DISCLAIMER: I generally always have a video to accompany my blogs but not so with Soarin’ Around the World. Disney is very strict about no videography or photography during this experience and well, I’m a rule follower. Honestly, even if I had a video of Soarin’ Around the World it would not do it justice. This is a ride you definitely need to experience in person. So there, I just gave you a great excuse to book your next Disney World vacation!

Location

You will find Soarin’ Around the World in The Land Pavilion at Epcot. After entering Epcot, head straight to Future World. You will want to go right at the water fountain walking past the Epcot Character Spot. Keep going straight and the path will lead you to The Land Pavilion. Stay to the right after entering the building and you will take the escalator or stairs down to the bottom level. The entrance to Soarin’ Around the World is on the left in the back. An elevator is also available to get to the lower level.

Tier 1 Attraction

Epcot’s attractions and experiences are categorized in two tiers. When reserving your FastPass+ selections, you will have to choose one attraction from the Tier 1 list and your other 2 FastPass+ selections from the Tier 2 list.

Soarin’ Around the World is in the Tier 1 attraction list at Epcot. If riding Soarin’ Around the World is a must for you, you will want to choose it as your Tier 1 attraction when making your FastPass+ reservations.

Soarin’ ReImagined

Soarin’ Over California was the original film of the attraction. You soared over California landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge, Napa Valley, Lake Tahoe, downtown Los Angeles and Disneyland in Anaheim.

Soarin’ closed in January 2016 for a major refurbishment. Not only was the attraction switching to a new film, it was also adding a third theater to hold more guests. Soarin’ reopened Memorial Day weekend of 2016 with the original film and switched to the new film June 17, 2016. The third theater made the stand-by and FastPass queues flow much better.

Queue

The queue for Soarin’ Around the World is very similar to a concourse at the airport. However this concourse is Disney-fied to help you pass the time. If you are waiting in the stand-by queue to board Soarin’ Around the World, you can play the new game, Soarin’ Challenge. What exactly is Soarin’ Challenge? It’s a trivia game that will test your familiarity with global travel. Disney’s website says “answer questions on culture, cuisine, history, landmarks and more”. It’s very simple to play. Team up with your family and friends, grab a mobile device and head to the Soarin’ Challenge website.

The Ride

Once you arrive at the “gate”, you will make your way to a small area where guests will be put into lines to prepare to board Soarin’. In this area, you will receive a safety message from the Captain via a monitor.

After the safety message, you will be led to your flight seats. There is a netted compartment underneath each seat to store any loose items and your shoes if you are wearing sandals that could possibly fall off during the flight. Once you are done putting your items in the compartment, you can be seated. The seat belt simple pulls across your lap and latches. There is a mark on each seat. If you do not reach that mark by height, you will need to put your seat belt through the loop as an added safety measure.

Once everyone is seated and the flight attendants check that everyone is secured correctly it is time for take off! Your seats will swing up into position and you feel as though you are suspended in air with your legs dangling.

Soarin’ Around the World has an amazing itinerary for your trip. The locations visited in Soarin’ Around the World are Matterhorn in Switzlerland, Isfjord Greenland, Sydney Harbour in Australia, Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany, Kilimanjaro National Park in Tanzania, The Great Wall in China, The Great Pyramids in Egypt, Taj Mahal in India, West and East Mitten Buttes in Monument Valley Utah, Lau Islands Fiji, Iguazu Falls Argentina, Eiffel Tower in Paris and ending in Epcot at Disney World.

Tips

• FastPass+ is offered and recommended.
• Rider Switch is available.
• Soarin’ Around the World is extremely popular. Make sure you are awake and ready the morning your FastPass+ window opens!
• If you don’t grab a FastPass for Soarin’ Around the World you will want to be at Epcot at park opening and head straight for the queue!
• If you only have one Epcot day planned during your trip, I suggest making your FastPass for Test Track and waiting stand-by for Soarin’ Around the World. With the new theater added, the lines now move more quickly than before. If you do this, I do suggest getting to Soarin’ Around the World as quickly as possible after park opening to minimize your wait time.
• To get the full effect of Soarin’ Around the World, you will want to be in the front row of seats. This row will be at the very top when the seats are in the air. If you are on a subsequent row, there is a possibility of seeing people’s feet hanging from the row above you.
• Children less than 7 years old must be accompanied by someone 14 years or older.

Height Requirement

To experience Soarin’ Around the World you must be 40 inches or taller. You can check height restrictions for other attractions right HERE.

Accessibility & Other Information

You must transfer from wheelchair or ECV to board Soarin’ Around the World.

Video Captioning is available upon request.

Head over to Disney Express Lane Facebook Group to talk about everything Disney!

photo credit: Grace Williams

photo credit: Vanda Bean

photo credit: CL Photographs Oh How I Wish I Could Be Here Right Now…. via photopin (license)

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A Guide to Breastfeeding and Pumping at Disney World

Know the Law

First things first, know the law for where you are vacationing. Florida is a very pro-breastfeeding state. Florida law protects the mother’s right to breastfeed in public. The law basically says that if you have a right to be somewhere (i.e. you aren’t trespassing), then you have the right to feed your child there. It is at your discretion to cover up and you do NOT have to nurse your child in a bathroom. I am quite modest and didn’t want to flash anyone during the transition to feed the baby, so I invested in a nursing scarf. This was my favorite: the infinity nursing scarf. Some of you are probably much better at this, so again, use your own discretion here.

Know Before You Go

Now that you know it’s perfectly legal and ok to breastfeed/nurse at Disney World, there are some other important things to note. In my opinion, the most important thing you can do before going on any vacation is to become familiar with where you are going. Check out the airport before you leave or scope out the rest areas on your drive. MCO has some great breastfeeding and pumping pods that make it easy to feed an active eater or pump in a bit of privacy.

Also, really get to know the parks before you leave. Study those maps well and know where your top three rides are located. Then map out where they are in proximity to Baby Care Centers or the rides and attractions that are best for nursing/pumping (those blogs are coming soon). You never know when you will have a hungry baby and we all know a hungry baby quickly progresses to a mad baby.

Baby Care Centers

About those Baby Care Centers… These havens have great air conditioning and dedicated rooms for nursing mothers. They even have places to pump! You can also change diapers here, heat up water for formula or baby food, and even watch a movie with older siblings to give them a break if they are suffering from sensory overload (as my family calls it). Better yet, they have tons of items for sale that you may have forgotten to pack. This is the gold standard for the best place to feed or care for your baby while in the parks.

Pumping

If you are pumping, don’t forget to bring or purchase a portable battery for your pump. There aren’t a lot of outlets in some of the parks. A battery option will save you from being in agony while trying to find an outlet. If you need to save your milk for later, consider bringing a small cooler and ice/gel packs to keep the milk cool. When pumping, it’s a good idea to take a mid-day break so that you can take the milk back and place it in the mini fridge in your hotel.

Utilize Rider Switch

Also, make sure you have a good touring plan in mind. When you schedule Fastpass+ times, look for areas where you can nurse or chill out with the baby while the others ride. If you have an older child, utilize the rider switch option. I recommend nursing the baby while your partner takes the older child to ride. When they return from the Fastpass or stand-by line, hand the baby off for burping and play time, then redeem your rider swap ticket to ride with the older child.

Having a little brother or sister isn’t always rainbows and unicorns, but Disney really gives the older children a great benefit for all those sleepless nights. Rider switch let’s them ride twice so both parents can have a chance to enjoy the ride with their child. Rider switch is good for one adult and up to three additional guests. Find out more about Rider Switch HERE.

Quick Tip: Whoever rides first with the child must remember to ask for the Rider swap ticket at the first AND second kiosk where you scan your MagicBand. If you forget, you are out of luck and the other parent will have to wait all over again in the long line stand by line to ride with the child.

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Video From Frozen Ever After At Epcot: A Disney World Review

Location

Frozen Ever After is located in Epcot at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. After entering Epcot you will need to go straight through Future World. When you get to the World Showcase you will want to go left. The first Pavilion is Mexico (you will definitely want to come back to the Mexico Pavilion to visit). The next Pavilion is Norway, which is where Frozen Ever After is located.

Tier 1 Attraction

Epcot’s attractions and experiences are categorized in two tiers. When reserving your FastPass+ selections, you will have to choose one attraction from the Tier 1 list and your other 2 FastPass+ selections from the Tier 2 list.

Frozen Ever After is listed as a Tier 1 attraction at Epcot. If riding Frozen Ever After is a must for you, you will need to choose it as your Tier 1 attraction when making your FastPass+ reservations. Expect long waits for this ride in the stand-by queue.

Queue

The attraction queues at Disney World are always entertaining and the Frozen Ever After queue is no exception. You will feel as though you are walking through the streets of Arendelle. Prepare to also explore shops and other fun items from Arendelle as you make your way through the line.

You will certainly love the chance to see Oaken’s Tokens and Sauna along the queue. Don’t rush by the door as you may get a chance to see Oaken himself! When you get close to the docks, you will see a royal declaration inviting you to a Summer Snow Day Celebration.

The Ride

The Frozen WillowsFrozen Ever After is a boat-style ride much like it’s a small world, Living with the Land and Pirates of the Caribbean.

Your ride experience begins by boarding a boat at the docks of Arendelle. Your boat first takes you through the frozen willow forest. This is the beautiful scene from the movie where the Willow branches are frozen and chime as Anna, Kristoff and Sven walk through them. It’s also where they first meet up with Olaf!

The Trolls

Next you will encounter Kristoff’s family, the Trolls. They are sharing the story of the sisters with the younger trolls. They tell them how Anna was frozen and Elsa’s act of true love was the only thing that could thaw her frozen heart. From here, be sure to prepare for the cold of the North Mountain as Queen Elsa’s ice palace is just ahead. You’ll also pass by a few friends singing our favorite songs from the Frozen.

Elsa’s Ice Palace

You will enter Elsa’s ice palace where she is greeting you with the song we all know and love from Frozen, Let It Go! I know I did…I let it go and sang right along with her! It’s at this point your boat will stop, the back of the boat will move slightly to the right and the boat will begin to move backward. There is a small drop right after you begin moving backward.

Marshmallow the Giant Snow Monster

After exiting Elsa’s palace you’ll definitely want to keep an eye out for Marshmallow, the giant snow monster. This is one of my family’s favorite parts. No matter what movie we are watching, it’s the joke that I am always the bad guy or villain. When we ride Frozen Ever After, my youngest daughter loves to point to Marshmallow and say “that’s you mom” and giggle. During this scene, your boat will stop and begin moving forward facing.

After another small drop, you will return back to Arendelle. Go ahead and sing along as you pass by a few Frozen friends one last time before your boat docks.

Tips

• FastPass+ is offered and strongly recommended.
• Frozen Ever After is extremely popular. Make sure you are awake and ready the morning your FastPass+ window opens!
• If you don’t get a FastPass for Frozen Ever After, you will want to be at Epcot at park opening and head straight for the queue!
• There are areas of Frozen Ever After that are dark. If your child is sensitive to the dark, they could possibly not enjoy this ride.
• At one point of Frozen Ever After, your boat will stop and begin moving backward. While going backward you will also experience a small drop. If you are prone to motion sickness, you could possibly have an issue with this part of the ride. Click HERE to get some tips on how to avoid motion sickness at Disney World!
• There is a possibility of getting a little wet on Frozen Ever After. I have ridden it several times and the splashing is very minimal.
• After you exit Frozen Ever After, make sure to get in line at the Royal Sommerhus to meet both Elsa and Anna!

Height Requirement

There is not a height requirement for Frozen Ever After. No matter how small or tall, everyone in your party can enjoy this ride! You may want to hold very small children because of the small backwards drop.

Accessibility & Other Information

You must transfer from your ECV or wheelchair to board Frozen Ever After.

Handheld Captioning is available upon request.

For more upcoming fun in Epcot, check out: what’s COMING SOON IN EPCOT!

Join us at Disney Express Lane Facebook Group to discuss everything Disney!

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Location

After entering Epcot, head straight under the “Epcot ball” that houses Spaceship Earth. Once you come to the beautiful water fountain in Future World, take a left. You will pass between an Innoventions building and the Mouse Gear shop. After passing these buildings, head to the right and Test Track will be straight ahead.

Tier 1 Attraction

Test Track is a Tier 1 attraction at Epcot. This refers to Disney’s Fastpass+ system in place. Attractions at Epcot are separated into two tiers for FastPass+ selections. You are allowed to choose one attraction from the Tier 1 list and two attractions from the Tier 2 list. If Test Track is a must for you, you will either want to choose it as your attraction from the Tier 1 list or be at Epcot at opening and head straight for the stand-by queue.

Queue

The queue for Test Track, like most Disney World attractions, is an experience in itself. With items on display that show the advancement in technology at Chevrolet, your wait time passes by a little more quickly!

You will come to a point within the queue where you will be asked your party size and then put in a holding area. Doors will open and you will enter the Chevrolet Design Center. Here, using touch screen monitors, you will design your very own virtual concept car. Your design will be based on four testing criteria; handling, maneuverability, efficiency and speed. The fun part comes when you add final touches to your design with color and some pretty neat decals!

If you are a car enthusiast, this ride and queue is definitely for you!

The Ride

Right before boarding your Test Track ride vehicle, you will want to scan your MagicBand to make sure your design is entered. As you pass through the various tests, there will be charts scoring how each design represented in your ride vehicle performed.

During the first test you will see how well your design handles different road surface conditions. With weather ever changing, this test takes you through a couple of sequences of extreme conditions. Aerodynamics (think handling) is also a part of the capability testing. Make sure you watch on either side of your ride vehicle to see exactly how the air moves over your car.

The next test is responsiveness and maneuverability. You will be taken up and down hills and around sharp curves to see just how well your virtual concept car handles the road. Watch out for that semi-truck on the left!

The final test is what everyone has waited for…power! You speed toward closed doors that open just in the nick of time. Once open, you are speeding outside around a 1-mile track. With banked curves and a long straightaway, it is here you will reach a speed of 65mph.

After Your Ride Experience

Don’t think that after hitting that speed of 65mph your experience is over. After exiting your ride vehicle, there are a few hands-on exhibits for you!

• See exactly how well your very own concept design scored during the test drive.
• Make a commercial, starring you, of your concept vehicle design and then email it to share with your friends.
• In a smaller test, steer your design through obstacles and varying conditions and terrain.
• Get a picture with your favorite Chevrolet and include your virtual design with a beautiful background.

Tips

• FastPass+ is available for Test Track and recommended.
• Test Track is a Tier 1 attraction at Epcot.
• Test Track offers Rider Switch for parties that have members that do not meet the height requirement or prefer not to ride.
• Children less than 7 years old must be accompanied by someone 14 years or older.

Height Requirement

You must be 40 inches or taller to ride Test Track. If someone in your party is less than 40 inches, they will not be allowed to ride.

Accessibility & Other Information

You must be able to transfer from your wheelchair or ECV.

Language Translation Devices are available upon request.

Do you love Test Track at Epcot? Join us at Disney Express Lane Facebook Group to talk about Test Track and everything Disney!

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Location & Route

Disney’s Festival of Fantasy Parade runs daily at Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort. It begins at 3pm but this time is subject to change. It’s a good idea to get a Times Guide as you enter Magic Kingdom.

The Festival of Fantasy Parade begins in Frontierland near Splash Mountain. It then makes its way through Liberty Square and to the hub at Cinderella Castle. From there, the parade heads down Main Street U.S.A., around in front of the Walt Disney World Railroad train station and exits near the Fire Station.

The Floats

It is difficult to even describe the elaborate detail in each float. This parade is full of color and life! From the decorated costumes of the parade performers to the floats decorated to depict scenes from Disney favorites, you are sure to love each and every detail. The procession of floats includes a garden of Princesses, Tangled and The Little Mermaid. Also represented are floats for Peter Pan and Brave and a few other surprises.

Favorite Characters

This parade features many characters from your favorite Disney movies! You can expect to see:

• Cinderella
• Belle
• Tiana
• Elsa and Anna
• Ariel and Sebastian
• Peter and Wendy from Peter Pan
• Captain Hook
• Smee
• Tick-Tock the Crocodile
• Merida and Her “Bear” Brothers
• Maleficent as a Fire-Breathing Dragon
• Prince Phillip
• Snow White
• Characters from Pinocchio
• Mickey and Minnie

Parade Dining Packages

If sitting to save your spot for 30 minutes before parade time doesn’t sound fun to you, you are able to book a Festival of Fantasy Parade Dining Package that will get you VIP viewing.

Parade dining packages are available at Tony’s Town Square Restaurant. Tony’s Town Square is similar to the restaurant from Lady and the Tramp. Book a lunch here and enjoy delicious Italian cuisine. Then in the afternoon, enjoy VIP viewing of the Festival of Fantasy Parade.

Parents with Small Children

Maleficent is depicted in the form of a fire-breathing dragon. She is large, metal and can definitely be scary for small children. She also breathes fire several times throughout the parade route.

Along with Maleficent, you will also find thorny stilt walkers and raven performers. These too can be frighten children.

Tips

• There is only one showing of the Festival of Fantasy Parade.
• The Festival of Fantasy Parade runs daily at Magic Kingdom at 3pm.
• Showtimes are subject to change, so make sure to grab a Times Guide at the entrance of Magic Kingdom.
• The Festival of Fantasy Parade is an outdoor parade and is subject to cancellation due to weather.
• If you want a front row seat, you will need to grab your spot at least 30 minutes before parade time.
• The parade lasts about 30 minutes.
• If you are on the front row, make sure you sit on the curb so people are able to stand behind you and see the parade.

What do you think about Disney’s Festival of Fantasy Parade? Join us at Disney Express Lane Facebook Group to discuss the Festival of Fantasy Parade or any other Disney topic!

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