Isn’t Life Strange?

Now that my Disney vacation is only a memory, I wanted to write a little about some of the new experiences I had and the things I enjoyed while I was there.

I’m pleased that I was able to enjoy some attractions I hadn’t taken the time to see on my previous trips. My favorite of these is Expedition Everest, an elaborately themed but high intensity roller coaster that takes passengers on a ride through the Himalayas, into the realm of the Yeti. Of the few coasters at Disney World, Expedition Everest is the most exciting, most satisfying thrill. The other coaster I tried for the very first time was the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The best part about this coaster is a launch that takes passengers from zero to sixty miles per hour in under three seconds. The entire ride is in the dark, so it is hard to see what is coming. This makes the loops and the corkscrew more exciting, but overall the shortness of the ride makes it a bit of a disappointment.

I made sure to see some of the shows in the parks as well. “The Voyage of the Little Mermaid” is a short show at Disney’s Hollywood Studios that combines live acting, puppets, and animation. What makes this show interesting is the theater itself, made to resemble the environs of Ariel’s grotto. Another undersea adventure is “Finding Nemo, the Musical” located at the Animal Kingdom. This is a longer show that follows the plot of the movie and includes original songs written for the production. The “Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular” is a fun stunt show located at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. It features performances by professional stuntmen (and women) in scenes similar to those in the Indiana Jones movies.

If reservations are made well enough in advance of your trip, there are many fine restaurants to enjoy at Disney World. Some of the best are located at the deluxe resorts. I had wonderful dinners at Citricos, Artist Point, Flying Fish, The Yachtsman Steakhouse, the California Grill, and Jiko. My favorite meals were at the California Grill and Citricos but I highly recommend any of these restaurants. I was pleasantly surprised by the excellent dinner at Chefs de France at Epcot and the tasty food at Spoodles on Disney’s Boardwalk. The Tomato Gin soup at Raglan Road (Downtown Disney) was a delicious treat I won’t soon forget, and the pastries at Boulangerie Patisserie in the France Pavilion at Epcot should not be missed.

Epcot is still my favorite park, followed closely by the Magic Kingdom. Both parks feature amazing Disney attractions and plenty of entertainment for the entire family. I’m starting to warm up to the Animal Kingdom, especially now that I have found a favorite attraction in Expedition Everest. It is also a beautifully landscaped park and a great place to see many different animals from around the world. Hollywood Studios has its highlights as well. Of the four parks it is the least photogenic but it is not without a certain appeal. One of Disney World’s most exciting attractions, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is located there and thrill seekers should not miss it.

I’m already looking forward to my next trip!