Disney has announced that the Magic Kingdom in the Walt Disney World Resort will be getting the highest rated attraction from Shanghai Disneyland - TRON Lightcycle Power Run.  The rumors are true and this amazing attraction will now be accessible to the millions of visitors to Disney World in Orlando, FL.

Bob Chapek, Chairman of Walt Disney Parks & Resorts, made the announcement during the Walt Disney World Parks and Resorts presentation at D23 Expo 2017.


Unlike many of the other recent attraction announcements, the TRON ride will not come at the expense of a current Magic Kingdom attraction.  As shown in the artist's rendering above the new TRON attraction will be located in Tomorrowland next to Space Mountain without impacting the Tomorrowland Speedway!

The current TRON Lightcycle Power Run in China is a coaster like attraction where guests board a train of two-wheeled Lightcycles that follow the track that puts Disney guests into the movie TRON Legacy and its high-tech universe.

The Walt Disney World Resort has been around for over 45 years and there are many current favorite attractions that have been here since the Magic Kingdom opened in 1971.  For this installment of Disney World Top 6 we look at the best attractions that have stood the test of time.




6.  Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room
With the recent refurbishment to make this attraction closer to the original story line Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room makes our Top 6.  The Disneyland version was one of the earliest uses of audio-animatronic figures in a show.  This fun musical show featuring a variety of birds, flowers, and tiki gods puts everyone in a good mood and has them singing the Tiki Bird song as they exit.



5. Peter Pan's Flight
The story of Peter Pan is told through the use of ingenious sailing ship ride vehicles that give the rider the sense that they are flying over London and through the attraction.  To this day it continues to be extremely popular and attracts long lines.




4. it's a small world
From its initial debut at the 1964 World's Fair, this fanciful attraction filled with colorful costumes and movement representing children from around the world, has been a favorite.  What Disney World fan doesn't know the it's a small world song by heart?




3. The Jungle Cruise
Long before there was Disney's Animal Kingdom, Disney World brought guest to the jungles of the world and their assorted wild animals through the Jungle Cruise adventure.  Here the animals are of the audio-animatronic variety, but the corny jokes of the boat skippers make this a fun attraction to ride again and again.  Besides, where else do you get to see the back side of water?



2. Hall Of Presidents
The show that brings life to all of the Presidents of the United States has been amazing guests with the lifelike appearance and actions of the audio-animatronic Presidents.  What was astounding in 1971 is still amazing 45 years later.  It shows that the innovation of the Disney Imagineers never goes out of style.

1. The Haunted Mansion
At the top of our list of Disney World attractions that have stood the test of time for over 45 years is the Haunted Mansion.  Disney has created a "haunted house" that is creepy, but not gory or too scary. Again the Disney Imagineers have succeeded in creating masterful special effects that allow the guests to become engrossed in the story telling behind their tour of the home of 999 Happy Haunts. Amazingly it has stood the test of time very well with only minor upgrades and refurbishments.

This article originally appeared in the Only WDWorld Blog!

Guests of the Walt Disney World Resort look for the magical escape to a world where even adults can let their inner child have fun.  There may be no better example of this than on the Dumbo The Flying Elephant Attraction.

Dumbo The Flying Elephant

This classic Magic Kingdom attraction is actually one that was not only moved from its original Fantasyland location, but it was also transformed from a single unit to a double set of rotating Dumbos, thereby allowing more guests to enjoy this fantastic Disney escape.

New Fantasyland Attraction

The new "Double" Dumbo attraction can now be found as part of the Storybook Circus area of the Magic Kingdom.  As an additional benefit, the new Dumbo attraction has a special Circus Tent queue that gives younger guests the opportunity to play under the big top while they are waiting in line.









Can't you just picture yourself flying along with this ever smiling elephant?




When it comes to pure childish joy at Disney World, it is hard to match the feeling that your inner child gets when soaring through the air on the Dumbo attraction.  As popular as the original attraction was, this new incarnation is even better!

Your visit to Disney World and the Magic Kingdom is not complete if you do not ride the Dumbo - The Flying Elephant attraction!

When the Magic Kingdom is open 365 days a year, it unfortunately means that in order to get the necessary maintenance and attention required, it is necessary to close attractions to accomplish these tasks.  The downtime ranges from a few days to several months depending upon the difficulty of the tasks to be completed.

Of particular note is the extended closing of the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction starting on May 11th.  It is not scheduled to re-open until September 25, 2015 meaning that this will be an entire Disney World summer without one of the top attractions for the Magic Kingdom.

Check out the entire list and anticipated closing dates.  They are all subject to change.

Magic Kingdom Refurbishment Schedule

Cinderella's Royal Table Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid Harmony Barber Shop Stitch's Great Escape! Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin® Peter Pan's Flight® Pirates of the Caribbean® Jungle Cruise® "it's a small world" Big Thunder Mountain Railroad® Liberty Tree Tavern Dream Along with Mickey Liberty Square Riverboat

Jan. 5 - Mar. 6, 2015 Feb. 2 - Mar. 3, 2015 Feb. 16 - Mar. 30, 2015 Mar. 1 - Mar. 2, 2015 Mar. 4 - 5, 2015 Mar. 5 - 6, 2015 May 11 - Sep. 25, 2015 Apr. 13 - May 8, 2015 Apr. 14 - 17, 2015 Apr. 27 - 30, 2015 Jul. 6 - Nov. 19, 2015 Jul. 19 - Aug. 22, 2015 Aug. 4 - 10, 2015

Peoplemover model with Hidden Mickey on Belt

If there is anyone to blame it would have to be Steven Barrett, not for the scandal, but for making us aware that something had changed.  He is better known as the Hidden Mickey Guy and he has let Disney World fans know where various Hidden Mickey shapes exist throughout the Walt Disney World Resort.

2014 version without stockings!

It is because of Steven Barrett that I ever paid attention to the futuristic hair salon scene on the Peoplemover attraction that was formerly known as the Tomorrowland Transportation Authority (TTA) in the Magic Kingdom.  Steven called out the fact that on the belt of the woman that was getting her hair done, there is a red belt buckle that shows a Mickey Mouse silhouette in black.

Before 2014 version of Model

For the longest time I have sought to take a clear picture of this Hidden Mickey.  Being the fact that the ride moves quickly past this area with reduced lighting, it has been a challenge to get a clear picture.  The challenge was documented in the post: Finding The Hidden Mickeys on the Tomorrowland Transportation Authority (TTA)

I consider this to be my Moby Dick or White Whale of a challenge to get a good picture, so I am always paying attention for no good reason.  On the most recent trip I noticed a difference for the model.  She is no longer wearing the stockings that have been part of her wardrobe for many years.

2014 Style Change to Peoplemover model

Was this a conscientious decision? or just a change that the Disney Cast Members didn't think anyone would notice? Are bare legs more fashionable in 2014?

I will let you be the judge.  Was this a purposeful change due to current fashion, or an unintended slip up?

Make your voice be heard!

Disney World's Fantasyland Expansion is complete and the last attraction is open to the public.  Only WDWorld had the opportunity to ride the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train during its opening days and we will share our impressions of Disney's newest Roller Coaster.

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

After collecting feedback from many different people who have ridden the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and combining that with our personal first hand observations, we will have to say that this is a fun attraction that you will definitely want to experience for yourself.  The overall ride experience falls between Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and the Barnstormer starring the Great Goofini Roller Coaster.


Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (aka 7DMT) has great theming from the Disney animated classic Snow White and has tied it in well to the attraction.  If you utilize Disney's FastPass+ system the line moves very quickly, otherwise you will probably be in for a 100+ minute wait.


The attraction is built to look like a mountain with a mine built into the side of it.  The landscaping and stonework is well done and makes the attraction look like it has been there for years.  It seamlessly fits within its surroundings of new Fantasyland.



Inside the entrance to the ride you find yourself in the mine.  The FastPass+ line is short and quickly transports you to the boarding area, while the Stand-By Entrance takes through a number of interactive mining and Disney Dwarf related elements.  These won't shorten the wait, but they will help you pass the time.


The mine car styled train that serves as your ride vehicle utilizes patented Disney technology that allows the car to rock back and forth.  Unfortunately we did not really notice much of this effect while we are riding.

The ride itself is the smoothest running roller coaster at Disney World by far.  This made for a tremendous experience that even non-roller coaster fans will enjoy.  Soon after your journey begins you leave the mine and head outside.  Multiple times during the attraction, you are outside and then return inside.





During one extended inside portion of the attraction, the mine cars slow down purposefully so that you can see the animatronic Dwarfs and the stunning visuals inside the mines.  Our night time pictures are admittedly awful, but you will have to imagine for yourself what this looks like.  Prepare to be impressed!

Perhaps most impressive when riding at night are the views of new Fantasyland and Cinderella Castle that you get during the outside portions of the ride.  You get great views of Beast's Castle and a bird's eye view of a large part of Fantasyland.


At the end of the ride you are witness to the famous scene where Snow White and the Dwarfs are dancing in their house, including Dopey standing on his fellow dwarf's shoulders to be dancing eye to eye with Snow White.

Ride Review Summary - E Ticket Attraction!

The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is an attraction that fits perfectly into Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom. It is more thrilling than most of the rides at the Magic Kingdom, but will still appeal to the younger guests that frequent Fantasyland.  It will most definitely help provide that sought after counter balance for the boys that want something other than Princess attractions.

The adults will love the theming and enjoy the smooth action of the Roller Coaster.  They will also enjoy the great animatronic characters that they will encounter during the attraction.

This will not be the new thrill seeker destination when they enter the Magic Kingdom.  The triple mountains of the Magic Kingdom - Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, and Splash Mountain retain their thrill seeking titles.   That being said it is still a quite enjoyable ride that has the aura about it that will cause guests to want to ride it over and over again.

The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is definitely deserving of an E Ticket rating!

The Seven Dwarfs Mine Ride has become one of the most talked about and anticipated attractions to open at the Walt Disney World Resort in years.  This family friendly roller coaster not only will use unique Disney patented technology in the ride system, but it also culminates the multi-year Fantasyland Expansion of the Magic Kingdom theme park.

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Opens On May 28th

Many Disney World fans were sad to see the former attraction that was dedicated to the landmark animated Disney classic Snow White called "Snow White's Scary Adventures" dismantled and replaced by a Princess meet and greet location called Princess Fairytale Hall.  The new Seven Dwarfs Mine Train will make people forget quickly.


The first roller coaster to be added to Disney World since Expedition Everest debuted with the opening of Disney's Animal Kingdom in 1998, the Seven Dwarfs Mine Ride will feature advanced audio-animatronic figures, as well as, patented five-car trains designed to swing independently from side to side as they move along the track.



The track itself transitions from indoors to outdoors multiple times during the ride.  The use of real trees in the design of the landscaping really befits the fantasy that the mountain-like attraction has been there forever and fits seamlessly into the new Fantasyland.