Tomorrowland Tuesday - Stitch's Great Escape!

Welcome to another addition of Tomorrowland Tuesday.  I saved my least favorite attraction to do in this series  for last because my mother taught me if you can't say anything nice then don't say anything at all...

However the blog must go on so here it goes.

I have never been on Stitch's Great Escape!  

So take that into consideration as you read my review.  

I have been on the predecessors to Stitch many times.  It uses the same seats and set up that was in the space before it. (Mission to Mars 1975-1992 and ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter 1994-2003)  It is presented in a theater in the round type style with Stitch in the middle.   The height requirement for Stitch is 40 inches.  The reason for the height requirement is for the shoulder restraints.  They are much like what you find on the more aggressive rollercoasters even though you don't go anywhere.  They were there for the Mission to Mars attraction that simulated a flight to Mars.  

Basically, Stitch is dark and Stitch is acting like Stitch in the begining of the movie when he is wild and naughty, not like the Stitch at the end of the movie when he is cute and adorable.  This scares lots of young kids and is the main complaint I hear from other people.  This is the reason we have not taken our kids on it.  With the addition of the shoulder harness, you can't even comfort your screaming 5 year old next to you.  

That is not to say you can't enjoy this attraction.  At one point Stitch burps in your face so it is right up  a 10 year old boy's ally.  

This attraction is not a rope drop priority and rarely sees a line longer then waiting for the next show.   If you see a line for this show then you must be there at a busy time of year.   Let me know what you think of Stitch's Great Escape in the comments.  

Tomorrowland Tuesday - Monster's Inc Laugh Floor

On this addition of Tomorrowland Tuesday, we are going to kick back, relax, and have a laugh at the Monster's Inc. Laugh Floor. 

The sign outside the Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor.

In this show, you enter the monster world and they try to get your laughs to help power Monstropolis.  The pre-show is funny and they tell you how your jokes can make it into the show its self.  They ask you to text in your favorite jokes and some get selected to be part of the show.  

Lots of great detail in the pre show area!

This show is very funny and involves a little bit of audience participation.  The show uses the same technology as Turtle Talk with Crush and it still blows my mind how it works.  The way the show interacts is what makes it so much fun.  

Not sure you know any good jokes for the monsters to use?  Well my son Alden made a video of some great jokes to text in and try to get yours used.  There is something exciting about a monster saying your name and home town as part of the show.

This show is great for the afternoon when it is getting hot and crowded outside.  There is FastPass + available but it is not recommended to use.  Usually you just have to wait long enough for the next show and you are being entertained by the MC (Monster of Ceremony) Mike Wazowski.  This is definitely one of my family's must do's in the Magic Kingdom.  

Tomorrowland Tuesday - Meet Buzz Lightyear

It's time to beat a true galactic hero - Buzz Lightyear!

Buzz meets in Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom almost directly across from the exit from Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin.  I recommend trying to get in line when he is not present.  This usually results in the shortest waits because as people exit the ride if they can see Buzz they are more likely to get in line.  If Buzz is not present, more people will continue walking, thus making the line shorter.  He usually comes back out within 10 to 15 minutes.  

The line is pretty much out in the blazing Florida sun.

  Alden found a comfy seat.

I'm sure this was a make up hug forced by mom and dad.  

Sometimes 10 minutes in line feels like two minutes and other times it feels like an eternity.  

Once we got to Buzz,  he was very animated and really liked Alden's shirt because it had Buzz on it.

Buzz does not sign autograph books (he stamps them).

A pose with all three of my kiddos.

And a solo shot for just Alden.

  The back drop is cool and the kids though it was neat that it looks like a giant video game controller. 

Buzz is fun to meet and only meets in two locations in Walt Disney World: here in Tomorrowland at the Magic Kingdom and at Hollywood Studios in Pixar Place.  In the Studios he meets along side Woody.  The lines there can get much longer, but if you time it right it is much more manageable.  Also the line is inside so the rain and heat doesn't affect the fun.  

Tomorrowland Tuesday - Carousel of Progress

The sign out front of Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress

We continue our weekly look at Tomorrowland with a stop into the Carousel of Progress.  This is a stage show using animatronics.  There are no live actors.  The theater rotates from stage to stage, so you see several stages without getting up.  So it is like a carousel around a stage and each stage shows a different time period and then you "progress" through time showing progress.

This show was designed by Walt himself for the 1964 New York World's Fair. It was originally moved from New York to Disneyland but in 1973 they packed it up and moved it to Florida to the Magic Kingdom.  

The preshow talks a little about the history of the ride.  It is one of the most nostalgic rides at Walt Disney World and the only one that Walt actually worked on.   The theme song is written by the Sherman Brothers (who also wrote "it's a small world" and many others).  Most likely you will leave singing or humming this tune. 

The Highlight for many is the air conditioning and getting off your feet for awhile in the heat of a Florida afternoon.   This is a good attraction to mix in to your afternoon as this is low on the priority list but it will give you something to do during the peak crowds of the afternoon.  

Tomorrowland Tuesday - Astro Orbiter

It's time for another Tomorrowland Tuesday!  Today we will blast off with Astro Orbiter! 

This is not your ordinary "spinner" ride.  It is located above the People Mover which is above The Lunching Pad.  So you are spinning three stories up!

As you enter Tomorrowland from the Hub (circle are in front of the castle), the line for Astro Orbiter is located on the backside of the structure indicated by this sign.  You wait in line on the ground and then take an elevator up to the top.  There is just a small amount of line after the elevator ride, then it is time to board your spaceship.

The seating for the rocket is a single bench and you sit one infront of each other.  Can you tell there are three of us in here?

A close up of Alden.  This is not a ride to go on with someone you are not close with or "just friends."  Alden has a hold of the controls, it is just a simple lever to go up and down.

Once you get going you get some neat views.  We have never been on this ride with out fog.

Also this is nothing like Dumbo or the Magic Carpets of Aladdin.  This produces some G-Forces!!  It managed to make Doug a little sick, while Dumbo does not.  It took him a moment to climb out of the rocket.

He wanted an excuse to stand for a min so he took a bad picture of the castle from the loading area.

Here are the Girls walking back to the Elevator.  You can see the area that is for the line after the elevator ride up is currently empty.  That is because this was our "Rope Drop" attraction on that day.  We went to Astro Orbiter, then the Tomorrowland Speedway, and Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin.  We did not have anyone wanting to ride Space Mountain that day.  If we needed to do Space Mountain, we might have done it first and then Astro Orbiter, then Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin or the Tomorrowland Speedway.  Astro Orbiter is important to do at "Rope Drop" because it has such a small capacity and the line builds quickly.  It is also the type of ride a child sees and wants to do.  This ride is a prime example of why it is so important to plan your days at Disney just the right way.  

For more help planning, book you next magical vacation with me and I can customize your daily plan for the parks to maximize your fun.

Tomorrowland Tuesday - Meet Stitch!

Do you know where to find the most cuddly alien at Walt Disney World?  

In Tomorrowland of course!  

You can find Stitch near the entrance to the Tomorrowland People Mover.

Alden was not real sure what to think of Stitch because he does interact a lot!  

This is a good way to pass some time with little guys while the bigger kids ride Space Mountain!  

 He meets here throughout the day but be sure to always check your Times Guide for better details!

Tomorrowland Tuesday - Space Mountain

A view of Space Mountain from the Tomorrowland Speedway.

Space Mountain maybe the most iconic Disney Mountain.  

We try to attack this 'mountain' first thing after rope drop or with a Fast Pass+.  We came straight here after rope drop (park opening) and as you can see there is no waiting!

The way you sit is in a row rather then side by side wich can be scary for a child that is not so sure about roller coasters yet. (The height requirement for Space Mountain is 44 inches tall. You can get a Rider's Swap pass if you have a child that is too small to ride.)

It is time to launch into space!

Still Launching!

Space Mountain also offers an on ride photo!

Space Mountain is a fairly slow roller coaster, however it is DARK!  The darkness adds to the thrills.  There are lots of tight turns and short drops.

This is a picture from the Tomorrowland People Mover when the lights were on inside the Space Mountain!  As you can see it is a twist and turn type coaster.  There are actually two sets of tracks that run as mirror images of each other.  Two roller coasters in one mountain!  

Tomorrowland Tuesday - Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin

Tomorrowland is also the home of Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin!

This is a fun, interactive attraction where you get to shoot lasers at targets to get points and defeat the evil Emperor Zurg!

Buzz gives you the run down on the mission as you work your way to your vehicle.

After you board your space craft you get a gun and a joy stick in the middle that controls the spinning. If you are riding with a small child and are prone to motion sickness you will want to be the one to control the spinning.

You aim for the little "Z" targets.

Ride photos capture you in action. (These are available with the new Memory Maker Photo Package - which must be prepaid at least 3 days in advance of your trip. Contact me for more details!)

The score maxes out at 999,999.  If you get this score, you get a button proclaiming your greatness!  This score was so close, yet so far away.

  

Buzz will have longer lines on the busier days.  A FastPass+ use at this attraction is not a bad idea for the afternoon. You can always head to it after you go on Space Mountain at Rope Drop (Park Opening), and then after Buzz - head to the Tomorrowland Speedway. All 3 of those attractions are very popular and long lines can occur easily. 

Tomorrowland Tuesday - Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover

One of the best ways to get off your feet and get some great views of the Magic Kingdom is the Tomorrowland Transit Authority People Mover.   

Alden may think it is a high paced ride but it is really a nice slow tour of Tomorrowland.  

If you are lucky (or unlucky) you might get to see the inside of Space Mountain with the lights on!

This has been one of my family's "Must Dos" on every trip!

Tomorrowland Tuesday - Tomorrowland Speedway

The Tomorrowland Speedway lets tomorrow's drivers get practice in today.

Samantha loved being behind the wheel.

There are lots of great views from the Speedway.  

This attraction is a rope drop priority or a good use of a FastPass +.  Lines can be long and your wait is outside in the Florida heat and sun.