Some of the best parts of the Star Tours 2 experience can be found in three different scenes in the queue area. The first is the repair bay as you initially walk into the attraction building. Here you will find two very familiar characters, C-3PO and R2-D2. The banter that happens between these two droids is something not to be missed. In addition, a very large monitor over your head presents promos for various Star Tours destinations and different announcements.
As you pass by C-3PO, you enter the baggage claim area. As you enter this area, look to your left to see if you recognize an old friend from the original version of Star Tours. Take a moment and listen to catch a few familiar phrases. On your right, you will meet a very unusual and interesting G2-4T droid who is scanning pieces of luggage - think of him as the droid version of TSA.
Anyway, you'll want to take several minutes to watch what happens as this droid scans different items and reacts what he finds. There are several tributes to other attractions and characters and at least one hidden Mickey.
Turning the corner, on your left you will meet another G2-4T droid. This less-than-cheerful droid is scanning you! If you watch the panel directly in front of the droid, you will notice a thermal image of the guests waiting in the queue. Like the baggage droid, pay attention to the droid's spiel, which reminds me, for some reason, of Patrick Warburton (the flight attendant in the Soarin' safety video for you Disney geeks out there).
Once you line up to board your Starspeeder 1000, pay close attention to the safety video. There are a bunch of hidden details and gags that are very funny.
So there you go -- that's why I say for Star Tours: The Adventures Continue, skip the FastPass and enjoy the wait.
Until next time, May the Force be With You!
Welcome to another Tip Tuesday!
Wait!!!!
I know you've read the headline and seen the photo, but don't click the back button just yet!!!
Ok, Ok... so Stitch's Great Escape isn't the most popular of attractions at Walt Disney World (actually, it just might take the prize for the most hated attraction), but hear me out.
Despite a few completely gross moments, Stitch has some elements that make this attraction worth visiting every once in a while, especially if you know how to avoid the things that make you want to (glurp!).... well, you get the point.
So why is Stitch worth checking out occasionally? It's all about the audio-animatronics. If you're a fan of these fantastic creations that were invented by Disney, then you'll want to check out Stitch.
The Pre-Show
The pre-show presents a humorous skit featuring "Sarge" who helps you (the new recruits) to understand how the detention area works. Sarge is another very well-articulated audio-animatronic. While the story is a bit lacking, it is fun to see just how life-like the Imagineers were able to make Sarge.
Anyway, an emergency arises and the next thing you know you're heading for the main teleport area. TIP: try to stand on the right side of the pre-show area. This way you'll be among the first to enter the main attraction and, thus, have your pick of seats. Keep reading to see why this is helpful.
The attraction
You'll want to try to sit on the lowest row possible. There's a reason for this which I'll discuss in a bit. Above your head is a large U-shaped bar which looks a lot like a roller-coaster harness. It has nothing to do with keeping you safe, it's just there to get your body into position so all the other sensory effects will work.
One of the problems guests often have with this attraction is the bar pressing too hard on your shoulders. So here's how you avoid this. When the cast member begins to lower the bars, hunch up your shoulders and sit up VERY straight. This will raise your shoulder line a few inches. Stay this way until the bar touches your shoulders and stops. Now relax. Ahh... you have room to breathe.
As the show continues, of course, Stitch makes his appearance. As with Sarge, Stitch is a great audio-animatronic as are the two "guns" in the room. You don't need to pay too much attention to what Stitch is saying just yet -- enjoy the advanced movement of Stitch and the guns.
Oh, why do I suggest sitting along the lowest row? During the first part, Stitch will spit water at an unsuspecting guest. By sitting in the lowest row, you're pretty much guaranteed you won't get a stream of water in your face (and this isn't just a slight sprinkle, it's a full jet of water).
At one point, Stitch will make the power go out and the room will become pitch dark. Now it's time to pay attention to what the little blue guy is saying. At one point Stitch will "jump" on your shoulders. Here's where you'll be glad if you did the shoulder trick I mentioned earlier. While you might feel slight pressure on your shoulders, it won't be uncomfortable at all.
As I said, pay attention to what Stitch is saying. When he mentions finding a chili dog, take a deep breath and hold it. Stitch will burp and then the smell of chili dog will briefly fill the room. This is why you're holding your breath for a few seconds. Fortunately it doesn't last long. Stitch's lack of manners is the other major part that many guests find completely nauseating. After a few moments, you can breathe cleanly again, the power will be restored, the lights will come back on, Stitch will make his escape (to Walt Disney World, naturally) and the attraction is over.
The darkness portion also is the point that freaks most children out -- mine included. I strongly DO NOT recommend any kids under the age of 8 experience this attraction, especially if they have issues with darkness.
While I still agree with many that Stitch's Great Escape needs to permanently teleport off planet, I don't think people should just avoid it completely. There are some great audio-animatronics that I think are worth the effort, chili dog burps and all.
Photo details: F/32, 1/80th, ISO 100
The Water Pageant consists of 14 small barges, each containing two sets of lights arranged to form different shapes and set to music from Disney songs from The Little Mermaid and Peter Pan (among others). Most include some simple form of animation.
The first four displays create a sea serpent breathing fire, followed by a whale spouting water, a turtle taking a drink from the water, an octopus waving his arms, three jumping dolphins, a dinosaur chomping on some greenery, a crocodile and finally King Triton being in his chariot being led by four seahorses.
After these 14 barges complete scene one, all the barges change to display either the United States flag or a set of stars, while playing patriotic music.
In total, the Electrical Water Pageant runs less than 10 minutes. The first performance usually begins in front of the Grand Floridan Resort around 9 p.m. The best place to watch is by the dock near Narcoosee's (if you have an ADR at Narcoosee's for that time - it's a great vantage point). Following the Grand Floridian, the pageant moves to the Polynesian at around 9:15, the Wilderness Lodge around 9:40, Fort Wilderness around 9:50 and the Contemporary (Bay Lake side) a little after 10 p.m. If there Magic Kingdom is still open around 10:20, the Water Pageant will have a final performance in front of the main gate.
These are general times. Check with the concierge desk or guest services at any of the Magic Kingdom area resorts for specific times the day you plan to see the pageant.
While it's a simple show, especially considering all the advances lately in audio-animatronics, the Electrical Water Pageant is a nostalgic reminder of the origins of Walt Disney World and one evening activity not to be missed.
Magic Kingdom:
At the Magic Kingdom, the #1 get-wet spot has to be Splash Mountain (wet to soaked). Depending on how your log takes the 40-foot drop and where you're sitting, you could get a good dousing of water. Actually, there are several mini-drops along the way which can get you fairly wet as well. Splash Mountain is a very popular attraction, especially in the warmer months, so you'll want to think about using FastPass.
In Adventureland, there are two opportunities to get wet. The first is the Magic Carpets of Aladdin (wet to sprinkles). As you fly around Agrabah, there is a gold camel facing into the attraction. At certain times, the camel will spit water at passing carpets. If you happen to be at the right height at the right time, you could get a good splash. There's another camel that spits at passers by near the sign to the attraction.
The other location is the tiki statues (wet to sprinkles) in between the Magic Carpets of Aladdin and the Jungle Cruise. Like the spitting camels, the tiki statues occasionally spit water onto those standing nearby. This is a popular attraction with young children.
Speaking of the Jungle Cruise (sprinkles), there is a small opportunity to get a bit wet as you pass by the backside of water. If you don't know what I'm talking about, take a cruise and you'll find out quickly.
Staying in Adventureland, Pirates of the Caribbean (sprinkles) features a short drop in pitch blackness where some guests sitting on the sides might get a bit splashed.
Epcot
There aren't many get-wet opportunities in Epcot, and only one is associated with an attraction. The attraction with the greatest possibility is Malestrom (wet to sprinkles) in the Norway pavilion. This attraction features a decent flume-style drop with a splash at the end. Some guests, mostly on the sides, might get somewhat splashed.
The other get-wet spot is across from the Kim Possible sign up location along the walkway between Future World and World Showcase (wet to soaked). This is a typical water spot where kids can jump and run through spraying water, similar to what was at Donald's Boat at the Magic Kingdom. Depending on how much you play in the water, you can get a good soaking here.
A third get-wet spot is at the upper level outside of the Imagination pavilion (wet to sprinkles). The location features a series of dancing waters. Depending on where you stand, you can get fairly wet, if you want to.
Hollywood Studios
Disney's Hollywood Studios probably is the park that's hardest to get wet in as there are very few opportunities to do so. About the only option is the Backlot Tour (wet to sprinkles), and it really depends on where you end up standing or sitting.
In the opening portion of the Backlot Tour, Disney recreates a scene from the movie Pearl Harbor, in which a few selected guests don waterproof outfits and are subsequently drenched in a torrent of water. While the selected guests stay dry, you might not. During the scene, there are a few water explosions. Depending on where you're standing, you might just get a pretty decent splash.
Later on, you'll enter Catastrophe Canyon to witness a disaster scene. As part of the action, another torrent of water comes raging in front of your tram. While you won't really get all that wet, those sitting on the left side might get a few good splashes.
That's about it for Hollywood Studios when it comes to getting wet. But I've saved the biggest for last...
At Kali River Rapids, guests are launched on 12-person rafts into the turbulent Chakarandi River for a wild, wet ride through a jungle habitat jeopardized by illegal logging. Along the way, the waters get wilder and wilder, culminating in a brief, but drenching drop. Depending on where you are when you go down that drop, you could literally get soaked through to your underwear. If you're facing backwards when you go down, get ready because you're in trouble. Don't worry, everyone else will still get pretty wet.
But wait, there's more... the parks aren't the only place to get wet.
Each Disney resort has an outstanding pool (some have more than one) which offer lots of opportunities to take a dip and cool off. My personal favorite is Stormalong Bay at the Beach/Yacht Club (see photo at the top of this post). Another great pool is at the Polynesian Resort.
There's even an opportunity to get a little wet at Downtown Disney. Keep an eye on the huge Stitch statue at the East end of the World of Disney Store. At times, he will spit water on passers by.
So there you go. If you're in the mood to get a little wet, here are some great options to do so!
Stay cool out there and don't forget the sunscreen and water!!
