Attraction Review~ Humunga Kowabunga

Typhoon Lagoon's Mount Mayday might not reach as far into the sky as Mount Gushmore at its sister park, Blizzard Beach, but there is no doubting the fact that it has its fair share of wonderful waterslides. Each one fits exquisitely into the storm hit tropical paradise theme of the park, fitting in beautifully with the waterfalls and other water features which tumble off the mountain.

The most thrilling of this awesome collection of waterslides is the incredibly fun Humunga Kowabunga, three identical side by side speed slides, each 214 feet long, which whisk guests down the mountain... In the dark! Not only that, but each slide is incredibly steep, meaning that it's apparently possible to reach speeds of up to 39mph!

This attraction has a height restriction of 48 inches (122cm) and is located on the right hand side of the park, next to the Storm Slides, and is accessed via the Mount Mayday's right slope. And location isn't the only thing these two attractions have in common. Humunga Kowabunga, like the Storm Slides, rarely has a very long queue, at least, not in my experience! I've personally never seen the line at Humunga at more than 20-25 minutes, not even on busier days at this amazing waterpark. No Disney waterpark attraction offers Fastpass, so I would say the best time to ride Humunga Kowabunga would be after experiencing some of the park's more popular attractions, including Shark Reef and Crush 'n' Gusher, amongst others. The fact that Humunga Kowabunga features 3 separate slides makes the line move faster. About two thirds of the way through the line you will encounter a fork in the path. Bear right to get to the slides; the left hand path takes you on Typhoon Lagoon's Mountain Trail, a truly beautiful pathway across Mount Mayday which hardly ever has anybody walking along it. It's great to explore, and I would really recommend it to anybody visiting the park. If anything, it's an effective way of crossing the park without having to walk around the massive Surf Pool or along Castaway Creek. I love how it's so tranquil, passes through some amazingly themed landscape, and provides impressive views of the park.

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

Thrill~ 9/10
All you have to do is read the aforementioned statistics, and you'll have no doubt that this is an extremely thrilling attraction! The standout one is this slide's remarkable speed, of up to 39 miles per hour. To put things into perspective, that's 11mph faster than Space Mountain at the Magic Kingdom, which itself clocks in at 27mph! It's very exhilarating to shoot down these spectacular waterslides!

Scariness~ 8/10
This is a serious thrill ride, and thus isn't at all for the faint hearted! You plummet 214 in pitch darkness at incredible speeds, before swiftly emerging at the bottom. These elements all combine to make Humunga Kowabunga considerably scary, and by far the scariest attraction in the entire park.

Theming~ 10/10
I really do make no secret of the fact that I love Typhoon Lagoon's theme- it's absolutely superb! Humunga Kowabunga is the highest attraction on Mount Mayday, with the start of the three slides situated not far below Miss Tilly, the boat which perches atop the mountain, and serves as the park's icon. An abundance of lovely little streams cascade down to Humunga Kowabunga from the mountain's peak, passing through the area in which you stand awaiting your turn on the attraction, before continuing on down the mountain. These streams, which exist throughout the park and feed many of its attractions (an element which I adore, and really adds authenticity to the theming), are supplemented by the 50 foot geyser which erupts from the peak of Mount Gushmore every 30 minutes, creating a mini surge of water, which is wonderful to watch if you're lucky enough to be at the top of Humunga Kowabunga when it happens. The landscaping here is simply gorgeous, and there aren't many things better in life than waiting at the top of Humunga Kowabunga in the warm Florida sun with cool water whirling around your feet, with unbeatable views of Typhoon Lagoon and parts of Downtown Disney set out before your eyes!

Educational~ 3/10
Humunga Kowabunga may not be an educational attraction, but it sure teaches you about how cool gravity is!

Fun~ 7/10
Humunga Kowabunga is definitely designed to be thrilling, so it therefore must be awesome fun too! For all the reasons I've already mentioned this attraction provides a great experience! Indeed, it's great fun just to queue for this attraction, such is the fantastic theming which surrounds it! However, it does hurt slightly when you hit the water at the bottom. Sure, it's more than worth it, but this isn't too fun! Regardless, everything else about Humunga Kowabunga cancels out this one small negative.

Repeatability~ 5/10
I'll be perfectly honest, you're gonna pretty much get the same experience every time here. All three slides are identical, so you won't see any differences. However, such is the thrill of this attraction, you'll most likely want to ride it more than once- I know I always do! As with almost every waterslide, there are a lot of stairs to climb, which can get difficult for anybody in the hot sun- another thing to consider here. Yet another reason to repeat is to be able to see the amazing theming again!

Interactivity~ 1/10
I think this is the lowest rating I've ever given for a Disney attraction! *sad face*
There really is no interactivity with Humunga Kowabunga, you have no control over how you descend the slide. You have to cross your arms and legs, so I guess the only thing you could do to make it more scary is close your eyes! That's not to say it isn't a good experience though- interactivity is by no means vital to any attraction.

And finally, my overall rating of Humunga Kowabunga~ 9/10
As I'm sure you've guessed by now, I'm a pretty big fan of Humunga Kowabunga! I love its thrill, its theming, its levels of fun, everything, really! Whilst it is a bit short, all speed slides are, it's just the nature of this variety of waterslide. The theming here truly is incredible, some of my favourite in the whole of Walt Disney World, and I really don't consider there to be any negatives with Humunga Kowabunga.

Thanks for reading! I would love to hear your views on Humunga Kowabunga- please leave a comment or post on the Blog's Facebook Page! Please also check out the awesome We're Going To Walt Disney World Podcast! Have a magical day!

World of Dreams Photo of the Week

Hello everyone and welcome to Photo of the Week! I must apologise for not posting an Attraction Review and My Top Seven earlier this week as I originally promised- they'll be posted tomorrow and Sunday instead. I was a lot busier with sports and school council than I originally expected- so didn't get the opportunity to post the articles!

As with last week's photo, which showed the entrance to the Magic Kingdom's Tomorrowland, this week's image comes from a Walt Disney World land which is somewhat themed to the future, in this case Future World at Epcot. This incredible part of Epcot features many unique and wonderful attractions, one of my favourite being The Seas With Nemo and Friends Pavilion. The standout feature of this beautiful pavilion is an omnimover ride of the same name, which we discussed on Show 32 of the We're Going To Walt Disney World Podcast.

Following their experience on this hi-tech ride, guests can explore a series of fascinating exhibits about our planet's enormous oceans, their inhabitants, and our responsibilities in conserving them. One of my personal favourites of these marvellous exhibits is one which features several small tanks showcasing a variety of marine life. Of course, the highlight of this area of the pavilion is the tank containing a shoal of clownfish, the same species as Nemo himself. Upon my last visit to Epcot, I snapped several photos of this lovely tank on my iPod, and was pleased with the results. The photo below was my favourite of the images I captured, and has been edited slightly to make it even more aesthetically pleasing! As you can see from the picture, the name of the pavilion doesn't lie- Nemo has lots of friends!





Thanks for reading, and have a magical day!

Rumours Intensify Concerning the Future of Disney's Hollywood Studios...

As I'm sure you're aware, recent days have seen a flurry of activity in the Disney Community, as rumours about the much speculated makeover for Disney's Hollywood Studios have intensified. Anybody who reads a lot of Disney related articles and blog posts will be no stranger to the fact that this park in particular always seems to have several rumours floating around it, but this one is huge even by DHS' standards! It's been expected in the Disney Community for a while now that the park would be receiving a major overhaul sometime in the not so distant future, but it's been unclear what exactly this project will include.

Some people have said that the Studios will be getting a version of the hugely popular Cars Land at Disney California Adventure, whilst others have been insisting that a Star Wars Land will be the big news instead. Both have seemed equally likely, the former because George Kalogridis, the former president of the Disneyland Resort who oversaw the original Cars Land's construction, now has moved to WDW where he works in the same role, and the latter because of Disney's acquisition of LucasFilm last October. I for one would have been incredibly thrilled with either, but as these articles on Theme Park Insider and Orlando Theme Park News would suggest, we might be getting both! Speculation would suggest that Cars Land would occupy the land which currently plays host to the Backlot Tour and Lights, Motors, Action Show, with Star Wars taking up land around the current Star Tours attraction, or even extending the park beyond its current boundaries. I think personally that the latter option would be better for Star Wars, as it would allow Muppet Vision 3D to stay, unless of course that show was moved elsewhere. I really can't see them getting rid of the Muppets!

I would thoroughly recommend reading both of the aforementioned articles- they both contain absolutely everything you need to know about what is rumoured to be happening- which is a lot! I know that nothing's official yet, but if Disney do indeed go ahead with this expansion, then I'm positive that it'll be a great move for them, and, of course, for us Disney Fans! What with all the competition from Universal over the past couple of years, in my opinion it's only a matter of time before Disney announce something on this scale, and judging from what I've read, it would leave Universal miles behind! Not only can Star Wars boast more popularity than Universal's Harry Potter, it has so much more potential for translation into a theme park environment, whilst Cars similarly outweighs Universal's Simpsons and Transformers attractions in my opinion. 

There is so much information surrounding these rumours that it would be impossible to fit it all into one blog post, so again I encourage you to check out the two articles mentioned above! They're great sources of information! It has been speculated by many Disney Fans that Cars would open in 2017, with Star Wars following suit in 2018, but nobody really knows, we are after all at the stage where these things are merely rumours. The big announcement, if there indeed is one, is expected to come at the popular D23 Expo in California this year. It's also worth checking out the comments sections in each of the two articles, not only do they include some other awesome rumours, but some interesting opinions too.

All I will say at this point is that whatever happens, the future looks very bright for Disney's Hollywood Studios!

 Please note that the rumours described in this post remain at this point in time rumours, and should therefore be treated as rumours.

Thanks for reading! Have a magical day! 

Please also check out the We're Going To Walt Disney World Podcast!

World of Dreams Photo of the Week

This week my chosen image shows the entrance to what is in my opinion one of Walt Disney World's best designed lands geographically. It shows a beautiful view of Tomorrowland, which (seeing as I'm in geography mode today), is located on the eastern side of the Magic Kingdom. Actually, with regards to that, I want to share an interesting fact which I discovered recently. I'm told that the monorail resorts around Seven Seas Lagoon, the lake which fronts the Magic Kingdom, were designed in such a way to as to thematically mimic the layout of generally similarly themed lands within the park itself. Today's example of Tomorrowland within the Magic Kingdom is mirrored by the Contemporary Resort on this wonderful lake, with this futuristically themed resort being situated on the lagoon's eastern shore, just like how Tomorrowland is in the east of the Magic Kingdom. I'm not sure if this is totally accurate, but I've heard it several times across the Disney Community.

My photo this week shows a spellbinding view into Tomorrowland from the Magic Kingdom's hub, with an inviting view into the immediate part of Tomorrowland and beyond (a fitting pun I think, considering Buzz Lightyear's presence in this area!) The magnificently imaginative sign/archway which beckons guests into Tomorrowland stands proudly in the foreground of the image, with the whimsical skyline of this awesomely themed area behind it, dominated by the cleverly themed Astro Orbitor, which serves as a perfect 'weenie' for Tomorrowland (whilst I'm on the subject I'd like to wholeheartedly recommend this article on Blue Sky Disney, a great source of information about Disney weenies, a concept which is a massive part of the parks' history)

Another thing I love about how this area is designed is, strangely enough, concerning something that you can't actually see, at least not yet in the picture's POV. I am, of course, referring to Space Mountain, Tomorrowland's, and arguably even the Magic Kingdom's, signature attraction. I absolutely adore the terrific way in which the Imagineers have told the story of this area so well before you've even set foot in it, a sensational and unique technique that only Disney can do well. This is one of the best things that can be done in theming areas in my opinion, and sets the guest up perfectly for the intricately themed land which they are about to experience. I love how you begin your adventure in this part of the park by walking though what is in my mind a simulation of a bustling metropolis of the future, before suddenly appearing in this breathtaking wide open space dominated by Space Mountain's mammoth structure.

Without further ado, here's my photo:





I love the filter I've put on it, I feel it really does this pretty Magic Kingdom land justice.

Thanks for reading! Please also check out the We're Going To Walt Disney World Podcast! I hope you have a magical weekend!

World of Dreams Pin of the Fortnight

Hello everyone! I hope you had a magical weekend and that your week has started well! I'm gonna have to postpone my review of Humunga Kowabunga again I'm afraid, as the app I use didn't save it... Again! From now on I'll save posts I'm working on elsewhere. I had written it weeks ago, but when I went to post it over the weekend, it had vanished without a trace. I'll re-write it, and it'll be published on Friday.

This fortnight I'm featuring a lovely little pin, which is one of those pins that can only be described as being simple and amazing at the same time. It really is an ingenious design, consisting of Epcot's Spaceship Earth with Mickey Ears, making it almost like a Hidden Mickey. Much like the awesome Spaceship Earth Ear Hats you can buy, this pin makes a great addition to any collection, and features a terrifically detailed reproduction of the Epcot icon's incredible geometric pattern. As with all the other wonderful pins available at Walt Disney World featuring Spaceship Earth, this pin is in a way 3D, with the depiction of the icon feeling bumpy, for want of a better term. What I mean by this is that the shapes which make up the pattern of Spaceship Earth aren't flat, and are instead three dimensional, just like the real thing.

Whilst I didn't actually purchase this pin in Epcot, I got it at one of those pin places that sells pins from all over WDW in the Magic Kingdom's Tomorrowland, (the receipt says that it's called Geiger's Counter, a clever name, and the same one as the store that occupied the space where the DVC Kiosk now is, but that's another story) this pin is available to buy all across Epcot. It costs $7.95 and it's safe to assume that pretty much anywhere in Epcot that sells a goodly number of pins will have this one, indeed, so will many places across Walt Disney World, as proved by the fact that I bought in Tomorrowland!

Without further ado, here is this great pin:






Thanks for reading! Please also check out the We're Going To Walt Disney World Podcast, Show #32 was a lot of fun to record!

World of Dreams Photo of the Week

This week, the photo I have chosen to feature celebrates the announcement made yesterday on the Disney Parks Blog that the track of the much anticipated upcoming Seven Dwarves Mine Train attraction has been finished. The attraction, which is set to make its debut next year, will be based on the 1937 film 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarves', and will combine a rollercoaster with some dark ride elements to create an experience that I for one cannot wait to try. Another cool thing is the new technology that Disney says will be used in the ride vehicles, which will allow them to sway and tip, thus simulating the sensation of being aboard an actual mine cart.

On my last trip to Walt Disney World, back in October 2012, I was able to get a great view of the construction of this attraction. This week's image is indeed of that construction, showing it as it was 8 months ago, taken from the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh queue. It was an obvious choice for Photo of the Week, as it allows you to compare it against the photos of the completed track shared around the Disney Community yesterday, and see how much process has been made by the amazing construction team since I took my photo.

Here it is:





You can see large parts of the show building, as well as a bit of the track. Of course, it looks a lot different now! I did put a filter on this photo, as I felt it clarified the construction better than the original.

Thanks for reading! Please also check out the We're Going To Walt Disney World Podcast- Show #32 is awesome! Have a magical day!

THE FIRST EVER My Top Seven~ Views At The Walt Disney World Parks

Hi everybody! I'm incredibly excited to finally be sharing my first ever Top Seven post with you! Again, apologies about delays on the blog, when trying to post Photo of the Week and the Attraction Review earlier last week I was unable to login to Blogger yet again, but I've just changed my Internet browser, and now it all works fine, which I'm thrilled about!

The topic which I have selected as the first for what I hope will be an interesting series of posts is views within the Walt Disney World parks. With the parks being the spellbindingly beautiful places they are, it should come as no surprise that awe-inspiring views are ubiquitous throughout them, making this a perfect topic to kick of the 'My Top Seven' articles on the World of Dreams Blog. As you may know, I had this article written and ready to go, but, much to my dismay, it disappeared. Fortunately, I have a feeling already that this second version of the post is even better than the first- I've had so many new ideas for what to say between then and now! I'm really enjoying the whole process of writing this as well; indeed, the long time which I spent picking and ranking the seven wonderful views I will soon describe to you alone was one of the most fun things I've ever done when writing this blog. I can tell these posts are going to be awesome fun for me to write- I certainly hope they are as fun to read!

For me, views are a massive and crucial part of the Disney experience. It's no secret that the Disney Imagineers share this opinion, with the guest's perspective at any time of their experience being perhaps the most fundamental consideration they take when designing the parks. These hugely talented people consider the guest's viewpoint at every stage of their time in the park, using techniques such as sight gags and 'weenies' (a concept invented by Walt of a visual icon to draw guests into a space) to ensure they're fully immersed in the magic of the park, be they entering the park, eating a meal or experiencing an attraction.

I just love the views at Walt Disney World. I make no secret of the fact that I consider WDW to be one of, if not the, most beautiful places on our planet. I love how upon setting foot in any Disney Park I am instantly transported into a wondrous environment of whimsical fantasy. Thus, this topic was the perfect choice for my first Top Seven article. So, without further ado, here's the list:

#7~ The top of the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror has always been one of my favourite attractions ever. Such is the quality and pure Imagineering genius of this Hollywood Studios attraction, there are many factors which contribute to this. One of them is without a doubt the awesome view you get a glimpse of when your elevator reaches the top of the 'Hollywood Tower Hotel'. I can picture it now; you reach the top and the doors on the building open, affording you a momentary glance over a sizeable chunk of Walt Disney World. And then, of course, your elevator plummets thirteen thrilling stories!
The view in question is a lovely one. Not only can you clearly see most of the Studios, but you can also see Blizzard Beach, and in some cases (depending on which shaft your elevator is in and the seat you have) parts of the Animal Kingdom. Generally, if in both of those things you're on the left, you'll see the Animal Kingdom, if right, the Studios. If my memory serves me well you can also see a couple of resorts too.
A neat memory I have in relation to this view is of the first time I rode the Tower of Terror. It was on our first trip, and I remember being on the ride and seeing Blizzard Beach, which we had visited a few days previously. Eager to share, I cried 'Look, there's Blizzard Beach!' However, due to the Twilight Zone's notorious unpredictability, the elevator dropped like a stone, and it ended up sounding like 'Look, there's Blizzard Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee....', a bit like how cartoon characters sound when they shout and fall at the same time! This was much to the amusement of everyone else in the elevator (at least, once the ride was over!), and is a memory I will always have.

#6~ Expedition Everest's Lift Hill
From one of Walt Disney World's two tallest attractions to the other, the list now takes us to the amazing Animal Kingdom. This next view is from part of the Expedition Everest attraction, which is half a foot senior of Tower of Terror. Florida's largest (also artificial) mountain without a doubt has views to match it's status as WDW's tallest attraction. When ascending the main lift hill, there is so much more to take in than just the attraction's exquisite theming. Whilst you should concentrate on this when riding Everest for the first time should you wish to get the full experience, once you have, I would strongly encourage you to look out for the spellbinding views available across Walt Disney World from the ride.
Look to your right, and you will see the picturesque Animal Kingdom laid out before you like something from a picture book, whilst a glance to your left will reward you with views across the entire property. Here you have a great view of both Epcot and the Studios, a handful of resorts, and, on a clear day, Cinderella Castle and Space Mountain at Magic Kingdom. Maybe the ride breaking down on this lift hill wouldn't be so bad after all!

#5~ The top of the Swiss Family Treehouse at Magic Kingdom
You only have to look at the logo for the World Of Dreams Blog to know that I love this view! After completing the climb to the top of the stunningly themed Swiss Family Treehouse in the Magic Kingdom's Adventureland, and you will find an unrivalled view across the park, with Cinderella Castle and Space Mountain both prominent landmarks on the park's skyline. Like I said in my review of this walk through attraction back in January, the view is one of the Treehouse's most impressive features, especially when you take into account the views of Frontierland, Adventureland and to a lesser extent Liberty Square from the other side of the tree.
Here's the view I mentioned in all its glory...





#4~ The Express Monorail to the Magic Kingdom
Okay, okay, maybe this one isn't technically inside a park, but it's the primary means of transportation between the Magic Kingdom's parking and the entrance itself, so therefore it counts as part of the park to me at least. When the park was being designed, the monorail was treated as an important experience for building anticipation of the park, leading to the creation of the incredible monorail ride we all know and love today. The timing is perfect, with guests being given glimpses of the park before it comes into full view, with the monorail even passing relatively near to some of it's most iconic landmarks. You get to see this gorgeous park in so many different ways, adding another dimension to your overall experience and building the excitement to great extents.
Here's the view of Space Mountain from the monorail...





And the park's entrance...





#3~ Epcot's Entrance
Next up is the entrance to Epcot. Dominated by the spellbinding Spaceship Earth, this area of the park is a contender for its most beautiful, and a no-brainer for its most awe-inspiring. The view is just a part of the experience of going through this amazing area, such is the effect of the beautiful music playing in the background.
The enormous Spaceship Earth can be seen all over Walt Disney World, indeed, seeing it from afar is an experience in itself. Every time I see it up close I get shivers down my spine, showing the extent of my awe and excitement. The Leave a Legacy Monoliths which are designed to appear to cradle Spaceship Earth, alongside the tranquil fountain in this area add even more to this experience, thus creating an abundantly memorable view for everyone who sees it.
Here's some pictures of that area. Firstly, Spaceship Earth...





The Leave a Legacy Monoliths...



And another one of Spaceship Earth...




#2~ Main Street USA and Cinderella Castle
Every time I'm fortunate enough to be able to cast my eyes down the marvellous Main Street USA, it's just as spellbindingly spectacular as the first time I set my eyes upon it, over two years ago now. To be honest, I would pay the price of admission just to be able to stand there looking down Main Street to Cinderella Castle and beyond. It truly is a magical sight to behold. What more can I say?









#1~ Mount Gushmore's Peak, Blizzard Beach
If there's any view that truly defines Walt Disney World for me, this is definitely it. I guess that's because this view IS Walt Disney World, in that you can pretty much see the whole property. I am, of course talking about the top of Mount Gushmore at Blizzard Beach Waterpark. The Mountain's peak, and to a greater extent the stairs up to Summit Plummet, the park's signature attraction, provide the best views in my opinion of any Walt Disney World park. This is mostly down to the fact that from here you can actually see pretty much every Walt Disney World park!
This part of Walt Disney World offers strikingly brilliant panoramic views of nigh on everything, and makes long queues for Summit Plummet, Slush Gusher and Teamboat Springs remarkably more bearable! The Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom are all there to see clear as day, and are joined by pretty much every resort hotel on property scattered across the Central Florida landscape like beautiful flowers in a meadow, as well as Downtown Disney too. I think I even caught a glimpse of Typhoon Lagoon at one point during a visit too!
It's natural that with a view like this one, there's never a dull moment. Not only can you revel in the magic and whimsy of having the entire Walt Disney World Resort laid out before you like a splendid painting, but there's also plenty of kinetics to keep you entertained as well. From the doors opening on the Tower of Terror to the Characters in Flight Balloon ascending and descending at Downtown Disney and people enjoying the very park you're in, this special part of Blizzard Beach is one of my favourite spots in Walt Disney World. It's just a shame that there's no designated area from which all this could be viewed...
The best place to experience this view for yourself is in line for one of the three aforementioned Blizzard Beach attractions, especially Summit Plummet and Teamboat Springs. If you're allowed, you could always move aside in line to admire the views, to take it all in, whilst letting others pass you. There's always the observation deck as well, round the front of the mountain, but views from there are limited.

Regardless, there's no question about it- Mount Gushmore's Peak is my top in park view at Walt Disney World!!!

So, that's my list! It was so difficult to compile- there were literally dozens of great options, so many awesome ones had to be left out...

I really hope you've enjoyed my first Top Seven post every bit as much as I've enjoyed writing it. I would LOVE to get some feedback about it! Did you find it too long or too short? Is there any way it could be improved? What (if anything!) did you enjoy about it? If you would like to share your opinions on any of the above, as well as my choices of course, please either leave a comment or email me at worldofdreamsblog@gmail.com
I can't wait to hear from you!

Please also check out the awesome We're Going To Walt Disney World Podcast!

Thank you so much for reading, it means an awful lot. I hope you have a magical day!