Walt Disney World With Kids (Fodor's, 2012) - Fodor's [86]
Visit the Boneyard after you’ve toured the biggies and the kids are ready to romp for a while. The play area can get very hot on a Florida afternoon, however, so remember the sunscreen and water bottles. If it’s a really roasting day, head for the woolly mammoth dig-site area, which is covered and has large fans to cut down on the heat. “My 3-year-old loved the dig site,” reported one father. “We hung out there for about an hour while my wife took the older kids on Dinosaur.”
Helpful Hint
The good news is that kids can lose themselves in the Boneyard and happily play for an hour. The bad news is that parents can lose their kids as well. The Boneyard is sprawling, so keep your eyes on young children at all times, especially when they’re playing on the slides. When they enter at the top, it’s often hard to tell what chute they’re in or where they’ll emerge.
TriceraTop Spin
Map Location 4
The kid-friendly TriceraTop Spin is a circular ride similar to Dumbo, except that you fly in dinosaurs, naturally. The beasts tilt back and forth as you climb or descend.
The Scare Factor
If they loved Dumbo, they’ll love TriceraTop Spin.
Primeval Whirl
Map Location 5
The second ride in Chester and Hester’s Dino-Rama is Primeval Whirl, a crazy mouse–style coaster with spinning cars, hairpin turns, and numerous dips. Primeval Whirl is a slow-boarding, low-capacity ride and can draw major lines. If you’re visiting on a busy day, use Fastpass.
The Scare Factor
A bit surprisingly, Primeval Whirl has a 48-inch height requirement. The ride is faster than it looks and has many spins. Most kids over 5 (assuming they make the height requirement) love it, but if you have any doubts, watch it make a cycle or two before joining the queue. And this is not a good choice for anyone prone to motion sickness.
In Camp Minnie-Mickey
Character Greeting Area
The highlight of Camp Minnie-Mickey is meeting the characters, all adorably decked out in either vacation or safari gear. The greeting areas are especially busy just after a showing of Festival of the Lion King.
Festival of the Lion King
Map Location 14
This is one of the best attractions in the Animal Kingdom.
Festival of the Lion King features what you might expect—singers, dancers, the characters—as well as acrobatic “monkeys” twirling fire batons, and “birds” that dramatically take flight. The costuming is incredible, the music is wonderful, and the finale is guaranteed to give you goose bumps.
The performers interact directly with the audience, and at one point small children from the crowd are invited to join in a simple circular parade. Children sitting near the front are more apt to be tapped.
Festival of the Lion King is very popular. Showtimes are printed on your entertainment schedule; be there at least 30 minutes beforehand if you’d like to sit near the front.
In Asia
Kali River Rapids
Map Location 8
For this water ride, you board an eight-passenger raft for a descent down a meandering river through rapids, geysers, and waterfalls. Expect to get very wet, possibly soaked, depending on where you’re sitting in the raft. (And since the rafts are circular and constantly turning throughout the ride, it’s impossible to predict which seats will catch the most spray.) Stow cameras and other water-sensitive valuables in lockers before you board, and bring your trusty poncho.
The Scare Factor
The height requirement is only 38 inches, reflecting the fact that Kali River Rapids is a very mild ride, with only one sizable descent along the way. It’s fine for anyone who isn’t afraid of getting wet.
It’s also good to keep your feet up on the center bar. A wet fanny is an inconvenience, but wet shoes and socks can lead to blisters and ruin your whole day. Also consider bringing a change of clothes. One mom said her soaking wet child burst into tears and had to be taken back to the hotel to change.
Insider’s Secret
Are some of your kids too young or too short to ride? Let them man Kali’s water cannons on