2 Questions - Both pertaining to Roller Coasters :)

[Burnz]

Alright, I'm going to be going to Disney world on the 22nd of December. It's actually probably not a typical group of Disney World people

I'm going (19 y/o), my brother (21 y/o), my cousin (20 y/o), and his friend (17 y/o).

Now, my questions are:

1) How many roller coasters are there at Disney world??? I realize it's not a rollercoaster theme park, but they are really my absolutely favorite type of ride (didn't even know it till last year... last year we took a Road Trip to Las Vegas and Los Angeles... where we went to Magic Mountain, and let me tell you, I think it was the most fun I've ever had in my life).

Anyways, are we in this age group going to be disappointed in the rides? We aren't going JUST for the rides, but it sure makes it more enjoyable. I'm not a huge fan of small type carnival rides (like the typical swinging ship, or the tea-cup sort of ride)... I sort of get nauseous on those rides. Wierd, as probably the most insane and durastic rollerocaster in the world "X" at magic mountain I was absolutely fine with.

2) Is it possible to... take a video camera on rides?? Heh... I just bought a nice digital camcorder, and would love to get footage of us riding a roller coaster or something

We got a 4-day park hopper pass, so we'll be spending a full day at each of the 4 main parks once.

We are also going to Universal studios for one day, so I'm sure it'll satisfy our rollercoaster craving if Disney is a bit weaker in that area.

Thanks for any responses!

*Edited for spelling.

 

[myboysmom]

The parks are not a roller coaster haven. Help me out others on the boards, but I believe that the only coaster at MK is Space Mountain and the only other one I know about is at MGM- Rock'n Roller Coaster. You guys all sound like the Rock'n Roller Coaster would be right up your alley...Aerosmith provides the soundtrack. It is really cool.

Never been to Universal, so I can't help you out with their coasters. Have fun.

 

[mmeb144]

Don't expect too much from your Disney Rollercoaster experience. They are fun, don't get me wrong. The themeing is the strong point. Rocking Roller Coaster in MGM is awesome! But again, it doesn't compare to some of the BIG ones that are out there. We have Paramount's King's Island in Cincinnatti that we like to go to. Now, that 's the land of the awesome coasters!

Marie

 

[Burnz]

Isn't there some roller coaster that's like a train that goes through a mountian or something? My cousin mentioned something about it, but I can't quite remember what he said.

 

[Calcio]

The best coaster, by far, at WDW is the Aerosmith Rock N RollerCoaster at the Disney Studios. Very smooth and fast, with a great catapault start.

At the MK Space Mountain is (I think) the first ever indoor coaster (or at least the one at Disneyland was). It's okay, but not up to the Rock N Roller Coaster's standards. The MK also has Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, also a metal coaster, but it's strength is more to theming than the coaster part.

You're going to Universal, so be sure to ride The Incredible Hulk. It is the best coaster ride I've ever had, and many others agree. Dueling Dragons is also pretty slick. Both at at Islands of Adventure.

Enjoy, I'll be there in January, riding all of them.

 

[April76]

Don't miss Big Thunder Mountain RR over at MK --- the themeing is great and it actually goes faster than Space Mountain (although Space Mtn might seem faster since it's indoors and in the dark). BTMRR is a "runaway mine car" that travels through caves, up hills, and through all sorts of other neat landscape.

 

[Jestocost]

I think those are the only three that would qualify as true coasters. WDW is definitely not the best place for big coaster riders. There are a few other rides that might be of interest to coaster fans, however. Test Track and Mission Space at EPCOT, Tower of Terror at MGM, Splash Mountain at MK, and Kali River Rapids at AK.

Triceratops Spin at AK is another coaster type ride, but spins, not speed, are the attraction. I'm not sure if I like it or not.

 

[DisneyKidds]

Whether you are disappointed will entirely depend on what you want to get out of the coasters/thrill rides and how much you appreciate the other types of attractions Disney is known for. With the exception of Rock N Roller Coaster (multiple inversions and a 0 to 60 in 2.8 second launch) the coasters at Disney don't offer huge drops, inversions or great speed..................but the theming and overall ride experience is wonderful.

So here is what you have.....................

MK - Splash Mountain (log flume themed to the story of Brer Rabbit witha 5 story drop at the end and incredible theming/show detail throughout), Big Thunder Mountain (runaway train coaster that is bigger on theme than thrills but is a great coaster) and Space Mountain (a relatively small coaster that is completely inside and dark and has cool space effects). As for non coaster/non-kiddie rides a teen or 20-something may appreciate you have the Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, and the Jungle Cruise. The parades and fireworks are great.

Disney Studios - Rock n Roller Coaster (as previously mentioned, themed to Aerosmith with great tunes), Tower of Terror (not a coaster but a free-fall type ride with multiple 13-story drops and perhaps the best ride theming in WDW), Star Tours (an ok flight simulator). Other rides you may appreciate include the Backstage Tour and Great Movie Ride. There are a number of other wonderful shows that you should check out is you enjoy things other than rides.

AK - Primevil Whirl (an ok mouse type coaster but not a coater to write home about), Kali River Rapids (a water rapids ride that will get you wet but is too short). The safari isn't a thrill ride but you should definitely do it. Again, there are a number of great shows here that you should check out (Lion King show is one of the best).

Epcot - no coasters here, but you have Test Track (GM car test simulation that reaches speeds of 50 mph on an outdoor track), Mission:Space (NASA flight simulator in which you will pull several G's) and Body Wars (another ok flight simulator like Star Tours). That's it for thrills in Epcot, but Maelstrom is a nice little boat ride, other World Showcase pavillions have movies that are appealing, the American Adventure is a great historical show with great animatronics/music, and other Future World pavillions have good show elements even though they aren't thrills.

Bottom line is if you go to Disney looking for a Six Flags type park that has multiple mega-coasters with huge drops, high speeds, and lots of inversions you may be disappointed. Otherwise, I think you will have a great time. Do post a trip report when you get back as I'd be curious to see what your group thinks.

 

[XStAnt]

At MK: SM and BTMRR. SM is a little dated but a lot of fun. It's indoors and dark so you don't know which way the car will go. BTMRR is a tame roller coaster-great for young kids and first timers.

At MGM: Rock 'N' Roller Coaster. This is great. It's also indoors and dark. However, it loops 3 times. Plus, you start from a stand still and are blasted into the first loop in about 2 seconds. It's fantastic.

That's it for roller coasters but there are other things you'll probably enjoy.

At Epcot: Test Track, Mission: Space and Body Wars.

At MGM: Tower of Terror and Star Tours.

At MK: Splash Mountain and Buzz Lightyear (not a thrill ride but tons of fun).

At AK: Kilaminjaro Safari (not a thrill type ride, but great to see all the animals up close), Kali River Rapids, and (perhaps) Dinosaur.

At Universal, you'll probably want to concentrate in Islands of Adventure. That park reportedly has some fantastic coasters. At USF there are no coasters (that I recall) but try: Men In Black, Back to the Future, and Terminator 3D. I'm sure there are more but I'm drawing a blank right now.

Good luck and have fun.

 

[XStAnt]

Sorry, didn't mean to post twice.

 

[Burnz]

"There are a number of other wonderful shows that you should check out is you enjoy things other than rides."

Oh, absolutely... I actually think I'll really enjoy the Safari I saw pictures of that's at Animal Kingdom, and that sort of thing. I plan on getting the whole Disney experience

Thanks for all of the info everyone.

 

[ChairborneRangr]

Definately set your expectation. Disney has it's faults, but it is a master at taking you to the edge but never over the line. It is not an adrenaline rush experience, but if you plan on having fun, you will! Look for the details, see the shows and parades... identify all the things you like and tune your trip towards that.

Just plan on a post WDW adrenaline rush at IOA.

 

[threeboysmom]

When you head over to Universal, make sure you go to Islands of Adventure, NOT Universal Studios, if coasters/thrill rides are what you are seeking. I witnessed some very angry young people at Universal Studios when they found out they were in the wrong park ("where are the coasters?") and there was nothing they could do except buy another ticket. Don't make that same mistake!!

 

[WDWAurora]

In response to the video taping: NO absolutely not, don't do it...people get hurt, I've been one of them, enough said if you want more info, pm me and I'll get back to you. But don't do it. Don't ruin someone else's vacation.

Sorry for being so somber. You'll enjoy the rides, but not just the thrills...my boyfriend went for his first time in March at 21, and he actually loved the 3d movies, Pirates of the Caribbean, Buzz Lightyear, and some others...But have fun!