World of Dreams Photo of the Week

The photograph I have selected this week is of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, which can be found in the Magic Kingdom's Frontierland. I captured this image of 'The Wildest Ride In The Wilderness' whilst riding the Walt Disney World Railroad, which passes right by Big Thunder Mountain, presenting an exceptional opportunity to photograph what I consider to be one of Walt Disney World's best themed attractions. I was torn as to how I should edit this photo, so I have made two edits of the original, and posted both. I hope you like them!

Thank you for reading, and have a magical day!

Attraction Review- The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

Apologies for the delay in posting this, I have been experiencing some technical issues, which are now resolved.

This week, the focus is on one of Walt Disney World's tallest, and arguably most thrilling, attractions. Located over at Disney's Hollywood Studios, standing proudly at one end of the magnificent Sunset Boulevard, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is one of the most high tech attractions in the entire world, and has been ever since is opening on July 22nd, 1994, thanks to several high profile upgrades in recent years.

The Tower of Terror (ToT) is 199 feet high, and second only to Expedition Everest at Disney's Animal Kingdom in the stakes of WDW's tallest attraction. Both are under 200 feet due to regulations which require a red beacon to be placed upon any building whose height exceeds 200 feet, which the Imagineers thought would spoil the theming.

ToT, which is based on the events from the popular 'Twilight Zone' TV Series, has guests entering the abandoned Hollywood Tower Hotel, which has been deserted since 1939, when a lightening strike caused 5 people travelling in the hotel's elevator to cross over into the 5th Dimension, or the Twilight Zone as it's more commonly known. Guests watch a short movie in the Hotel's Library explaining all this, before being told that 'their rooms are ready' (a nice touch), and boarding a service elevator which takes them on an awe-inspiring, adrenaline-pumping ride.

In the section of the ride where the elevator drops, it's actually PULLED down, faster than the speed of gravity, maximising the thrill and making it feel like you left your stomach at the top! I won't spoil it for those of you who have never ridden it, but I will say that the theming and detail of this entire attraction is absolutely exquisite, a real Imagineering masterpiece! I know I say that about a lot of things at Walt Disney World, but the Tower of Terror really is! The Unofficial Guide doesn't call it Walt Disney World's best attraction for nothing, you know!

For an attraction of its pedigree, the ToT can be surprisingly easy to get on, but still commonly experiences the insanely long waits typical of WDW super headliner attractions. I have always noticed that the posted standby wait is often wildly exaggerated, and have entered the queue before with a posted wait of 45 minutes, and got on the ride in under 10 minutes. The FastPass system is also especially good for the Tower of Terror.

Here's how I would rate the ToT in the following areas, and why:

Thrill~ 10/10
I'll be honest, the Tower of Terror is not by any means for the faint-hearted. Its 13 storey drop, which, by the way, is faster than gravity, is easily the most thrilling in any of the WDW Theme Parks, and the scenes which build up to it will always thrill every single one of your senses. It's really not hard to see why the ToT is widely regarded as WDW's most thrilling attraction!

Scariness~ 10/10
The imposing silhouette of the Hollywood Tower Hotel can be scary merely when it looms on the horizon, let alone when your actually riding it! I find it harder to imagine a spookier possibility than exploring a deserted, haunted hotel, especially when doing so in an elevator which has a habit of taking guests into the Twilight Zone! The theming, which I will talk about later in more detail, does a splendid job of setting the scene, and really getting every guest into the spooky mood of the ToT, as every good attraction should. And then there's the drop sequence. Each time an elevator approaches the drop shaft, an extremely powerful computer randomly calculates a drop sequence for it, meaning no two rides on the ToT are the same. As if the drops themselves weren't scary enough, this adds a level of uncertainty to the attraction, as you really don't know what's going to happen. You might start with a drop, or by shooting up. You might get a fake drop next, or you might get a full drop, there's really no way of knowing which it will be!
One thing I have found is that there are often slight variations in the level of scariness between different rides on this attraction. I have been fortunate enough to visit Hollywood Studios on days when crowds have been fairly low, and have therefore had the opportunity on several occasions to repeatedly experience the Tower of Terror. I can say that I have noticed quite distinct variations in the level of scariness of the ride, and although this may be just me, it really does feel like one ride is noticeably scarier than another previous one. Every drop sequence contains the same basic elements, with some variations to make the experience unique every time. I think that these variations in the actual events of the sequence, as well as their order, can really have an effect on the attraction's scariness. For example, a fake drop (where the elevator begins to drop but stops very quickly), can be scarier if it happens at the top of the tower, with the doors open.
I'm not saying that these variations in the level of scariness detract from the experience in any way, as the ToT will always be incredibly scary no matter which drop sequence is generated, merely that you should be aware of it!

Theming~ 10/10
Another perfect score for the Tower of Terror! As I mentioned earlier, the details in this attraction are absolutely extraordinary, from the cobweb-covered 'lobby' to the elevators themselves. The Imagineers have done a perfect job in creating an immersive themed environment, making every single rider really feel like they really are 'checking in' to Hollywood's spookiest hotel! Another thing I want to talk about is the Cast Members of the Tower of Terror. They play the part of 1930s Bellhops, and really play it well, adding an extra dimension of spookiness to the Hollywood Tower Hotel itself. Again, I won't spoil anything, but the way that they say farewell to guests as the elevator departs really adds to the experience! I also love their uniforms, which, by the way, are amongst the most expensive of any theme park in the world.

Educational~ 3/10
It's hard to see how the Tower of Terror is at all educational. At the end of the day, this attraction's purpose is to entertain and thrill guests, and not to educate them. That said, the ToT does a great job of telling the spooky story of the Hollywood Tower Hotel.

Fun~ 10/10
I always have tons of fun whilst experiencing the Tower of Terror, and, as a thrill ride enthusiast, it simply cannot be beaten on how enjoyable it is. I find it fun to anticipate the drops, to wonder what will happen, and to spot WDW landmarks in the brief seconds in which the doors on the front of the tower open.

Repeatability~ 10/10
The Tower of Terror is by far the most repeatable ride at the Walt Disney World Resort. The random drop sequence utilised by this attraction means that no two rides are ever quite the same, meaning that you can go round it again and again without getting the same experience twice. This is one of the ToT's greatest assets, and makes it so much more complete as an attraction.

And finally, my overall rating of the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror~ 10/10
As one of my favourite all-time attractions, I think that the Tower of Terror is completely flawless. Although it may lack educational elements, they are by no means crucial, especially to an attraction whose primary purpose is to thrill and entertain. Don't get me wrong, I love an attraction which teaches me something, but I also love an attraction which thrills me in ways that only it can, that only a Disney attraction can, and the ToT is one of those attractions. There are so many things which I adore about the ToT that it would be impossible to write them all down, but I will say that in my eyes, this attraction has everything. It's the most complete attraction that I've ever had the fortune to experience, and can't see anything else coming along at any point in the foreseeable future which will match or exceed its level of perfection.

What are your thoughts on the Tower of Terror? Do you think it's too scary, or not scary enough? Do you agree or disagree with my perfect ratings of it? Please share your opinions in the comments below, or on Facebook or Twitter! I can't wait to hear what you think!

Thank you so much for reading, and have a magical weekend!

World of Dreams Photo of the Week

This week I have chosen a picture of the massive guitar which fronts the Rock 'n' RollerCoaster attraction on Sunset Boulevard at Hollywood Studios. As you can see, I have adjusted the saturation, contrast and sharpness of the photograph to create an effect, and really enhance the vibrant colours of the guitar, which I consider to be one of the Park's most stunning icons.

What are your thoughts on this attraction? Please comment below with your opinion! Thanks for reading the World of Dreams Blog, and have a magical day!

Attraction Review- Living With The Land

For this Friday's Attraction Review, we head over to The Land Pavilion in Epcot's Future World. The focus this week is the oldest of the Pavilion's Attractions, appropriately named 'Living With The Land', which is a 14 minute boat ride which educates guests about agriculture, with a specific focus on how groundbreaking technologies can be utilised to enhance it.

As well as using dark ride elements, this water attraction involves a tour of the Land Pavilion's Greenhouses, where much of the food served in Epcot's many restaurants is grown. Notable plants in the Greenhouses which I would recommend looking out for include the World's Hottest Pepper and Mickey Pumpkins, amongst others. Perhaps the most exciting part of the attraction is the segment when the boat passes through a short tunnel, home to Alligators and Fish, which the boat provides an excellent view of. Unfortunately, these animals are housed in pretty small enclosures, but they always seem to look happy!

Living With The Land (LWTL) has been somewhat overshadowed in recent years by the addition of Soarin' right next door to it in The Land Pavilion, which is now arguably Epcot's most popular attraction. This can have numerous different effects on the line for LWTL, depending on the time of day and how busy the park is, but the line is generally tolerable, especially for the return you get (on an average Epcot day usually a 15 minute wait for a 14 minute ride for LWTL, as opposed to a 90 minute wait for a 3 minute ride for Soarin').
LWTL also offers FastPass on a seasonal basis, but most of the time you're better off getting FastPass for one of Epcot's bigger attractions, such as Test Track or Soarin', which will more often than not have waits of more than 3 times that of LWTL's.
Due to its proximity to Soarin', which sucks up huge crowds of Epcot guests, as well as its less exciting, more educational theme, LWTL is probably the only attraction in Epcot which always guarantees reasonable waits.

Here's how I would rate LWTL in the following areas, and why:

Thrill~ 1/10
LWTL is no Thrill Ride by anybody's standards! There are no drops, and nothing which is particularly thrilling at all.

Scariness~ 3/10
Although the attraction features no elements which are designed to scare you, it does feature a scene in which a mild thunderstorm is simulated in fairly dark conditions, as well as a scene which features Alligators. Neither are designed to scare anybody, but they both have the potential to be scary.

Theming~ 7/10
LWTL is pretty much the only attraction at WDW without an obvious storyline, yet the theming and the execution of this attraction is exquisite. For me, it's easily one of the most immersive attractions in WDW, and one of the handful of attractions left in Epcot which really promote the philosophy of the park.

Educational~ 10/10
LWTL is a competitor for WDW's most educational attraction- and for good reason. I find it truly fascinating to learn about how Epcot's Resident Scientists are constantly endeavouring to find better, more efficient ways to grow sufficient food for the growing population of our Planet. And it's not just that, LWTL also offers opportunities to learn about the plants themselves- I guarantee that the first time you experience LWTL, you'll say "I didn't know that grew like that" at least once! I also find it extremely interesting to learn how growing plants in different ways can improve the quality and yield of the crops they produce. If you really want to get the full experience, you should consider the 'Behind the Seeds Tour', which takes you even deeper into the inner workings of the Greenhouses, giving you experiences the ride itself simply cannot offer. The tour is at an additional cost, and is a great way to supplement your experience on the attraction. I would recommend doing both the ride and the tour if you want to get the full experience! Full details can be found on the WDW Website.

Fun~ 7/10
Also this attraction doesn't necessarily fit into most people's definition of 'fun', it has plenty of cool Disney touches to keep everyone entertained. There are some classic Hidden Mickey's cleverly integrated into this ride, which are great fun to spot, and it can also be enjoyable to spot the amazing plants which inhabit the Greenhouses.

Repeatability~ 8/10
There is so much going on in LWTL that you could ride it all day and learn something new every time! In addition to this, the Greenhouse/Fishery segment of the attraction is sometimes updated, as new agricultural technologies and methods are created. New plants are also added every once in a while.

And finally, My Overall Rating of Living With The Land~ 8/10
Whilst I accept that what has been called 'a glorified biology lesson on water' isn't every Theme Park Guest's cup of tea, I think that Living With The Land is a very strong attraction, and, as I previously mentioned, admire it for being one of the few remaining Epcot attractions which truly represent the ideals on which the park was created. Although it may not generally represent innovation in attractions, I think that LWTL is a very charming Disney Ride, especially the dark ride section, and can see it staying an integral part of the Epcot attraction lineup for years to come.

Now it's your turn! I would love to hear your opinions on Living With The Land! Do you agree or disagree with my observations? Please feel free to share your opinions on the Blog's Facebook Page, Twitter, Email, or, best of all, the comments section.

Thanks for reading, and have a magical weekend!

World of Dreams Photo of the Week

Hello and welcome to the first ever World of Dreams Photo of the Week! Although it may be hard to see at first, the photo I have selected is in fact a close up of the underside of Spaceship Earth at Epcot. I captured this photo whilst standing in line for the attraction, when I decided to experiment with different ways of photographing the architectural marvel which is Spaceship Earth.
This is my favourite photo which I took that day, as it shows detail which usually cannot be found in a picture of Spaceship Earth, and focuses of the incredible geometric makeup of the attraction, which I consider to be one of the Imagineers' most beautiful creations.

Have a magical day!

Attraction Review- Swiss Family Treehouse

Hello everyone, and welcome to my first ever Attraction Review! The first Attraction which I have chosen to review is one which I consider to be one of the real hidden gems at Walt Disney World, overlooked by many, and generally underrated as an attraction. The attraction in question is the Swiss Family Treehouse, located between Aloha Isle and the Magic Carpets of Aladdin in Adventureland over at the Magic Kingdom.

The Treehouse is a walk through attraction, involving going up and down an intricate maze of stairs and walkways, allowing guests to explore the magnificent Treehouse built by the Swiss Family Robinson when they were marooned on a Desert Island. The Theming is very well executed on this attraction, and, combined with the two other massive advantages this attraction offers, consistently makes the Treehouse one of the Magic Kingdom's best all round attractions.

Unfortunately, many Guests overlook it, and rush on to the next ride in their Touring Plan, not knowing what they are missing out on. The higher sections of the Treehouse offer arguably the best views of any attraction in the entire park, with views of Adventureland, Frontierland, Liberty Square, and my personal favourite, a beautiful panoramic view of Cinderella Castle and Space Mountain, which, as you may have guessed, is where I took the picture for the logo of this blog!

In addition, you will almost never have to wait to experience the Treehouse, and if you do, it will pretty much always be under five minutes, even at busier times of year. These factors make the Treehouse a perfect attraction to tour anytime you like, especially at busier times of day when the lines for major rides become intolerable, and at night, when the Park is beautifully lit up. Although the attraction is technically a diversion, the breathtaking nighttime views of the Magic Kingdom alone make the Treehouse a must see attraction for me, as well as one of the best in the whole of Walt Disney World.

Here's how I would rate the Treehouse in the below areas, and why:

Thrill~ 2/10
Let's face it, the Swiss Family Treehouse is no Thrill Ride. It's a totally different type of attraction, and the only really thrilling part is the fact that it goes up so high. Even in the stimulating of your senses definition of a Thrill Attraction, the Treehouse itself is surprisingly lacking, with the overall experience (including the views of the Magic Kingdom) being slightly better.

Scariness~ 5/10
Again, the Treehouse is not a Thrill Ride, so therefore isn't particularly scary at all. However, as I previously mentioned, you do go up quite high, and are standing up and walking around, which can be scary if you're not big on heights, like me.

Theming~ 7/10
The Treehouse isn't the most detailed attraction in WDW, nor has it the strongest theme or backstory, but it still does a great job of immersing guests into the environment. It's a perfect fit for Adventureland, and really contributes to the overall theming of the area, providing an awe- inspiring view even for those simply passing by. I have experienced this attraction several times, and each time I truly felt as if I was a visitor to the home of the Robinsons- proof that the Imagineers don't need a high-tech Thrill Ride to create an immersive experience for guests.

Educational~ 3/10
To educate certainly isn't the primary purpose of the Treehouse, but it does have some educational features, such as the story of the Swiss Family Robinson, and how you can be resourceful, making the most of what you have.

Fun~ 8/10
Although it may not seem like a particularly fun attraction to experience, especially on a sweltering hot Florida day, it can be great fun climbing up and down the Treehouse's winding stairways, exploring all its different levels, and spotting Magic Kingdom landmarks from the upper sections. I always enjoy gazing across the Park from the top of the Treehouse, soaking up the amazing atmosphere of my favourite place, the Magic Kingdom.

Repeatability~ 8/10
The Treehouse itself is a "once you've seen it you've seen it" attraction, but, for the unique views you get of the Magic Kingdom, it's a great attraction to experience again and again. Indeed, after my first time visiting the Treehouse, my main reason for returning has always been to see the views it offers once again, and not so much to see the attraction itself.

And Finally; My Overall Rating of the Swiss Family Treehouse~ 8/10
I just love the Treehouse. For me, it's one of the Magic Kingdom's better executed attractions, and provides one of the most complete packages too. I have always been fascinated by Treehouses, and this attraction, which is easily one of the most elaborate of the Earth's Treehouses, is just as intriguing and interesting for me, I love exploring it! My only criticism is that the Treehouse could maybe do with a bit of a 'facelift', as it's starting to become a little rough around the edges, and is really showing it's age in some places. I'm certain, however that Disney will eventually give this attraction the TLC it deserves!

What do you think? I would love to hear your opinions on the Treehouse! Please feel free to share your views via Facebook, Twitter, and the Comments Section!

Thank you for reading, and have a magical weekend!

Update On Photo Of The Week

Unfortunately I will not be able to upload the first Photo of the Week today, as I promised in a post yesterday. I am still trying to optimise my photos for use on my blog, as they were taken on my iPod, which doesn't have an amazing camera, but I should be ready for next week. I'm the meantime, the first Attraction Review will be posted on Friday!

I apologise for this setback, and hope that you're having a magical day!

New Year, New Features For The World Of Dreams Blog!

Hello everyone, I hope that you're enjoying 2013 so far! I apologise for the recent lack of activity on the blog, I have been away from home, but I have returned and am ready to kick start 2013 with some exciting new additions to the blog!
Firstly, every Wednesday, starting next week, I will be posting a 'World of Dreams Photo of the Week' to the blog. I will be featuring photos which I have taken on my travels to Walt Disney World, alongside a short explanation what the photo's all about, and when I took it.
Secondly, each Friday I will be reviewing a different Walt Disney World Attraction which I have experienced, giving my own opinion on the attraction, as well as scoring it out of ten in several different categories. I will feature an attraction from a different park each week, and will rotate the parks (Magic Kingdom, then Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon and lastly DisneyQuest). I can't wait to write these!
Lastly, every second Sunday, I will be doing a 'Pin Focus'. I am an avid collector of Disney Pins, and each Pin Focus will put the spotlight on a different pin in my collection, as well as detailing where I bought it, and if it's likely to still be available in the parks.
I also have loads of great ideas for original posts, and I can't wait to share them all with you this year!

Have a magical day!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year everyone! I hope that you and your loved ones had a magical and enjoyable Holiday Season, and are ready for the amazing things 2013 has in store for all of us, especially at Walt Disney World. I would like to wish you and your loved ones a magical 2013, I sincerely hope that your year is filled with Disney magic and happiness! As reflected in most of the 2013 Dated Merchandise now available at Walt Disney World, I hope also that you see the 'Lucky Side' of 2013!
As expected, Disney announced 'Disney Time' last night as part of the New Year's Eve Celebrations. The promotion is primarily a set of sweepstakes (they're giving away one vacation per day for 31 days), and is based around the principle of well, Disney Time, more specifically the time you spend at the Disney Parks with your family and friends, and how this special time allows you to escape from the ubiquitous stresses of life and ultimately have a great time experiencing the magic of Disney.
The sweepstakes which are currently open are divided into five categories, each offering a different vacation experience, such as 'Big Thrills', to the lucky winner. Alongside its fellow promotion, 'Limited Time Magic', 'Disney Time' is definitely making 2013 an unmissable year at Walt Disney World. Who knows, '13, despite being an unlucky number, may even give 2012, an amazing year, a run for its money!

Thank you so much for reading, and have a magical year!