Traveling: Walt Disney World

Saturday 20 November 2010

Walt Disney World - Part 3

Magic Kingdom

Thursday - January 17th 2008

Today was our first day in the parks and of course we chose the Magic Kingdom. The Magic Kingdom is devided into the seven themed lands Main Street USA, Tomorrowland, Fantasyland, Frontierland, Adventureland, Liberty Square and Mickey's Toontown Fair.

After a coffee we took the bus to the themepark, where we arrived before the park opened. Suddenly many Disney characters appeared on the Main Street Station and performed a cheesy opening show. Honestly, it was a bit too much for us, but most people enjoyed it.

Park Entrance

Park Opening Show

Cincerella's Castle

Tomorrowland

After we entered the park, we rushed into Fantasyland to ride all the classic attractions, like it's a small world, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and Peter Pan's Flight, because during the day the lines are very long. Also on the list were Dumbo, Mad Hatter's Tea Cups and Cinderella's Golden Carousel.

Fantasyland

It's a Small World

Fantasyland

Fantasyland was a little bit disappointing for us. Honestly the whole park was not as beautiful as its counterpart in Paris. The Magic Kingdom feels a bit old and dated, compared to the European Magic Kingdom.

After Fantasyland it was time for Liberty Square and the Haunted Mansion. Liberty Square is dedicated to the history and presidents of the United States. The Haunted Mansion was great, because it was recently refurbed and since it is one of our favorite attractions in Paris, we definitely enjoyed it in Florida as well.

Haunted Mansion

Liberty Square

Since we wanted to do all major rides before the crowds got too big, Big Thunder Mountain in Frontierland and Pirates of the Caribbean in Adventureland were next. Both attractions were a lot of fun, but the newer versions in Paris were better, especially Pirates of the Caribbean is a bit short and the storyline is a bit weired, but Jack Sparrow joined the pirates. On the one hand I was happy to see Captain Jack in the ride, but on the other hand it is great that Disneyland Paris still has the original version without him and I hope it stays that way.

Frontierland

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

Pirates of the Caribbean

Now it was time for a late breakfast and we decided to get some pastries at the Main Street Bakery. I ordered a Danish Cookie and my girlfried got a Cinnamon Roll. The latter was really good, but the Danish Cookie was too sweet for my taste.

Breakfast

Main Street USA

Cinderella's Castle

Afterwards we visited Mickey and Minnie at Mickey's Tontown Fair. Back in Adventureland we flew with Aladdin's Flying Carpets, watched the Enchanted Tiki Room show, climbed the Swiss Family's Tree House and later we did a cruise through the jungle.

Mickey's Toontown Fair

Adventureland

Jungle Cruise

It was already early afternoon and since we were hungry we had lunch at Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe. We both had a Veggie Burger and afterwards we did Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor, Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin and Stitch's Great Escape in Tomorrowland. Then we watched Disney's Dreams Come True Parade, but we didn't like it very much.

Stitch's Great Escape

Main Street USA

Disney's Dreams Come True Parade

Main Street USA

Space Mountain was next and it was another disappointment. It's just a lame roller coaster and can't be compared with its counterpart in France. Tomorrowland in general didn't appeal to us. In fact only Adventureland, Frontierland and Liberty Square were beautiful. The other lands looked old compared to Disneyland in Paris.

Space Mountain

Tomorrowland

Before we rode Goofy's Barnstormer, a small coaster for children, we took a tour through Tomorrowland with the Transit Authority.

Goofy's Barnstormer

Since it was already evening we just strolled around the parks and did more attractions, while we were waiting for Spectromagic, the nighttime parade. Spectromagic wasn't great, but better than Disney's Dreams Come True Parade.