The Magic of Disney World

Ah, the Enchanted Tiki Room… that magical place where “the birds sing words and the flowers croon”.  Okay, so magical maybe isn’t the right word.  Maybe the word I’m looking for is “air-conditioned”.  Never underestimate the power of an air conditioned room in the middle of summer in Florida.  Anyhow… back to the Tiki Room.

The Enchanted Tiki Room was one of Disney’s first attempts at anamatronics.  The show stayed the same at both Disneyland and Disney World for a long time, until finally the imagineers at Walt Disney World decided a new story line was in order.  So they brought in the big guns… Zazu from The Lion King and Iago from Aladin.  (more…)

Pirates of the Caribbean was such a hit at Disneyland park in California, Disney Imagineers decided to create a version for the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. They had to make a few revisions because of the water table in Florida, but the result is basically the same.

Guests board boats for a 10 minute cruise into a town where pirates have taken over. The pirates themselves are cutting edge anamatronics…or at least they were when they were created. (more…)

I can describe The Magic Carpets of Aladdin in three words: Aladdin themed Dumbo. Instead of flying elephants, we have flying carpets. Instead of Timothy the mouse on a hot air balloon, we have a magic lamp. Aladdin did add spitting camels, though…that was a nice touch.

The Magic Carpets of Aladdin is a hub and spoke ride, just like Dumbo the Elephant. (more…)

What can I say about Jungle Cruise? It remains one of my favorite rides, despite the jerky anamatronics and the horribly punny boat operators. Anyone who has been on Jungle Cruise (and that’s probably most of you, considering there’s a Jungle Cruise both at Disneyworld and at Disneyland) knows that if you’re looking for realistic, thrilling sights and masterful storytelling…you’re looking in entirely the wrong place.

Jungle Cruise is a whole lot of fun, if you’ll relax and take it for what it’s worth. (more…)