Categories
Other

Top 5 Highest Rated Hollywood Studios Attractions for Adults

Walt Disney World isn’t just for the young, but also for the young at heart! Yes, a Walt Disney World Vacation has more to offer adults than Dumbo the Flying Elephant and spinning teacups. In addition to award-winning dining and luxury resort hotels, Disney World offers signature quality and service where everything is an experience.

A number of adults shared their opinions about the dining and attractions at Walt Disney World for our Touring Plans Lines 2.0 app, and I’ve compiled a list of the highest-rated attractions based on those ratings. So which ones made the cut? And will you agree with our user ratings? Let’s take a look!

5. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster

Top 5 Highest Rated Hollywood Studios Attractions for Adults

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster is a high-speed indoor roller coaster that launches guests from 0 to 57 mph in less than three seconds! Expect inversions and g-forces amid a nighttime Los Angeles setting all to the tunes of Aerosmith and screaming Steven Tyler.

Young Adults Rating: 4.8

Adults Over 30 Rating: 4.7

Seniors Rating: 4.1

Why Do Adults Love Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster?

Top 5 Highest Rated Hollywood Studios Attractions for Adults

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster is one of the few Disney World attractions intentionally geared towards an older audience. Classic rock fans will be familiar with the Aerosmith soundtrack, and thrill junkie adults will love the crazy fast launch and inversions.

Also, sound techies and music lovers alike will appreciate the 125-speaker, 24-subwoofer, 32,000-watt audio system built into the coaster’s super-stretch limo ride vehicles!

4. Slinky Dog Dash

Top 5 Highest Rated Hollywood Studios Attractions for Adults Slinky Dog Dash is a mild outdoor coaster designed to look as if Andy constructed it in his backyard using Tinkertoys, his new Dash & Dodge Mega Coaster Playkit, and Slinky Dog as the coaster’s train.

Of the three adult age groups, adults over 30 years actually granted Slinky Dog Dash the highest rating. Still, Slinky Dog Dash managed to still score well among young adults and seniors.

Young Adults Rating: 4.6

Adults Over 30 Rating: 4.7

Seniors Rating: 4.5

Why Do Adults Love Slinky Dog Dash?

Top 5 Highest Rated Hollywood Studios Attractions for Adults Despite its theme and backstory, this coaster just may be the perfect coaster for adults. It’s entertaining enough for thrill-seekers but smooth and gentle enough for adults prone to motion sickness or who prefer calmer rides. It also means Slinky Dog Dash is a ride both parents and kids will enjoy together.

It’s also worth mentioning that Slinky Dog Dash’s elevated track offers gorgeous views of Toy Story Land, especially at night when the land is lit up and the track glows!

3. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

Top 5 Highest Rated Hollywood Studios Attractions for Adults
Tower of Terror

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is a free-fall drop ride within a story and setting inspired by The Twilight Zone television series. The premise is the Hollywood Tower Hotel was struck by lightning on October 31, 1939. A whole section of the hotel, along with an elevator carrying five individuals, plummeted and its occupants mysteriously disappeared.

Guests checking into the hotel today will find the front severely scorched from the lightning strike, as well as a dusty hotel lobby seemingly frozen in time before boarding a maintenance elevator for a trip into the Twilight Zone!

Young Adults Rating: 4.8

Adults Over 30 Rating: 4.7

Seniors Rating: 4.5

Why Do Adults Love the Tower of Terror?

Top 5 Highest Rated Hollywood Studios Attractions for Adults Fans of the classic Twilight Zone television series will no doubt enjoy the theme, but all adults will appreciate the level of detail and immersion. Also, unlike other amusement park drop rides, Tower of Terror doesn’t drop just once but multiple times at random offering a different experience each time.

2. Toy Story Mania

Top 5 Highest Rated Hollywood Studios Attractions for Adults Toy Story Mania can best be described as a virtual dark ride through an interactive midway-style shooting gallery. The premise for this attraction is Andy has a new midway carnival game that Woody, Buzz, and the gang are having some fun with. Guests, who have been shrunk down to the size of a toy, are going to test their skills at the individual games and compete for the highest score.

Toy Story Mania is the only attraction in this list to achieve the same rating from all adult age groups!

Young Adults Rating: 4.7

Adults Over 30 Rating: 4.7

Seniors Rating: 4.7

Why Do Adults Love the Toy Story Mania?

Top 5 Highest Rated Hollywood Studios Attractions for Adults Toy Story Mania’s user-friendly interactivity is great for kids and non-techie adults, but it’s also challenging enough for other adults and even hard-core gamers. Plus, the ride’s scoring system and ability to compete against your family and other riders adds a whole other level of appeal.

1. Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

Top 5 Highest Rated Hollywood Studios Attractions for Adults
©Disney

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is Walt Disney World’s latest groundbreaking attraction and arguably the crown jewel of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. The Rise of the Resistance attraction is unique in that it offers multiple ride experiences through multiple ride systems. It’s part dark ride, part simulator, part walk-through, and even includes a small drop and a trackless ride system!

These multiple ride experiences are used to simulate the experience of guests leaving the planet of Batuu, being captured by the First Order, and then making their escape. However, guests must currently book a boarding group through the My Disney Experience app in order to experience this attraction.

Young Adults Rating: 4.9

Adults Over 30 Rating: 4.9

Seniors Rating: 4.6

Why Do Adults Love Rise of the Resistance?

Top 5 Highest Rated Hollywood Studios Attractions for Adults
©Disney

This attraction is several rides combined into one massive experience. It’s a technological marvel and possibly one of the most immersive attractions Disney has ever created. Even if you’re not a Star Wars fan or familiar with Disney’s recent Star Wars trilogy, you will still enjoy this ride. Plus, apart from a tiny drop, even thrill-wary adults can enjoy this attraction!

Do you agree with our Lines 2.0 app ratings? Which of these attractions would you rate as the highest? Let us know in the comments!

The post Top 5 Highest Rated Hollywood Studios Attractions for Adults appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: Attractions, Hollywood Studios, Disney Attractions, disney world, Disney World attractions, Disney World For Adults, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Hollywood Studios Attractions, hollywood studios, Rise of the Resistance, Rock n Roller Coaster, Slinky Dog Dash, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Toy Story Land, Toy Story Mania, walt disney world

Categories
Disney Guides Disney Lists Disney Parks

Top 5 Highest Rated Animal Kingdom Attractions for Adults

Walt Disney World isn’t just for the young, but also for the young at heart! Yes, a Walt Disney World Vacation has more to offer adults than Dumbo the Flying Elephant and spinning teacups. In addition to award-winning dining and luxury resort hotels, Disney World offers signature quality and service where everything is an experience.

I searched through our Lines 2.0 app and compiled a list of the highest-rated attractions at Disney’s Animal Kingdom according to adults. Will you agree with our users’ ratings? Let’s take a look!

5. Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail

Top 5 Highest Rated Animal Kingdom Attractions for Adults

The Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail is a self-guided walking trail located next to Kilimanjaro Safaris. Here guests encounter a variety of African wildlife including two troops of lowland gorillas.

According to the Lines 2.0 app ratings, adults of all ages enjoy this trail with seniors rating it slightly higher than young adults and those over 30.

Young Adults Rating: 4.2

Adults Over 30 Rating: 4.2

Seniors Rating: 4.3

Why Do Adults Love the Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail?

Top 5 Highest Rated Animal Kingdom Attractions for Adults
(c) Disney

Unlike rides and shows, this trail allows guests to experience it at their own pace and their own way. The lush and shady trail is also a welcome escape from the relentless Florida sunshine, and the variety of animals from gorillas to hippos to meerkats to exotic birds makes this trail well worth the trek.

4. Winged Encounters – The Kingdom Takes Flight

Top 5 Highest Rated Animal Kingdom Attractions for Adults
Winged Encounters at Animal Kingdom

This mini-show features colorful macaws flying over Discovery Island and then landing in front of the Tree of Life! It’s a gorgeous, picture-perfect display seemingly straight out of a movie.

Young adults scored Winged Encounters a little lower than the other two adult groups, but what’s surprising is that Lines 2.0 users rated this brief show higher than some of the park’s attractions!

Young Adults Rating: 4.1

Adults Over 30 Rating: 4.5

Seniors Rating: 4.5

Why Do Adults Love Winged Encounters?

Top 5 Highest Rated Animal Kingdom Attractions for Adults
Winged Encounters at Animal Kingdom

Winged Encounters is a photographer and Instagrammer’s dream. There’s nothing quite like seeing those bright, colorful birds swooping in front of the Tree of Life. Plus, once the birds have landed on their perch, guests are free to ask questions from Animal Kingdom’s bird care experts to learn more about them.

3. Expedition Everest

Top 5 Highest Rated Animal Kingdom Attractions for Adults Expedition Everest
©Disney

Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain is Animal Kingdom’s take on a runaway train coaster in a mountain. Think of it as a combo of Disneyland’s Matterhorn and the Magic Kingdom’s Big Thunder Mountain. This highly detailed coaster takes guests in and out of the snowy Forbidden Mountain to escape the legendary Yeti!

This masterpiece of a coaster is clearly a crowd-pleaser among young adults and adults over 30 years and rightly so. But it looks like Expedition Everest’s drops and backward movement contributed to its lower score from seniors.

Young Adults Rating: 4.9

Adults Over 30 Rating: 4.8

Seniors Rating: 4.3

Why Do Adults Love Expedition Everest?

Top 5 Highest Rated Animal Kingdom Attractions for Adults Expedition Everest is a masterclass in Disney storytelling and immersion. Plus, it sends guests in and out, up and down, and even backward in a man-made mountain that’s the tallest attraction at Walt Disney World. It checks all the boxes of a thrill ride but keeps guests coming back for its atmosphere and experience.

2. Kilimanjaro Safaris

Top 5 Highest Rated Animal Kingdom Attractions for Adults
Kilimanjaro Safaris Entrance

Kilimanjaro Safaris is an open-air safari through 110 acres home to 34 species of wildlife and designed to look like an actual African reserve. While aboard, guests are treated to views of African wildlife roaming free through forests, grasslands, and savannas.

Adults of all ages rewarded Kilimanjaro Safaris a high rating meaning this particular attraction truly appeals to everyone.

Young Adults Rating: 4.7

Adults Over 30 Rating: 4.7

Seniors Rating: 4.8

Why Do Adults Love Kilimanjaro Safaris?

Top 5 Highest Rated Animal Kingdom Attractions for Adults This attraction is about the closest you can get to an actual African safari and is an experience guests remember long after they’ve left the park. Guests also enjoy a variety of terrains and wildlife ranging from giraffes to elephants to cheetahs to lions. But since these are live animals, you never know which animals you might see and what they might be up to.

1. Flight of Passage

Top 5 Highest Rated Animal Kingdom Attractions for Adults
©Disney

Flight of Passage is Pandora – The World of Avatar’s signature attraction at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. This flight simulator attraction creates the exhilaration of flight from the back of banshee over and through the breathtaking landscapes of Pandora. Flight of Passage is often compared to Epcot’s Soarin’ Around the World as it effectively simulates the sensation of flight and uses a giant screen coupled with scents and water effects. What makes Flight of Passage unique from Soarin’ Around the World is its use of 3-D coupled with unique ride vehicles.

Both young adults and adults over 30 gave Flight of Passage the highest ratings of all the Animal Kingdom attractions. Seniors awarded it high ratings, but not quite as high as they did for Kilimanjaro Safaris.

Young Adults Rating: 4.9

Over 30 Adults Rating: 4.9

Seniors Rating: 4.7

Why Do Adults Love Flight of Passage?

Top 5 Highest Rated Animal Kingdom Attractions for Adults Flight of Passage is a thrill ride where guests remain stationary throughout the experience. They may feel like they’re flying, dipping, and moving at high speeds; in reality, they’ve never moved from their bike. Not only does this fact comfort adults who are wary of typical thrill rides, but the tone of the attraction is something adults love too.

On a typical Disney attraction, the action starts when something goes wrong. But on Flight of Passage, it’s not about what goes wrong but what goes right. It also offers an uplifting, inspiring tone that some have compared to a religious experience.

Do you agree with our Lines 2.0 app ratings? Which of these attractions would you rate as the highest? Let us know in the comments!

Top 5 Highest Rated Animal Kingdom Attractions for Adults

The post Top 5 Highest Rated Animal Kingdom Attractions for Adults appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: Adults, Attractions, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, animal kingdom attractions, Animal Kingdom For Adults, animal kingdom rides, disney world, Disney World For Adults, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Expedition Everest, Flight of Passage, Gorilla Falls, Gorilla Falls Trail, Kilimanjaro Safaris, Lines 2.0 app, pandora, walt disney world

Categories
Disney Parks

Do I Have to Wear a Mask When Taking a Photo in Disney World? Here’s What We Experienced Today.

Wow. We really spent the day back in Magic Kingdom. It’s crazy to think about!

Do I Have to Wear a Mask When Taking a Photo in Disney World? Here’s What We Experienced Today.

Magic Kingdom

Of course, there is a LOT that’s different in a reopened Magic Kingdom and we took a good look around today at the Cast Member preview (thanks to an invite from some friends!). Even the way you take your picture with Cinderella Castle has changed! Yep, let’s take a look at everything different about snapping that iconic pic and pics in general!

Keep in mind that this is a Cast Member preview so everything is subject to change. We’ll be reporting in throughout the rest of the week so follow along with DFB for the most up-to-date information.

The Castle looks different.

First of all, you might have heard that the Castle looks preeeetty different. This iconic structure is getting totally glammed-up ahead of Disney World’s 50th Anniversary with new golden hues, royal blues, and a soft pink color!

Do I Have to Wear a Mask When Taking a Photo in Disney World? Here’s What We Experienced Today.

Cinderella Castle

Keep in mind that the refurbishment on the Castle isn’t quite finished, so there were still cranes up with workers painting today. Depending on how much longer they’re working, this might be a factor when you’re taking your Castle pics.

Do I Have to Wear a Mask When Taking a Photo in Disney World? Here’s What We Experienced Today.

Cinderella Castle

One thing is for sure — your Cinderella Castle pictures are going to look pretty different than they did before! Hopefully, your outfit doesn’t clash with that pretty pink!

You’ll have to wear your mask.

Beyond that, you might have to wear your mask in pictures. After chatting with a PhotoPass Cast Member, we were informed that face coverings are required at all times in the Disney parks and that includes during your Castle photoshoot for the time being. Now, this may change as the parks reopen to guests but it’s definitely a possibility.

Do I Have to Wear a Mask When Taking a Photo in Disney World? Here’s What We Experienced Today.

Magic Kingdom Mask

Just in case you do need to keep your mask on for a photo, wear a cute one and practice smiling with your eyes so you’re happy with your pic when you take it. You could even get one with a character’s smile on it or one of our AWESOME DFB face masks to help turn it into a totally Disney-rific accessory.

PhotoPass photographers have new protocols.

Finally, if you enlist a PhotoPass photographer to help you snag the perfect Castle pic, there are going to be some changes to the protocol. For one, photographers will no longer be able to handle your personal device, so if you want them to snap a pic for you you’re going to need to get it THROUGH the PhotoPass service. Or you can always as a friend/member of your group to take one for you.

Do I Have to Wear a Mask When Taking a Photo in Disney World? Here’s What We Experienced Today.

Main Street

They’ll also keep their distance as much as possible during your interaction. They’ll still use your MagicBand or Card to link photos to your account, but they’ll do it as quickly and as distanced as possible.

So there you have it! Now you can keep these three changes in mind when you’re heading to Magic Kingdom to snap that perfect Cinderella Castle picture. Follow along with DFB for all of the latest reopening updates from IN the parks!

What do you think of Cinderella Castle’s new pink look? Tell us in the comments!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Disney News, disney parks, Featured, magic kingdom, Walt Disney World, Cinderella Castle, cinderella castle pictures, cinderella castle refurbishment, disney pictures, face masks, PhotoPass, photopass photographers

Categories
Disney Merch Disney Parks

Is Shopping in Disney World Different? Here’s What We Experienced Today!

We are BACK at Magic Kingdom for the first time in MONTHS! From checking out some of our favorite rides to admiring Cinderella Castle’s new glow-up from close up, it has been A DAY!

Is Shopping in Disney World Different? Here’s What We Experienced Today!

Magic Kingdom

And after seeing which shops would be reopening in Magic Kingdom (as well as EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom!) we started prepping our lists of must-buy items!

We popped into a couple Magic Kingdom shops today to scope out the scene and see how our retail-therapy session compared to the ones we’ve previously experienced at Disney Springs as well as the select Disney World resorts that have recently reopened!

Crowds and Waiting to Shop

One of our biggest questions was whether we would have to wait in a virtual queue like we did at World of Disney on its first day back in operation! The process was relatively smooth but still a change from what we’ve been used to in Disney World!

Is Shopping in Disney World Different? Here’s What We Experienced Today!

Main Street Confectionery

We were told by Magic Kingdom Cast Members that just like the Disney-owned Disney Springs stores, some theme park gift shops may activate a virtual queue system if a crowd forms. You’ll check in at the front of the store and give your phone number to a Cast Member. Then, when it’s your turn to shop, they’ll contact you to return.

Is Shopping in Disney World Different? Here’s What We Experienced Today!

Magic Kingdom

We noticed that none of the stores (at lease when we were there), including the Emporium, had activated their virtual queues today so we were able to walk right into any shop without waiting. At Uptown Jewelers, there’s a separate virtual queue just to view the Pandora jewelry case.

Is Shopping in Disney World Different? Here’s What We Experienced Today!

Designated Exit

Most stores now have a designated entrance and exit too to help control the flow of foot traffic.

Shopping

Once we got inside, our shopping experience was pretty similar to what we’ve seen elsewhere in Disney World so far. We saw some familiar signage throughout the store, reminding guests to maintain physical distancing and to handle the products as little as possible.

Is Shopping in Disney World Different? Here’s What We Experienced Today!

Signage Inside the Store

Dressing rooms are also unavailable at most locations.

Is Shopping in Disney World Different? Here’s What We Experienced Today!

Fitting Rooms Are Closed

There’s still plenty of merchandise on the sales floor, but some of the product displays have been reoriented to allow for easier social distancing.

Is Shopping in Disney World Different? Here’s What We Experienced Today!

Sales Floor

Checking Out and Payment

Once we selected our treasures to bring home with us, it was time to hop in line! Physical distancing floor markers are present at the checkouts much like they are at other shopping locations throughout Disney World. New plexiglass barriers have also been installed at the cash registers.

Is Shopping in Disney World Different? Here’s What We Experienced Today!

Emporium’s Check-Out

For payment, Disney is encouraging all guests to utilize contactless payments, such as Apple Pay or your MagicBand.

Is Shopping in Disney World Different? Here’s What We Experienced Today!

Emporium

And just like that, our first Magic Kingdom shopping excursion is complete! Keep in mind, anything you purchase at ANY Disney World theme park gift shop will not be available for front-of-park package pick-up or hotel delivery for the time being. They CAN, however, still ship your items home for you for an additional shipping fee!

What is your favorite store in Disney World? Let us know in the comments!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Featured, Walt Disney World, closed fitting rooms, contactless payment, Disney World, Disney World reopening, disney world shopping, emporium, merchandise, no front of park delivery, no ship to hotel, shopping, social distancing markers, virtual queue

Categories
Disney Parks

Here’s What It’s Like to Ride Flight of Passage at a Reopened Animal Kingdom

Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom have reopened for a special Cast Member preview today and we’ve been bringing you along with us — all day LONG!

Here’s What It’s Like to Ride Flight of Passage at a Reopened Animal Kingdom

Pandora

We’ve already gotten to ride a newly reopened Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and took our first plunge on Splash Mountain since mid-March! Now we’re hopping over to Disney’s Animal Kingdom where the other Disney World Cast Member preview is currently underway.

Since we couldn’t be in two places today, our friend @allisonxella on Instagram let us know what’s was happening over at Animal Kingdom! First of all, we couldn’t believe our eyes when we saw Avatar Flight of Passage only had a five-minute wait time! Is the My Disney Experience app broken or something?  This ride usually has a least a two-hour standby line!

Here’s What It’s Like to Ride Flight of Passage at a Reopened Animal Kingdom

Screenshot From My Disney Experience App

But the reports actually appeared to ring TRUE! Our friend pretty much walked straight through the line in record time! We’ll be curious to see how the wait times hold up for the rest of the week once Annual Passholders and the general public return!

Waiting in Line

At present, every ride at Disney World is only utilizing standby queues during the initial phased reopening. That means there’s currently no FastPass option to ride Flight of Passage “and, uh… fly!” But, with a five-minute wait, who needs a FastPass?!

Social-distancing markers have been placed at roughly 6-foot intervals throughout Flight of Passage’s rather lengthy standby line space. They’re prominently positioned outside along the winding mountain trail…

Here’s What It’s Like to Ride Flight of Passage at a Reopened Animal Kingdom

Social-Distancing Markers

…as well as inside! Guests were being moved quickly through the laboratory area of the queue. Normally we don’t mind spending a little extra time in this room to appreciate all the details and science experiments that are happening, but our friend said the line moved so FAST that the room was all a blur!

Here’s What It’s Like to Ride Flight of Passage at a Reopened Animal Kingdom

Flight of Passage Queue

And just like that, she reached the end of the line! A plexiglass barrier has been installed in this section where the queues break apart and guests are assigned to their boarding groups.

Here’s What It’s Like to Ride Flight of Passage at a Reopened Animal Kingdom

Flight of Passage Queue

We were wondering what would happen next since Flight of Passage has a rather long pre-show experience before your journey officially begins.

Pre-Show

Before you get to “SIVAKO!” (That’s Na’vi for “Rise to the challenge!”), you normally have to pause in a briefing room. That’s where your body is scanned for “Pandoran micro-parasites” and ultimately, you’re paired up with an Avatar!

Here’s What It’s Like to Ride Flight of Passage at a Reopened Animal Kingdom

Pre-Show Skipped

For now, guests will walk straight through this part of the pre-show — but Dr. Jackie Ogden still wants to have a word with you right before you board the ride.

The Ride Experience

Cast Members hand out 3D glasses (like they normally do). Two link chairs are left empty between each party and up to three parties are seated per row.

Here’s What It’s Like to Ride Flight of Passage at a Reopened Animal Kingdom

Flight of Passage Link Chair

Aside from having to wear a face mask the entire time, our friend reported that the rest of Flight of Passage looked and felt just as she remembered it! You know — breathtaking visuals, lots of swooping and diving, all while feeling your banshee panting and flapping its wings! At the end of the ride, 3D glasses get returned in the same bins they normally use for sterilization before being redistributed.

We still can’t quite get over only having to wait FIVE MINUTES to ride one of Disney World’s most popular attractions! It remains to be seen if those wait times increase during Annual Passholder previews and during the official park opening to all guests on July 11th, but we will be there to check it all out firsthand and will most definitely keep you posted!

What’s your favorite attraction in Disney’s Animal Kingdom? Let us know in the comments!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Animal Kingdom, Featured, Walt Disney World, Animal Kingdom reopening, Avatar, Avatar Flight of Passage, Disney World reopening, disney’s animal kingdom, flight of passage, Pandora, Pandora — The World of AVATAR