World of Dreams Photo of the Week

Walt Disney World is an astoundingly beautiful place. Every single element, no matter how big or small, all combine to create immersive themed environments for Guests to explore. Disney is renowned for the extraordinary levels of detail it puts into its parks, as well as how the Imagineers endeavour to perfect every single thing, something they always achieve.

This week's photo is a great example of this. It might not be immediately apparent, but the photo is of the fountain situated on the walkway between Future World and World Showcase in Epcot. I took this photo on a rare time that the fountain was out of order, meaning that it was deserted, bar an engineer or two. Although it's never nice to see part of WDW not working, this provided me with an opportunity to snap some photos whilst eating lunch with my family on a nearby bench.

As you can see, I experimented with several different angles, and have picked the one I deemed to be most interesting. I have also left the photo unedited, such is the vibrance of the fountain's colour palette. I love this fountain, even though I'm a little old to play in it, as it shows that the Imagineers put a great deal of thought into every part of the parks, even a little diversion such as this.

Thanks for reading, and have a magical day!

World of Dreams Pin of the Fortnight

Hello everyone! I hope your week is going great so far, and thank you for reading the World of Dreams Blog this Monday! Today, the pin I'm focusing on carries on the theme of Disney Characters from the last Pin of the Fortnight, except this character is slightly more contemporary than Mickey and Minnie! He is everyone's favourite semi aquatic egg laying mammal- Perry the Platypus! One of the stars of the popular Phineas and Ferb Disney Channel show, Perry instantly shot to stardom, and has inspired countless Disney Parks products, which can be found across Walt Disney World.

Of course, the Perry merchandise wouldn't be complete without a couple of pins depicting him, alongside all the other awesome Perry related items Disney have made available to their guests. The Perry Pin I own shows him wearing his Secret Agent's Hat, and adopting a pose ready to spring into action, no doubt to thwart another one of his evil nemesis Dr Doofenshmirtz's plans. It really is a beautifully detailed pin, and has two backs, meaning that it will always stay upright on your lanyard!

It's also pretty cheap, at least for Disney Pins. I can't remember the exact price, but it was definitely under $9. I bought the pin at the Muppet Stuff Store, opposite the exit to Muppet Vision 3D at Disney's Hollywood Studios, but it is also available at most WDW stores which offer pins.

What are your thoughts on this pin? Do you own one, and if so, what do you think of it? Please share your opinions on Facebook or in the comments- I love hearing what you think! Apologies again for the lateness of this post, I chose to delay it in order to give yesterday's Attraction Review enough time at the top of the Blog.

Thanks for reading, and have a magical day!

Attraction Review- Virtual Jungle Cruise

As they did so well with the theme park itself, Disney have pioneered and developed the concept of the 'Theme Park in a Box'. 'Real' rides are replaced with simulators, arcade games, and other compact attractions, as well as the inevitable counter service restaurants and shops to create a 'theme park' which fits into a space about the same size as Soundstage 15, the building which houses most of the Rock 'N' RollerCoaster attraction at Hollywood Studios. The only existing example of this is located at Walt Disney World's Downtown Disney.

Called 'DisneyQuest', this 5 storey, windowless building is officially known as an 'Indoor Interactive Theme Park', and costs $38-$44 to enter. Whilst this is very expensive, entrance to DisneyQuest is included in some tickets- see the Walt Disney World website for details. DisneyQuest is home to a range of interactive attractions, most of them simulators, as well as a host of arcade games, most of which are included in your ticket. Thankfully, the idea of DisneyQuest has never really caught on, meaning Disney scrapped plans to build a second one in California. Not that I dislike DisneyQuest, on the contrary, I really enjoy it. It just has nothing on the real WDW Theme Parks!

My premiere DisneyQuest review is of one of two attractions at the 'park' which are directly spoofs of Magic Kingdom attractions. The Virtual Jungle Cruise is fairly similar to its big brother over at MK, except that YOU navigate the Jungle, and there's no real water involved. Oh, and let's just say that in terms of Disney's Animal Kingdom, the inhabitants of this virtual jungle are more like those of DINOSAUR than Kilimanjaro Safaris. Although the graphics are nothing to write home about, the technology behind this attraction is pretty neat, albeit hard to get to grips with. Each Guest has their own paddle, which they use to 'steer' the boat, thanks to sensors in the inflatable 'water' beneath it. The boats are positioned in front of a screen, and don't actually move anywhere, apart from on the spot, simulating floating.

As with every other DisneyQuest attraction, the Virtual Jungle Cruise has a very low capacity, and so will therefore almost always induce a wait, even if there is no actual line. It's definitely not the most popular attraction at DisneyQuest either. Due to the length and quality of the experience, I wouldn't wait more than 20 minutes maximum for it. Whist it's an excellent concept, and a pretty decent attraction, there are much better things to do at DisneyQuest. You should only encounter long waits on particularly peak days, especially in the late afternoon and evening- Downtown Disney and DisneyQuest's busiest time.

My biggest tip for experiencing this attraction is to ensure you have four or more people in your boat, evenly spaced out. Any less makes it nigh on impossible to steer, especially if you're not particularly experienced in operating the technology. The only time I have experienced the Virtual Jungle Cruise there were only 3 people in the boat, making it impossible to steer. This ruined the attraction for us, as we were too busy trying to steer properly to appreciate where we were going in the virtual jungle. Conversely, whilst waiting my turn, I saw boats with 4+ people in them, who could navigate perfectly. I would also recommend listening closely to the Cast Member who teaches you how to steer prior to boarding your boat- understanding the steering process is vital to the attraction.

Here's how I rate the Virtual Jungle Cruise in these areas, and why:

Thrill~ 4/10
Whilst the presence of Dinos may suggest otherwise, the Virtual Jungle Cruise can't really be classed as a thrill attraction. Sure, the interactivity makes it all the more immersive, but it doesn't really make it particularly thrilling. Although a few waterfalls are simulated, the motion simulated is more akin to rolling off the loading area conveyor into the water on Living With The Land at Epcot than one of the drops on the Magic Kingdom's Splash Mountain.

Scariness~ 6/10
Again, motion wise, nothing really stands out here, but Dino wise, something does. Whilst they are merely on a screen, you are likely to encounter some pretty vicious critters on the Virtual Jungle Cruise, who greet you with some unnerving roars. Those who don't particularly like Dinosaurs, especially small children, should avoid this. You should note that the area where the unmoving boats are isn't enclosed, and is therefore visible to non-riders, even those walking by the attraction. I've seen children crying because they walked past as one of the boats met a T-Rex, so be wary if you have anyone in your party who isn't so mad about Dinosaurs.

Theming~ 6/10
The Virtual Jungle Cruise really isn't anything special, and whilst I appreciate that it's a small scale attraction, Disney really could have done better with it. It's not bad, but it's not particularly good either. I do however think that, for what it is, the theming isn't bad. It's certainly very consistent, and has clearly been thought through.

Educational~ 1/10
The Virtual Jungle Cruise really isn't educational! Actually, parts of it are scientifically incorrect!

Fun~ 8/10
If you manage to get to grips with the steering, the Virtual Jungle Cruise can actually be immensely enjoyable to ride. The high levels of interactivity lend an awful lot to this, with the anticipation of what lies over the next waterfall adding even more. It also presents a great opportunity to have fun together with your family or party, as you're all working together to navigate your vessel through the jungle.

Repeatability~ 9/10
Whilst the combination of routes are limited, the fact that you steer your boat, a great bit of interactivity, means that you could ride the Virtual Jungle Cruise 10 times and still get a different experience each time. You could also try sitting in different parts of your boat, in order to get a slightly different perspective.

And finally, my overall rating of the Virtual Jungle Cruise~ 7/10
Whilst the Virtual Jungle Cruise is a great concept, and is pretty well executed, it is lacking in several key areas, as I have discussed. In its time, it did represent pretty cutting edge technology, and was a high tech attraction, but those times are gone. Whilst, on the most part, that is still true, the technology seems positively medieval in comparison to some of the ride technologies out there. In my opinion, the whole of DisneyQuest could do with an update, which will hopefully come when the entire Downtown Disney area is updated.

So, what do you think of the Virtual Jungle Cruise? Do you agree with me, or was I too negative? (I sincerely hope I wasn't- I hate criticising Disney)
Please share your opinions on Facebook, or in the comments below!

I would also like to apologise for the lateness of this post. I have been ill this week, and was therefore unable to write it until now. I hope to prevent this happening again, as I hate being late with articles! Due to this review being published today, the World of Dreams Pin of the Fortnight will be published tomorrow.

Thank you for reading, and have a magical week!

World of Dreams Photo of the Week

This week our photo shows the Entrance of Walt Disney World's most sensational, inspirational, celebrational and Muppetational show (try saying that fast five times). Muppet Vision 3D, located over at Disney's Hollywood Studios, is a 3D Movie and Audio-Animatronic presentation, featuring Kermit and Co. demonstrating their latest technology- 'Muppetvision' in a (not so) musical spectacular. However, this being the Muppets, mayhem soon sets in. I took this photo of this superbly done show's sign just before entering on the first ever time I saw it! I have edited it slightly to enhance the colours and quality, but for the most part, this is the original photo I took.

Before I sign off today, I would just like to thank you all again. Last week, the World of Dreams Blog reached 5000 all time pageviews! These 5000 views include when the blog was called the 'Disney Parks Unofficial Blog', as well as whilst in its current form. I just want to say a massive thank you to all of you for supporting and reading the blog- I can't begin to describe how much it means to me. I really appreciate it!

Thanks for reading, I hope the rest of your week is magical!

Attraction Review- Storm Slides

You'll struggle to find a better themed waterpark than Disney's Typhoon Lagoon in the entire world, let alone Central Florida. Although older, its theme is substantially better than that of its sister park, Disney's Blizzard Beach, and lends a lot to the park's overall feel and charm, as all good themes do. When likened to other parts of Walt Disney World, Typhoon Lagoon's storm- ravaged tropical paradise most resembles The Oasis at Disney's Animal Kingdom or Adventureland over at the Magic Kingdom.

As with every Disney Park, Typhoon Lagoon's many attractions are all beautifully themed, and blend seamlessly together to create a immersive themed environment. However, one attraction which I personally consider to be exquisitely themed is (or should I say “are”?) the Storm Slides. More on the theme in a minute! Anyway, the Storm Slides are three unique open air body slides which whisk waterpark guests down the right hand side of Mount Mayday, twisting, turning and intertwining with one another before ending in a cool landing pool near the entrance of the neighbouring Humunga Kowabunga attraction. It's important that I stress that although they are three different slides, that is only in layout, and all three Storm Slides are collectively classed by Disney as a single attraction.

Unlike some of Typhoon Lagoon's other slides, I've never had a problem with riding the Storm Slides, even at the busier times of day. As with every other attraction in existence, long lines can and will materialise at peak times, but visiting the Storm Slides early or late in the day should help you to avoid this. Also, the three slides help the line to move at a decent pace, especially when compared to lines which only serve a single slide, which are notoriously slow. Even if you are made to wait, the Storm Sides boast what is in my opinion one of Walt Disney World's nicest queues, which I always like to meander my way through, appreciating the incredible detail of it.

Here's how I rate the Storm Slides in the following areas, and why:

Thrill~ 9/10
More than anything else, the Storm Slides are visually thrilling. As I previously mentioned, the theming is amazing, and this contributes a great deal to the overall feel of the attraction, and therefore the thrill. The thrill of anticipation also has a big role to play with this attraction, as there's really no way of knowing what awaits you once you hurtle around the next tight corner in the slide. For overall thrill, I find that the right hand slide gives you the best bang for your buck, although the other two aren't far behind. Nevertheless, if you only have time to ride one Storm Slide, I would recommend the right hand one.

Scariness~ 7/10
Whilst the slides themselves don't feature any of the signature drops of many Disney waterslides, they are very fast, and all three have extremely sharp turns incorporated into their layout. This, alongside the aforementioned anticipation, adds up to a moderately scary experience, which is a great way to introduce waterpark first time guests to waterslides.

Theming~ 10/10
Yes, I may have *forgotten* my usual attempts at optimistic impartiality when deciding on this rating, but I do genuinely consider the theme of this attraction to be fantastic. The Disney Waterparks both have their own theme, which is the only theme portrayed in the entire park, unlike the theme parks, which have a central theme, with several sub themes related to it. I just really like Typhoon Lagoon's! It's so laid back and relaxed, and really does transport me to a tropical paradise. To be honest, Typhoon Lagoon IS a tropical paradise, within the magical paradise which is Walt Disney World.
As I stated earlier, I consider the Storm Slides to be one of Typhoon Lagoon's best themed attractions. The gushing, winding streams in the beautiful queue are simply superb, as is the stream tumbling down off Mount Mayday, running straight through the loading area, or end of the queue, whatever the technical term is! It's no secret that I'm a sucker for a good water feature, especially in a Disney Park, and the ones which can be found at the Storm Slides make the attraction all the more realistic and immersive.

Educational~ 1/10
I really can't think of anything educational about the Storm Slides. At the end of the day, not every attraction is designed to educate, in the same way that not every book is written to entertain.

Fun~ 9/10
It's a basic scientific fact that all waterslides are awesome fun, and the Storm Slides are no exception! Although climbing up to the top of the slides on a blisteringly hot day is about as fun as being chased by an angry bear, the reward you get at the top is more than worth it. It's fun to pick a slide to ride (and to become a poet when you didn't know it), and the three slides themselves are incredibly enjoyable to ride and compare.

Repeatability~ 9/10
The fact that you have a choice of three awesome slides means that you could quite easily spend a whole day at Typhoon Lagoon and exclusively ride the Storm Slides. However- THOSE STAIRS! You have to climb a considerable amount of stairs to get to the top of the slides, with walking being your only option. Whilst I accept that stairs are inevitable for a waterslide, and that Disney have done a pretty darn good job with theming the queue, it doesn't change the fact that repeatably walking up long flights of stairs can be very tiring, especially on a hot summer's day.

And finally, my overall rating of the Storm Slides~ 10/10
Setting aside the fact that this rating was largely fuelled by my love for Typhoon Lagoon, the Storm Slides combine to make a truly great attraction, which is arguably WDW's best all round waterpark attraction. It's hard to top a good waterslide, especially when it's bursting with Disney magic!

Now it's your turn! I would love to hear your opinion on the Storm Slides! If you share my love for them, think my ratings are totally inaccurate, or have any other comments, please share them in the comments section below or on the Blog's Facebook Page! I would also like to thank you, the readers for your support- I really appreciate it. I love sharing my passion for Disney with all of you, and it's a great feeling to know that my work is being read by Disney Fans around the World! When I started the World of Dreams Blog, I had no idea that it would get so many pageviews, and I feel blessed that it has as many as it has- thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Thank you for reading, and have an awesomely magical weekend!

World of Dreams Photo of the Week

New Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom is truly breathtaking. With this multi- million dollar expansion, Disney have taken all the things which made the Classic Fantasyland amazing, and made them even better still, creating what now is by far the Magic Kingdom's best themed area. One of my favourite parts of the expansion is Storybook Circus, which is a, you guessed it, circus themed area. I think that the Imagineers have got Storybook Circus just right, and I really enjoyed exploring it last October- the details are incredible.

The centrepiece of this unique area of Fantasyland is the new Dumbo attraction. Unlike the old Dumbo, which was located near the old Snow White's Scary Adventures, this new Dumbo features two versions of the attraction right next to each other, both served by one of Disney's innovative interactive queues. My family and I were lucky enough to get a Surprise Fastpass for Dumbo on our last trip, and, despite the fact that we are way to old for it, we rode it! It was great fun, and brought back memories of when I first visited a Disney Park, which was Disneyland Paris in 2005. Dumbo was the first thing I rode there.

This week's photo is of the 'spoke' of the Dumbo attraction, taken from the Fastpass queue just before boarding my 'Elephant'! I have edited it slightly to improve the quality, but haven't done so in any other way, as the beautiful colours which Dumbo is painted in don't need enhancing!

I would love to hear your opinions on the photo! Do you think it's a good angle, or should I have focused on the whole attraction? Please share your views in the comments!

Thank you for reading, I really appreciate your support! Have a magical day!

World of Dreams Pin of the Fortnight!

Hello and welcome to the first World of Dreams Pin of the Fortnight! This article, published every second Sunday, puts the spotlight on a different Disney Pin in my collection, providing descriptions and details of availability for each pin as well as the story of when I bought it.

Before I kick off this awesome new feature of the World of Dreams Blog, I would like to start by quickly telling the story of how I came to be the avid collector of Disney Pins I am today...
I first discovered Disney Pins back in 2005, when I was on my first ever Disney Trip, to the stunning Disneyland Paris. I vividly remember beginning to walk down Main Street from the Central Plaza with my family, on our way to leave the park for the day. Much like the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World, Disneyland Park in Paris has little kiosks at each end of Main Street selling awesome Disney merchandise. Just as we were entering Main Street, I spotted one adorned with the colourful pins, which are ubiquitous at Disney Parks around the world.

Intrigued, I asked my parents if we could go take a look, and they agreed. I remember being fascinated by the beauty and detail of every pin, and made up my mind immediately that I was going to buy one. But which one? There were so many! However, as I got out my wallet, I realised that I had spent all my money on buying a Mickey Mouse notebook and pen the previous evening at our resort. Just as I was about to walk away, my Dad kindly offered to buy me a pin of my choice, as something for me to remember the trip by- a truly magical moment. Excited, I carefully selected a beautiful pin depicting Mickey and Minnie Mouse walking together, which is one of my favourite pins to this day.

And the rest is history! On our first trip to Walt Disney World, in 2011, I specifically saved money to be able to buy more pins. I bought a pin for each park, amongst others, and also purchased my first lanyard. On our trip last year I bought several more pins and pin accessories- it would be fair to say that I have become somewhat obsessed with Disney Pins- but in a good way, of course!

However, no matter how much my collection grows, the first pin I bought will always have a special place in my heart, simply for being my first pin, the one that started my collection. Not only that, it also brings back the memories of the very first time I visited a Disney Park- something I will never forget as long as I live. And for these reasons, that pin is the one I am focusing on in this post. Whilst it's not from Walt Disney World, it's incredibly significant, and is the only pin I can imagine starting this series of articles with.

Like I mentioned, the pin features Mickey and Minnie Mouse walking along together. I can't remember exactly why I chose it, only that I loved it the moment I set my eyes on it, and still do today. It's a perfect example of how the 'Disney Difference' is even evident in the merchandise, with the detail it boasts being unrivalled by the offerings of any other company. I apologise, but I have no idea whatsoever if this pin is still available to purchase. My advice to anyone wishing to buy one for themselves is to check out eBay. If it helps, I bought it at the Pin Kiosk on the right at the end of Main Street nearest the Castle, when facing towards the Castle. I have no idea if this is still there either!

That's it for the first World of Dreams Pin of the Fortnight! I hope that you enjoyed reading about my pin collecting story, and the first pin in my collection. Don't miss the next Pin of the Fortnight, when I will be looking at a pin from Walt Disney World, and don't forget to check out my latest Attraction Review, where I looked at Downhill Double Dipper at Blizzard Beach!
I would love to hear your take on Disney Pins! If you have a pin collecting story like me, have a special pin, or anything else for that matter, please share in the comments below or on the Blog's Facebook Page- I love hearing from my readers!


Apologies for the lateness of this post- we've had a power cut, which was only just fixed!
I hope you have had a magical weekend, and I wish you a successful week! Thanks for reading!

Attraction Review- Downhill Double Dipper

Today's Attraction Review is my first of a Walt Disney World Waterpark Attraction. The attraction I have elected to look at is the Downhill Double Dipper, a dual racing waterslide over at Blizzard Beach. Guests ride in single inflatable tubes, which are picked up in the queue for the attraction, and experience one of the steepest drops in the two Walt Disney World Waterparks. The slide is a 'hump-backed' waterslide, adding to the awesome thrill of the ride, and it's not uncommon to briefly leave the surface of the slide as you go over the hump! And don't worry, it's perfectly safe!

The Downhill Double Dipper (DDD), involves a lighthearted race between the two slides, with an automated gate starting system, digital timers and superb finishing touches really contributing to and completing this theme. Whilst it isn't by any means Blizzard Beach's most popular attraction, DDD still typically sees moderate to long waits, even on normal attendance days. Therefore, I would advise that you experience it as early in the day as possible, after Summit Plummet and Slush Gusher. It's also worth noting that the tube pickup is often confusing and inconsistent, due to the conveyor which brings the tubes up Mount Gushmore being loaded by guests exiting the ride.

Here's how I would rate Downhill Double Dipper in the following areas, and why:

Thrill~ 9/10
Whilst perhaps not as thrilling as its fellow Blizzard Beach attraction Summit Plummet, DDD is a very thrilling ride. As all good thrill rides do, the Dipper stimulates all of you senses, which is hard to pull off with a waterslide, a homage to the incredible talent of the Imagineers to perfect anything they put their minds to. Even on its own, the slide is nothing to be sniffed at. Riders hit up to 25 miles an hour on the way down, ensuring that whilst it may be short, this attraction is undoubtedly sweet as well.

Scariness~ 9/10
Although you hit 25 miles an hour whilst riding DDD, it easily feels like twice that. This, coupled with the airtime you experience when you go over the hump, makes for an incredibly scary waterslide which will leave you clinging to your tube for dear life (at least, that's what happens to me!)

Theming~ 10/10
As with every other inch of the park, DDD fits in perfectly with the 'Ski Resort on the Meltdown' theme of Blizzard Beach, cleverly adapting a Ski Resort staple as a waterslide. The buildup to the main event is amazing, with the racing theme adding even more to the sense of anticipation. The great thing about DDD is that it's not just themed like a race, it IS a race, a prime example of how adding elements of interactivity to an attraction can really enhance the theme, giving it a whole new dimension.

Educational~ 3/10
The sole educational element of DDD is the finish line, which displays the word 'finish' in five different languages, therefore teaching guests how to say 'finish' in other languages. My only criticism of this is that there are no labels to tell you which language is which.

Fun~ 9/10
Downhill Double Dipper is one of those simple, but genuinely fun attractions which Disney is the master of creating. The slide on its own is very enjoyable, and when you add in the interactive race element, DDD truly is a winner. I always find it fun to check out my time on the timers displayed by the landing pool, and trying to beat my personal record (and, of course, the person I'm racing against!)

Repeatability~ 10/10
Again, the interactivity of DDD ensures that it gets high marks. It's great to repeat ride DDD to try to beat your best time, challenge a friend, or simply to see how much airtime you can get!

And finally, my overall rating of Downhill Double Dipper~ 9/10
For me, DDD is one of Blizzard Beach's strongest attractions. It is by far the park's most interactive and repeatable attraction too- traits which really can make or break a ride or attraction at any park, anywhere. It's not difficult to tell that a great deal of thought went into DDD, and, whilst it may always be overshadowed by Summit Plummet, which is Blizzard Beach's premier attraction, it's not far behind it in terms of theming and fun.

What are your thoughts on Downhill Double Dipper? Do you agree with me, or have I been too complimentary? Do you think that DDD is better or worse than Summit Plummet? Please share your opinions in the comments below, or on the Blog's Facebook Page!

Thanks for reading, and have a magical weekend!

World of Dreams Photo of the Week

This week's photograph is the first featured on this Blog from the wonderful Disney's Animal Kingdom. I captured it by chance whilst on my way to ride Dinosaur in Dinoland USA, hence the poor quality, which I apologise for. The image shows one of the imaginative decorations which adorn the park, and which make a massive contribution to the opinion held by many that Animal Kingdom is the best themed Disney Park in the entire world.
This decoration is a Tortoise cleverly incorporated into one of the pillars outside the Disney Outfitters store on Discovery Island, the hub of the park. I had to take a picture, as it really shows how incredibly detailed the work of the Disney Imagineers is, and exactly how they have created a consistent themed environment, leaving 'no stone unturned', so to speak. I have adjusted the saturation of the photograph to really bring out the vibrant colours- I hope you like it!

Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoy the rest of your week!

'World of Dreams Pin of the Fortnight' Starting Next Sunday!

I am pleased to announce that the World of Dreams Pin of the Fortnight article, which I promised last month, with be debuting next Sunday! I have changed the name from the original 'Pin Focus', but will be writing the same thing as previously promised. I know that there are many blogs which focus on the amazing Disney Pins, and I in no way intend to copy them, merely share my love of the awesome Disney Pins, my favourite merchandise at Walt Disney World, with the readers of the World of Dreams Blog!

I hope you have had a magical weekend, and thank you for reading the World of Dreams Blog!

Attraction Review- Primeval Whirl

This week I have chosen to write about an attraction which is by no means Walt Disney World's most popular. Primeval Whirl, which can be found in Dinoland USA in the beautiful Disney's Animal Kingdom, has more than its fair share of critics, who argue that it's ugly, and say that it really doesn't fit into the theme of the park. Whilst I can see the justification behind these views, I think that Primeval Whirl is a pretty good attraction when taken on its own terms.

One of the Animal Kingdom's two rollercoasters, Primeval Whirl, you may be surprised to learn, actually shares many elements with the Magic Kingdom's Space Mountain. Both are 'Wild Mouse' coasters, which are rollercoasters which don't feature big drops and inversions, but rather small, swift drops, and sharp turns. The other similarity between the two attractions is the fact that both have two 'sides', both featuring a duplicate of the same attraction, a mirror image if you will. Both sides share the same line, but one side, as with Space Mountain, is often devoted exclusively to Fastpass holders. The only real difference between the two sides, due to their being a mirror image of one another, is that they set out in opposite ways. For example, at the top of the lift hill on the left hand side, your car turns right, whereas on the right hand side, it turns left. The thing that makes Primeval Whirl unique within Walt Disney World is that the cars spin whilst going round the track, turning a pretty dull, uneventful coaster into a considerably more exciting one.

The two sides give the attraction a fairly reasonable capacity, but, due to it being very slow at loading, it is not at all unusual for Primeval Whirl to experience long waits. It's not a particularly long ride, so I wouldn't recommend waiting more than 20 minutes for it, as it's really not worth it. If you're desperate to ride Primeval Whirl, I would advise doing so early in the day, when all the crowds are riding Expedition Everest, Kilimanjaro Safaris and Dinosaur, the Animal Kingdom's 'Big Three' attractions, or riding it at a time when the nearby Finding Nemo The Musical is showing, which can hold huge crowds. If these times aren't feasible, grab a Fastpass, they work pretty well for Primeval Whirl.

Here's how I would rate Primeval Whirl in these areas, and why:

Thrill~ 8/10
This lighthearted attraction will always thrill you, just not as much as some of its fellow Animal Kingdom attractions. Whilst it doesn't particularly stimulate your every sense, its extravagant decorations really make the charm of this attraction. The ride itself is pretty thrilling too, and is definitely worth checking out at least once!

Scariness~ 8/10
Like the Tower of Terror, which I reviewed last week, perhaps the scariest element of Primeval Whirl is the uncertainty as to what will happen. Whilst the cars all travel along the exact same track, they spin randomly, depending on how much motion and weight they have, really adding another dimension of thrill and scariness to the ride. The scariest part by far is the several sharp corners which the car travels around after ascending the lift hill, which really make it feel like your car is going to fall off the track. Primeval Whirl does feature some small drops, but none of them are particularly scary, unless your car happens to be travelling backwards at that point! The Dinosaurs featured are merely cartoons, not full sized animatronics like the ones in the neighbouring Dinosaur attraction, and are not scary in any way.

Theming~ 6/10
The theme for this attraction is unfortunately neither strong, nor well executed, and is one of the main reasons that Primeval Whirl has proven to be unpopular within the Disney Community. The backstory, however, is pretty cool, with guests seeing cartoon Dinos fleeing in a comical fashion from the meteorite which caused their extinction. Unfortunately, the maintenance stairs, and other parts of the ride's infrastructure are visible for all to see, and, whilst I appreciate that the attraction is supposed to represent a ride one might discover at a fairground, that really isn't made apparent, and ruins immersion in the story anyway!

Educational~ 1/10
The only way imaginable that Primeval Whirl can be classed as 'educational' is the fact that it features a reference to the meteorite which supposedly caused the Dinosaurs to go extinct. Even this isn't a set in stone theory, but merely the most commonly accepted one.

Fun~ 9/10
What Primeval Whirl loses in theming and education, it makes up for in fun. The lighthearted feel, and the clever humour incorporated into parts of the ride make this attraction a must see for anyone who likes to have a good time whilst experiencing Disney attractions.

Repeatability~ 3/10
Primeval Whirl is very much a ''once you've seen it, you've seen it'' attraction, but there are a couple of reasons why you may wish to revisit it. Firstly, the random spinning makes every ride different, but you may only notice a distinct difference if you and your party sit in different places in the ride vehicle the second time you ride. There is also the possibility that you may wish to try both sides of the attraction.

And finally, my overall rating of Primeval Whirl~ 7/10
Whilst Primeval Whirl is in no way Walt Disney World's best attraction, there is no doubting the fact that it is still great fun! I love to ride it whenever I can, and, for me, it is as much a part of the Animal Kingdom as all the other attractions are. I do think that it deserves some much needed TLC, but, with rumours ubiquitous that the Imagineers are readying a replacement, the future is uncertain for Primeval Whirl.

What are your thoughts on Primeval Whirl? Do you always try to ride it, or have you never ridden it before? Do you think it should be replaced with something better, and if so, what? Please share your opinions in the comments below, or on the Blog's Facebook Page!

Thanks for reading, and have a magical weekend!