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.  Sarcastic little twerps, both of them, which makes the show oh so much more interesting.  It’s still corny, and a tad bit cheesy.  Let’s see… any other food references I can throw in here?  Kidding.

Although the Tiki Room under new management is preferable to the Tiki Room under the old management, it’s still not a show that makes a lasting impression.  Except that the Tiki Room song gets stuck in your head for the rest of the day.  It’s cute, and kids get a kick out of the singing birdies.  And singing tiki statues.  All in all, if you have time you’ll want to visit the nice, air-conditioned tiki room.  If not, rest easy knowing that you really didn’t miss all that much.

Tours and Other Experiences — Descriptions

Innoventions is divided into two areas…. East Innoventions and West Innoventions. Not exactly the most creative name they’ve come up with, but I suppose it works. Your host, a robot named Tom Morrow 2.0 (have to give them creative points for that one) gives a short introduction, then you’re free to follow “The Road to Tommorrow”, a winding path that weaves in and out of the displays.

There’s something here for everyone, with the possible exception of toddlers. Most of the displays are aimed at adults and teens, but there are games for younger children. Teenagers would be the most interested in Innoventions, since they seem to be the ones who are up on the latest technology. But there are some cool household gadgets that adults will like, too. Oven with refrigeration and warming, anyone? How about a hot tub with built in plasma screen and surround sound? The kids will like Disney’s Interactive Video Games of Tommorrow. You may never get them out of there.

Innoventions often gets overlooked when planning your day. Allow at least an hour or two to walk through and try out all the fun gadgets.

The Disneyworld Marathone begins just east of Epcot and circles through all four parks before ending up back at Spaceship Earth. Anyone can enter, but you have to be able to finish the race in under 7 hours (that would be 16 minute miles) to receive your award for completing the race. If you’re still running after 7 hours, they’ll consider you psychotic and drive you to the finish line. Okay, so they might not think you’re psychotic. I would, but they might not

If you want to be among the first to begin the race, you’ll need to prove that you can finish the race in under 5 hours. Proof meaning you’ll need a certificate with your finish time from another race, either a marathon, half marathon, or 10 K. If you can’t prove your time, you’ll be in the last group to begin. The race costs $100 to enter, it’s non-refundable, and you can’t enter the day of the race. Awards will be given out in a ceremony at Pleasure Island.
Oh…. and you have to be 18 years old to enter.

The half marathon begins just northeast of Epcot. You’ll run to and through The Magic Kingdom and end up back at Epcot, at Spaceship Earth. So you only get to see two parks, but hey… you only have to run half as long. Again, you’ll have to finish the race in 16 minute miles (3 1/2 hours) or they’ll give up on you and drive you to the finish line. You only have to be 14 years old to enter this one. Just like the marathon, the awards ceremony will be held at Pleasure Island.

If you want to learn more about the Walt Disney World Marathon or Half Marathon, or if you actually want to register, just visit their site:

disneyworldsports.disney.go.com/dwws/en_US/marathon/listing?name=Marathon2005EventListingPage

There’s an “old pipe” that kids can slide down and drop into 8 feet of water. There’s an iceburg course that tests balance as kids try to walk from one side of the pool to the other on floating iceburgs. There’s a T-bar where kids swing out over the water and then drop. There are wide slides and a mogul course for tube riders.

Blizzard Beach is the only water park I’ve seen that has a specific area for preteens. Usually children have their own little play area and adults have their own big play area, but those kids between about 7 and 11 that are too big for the kiddie area but too small for a lot of the slides get bored. I think it’s a great idea, personally. You may or may not want to leave them at Ski Patrol by themselves, depending on their age and swimming ability. There isn’t much for adults to do at Ski Patrol, so take the opportunity to pull up a chair and bask in the Florida sun.

WDW At Large - One Size Does Not Fit All!

Personally, I think that the elephants have more charm and appeal. Astro Orbiter does have the advantage of being placed above ground level, which gives you a nice view of Tomorrowland as you circle. Because it is above ground level, riders rise to the level of the ride in elevators.

Astro Orbiters is slow loading and unloading, so you could wait in line for a good chunk of time. If the line is long, don’t bother…it’s not worth it. Visit first thing in the morning, or during extra magic hours if you have that option.

I like Dumbo…it’s cute and whimsical. I have to admit, it’s a lot more fun when I have one of my kids in tow. Watching a child’s face as they fly their elephant up and down…there’s nothing quite like it.

The main drawback to Dumbo is that the line moves at about the speed of molasses. Maybe slower. It’s not a continual loading ride, which means you have to wait for everyone to get off the ride before the next group gets on. It’s a painfully slow process, especially while waiting in line with small children. My best advice would be to stay in a Disney hotel and get on Dumbo during the extra magic hours. Seriously…that’s your best bet for getting on and off in less than an hour. If that’s not an option, get there when the park first opens, and run, don’t walk, straight to Dumbo. The parade is also a good time, since a lot of people with small children are watching. Do not under any circumstances try to ride Dumbo in the middle of the afternoon. You’ll regret it…I promise!

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. They’re still better than most of the anamatronics out there. One pirate sitting on the bridge actually has a hairy leg. Although the scene could be disturbing (the pirates are setting fire to buildings and auctioning off women, after all), it’s all done in good fun, with the song, “Yo Ho, Yo Ho, a Pirate’s Life for Me” playing throughout.

Pirates of the Caribbean does have one small drop, and it is dark throughout the ride. I’ve never had a child that was scared of it, but children tend to be frightened by different things, so use your best judgement. The lines don’t tend to be super long, since the boats run continually and hold quite a few people.

A word of caution…you may think that you’re totally alone in the ride, but don’t be fooled. Disney employees monitor every boat with strategically placed cameras. Don’t believe me? Start a waterfight and see how fast a reprimanding voice appears from the speakers in the ceiling..

Disney is very good at making things appealing on two levels…one level for kids, and another for adults. Mickey’s Country House is a lot like that. There are the obvious jokes…the kitchen that Donald and Goofy are remodeling (remind me not to hire them for my next project!), the ears on all the vegetables, the baby pictures of Mickey…but there are jokes that only adults will pick up on, such as the copy of “Wuthering Mice” in the library, the Heisman Trophy on the shelf, and the “Craftsmouse Tools” in the garage. Keep an eye out for details…that’s what makes Mickey’s house so much fun!

The only thing missing from Mickey’s Country House is…well…Mickey. Apparently he left his house wide open for anyone to walk in, which tells us a little about the crime rate in The Toontown Fair. Anyway, Mickey isn’t home, he’s hanging out in the Judge’s Tent waiting for little people (and big ones, too!) to come and see him. Everyone gets a private audience, with pictures. This is the very best place to meet Mickey, unless you spring for a character meal. So if your kids are dead set on meeting The Mouse, walk through his wide open house and follow the path to the Judge’s Tent. Be forewarned, lines can be long, especially at peak times, so plan ahead.