Florida - Why All The Fuss?

Florida, oh Florida, how I love you so! My love for Florida sparks the same questions amongst some people. I get questions like 'Why are you so obsessed with Florida?', 'Why do you plan so much?', 'You've been before so why are you so excited to go again?' Honestly, I get these questions a lot. They tend to be from people who have never visited Florida. So being the massive Florida fan I am, and with a trip booked next year, I thought I would write about just what makes Florida tick for me. Trust me, I could go on about this for hours, so I've had to limit myself!


Memories

I mean where do I even start when it comes to the topic of Florida? I suppose I could start from the very beginning, or near enough. When I reminisce to myself, a lot of my earliest childhood memories are from holidays spent at Florida with my family. These used to be the most amazing holidays because they consisted of me and my parents with my grandparents, my Dad's side of the family, also joining us. So Florida really used to be a family affair. I still recall past trips where my Nan bless her was always guaranteed to injure herself, whether it be falling out of our rental truck or falling off at the ET ride! You could always guarantee that there would be loads of laughs. Another funny incident that springs to mind was a trip in the early 2000s with my parents. We were queuing for Pirates of the Caribbean. The film 'Dodgeball' had recently come out and featured a character called 'Steve the Pirate'. Anyway, we were stood there in the queue, when all of a sudden, we heard a loud American guy shout out "Yarrrgh! And Steve was a pirate!" The three of us instantly burst into laughter, as did other people in the queue. It may not sound so hilarious written down but it really was one of them moments where you had to be there.

This giant ET billboard used to freak the heck out of me when I was a toddler! 

Through the years, the family trips grew less and less but I still ended up having some amazing trips with my Mum, with the most recent being 2013. My trips with Mum also had some hilarious moments, including one instance where a man walked out in front of a car and the driver yelled out "Asshole!" It was just so stereotypically American that I couldn't stop myself from laughing! I remember we were going to see a film after that happened and I had to lock myself in a toilet for a good 10 minutes because I had uncontrollable laughter. Again, you just had to be there! So I guess you could say that another thing that springs to mind when I think of Florida is laughter!

Mum lapping it up with Poor Bear and friends!

A 17 year old's first time at Hooters. God I look young here!

Theme Parks

I think it's safe to say that the topic of theme parks come to mind when most people think of Florida, me being no exception. Florida is absolutely synonymous for it's theme parks and for good reason too. A lot of people instantly think of Walt Disney World but we shouldn't forget that Florida is also home to Universal Orlando, SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens to name but a few. Florida is quite easily the theme park capital of not only America but the whole world! There really isn't a better place to go if you're a theme park lover!

Look at what I caught on my travels!

Now if you're going to ask me which one is my favourite, I really couldn't choose. It's just too difficult! That being said though, being the big Disney lover I am, I am extremely geared towards the Disney parks. Like I said with my childhood memories, a lot of them are from times spent at the Magic Kingdom and for some reason, I have a lot of distinctive memories from Hollywood Studios back when it was known as MGM Studios, which I still call it to this day.

Might have to check into this place again. I wonder if they've sorted out their elevator problems yet? 

Being a massive film buff, I do love Universal Studios. The park has changed drastically throughout the years but I still love it. It is home to the longstanding classic ET Adventure ride, as well as my favourite show in all of Florida, Universal's Horror Make-Up Show!

Doc Brown told me his birthday was "In the future!" I did laugh! 

Now this is where I raise a few eyebrows with some people but I'm also a very big fan of SeaWorld. I just find it an incredibly relaxing park to walk around, hence why it is known amongst my family as the 'first day park', because it has the prefect mix of peaceful exhibits mixed with adrenaline rushes, making it a great place to spend the first day of a Florida trip.

SeaWorld's beautiful entrance really sets the tone of the park

Food and Drink

If there's one stereotype that us Brits give America, it's that their food portions are huge. Whilst this is very true, it is also extremely tasty! I have many favourite restaurants in Florida that can't be found here in the UK. Examples include Friendly's, The Olive Garden and Johnny Rockets. Although they have a couple of locations here, you can't beat the atmosphere of an American Hooters, especially if you're a young lad!

Good music, great grub and pretty servers! What's not to love!

There's just something different about American dining and I can't quite put my finger on it. Well, quite importantly, it's more delicious, in my opinion anyway! Of course you're going to get burgers, that's another stereotype America is famous for, but hey, there are plenty of other foods on offer. One of my favourite things to eat out there are their sour dough toasted sandwiches. Oh my, I'm drooling over the thought of them now! One restaurant I mentioned, The Olive Garden, is home to the best dish I've ever had in my life, their Chicken Alfredo, dare I be crude but it is simply orgasmic! It's the stuff of legend, in my book anyway!

Oh how I love this place!

Here is the reason why! 

Food aside, I can't go on without mentioning some of the beverages that come to mind when I think of Florida. Firstly, milkshakes! Oh my God the milkshakes in Florida are so heavenly! They're just so thick and creamy, I love them! Saying that, another beverage I love to drink out there is Mountain Dew. Now I know you can buy it over here but it just isn't the same. It really isn't. American Mountain Dew has a completely different taste. Surprisingly, it's a lot less gassy in America.

I needed cool air as well as Cola to cool down in the Florida sunshine! 

The People

One of my favourite things about going visiting Florida is the Americans. I just love them! Well, all the ones I've met anyway. They're just so friendly, though some would say overly friendly. I don't mind it though because for me it's all part of the experience. As you'd expect, the Cast Members throughout all of Walt Disney World are nothing short of exceptional, as are the staff at all the other theme parks. Restaurant staff always go above and beyond to maintain the best dining experiences too.

Workers aside, I've been blessed to meet some great Florida locals, including an elderly couple who stood with me and Mum to watch Blondie perform at Universal's Mardi Gras celebrations in 2011. I'll never forget that night because the elderly gentleman got into a fight with another guy over the Vietnam War. The man's wife looked at us, rather embarrassed and gave a wry laugh, so me and Mum just smiled!

My new adopted family!

So hopefully that answers some questions about why I love Florida so much and just why there's so much fuss about it, for me and many other people around the world. Like I said at the beginning, I had to limit myself with this blog because I could have quite easily gone on for hours on end about why I adore Florida. Trust me, this isn't all of my reasons, but hey, there's always time for another blog one day!

As always, thank you for reading and I'll see you soon!

More Solo Trips & One Very Big Trip Next Year!

Well hello there! I can't actually believe this is the first blog I've written all year! Crazy right? Well I do apologise but I've been one very busy boy! Firstly, and most importantly, I started a new job role. I've also been very busy with my Disney Village Fans Facebook group. You will also see from the following words and photos that I took part in my second solo trip to Disneyland Paris. With two more trips to Disneyland Paris coming very soon, I've recently had some massive news for next year but I'm going to save the best to last as they say!

So let's start my first blog of the year with my first big moment of the year, my second solo trip to Disneyland Paris!

Let It Snow! My First Solo Trip of the Year

A snow-covered Disneyland Paris was a sight to behold!

After the complete jubilation of my life-changing first solo trip to Disneyland Paris, it was no surprise that I booked to go again! The thing is though, I just couldn't stop at one trip, I ended up booking three in one year! This is the first time I'd ever done such a feat. I've had years where I've gone to Disneyland Paris and Florida both in the same year but never multiple visits to the same places in a year. One important decision I made was to visit during the different seasons. Being a massive Star Wars nerd, I jumped at the chance to plan my first trip of the year for Season of the Force, something I wanted to see the previous year. I also booked for the Halloween and Christmas seasons, Halloween being my first time doing the Soiree and Christmas being a trip with my Mum. So let's get right to it and talk about my February trip!

Season of the Force meant I got to see my favourite Star Wars lady Rey!

One of the biggest differences with my second solo trip was that I wasn't going to be entirely alone. I was going to be joined by my Belgian friend Pieter, a friend I'd made through YouTube and Facebook. The funny thing is that this was also going to be the first time we'd met in person, despite knowing each other for around 3 years or so. However, as soon as we did meet, we hit it off straight away! I knew from our conversations online how Disney mad we both were and also how similar we were in other respects but this really was true in person. I can't even describe how much fun we had together, if you've seen any of my vlogs from the trip on my YouTube channel, then you'll know just what I'm talking about. We had so many laughs together. There are way too many moments to call highlights as every moment together was great. However, some of my favourite moments spent with Pieter included his hilarious guided tour of It's A Small World, getting merry at the Hotel New York bar, meeting lots of characters, getting my mobile stolen by Captain Jack and many, many more. We really did have the best of times out there!

The music stopped not once but twice on It's A Small World!

Getting very merry at the Hotel New York bar!

I can't go on without mentioning the weather conditions! I experienced thick snow at Disneyland Paris for the first time! This was snow so thick that it was the highest snow fall in France for well over 20 years. It really was an incredibly beautiful sight! Disneyland Paris as we know is very picturesque in itself but being covered by snow, it added a whole other dimension to the atmosphere, which was simply stunning, it really was!

Waking up to lots of snow at the Hotel Santa Fe

The Disneyland Hotel looks even more majestic with snow surrounding it!

As with last year's trip, I also met people I'd known through Disney Facebook groups, those being Alice and Robert, with his brother. Funnily enough, Alice was actually on the same Eurostar as me! So naturally we met at St Pancras before boarding, where we mingled over Disney with a hot chocolate in hand! Robert and his brother were already out there, so I met up with him a couple of the days after Pieter had made his way home. As my time spent with Pieter, I had great fun with Alice and Robert. If there's anything I've learnt from my time spent running a Disney-based Facebook group, then it's that there are some really incredible and down to earth people out there, all brought together by a profound love for all things Disney!

I already mentioned that I met a lot of characters whilst with Pieter but I did meet a lot more when I had time to myself. I got some great PhotoPass photos taken with the characters as well as some selfies of my own. I mean, who doesn't love a good Disney character selfie? I know I certainly do! Below are just some of the many amazing character interactions I had.

We Wish You A Merry Halloween! Two More Trips to Paris

So that was my first solo trip of the year done and now I can turn my attention towards two up and coming trips, one being only next month! That's right! You guessed it! Halloween, and oh boy am I excited!

Halloween season means I get to meet these lovely nutters again!

Now I'm excited about a number of things for my Halloween trip. Most importantly, my best Disney buddy Pieter will be joining me once again and I really can't wait to see him! I just know there will be so many laughs in store! We've already got lots planned, including a lot of Glowtini consumption! It just has to be done! After all, I did get him to try his first ever Glowtini in February. Safe to say he's now hooked on them!

The moment Pieter became hooked on Glowtinis!

The other thing I'm mega excited about is that I'm attending my first ever Halloween Soiree. This is an event that has become synonymous for fans of Disneyland Paris. It appears that this year will be no different. It's also exciting to know that Disney have put more money into this year's Soiree than they ever have done before, so it should be pretty special to say the least!

I'm also excited in knowing that there will be a lot of other friends I've made through Disney Facebook groups at the Soiree, so I'm sure I'll be meeting up with a few of them! I can't wait to see them in their costumes. Speaking of costumes, I'm looking forward to parading around the Disneyland Park as Bert, although I'm not sure I'll be able to muster a convincing Cockney accent for hours on end!

It's a jolly holiday with Michael!

My Christmas trip is another one I'm very thrilled about because it's been quite a few years since I had a Disney trip with my Mum. She's a big fan of Disney too, hence why I was brought up on it but then again, aren't we all brought up on Uncle Walt's magic? Me and Mum are both working over the Christmas period too, so we'll be celebrating our Christmas early at Disneyland Paris! To be honest, I can't think of many other places I'd rather celebrate Christmas at!

You just can't beat the Disney festivities! 

I really can't endorse how much I love the Christmas season at Disneyland Paris! I especially love walking down Main Street when it magically starts to snow. Having said that, I'm not expecting to see any 'real' snow, or not as much as I did on my February trip anyway! Still, my December trip promises to be another great one, also possibly my last holiday at Disneyland Paris for a long time, because now it's time to tell you my very big and exciting news...

I'm Going Back to My Favourite Place in the World! My First Florida Solo Trip

Yes you read that right, I'm going to Florida! I'm writing this with one massive grin on my face because Florida is genuinely my most favourite place in the world! I'll tell you more about why Florida means so much to me in another blog, because quite honestly, I could go on about that forever!

Could I look any more like a British tourist!

I had honestly never envisioned myself going back to Florida again. I just thought the chance would never arise again, then one day, it just clicked in my head. I said to myself 'Michael, just go for it lad!' So a couple of weeks ago, I went into my local Next, which has a Virgin travel department, and I went ahead and booked myself the trip of a lifetime next year!

You can imagine how excited I was and trust me, that excitement has not gone away. The buzz really is there. I've already slipped into my obsessive Florida planning but hey, the way I see it, there's no harm in being overly excited by going back to a place that means so much to you.

There are so many things that I'm excited about! There's way too many to list now but some things really stand out! The most exciting thing undoubtedly is the fact it's my first ever solo trip there. Luckily I've been so many times with my family in the past that I know what I'm doing. Despite being the other side of the world alone, I'm not even nervous! I really love the Americans and I'm sure I'll meet some amazing people out there! The other big thing I'm excited by is all the changes to Florida since I last visited over 5 years ago. Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando and SeaWorld have all had new lands and attractions open since I last visited and trust me, I'll be experiencing all of these! I want to do it all! I've just got to be careful that I don't burn myself out!

What an iconic park entrance!

I even caught a Great White called 'Bruce'!

So what am I most looking forward to about Florida next year? Oh so many things! So, so many things! Like I just said, there are loads of new attractions to experience since I last visited, like new Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom, the very recently opened Toy Story Land at Hollywood Studios, as well as lots of new attractions at both Universal parks. Another favourite area of mine, International Drive, which is also where my hotel is, has had a lot of recent changes. There's just way too many new things for me to see, although I'm going to try to do as many as I can!

I'm looking forward to getting served by the Hooters girls again, not gonna lie!

Another thing I'm really looking forward to is meeting characters in all of the parks. It's only in the last couple of years that I've really enjoyed meeting characters at Disneyland Paris and the amount of characters to meet at Walt Disney World is just endless! I especially can't wait to meet Anna and Elsa! It's not just the Disney parks that have meet and greets though, oh far from it, Universal Studios and Islands Of Adventure also have characters to meet, including the likes of The Simpsons, Scooby Doo and Mystery Inc. and Marilyn Monroe to name but a few. I just know my poor camera will not know what's hit it!

Scooby and Shaggy, now these are my kind of friends!

Talking of my camera, I'm incredibly excited by the prospect of recording vlogs in Florida for the first time! I have filmed out there before but never properly. Now I'm into vlogging, I can't wait to go gun ho with my camera out there! There's just so much stuff that I want to catch on film. I'm definitely going to get some of my character meets on film and I know lots of people will love to see the amazing food on offer out there. Shopping, shows, there's just so much to film! Again, my poor camera is going to suffer, big time! It will most certainly be worth it though!

That's a rather large golf ball!

Call me!

So that brings my first blog of the year to a close! I certainly had fun writing this one and now I'm back into the swing of writing again, I'll be sure to write lots more blogs in the coming months. If you know me, then you'll know that I can go on about Disney and theme parks forever, so let's just say I'll never suffer from writers block when it comes to this blog!

As always, thank you for reading and I'll speak to you soon!

My Top 50 Florida Theme Park Attractions - Part 2

I hope you enjoyed reading the first part of my top 50 theme park attractions in Florida. It was a very enjoyable blog to write and also an easy one for me, as anything Florida related is a passion of mine! Now I'm sure that you have been waiting with anticipation for the second and final part of my favourite Florida attractions, and that wait is finally over! You'll finally be able to find out my all time favourite theme park attraction in Florida. But wait! There's still 24 more attractions to discuss before the big number 1!

So shall we get on to it now? Why not! Here we go!


25 - Journey to Atlantis, SeaWorld Orlando

Get ready to get wet!

In my opinion, this is without doubt the best water drop ride in Florida! There are so many to choose from, with the likes of Splash Mountain and Jurassic Park River Adventure to name a few, but this will always be my favourite. I should also mention that it is also very unique because it is also part roller coaster too! Journey to Atlantis was SeaWorld Orlando's bid to bring more thrills to it's park, in order to compete with the likes of Disney and Universal. It proved to be a massive hit and lots more thrilling rides have followed, including Kraken, Manta, and the newly opened Mako. Journey to Atlantis begins with a gentle boat ride through the lost city of Atlantis but things quickly take a turn for the worse. I don't want to spoil too much about the ride if you haven't ridden it but the 60ft water drop is one heck of a thrill! After the big water drop is over, the roller coaster portion begins, which is a big thrill in itself. Journey to Atlantis is certainly a very impressive attraction. The special effects in the Atlantis section are simply stunning. Be sure to check out the spectacularly themed gift shop after riding!


24 - Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin, SeaWorld Orlando

A wonderful adventure awaits inside.

Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin had a massive publicity campaign before it opened, which was very justified once it opened to huge public and critical acclaim. This is a one of a kind dark ride. It is essentially a motion-based dark ride incorporating two live penguin enclosures. Before boarding, guests witness the birth of Puck, a baby gentoo penguin, all shown through a narrated animation. Once on board, guests are taken on a ride through Puck's early years growing up, including the perils of the ocean. Guests can actually choose to ride either a 'mild' or 'wild' version of the ride. I always choose the 'wild' version as I love a good thrill. Then again though, I am a sucker for gentle rides, so I might just have to try the 'mild' version next time. Anyway! The best part of the ride is definitely the two live penguin enclosures, one during the ride, and the second when you get off the ride. The second penguin enclosure is just amazing! You can get so close to the penguins that you can almost touch them. Oh, I also forgot to mention that penguins are one of my favourite animals. That's one of the reasons I love SeaWorld so much, because they feature a lot of my favourite animals, although there are a few more which are yet to come on this list!


23 - Jungle Cruise, Magic Kingdom

"Hi! I'm Anna, and I'll be your skipper for today!"

Now what a classic the Jungle Cruise really is! For many, it is a classic attraction because the first version of the ride at Disneyland in Anaheim, California, was one of the original rides that Walt Disney had personally helped to create. The Florida version is an opening day attraction dating back to October 1st 1971. It's hard to believe that the ride is nearly 45 years old. Although the ride has had updates (like all other attractions) it hasn't aged one bit! A cruise through a jungle full of audio-animatronic animals is certainly a fun experience, but is made so much more entertaining by a funny boat skipper. One of the best things about the Jungle Cruise is that the skippers are actually allowed to improvise a lot of their script, something very uncommon from a Disney attraction. The hilarious cast members playing the skippers are pure Disney magic at it's very best! The ride also features a very well-themed queue (something I love) full of old genuine artefacts. The attraction is a true staple of Disney and it's very clear to see why so many people (myself included) love it.


22 - Shamu Underwater Viewing, SeaWorld Orlando

A truly majestic animal.

Before I discuss the topic of Shamu and SeaWorld, I want to make it very clear that I'm not going to get into a debate about what's right and wrong. SeaWorld Orlando has always been my favourite theme park in Florida (in fact, the whole world) and killer whales are without doubt one of my all-time favourite animals. One of my favourite things in favour of SeaWorld Orlando is the fact that there is pretty much nowhere else in the world that I would be able to see killer whales up close, other than in the wild. The Shamu Underwater Viewing area is the perfect place to see these wonderful animals. It is truly breathtaking to see these majestic creatures right in front of you. Depending on the time of day, you might see the whales playing with toys or even interacting with the guests! Above the Shamu Underwater Viewing area is where the Dine with Shamu experience is held, which is something I definitely want to do on the honeymoon next year.

21 - Dragon Challenge, Islands Of Adventure

You'll see Hogsmeade in the distance. 

Originally called Dueling Dragons, this duel roller coaster is a very thrilling experience indeed. Originally the ride was featured in The Lost Continent area of the park but was renamed and slightly altered when the area was redeveloped as the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Guests queue in an area themed to the Triwizard Tournament and it's Champions' Tent. Once inside, guests get to choose which coaster they want to ride, either the red Chinese Fireball dragon or the blue Hungarian Horntail dragon. Both coasters are unique which makes you want to try both options on the coaster. The red option is a favourite for many as it reaches the faster speed of both coasters at 60 mph. Dragon Challenge is definitely a favourite roller coaster of mine but there are many others I favour, hence why it just misses out on my top 20. Trust me, it wasn't an easy decision!


20 - T2 3-D: Battle Across Time, Universal Studios

An amazing show!

Making it to number 20 in my list is one of the best theatre shows of all time! This is a theatre experience like no other. The queue is elaborately themed to put guests into the Cyberdyne Systems factory from the 'Terminator' films. Before the show even begins you feel like you are being immersed into one of the films. Once at the pre-show portion of the attraction, guests are welcomed by a Cyberdyne representative who shows a promotional video about Cybderdyne's technological innovations. All is going swimmingly until John and Sarah Connor from the 'Terminator' films interrupt the promotional video. The representative tries to ignore the interruption and leads guests into the main theatre. Guests are sat down in their seats then shown a preview of Cybderdyne's newest inventions, robot solders, the T-70 Terminators. John and Sarah Connor once again turn up to ruin the proceedings, but this time live on stage. John and Sarah stop the show then suddenly realise they are being chased by a T-1000 Terminator. All looks bleak when suddenly Arnold Schwarzenegger (or a very good lookalike) bursts through the movie screen on his signature Harley-Davidson to save the day! Sarah escapes but Arnold's Terminator takes John on the back of his motorcycle to escape the T-1000 Terminator then transports back into the movie screen where the audience then begins to watch the film portion of the show featuring the real Arnold Schwarzenegger and co-stars. The film portion of the show is full of many special 3D effects which are very pleasing on the eye. Plus, you can't beat a bit of the legendary Arnie! It's a great show, no doubt, but Universal Studios is home to another fantastic show which is my all-time favourite theatre show in Florida. More on that one later though!


19 - Jaws, Universal Studios

It's Jaws!

Oh how I miss this attraction! When you think of theme park rides based on films, Jaws was the best of the bunch, no contest! This was just the perfect attraction, especially for a theme park dedicated to the magic of the movies. Jaws was situated in the old Amity area of Universal Studios, sadly now gone and redeveloped as the London/Diagon Alley expansion of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The Amity area of Universal Studios was truly phenomenal. It was quite simple in terms of some of the other areas but the simplicity of it made it all the more effective. It really looked like the Amity you saw in 'Jaws'. The ride itself was a boat tour of Amity Harbour. With a name like Jaws though, obviously it wasn't going to be a gentle boat ride! Unsurprisingly, the infamous great white shark made appearances on the ride, scaring many children (and adults alike) throughout it's 21 year history. The shark did look surpassingly realistic! I'll never forget jumping every time the shark popped up in the boathouse section of the ride. It was such a shame the ride had to close. It left behind many many sad fans. At least Universal replaced it with the rather fantastic Diagon Alley, which I'm still yet to see. So I definitely can't wait to see that next year!


18 - Haunted Mansion, Magic Kingdom

Not so sure if I'd want to marry this bride!

Just like the Jungle Cruise, the Haunted Mansion is another true staple of Disney folklore. It was also another attraction which Walt Disney himself had input on but sadly didn't live to see it open. Now I will be honest, the Magic Kingdom version of the Haunted Mansion is not my favourite version of the attraction, that title goes to Phantom Manor at Disneyland Paris, however, I still love the Florida version! The Haunted Mansion isn't your standard haunted house attraction, far from it! This is Disney theming at it's best and a true testament to all of the wonderful work the Disney Imagineers create. The queue for Haunted Mansion is an attraction in itself! There are so many quirky jokes scattered throughout the queue, including some rather amusing tombstones. There also some surprises too, I mean hey, did that tombstone just open it's eyes? Maybe it did! The pre-show to the Haunted Mansion is where the real spooks begin. Guests are told the story of the mansion and it's many residents, including a surprise shock from a suicidal ghost, which normally frightens the little ones. Guests are then loaded into their ride vehicles, or 'Doom Buggies' to be precise! From then on, guests are taken on a tour through the mansion's many rooms, including appearances from the 999 happy haunts. There are so many special effects in the attraction that it's quite overwhelming at times.  While I prefer Phantom Manor at Disneyland Paris, the Magic Kingdom's Haunted Mansion is a very welcome inclusion on my list, and rightfully so.


17 - Manta, SeaWorld Orlando

Get ready to soar!

Manta is just brilliant. It has a fantastic queue, a thrilling ride experience, stunning visuals, just everything! Manta is a special coaster for the fact that riders are in the prone position (facing the ground) throughout the whole ride experience. It has an out of this world queue, featuring 10 aquariums, full of over 3000 animals, including cownose and spotted eagle rays, after all, the ride is named after a ray! Once on board the coaster, you're in for one very thrilling experience to say the least! The ride features one pretzel loop, two inline twists and one corkscrew. The highlight of the ride is easily the section where you skim the lake. Believe it or not the ride vehicle doesn't actually touch the water at all, the effect is instead created by water fountains. Manta is definitely one of the highlights when it comes to rides at SeaWorld Orlando. My favourite attractions from SeaWorld Orlando are still to come on the list though, including the next one!


16 - Clyde and Seamore, SeaWorld Orlando

It's those loveable sea lions again!

SeaWorld Orlando is well known for its many animal shows and the Clyde and Seamore shows are definitely the funniest of them all. Clyde and Seamore are the names given to two California sea lions who perform comical shows alongside actors/trainers. Now I can't comment on their current show 'Sea Lion High' as I haven't watched it in person, only on YouTube, but I did love the previous show, 'Clyde and Seamore Take Pirate Island'. It was just one of the funniest things I had ever seen. You could easily watch it more than once a trip because it was different every time. If the sea lions weren't responding to their cues, then the actors/trainers would make a joke out of it, sending the audiences into hysterics. This show definitely wasn't meant to be taken seriously. The sea lions are indeed very comical and always worth a watch. One of my other favourite things about the old show was the fact that they had pre-show entertainment in a mime artist. The mime would always take the Mickey out of guests who hadn't gotten to the stadium early. We always made sure to get our seats early in order to avoid any embarrassment from the mime! I do miss those times!


15 - Space Mountain, Magic Kingdom

3... 2... 1... Blast off!

Easily one of the standout rides at the Magic Kingdom, Space Mountain is a downright classic Disney attraction. It's so popular that it has different versions at each of the main Disney parks around the world, including a very different version at Disneyland Paris. Florida's version is definitely my favourite though. It is essentially a roller coaster in space. One of the most thrilling things about Space Mountain in Florida is the fact that the ride is in almost complete darkness. It may scare some but to me, there's nothing better than the thrill of not knowing where you're going on a coaster! Like most Disney rides, it has a great queue, which is set up like you're walking through a space station. I also love the music that plays throughout the queue, it really sets the tone of the attraction. It is quite a mild coaster as it features no loops or corkscrews etc. However, what it does have is speed! It is very very fast! I guarantee if you're a roller coaster enthusiast then you'll love this one. Even if you're not a big roller coaster fan, it's quite mild in comparison to most coasters at the other parks. It's also the perfect first time roller coaster. Funnily enough, it's normally always my first port of call at the Magic Kingdom. Space Mountain is easily my favourite thrill ride at the Magic Kingdom, no contest!


14 - Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, Islands Of Adventure

Harry's here to save the day!

It's no secret that the opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Islands Of Adventure has been a resounding success. For years, many people said that the Universal parks were not on the same level as Disney's. This all changed in 2010 with the opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. Suddenly, Universal had created something which was on par with the best of Disney, if not even better! The area is themed around the village of Hogsmeade, featured in the 'Harry Potter' books and films. Despite a fantastically themed land, it would not have been half successful without a major attraction, and Universal delivered with Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. The ride is housed underneath a fantastic replica of Hogwarts Castle. Once inside the queue, guests walk around the many rooms of the castle. Guests will see the likes of the sorting hat, talking portraits and even an appearance from Mr Potter himself and friends. The ride itself? Wow! Where do I even begin? This is simply a stunning attraction. It is a motion-based dark ride through many scenes from the films including appearances from many of the characters. The special effects wizardry (pardon the pun) is just astounding. I've honestly never experienced anything else like it. I would say it's definitely one of the most impressive attractions on my list. Universal really did themselves proud with this one.


13 - Popeye and Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barges, Islands Of Adventure

Prepare to get wet, very wet!

This is just pure fun, it really is! In my opinion, Popeye and Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barges is the best water ride at any of the parks in Florida. Kali River Rapids at Disney's Animal Kingdom are very good fun, but they're not a patch on Popeye and Bluto's at Islands of Adventure. As the name suggests, these fun water rapids are based on the famous 'Popeye' cartoons. There are so many fun visuals on this ride, including some audio-animatronic cartoon characters from the 'Popeye' series, including the famous sailor man himself! Perhaps the biggest guarantee with this ride is that you will get absolutely soaking wet! There is no chance of yourself coming off this ride with just a drop of water, you will be soaked right through. It is so worth it though, because it is a real fun experience and you're likely to dry off straight away in the Florida heat anyway. The rapids themselves are very fast, probably the fastest ones in all of Florida, which makes it all the more fun. I do love a good water ride and Popeye and Bluto's Bilge-Rat Barges wins hands down for me!


12 - Star Tours, Disney's Hollywood Studios

Look out for the giant AT-AT!

Now Star Tours has been a firm favourite of mine for as long as I can remember. One of my first memories from holidays in Florida was riding Star Tours with my Dad, Nan and Grandad. I've been a massive 'Star Wars' fan ever since I was little, so it's no surprise that Star Tours has always been one of my favourite attractions in Florida. As you know by know, I love my themed queues, and Star Tours has one of the best. As soon as you enter the Star Tours building, you are transported into the world of 'Star Wars'. There is so much to see in the queue, especially if you're a 'Star Wars' fan, or even if you're not. If you look up to your left, you will see Admiral Ackbar in a control room, giving orders. In front of you, you will see C-3PO arguing with his companion R2-D2. Then you enter into the droid room where some robots are being assembled. Then finally you and the rest of the guests wait to board your Starspeeder 3000, for a trip to the forest moon of Endor. After a spaceflight safety video, guests enter the Starspeeder 3000, where they are greeted by droid pilot Captain Rex. The quirky droid mistakenly lets the guests know that this is his first Star Tours flight, and surprise surprise, not everything is going to go to plan. As soon as the flight begins, it takes a wrong turn and some fun mayhem is in store. Guests encounter many familiar scenes from the world of 'Star Tours'. Now I must state, Star Tours has had a recent make-over and has been transformed into Star Tours - The Adventure Continues. Quite spectacularly, the new Star Tours boasts a total of 96 different ride options, which pretty much guarantees a different ride experience every time. I'm very much looking forward to experiencing the new Star Tours next year but I'm sure the original at Disney's Hollywood Studios will always be my favourite. I'm also very excited that Disney's Hollywood Studios features a lot more 'Star Wars' content now, so I'm going to be in heaven!


11 - Pirates of the Caribbean, Magic Kingdom

Yo Ho, Yo Ho, a Pirates life for me!

Just missing out on my top 10 is an undisputed classic, Pirates of the Caribbean. Trust me, it wasn't an easy decision to leave this off of the top 10. No one can doubt that Pirates of the Caribbean is one of the best attractions to be found at the Magic Kingdom, as well as at all of the other Disney parks around the world. Just like the Haunted Mansion and Jungle Cruise, Pirates of the Caribbean is a true staple of the Disney parks, and again, is one of the last rides that Walt Disney himself had helped to create. Many people will be familiar with the ride because it spawned a hugely successful film series of the same name, starring Johhny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow. The films have become so popular that Disney have incorporated them into the rides. Now on the ride you will see appearances from an audio-animatronic Captain Jack Sparrow and Captain Barbosa. The ride itself is a gentle boat ride (bar one gentle drop) through the world of pirates, shown by many wonderful audio-animatronic characters. Playing throughout the whole ride is the song 'Yo Ho (A Pirate's Life for Me) which I guarantee you'll be singing afterwards, I even sing it while queuing! Speaking of queuing, I can't go on any further without telling you about the amazing queue. In my opinion, Pirates of the Caribbean features the best themed queue of any single ride/attraction in Florida. The whole queue is themed around the tunnels and prisons of an old fort. Personally, it reminds me of all the tunnels from the film 'The Goonies', which is my favourite film of all time! The queue really sets the tone for the upcoming ride experience. You could argue that the queue is quite eerie in some respects but that feeling is taken away by the fantastic music that plays on a loop throughout the queue. There are so many things that I love about this attraction that I feel quite bad about leaving it off of my top 10 but I do believe that the others are more deserving. Having said that, if this was the Disneyland Paris version of the ride, then it would be right up there, as I feel that version of the ride is much more superior to the one at the Magic Kingdom. Still, it's a fantastic ride and will always remain one of my favourites, for a long time to come.


10 - Mickey's PhilharMagic, Magic Kingdom

Be our guest!

Kicking off my top 10 is one of the most impressive theme park attractions that I've ever experienced, the fantastic Mickey's PhilharMagic. This is a one of a kind show that you are not likely to experience anywhere else in the world other than in the realms of Disney. The show takes place inside the Fantasyland Concert Hall, where Mickey Mouse is going to be performing with his PhilharMagic Orchestra. Guests are told to put on their "opera glasses" (3D glasses) then it's showtime! On a large 3D screen (the largest purpose-built screen in the world) Donald Duck is told by Mickey Mouse to prepare the orchestra's instruments. Mickey hurries off the stage, warning Donald not to touch his famous Sorcerer's hat. With the instruments ready, Donald can't resist the temptation of Mickey's Sorcerer's hat and unsurprisingly puts it on his head. Suddenly, the instruments all come to life, playing an unpleasant melody, then Donald is taken through a whirlwind, which takes him though classic Disney film moments, including 'Beauty and the Beast', 'The Little Mermaid' and 'Aladdin'. Donald interacts with all of the characters in each scene, including a rather sweet moment with Ariel during her song 'Part of Your World'. The show features some great humour from Donald Duck, not surprising as he is one of the funniest Disney characters, and also one of my favourites. As I mentioned this is a one of a kind show for many reasons. One of my favourite things about the show is that the animation itself is all 3D renderings of originally 2D cartoons. They work to great effect. One of the most impressive special effects in the show is scents. During the 'Be Our Guest' segment, you can actually smell all of the food, and let me tell you, it's a wonderful sensation! Definitely Disney magic at it's finest. I would argue that this is one of the best things that Disney have ever produced for it's parks. It's a very fine and deserving inclusion in my top 10 favourite attractions in Florida.


9 - The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, Islands of Adventure

An 'amazing' adventure awaits!

As the Americans would say, this ride is simply "AWESOME!" I'll never forget how amazed I was the first time I rode The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man. It left an impression on me that I'll never forget. I remember when it first opened, it was stated as the park's headline attraction, and it was very clear to see why. I first rode it in 2001, at the age of 8, which when I think about it now, was probably the perfect age for something like this. Back then, I was never much of a superhero fan, Spider-Man however, was one I did like. It made sense to ride this and I was absolutely blown away. The special effects, the visuals, the sensation, just everything about it was amazing. Ever since that first ride experience next to my Dad and Grandad, I have ridden on it every holiday since. The ride is an absolute blast! Like most of my favourite attractions, Spider-Man boasts a stunning queue, which sees guests walk through the offices of The Daily Bugle newspaper, where Peter Parker (Spider-Man) earns a living. The theming is so intricately detailed that you can read the newspapers from a distance, and they will include many references to Spider-Man and also a few more hidden references to other superheroes. The ride itself though, oh wow! Guests board a special 'Scoop' vehicle and are sent on a mission for The Daily Bugle newspaper to see why five supervillains led by Doctor Octopus are causing havoc in Manhattan. Guests are taken on a fast paced spin through the streets of Manhattan, facing all 5 supervillains throughout the ride, but not to worry, because Spider-Man is there to save the day! The motion-based 3D dark ride is definitely the best of it's kind. There's nothing quite like it. Some people would argue that Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is the better of the two dark rides in Islands of Adventure, but I would have to disagree, although both are stunning attractions in their own right. It's not surprising to read that The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man has won a staggering 31 theme park awards since opening in 1999. It's very deserving of the accolades and is a welcome inclusion on my top 10. However, it is not the highest Islands of Adventure attraction on my list, that accolade goes to a true beast of an attraction, which is coming up very soon!


8 - Test Track, Epcot

Get ready to push the speed limit!

It's been ages since I last mentioned Epcot but there was no way this attraction wasn't going to make my top 10 list. Test Track is simply one of the best attractions I've ever experienced. The first time I rode it I remember saying to myself "This is one of the best things I've ever been on!" To tell you the truth, it still is! The original version of the ride saw guests board a test car, which would go through various trials, including suspension tests, breaking tests, and even all weathers tests. The highlights of the ride included a near miss of a large semi truck and a finale featuring a speed test, which saw the car reach a maximum speed of 64.9 mph. I'll never forget experiencing the finale of Test Track for the first time. The sensation of speed and breeze in your hair was just amazing. In 2012, Test Track went through some renovations which resulted in a slightly different attraction. Guests now had the option to build their own version of the car in the queue, and the chosen options would be tested during the ride and the end of the ride would show whose car won. Most of the actual ride experience was the same, including the amazing finale, but the ride interior had more of a futuristic vibe to it, a bit like something out of the film 'Tron'. I must admit, I never made my own car because I used the single rider queue last time, which skips the car design area. It didn't bother me though because I just enjoyed the ride experience without worrying about how well my version of the car would have gone.  It's great that Disney give their guests this option but it doesn't really appeal to me to be honest. Test Track is without doubt the best attraction at Epcot, although with the recent opening of Frozen Forever After, that may change, and I am a 'Frozen' fan, so I may be swayed when I ride that for the first time (in forever) next year. We'll see!


7 - Universal's Horror Make-Up Show, Universal Studios

"You're just going to sit there and watch me die?"

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this show! There is so much for me to love about this show that it is easily a top 10 for me. Growing up, I adored horror films, especially the original 1930s classics made by Universal. The likes of 'Frankenstein' and 'Dracula' have forever been favourites of mine. This show is just perfect for fans of the horror genre. I also think it's great on Universal's part that they have the show as a tribute to the films that made the company the powerhouse it is today. The lobby of the theatre is full of horror film memorabilia. You'll see props from classics such as 'Jaws' and 'The Thing'. Once the doors open, guests enter the theatre and sit in front of what looks like a mad scientists laboratory. Host, Alex Ross, welcomes everyone to the show. All of a sudden, we hear a piercing scream and a make-up artist by the name of Mark James (Marty James if it's a female performer) crawls into the theatre. After tempting an audience member to pull out a fake knife stuck in Mark, he joins Alex on the stage and welcomes everyone to the show, promising to demonstrate some of the many make-up techniques used in the world of horror cinema. There are tributes to the many horror films released by Universal, including the 1930s classics as well as some right "Crap!"  as quoted by Mark. Tributes are also paid to famous actor Lon Chaney and revolutionary make-up artist Jack Pierce. The show is laced with humour, including quite a lot of jokes for the adults. I especially love the line that Mark says to a kid in the audience "You know this isn't Disney, we don't have to be nice to you!" It's all in good spirits and not really a scary show by any means. You'll more than likely leave the show with a huge smile on your face from laughing so much at the jokes. This is one of the reasons that I do like Universal Studios because it is a lot more aimed at adults, which can sometimes be a nice break away from Disney.


6 - The Incredible Hulk, Islands of Adventure

It's hard not to miss this one!

Kicking off four roller coasters in a row in my top 10 is Island of Adventure's The Incredible Hulk. Before I go on, I have to say that this one and number 5 were incredibly hard to decide between but I think I have a valid reason for the next one to be slightly higher on my list. Anyway! The Incredible Hulk is unmissable. It's simply huge, and being a bright green roller coaster, you're not going to miss it! I love how you can easily see it on International Drive, from just outside the Universal Orlando complex. I must add that the coaster has just had a big makeover, so I wont be able to describe the current version having not been on it yet. I will however be talking about the original version of the attraction, which I love very very much. This is one hell of a roller coaster! As soon as you board, you are sent on a fast launch which kickstarts the ride! There are so many loops, twists and turns, I've lost count! Now I'm not very technical when it comes to roller coaster terminology, so you'll have to excuse me for that! This is definitely one of the most thrilling roller coasters in Florida. It's clear to see why it has won lots of awards in the past. My only criticism would be that your head does get bashed about quite a lot on it, although hopefully that has changed with the new makeover. The whole coaster track has been replaced, which will hopefully make for a smoother ride on my next visit. The Incredible Hulk is normally my first ride when I visit Islands of Adventure. There's no starting slowly with me, I like to get right into it!


5 - Kraken, SeaWorld Orlando

I'll never forget riding this bad boy for the first time!

As I mentioned above, it was a tough call between choosing this and The Incredible Hulk. I decided to put Kraken at the higher number 5 because it was the first extreme roller coaster I ever went on. I remember when I first started going on coasters. My first big coster was Space Mountain. After riding I thought to myself that I would go one step further and go on a roller coaster with loops. So the first one that came my way was Kraken at SeaWorld Orlando. I was slightly scared before riding but my courage started to build up the closer I got to the front of the queue. Once on board, the panic set in again as the coaster began climbing the lift hill. Then as soon as I went down the first drop, the panic turned to pure joy. I absolutely loved it! I thought I would be terrified of loops but they felt absolutely sensational to me. My first time feeling g-force on a roller coaster was just incredible! I loved it so much the first time that I rode it again straight away. It became an instant favourite of mine and from then on I started riding every roller coaster at the parks, nothing fazed me anymore. It's still one of my favourite roller coasters and is definitely my favourite thrill ride at SeaWorld Orlando. A visit to Kraken next year is in store, that's for sure!


4 - Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, Disney's Hollywood Studios

Get ready to rock!

What's not to love about this one? A fantastic roller coaster playing the sounds of Aerosmith, I love it! Aerosmith are one of my favourite rock bands, so the combination of their music and roller coaster is just inspiring! I love the elaborate theming to this ride. The outside of the show building features a giant red Fender Stratocaster guitar, as well as a blue Cadillac, which looks very similar to the ride vehicle you're about to sit in. Once inside the building, guests walk through a recording studio called 'G-Force Records'. After waiting, guests enter the pre-show in the recording studio where Aerosmith are busy recording a new record. All of a sudden, the band's manager turns up to tell them that they are late for a concert. Singer Steven Tyler voices his discontent at leaving the guests alone, so invites them along to the concert. The band manager reluctantly agrees then guests are led through into the next part of the queue, before they board the roller coaster. Now the beginning of this ride is the best part in my opinion. Once you enter the ride, the vehicles moves very slowly around the corner and stop in front of a highway sign, which reads out different humorous messages, such as "Traffic bug you? Then STEP on it!" All of a sudden, you hear the sound of Steven Tyler in your ears counting down from 10 to 1, then whoosh! We're off! Guests are launched from 0 to 58 mph in less than 2.8 seconds! It's an exhilarating moment, and gets me every time! After the launch, guests are sent on a wild roller coaster ride, with different Aerosmith songs playing in their ears. There's nothing better than rushing around on a roller coaster and listening to the sounds of 'Sweet Emotion' and 'Walk This Way'. It's really an awesome experience. God forbid they ever change the band fronting this ride, because Aerosmith make it all the more better, they really do! This is a firm favourite of mine, and my second favourite roller coaster in all of Florida. Rock on!


3 - Revenge of the Mummy, Universal Studios

"Your souls will be mine!"

What a ride this is! Revenge of the Mummy proudly holds the title of being my favourite roller coaster in all of the theme parks at Florida. For me, it was a no brainier! This is simply the best roller coaster I've ever ridden. It has everything that I love about a ride, good thrills, stunning special effects and a fantastically themed queue area! Revenge of the Mummy almost suffered a huge backlash from theme park fans before it opened because it replaced Kongfrontation, which was a favourite for many people who visited Universal Studios. Some people were upset that Universal were making a ride based on 'The Mummy' film series, starring Brendan Fraser. While there are still some sceptics (there's always one) Revenge of the Mummy opened to huge acclaim, from critics and fans alike. The ride takes guests through Ancient Egyptian high priest Imhotep's tomb. Almost as soon as the ride begins, guests are told that the curse of Imhotep is real and we see Imhotep in mummified form, who warns "With your souls, I shall rule for all eternity!" That doesn't sound very good does it? Well, if it makes for an exciting journey ahead, then I suppose it doesn't matter! Guests are then taken into a huge chamber where we once again see Imhotep, but this time he's surrounded with his mummified guards. Then the real fun begins! Guests just about escape a falling wall when they're confronted with huge amount of scarab beetles. Then the ride turns 180 degrees, then you're launched at 40 mph while Imhotep shouts "Your souls are mine!" Then straight into the drops, twists and turns you go! It's such a good experience. The audio-animatronics and projection special effects are simply stunning. I've not seen a roller coaster quite like it anywhere else in the world. It of course has a spectacular queue, surprised? I think not. The first half of the queue is themed as a film set for a new 'Mummy' film being made, the second portion of the queue is themed to be right in the middle of an Ancient Egyptian temple. There are a few scare effects in the queue, which can actually be triggered willingly by people in the queue. For personally, Revenge of the Mummy is the best roller coaster experience you'll ever have. It's a very worthy number 1 roller coaster on my list, especially considering the amount of fantastic roller coasters in Florida!


2 - Shamu, SeaWorld Orlando

Dawn Brancheau. One amazing performer. Very sadly missed.

SeaWorld Orlando, easily my favourite park in all of Florida. I know there are many other parks in Florida that have a lot more rides but to me, SeaWorld Orlando is the perfect theme park. It has a very relaxing vibe throughout the park, which makes it a perfect theme park to spend your first day of the holiday. Funnily enough, it's always been a tradition for my family to visit SeaWorld Orlando on the first full day of our Florida holidays. I just love everything about the park. It has the perfect mix of rides and shows in my opinion. Attractions aside, it is mostly known for it's animal exhibits. One of my biggest problems with people who criticise SeaWorld Orlando is the fact that they fail to realise just how many animals the SeaWorld company have helped rescue. SeaWorld do so much more for their animals than many people realise, but I don't want to get into a debate about that. Like I said, SeaWorld Orlando is known for it's many animals on show. I mean other than in the vast ocean, where else am I going to see my most favourite animal in the world, the killer whale. Seeing these beautiful creatures up close is one breathtaking sight. I've always loved killer whales. I think watching the film 'Free Willy' started my love affair with killer whales, or orcas as they're also known. I remember when I was young, I thought Tilikum at SeaWorld Orlando was actually Willy from the film! I was young though, so I had an excuse! Seeing these whales in front of my very own eyes was a truly awe inspiring sight, and you know what, it still is! Seeing these majestic creatures performing is just stunning. The way they move through the water is so gracious. Don't get me wrong, I would love to see them in their natural habitat, but it's very hard to do so. In my opinion, the best Shamu show that SeaWorld Orlando have ever done was Believe. The show used to feature an amazing soundtrack (which I own on CD) and featured some of the best waterworks (trainers doing stunts in the water with the whales) that I had ever seen. Sadly after the death of Dawn Brancheau, the trainers had to stop all waterworks with the whales. The shows have never been the same since but they are still fantastic nonetheless. I'd also like to point out that the Shamu Stadium is stunning in it's own right, it's just massive! People might be surprised that I've put the Shamu shows as the runner up in my top 50 theme park attractions in Florida, but I've always loved them and always will do. I know SeaWorld Orlando will soon be stopping their killer whale shows in favour of more educational experiences (which I'm all for) so I'm very happy to say that I've been lucky enough to see the best of the Shamu shows. The memories will live long with me, that's for sure.


1 - The Great Movie Ride, Disney's Hollywood Studios

The greatest ride of all!

"Hooray... for... HOLLYWOOD!" Yes that's right, my proud number 1 and most favourite theme park attraction in all of Florida is The Great Movie Ride! I bet you probably didn't even expect it to be number 1, to be honest, a lot of my friends and family are surprised when I tell them it's my favourite. Why not a coaster or a theatre show? Simple. I love films! I absolutely adore the world of film, or magic of the movies as I would say in America. For me, there was no contest in choosing this as the top of my pile. It's been my favourite attraction for as long as I can remember. I think another reason people find this a surprising favourite of mine is because it's a gentle ride. As you can see from my list, I've included a lot of thrill rides, so I do love them, don't get me wrong, but I love this one more than anything else. This ride is the perfect tribute to the history of film and epitomised everything that the original Disney's MGM Studios stood for. The ride itself is housed inside a replica of Grauman's Chinese Theatre. The outside of the building looks exactly like the real theatre on Hollywood Boulevard, California. It really is an exceptional beauty. You have to admit that Disney did a sensational job when building The Great Movie Ride. You can see The Great Movie Ride right from the entrance of the theme park, and it's a very welcoming sight. Once inside the building, you queue in the foyer of the theatre, which features some film props. Props in the past have included the chess table from 'Star Wars: A New Hope' and also a pair of Dorothy's ruby red slippers from 'The Wizard of Oz'. The next portion of the queue sees guests watching film trailers on a cinema screen, including the likes of 'Alien' and 'Raiders of the Lost Ark'. Next is when guests finally board their open-top ride vehicles, then it's lights, cameras, action! Music belts out of the speakers and we hear the iconic line "Hooray for Hollywood!" Guests are then taken on a journey through some of the most iconic scenes in film history, all told through audio-animatronics and a tour guide. Most film genres are touched on here. You'll see the world of musicals, gangsters, westerns, adventure and one or two surprises. You may also find yourself somewhere familiar if your vehicle takes you on that famous yellow brick road! Your tour guide might also make an unexpected stop, but don't worry, it's all part of the show! The ride finishes with a montage of some of the greatest film moments of all time on a huge cinema screen. It's the perfect way to end an attraction that celebrates the history of film. You know, I love this ride so much that I could probably write a whole blog about it. Now there's an idea! On a sad note, I've read a lot of rumours lately saying that The Great Movie Ride may be closing in favour of a new experience next year. Now I hope this isn't true because I would be absolutely gutted if The Great Movie Ride were to close. Some reports have said they may redo the ride to add Mickey Mouse into everything, but why? Mickey Mouse has enough presence in the park, let alone all the other parks. Just leave the attraction as it is. It's bad enough that the ride now has a pre-recorded narration, something I'm yet to experience on the ride. I don't mind Disney improving their rides, but this one really needs to be left alone. The only thing I would do is maybe change around one or two scenes, but nothing major. For me, The Great Movie ride is everything I love about the magic of Disney, and Florida parks in general, therefore, making it my most favourite theme park attraction in all of Florida. I hope it's here to stay forever and ever!


Well that's about it now! Thank you so much for reading this. I hope you enjoyed reading it. This has definitely been my most personal blog to date. It has brought back a lot of memories of my past holidays, memories I treasure very much. It was a lot harder than you may think for me to choose all of these. Trust me, it was very, very difficult! I feel quite bad that I couldn't fit some of the attractions onto my top 50, so there's the possibility of a new blog about all of them ones. Watch this space! Thanks again for reading!