People often ask me, “What is your favorite park or favorite ride?” I am proudly a Disney-holic and have experienced Disney with DVC, with my kids growing up, and now as a Florida resident Annual Pass holder who goes as often as she can. Adult trips, trips with friends, and trips with friends and their grandchildren are all something I do quite often. So my answer to the question as to my favorite park, is the one I’m in when you asked me the question. As for a favorite ride… that’s easier.
Those in the running??
- Kilimanjaro Safaris
- Expedition Everest
- Kali River Rapids
- Flight of Passage
There are many others, but these are my must do rides in Animal Kingdom. Animal Kingdom is filled with wonderful rides, events, and things to see. Concerts and dancers pop up to entertain and viewing animals with no cages is something that can fill the day. Baby gorillas and dinosaur boneyard playgrounds, colorful birds flying overhead, and a kangaroo hopping by at the base of the Tree of Life… Great food and thrills galore as Kevin from UP walks by to say hello.
As the years have gone by Animal Kingdom has developed into an all-day park for me…
But no day is complete without spending time in Pandora and getting that thrill of riding Flight of Passage.
Flight of Passage is a newer ride, but I never tire of it. Getting a fast pass for it is next to impossible, but if you do your homework and go very early, it is well worth the wait. The theming of the area is stunning with waterfalls and floating islands in the sky and interesting plants to look at. Daytime is filled with lush greenery and so many places you just want to stop and look at while you’re outside waiting to get in the ride. Night-time is even more magical; with fluorescent lighting, the sounds of a waterfall in the background, and the occasional beating of the drums as the groups perform.
Once you enter the building, after winding your way up the side of the mountain, you enter an area with what looks like hieroglyphics on the wall. Every step has something new to look at as you get closer and closer to the ride. Eventually you get into the lab area where if you are familiar with the movie the work with the avatars is explained and shown, taking your mind off the long wait it takes to get to your ride. Once you reach the entrance to the ride you go inside and continue to immerse yourself in the feeling of being involved in something very special, very true to the theme of the movie and of Pandora itself. After all the wait and all the anticipation, you are finally sitting on the back of your “banshee”. After a minute or two of theatrics you are airborne, flying through Pandora, and experiencing something only your imagination can allow you to do.
For me, it does what Disney promises…
It allows me to fill my mind with imagination, suspend reality, and fill my thoughts with wonder. Walt once said, “It’s kind of fun to do the impossible.” Riding on the back of a banshee, and flying through the sky, and diving into caves, water in my face and wind in my hair… FUN!
I am not a big roller coaster girl. Most of the Disney roller coasters are fine, but you won’t catch me hanging out at Universal Studios. Rock ‘n’ Roller coaster is a bit much for me. But for whatever reason the simulation on Flight of Passage makes me feel secure in my seat and yet full of wonder. Isn’t that what we want to feel when we are at Disney?
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