smore’s.



When we roasted marshmallows, the Smore kits were $8 each. We were prepared to purchase 2 or 3 kits, but the cast member said there was enough for all of us in one kit and they were right! There was almost an entire package of graham crackers, a couple of candy bars, and enough marshmallows to make plenty of Smore’s.



There were other families joining us and we enjoyed the casual, relaxed interaction that you don’t often get at the theme parks. We shared stories and tips. One family was hoping to purchase watches during their trip. I had seen a “get one with purchase” special on some watches at Mouse Gear at EPCOT. We ran into the same family another day at EPCOT—with their watch purchases.



I know we enjoyed the campfire on a Sunday evening. For more days, check with the concierge in the lobby or phone 407-WDW-PLAY. No reservations are necessary. You can use cash to purchase your Smore kit or charge to your room via your Key to the World Card.

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Seuss Landing at Islands of Adventure

Islands of Adventure, one of the two theme parts at Universal Studios, is just that. . . islands. When you walk from one to another it is as if you have entered a new world or. . . island. Compare it to moving from land to land at Walt Disney World. You know—Adventureland to Fantasyland to Tomorrowland. You get the idea.




Anyway, one of the islands at Islands of Adventure is Seuss Landing in honor of Dr. Seuss and his many characters and stories.




The theming is quite intricate including a place to dine for green eggs and ham. That location wasn’t open when we were there, but it is nearby the If I Ran the Zoo playground. Careful—as water play is frequent here.



The Cat in the Hat ride is inside and has an inside queue. Caroseussical is outside and features many fabulous creatures to ride--including Horton the elephant!





One Fish, Two Fish is a ride similar to Dumbo. You can ride a red fish or a blue fish. I think our fish was yellow.




There are many characters roaming the Seuss Landing. Lots of “Who’s” from Who Ville!



We even got to meet the Grinch himself. Since it wasn’t even near Christmas, he had a bit more happier disposition, if the Grinch has a happier disposition.




We even dined with some characters. . . The Cat in the Hat and Thing 1 and Thing 2!





The boy’s favorite ride in Seuss Landing. . . you guessed it, it had to be a train. It was the High in the Sky Trolley Train. This ride is actually quite ingenious and not quite as tame as you might think. The queue is a curly ramp that twists and turns as you move upward to the “station.” Then it is all aboard one of the two trains. There is a bit of randomness as to which train and track you will get to ride. Both trains circle around above Seuss Landing and one goes around inside Circus McGurcus, a busy restaurant on the island. On each ride you get a bit of many Dr. Seuss stories through the narration. We rode twice and enjoyed it. Note: This ride goes out over the water and you are on a narrow train track. . .hence the not as tame as it looks. As each train departs, a bell rings and the crew shouts “All Aboard!”



If you are interested in purchasing Dr. Seuss themed t-shirts, this is the place with a whole shop dedicated to the many shoppers.



Seuss Landing is geared towards the younger set, but even we adults enjoyed it. I do have to say that the husband headed off to ride the Hulk Coaster one more time as the boy and I rode the High in the Sky Trolley Train again. He just couldn’t do it one more time!