[MissDisney]

I will be in single digits tomorrow! Yee haw! Anyway, there are a few attractions I haven't ever done before, and I wanted to see if they are worth including in our trip this year! What about the Hall of Presidents at MK? The American Adventure, Wonders of China and Impressions de France in EC? How about Tower of Terror (gulp!) at MGM? Maharajah Jungle Trek and Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail at AK? Thanks for the feedback...

[eeeee]

If you are a history buff like me I'd say the Hall of Presidents is worth it. But if you have small children, they will be bored to tears. I have only been to the AK once so I haven't been on many of those attractions. Anything in EPCOT is worth it. But again if you have small children skip the films. I haven't seen the China or France movies in a while because I know my DS would want out! Unless they are sleepy! :laugh

[SusanC]

We skipped the Hall of Presidents on our 1st trip because we thought it was just a museum. On our 2nd trip we decided to go in for a rest and were really suprised. The movement details of the presidents was so amazing - when one president was talking all of the others would look at him, they would reach up and scratch their faces, it was so real! My 6 year old thought he was seeing real people for a while.

If you have time, don't skip this one.

[DisneyHog6]

Originally posted by MissDisney
Anyway, there are a few attractions I haven't ever done before, and I wanted to see if they are worth including in our trip this year! What about the Hall of Presidents at MK? The American Adventure, Wonders of China and Impressions de France in EC? How about Tower of Terror (gulp!) at MGM? Maharajah Jungle Trek and Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail at AK? Thanks for the feedback...

HoP is very cool, but like eeeee said, small kids may be bored. The details that went in to creating this attraction are amazing. It's also cool that Pres Bush actually recorded the speech for his character.

The movie in China is one of the CircleVision 360 movies, which means you stand in the middle, and are surrounded by movie screens on all sides, so you won't be going in there to take a seat and rest. They make you stand and lean on a rail. It is nice and cool though. The movie is pretty cool, and the 360 format gives you plenty to look at, but remember, it is just a movie about China. If you're interested in China, and have the time, check it out. Honestly, I think the Chinese acrobats out front are much better. They are AWESOME!

The movie in France is a in a sit-down theater. Again, it's just a movie, this time about France. It's not bad, and a nice, cool place to take a rest.

American Adventure is EXCELLENT! I can't tell you this enough. Again, if you have small children, they may not enjoy it. It may be a little boring for them cause it is about 30 minutes long, and it gets pretty dark in there. This is one of my all time favorite attractions. I say DON'T MISS IT!!! Great story, moving music, it's just a great show.

ToT is my favorite attraction in all of WDW. The special effects on this ride are so great. Great story, great theme, and awesome thrills. If you, or someone in your family don't like drops, I would tell them to go ahead and try it at least once. The drops are controlled, and I don't think they are that bad at all, plus, even if they ended up not liking the drops, they only last a few seconds, and they will get the chance to see everything else ToT has to offer. DON'T MISS IT!!!

If you, or someone in your family enjoys animals, then you will enjoy Maharajah Jungle Trek and Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail at AK. For the most part, these are just walking trails dotted with animal exhibits. They are nicely done, it is Disney after all, and have many pretty sights, but for the most part, it's just animals.

I hope I've given you some stuff to think about. Have a great time, and make sure you tell us all about your trip when you return. :)

[crystalrp]

Those two trails in AK are really cool! You see giant bats, tigers, gorillas, naked mole rats (for any Kim Possible fans), meerkats. We love them! Last time we went, one of the gorillas was laying right up against the glass. When my DH went to video tape him, the gorilla looked right into the camera, then covered up his eyes with his hand! It looks really neat on film! Plus I just love the tigers. I could watch them all day long. Last year when we went, one of the tigers was playing in the water with a giant ball. He kept laying on it and rolling around. Very cute!

[BuzzLightBeer]

The Hall of Presidents is a good afternoon visit. If you're tired, you'll fall asleep and catch a nap. Otherwise, it is pretty good - and that's coming from a Canadian.

The American Adventure, in my opinion, beats the HoP because it's deeper (I love the Gas Station best). It is a bit hooyah USA, but that's one thing that Americans are good at (I'm a very patriotic Canadian, and I admire the US patriotism).

Wonders of China is simply awesome. I always like the movie, but after I spent 3 months in China, it blew me away. I highly recommend this movie.

Impressions de France? Now this is a running joke with me. I have sat down in that theatre in excess of 12 times now, and I have only seen the movie from start to finish once - although one time was because I was chatting up the rather cute CM (but I digress)...

Tower of Terror - simply DO NOT MISS! It is a little intense but it really doesn't last that long. This ride is so detailed and so immersive - it's a favourite for so many people I know. My daughter went on it at 3 years old, and the dark bothered her more than the up 'n' down.

The trails at AK are hidden gems - sure, you're not hunting down dinosaurs or having bugs crawl under you, but they're actually fun because it's a little unpredictable (live animals) and interesting (i have a minor in zoology - but that's not why).

Hope this helps!!!

[tinkerbell]

I would recommend you do anything you havent done before :)
on our recent trip we did things like Fantasmic, that we had never done before and it was just amazing!!

[ilvminnie]

Originally posted by crystalrp
Plus I just love the tigers. I could watch them all day long. Last year when we went, one of the tigers was playing in the water with a giant ball. He kept laying on it and rolling around. Very cute!

Don't you just want to jump in & play with them???!!! Of course Rafikiman always reminds me that would be the last thing I do here on earth!!!!:whistle: Oh well...

One thing to remember about the movies is that they do a really good job in different parts to make you feel like you're flying over the country. Rafikiman has a hard time with that, so just a word of warning.

[DisneyHog6]

Originally posted by tinkerbell
I would recommend you do anything you havent done before :)
on our recent trip we did things like Fantasmic, that we had never done before and it was just amazing!!

That is great adivce. If you've been before, then I would make sure to see things you were unable to see last time. Great advice Tink. ;)

[Amneris]

I would recommend the Hall of Pres. and the American Adventure. Both are (other than a tepid movie at the beginning of HOP which tries so hard to be politically correct it hurts at times...) entirely audioanimatronic casts. Which are sadly no longer being developed even though this was the great big wonderful thing about Walt's ideas... <cough> anyway, the detail on these guys in amazing. it's not the Saks 5th Ave window. and it makes IASMW, Winnie the Pooh, and even Pirates look lame. The presidents not speaking react to the others speaking, whisper to each other, Lincoln studies his notes in preparation of his speech etc. etc. When I was ten I was astounded that Regan tapped his foot during the show!!! It was my favorite thing (that and Pirates). In American Adventure, there's different vingettes with historical figures and ficitional characters. None too long. And again the detail is amazing. Will Rogers lowers his head and returns his arms to his side when he's brought up and returns through the trap door in the stage. And he "really" twirls his own lassoo. I like watching the figure after the lights have gone out on them and just before they come on. The characters act like real actors "standing in the wings" during these moments!!! And this is the one that got TV coverage about being the first time a character actually "walked" (Ben Franklin). I remember seeing that on the news and desperately longing to see it in person!!! If you want to find out what REAL audioanimatronic can do, you simply HAVE to see one or both of these shows!

[CaribBeachNut]

When my wife first saw Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln (is that it's name?) at DL (which is smaller but similar to HoP at WDW) she gasped out loud when President Lincoln stood up! I recommend American Adventure, HoP & ToT as "must see".

[crystalrp]

Originally posted by CaribBeachNut
When my wife first saw Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln (is that it's name?) at DL (which is smaller but similar to HoP at WDW) she gasped out loud when President Lincoln stood up!

My aunt screamed!! :laugh

[MissDisney]

Thank you, everyone! I will make sure to add a couple of these into our schedule! But still too chicken for ToT, even after your kind words... but I admit, I do feel foolish, waiting outside ToT for my kids to come out, when little 6-year-olds are getting right back in line as soon as they ride!

[Metalfan]

ToT isn't that bad!! I HATE free falling. But you don't really drop that far. At least I didnt when I was on it.

[joseph3947]

Originally posted by MissDisney
What about the Hall of Presidents at MK? The American Adventure, Wonders of China and Impressions de France in EC? How about Tower of Terror (gulp!) at MGM? Maharajah Jungle Trek and Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail at AK? Thanks for the feedback...

It's WDW do them all and if you don't like one don't do it again.
And remember that the only real actor on the stage in the Hall of Presidents is Ronald Reagan! LOL! :D :) Joe