Photo Flashback! Splash Mountain

This is a shot from May of last year using real film, not digital, to capture the Laughing Place.

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Guest Post: Little Ones Enjoy the Little Things at Walt Disney World

I often get questions from clients wanting to know about which rides to ride for their young children. They are often concerned there won’t be enough to do for their little ones. They always want to know how many days they will need to spend when traveling to Disney World. It’s difficult to fathom how much there is to do while at the parks and looking at a park map alone can be a bit deceiving if you’ve never visited.

I was thinking about some of my family’s previous trips to Disney World and some of the highlights that my son has enjoyed over the years. Sure, he loves Test Track, Big Thunder Mountain, Splash Mountain and plenty of other rides but here are some of his absolute park favorites that may come as a surprise.

Playgrounds: I used to get frustrated when I would have to literally drag him out of the play areas in the parks. Darn you, Honey I Shrunk the Kids, The Boneyard in Dinoland USA, and the former Ariel’s Grotto and Pooh’s Playful Spot! (Note: there will be a new play area in the new Fantasyland expansion and there is now the fun interactive queue at The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh.) Doesn’t my child understand we came to ride RIDES and not run around on playgrounds? Doesn’t he understand we could do that at home in Atlanta for free? It wasn’t until I stopped and allowed myself to see them through his eyes that I understood why he loves them so much. They aren’t your typical playgrounds. They are amazingly themed areas featuring cool slides, tunnels, water features, and more. While at the parks, kids are usually standing in line or are sitting on a ride so I’ve decided if he wants to go burn off some steam and run around like an absolute lunatic, it’s his vacation too so let him go for it.

Water: What do the spray ground and jumping fountains at Epcot, the squirting Tikis at Magic Kingdom, and the splash pad at Polynesian Resort all have in common? They are all areas my son has decided to spend unexpected hours running around fully clothed while on vacation. Sure he has gotten absolutely soaked but seeing the pure joy on his face having the time of his life has been priceless. I say let your kids have fun and get wet! If you’re staying on property, take time to enjoy the wonderful pool and water slides at the resorts. I’m pretty sure we spent just as much time at the pool at Wilderness Lodge as we did at the parks this past June because he‘s really into water slides at this time in his life. While my son went down the water slide for the 150th time, I was able to relax and sit on my patio while my little one took naps. A win win for all. I also enjoyed going down the slide quite a few times which my son thought was so cool. I know all too soon he more than likely won’t want mom in a bathing suit riding water slides with him so why not enjoy spending the quality time with him doing what he loves while I can (and besides that, they‘re fun)!

Tom Sawyer Island: May not sound very appealing to adults but I think most kids will find this island located in Magic Kingdom to be pure heaven. My guy loves to run around, going over the bridges, running through the tunnels, “shooting” at folks in the fort, etc. I think this attraction is often overlooked by parents and should be a do not miss for young children who enjoy adventure and what child doesn‘t have an imagination and enjoy some adventure?

Music: There are some different areas, particularly in Epcot where instruments can be found. My son will make a bee line for the drums every time.

Meet and Greets: I have mentioned this before but on our family’s first trip this is literally all my son wanted to do. Seriously. I waited in line after line getting autograph after autograph. I sure wish there had been a Fastpass option for Toontown Fair like there is at Town Hall now. There were times it wasn’t all that fun to be honest while standing in 100 degree humidity outdoors in September but seeing the pure joy on my son’s face when he got to hug and interact with the characters was worth every drop of sweat to me. He still talks about when Tigger took his blankie and covered his eyes with it and walked around pretending he couldn’t see. That was 4 years ago when he was 3.

Sometimes it really pays to just stop and enjoy the little things the parks have to offer. Don’t be in too much of a hurry. Allow yourself more time when possible and don’t just rush by everything between ride A and ride B. You may find opportunities you didn’t expect that will make priceless memories for you and your children and to me that’s what a Disney vacation is all about and why my family continues to go back as regularly as we do.

What are some of your family’s favorites in the parks that aren’t rides?

Contributed by Corby C. of Atlanta, Georgia. She is a proud wife and mom to Banks and Henley, a Disney Destination Planner with Travel with the Magic and one of our Minnie Moms.

Team Favorites--Thrill Rides

The view from the top of Tower of Terror.  Look quickly!

Amy:  I am a thrill ride junkie.  I have yet to find one I won't queue up for.  What I love about the Walt Disney World thrill rides is the combination of a well-developed storyline with a 'take your breath away' experience.  

Tower of Terror is impeccably themed.  From the time you enter the area, everything feeds into the story of this once-grand hotel.  From the small signs naming the varieties of the trees to the personal possessions in the lobby, you can sense the energy that once filled the space and the eerie stillness that has now taken hold.   I'd love to go on a tour of all the details in this attraction.  I tend to linger where I can to take it all in.  And on the thrill side, you can't beat the multiple drop sequence!  

Space Mountain was one of my early coaster experiences.  I love that you ride in the dark and can't really see what you are in for until it's too late.  It's got plenty of speed and drops that always surprise.  The long walkway in the cool darkness builds the excitement and is a great transition from the heat of the Florida sun.  I'm a little disappointed that the peek into Space Mountain is now gone from the TTA.  It was fun to see in a bit from the tame ride.

Expedition Everest's Fastpass line makes me a little sad.  This has to be one of the most detailed queues ever and most people just blow right past it.  Walk just a smidgen slower through this area and take in the displays around you and let the story build.  And then... Everest is a fast-moving, "I dare you to keep your hands up" ride.  I love the section where you go backward.  Such a well-themed and exciting ride, too bad the yeti doesn't move anymore.  But I think lots of people miss him anyway--it's hard to see even a huge creature when you have your eyes closed and you are holding on for dear life.

Thank you, Imagineers, for Rock 'n' Roller Coaster and its inversions.  That is all.

I have to give an honorable mention to Splash Mountain.  It's a fabulous attraction that is well themed to its story.  I just don't like walking around in wet pants so it's a must do every 5 years for me.

Splash Mountain

DisneyDad:  When Space Mountain opened in 1975, I got my wife on to ride it - ONCE! It took twenty years to get her to ride again.  She's due to ride it again in 2015.  For her, once every twenty years is enough.  One thrill ride she does enjoy is Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in Frontierland at the Magic Kingdom.  Disney describes it as a "mild but wild" coaster.  It may be tamer than the other "mountain" rides but this is no kiddie ride.  You are warned to "hold on to your hat" as you enter the gold mine ore trains that run through the town of Tumbleweed.  It provides some "air time" as well as a nice spiral as you make your way from the mountain to the town.  Lookout for a few animals around town and Cousin Ed in his long-johns sitting in a bathtub after the flood.

Expedition Everest:  Even the photo ops are well-themed!

Ridge:  Thrill rides.  


Well, what to say about thrill rides at Disney?  The most obvious are the roller coasters: Space Mountain, Rock 'n' Roller Coaster and Expedition Everest.  Space Mountain is the classic ride at Disney: fast, dark and fun.  Part of the fun of this one is the queue's build up.  A dark cool tunnel underground with ominous sounds and lighting.  Once on the ride, more dark, more ominous sounds and a ride that drops you into the darkness for the duration of our journey. 


Rock 'n' Roller Coaster is just a new and smoother take on the dark rides at Disney.  It isn't creepy or ominous inside at all, unless you are unsettled by the music industry.  The ride is faster and smoother than Space Mountain.  Think fighter jet vs. biplane or rock and roll vs. Gregorian chant.  OK, that last one is a bit harsh but you get the point. 


Expedition Everest is an outstanding mix of these two rides.  Fast and in the dark with the feeling of an old coaster in terms of ride smoothness or as one might expect an escape from a mountain yeti would be.  The queue is a great part of this ride walking through the mountain shop or the museum showing the aftermath of dealing with the elusive yeti.  Fun times. 


There lots more rides that can be called thrill rides.  Tower of Terror, Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain, Universe of Energy, Mission Space... Yeah one of those things is not like the others.  Attractions are thrilling for lots of reasons, speed, lighting, education factors...no on that last one? Well then just overall experience, if it gets your heart pumping then it's thrilling.


What is your favorite thrill ride at Walt Disney World?  We definitely didn't include them all.  Anyone for Test Track or Mission Space?  Or maybe Barnstormer?