Ride Review: Peter Pan's Flight

(Photo via Here)

One of my favorite rides at Disney World has always been Peter Pan's flight. It's the classic Disney "dark ride" with Audio Animatronics. As you board your pirate ship, you begin to fly past the nursery of Wendy, Michael, and John, then you ascend over the streets of London on the way to Neverland. It's fascinating to see the tiny lights of the streetcars driving by "Big Ben" and the Tower Bridge. [Fun fact: the "cars" are simply neon paint painted on tire treads that continually rotate!]

As you fly over Neverland, you see the Mermaids, Indians, and Pirates, as well as Peter Pan saving Wendy from certain doom. The magic is enhanced as you fly close to the action of the scenes.

(Photo via Here)

Location: Magic Kingdom : Fantasyland

Who Should Ride: Anyone and Everyone!

Special Notes: Fastpasses go quickly for this ride and it's a very popular attraction. Plan accordingly!

Bottom Line: This ride is certain to be loved by all ages. It's a Disney classic, and there's charm in that.

Q & A

Do you find that Magic Kingdom is less crowded at night time? I tried to find the answer online but couldn't really find anything for sure.

It has been my experience that the crowds start gradually dispersing from Magic Kingdom from about dinnertime on. The keyword here is gradual. There isn't a mass exodus until the park officially closes. A good number of people stay for the evening parade and fireworks, but if you are willing to forgo watching these events, wait times can be very low at certain attractions! A good tip: If you have the time, space out Magic Kingdom over two days. One night, watch the parade and fireworks. The other night, use the time when others are staking out their parade-viewing spots, etc. and ride all of the attractions you can!

An important side note: Don't count on getting Fastpasses into the evening hours. There are only a certain number of Fastpasses to be allotted each day, and once they're gone, they're gone. Utilize them in the peak park hours, which are typically between 10:00 am and 12 noon.

With Disney, the word "crowded" is obviously relative. In peak season, it will always seem like it's swamped with people (in most cases). But crowds will slowly start to disperse and young children will start having meltdowns at a certain point in the day, so you will be able to enjoy the Magic Kingdom well into the evening. Also, in the summer months, the evenings bring relatively cooler weather, so it's a nice change of pace.

Let me know if you have any other questions!

Touring the Parks with a Plan!

The one area where most families are not prepared when it comes to their vacation is park-touring. Most newcomers (and even people who make return trips) really do think that they can wing it and be just fine. And honestly, if you choose this approach, you WILL ride a few rides. However, most of your time will be spent 1) Wandering and 2) Waiting. You didn't pay big bucks to wander and wait! Make a plan!

Sit down at your computer and go to Disney's website. Click on "Parks." For another option, WDW Info has a great listing as well.

Go through each Theme Park and make a list of the attractions and rides that sound enjoyable to your family. List any that sound remotely interesting. Now, go through and highlight or circle ones that you think are absolute must-sees. These will be your priority rides, and you'll do these first in your day. The rest of the rides/attractions you listed will be after you've completed your priorities.

Now CLICK HERE to view detailed park maps (thanks to the Orlando Welcome Center's website), and zoom in to where you can see exactly what the layout of each park is. Your best best is to get to the parks before they open, and when the rope drops, make a beeline for your #1 Priority Ride. If a line has already formed, someone from your party can go to another priority ride (close by) and get Fastpasses. [Sidenote: Always make sure you have some sort of Fastpass in your hand that is ready to be used. It's a great system, and it's a shame to not utilize it!]

Looking at your map, plan out your priority rides in the order in which you plan to go. Trust me on this. It's so nice to get off of a ride and immediately know where you're headed next. It takes a load off your shoulders and everyone is on the same page.

Of course, I always recommend using The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World. Their whole book is divine, but the touring plans alone make it worth the purchase. I use a blend of their plan and my priority list.

After you've mapped everything out, I recommend typing out your (flexible) schedule, and include your Advanced Dining Reservations (which I highly recommend having for sit-down meals). That way, your entire day is on paper, and you're not searching for miscellaneous papers and notes. Doing your homework ahead of time will save you so much stress during your time in the parks!

Here are my Priority Rides and Attractions for each park. Keep in mind that these are with MY specific tastes in mind. Your list could be completely different!

Magic Kingdom

• The Haunted Mansion
• It's a Small World
• Mickey's Philarmagic
• Peter Pan's Flight
• Pirates of the Caribbean
  
• Space Mountain

Epcot

• SOARIN'
• Spaceship Earth
• The Seas with Nemo and Friends

Hollywood Studios

• Beauty and the Beast Stage Show
• The Great Movie Ride
• Toy Story Midway Mania
• Voyage of the Little Mermaid

Animal Kingdom

• Festival of the Lion King
• Finding Nemo : The Musical
• Expedition Everest
• Kali River Rapids

Break down your planning into small steps, and it won't seem as overwhelming. This is an overview of plan-making, so if you have any questions, please let me know!

Voices of Liberty

Be sure to pause my regular playlist to hear these wonderful videos!

This phenomenal singing group usually performs at Epcot, in the American Rotunda.

When my family went to Disney in 2005, we were there on my birthday, and Voices of Liberty sang Happy Birthday to me!



We don't have it on video, but here is the exact arrangement they sang:



Here are some other beautiful arrangements by Voices of Liberty:







If Voices of Liberty is performing during your next trip, you MUST see them! It's a beautiful experience!

Tips for Baby Mouseketeers

Recently, I received a comment on my main blog from a mom who recently took her 18-month-old to Disney World:

I wish I would have known about your blog before we went to Disney World. We went over Thanksgiving and although we did make some good memories we were really at a loss for our son's age group (16 months). He was NOT a happy camper and in turn, mom and dad were not happy campers! I want to go back but not for a very long time!

Disney can be challenging with a child that's too big to sleep in the stroller all day, but too small to really enjoy everything to its fullest. Here are some tips that might make it a little easier.

-Pack your own snacks. At this time, Disney is lenient on their food policy. If you know that Penelope is obsessed with Goldfish crackers, guess what you need to pack? Obviously, don't weigh down your backpack with pounds of food, but pack individual little snack baggies and a sippy cup that you can fill with water.

-Know that you can always return to Disney in the future. Plan the trip around what is easiest and most engaging for a toddler. Research Disney's website, and really, really detailed reports at Allears and make a list. List MUST-SEE attractions, MAYBE attractions, and then forget the rest. Seriously. Prepare your mind ahead of time.

-It will be pretty easy to determine which rides a toddler can't go on. Basically, it will have a height requirement. But at this age, toddlers are really interested in just the experience, sights, and sounds of a ride/attraction. Don't be worried if they don't "get" the premise of the ride.

-If you and your spouse want to go on a certain ride that Baby can't go on, Disney has a wonderful system called the Rider-Switch or Baby-Swap. Each ride handles this a little differently, but all you need to do is check in with the Cast Member greeter at the ride. They will usually give you a pass that clearly indicates the situation: Rider Switch. The first parent can get in line (or get in the Fastpass line if you have a legitimate one to use), while the other waits with Baby. Then after the ride, the parents switch and the other parent gets to go through the Fastpass line and take his/her turn. Isn't that great?!

-Sometimes you'll need a relax and regroup ride or attraction. Here are some ideas:

• Tomorrowland Transit Authority (MK): Get on and off as you please. It's a smooth tram-like ride above Tomorrowland that goes at the perfect pace. Wonderful for resting your feet. Another idea: if your toddler sleeps well while "moving," such as in a car, this simulates that experience. The scenery is varied enough to where the adults can chill, talk and relax while Wee Children take a power nap.
• Hall of Presidents (MK): Climate controlled, auditorium-type situation. The lighting is dark, and it's rarely full, so this is also a good nursing opportunity if need be.
  
• The Walt Disney World Railroad (MK) makes a big giant loop and is great for outdoor scenery and a nice breeze when the weather is right. Great resting for your feet!
  
• The Liberty Belle Riverboat (MK) is just that: a slow boat ride within Magic Kingdom. When you hit it right, it's not crowded, and there are relatively good seating options.
• Impressions de France (E): Theater-type seating with an IMAX-like film. Good for resting your feet, but unless you're sitting in the very back corner and it's not crowded, this probably wouldn't be the best place to nurse. The screen produces a lot of light from the film.
  
• The American Adventure (E): Similar to the Hall of Presidents, this is a dark-theater situation. Good for resting/nursing!
  

Here are some exciting and engaging rides/attractions for toddlers:

• Small World (MK)
• Pirates of the Caribbean (MK): You might need to shield the eyes in the first portion of the ride
• Jungle Cruise (MK)
• Country Bear Jamboree (MK)
• Peter Pan's Flight (MK)
• Dumbo (MK)
• Disney's Philharmagic (MK): A personal favorite of mine! This does require 3-D glasses. However, if you just can't make your toddler wear them, it's okay. The screen will be fuzzy-looking to them, but they should still enjoy the experience. You will too!
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
• Cinderella's Golden Carousel
• Mickey and Minnie's Houses (MK): Be aware that you walk through these attractions. However, they are stroller friendly, and touching things is encouraged!
• Carousel of Progress (MK): Only if your toddler is fascinated by audio-animatronic people, etc. This isn't child-geared, but the changing scenes and AA people/dog could keep their attention. When in doubt, skip it. You can't exit easily because the theater rotates.
• Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin (MK)
• Spaceship Earth (E): Again, be advised this is about the history of communication/technology and there is no easy exit. Audio-animatronics are used and there are some neat lighting effects every now in then, but if in doubt, skip it.
  
• The Seas with Nemo and Friends (E)
• Turtle Talk with Crush (E): Not a ride; you sit on the floor. If you have an active toddler, skip it!
• Journey Into Imagination (E): I'd call this a "Maybe"/If You Have Time ride.
• El Rio de Tiempo (E): Boat ride in the Mexico Pavilion.
  
• Voyage of the Little Mermaid (DHS)
• Playhouse Disney--Live (DHS)
• Kilamanjaro Safari (AK)
• Finding Nemo the Musical (AK)

-Disney offers Baby Stations that are a great place to recharge and regroup. There is an adult restroom, sinks, changing areas, high chairs for feeding, nursing rooms, etc. For a charge, you can purchase items you might have forgotten.

Here are the locations of the Baby Stations (from Allears):

Magic Kingdom -- At the end of Main Street, behind the Crystal Palace Restaurant on you way to Adventureland. It is tucked away in a small courtyard near the first aid station.

Epcot -- On the backside of the Odyssey Restaurant on the walkway from Test Track to Mexico. This is a very neat station as many times the workers from the Mexican Pavilion come over to relieve the cast members. It is great to talk to them about their travels and country while you are taking a break.

Disney's Hollywood Studios -- Just inside the entrance near guest services on the left as you enter.

Animal Kingdom -- Near the Creature Comforts gift shop on the left side of The Tree of Life.

-A lot of people like the Take a Break and Nap approach. They will go back to their hotel mid-day and really recharge. You know your kids best. If you will have meltdowns if they don't get that solid 2-hour nap, then it's worth taking the break. You don't want to ruin your vacation! However, if you think your kids can nap in their stroller(s) while you continue to browse, eat, etc., I say keep going. You know your kids best!

-Don't force a character meeting unless you really think your child can handle it. Start talking about Disney World early and discuss maybe meeting some characters (try not promise specific characters--you never know who you will run into!). Watch the Disney Planning DVD that you can get FREE!

-Dining arrangements will be different with very small children. I would plan on mostly quick-service meals, since you never know what state you'll be in at any given point in the day. If your child is nice and predictable about mealtimes, then maybe make one Advanced Dining Reservation a day, maximum. (Call 1-407-WDW-DINE or you can now reserve online!)

-Do not bother with Character Meals unless your child is really old enough to be excited about it and has shown an interest in Disney movies, characters, etc. Again, you know your child best!

As long as you do some preparing and planning, you really can manage a Disney vacation with a very small child. Just try to stick to your normal schedule as far as eating, napping, snacking, etc. the best you can. Breathe and realize that memories (for you as adults) is why you're doing this. Seeing Disney through Evy's eyes is something I literally can't wait for. I'm counting the hours until we take her for the first time!