At that same time, a new attraction opened on Mickey Boulevard called "One Man's Dream." Here, the milestones and accomplishments of Walt Disney are displayed and discussed.

But this wasn't the first time Walt's life story had been presented at a theme park. On May 6, 1973, "The Walt Disney Story" officially opened in the Hospitality House (now Exhibition Hall) on Main Street and played until October 1992. This 23 minute film was shown in twin 300 seat theaters and told the life story of Walt, and to a much lesser extent, his brother Roy. Narrated by Walt, the movie was pieced together from numerous interviews he gave during his lifetime. The queue and waiting area for this movie was full of awards, models, and memorabilia pertaining to his accomplishments.

If you wander to the back portion of Exhibition Hall today, you can see the remnants of one of the theaters. This is a perfect spot to sit and relax and enjoy an old Disney cartoon on a hot day.

Housed in one of the soundstages of Disney's Hollywood Studios, One Man's Dream greets guests with classic and familiar pictures of Walt and Mickey. In many ways, this attraction is a reincarnation of "The Walt Disney Story" of earlier years.

Much of the first portion of this walking tour features old photographs of the Disney family. In this first picture we see Walt at ten months (born December 5, 1901) and his parents, Elias and Flora. The second picture is of Walt and his younger sister Ruth.

As the tour continues, three-dimensional artifacts are added to the mix. Here we see Walt's second-grade school desk from Marceline, Missouri. In the photograph above the desk, his initials "WD" can be seen carved into the wood.

Walt only lived in Marceline for four years. Yet, this small town had a large impact on his life. In this next exhibit we see a model of Disneyland's Main Street. Much of this thoroughfare was inspired by Walt's memories of his beloved childhood home.

This next exhibit is a reproduction of an early animator's desk. Cartoons like Plane Crazy, The Gallopin' Gaucho, and Steamboat Willie were created on tables similar to this.

When Walt began work on "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," he knew he needed a new storytelling technique. So he and his team created the multiplane camera. This apparatus added depth-of-field to animated scenes and was first used on, "The Old Mill," one of the Silly Symphonies. "The Old Mill" went on to win an Academy Award for Best Short Subjects: Cartoons. This display and a nearby video provide an easy to understand explanation as to how this device works.

One Man's Dream has several displays featuring vintage Disney toys. The plaques here describe the genius of Roy Disney, Walt's older brother.

"By the mid-1930's, Mickey Mouse had become the most popular entertainment figure in the world. Roy O. Disney negotiated dozens of agreements to produce Disney character merchandise of every imaginable sort, resulting in the creation of more than 10,000 depression-era jobs."

"A successful Disney film meant popular new characters, which almost invariably spawned new lines of themed merchandise. 'Three Little Pigs' made their way to such popular items as porcelain figurines, cups, mugs, and plates."

Another storytelling technique rolling around in Walt's head was the idea of a mechanical figure that could reproduce the lifelike movements of a man. While on vacation in New Orleans, Walt found and purchased a mechanical bird that could sing while moving its beak, head, and wings. He took it home and gave it to a couple of his Imagineers so they could dissect it and discover what made it tick.

Soon after, Walt hired Buddy Ebsen to dance in front of a large grid and filmed the hoofer’s movements. Walt himself directed the sequence. This footage was then studied and measurements were taken. With this information, combined with the knowledge gained from the mechanical bird, the Imagineers built a 1/8 scale model of Ebsen which perfectly reproduced his dance routine. Walt personally built a miniature stage to showcase his new figure.

These next two photographs show the mechanical man, stage, and the cams used to recreate the figure's lifelike movements.

Behind a glass enclosure we see a recreation of the Studio office Walt used from 1940 to 1966. To the right side of the first picture you can see an aerial view of Disneyland and an early plot plan for Walt Disney World.

This next picture is a long shot looking down a corridor filled with fascinating bits of Disney trivia. For the most part, all of the displays are presented chronologically.

If you love miniatures, you'll love "One Man's Dream." This attraction is filled with models the Imagineers created to help them plan and build the various Disney parks around the world.

This first model is of the loading dock at Disneyland's Jungle Cruise. The boats, patterned after the ones used in the movie "The African Queen," were made of fiberglass -- the first time this material was used for non-military purposes.

In the foreground of this next picture we see a replica of the Moonliner rocket ship that stood in front of Disneyland's Rocket to the Moon attraction from 1955 to 1966. In the background are various drawings and photographs of Disneyland's original Tomorrowland.

Here we see a recreation of Walt explaining to a TV audience his new project, Walt Disney World. If you listen closely, you can hear Walt misspeak when discussing EPCOT. The first time he expands the name, he says, "Experimental Prototype CITY of Tomorrow." The second time he says the name, he correctly uses the word COMMUNITY instead of CITY. This slip of the tongue caused the acronym to be incorrectly used many times in the future.

In this next picture we see a model of Epcot's Spaceship Earth. At first glance, it might look like all the facets on the sphere are three-dimensional. But upon closer inspection you find that each triangle was painstakingly painted by hand.

Here we see an early Audio-Animatronics figure, minus its skin. There are several buttons attached to the lean-rail that when pushed, activate different movements.

Architectural scale models allow Imagineers to see the "finished product" long before construction begins. Below are mock-ups of Cinderella Castle, Tower of Terror, and Typhoon Lagoon.

I have only presented a sampling of the items on display in the "museum" section of One Man's Dream. A person could easily spend thirty minutes or more looking at the material displayed here. And I urge you not to let the upcoming movie rush you along.

Located at the back of the attraction is the Walt Disney Theater. Approximately every twenty minutes, a wonderful film about Walt's life is shown. Although many of the same topics are discussed, the One Man's Dream film is completely different from its predecessor, The Walt Disney Story, although both use archival footage. When the movie debuted, Michael Eisner introduced the show. After he left the company, a voice-over by Julie Andrews replaced Michael's opening.

This is an engaging and interesting film. I highly recommend it to anyone interested in Walt and how his company came into being. And I hate to admit it, but this is also a good place for a quick nap -- but it would be a shame to snooze through this biography.

One Man's Dream is often overlooked by guests in search of more exciting fare. If you haven't already experienced this attraction, I urge you to do so on your next trip to Disney's Hollywood Studios. You'll be glad you did.

And while they're at it, why not throw a party or two in anticipation of the big day. On selected nights during November and December, the Magic Kingdom becomes a holiday play place complete with snow, familiar songs, special treats, and overall holiday revelry as Disney presents Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party (MVMCP).

These parties are "hard ticket" events, meaning they require a separate admission ticket and are not part of any "regular" admission ticket you might have purchased. The prices are as follows (including tax):

Advance Purchase:

Adults: $55.38
Children: 3-9 $48.99

Advance Purchase discount is not available on Nov 29, Dec 4, 11, 17-18. The price is the same as Day of Event tickets.

Day of Event Purchase:

Adults: $62.84
Children: 3-9 $56.45

Passholder and Disney Vacation Club Discounts: Only available for the following dates: Nov 10, 12, 13, 17, 19; Dec 6, 8

Adults $52.19
Children 3-9 $45.80

Tickets may be purchased at any Guest Relations window at Disney World Resort, park ticket windows, and online.

Party Dates:

November 10, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 20, 29
December 1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, 15, 17, 18

Hours:

The official hours of Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party are 7pm to midnight. However, guests attending the party are admitted as early as 4pm. At this time, the turnstiles on the right are used for party guests and the turnstiles on the left are used for day guests. Note, even though you may enter the park before the party starts, the special events do not begin until 7pm.

On party dates, the Magic Kingdom closes promptly at 7pm. Numerous signs are posted at the Transportation and Ticket Center and the Main Gate stating this. Come 7pm, cast member scour the park and politely ask all those without a wrist band to leave (see below).

Upon entering the Magic Kingdom, a cast member will place a plastic band on your wrist. This will identify you from the day guests and you will need it for identification. If somehow you do not get a wrist band at the Main Entrance, they are also handed out at the Rose Garden section of the Hub starting at 4pm. You will be required to present you MVMCP event ticket at this time. Note, Disney rotates the wrist bands from night to night.

Decorations:

Be sure to notice the grassy area in front of the Train Station. It's all decked out for the holidays. There is also a giant nutcracker positioned above the tunnels that lead to Main Street.

Once through these portals, the real spirit of the holidays is everywhere. Familiar Christmas tunes fill the air and the decorations are abundant. Even the popcorn wagon gets into the act.

To the left of City Hall is Candy Cane Garden. This lovely setting presents a perfect spot to capture a festive photo. You can even mail a letter to Santa from here.

Check out some of the holiday windows.

PhotoPass:

PhotoPass is in full swing during Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. Just approach any Disney photographer stationed throughout the park and have your picture taken. At that time, you will receive a specialized MVMCP PhotoPass. Your photo will be electronically linked to this card and as you continue your merrymaking, additional photos can be added to your PhotoPass as the night progresses. At the end of the evening, stop by Exposition Hall on Main Street to review your pictures. There is no obligation to buy. Event guest will receive a 40% discount on 5x7 MVMCP photos purchased that night or online once you get back home. Note, the 40% discount will not be available on Special $29.95 Holiday Photo Packages.

Cast Costumes

The cast also gets into the spirit by donning special Christmas attire. Red pants and skirts, Christmas tree shirts, and holly bow ties and candy cane ribbons complete the ensemble.

Holiday Treats:

One of the best things about MVMCP is the holiday treats. At various locations around the park, cookies, hot chocolate, apple juice and apple slices are given out. Just look for the lighted signs to find your way to the goodies.

Here is a list of locations and hours:

Crystal Palace: 9pm - midnight
Tomorrowland Noodle Station: 7pm - 12:30am
Cosmic Ray's Starlight Café (Soup/Salad side): 7pm - 10:30pm
Pinocchio's Village Haus: 7pm - 10:30pm
Adventureland Veranda: 7pm - midnight
Columbia Harbour House: 7pm - 12:15am
Diamond Horseshow Saloon: 7pm - 12:15am

Food Locations:

Here is a list of the restaurants and food locations open for MVMCP:

Main Street:

Tony's Town Square Café (last seating at 7:30pm) -- reservations highly recommended
Casey's Corner
Main Street Sweets

Tomorrowland:

Cosmic Ray's Starlight Café
The Lunching Pad at Rockettower Plaza

Fantasyland:

Mrs. Pots Cupboard
Friar's Nook
Cinderella's Royal Table (last seating at 7:15pm) -- reservations required

Liberty Square:

Liberty Tree Tavern (last seating at 8:50pm) -- reservations highly recommended
Sleepy Hollow

Frontierland:

Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe
Westward Ho - Quick Bites
Turkey Leg Cart
Golden Oak Outpost

Adventureland:

Aloha Isle

Attractions:

Here is a list of attractions open during MVMCP:

Astro Orbiter
Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin
Space Mountain (scheduled to open in late November)
Tomorrowland Speedway
Tomorrowland Transit Authority
Tomorrowland Arcade
Stitich's Great Escape
Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor (last showing at 9pm)
Peter Pan's Flight
Cinderella's Golden Carrousel
Dumbo the Flying Elephant
Mad Tea Party
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Pooh's Playful Spot
Snow White's Scary Adventures
Mickey's PhilharMagic
'it's a small world"
The Barnstormer at Goofy's Wiseacre Farm
Mickey's Country House
Minnie's Country House
The Haunted Mansion
Hall of Presidents
Splash Mountain
Frontierland Shootin' Arcade
Big Thunder Mountain
Country Bear Jamboree
Pirates of the Caribbean
Swiss Family Treehouse
Magic Carpets of Aladdin

Castle Lighting Ceremony

At 6:30 each evening, Cinderella Castle is transformed into a sparkling wonder. Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald, Cinderella and her prince and fairy godmother work their magic to bring thousands of twinkling lights to life. This show is available to all guests, not just those attending MVMCP. The show is short, only about eight minutes long. I've captured the essence of this magic moment in the following short video.

Characters:

Character Meet and Greets take place around the park from 7pm to 11:30pm. Unfortunately, on the night I attended, it rained the first three hours of the event and I wasn't able to get many pictures. But don't worry. Rain is rare in Orlando during November and December. This storm was the remnant of hurricane Ida. Also, since I wasn't able to check out all of the character locations, I will not be able to answer your questions as to what other characters are appearing for this event. Sorry.

Dance Parties

There are two dance parties held during MVMCP. The Fantasyland Pavilion Cotillion can be found at Ariel's Grotto and Cosmic Ray's Jingle Dance & Play at Cosmic Ray's Starlight Café in Tomorrowland. Both events are continuous throughout the evening.

Belle's Enchanted Christmas

For a quieter time, join Belle as she tells the story of her enchanted Christmas. This event can be found at Bell's Fairytale Gardens at 7:30, 8:50, 9:55, and 11:00. This venue is small and seating is limited. Be sure to arrive early if this is something you want to experience.

"Celebrate the Season" Show

This magical show plays at 7:45, 10:05, and 11:20 on the Castle Forecourt Stage. Mickey & Minnie are joined by Santa-Goofy, reindeer, elves and other assorted characters for a zany Christmas treat. Merriment is had by all.

"A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas Show"

If you'd like to put a comical "edge" on your holiday festivities, check out "A Totally Tomorrowland Christmas Show." Here, Stitch, Buzz Lightyear, Mike Wazowski, and a group of space-aged dancers and singers present an untraditional, yet totally enjoyable Christmas show.

Fireworks

At 9:30 each evening, the "Holiday Wishes - Celebrate the Spirit of the Season" fireworks show is presented. The best viewing can be found on The Hub with the castle as a backdrop. On most nights you should arrive about fifteen minutes before the show.

Mickey's Once Upon A Christmas Parade

For many, the Christmas Parade is the highlight of the evening. Presented at 8:15 and 10:30, Mickey and Minnie lead the procession followed by an abundance of their friends and finally, Old Saint Nick himself. The melody is catchy and smiles contagious. If you want to good viewing location, you should arrive at least thirty minutes in advance of the first parade. The second procession is definitely less attended so you might want to sample the attractions during the first show and save this magical event for later in the night if your young ones can stay up that late.

Full Map of MVMCP
What's Open Map of MVMCP
Park Map MVMCP

I have created a video of this year's parade. Enjoy.

The gift touched Walt greatly and he handed the bundle over to John Hench and told him to find a place for them in the park. However, Hench was dismayed. Snow White was the same height as the dwarfs, and this would create a challenge as to how to display the characters without the artist's oversight being obvious. In the end, he happened upon an ingenious idea. By placing Snow White high above the dwarfs, he used forced-perspective to achieve a sense of distance, thus making her appear taller than she actually is.

However, a new story has emerged. After Hench's death (February 5, 2004), his secretary cleaned out his desk. In it, she came across paperwork and invoices showing that John actually commissioned the statues himself. And being the showman/prankster that he was, wove an elaborate tale of their origin.

Snow White and the dwarfs were placed to the right side of Sleeping Beauty Castle. At the same time, a wishing well was added, creating Snow White Grotto. Being true to the movie, you can hear our young heroine singing and her voice echoing from within the well.

When the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World was being planned, it was a given that a wishing well would be part of Fantasyland. But unlike Disneyland, where Sleeping Beauty Castle and Snow White Grotto are from two different movies, the Florida park would have a wishing well themed appropriately to Cinderella Castle.

Positioned in an alcove along a pathway that leads from Tomorrowland to the right side of the castle, Cinderella Wishing Well is a wonderful retreat from the often hectic Magic Kingdom.

This area is rarely crowded and is the perfect spot to take a break and relax on one of the benches. It's also a great photo op for romantic couples. And while you're there, why not make a wish.

Like so many other things at Disney parks, the wishing well tells a story. If you look closely at the sides of the well, you can see the mice and birds, trying to make a dress for Cinderella while eluding the evil Lucifer. These characters were sculpted by Disney Legend Blaine Gibson.

Wishing wells originated in Europe. It was believed that deities lived in water and a spoken wish would be granted if a token gift was left for them. This tradition has lived on through the ages. Just take a look at almost any body of water in a Disney park and you'll see coins resting on the bottom. In most cases, it is time consuming and expensive to retrieve this money, so it usually sits here for long periods of time. When it is eventually collected, much of it has corroded so badly that the entire lot is sold as scrap metal. However, Cinderella Wishing Well is an exception. Collected at regular intervals, this money is donated to children's charities.

So next time you're on a commando-style tour of the Magic Kingdom, why not wander over to the Cinderella Wishing Well and take a break. You'll be glad you did. And remember, Disney parks are where wishes come true.

Soon after, a lively Mardi Gras procession danced their way to the castle forecourt, followed by a regal coach and the beautiful Princess Tiana. After much pomp and ceremony, and a few fireworks, Tiana left the area to get ready for the Magic Kingdom's newest show, Tiana's Showboat Jubilee.

Princess Tiana is the heroine of Disney's newest animated movie, "The Princess and the Frog." Opening on November 25th, this musical marks the return to 2D hand-drawn animation from the team of John Musker and Ron Clements (Little Mermaid and Aladdin), with music by Oscar-winning composer Randy Newman. In development since 2006, this classic story is set in the great city of New Orleans and the surrounding bayou area.

Although the welcoming ceremony was only for the fortunate few who happened to be visiting the Magic Kingdom today, a larger, more spectacular event is planned for the remainder of the year. Between now and January 3, 2010, a rousing show starring Princess Tiana will be presented three times daily aboard the Liberty Belle (check your Times Guide). Joined by a six-member jazz band, two dozen Disney Dancers, and thirty randomly picked guests, a jazz themed spectacular is staged. Several of the songs from The Princess and the Frog are performed and a number of the movie's other characters are on board for the fun.
The festivities begin at the Diamond Horseshoe where a procession dances across Liberty Square to board the Liberty Belle. Although this is great fun to watch, the real event takes place further down the river. Soon after setting sail, the Liberty Belle stops near the bridge that crosses between Pecos Bill Café and Thunder/Splash Mountains. Ask a nearby cast member for the best place to stand. Then for the next fifteen minutes a lively performance is staged. If you have plans to visit Walt Disney World during the next couple of months, I highly recommend this show.

I've put together an edited version of Tiana's Showboat Jubilee. The first thirty seconds of the video were taken as Princess Tiana is leaving Cinderella Castle, but the remaining is of Tiana's Showboat Jubilee.

Currently, the Lilly Belle is closed to guests. And during the performance, the Tom Sawyer Island rafts use the island's north dock so as not to distract from the festivities.

As you would expect, a new line of merchandise has been created and is already available at Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and the Disney Stores. At the moment, only children's sizes are available, but who knows what the future might bring.

Also new is the Princess Tiana makeover at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at both the World of Disney at Downtown Disney and the Magic Kingdom. Here, Fairy Godmothers-in-training sprinkle pixie dust on aspiring princesses with three makeover packages. Different options are available that will transform your little girl into a regal young lady.

I'm anxiously looking forward to "The Princess and the Frog" and Tiana's Showboat Jubilee added to my anticipation. While I love 3D computer animation. It's magnificent and allows a level of creation that Walt could never have imagined. But I'm glad to see a return to the 2D hand-drawn movies as well. Not all stories need elaborate canvases. Sometimes, less is more and I hope Disney's latest movie proves that once again, that simple can also be fantastic.

"Sum of all Thrills" allows guests to custom-design their own roller coaster, bobsled, or jet plane experience, then ride it. Some of you might remember a similar attraction at Disney Quest called CyberSpace Mountain, but I can assure you, this is far more elaborate.

Before riding, you might want to check out the warning sign and the test chairs to make sure you'll fit.

Your adventure begins in a briefing room. Here your hosts, Grace and Spencer, provide instructions on how to design your thrill ride. While doing so, they make a strong pitch for studying math and science and how these courses will give you the tools you need to build cool stuff like skyscrapers, high-performance racecars, and especially video games. Parents will appreciate this message that is intended to motivate their young.

After the briefing, a cast member hands everyone a small plastic card and directs you to an electronic drafting board.

The first task, swipe your card. This will associate you and your design so the computer can recreate your ride once you've completed it. After selecting a language on the touch-sensitive screen, you choose what type of thrill ride to develop. The options are Bobsled for a tame encounter, Roller Coaster for a mild ride, and Jet for the intense experience.

The next screen provides track options. Loops, corkscrews, hills, dives, and slaloms are all on the menu. You'll get to select three track layouts in all.

Next you use an electronic ruler and knob to design the intensity of the hills and the speed in which to traverse them.

Once your design is complete, you give it a name (like Winter Avalanche) and then a cast member directs you to a second floor boarding area. Here you are asked to take EVERYTHING out of your pockets and store them in a free locker (key locked).

Now it's time to board. Attached to a significantly impressive robot arm are two seats. After you're seated, the cast member lowers a large apparatus over your head. While doing so you are told that there is an emergency stop button located between you. If at any time the ride becomes too intense, you can slap your hand down on this knob and the ride will immediately stop.

Within each apparatus is a television monitor. Here, an animated video recreates the ride you designed. In the corner of the monitor is a small insert picturing your riding companion. The device even creates "wind" to add to the realism.

The only way to accurately describe this attraction is to show you the robotic arm in action. Note, there are no riders in the video I filmed. For those of you who are curious, the music in the video is "The Rocketeer."

I've ridden this twice. Once with my friend Andrea and once with my friend Donald. On both occasions, I let them design the attraction. Being cautious, both of them opted for a tame experience. At the end of the ride, both of them said they would be more daring on their next visit. I will note that my head did bang against the padded head rest during the journey. This was a little uncomfortable. But other than that, I had a great time and can't wait to ride again. I also want a more intense ride.

The Sum of all Thrills only has four robotic arms, each holding two guests. In other words, the attraction has a low capacity. I predict that as word of this attraction spreads, it's going to become extremely popular. I suggest making this one of the first things you do when arriving at Epcot.

You may be wondering why Raytheon, a defense contractor, is sponsoring the Sum of all Thrills. This new attraction will be a core component of their MathMoveU program with an initiative designed to engage middle school students in math and science and help create the next generation of innovators for the United States. Representatives from Walt Disney World and Raytheon have been working to bring this experience to fruition for about 2 1/2 years. The initial sponsorship agreement will last 3 years.

Disney's Official Press Release

For centuries, the rajahs of Anandapur hunted tigers in this mystical forest. In 1544, King Bhima Disampati decreed the forest a royal preserve and built a hunting lodge for himself and invited guests. In an effort to make his “sport” easier, he had his subjects enclose much of this area, effectively trapping his prey. Befittingly, he was later killed in a hunting accident. Subsequent maharajahs, seeing the error of this endeavor, transformed this enclosure into a nature preserve where the animals and the local people could live in harmony.

For many years, British colonization oversaw much of Southeast Asia. When their rule ended in 1948, the villagers of Anandapur opened this sanctuary to the outside world. They take great pride in their forest and share their love of animals with visitors as they explore this refuge.

The Maharajah Jungle Trek can be found at the north end of Asia in the Animal Kingdom. This walking trail allows guests to see a variety of animals up close and personal. Visitors can spend as little or as much time as they like in this lovely forest. But like so many things in life, the more you put into it, the more you’ll get out of it. Please, don’t rush through this wonderful preserve. Slow down and smell the flowers.

When you pass through the entrance, look up at the ceiling. Old Anandapur newspapers have been used as insulation.

On the other side of the entrance, be sure to pick up a guide map and animal description card. A lot of valuable information can be found on these handouts.

The first stop along the way brings us to the Komodo dragon. This largest of all lizards can be found around Anandapur and on the islands of Komodo, Rinca, Flores, and Gili Montang. Growing to an average length of six and a half to almost ten feet, their large size can be attributed to the fact that there are no larger carnivorous predators on the islands on which they live. For the most part, they eat carrion but they also occasionally hunt for their meals. A Komodo dragon can live as long as 50 years.

As I mentioned earlier, the villagers of Anandapur take pride in their preserve and serve as guides along this trail and are full of interesting facts about each species.

Besides the animals, the forest itself is most inviting. Lush, tropical plants abound and the occasional signs are amusing. Be sure to pay attention to the construction of the English sentences. If you’ve ever traveled to other countries, you know that signs like these can be a great source of amusement.

The next stop along our journey brings us to the Malayan Tapir. Also called the Asian Tapir, this is the only one of four species native to the Asian continent. As conspicuous as we might think the tapir’s markings are, this coloration is actually used as camouflage as they look like a large rock to their predators when they sleep.

The Malayan Tapir grows to between six and eight feet and weighs between 550 and 700 pounds. They are vegetarian and forage the forest for tender shoots and leaves. Their eyesight is poor so they rely on their excellent sense of smell and hearing to survive.

The next animal along the trail may give some of you the heebie-jeebies. Bats! But don’t worry. If you’re uncomfortable with these creatures, the villagers have built an enclosure that allows you to pass through without ever seeing any of these flying mammals. But even if you are squeamish, I strongly urge you to put your fears aside and take a look. The bats are harmless and won’t bother you.

Two types of bats are native to Anandapur – the Giant Flying Fox and the Rodrigues Fruit Bat call the Royal Forest home. Both of these creatures eat fruit and help replenish the forest by spreading seeds in their droppings and carrying pollen from one plant to the next.

The Giant Flying Fox is the largest bat in the world and can have a wingspan of more than six feet. The smaller Rodriques Fruit Bat has a wingspan of around three feet.

Also in this room are several terrariums. Here you can view a White-lipped Tree Frog, Blood Python, and an Asian Giant Centipede.

Around the corner from the bat enclosure is a second viewing area for these flying creatures. Ornate windows, beautiful in their own right, look into their habitat. This spot might give those of you suffering from chiroptophobia (fear of bats) a perceived safer vantage point from which to experience these animals.

For me, the real beauty of the Maharajah Jungle Trek begins at this point. It’s here that you enter what were the old hunting grounds of King Bhima Disampati. The decaying ruins are dazzling and it’s fun to imagine what this magnificent fortress looked like in its heyday.

Up a flight a stairs we come to a duck-blind. Or should I say tiger-blind. It was on this lookout that the king and his guests would position themselves and wait for the tigers to be coaxed into the fountain to drink and play. From that point on, the animals were easy prey to the hunter’s arrows.

Today, it’s thrilling to see these magnificent beasts playing and bathing in the water, safe from hunters. For those of you in a wheelchair or ECV, a ground level vantage point is just around the corner. And don’t worry if you don’t see any of these large cats enjoying life here. There are more viewing spots along the trail.

The Anandapur Royal Forest has six Bengal tigers, all female. Since male Bengal tigers fiercely defend their territory from other tigers, it was necessary to omit them from this enclosure. On the other hand, female Bengal tigers will share their terrain with other females.

A fully grown male Bengal tiger weighs between 419-569 pounds and a female weighs between 221-353 pounds. Tigers do not live in prides as lions do. Instead, they live independently and mark their territory by spraying urine on rocks and trees. Tigers live exclusively on meat and hunt a wide variety of animals. Loss of habitat and poaching has put the Bengal tiger on the endangered species list. It's estimated that less than 3,000 Bengal tigers are left in the wild today.

Although none of these beautiful animals are ever forced to perform or exhibit themselves, the villagers used several tricks to coax them into our view. For example, on hot days, the water is cooled in this fountain to encourage the tigers to splash around and play.

After leaving the tiger viewing area, you come to one of my favorite areas along the trail. Here, the walls of the old hunting lodge surround you and the canopy of trees overhead create a peaceful enclosure. Visit this area in the early morning, before the crowds materialize, and you will be transported to nirvana. In this vicinity, you’ll also find another charming sign, informing you that you are safe from the tigers as long as you stay on the trail. Pay attention to the details of the structure here. Once again, you can see that King Bhima Disampati spared no expense when he built his lodge in 1544.

In one corner of this enclosure is an ancient coral tree. Here, villagers hang scarves and garland as offerings and bells represent prayers that have been answered.

While passing through a large archway, you can see frescos of King Bhima Disampati on the left and more ecologically minded maharajahs on the right and beyond. Notice that the king is holding a bow and arrow whereas the other three maharajahs possess peaceful symbols. It was these three enlightened rulers that helped turn the hunting lodge into an animal preserve after the king’s hunting accident.

On the other side of this arch is the second tiger viewing area. Tigers spend between 16 and 20 hours each day doing very little apart from lying in the shade, sleeping, bathing, and relaxing. If you wish the see the tigers of Anandapur in a more active state, your best bet is to arrive soon after the preserve opens or shortly before it closes.

The next stop along the trail brings us to a large courtyard. If you pay close attention to the decaying wall, you can see where a portion of the original structure has been destroyed and removed over time. To plug this gap in the fence, the villagers used rebar to create a new barrier.

This courtyard offers one of the best spots to view the Blackbuck antelope. Native to India and Anandapur, the Blackbuck is one of the fastest land animals and can outrun most of its predators such as wolves and feral dogs. The Blackbuck eats mostly grass, pods, flowers, and fruit and lives an average of twelve years.

A short distance from the courtyard is an ancient medicinal garden. The villagers once used this area to grow a multitude of therapeutic herbs and aromatic plants used for healing purposes.

Across from the garden is a watering hole. As any foreign traveler knows, drinking local water can be risky. However, the water here is potable as the overhead sign indicates.

Moving on we come to an old bridge. Hanging above it are numerous prayer flags. These square and rectangular shaped pieces of cloth are used to promote wisdom, strength, compassion, and peace. As the wind slowly unravels the fabric, the threads are carried to heaven and these benefits rain down and benefit all.

To the left side of the bridge we often find the Banteng. This species of wild cattle is native to tropical Asia including Anandapur. They live in swamp forests and bamboo jungles and feed on grasses, fruit, and the leaves of young branches. The Banteng is active both day and night but nocturnal habits become dominate in places where humans are commonplace.

To the right side of the bridge we come to the final tiger hunting area. This section of the compound is important in that this is the spot that King Bhima Disampati was killed by a tiger while pursuing these beasts. This is depicted in a decaying fresco.

Traveling on we come to five important murals. These carvings tell the story of how the people of Anandapur became at peace with the animals and land.

In the first carving, we see man and beast living in harmony.

In the second carving, we see the animals taking shelter under a tree. They are frightened and fear the encroachment of man and his destructive ways.

Next we find man at his worst, cutting down the forest and killing the animals.

The fourth carving shows the heavens’ disapproval of man’s destructive ways.

And finally, we see that man has learned from his mistakes and he now once again lives in harmony with his fellow creatures.

The man depicted in these carvings is Ananta, the founder of the Kingdom of Anandapur. When he died, his remains were placed in a sarcophagus and rest inside a nearby temple.

It’s outside this temple that some of you must make a decision. An aviary lies just ahead through the doors. If you have a fear of birds, you might want to take the path to the left that bypasses our feathered friends. Also, guests with service animals should check with a host or hostess before entering the aviary. In addition, your guide map and animal description card can be returned just outside this building.

The aviary is so cleverly built that you would never realize you’re inside a giant cage unless you pay close attention. In this enclosure are numerous species of birds native to the areas around Anandapur. Some of these are, Wompoo Fruit Doves, Indian Pygmy Goose, Golden Pheasant, Nicobar Pigeon, and White-throated Kingfisher.

There is also a beautiful collection of ornate birdcages scattered around the area. See how many you can spot.

Far too many people rush through this section of Maharajah Jungle Trek. In order to get the full enjoyment out of this segment of the tour, you need to take the time and look for the birds. Being small, they blend into the surroundings, but it’s a lot of fun to spot one and point out your discovery to the rest of your group.

After leaving the aviary, you leave the preserve and head back to the village of Anandapur.

I’m sure many of you are wondering how I know so much about Anandapur and the Maharajah Jungle Trek. Well, I have to admit, I did a little research. But when I was done reading, I walked the trails once again and talked to the local villagers who so proudly man each section of the preserve. They told me everything (and more) that I had learned in my research. And they like nothing better than sharing their knowledge with others. So the next time you find yourself in Asia, be sure to visit this most peaceful section of the Animal Kingdom. And take the time to smell the flowers.

The closing of Horizons (January 9, 1999) was generated by several events. First, changing public tastes. Most guests were no longer content to sit for almost 15 minutes and watch one vignette after another pass by. Lines for this attraction were practically nonexistent in the later years. Next, General Electric, sensing that this attraction had seen its day, let their contract expire after ten years and instead, decided to sponsor Illuminations. This forced Disney to pick up the operating costs for a tired attraction. And finally, it was alleged that along with major roof problems, a sinkhole was discovered under the building in 1998. Something needed to be done.

Some sort of Space Pavilion had been envisioned for Epcot since the parks inception so Disney decided that maybe now was the time to move forward with this idea. But the first step would be to demolish the Horizons building. For a number of months during 2000, cranes and bulldozers chipped away at the building. A large amount of the structure’s materials were recycled.

Construction of Mission: SPACE took a little over two years. Compaq was the original sponsor of the attraction, but the company was acquired by Hewlett-Packard in 2002 and HP took over the contracts. The ride began soft openings in August 2003, and its grand opening was on October 9 of the same year.

The area outside of Mission: SPACE is called Planetary Plaza. If you look at the pavement, you can see orbital pathways and celestial bodies embedded into the concrete. The four large spheres near the building represent Jupiter, Mars, the Earth, and the Moon. The curving lines of the structure symbolize orbits and flight.

The backstory for Mission: SPACE is this. The year is 2036, seventy-five years after Yuri Gagarin became the first man in space. A colony is being built on Mars and the International Space Training Center (ISTC) is preparing astronauts for the journey. They will fly aboard the new X-2 Deep Space Shuttle which is propelled by solid hydrogen and can accelerate from zero to six-thousand in sixty seconds.

Upon entering the Mission: SPACE compound, trainees are asked if they would like to receive “Less Intense Training” (Green Team) or “More Intense Training” (Orange Team). Once you make your decision, you will be given an appropriate colored Launch Ticket. Notice, the green ticket says “CAUTION” while the orange ticket says “WARNING.”

I cannot stress this enough, if you’re in doubt as to which training session to choose, select the milder version. (I’ll go into the ride mechanics later.) When this attraction debuted, only the “More Intense Training” was offered. Numerous guests suffered severe motion sickness during the first several years of operation. Things became so bad that Disney installed barf-bags in each training module within a couple of weeks of opening. However, they soon realized that this wasn’t enough and something more drastic was needed to solve the problem. Eventually, a milder version of the attraction was developed (Less Intense Training) and came online in May, 2006. Note, if some members of your party select Mild and others request Intense, you will be separated and you will not ride together.

After you receive your Launch Ticket, take a look at the large model of the moon located behind the cast members.

Located on its surface are colored markers. These represent the 29 manned and unmanned landing sites achieved by the United States and the Soviet Union between 1959 and 1976. A single red marker designates the landing of Apollo 11 on July 20, 1969. Other manned missions are marked in blue and unmanned missions are marked in clear/white.

Also in this area are ten plaques containing quotations from people who have inspired and promoted space travel throughout history.

Before entering the Mission: SPACE Sim Lab, you can view a mockup of the training capsule. For those of you who suffer from claustrophobia, this will help you make a determination if this ride is suitable for you.

Once inside the Sim Lab, the queue passes beside a reproduction of the living quarters of a space vehicle. The rooms rotate to create artificial gravity for its inhabitants. If you look at the hub of this assembly, you can see the old logo for Horizons. Disney often acknowledges previous attractions by placing some sort of remembrance in the current ride.

On the other side of the room, hanging from the ceiling, is a large model of a spacecraft. If you study the ship closely, you can see where the rotating section (living quarters) would be located on this vehicle.

Also hanging from the ceiling is a Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV). On loan from the Smithsonian, this is the only LRV constructed that is not on the moon. These two-passenger “cars” were battery powered and had a top speed of 8.7 miles per hour. Designed in 1969, the LRVs were used by Apollo 15, 16, and 17 to explore the surface of the moon.

As your journey along the queue continues, you’ll pass beside a portrait gallery. Here you’ll find a number of plaques commemorating milestones in space history. Starting with the first man in space, Yuri Gagarin (1961) and ending with the first X-2 Deep Space Mission with the crew of Bobby O’Brien, Sumi Yamamoto, and Frank Rodriguez (2036).

Across from the portrait gallery is the International Space Training Center Command Area. All activities of your mission will be coordinated from here.

If you watch the small monitors on the console, you might spot a gooney bird come in for a crash landing. Your first thought might be, “This is a strange image to be displayed here.” But there is some Disney trivia behind this silly bird. During the preshow for “Flight to the Moon” and later “Mission to Mars” in the old Tomorrowland at the Magic Kingdom (and Disneyland), this gooney bird set off alarms and flashing lights and Mission Control went into full alert as this “UFO” came in for a landing. It was a corny joke, but was appropriate for the era and for old-timers like myself, it brings back pleasant memories.

The Command Area marks the end of the queue and your adventure will begin shortly. Those taking the “Less Intense Training” will be directed to Briefing Rooms 1 and 2 while those taking the “More Intense Training” will be directed to Briefing Rooms 3 and 4. You will be grouped into teams of four and asked to stand on corresponding numbers on the floor.

When all of the trainees are in place, the doors behind you close and a short video is presented on overhead monitors. Your mission is explained and some safety procedures covered. For those of you who don’t recognize the CapCom, it’s Gary Sinise.

From the Briefing Room, flight instructors guide each team around a circular room and ask them to wait on their corresponding numbers.

At this station, each member of your team is assigned one of the following positions: Commander, Pilot, Navigator, and Engineer. During your training session, each position will be called upon to complete two tasks. But don’t worry. If you miss your cue, the computer takes over and fulfills your duty. You’ll also be given additional safety tips at this time. During this portion of the video, you will see a young lady pull her restraint over her head. Close observers may recognize her from Test Track as she is also in that attraction’s safety video and is shown fastening her seat belt while being seated in her vehicle.

Soon, the doors in front of you open and your team enters its training module. Stow any loose items in the bin in front of you, then pull down the safety restraint. A steady stream of cool air is blown into your face to help prevent motion sickness.

I have created a short video of the experience. This is an edited version of the actual events.

Now that you’ve watched the video, let me give you a little information about the attraction’s design and mechanics. In association with former NASA advisors, astronauts, and scientists, Walt Disney Imagineering developed Mission: SPACE. Over a five year period, 650 Imagineers spent more than 350,000 hours creating this attraction. The developers said that much of the technology used for Mission: SPACE needed to be invented as nothing already existed that was capable of giving the guests this type of experience.

In each of the four training areas, there is a large, multiple-arm centrifuge. Attached to the arms are ten training modules. In the “More Intense Training” session, the centrifuge spins, giving riders a since of increased gravity and later weightlessness. This force is 2.5 times that of gravity at the earth’s surface. When your craft blasts off, you feel and intense pressure on your body. Also, while your module is spinning, it pitches and yaws to add to the effect of movement through space. In the “Less Intense Training” session, the motion simulator effects are used, but the centrifuge does not spin. It seems to be the spinning that causes some guests physical problems. The ride has a capacity of 1,600 guests per hour.

I like the “More Intense Training” session – a lot. So when Disney introduced the “Less Intense Training” session, I thought it would be lacking. But to my surprise, it still delivers a good experience. Certainly anyone who can “stomach” Star Tours, can join the Green (Less Intense) Team.

If you’re like me and have ridden Mission: SPACE more times than you can count, I offer you something else to watch during the ride (if your stomach can take it). Pay attention to the small video screen located next to your monitor. An animated simulation of your entire journey is chronicled on this screen.

When your training is complete, you enter the Advanced Training Lab. Here, four different stations offer additional adventures. The first is for the little ones. “Space Base” is a sort of space-aged Habitrail for kids. A number of tubes and enclosures allow them to climb through a variety of pathways.

At “Expedition: Mars,” you command a search and rescue mission, looking for lost astronauts. This computer game offers three levels of play.

“Postcards from Space” allows you to create a short video and email it too friends and family back home. If you want to make someone envious that you’re at Walt Disney World and they’re not, you can make it happen here.

The final Advanced Training Lab attraction is “Mission: Space Race.” At this station, two teams compete to create a successful mission. This game is coordinated by cast members and requires a minimum number of players. If you want to experience this event, you might need to return later in the day when crowds have grown.

And like so many other Disney attractions, you exit Mission: SPACE through a themed shop. This one is called Mission Space Cargo Bay – Gear and Supplies.

Right outside the shop is a bench. This is the perfect spot for those of you who choose not to experience any training whatsoever to wait for your friends and family.

Mission: SPACE offers numerous warnings before boarding. There are multiple signs posted in Planetary Plaza. There are videos located next to the vehicle mockup. There are overhead announcements. And both safety videos explain what’s coming. There is no way anyone can claim they didn’t understand what was in store for them unless they paid absolutely no attention as to what was going on around them. Children must be 44” high to ride.

Well, that’s what I have on Mission: SPACE. I’m not a fan of the Tea Cups at the Magic Kingdom as the spinning makes me sick, yet I have no problem with the spinning of this attraction. But don’t let anyone talk you into the Intense Training unless it’s what YOU want to do. It’s just not worth ruining the next several hours of your visit to Epcot while you’re experiencing extreme nausea.

I hadn’t eaten at ‘Ohana for at least five or six years, so when my out-of-town guest suggested this restaurant, I was more than happy to return. And for the most part, everything was as I remembered it. However, I do have some words of caution for those of you who aren’t familiar with this establishment.

Let me start by telling you who I think this restaurant is perfect for: Parents (and grandparents) with children between the ages of five and twelve. If your kids are outgoing and like to join in the fun, then you’re all going to have a fantastic time here.

Also, if you have a big appetite for grilled meats, then you’re well suited for ‘Ohana.

Who should avoid this establishment: Adult couples looking for a quiet, relaxing meal. It’s just not going to happen here. However, I do have a partial solution for you if you want to give this unique establishment a try and still enjoy a somewhat less raucous time. But I’ll get to that later.

Your evening begins when your pager buzzes and your host or hostess escorts you to your table. Along the way, you stop by the kitchen window were tonight’s dessert is pointed out and a loaf of coconut bread is secured.

The restaurant is large and a number of tables are situated next to the windows. Those lucky enough to be seated here have wonderful views of the lush landscape and some of the tables can even see the Magic Kingdom fireworks. When the nightly spectacle begins, the restaurant lights are dimmed and the music is piped into the room.

Window tables are seated on a first come, first served basis. You can request a table when you check in, but you will probably be required to wait (sometimes significantly) past your reservation time before a window table opens up. If you want to make this wait a little less boring, have a drink at the adjacent Tambu Lounge.

There are a few tables situated next to the show kitchen. This is where all of the tasty meats are grilled for your pleasure.

For those of you looking for a slightly quieter evening (as I mentioned above), request a table behind or to the side of the show kitchen. Although the entertainer’s talking and singing can still be heard through the speaker system, the children’s activities will not intrude.

At some point during your evening, it would be worth your while to stop by the show kitchen and watch the chefs work their magic. It’s amazing how many skewers of meat they can simultaneously prepare.

Also, take a gander around the restaurant and you’ll see the mesquite wood used on the grill.

Shortly after being seated, your server arrives and welcomes you to ‘Ohana. Drink orders are taken, then it is explained that this is an all-you-can-eat restaurant and your meal starts out with a mixed greens salad with honey-lime dressing.

For appetizers you receive Pork Dumplings topped with a Pineapple Sweet-and-Sour Sauce and Honey Coriander Chicken Wings.

Also brought to your table are moist, hot towels. Although you can use these to clean your hands before you start eating, they’re really intended to be used after you consume the finger foods.

For the main course, bowls of Steamed Vegetables and Stir-Fried Udon Noodles are served as side dishes.

All of this is nice, but the real reason you eat at ‘Ohana is for the skewered meats. Offered each night are Asian Barbequed Pork Loin, Spicy Grilled Peel-n-Eat Shrimp, Marinated Sirloin Steak, and Mesquite Grilled Turkey. Accompanying these meats are three dipping sauces, House-made Peanut, Chimichurri, and Pineapple Sweet-and-Sour.

The meats are presented to you on long skewers from which your server skillfully slides several portions onto your plate. This is an all-you-can eat meal so don’t hold back. Seconds and thirds (and fourths) are available.

When you’ve had your fill of meat, it’s time to force down dessert. The only thing that makes this possible is that the Bread Pudding, topped with Vanilla Ice Cream and Banana and Caramel Sauce is out of this world. Your stomach will ache, but you’ll keep shoveling it in.

All of the food tastes great and no one can leave this restaurant hungry.

I would have to say, I was disappointed with the pacing of our meal. The server told us that the dinner would be served in courses. However, I wasn’t into my second bite of salad when the appetizers arrived. And I doubt that I’d taken my fifth bite of greens when the steamed vegetables and noodles were served – soon to be followed by the meat. The next time I dine here, I will definitely make it clear that I don’t want to see any portion of the following course until I’m finished with my current selections and I give the okay. I don’t mean to be difficult, but it is a pet peeve of mine when I’m “rushed” in a restaurant.

You might be wondering why I said ‘Ohana is perfect for families. Well, I’m about to tell you. Each evening, a performer entertains the diners. On Sunday and Monday, either Kahula or Lopaka are hand and the rest of the week Lipoa charms the audience. They chat with various guests as they circle the restaurant, occasionally breaking into a Hawaiian song accompanied by their ukulele. My friend Randy thinks Lipoa is the tops and only dines at ‘Ohana when she’s performing.

Roughly every twenty minutes, the children are invited to join Kahula, Lopaka, or Lipoa in the center of the restaurant for game time. After a song, the fun begins. The first event of the evening is the coconut race. Each child is given a small broom and coconut, still in its outer casing. Using only the broom, they must maneuver their tropical seed around the restaurant to the cheers of their friends and family.

Another event is the limbo dance. Each participant, with maracas in hand, is invited to bend backwards under a bamboo pole as they travel by. The pole is positioned rather high so it’s pretty easy for the kids to pass beneath it.

I would have to say that there are more parents out of their seats taking pictures than children participating in these games.

During other portions of the entertainment, newlyweds and couples celebrating their anniversary are asked to take center stage and partake in a romantic dance. Birthdays and other celebrations are also acknowledged. All of the games and remembrances take place along an aisle-way that circles the main dining room. If you want to participate, this is the best place to be seated. If you don’t want to be bumped by a stray coconut, then request a table away from this thoroughfare.

‘Ohana is also open for a character breakfast. Lilo and Stitch visit each table and happily pose for pictures. This is also an all-you-can eat meal which features scrambled eggs, fried potatoes, sausage, ham, and an assortment of breads. In addition, unlimited juice, milk, and coffee are on tap.

Breakfast:: 7:30am - 11:00am
Price: Adults $18.99 Children 3-9 $10.99

Dinner: 5:00pm to 10:00pm
Price: Adults $30.99; Children 3-9 $14.99

‘Ohana is one of the most popular restaurants at Walt Disney World. It is practically mandatory that you have reservations. While I was checking in at 4:45pm the other evening, the hostess was questioning everyone behind me in line. Anyone without a reservation was turned away as they were accepting no more walk-ups.

Reservations can be made online or by calling 407-WDW-DINE.

If you plan on eating at ‘Ohana for dinner, skip lunch and don’t forget to bring your camera. As I said at the beginning of the article, ‘Ohana means family and you’re in for some down-home fun – Hawaiian style.

Related Links:

Breakfast Menu

Readers Review 'Ohana Character Breakfast

Dinner Menu

Readers Review 'Ohana Dinner

A new, or should I say old, service station has been built at Chester and Hester's Dino-Rama.

Once a spot for motorist to fill up their gas tanks and have their cars serviced, this structure now houses a Meet & Greet opportunity in front of a giant “Greetings from Dinoland USA” postcard.

Here, guests can have their picture taken with two of Disney’s most famous dogs, Goofy and Pluto.

Realizing that this would be a popular attraction, a shaded queue offers some relief from the sun and rain.

Just like so many other character greetings around property, a Disney photographer is on hand to snap your picture and apply it to your PhotoPass.

I recently wrote a blog about the backstory of Chester and Hester's Dino-Rama. After it was published, several of you wrote to tell me that a photograph of Chester and his wife Hester could be found in the “Chester and Hester's Dinosaur Treasures” shop.

In these first two pictures, we see a young Chester and Hester proudly opening their new service station and the very first dollar they ever made.

This last picture shows them in their golden years.

And by the way, all of the cast members working at Chester and Hester's Dino-Rama are relatives of this enterprising couple, so don’t be surprised if you run into one of their distant cousins. (wink, wink).

Yesterday, I rode the TTA. I was surprised to hear a new audio track had replaced the old narrative. A cast member told me this change took place on Thursday, October 2nd – the day I was riding.

Gone are the old jokes about keeping your forward facing tentacles inside your vehicle. And Mr. Tom Morrow is no longer paged or asked to give his party on Saturn a ring. The narrative is now in a young man’s voice and he points out the various sights along the way. For example, as you pass the Carousel of Progress, a brief description of this attraction is presented. This is in keeping with the original PeopleMover at Disneyland. On that now defunct ride, the many sights of Tomorrowland were pointed out as you passed by.

I have mixed emotions about the new recording. While it’s sad when something we like is discontinued, updates are necessary to keep things fresh. I was told the Imagineers will monitor guest reaction to gauge how this change is received.

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As you may know, Space Mountain is currently closed for an extensive refurbishment and is scheduled to reopen in November of this year. Since the Tomorrowland Transit Authority (TTA) travels through Space Mountain, it was necessary to close this attraction as well. But the mountain’s refurbishment has reached a point that the TTA could reopen and did so today (September 12th). I decided to take this opportunity to give you a little history of this sedate, yet very popular ride. But like so many other Magic Kingdom attractions, we must step back in time and across the continent to Disneyland in order to get a better understanding of the TTA, or WEDway PeopleMover as it was originally named.

When Walt was building Disneyland, money was extremely tight. Tomorrowland was practically an afterthought and during the early years, lacked greatly in attractions and ambiance. In 1959, Tomorrowland saw its first real improvement with the addition of the Submarine Voyage and the Disney/Alwig Monorail. But the biggest change came to this area in July 1967, when Tomorrowland was reborn (at a staggering cost of $23-million). Adventures Thru Inner Space, an all new CircleVision movie presented in an enlarged theater, elevated Rocket Jets, an improved Flight to the Moon, and the Carousel of Progress were all added to the land of the future. And tying them and the existing Tomorrowland attractions together was the PeopleMover sponsored by Goodyear. This elevated highway gave guests an overhead preview of all the wonderful new adventures that were just waiting to be experienced.

In its day, the PeopleMover was innovative and Walt thought of it as more than just a ride. He felt that the PeopleMover, along with the monorail, could help cities solve problems of congestion and overcrowding. In fact, he was so taken with both of these modes of transportation that they were incorporated into the plans for the city of the future he intended to build in Florida – a city to be called EPCOT. In this 1967 concept drawing of EPCOT, you can see both the PeopleMover (left) and the monorail (right).

The queuing process for Disneyland’s PeopleMover was unique. First, guests boarded a speed-ramp (an inclined conveyor belt) for transport to a second level boarding area. At the end of the ramp they were deposited onto a stationary platform, surrounded by a large rotating turntable. Since the inside of a disk moves slower than the outside, it allowed guests an easy transition from the stationary platform to the moving turntable. As they walked to the outer edges of the turntable, their speed gradually increased. This arrangement allowed for better guest safety and improved ride capacity since the cars didn’t need to slow down as much in order to be boarded.

The PeopleMover was powered by small rubber tires (made by Goodyear) embedded along the track. Spaced about every nine feet, hundreds electric motors powered these tiny tires as they pressed against fiberglass epoxy plates positioned on the bottom of the cars. Top speed: six miles per hour. Each train consisted of four cars, holding four passengers each. They were equipped with power doors and an automated roof that tilted out of the way for easier loading and unloading (see above picture). The PeopleMover had an astonishing capacity of 4,600 guests an hour.

Along the nearly one mile route, a cheery narrative was piped into each car, describing the sights along the way while occasionally praising Goodyear. Unlike its future Florida cousin, Disneyland’s PeopleMover changed elevation as it circled Tomorrowland. It traveled over the Autopia, through shops, and above the submarine lagoon. It even paralleled the monorail for a short distance.

When the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World was in the planning stages, the PeopleMover (to be known as the WEDway PeopleMover) was an obvious choice to be included in the new park. However, it was not an opening day attraction. You see, just like at Disneyland sixteen years earlier, Tomorrowland would have to wait until after the park opened before it took on its full potential. The WEDway PeopleMover did not open until July 1, 1975, six months after Space Mountain. Here are two pictures taken in January 1972. As you can see, the WEDway PeopleMover is far from operational status.

There were several changes made to the Florida version of this ride from its California counterpart. First, it would not be powered by moving wheels embedded in the track, but rather by linear induction motors. This made for a much smoother ride than at Disneyland. Second, due to Florida’s weather, it was decided that individual roofs over each car would not be sufficient protection from the elements, so the entire track was covered. Another change would be the addition of a fifth car to each train. And as I mentioned earlier, the Magic Kingdom version traveled at the same elevation throughout its entire journey. This concept drawing provides a good overview of the attraction.

Back at Disneyland, the Carousel of Progress was being dismantled so it could be shipped to Florida. On the second floor of the COP building was a large model of Progress City – the prototype for the city of EPCOT. The Imagineers didn’t want to destroy this beautiful work of art, yet they had no place to store or display it at Disneyland. It was eventually decided to make it one of the sights seen while riding the new WEDway PeopleMover in Florida; however, it was much too large in its current state and would need to be cut down dramatically in order to fit into the space available. Believe me, anyone who saw the original model at Disneyland, knows that this resized version pales by comparison.

The WEDway PeopleMover has changed little over the years. However, some of the sights along the way have evolved. For example, in the beginning, guests looked into the “If You Had Wings” attraction, then came “Dreamflight,” and finally “Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin.”

As part of the Tomorrowland makeover, the attraction closed for five months in 1994. During this time it received cosmetic changes, giving the front section of the attraction a retro-futuristic look, leaving the back half virtually unchanged. The ride was also given a new name, the “Tomorrowland Transit Authority” or TTA. The backstory being that this is a future mode of transportation in the metropolis of Tomorrowland and the “Blue Line” services this area.

I have ridden the TTA more than any other attraction at Disney World. Why? First, it rarely has a line, and if it does, it’s never more than a five minute wait. Next, the TTA offers a ten minute relaxing ride – allowing me to sit down in relative comfort. This is the perfect way to unwind for a few moments after being on my feet for hours. And finally, I like this attraction. It’s enjoyable to people-watch from high above the crowd. In addition, I get to take in some great Disney architecture and detailing along the way. Also, if the ride doesn’t have a line, you can ask the cast member if you can stay on for a second go-round.

Is this ride as thrilling or as engaging as other attractions at Disney World? Nope. Far from it. But it is a favorite of many people. I mourn the passing of the PeopleMover at Disneyland especially since the Rocket Rods attraction failed to run satisfactorily. I only hope that Disney does something with this eyesore of empty track sometime soon. I also hope that the Magic Kingdom version keeps running for many years to come.

To my knowledge, only one change of any note has been made to the TTA. A new LED lighting system has been installed and the track route changes colors every several seconds during the evening. Sorry, I do not have any pictures of this.

Here is a video I created of the TTA to help you relive the simple pleasures this ride has to offer. Note, it was a rainy day so occasionally you’ll see a drop of water on my lens. Sorry.

On May 31, 2008, the space shuttle Discovery rocketed from earth to rendezvous with the International Space Station (ISS). Besides it seven human crew members, a galactic hero was onboard for the mission. Buzz Lightyear journeyed “to infinity and beyond” once again. But this time, instead of doing battle with the infamous Emperor Zurg, Buzz was working with his pals at Disney and NASA to help encourage students to pursue studies in science, technology, and mathematics.

Here we see his friend Woody waving goodbye as Buzz begins his important mission.

Buzz, NASA, and Disney have created an online program known as Space Ranger Education Series. Here, kids can find educational games and teachers can download classroom curriculum. Buzz’s adventures aboard the ISS were invaluable in creating this program.

Buzz’s 467 days in space beats the former record set by Russian cosmonaut Valery Polyakov set in 1995 by a month.

After fulfilling his duties on board the ISS, Buzz returned home on the space shuttle Discovery on September 11th of this year.

On October 2nd, Buzz Lightyear and astronauts Buzz Aldrin and Mike Fincke kicked off the “Celebrate a Dream Come True” parade in a ticker-tape procession through the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World.

Buzz Aldrin

Mike Fincke

Buzz Lightyear

Main Street Philharmonic

Here’s a little bit of Buzz Lightyear trivia for you. As you know from the movie “Toy Story,” Buzz learns he’s a toy halfway through the film. So in essence, he has two personalities, galactic hero and Andy’s plaything. Keeping this in mind, these personalities are kept separate at Walt Disney World. Any encounter you have with Buzz at the Magic Kingdom, albeit it an attraction, parade, or meet-&-greet, he still thinks he’s a champion of justice. But if you interact with Buzz at Disney's Hollywood Studios, he realizes he’s a toy. It’s a subtle difference, but an important detail.

Since Hollywood and Sunset Boulevards at Disney's Hollywood Studios are set in the 1930’s and ‘40’s, it makes sense that you’d find a Victory Garden here. Located behind Catalina Eddie’s at the Sunset Ranch Market, is Disney’s version of this civilian war effort. I especially like the scarecrow donning the oxygen mask.

And speaking of the military, over on Pixar Place, you can find the green army men hoisting a Scrabble board. If you look at the letters you’ll find YOUVE GOT A FRIEND IN ME spelled out on (and off) the board. In case you don’t catch the connection, this is the title song from the movie “Toy Story.”

Moving over to the Echo Lake district, we find the Hollywood & Vine restaurant.

If you look at the second story window to the left of the marquee, you see an ad for Eddie Valiant, Private Investigator.

If you can’t quite place this gentleman, he was the gumshoe in the movie “Who Framed Roger Rabbit.”

Next to Eddie’s window we see a silhouette of Roger. If you remember, while at Maroon Studios, Roger went berserk after drinking a shot of whiskey and crashed through the window in this manner.

Also in this area is a billboard for Maroon Studios.

On the other side of Echo Lake is the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular attraction. To the right of the entrance you’ll find an archeological dig in progress.

Next to this excavation site, is a sign that some joker has modified. Go ahead. Pull the rope. You know you want to.

Across from the dig, you’ll find a table full of Indy’s treasures. Beside the table is a box with his name and college stenciled on its side.

That’s all the details I have for today, but there willl be more to come.

Located on the second floor of the France Pavilion overlooking Epcot’s World Showcase, the entrance can be found on the back side of Les Chef’s de France restaurant. Open only for dinner, this eatery was established by Paul Bocuse, Roger Verge and the late Gaston Lenotre and serves creative variations on traditional French meals.

The antechamber of the restaurant is simple, but elegant. A number of satin covered chairs and flower bouquets create a graceful atmosphere. The curving staircase is inviting and makes you wonder what is waiting for you at the top.

When your reservation time arrives, a host or hostess will greet you on the landing and escort you up the stairs and to the dining room. An elevator is available for those who wish to ride.

The Bistro de Paris is elegantly decorated without being pretentious. Its style captures the sophistication and romance of turn-of-the-20th century Paris. Cream colored walls and maroon upholstery are accented by mirrors, brass sconces, and milk-glass chandeliers. And unlike its downstairs counterpart, Les Chefs de France, the tables at the Bistro de Paris are spaciously arranged allowing diners a more intimate atmosphere.

A number of tables are situated next to the windows, affording guests a wonderful view of the promenade below and other World Showcase countries in the distance. Most of these are tables-for-two and are seated on a first come, first served basis.

The tables are set quite simply as appropriate flatware will be brought with each course. The napkins are folded to represent a gentleman’s coat.

I dined with my friend Donald and a long-lost out-of-town acquaintance that got back in touch with me after recognizing my name and picture on Allears. Kim was an Imagineer many years ago and played a part in the creation of the Bistro de Paris. We were seated at one of the few tables-for-four next to a window. From here we could see the Test Track building.

The Bistro de Paris cast members are from France and are working at Epcot as part of a cultural exchange program. This adds greatly to the authenticity of the restaurant and it’s a lot of fun to engage them in conversation about their country.

A full bar is available and a drink is the perfect way to start your meal and slow down the pace of the evening. The Bistro de Paris is a special place and you don’t want to rush the experience. While waiting for your waiter to return with your cocktails, another server approaches the table and offers everyone bread, which is served from a wicker basket. The rolls have a crispy crust and a delightfully chewy center. It would be so easy for me to make a meal of bread and butter alone, but what a waste that would be with so many taste-treats yet to come.

The first course is a complimentary hors d'oeuvre. This is a pleasant surprise that makes you feel all the more welcome. This appetizer consisted of a puff-pastry filled with a blending of crab and lobster, topped with cucumber slices and a cherry tomato. It was yummy.

The Bistro de Paris has an impressive wine list and features French selections from the famed regions of Loire Valley, Alsace, Southern France, Bourgogne, and Bordeaux. The wines also have impressive prices, starting in the $50 range and going all the way up to $1,200. I selected a Pouilly-Fuissé ($59) which is a dry white wine made from the Chardonnay grape. It is pale and refreshing with a delicate flavor.

The Bistro offers an à la carte menu and a prix fix tasting menu consisting of 3-courses, and is available with or without wine pairings. Since I was writing a review, we all tried to order different items so I could present a larger array of descriptions to you. And don’t worry; the menu is presented in both French and English.

For an appetizer, Donald ordered the Chilled Tomato Soup with Cilantro and Tapenade Toast ($12). I took a taste and I’d have to say it reminded me a little bit of Gazpacho. I thought it was okay, but I think there are better choices available. However, the Tapenade Toast was quite good.

I ordered the Warm Goat Cheese with Basil and Sundried Tomatoes in a Crisp Shell accompanied by Baby Mixed Greens and Balsamic Vinegar ($13). The goat cheese was flavorful and nicely presented. I would have to say the mixed greens were more of a garnish than an offering, but the balsamic dressing was tasty. Overall, I was pleased.

Kim ordered the Smoked Salmon Pastrami, Arugula & Mache Salad with Tarragon, Buckwheat Blinis, and Horseradish & Caviar Cream ($14). He definitely won first prize for his selection. The salmon had a smoky flavor, but you could make out pastrami nuances. And a larger serving of the buckwheat blinis could be an appetizer all by itself. Both were delicious and the presentation was outstanding.

For an entrée, Donald ordered Seared Sea Scallops and Stewed Fennel with Seafood Safranned Jus ($32). And as you would expect, the scallops were extremely tender and not the least bit rubbery. I took a bite and liked what I tasted – the delicate flavor of the scallops was enhanced by the grilling and safranned jus. Once again the presentation was lovely.

I ordered the Pork Tenderloin Stuffed with Mushrooms with Forestiere Sauce and Pasta Gratin with Truffles. I have to admit, I was somewhat disappointed with the serving size. Each of the two pork medallions only contained about two bites (maybe three very small bites). However, those four bites were quite enjoyable. The pasta gratin reminded me of very upscale mac-and-cheese. It was okay. Note, all three of my selections (appetizer, entrée, and dessert) were part of the prix fix menu ($44) so it’s possible that my serving size would have been larger if I had ordered it à la carte ($30). But I don’t know this.

Kim ordered the Grill Beef Tenderloin, Beef Parmentier with Peppercorn Sauce and Asparagus ($38). I felt his serving size was much more reasonable. Kim let me sample his beef and it was melt-in-your-mouth tender and delicious. This was an excellent cut of beef that had been prepared perfectly. I wish I had ordered it. My only negative comment is that Kim ordered it “medium.” I felt it arrived at the table somewhere between rare and medium-rare. Now this was perfect for me, but that’s not the way Kim ordered it.

Now comes the best part of any fine meal, the dessert.

Donald ordered the Hazelnut Frozen Parfait with Meringue with Homemade Chocolate Ice Cream. Being a chocolate ice cream lover, he was hoping for a larger scoop, but other than that, he was happy with his choice. He felt that the light chocolate balanced nicely with the delicate flavors of the Hazelnut Parfait.

I selected the Warm Chocolate and Almond Cake, Crispy Feuilletine and White Chocolate Mousse, Praline Sauce. I didn’t realize until I cut into my cake that in essence, this is the Bistro de Paris’ version of a Chocolate Lava Cake. Thick, gooey chocolate oozed out of the creation and onto the plate. The dark brown liquid was rich beyond belief and oh so wonderful. Donald, the chocoholic, was envious of my selection.

And finally, Kim ordered the Warm and Frozen Grand-Marnier Soufflé. After his dessert was placed in front of him, our waiter cut into the warm soufflé and poured in the cream sauce. It looked magnificent. I tried both the warm and the cold soufflés and I would have been extremely pleased with either one as my dessert, but here you get both. Once again, I think Kim made the best choice of the three of us. All desserts are $11.

The Bistro de Paris is a fine dining establishment, but it’s not meant to intimidate anyone. If you’ve always wanted to try a French restaurant, but were a little nervous about it, think about eating here. This is Disney. They’re not going to make you feel uncomfortable.

Our meal took two hours and you should plan on at least an hour and a half – but probably more.

The Bistro de Paris is NOT on the Disney Dining Plan.

Also, being inside a theme park, they have a more relaxed dress code than you would expect for an establishment of this caliber. However, it is more restrictive than other Epcot restaurants.

Men: Khakis, slacks, jeans, dress shorts, collared shirts. Sport coats are optional.

Ladies: Capris, skirts, dresses, jeans, dress shorts.

Not permitted in dining room: Tank tops, swimwear, hats for gentleman, cut offs, or torn clothing. While T-shirts are now allowed, the policy remains that T-shirts with offensive language or graphics are not acceptable.

Although children are welcome at the Bistro de Paris, there is no children’s menu – and the adult portions are not large enough to share.

To make reservations, book online or call (407) WDW-DINE or (407) 939-3463 up to 90 days prior to your visit. Beginning October 27, 2009, the dining reservations window will move from 90 to 180 days before your scheduled arrival. Be sure to plan ahead.

The preview was hosted by Chef Jens Dahlmann, Executive Chef, Epcot Food & Beverage and took place in the kitchen located behind the World Showplace pavilion. World Showplace Pavilion is the exhibition area positioned between Canada and the United Kingdom.

For those of you who haven’t visited Disney World during this six-week festival, Epcot plays host to a culinary explosion of tastes. Surrounding the World Showcase Lagoon, twenty-seven kiosks are erected and dedicated to a number of international cuisines. Each station serves samples of that culture’s best recipes (for a nominal fee -- credit cards accepted). The portions are just large enough to give you a nice sampling, but not too large as to fill you up. This allows you to “eat your way around the world.”

In addition, daily wine and beer tastings are held around the lagoon. Also, a series of special culinary programs featuring a lineup of renowned winemakers, guest chefs, and speakers are available. Wine seminars and elegant dinners are also offered.

This is a hugely popular event that is attended by many locals from the Orlando area, but also by a large number of out-of-state visitors who plan their vacation around this happening.

Besides finding samples from some of your old Epcot friends like Japan, France, and Mexico, you’ll also discover other countries represented like Greece, Poland, Chile, and India. This year, three new stations have been added, Thailand, Brazil, and a Dessert and Champagne booth.

Planning the Food & Wine Festival is a mammoth undertaking. Even while last year’s event was taking place, Chef Jens was already making notes on how to improve this year’s celebration of food. Serious menu planning and recipe creation began earnestly in March and needed to be completed by May in order to make this year’s September deadline. In all, seventy new items were created for the 2009 event. Or in other words, 70% of the menus were recreated. But for those of you who love the Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup, don’t worry. This most popular dish of the festival is still available.

When Chef Jens was asked if the food was “dumbed down” for picky eaters, he gave a definite no. He went on to say that he makes every effort to be authentic and respectful to each culture. In addition, whenever a recipe called for it, the dish would be created at the actual kiosk to preserve freshness. He also hoped that his selections would have aromas enticing enough to draw us into kiosk after kiosk.

Of the 27 food stations, 21 are operated by Disney and 6 are operated by participants. As you can imagine, it takes a lot of additional man power to put on an event like this. Between the International Food Fair and the Party of the Senses (to be discussed later), 400 additional cast members are needed. Disney uses 77 of their own chefs and 117 guest chefs to make it all happen.

In the past, Disney printed one guide book for the Food & Wine Festival. Within its forty pages, you could find detailed information about the entertainment offered and the many seminars being conducted. But it was discovered that most guests only wanted to know the times and places and weren’t all that concerned with the details. So this year, a second, weekly handout is available that only provides the essential information about the event. So try to be “green” and select the brochure that’s right for you.

Chef Jens provided us with eight samples of some of this year’s new offerings. If I tried to describe each dish individually, I’d quickly run out of synonyms for delicious. Just let it be said that all of us at this tasting were gushing over each selection. Below I give you the item’s name and the kiosk where it can be found.

Shrimp Stew with Coconut and Lime garnished with Popcorn – Rio de Janiero, Brazil

Chicken and Coconut Soup with Mushrooms – Bangkok, Thailand

Lobster & Scallop Fisherman’s Pie – Cork, Ireland

Chicken Souvlaki with Tzatziki – Athens, Greece

Lamb Slider with Tomato Chutney – Wellington, New Zealand

Seared Beef Tenderloin with Sweet Potato Puree and Mango Barbeque Sauce – Cape Town, South Africa

Grand Marnier Parfait with Orange Coulis – Desserts & Champagnes

Warm Chocolate Lave Cake with Bailey’s Ganache – Cork, Ireland

Each Saturday evening during the Food & Wine Festival, Party of the Senses takes place in the World Showplace Pavilion. From 6:30 to 9:00, up to eleven-hundred guests partake in a tribute to gastronomic pleasures. Eighteen, four-sided booths offer a vast array of food and wine – all included in one price of $135. I know some of you are taking a deep gulp at that price, but this is a special event and Disney doesn’t skimp. And if the food isn’t enough to convince you to attend, live entertainment is also on hand.

This year, a couple of things are different. First, each party will have a different theme as listed below:

September 26 – Spanish Cuisine
October 3 – Comfort Food with a Twist
October 10 – South American Cuisine
October 17 – Classical Cuisine
October 24 – Asian Cuisine
October 31 – The Fall Harvest
November 7 – Indian Cuisine

Also new this year at the Party of the Senses is the “Wine View Lounge.” For an additional $75pp, an exclusive area is set up within the World Showplace Pavilion where you will have a reserved table for your party. In addition, a premium bar, an artisan cheese station, and white-glove service will enhance your evening. Note, the Wine View Lounge is already sold out for five of the seven events so you might want to start thinking ahead to next year. Call 407-WDW-FEST (939-3378) for more information and reservations.

Even if you’re not a foodie, you should think seriously about giving the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival a try. If nothing else, strolling the World Showcase promenade is a treat during this time of year. And it’s nobody’s fault but your own if you go away hungry.

When the park opened on October 1, 1982, it was to be an “adult” park – a place where guests could learn about the challenges facing the world and how the companies involved with Epcot were trying to solve them. And while educating us, Disney would make this dry subject matter palatable and entertaining.

For those of you who visited Epcot soon after it opened, you might remember that Mickey, Donald, and none of their pals wandered the park. Disney felt that if guests wanted to experience the characters, they could go to the Magic Kingdom. However, parents with children felt differently and were vocal that their offspring were bored. Teenagers too, felt that Epcot offered them little to enjoy. Disney soon realized that they needed to make a few changes in order to appeal to a broader audience.

World of Motion, sponsored by General Motors, was one of the opening day attractions at Epcot. In many ways, this ride was similar in concept to Spaceship Earth. Both took guests back in time so they could witness a topic’s transformation through the years. Spaceship Earth discussed communications in a serious manner, whereas World of Motion presented the story of transportation humorously.

The first thrill ride (if you can call it that) to come to Epcot was Maelstrom in July 1988. Located in the Norway Pavilion, this boat ride takes guests past a Viking encampment, through the land of trolls, and eventually into the present. Along the way, your craft reverses direction several times and then sails down a small waterfall. In reality, the sights on this voyage aren’t any more engaging than those seen on the El Rio del Tiempo/Gran Fiesta Tour in the Mexico Pavilion, but the simple “thrills” of Maelstrom gives this ride a continuous line whereas the Gran Fiesta Tour is usually a “walk-on” attraction.

The next thrill ride to come to Epcot was Body Wars, opening in October 1989. Located in the Wonders of Life Pavilion, this attraction used the same motion simulators as the ever popular Star Tours, only this time, your craft was shrunk to the size of a blood cell so you could carry out a medical procedure inside the human body.

This attraction never achieved the success Disney had hoped for. Many guests who loved Star Tours, found themselves nauseated after Body War’s five minute ride. Whether it was the icky subject matter or the fluid motion of the vehicle, who knows, but people got sick on this attraction. Long lines only occurred during the busiest times of the year. Disney still needed a “wow” factor in Epcot – something that would appeal to the thrill seekers and a younger more adventurous generation.

By the mid-nineties, World of Motion had lost much of its appeal. General Motors, the attraction’s sponsor, had started signing one-year contracts (instead of five or ten) until something could be done to shake things up and invigorate the experience. However, it was important that any new attraction would still educate guests and tell a story. Being Epcot, a “serious” park, Disney wanted justification for any “thrill” they designed. With that in mind, the idea of demonstrating to the public all that went into testing an automobile was born. Soon after “Test Track” went from concept to green light. However, things did not sail smoothly from the drawing board to reality.

World of Motion closed its doors on January 2, 1996. It was estimated to take approximately 19 months to gut the WOM building and build Test Track. The first announced opening date for Test Track was to be in mid 1997. But constant changes to the initial designs added huge amounts of time to the testing process. Couple this with extreme tire and axel problems, complicated guest evacuation procedures, computer problems, and overly sensitive safety sensors, the opening was delayed time and time again. It took almost two years to resolve all of the problems. Test Track finally opened on March 17, 1999. However, breakdowns were still commonplace in the beginning and it could take up to an hour to reset everything and restart the ride when it broke down. Today, gremlins visit Test Track far less often and the reset process has been reduced significantly.

Once Test Track opened, it set some records. The track is 5,246 feet long (2,600 feet being outside the building), making it Disney’s longest attraction when it opened. California Screamin' at 6,000 feet beat Test Track when it opened in 2001. The People Mover/Rocket Rods at Disneyland has a longer track, but since these attractions are no longer operating, it takes them out of the mix. Also, at just shy of 65 miles per hour, Test Track is the fastest Disney attraction ever built. Expedition: Everest and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster both only reach a top speed of around 60 miles per hour.

In the design phase of Test Track, Imagineers spent many hours at real testing facilities and proving grounds, learning what an automobile goes through to become roadworthy. Much of what they learned is exhibited in the queue. Here, numerous bays display the various components of testing. One of the first exhibits presents a vintage automobile. The sign overhead describes the simple tests that these early cars were put through – nothing compared to the hundreds of grueling examinations a vehicle experiences today.

Engine, emission, and corrosion tests are just a few of the topics described along the queue. It is worth your while to read a couple of the signs as you inch your way along in line.

Before boarding your test vehicle, you enter a briefing room. Here, you watch a short video describing the tests you and your car will be put through. The director of operations in this video (Bill McKim) is played by actor John Michael Higgins, best known for his roles in “Best in Show” and “A Mighty Wind.” Note, when Epcot first opens each morning, the Briefing Room section of the attraction is bypassed to help alleviate the onslaught of people arriving at Test Track.

On the back wall of the Briefing Room are a number of aerial photographs of “test tracks” around the world. There is even a picture of Epcot’s proving grounds.

The ride puts your vehicle through a number of examinations. First, the Hill Climb Test is completed, followed by the Suspension Test that takes you over very bumpy surfaces. Next, demonstrations of how the ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) functions and helps a vehicle come to a smooth stop. After that, your car is subjected to extreme cold, heat, and corrosive sprays in the Environmental Chamber. For the Road Handling Test, the car climbs a hill, making numerous switchback turns and narrowly avoiding a head-on collision. The Barrier Test is next followed by the High Speed Test, taking your car outside for a race with the wind.

Be sure to look for the test dummy wearing a Goofy hat.

I have created a short video of the experience.

Here are some interesting facts about Test Track.

* It takes 8.8 seconds to accelerate from 0-65 for the High Speed Test.
* Each vehicle was designed to last for approximately one million miles and travels about 50,000 miles in any given year.
* Each car has three on-board computers and several times the processing power of the Space Shuttle.
* There are 32 vehicles in total, but only 25-26 are on the track at any one time.
* Each car as a total of 22 wheels, although only four are seen by the guests.
* There are six braking systems on each car.
* Each vehicle completes 34 turns during the ride.
* The roadway that runs alongside of the building is banked at 50 degrees.
* There are 85 road signs along the route.
* A 100-degree shift in temperature occurs as your vehicle drives through extreme desert heat and then piercing arctic cold in the Environmental Chamber.
* The ride lasts approximately five and a half minutes.

After the ride, guests walk through a small mockup of an automotive assembly plant. It’s here that you can make arrangements to purchase your onboard photo.

From the assembly plant, you enter the showroom. A number of GM cars are on display and you can browse to your heart’s content without an annoying salesman bothering you. And if you do have questions, General Motors employees are on hand to answer any inquiries at the Information Center.

It’s always fun to drool over the concept cars on exhibit.

Currently, there is a display that explains what a hybrid car is and how, by combining the best of electric motors and internal combustion engines, outstanding mileage can be achieved.

Of course, no attraction would be complete without a stroll through a gift shop. Here you’ll find both Disney and GM branded merchandise with an automotive theme. This is also the spot where you can purchase your on-board photo.

Like all Disney thrill rides, there are some requirements that must be met before boarding. Children must be at least 40 inches tall to ride and expectant mothers should avoid this attraction. All others must be in good health and free from high blood pressure, heart, back, or neck problems, motion sickness, or other conditions that could be aggravated by this adventure.

Test Track does offer FastPass. I would suggest picking up these puppies in the early morning. You don’t want to have a return time in the late afternoon when you’re all the way across the park in the France Pavilion.

There have been rumors that GM will not sponsor the attraction in the future due to its financial problems and government loans. But nothing official has been announced at this time. But you can be sure that Disney will keep this perennial favorite running no matter what happens. Test Track is to Epcot what Space Mountain is to the Magic Kingdom. People want to experience and enjoy this exciting ride for many years to come.