Best of Disney

Magic Kingdom

Children

Tom Sawyer Island – This attraction is a favorite with kids because they can run around and play with the Island’s many attractions. Among other playground equipment, there’s a cave, mill and wooden fort. Time spent is up to you and crowds are not a problem.

It’s A Small World – Parents will appreciate this purely for nostalgia, but kids still love this antiquated ride.

Jungle Cruise – One of the most popular rides in the Magic Kingdom, Jungle Cruise is a great attraction for the little ones. There’s just enough adventure without the chance of tears.

Teens
Splash Mountain – This ride has the things teens look for in a ride - it ends in a 5-story drop at a 45-degree angle that absolutely dowses everybody. It’s great on a hot day.

Haunted Mansion - This attraction is a good mixture of the genuine macabre and Scoobie-doo-type scares. The climax of the ride is when you see a ghoulish stowaway.

Timekeeper – This attraction is a 360-degree movie that is narrated by Robin Williams. The huge screens and funny material make this attraction an underrated treat.

Adults

Space Mountain – People either love or hate this Disney classic. The experience of a roller coaster in the dark is sensational, but scary. You’ve got to try it at least once.

ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter – This rise will scare your pants off. Too intense for little kids, this ride is one of the most exciting in Disney.

Pirates of the Caribbean- How could you come to Walt Disney World and not go on this ride? Like It’s a Small World, Pirates of the Caribbean prays upon your sense of nostalgia, but then adds some politically incorrect wench comments. As it gets older the kitsch value increases.

Epcot

Kids under 10

The Living Seas – This attraction will instill an appreciation for marine life and their habitat. You get close-up looks at the creatures though underwater tunnels and huge tanks with plexi-glass walls. There are also displays of underwater exploration devices.

Spaceship Earth – Spaceship Earth is a good introduction to Epcot, it’s a sedate ride where the history and future of communications are examined. There are moments of complete darkness, so those afraid of the dark might get nervous.

Image Works – is another great attraction for children. The interactive displays allow kids to conduct an orchestra or paint a masterpiece. Watching other people use the displays is almost as fun as doing it yourself.

Teens

It’s hard to select the very best rides for older kids and teens in Epcot. All the attractions in Epcot appeal to this age group as they combine education with fun rides. You can’t go wrong.

Body Wars – This ride truly makes learning fun. It combines the action of a motion simulator ride with an anatomy lesson as riders take an imaginary flight through the human body.

Cranium Command - Another educational ride housed in the Wonders of Life pavilion, Cranium Command demonstrates how the cranium co-ordinates different regions of the brain and body during the course of a 12-year old boy’s day.

Ellen’s Energy Adventure – This wacky ride starring Ellen DeGeneres explains the origins and usage of energy. The highlight of the ride for most kids will be the segment that transports Ellen and Bill Nye ( The Science Guy) back to prehistoric times.

Adults

Test Track – One of the newest attractions in Epcot, Test Track takes yuou through the testing process of new cars. We probably didn’t need to include this ride as one of our favorites because the sight of cars whipping around an outdoor track at over 50-mph is probably enough to make you check it out on your own.

Innoventions – Both kids and parents will enjoy the Innoventions pavilion. There are all sorts of electronic gizmos and games, Internet connections and a chance to see the household consumer products available to the home of the future.

World Showcase – This section of Epcot allows you to travel to 11 different countries without leaving Central Florida. More tranquil than the rest of the park, the World Showcase offers food, shopping and cultural displays. The lagoon in the middle of the world Showcase is the site of the daily illuminations fireworks display.

MGM/ Disney

Children

Doug attraction?

Teens

TWILIGHT Zone Tower of Terror – This is one of the genuine thrill rides in Disney. Anticipation builds as you enter the abandoned hotel that is the site of some eerie occurrences. Riders take the plunge as you experience two thirteen story free-fall drops. Yikes!

Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular – This show goes behind the scenes and explains how some of the thrilling stunts from Raiders of the Lost Ark were performed. There are fights, falls, explosions and narrow escapes in this exciting show. Its performed in a large arena, but you should still get there early.

Adults

Magic of Disney – Anyone who loves Disney’s animated films will enjoy this attraction because you get to see where they’re actually made. In this self guided tour, you’ll see the story rooms and the drafting tables of animators as they work on current Disney projects.

Star Tours –Based on George Lucas’ holy Trilogy, this motion simulator ride will put you in touch with the force. Lines are still almost as long as those for Phantom Menace

Animal Kingdom

Children

Camp Minnie-Mickey - This area of Animal Kingdom is set aside to stop and meet your favorite Disney characters. Take a photo or get an autograph from Mickey, Pocahontas, and others. While in Camp Minnie Mickey, see the Lion King show – it’s incredible.

The Boneyard – Located in Dinoland USA, this playground is actually an archeological dig. Kids can sift through the sands to discover bones and other hidden treats.

Teens

Countdown to Extinction - This wild ride puts you in a jeep that heads back in time (the Delorean is in Universal) to save the last dinosaur. The ride is filled with sharp turns and bumps and is generally more jostling than most other rides. The combination of dinosaurs and a fast paced ride is like peanut butter and jelly to most older kids. It may be too intense for younger children.

Kilimangaro Safaris – This is the Animal Kingdom’s featured attraction. Designed to simulate a safari adventure, Kilimangaro Safaris allows visitors to see wildlife in their natural habitat.

Adults

It’s Tough to be a bug –

This is one of the most exciting attractions in all of Disney. It features the characters from A Bug’s Life in a movie that has action taking place both on and off the screen. It’s like Honey, I shrunk the Audience only much, much scarier. Too intense for small children. Some day it will be considered a classic.

Lion King –

Housed in the Theater in the Wild in camp Minnie-Mickey, The Lion King live action show is truly a "must see’ attraction. Based on the familiar story of Simba the Lion, this presentation combines athletic dancing, puppetry and fantastic costumes. You won’t see another show like it. Get there early.