Walt Disney World With Kids (Fodor's, 2012) - Fodor's [59]
The Scare Factor
Space Mountain is the most intense ride in the Magic Kingdom, with a 44-inch height requirement. Most kids in the 3 to 8 age range find it too scary, but the 9 to 11 age group gives it a solid thumbs-up. It’s the highest-rated attraction in the park among teens.
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
Map location 25
This attraction is an “interactive fantasy in which riders help Buzz save the world’s supply of batteries.” Huh? The ride transports you into the heart of a video game where you pass through various scenes, spinning your cars and shooting at targets. Your car tallies your score and you learn whether you’re a Space Ace or a lowly Trainee. Buzz is addictive, but the lines do move swiftly and Fastpass is available. “Buzz Lightyear is great for all ages,” wrote a mother from Texas. “Our family members ranged from 2 to 83, and this was one ride everybody got into. Of course, we all got a little too competitive …”
Insider’s Secret
Attention Space Ace wannabes: The tougher the target, the higher the points. Don’t waste time taking cheap shots. There are 100,000-point targets on the palm of the orange robot’s left hand in the Robot Attack scene and another on the bottom Z of the spaceship in Zurg’s Secret Weapon. Also, if you hit a target multiple times, it gives you more points.
Astro Orbiter
Map location 26
A circular thrill ride similar to Dumbo, Astro Orbiter is a bit too much for preschoolers and a bit too little for teens. If you ride at night, the astro-ambience is more convincing.
The Scare Factor
Astro Orbiter is a good choice for children ages 5 to 10 who might not be quite up to Space Mountain. But it’s not for anyone prone to motion sickness.
Tomorrowland Indy Speedway
Map location 22
Tiny sports cars circle a nifty-looking racetrack and although the ride itself isn’t anything unusual, kids under 11 rate it highly, perhaps because young drivers can steer the cars themselves. (Kids 52 inches and taller can drive solo; others must be at least 32 inches tall and accompanied by an adult.)
Helpful Hint
Persuade your child not to rush through the Indy Speedway; loading and reloading the cars takes time—better to drive slowly than sit for five minutes in the pit waiting to be unloaded.
Tomorrowland Transit Authority
Map location 27
This little tram circles Tomorrowland and provides fun views, including a glimpse inside Space Mountain and the Buzz Lightyear attraction. The trip lasts 10 minutes, and the ride is never crowded so the attendant usually lets you stay on for more than one cycle. The rocking of the train has lulled many a cranky toddler into a nap; cast members report that the ride is often full of parents holding sleeping youngsters.
Carousel of Progress
Map location 28
This is a fairly long show (22 minutes) and a high-capacity attraction, so it’s good for the crowded times of the afternoon. Kids might be bored by this salute to modern inventions, especially once they’ve seen the more high-tech presentations of Epcot. That said, it has a nostalgic appeal; Carousel of Progress was one of Walt’s contributions to the 1964 World’s Fair. Note: Carousel of Progress is often closed during the off-season.
Stitch’s Great Escape
Map location 24
Stitch’s Great Escape tells the story of what Stitch was like before he came to Earth in the hit movie Lilo & Stitch. Stitch is captured by the Galactic Federation and taken to a prisoner processing facility. Since Stitch’s reputation as a troublemaker precedes him, visitors to the attraction are recruited to provide additional security. But you can’t keep a good alien down, and Stitch eludes security, causing mayhem everywhere he goes. The show features sophisticated Audio-Animatronics, including the remarkable three-dimensional Stitch figure. It’s also loud, dark, and far more forbidding than the advertisements indicate.
Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor
Map location 29
This show lets you laugh, joke, sing, and interact right along with your one-eyed “monster of ceremonies” Mike