Overlooked Attractions: Future World

Epcot at Walt Disney World is an enormous park, and Future World is the largest section, which makes it very easy to overlook fun attractions in order to fit in the more popular experiences.

However, there are several experiences worth doing that you may have overlooked. Read more to find out which ones!





These attractions are often bypassed as guests attempt to race to the most popular rides in Epcot: Soarin', Mission: Space, and Test Track. In addition, the large centerpiece of Spaceship Earth catches every guest's eye upon entering the park.

Ellen's Energy Adventure

Located close to the main entrance to the park, on the left as you enter, Ellen's Energy Adventure is a fun journey through the history of energy. Ellen DeGeneres and Bill Nye the Science Guy star in this adventure, where the theater becomes a time machine, using surround cinema technology to enhance the experience. During the show, the theater transforms into 6-passenger vehicles that move through various displays, ending with another movie experience. The show lasts about 45 minutes, but new shows start approximately every 17 minutes.

Advanced Training Lab

This attraction is actually the post-show to the Mission: Space adventure, and is often bypassed on the way out of the ride. However, there are four different interactive experiences here:

1. Mission: Space Race - Two teams (astronauts and ground control) compete to be the first to send a rocket from Mars back to Earth. Up to 56 people can play at once.
2. Expedition Mars - The object of this joystick video game is to find your 4 fellow astronauts on the surface of Mars within 4 minutes.
3. Space Base - This interactive space-themed playground is designed for young children.
4. Postcards from Space - Guests can email a space video of themselves to anyone. This is a great souvenir of your trip!

It is possible to explore the Advanced Training Lab without riding Mission: SPACE.

The Circle of Life

This attraction is found in The Land Pavilion, and is often overlooked in favor of Soarin' and Living with the Land. This 20-minute movie includes scenes filmed in over 30 countries, as Simba, Timon, and Pumbaa explain the importance of protecting our land and environment. Children enjoy the mixture of animation and live film.

 Innoventions

Innoventions is an experience full of interactive exhibits for all ages. Housed in two separate pavilions labeled "East" and "West", there is a variety of adventures to explore!

Innoventions East:

• The Sum of All Thrills - Design your own thrill ride using math, science, and engineering. Then experience your ride using a simulator!
• StormStruck - Learn how to be prepared in the event of a weather emergency.
• Test the Limits Lab - Attempt to damage everyday objects to test their safety.
• Environmentality Corner - Discover how to have a "green" mentality.

Innoventions West:

• Segway Central - Experience a Segway personal transporter. There are age and size limitations.
• SmarterPlanet - Create an avatar to use in a video game! You can then email your game to anyone!
• The Great Piggy Bank Adventure - This interactive experience helps teach children to save for a future goal.
• Video Game Playground - Play a variety of video games using the latest technology.
• Where's the Fire? - Learn about fire hazards and fire safety in an interactive game house.

Segway Central

  Conclusion

Since these overlooked attractions do not have a minimum height requirement (with the exception of Segway Central), they are ideal for families with younger children.

What do you think of these overlooked attractions in Future World?

A Pirate's Life for Me! Pirates League Pirate Makeovers

Have you seen pictures of little girls after their princess makeover, and wondered what the options are for your child who would rather be a pirate? The Pirates League in the Magic Kingdom specializes in makeovers for pirates-in-training.

There are several packages available to transform each guest into a pirate or mermaid. Read more to find out how!


The Pirates League is located in Adventureland, near the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction. It is open every day, and Magic Kingdom park admission is required. Reservations are strongly encouraged, and may be made up to 180 days in advance.

Each aspiring pirate may choose one of four pirate makeover packages. Additional costumes and accessories may be brought with you or purchased separately through The Pirates League. Portrait sessions are also available for an additional charge.

Package Options

Jake and the Neverland Pirates Package - $29.95 plus tax

• bandana with faux hair
• facial effect
• sword and sheath
• Pirates League bag
• pirate coin necklace

The "First Mate" or "Empress" Package = $34.95

• choice of facial effect
• reversible bandana
• earring and eye patch
• sword and sheath
• temporary tattoo
• unique pirate coin necklace
• personalized pirate oath
• official pirate name

Mermaid Package - $39.95

• mermaid makeup and makeup palette
• hairstyle and color-changing hair clip
• color-changing mermaid necklace
• nail polish
• mermaid sash

All new pirates and mermaids have the option of participating in the Parade of Pirates in Adventureland, which occurs daily, weather permitting.

This experience is a fun option for all aspiring pirates. It is also an alternative for those who are unable to reserve an appointment for a princess makeover, or who would prefer a less costly option.

Resort Spotlight: Disney's Coronado Springs

Disney's Coronado Springs is one of the moderate resort hotels on Walt Disney World property. To tell you more about this resort, I invited my friend and colleague Sherry Jackson to share her experiences there.

Read more to see what Sherry says about this moderate resort hotel with a Southwestern flair.

Disney's Coronado Springs Resort

from Sherry Jackson

Disney's Coronado Springs Resort

Disney’s Coronado Springs is a beautiful, peaceful resort. With Mexican and American Southwestern décor, you walk in and truly feel like you have stepped into a far away, exotic location. Split into 3 different themed areas: the Ranchos, Cabanas, and Casitas, this is a huge resort! This is a convention resort, but we found it to be a very quiet and cozy place. 

Room at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort

Most of the rooms contain two queen beds, a table and chairs, and a vanity outside of the bathroom, and coffeemakers can be found in every room. Outside of your room, you will find a white sandy beach, palm trees, hammocks swaying in the breeze, and maybe even an extra friend or two! 

Dining options include Café Rix, Laguna Pool Bar, Maya Grill, Pepper Market, Rix Lounge, and Siestas Cantina. We ate breakfast at Maya Grill, and it was delicious!

Transportation at Coronado Springs to the parks is by bus only, and this is a non-sharing bus resort, meaning you won’t have to wait for other resort stops along the way. Unless you request a room near a bus stop, walking from your room can be about an 8-10 minute walk, depending on where your room is located.

Lost City of Cibola Pool at Disney's Coronado Springs

There are 3 themed swimming pools, the main pool sporting a huge Mayan pyramid with a waterfall cascading down, and a water slide around. We loved it! There are so many magical things about this resort, and I could go on for days about it! We will definitely stay here again and again!

Thank you, Sherry!

Many thanks to Sherry Jackson for her insight on this wonderful moderate resort! Be sure to check out Sherry's blog: Disney by Pixie.

To read more about the various resorts at Walt Disney World, read my previous blog post:  Behind the Magic: Disney World Resort Options.

Overlooked Attractions: Frontierland

Have you ever found yourself with a Fast Pass to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad or Splash Mountain, and wondering what to do with your time before that magical window opens? Although these two rides are by far the most popular in Frontierland at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World, there are several hidden gems to be discovered.

Frontierland has many fun and interactive attractions that have little to no wait time, due to the popularity of the attractions mentioned above. If you find yourself with time to spare in Frontierland, try some or all of the following:

Frontierland Shootin' Arcade

This has been one of my favorite things to do in Frontierland since I was a little girl. It's something I remember always doing with my Daddy, and I'm glad to take my girls to experience it, too. This attraction has been running at the Magic Kingdom since opening day in 1971.

This is one of the few attractions that are not included with admission to the Magic Kingdom. However, it only costs $1.00 for 35 shots, and money has never been better spent on a whole lot of fun! This old-fashioned game requires you to shoot at targets with rifles that have infrared lights. The target gallery is set up like a town out of an old western movie. Some of the props move, such as the train; others are stationary, but all of them have a fun effect when you hit them.

The wait for this attraction is not usually long, and even if there is a bit of a line, 35 shots go by quickly, and the next person can take their turn. This is a must-do for me when going to the Magic Kingdom, and I am always disappointed if we miss it for any reason.

Country Bear Jamboree

One of the last attractions that Walt Disney personally helped design, the Country Bear Jamboree is a fun show full of audio-animatronic bears who sing, dance, and enter from above on a swing! 18 hillbilly bears perform in this crazy show that is not always politically correct, and it's fun for kids and adults alike. This show has been playing at the Magic Kingdom since the park opened in 1971.

The Country Bear Jamboree was recently refurbished in the fall of 2012. The original show had a running time of a little bit over 15 minutes, and now the time has been reduced to 10 minutes. There is rarely a wait for this show, beyond the wait for the previous show to finish. The shows run one after another, and it is a nice air-conditioned break from the rest of Frontierland. It is definitely a fun break, especially in the summer months!

Tom Sawyer Island

This fun interactive attraction opened at the Magic Kingdom in 1973, but was designed personally by Walt Disney for Disneyland Park and opened there in 1956.

To get to Tom Sawyer Island, guests journey by raft across the Rivers of America to arrive on the island, where they are free to explore until dusk (when the Island closes). Sites to visit on Tom Sawyer Island include: Harper's Mill, Injun Joe's Cave, Fort Langhorn, Potter's Mill, and Tom Sawyer Scavage Fort. There is plenty on this island to fill hours of time for the adventurous at heart!

Conclusion

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Splash Mountain are definitely the thrill rides of Frontierland, and not to be missed. However, use your time wisely and don't forget to visit the rest of Frontierland as well!

What is your favorite Frontierland attraction?