Walt Disney World With Kids (Fodor's, 2012) - Fodor's [61]
Ready for your first test? When you pass a group of three beached canoes halfway through the Jungle Cruise look carefully at the carvings. You’ll see not only Mickey, but Donald and Goofy, too.
The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
Map location 5
This colorful, appealing attraction is a circular aerial ride similar to Dumbo. The twist is that you can make your carpet tilt, rise, or drop on command—evasive maneuvers that are necessary if you wish to avoid the spitting camels that guard the ride.
The Scare Factor
Because the carpets pitch around a bit, the Aladdin ride is slightly more intense than Dumbo, but most kids love it.
The Enchanted Tiki Room
Map location 4
These singing and talking birds represent Disney’s first attempt at the Audio-Animatronics that are now such an integral part of theme-park magic. The fact that Iago from Aladdin and Zazu from The Lion King are co-owners of the establishment is good news for kids, and although this isn’t the most exciting show in the Magic Kingdom, the theater is a good place to get off your feet and out of the heat. Stick around for Iago’s stream of insults as you exit; it’s the funniest part of the show.
The Scare Factor
The Enchanted Tiki Room show is loud. When the Tiki gods are angered, the theater darkens and lightning and thunder begin. The noise level frightens some toddlers.
Pirates of the Caribbean
Map location 3
This attraction inspires great loyalty and, since the success of the movie series by the same name, the Pirates are hotter than ever, especially Captain Jack Sparrow. If you’ve been on the ride before, you’ll notice an updated twist to the story line as Sparrow races to a cache of plundered treasure. It’s a kick to see the new figures interacting with some of the older animatronic buccaneers. All the Audio-Animatronics figures are remarkably lifelike, right down to the hair on their legs, and the theme song is positively addictive. Even though the story is dark, violent, and brutal, in the hands of Disney it all somehow manages to come off as a lighthearted happy adventure.
The Scare Factor
The Pirates of the Caribbean queue winds through a dark drafty dungeon, so many kids are nervous before they even board. After that, the scariest elements of the ride occur in the first three minutes—there are skeletons, cannons, periods of shadowy darkness, and a manifestation of Davy Jones in the mist. When you get to the mangy-looking and politically incorrect buccaneers themselves, however, the mood is up-tempo, as evidenced by the cheerful theme song. This ride is fine for most kids over 6, unless they’re afraid of the dark.
Insider’s Secret
If you can’t get enough of Captain Jack Sparrow and crew, stop by the Pirate League in Adventureland. Partly a boy-friendly alternative to the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique and partly an interactive adventure, the Pirate League experience begins with the spin of a chest to reveal your official pirate name. (I’m Charlotte Crestpaddler.) From there, young buccaneers can choose the Pirate Package for $30 that includes beards, eye patches, and gnarly-looking makeup. Johnny Depp wannabes can go for the full-throttle Captain Package, which adds on dreadlocks, a costume, and professional photography for $125. After suiting up, the freshly minted pirates are taken into a private room for the swearing of an oath, the presentation of their pirate credentials, and a picture-taking session before being released back into Adventureland. The cool thing about the Pirate League is that it isn’t just an imitation of the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique; the setting is terrific and the cast members working the attraction enter into the pirate theme with great enthusiasm. Call 407/WDW–CREW for reservations.
Insider’s Secret
Kids can become a pirate at the fun, lively, interactive Captain Jack Sparrow’s Pirate Tutorial in Adventureland. A Johnny Depp lookalike and his mangy sidekicks pull young volunteers