Walt Disney World With Kids (Fodor's, 2012) - Fodor's [139]
Poseidon’s Fury: Escape from the Lost City
Map Location 16
This 20-minute walk-through show takes place in one of the most impressive buildings in the whole theme park, a crumbling castle from the lost underwater city ruled by the water god Poseidon. The story line is established in the long, dark (and somewhat scary-for-kids) queue area, where we learn that we’re on an archaeological dig at the ancient temple of Poseidon. But there’s trouble—the power keeps flickering on and off, a professor is missing, and the sleep of an evil priest has been disturbed. He wants to find a powerful trident, and it’s up to you, as the new archaeological team, to find the trident and restore it to its rightful owner, Poseidon.
The Scare Factor
Poseidon’s Fury is a walk-through show, not a ride, but the special effects are intense and the noise level is very high in places. Once you enter the castle, you’re literally a captive audience; there are a couple of exit points along the way if children become frightened, but for most of the show you’re in a series of darkened rooms. If your children are nervous, stand near the back, especially in the final room where the battle reaches its peak; viewers in the front will feel the fire-and-water effects more intensely than those in the rear.
You stand during the whole presentation of Poseidon’s Fury, so young kids in the back won’t see much (this may be a blessing—see the Scare Factor). If you want a good view of the action, be sure to be among the first in your tour group to exit every room so that you can be in the front row in the next room.
You move from room to room and there are some great special effects along the way. At one point you walk through a swirling tunnel of water. The final scene is a battle between fire and water, with plenty of splashing and pyrotechnics.
Helpful Hint
Needing a little adult time? A glass of wine? A civilized menu? Decadent chocolate desserts? Just across from Poseidon’s Fury is Mythos, a great place for a leisurely meal.
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter debuted in June 2010 as one of the most hotly anticipated theme-park attractions ever. It’s actually home to three rides. The Dragon Challenge is a spiffed-up revamp of the megacoaster Dueling Dragons, while The Flight of the Hippogriff is a new and improved version of The Flying Unicorn. The big news is the centerpiece attraction, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey.
Hogsmeade Village, the dining and shopping section of the Wizarding World, offers great photo ops and fun experiences—such as the chance to mail a postcard home from the official Hogsmeade Post Office and some mystical wand-shopping at Ollivander’s Experience. The shops offer replicas of almost everything mentioned in the books, including some rather alarmingly named candies at Honeydukes. Street entertainment includes the Frog Choir, a group of Hogwarts students accompanied by their large, croaking, and quite comical frogs, and the Triwizard Spirit Rally, a processional designed to rev up the already-revved-up crowd.
Guests are so enamored with the wand, jellybean, and robe shopping that Hogsmeade Village can become extremely crowded. Don’t imagine you can browse leisurely. Lines to get into the shops aren’t uncommon, especially at Ollivander’s, where the wand-choosing ceremony takes a little time. Young wizards don’t like to be rushed.
The restaurant Three Broomsticks, which is a terrific setting in its own right, could probably serve anything and still be packed. The menu includes tasty BBQ, shepherd’s pie, and fish-and-chips as well as the uber-popular Butterbeer and pumpkin juice. The nonalcoholic