WDW Ride Guide Podcast

The legend of Typhoon Lagoon tells that before the furious storm roared ‘cross the sea, this peaceful little spot was known as Placid Palms. Of course the community was turned upside down by the destructive storm. In the aftermath, the local residents, ever vigilant, decided to stay in their home and press on. They appropriately renamed their resort Leaning Palms and have kept their little slice of tropical paradise running despite the scattered marine debris, uprooted trees, and ships literally turned upside down. Today the Leaning Palms resort is a part of what has become Typhoon Lagoon.

Kali River Rapids is Disney’s very first river rapid ride. The giant round raft takes you deep into the jungle of Asia where you embark on a 12-man expedition to explore the Chakranadi River. Along the way you will see the beauty of the forest, the destruction caused by illegal logging, and the thrill of a waterfall drop. Each five minute journey is sure to contain some laughs, some screams, and a whole lot of water! Let’s strap on our packs and get exploring.

The down to earth crew of Splash Mountain tell a colorful story as you float though a host of audio-animatronic scenes on your way to the top of Chick-a-Pin Hill. Once at the summit, you’ll have the thrill of plummeting over 50 feet down into the briar patch. Have no fear though, like Brer Rabbit you will be just fine. Well, you’ll be a little more wet, but just fine.

The WEDWay PeopleMover, Tomorrowland Transit Authority, TTA, and Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover are a few names you may have heard when referencing one of the most simple and beloved rides in the Magic Kingdom. The PeopleMover takes riders on a tour of Tomorrowland at the leisurely speed of 6 mph. This 10 minute stroll in and out of the futuristic land’s buildings may not sound like much to first time riders, but as we will discover today, the charm of the TTA keeps return visitors coming back again and again.

All aboard! It is time to ride down the Rivers of America aboard the steam ship known today as the Liberty Belle. This beautifully wood crafted vessel has four decks that can hold 450 guests per trip. The riverboat is modeled after the Mississippi steamboats made famous in the days of Mark Twain. In fact, this ride traces its roots back to the Disneyland ship named the Mark Twain.

For my fellow Americans, imagine you are given the task of creating a ride at Walt Disney World to showcase the entire history of America. What would you do? Would you create a ride that moved guests through a show space, who would you feature in your ride, what parts of our country’s past would you focus on, what parts would you want to omit, how long would it be, and what would your overall message be? These are just a few questions the Disney imagineers were faced with when it came time to create The American Adventure. Needless to say, it was a very daunting task. Thankfully for us, the imagineers landed on an idea that would utilize all the best storytelling tools in their magic Disney toolbox. The American Adventure came to be a stage show featuring 35 audio-animatronics who tell the story of America through moving vignettes, video montages, and powerful music.

Dumbo the Flying Elephant has been one of the most popular rides in Disney history, tracing its roots all the way back to the 1941 animated feature Dumbo. Like the movie, this spinner is simple, short, and delightful. Today we will explore how this little movie and its little elephant became the stars of the show, and the parks.

This week we are doing our very first Top 5 on the WDW Ride Guide! So, what can you expect from a Ride Guide Top 5? Like normal, we will introduce a ride and discuss its essential facts. What will be different is our exploration of 5 rides rather than 1. We won’t go into the same detail with each of the 5 rides like we do on our regular format, but we will do our best to help you understand who the ride is really geared for.

The tropical paradise known as Castaway Cay is so amazing, it alone makes a ride aboard the Disney Dream worthwhile. There is more to see and do on the island than you can hope to accomplish in one day. Of course, you can also do nothing! Just relax on the beautiful sand beaches and let your cares drift away. Today, I am going introduce you to what all is offered on Castaway Cay and breakdown the three different beaches. By the end of our podcast you should have a good idea of what you want to do on your next trip to Castaway Cay and where to find it. Let’s start with getting off the boat.

A dream is a wish your heart makes, and if you are wishing for a ride that has a little bit of everything the Disney Dream is the ride for you! This ship is the third installment of the Disney Cruise Line, and if you have talked to anyone who has sailed the Disney Dream, chances are the first thing they will mention is the size. The Disney Dream is 40% larger than its predecessors the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder. From the moment you first catch a glimpse of the Disney Dream through your Magical Express Bus, your eyes will grow wide as you take in the sheer size of the vessel.