After completing EPCOT our next destination was Hollywood Studios (previously knows as Disney-MGM). We decided to take third mode of transport to go to next park, the ferry. Yes, Disney world has a fleet of 300 buses, 20 mono rail trains and ferries for people to move around. We were a bit late to reach the park and realized that theme parks can be crowded too (we did not face any queues for first two days).
We started with the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, it was a show based on the movie. Here a director was trying to shoot a movie and then things go wrong. A mix of humor and fake fight sequences, made this show really amazing. We could see - how movie sets are built, how fight sequences are coordinated, how blasts and gunfire are done. Overall, it was a very entertaining show and I could watch it multiple times.
Tower of Terror
We moved on to The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, this is a free fall ride based on some random sequences (to go up and fall again) and a good mix of darkness, 3D animation and other visual effects. But the fun part is free fall and sudden bounce upwards. Moving on we went to Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster. It was indoor roller coaster designed to be the Limousine where you go on a ride with Aerosmith. Best part of this ride was the high speed launch into the tunnel and there were three instances when we went upside down. The last attraction was a 3D interactive ride based on Toy Story, this ride is developed in collaboration with Pixar. This proved to be the best 3D interactive ride ever, we had the guns and we were supposed to shoot different items in a carnival like setup. That was end of Hollywood Studios, we went to downtown Orlando that night and had a lot of fun.
Cinderella’s Castle, Magic Kingdom
Next day it was time for Magic Kingdom, the most visited theme park in the world. We started with the oldest and most popular ride – The Space Mountain. It is another indoor roller coaster and most interesting part is the surprise element, we have no clue about which direction it is going to turn and does not have a big fall. Its not a fast ride and that is why it is loved by every age group. Since Brett was with us, we knew all tricks about Disney World and could do this ride three times that day. We headed to Buzz Lightyear Aestro Blasters which is another interactive ride where we shoot with laser guns. My gun did not work (or I didn’t know how to use it) and I could not have fun in this ride.
Next destination was Pirates of the Caribbean ride, the movie is based on this ride (Yep, this ride inspired the movie). This was a boat ride, where we move in a dark tunnel and see a lot of pirate animatronics and some very cool lighting effects. Surprise of this ride was a ‘drop’, I enjoyed it. There is a story that goes in Disney Circle, this ride is haunted and if workers do not greet the ghosts (GM/GN) the ride does not work properly the next day. We moved on to the Jungle Cruise, a boat ride with fake animals. Initially you think why a jungle cruise with no real animals, but in some time you realize its a fun ride and there are a lot of jokes involved.
We headed to the Haunted House, I thought it funny rather than scary but I was amazed to see the way it was done. Then we did few more stuff in Fantasy land like Snow White’s Scary Adventures and It’s a small world. I liked It’s a small world a lot, this is a boat ride (the longest one I had) and we move on to different countries and see animatronics from that area. For India it was the setup of Taj Mahal and Rajasthani dancers in front of it. We moved on to the famous Splash Mountain ride but sadly it was closed for renovation for last 2 months. Sad part was it was supposed to start operating from next day, so we missed it by a day. To make up for that we went on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad two times. It was a normal roller coaster with few ups and down, I liked the setup and synchronization of the ride.
Finally it was time to meet Mickey, we moved on to Mickey’s Toontown Fair. It was the real “magic” kingdom, picture (or I must say Toon) perfect. Every single piece from the Mickey’s life was live here. The photograph (from Mickey’s house) will tell rest of story, I have no words to describe the experience.
Mickey’s House
We had some more time to kill before the parade starts, people had already started taking positions three hours before the parade but we knew how to get a good spot. We went to Tomorrowland once again and tried few more things. Had maximum fun at Monster’s Inc Laugh Floor. It was a live show with a lot of practical (real time) jokes were blended with the movie sequences. It was 6:30 PM, so we selected a place to get a good view of the parade. The excitement of parade was so much that it was very hard to kill those 30 minutes. Parade was excellent, all the Disney characters made the appearance in a grand way. It was dark and the characters’ dress fitted with a lot of bulbs, synchronized dance and music was an experience that one would never forget in lifetime. It was a celebration, the way to spread fun in the world, an experience one cannot describe in words.
Fireworks @ Magic Kingdom
After the parade came the most anticipated moment of the day, fireworks. In the last post I wrote, till today that was the best fireworks because the next day it changed to Magic Kingdom’s fireworks. This was the fireworks of absolute brilliance, it was not just the fireworks, it was accompanied by Jiminy Cricket’s commentary and beautiful story. Fireworks were part of a story, as I said before, Disneyworld does not sell you some rides or fun, it is an experience, the package that takes one being from this life to magical world. That has happened to me, I was speechless after this magnificent show. I was in a magical world, I didn’t want to come out of it.
