You'll Never Wait In Line The Same Way Again

Over the 39 years that theme parks have existed in Orlando, guests have been waiting in lines to see their favorite attractions. It is always the most boring part of a trip to the parks, but it is unavoidable. The attractions can only handle so many people at once, so lines form. In the late 1990's, Disney revolutionized the system with FASTPASS, a ticketing device that allows guests to get a ticket with a return time, allowing them to come back to an attraction later with the promise of little to no wait. Nearly every theme park has copied the system since then, from Universal Studios to Six Flags. Some have even made huge profits selling the shorter line perks for a premium price.

A new revolution in lining up for attractions is already in use in Orlando, and you may never realize you're waiting in line. The idea of an interactive queue was first introduced at Epcot's Soarin' attraction in 2007, allowing guests waiting in line to play motion based games on giant screens while waiting to board the attraction. The ride had wait times averaging in the hours and Disney wanted to make sure guests were entertained while they waited. This was taken to a much larger scale in 2009 when Space Mountain at the Magic Kingdom introduced gaming stations along the stand-by attraction line. Guests are now blasting asteroids, sorting interstellar luggage, and moving galactic freight by button-mashing while they wait to board a rocket.

Here's a video of guests moving and shaking to motion based games at Soarin':

A look at one of the games guests can play while waiting for Space Mountain:

The latest innovation is coming in the form of play areas for guests while they wait in line for The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh in Fantasyland. Beginning this week, guests can bounce with Tigger, play in Rabbit's garden:

and paint with honey:

By the time they're done, they may not even realize they were waiting to ride. Even better, they may have enjoyed the time they waited more than their time on the attraction!

I can't begin to count the number of times I have walked away from an attraction because the wait time was too high and I feared standing in a boring line. It would seem these lines are more part of the experience now than ever. Guests skipping these experiences to utilize FASTPASS may now have to think twice: do you skip the line completely and miss out on the fun other guests are having playing games and taking part in activities? It may be a harder decision the more in-depth these line-shortening experiences become.

The Top 5 Orlando Restaurants

Where are the best places to eat in Orlando? Are they in the theme parks? Are they in a resort hotel? Are they in the Crossroads? Let's find out:

1) Via Napoli - Epcot, Walt Disney World Resort

What is there to say about Via Napoli that hasn't already been said on this blog? It turns out not much! Read my full review here.

2) The Wave - Disney's Contemporary Resort, Walt Disney World Resort



The Wave is one of the newest restaurants at Walt Disney World, but has made a major impact in a short amount of time. The intimate atmosphere, modern architecture, and incredible food have put this basement restaurant with no windows easy to find. My menu suggestions: Grilled Beef Tenderloin, Grilled Marinated Flank Steak, and the Grilled Pork Tenderloin.

3) Emeril's Chop Chop - Lowe's Royal Pacific Resort, Universal Orlando Resort

In my opinion, one of the few reasons to even go near Universal Orlando is to eat at Emeril's Chop Chop. Asian and Polynesian influences can be found in both the menu and the wonderful atmosphere inside the restaurant. Leave the t-shirt and shorts at home for this one, you'll want to wear something a little nicer when you dine here. My menu suggestions: Steamed Pork and Vegetable Dumplings, and the Mongolian Barbecue Grilled Pork Tenderloin.

4) Citricos - Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Walt Disney World Resort

Citricos is a bit expensive, but if you want good food, you have to pay for it. The setting is upscale in Disney's most expensive resort hotel. If you have some moeny to spend and enjoy "American Cuisine with a Distinct Tuscan Flare", then you'll want to give this one a shot. My menu suggestions: Braised Veal Shank, Roasted Chicken Breast, and the Berkshire Pork Two Ways.

5) Yak and Yeti - Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Walt Disney World Resort

When you first hear that this restuarant is owned by the same people who created the Rainforest Cafe, you may think it's just another restaurant with overpriced food and fake animals. You couldn't be more wrong about the Yak and Yeti. Nestled in the shadows of Expedition: Everest, this Asian restaurant breaks loose from the chain and offers a stunning menu without the child-friendly atmosphere you'll experience at any other Landry's restaurant. Instead, you'll really feel like you're visiting Asia while in sunny central Florida. My menu suggestions: Pork Pot Stickers, Dim Sum Basket, Crispy Honey Chicken, Baby Back Ribs (best on the planet!), and the Kobe Beef Burger.

Fun With Ride Photos

Being creative while on a ride can be fun, especially if it is something you have been on hundreds of times...

What Do Superheroes, Droids, and Archeologists Have in Common? A Bright Future

With Disney's recent buy-out of Paramount to put Iron Man 3 and The Avengers under the Disney label, it's obvious the company doesn't want to sit and wait for deals to expire to make good use of it's 2009 purchase of Marvel. Is it possible Disney won't hold back much longer on theme park tie-ins? While Universal Orlando has an entire island at Islands of Adventure dedicated to Marvel, it's no secret that they are actively looking at how to drop those Disney owned franchises as soon as possible. Once Universal pulls the trigger on removing the Marvel characters and attractions, what will Disney do? Will they mix Iron Man, Spider Man, and the Incredible Hulk with Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, and Goofy? While I would fully expect Disney to build Marvel attractions as soon as possible, I wouldn't expect to see the comic book heroes at the Magic Kingdom. Management at Disneyland Paris has already hinted that concepts for a third Disney theme park in Europe revolve solely around the Marvel franchises. Can we expect the same in Orlando? Only time will tell, but rest assured you will see Marvel in the Disney Parks as soon as it is legally possible. Marvel isn't the only franchise Disney will be cashing in on during the next decade.

"Star Tours: The Adventures Continue" Coming 2011

Star Wars has been a popular franchise for the Disney Theme Parks since they struck their first deal with George Lucas in the mid-80's. As many of you are probably aware, the 20-plus year old Star Tours attraction at Disney's Hollywood Studios is currently receiving a multi-million dollar refurbishment to bring it into the 21st century. The talk of random ride sequences sending guests to multiple planets in the Star Wars universe (all in 3-D and High Definition might I add) has guests excited for the re-opening of the attraction in 2011. With the current popularity of the Star Wars franchise leading from a hit animated series, upcoming 3-D release of the six feature films, and talk of a live action television show in the works, is it crazy to think Disney will want to work with Lucas to have more than a single Star Wars attraction in Orlando? Probably not. It's a smart bet to make that we'll see another ride through the "galaxy far, far away" before too long.

"The Indiana Jones Adventure" at Disneyland

Let's also not forget that the talks with Lucas include another important franchise, "Indiana Jones". Guests who visit Disneyland in California have be treated to an amazing attraction called the "Indiana Jones Adventure" since 1995. In Florida, guests only get to see their favorite collector of rare antiquities in a 20 year old stage show and a short scene in the aging Great Movie Ride. Guests have been begging for an attraction half as amazing as the "Indiana Jones Adventure" in Florida, and with any luck we'll be riding along with Indy at Disney's Hollywood Studios someday.

Fantasyland Expansion Plans Getting a Makeover

Nobody likes losing, especially the Disney company. For over 88 years they have been the leaders in movies, television, and theme parks. Walt Disney World isn't losing any competition in Orlando, but the success of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter has Disney rethinking many unannounced projects and one huge one that is already under construction.

Model of earlier plans for the Fantasyland Expansion at the Magic Kingdom

When the Fantasyland Expansion for the Magic Kingdom was announced at the inaugral D23 Expo in September 2009, we were warned plans would change, but we would still be in store for the largest construction project in the history of Walt Disney World's first theme park. The announced plans included realms where guests could enter the worlds of "Beauty and the Beast", "The Little Mermaid", "Cinderella", "Sleeping Beauty", "Dumbo", and "Tinker Bell". After these plans were disclosed, many complained that the additions were too girl-centric and offered little, if anything, for male visitors. As a 22-year-old male, it isn't easy for me to admit I was pretty excited about everything in those plans. I think these movies that would have attraction based upon them are all timeless not because girls like them, but because they have mass appeal. I'm pretty sure there are men of all ages that have seen and enjoyed at least of a few of those movies. Regardless, Disney has decided to change plans around based on these complaints and the success of Harry Potter down the road.

While nothing is official just yet, it seems that the "Cinderella", "Sleeping Beauty", and "Tinker Bell" realms are history. Rumors indicate that the once planned "Snow White and the Sevenn Dwarfs" mine-train roller-coaster will fill the plot where the homes of Princesses Cinderella and Aurora would have been. The addition of a small thrill ride is certainly welcome, but it does have its reprecussions. The "Snow White's Scary Adventure" ride that had been in the park since it opened in 1971 is now on the chopping block. Witht the loss of new meet-and-greet experiences in what is the Fantasyland Forest, rumors have the attraction being gutted for a home for the Disney Princesses. I have to admit that while it is not my favorite ride, I'll miss Snow White for the historical signifigance more than anything else.

construction has begun on "Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid"

Still, none of these plans are etched in stone. Things are still shifting and changing, but you'll be happy to know that construction on a new facade and interactive queue for "The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh", a new roof for "The Mad Tea Party", the new "Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid" attraction, and the Beauty amd the Beast inspired "Be Our Guest" Restaurant has begun, so we know these projects have made it through the transition period. No matter what ends uop making the final product of the Fantasyland Forest, I think Orlando visitors and locals will be very happy with the widespread changes and additions.

For a recent look at the Fantasyland Construction, here's a video from WDWNTube:

Are Simple Thrills Enough For Another Orlando Theme Park?

If Central Florida didn't have enough thrill rides, a whole park full of them should do the trick. The Baker Leisure Group is helping a group of investors create what may be known as “The Orlando Thrill Park”, a proposed 70 acres of roller coasters located along International Drive. Does Orlando need this thrill-only park, or is this too much of too little?

"The Incredible Hulk" at Universal's Islands of Adventure

Roller coasters built purely for thrill are not even mentioned as top attractions in Orlando, it takes a sensory experience unlike anything guests have ever seen before to make it in this town. If people want to ride some un-themed, generic scream machines, they can head to their local Six Flags or hometown amusement park. Extreme thrill rides already open in Orlando like "The Incredible Hulk", "Mission:SPACE", and "Dragon Challenge" are a lot of fun, but fall short of the most popular attractions in the area and this is when a respected company such as Disney or Universal are at the helm. Imagine if a budget-conscious company decided to build a coaster-only park. We could see something worse than a Six Flags sitting on International Drive.


From a business stand-point, this is a horrible idea. How could a park with far less to offer than what visitors can see close to home or right down the road (in any direction) succeed in Central Florida? It can't. Everyone who wants to vacation in Orlando is there for Disney World and will only extend their trips so long to include Universal Orlando, Sea World, and Busch Gardens. Visitors will not stay an extra day for a few rather plain roller-coasters. Locals will visit, but their annual passes to the established parks will be far more inviting. Never-mind if you don't like thrill rides, then you'll never find yourself visiting a one-dimensional park like this. Variety is key, and if a park doesn't offer something for everyone, than everyone doesn't go.


Regardless, I can't wait to watch this park fail. If you can't compete with the lower tier parks in Orlando, you shouldn't even be there. This is a tourist trap that will fade just like the rest if the investors even get the money together to make this thing happen. I hope they don't....

The Top 5 Fall Activities in Orlando

Fall is generally an adult friendly time in Orlando. Kids everywhere are back in school and the summer crowds are all gone. There are a few activities that I highly suggest if you find yourself in Orlando between September and November, here are the top 5:

1. Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party
Select nights September 14th-November 1st at the Magic Kingdom

Now, this is generally kid-friendly, but it doesn't mean it isn't fun. Even I have second thought's about getting dressed for the occasion and trick-or-treating at The Magic Kingdom (you don't have to worry about someone answering a door and you know where to go for the candy). Special parades, fireworks, and shows make this event worth the added price of admission for anyone of any age.

Prices are $59.95 (ages 10+) and $53.95 (ages 3-9) for all dates except Oct. 29 and Oct. 31 when tickets cost $64.95 (ages 10+) and $58.95 (ages 3-9). Advance purchase (prior to event day) savings of $6 per ticket are available for the parties on Sept. 14, 18, 21, 23, 25, 28, 30; Oct. 1, 3, 7, 11, 12, 14, 17, 19, 21, 24, 26; and Nov. 1.

2. Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
Daily October 1st-November 14th

If you want to taste the world and have a love for fine wine (or beer) than this event is for you. I get very defensive when people say Walt Disney World is only for kids, because you will never see a more adult oriented event than the Food and Wine Festival. It would take hours to explain everything that this event has to offer. In short, the marketplaces around World Showcase offer something for everyone, but if you are a true connoisseur, there are a plethora of seminars, tastings, and more to keep you busy your entire trip.

3. Halloween Horror Nights
Select Nights September 24th-October 31st at Universal Orlando

Now, I've never been to this, but it is a local favorite. If you enjoy having the $&*% scarred out of you, you'll probably like Halloween Horror Nights. No body does the haunted park better than Universal, and you won't find anything of this sort at Disney. This is one place where Universal excels, and while it's not my taste, I'll admit it is impressive. Leave the kids at home for this one.

Since I am no expert on this topic, you may want to check out the coverage from Inside The Magic or Orlando Attractions Magazine.

Horror Nights will take place on Sept. 24-25, Sept. 30-Oct. 1-3, 7-10, 14-17, 20-24 and 27-31. Tickets are on sale now at HalloweenHorrorNights.com/orlando, or by calling 1-888-467-7677 (HORROR-7).


4. Arriving at Parks Later
Early September-Early November

Any other time of year, you should get to the Orlando theme parks at opening if you expect to get everything you want done. This is one time of year where you may be able to get some extra sleep in. The crowds are light for the most part, so don't be afraid to wake up and get in the parks by noon, you shouldn't find too many people there.

5. Golf
Early September-Early November

I love to golf, and golfing in the fall is the best, especially in Orlando. Disney's courses are wonderful, but Orlando is also the golf course capital of the world. Disney's Palm and Magnolia course would be my personal preference. The courses are well-kept and the scenery is pretty breathtaking, which really adds to the experience. The nine-hole Oak Trail course is one to skip, even if you're looking to not play a full 18-holes. It isn't very well kept and doesn't offer a whole lot of exciting things to look at.