#Space Mountain – Rooting to Rise

When entering the tunnels of the Magic Kingdom Park my eyes always scan the attraction posters that are displayed along the train station walls. Of course I already know what I am in store for – the attractions are as familiar to me as going home to visit my parents in the house I grew up in. What the posters do is spark my excitement with their bright colors and quick reminder of what is to come as I venture into the park.

Disney has been using attraction posters since Disneyland first opened in 1955. Walt’s version of an amusement park was far different than anything anyone had ever encountered; the Imagineers needed a way to depict the attractions that awaited them inside the gates. These beautiful and vibrant posters aligned the main entrance gates as if it were a theater lobby, some showing what lie ahead and some depicting up-coming attractions for the near future.

When Walt Disney World finally opened their gates and began their “show”, many of these audiences were not familiar with this new “amusement park” experience. Disneyland posters were re- purposed and became very helpful in the opening of Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.

Some attraction posters can still be found in the Magic Kingdom, mostly within the train station tunnel. But they are a piece of our American history and tell a great story. If you are interested in learning more about their history and how they were and still are used through out all Disney parks, check out this link. Poster Art of the Disney Parks

~Maureen

I thought it would be fun to compare all the thrill seeking mountains in Walt Disney World. Which has the fastest speeds, highest incline drop, longest ride experience, tallest height restriction???

Let go check them out!

Let’s start out with my personal favorite-

A pitch black rocket ride……..

Space Mountain opened January 15, 1975 and is the oldest operating roller coaster in the state of Florida. You must be 44 inches tall to experience this high speed thrill.

Step on board this rocket for a high velocity trip into space! You will zoom by comets and reach for the stars at the speed of 27 mph for 2.35 minutes. This track will descend 26ft, hurling you down through the dark spirals of space.

Time to trade that rocket in for a train car…….

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad shared their cursed town and possessed train on November 15^th, 1980. You must be 40 inches tall to ride this crazy train.

All a- board for a 3 minute tour of a town wiped out by a flash flood! Go speeding at 35 mph through an old abandoned mine town on this possessed train that has no engineer and no crew aboard! The highest rock mountain you will tumble down is 50 feet tall.

From the Southwest to the Deep South……..

Splash Mountain plunged onto the scene in October of 1992. You must be 40 inches tall to float along these rivers.

Hop into this log and follow Br’er Rabbit on a 10 minute journey – turned crazy adventure, to find his laughing place. Out wit Br’er Fox and Br’er Bear as you drop 53 feet at 40 mph. Return home happy, safe, and waterlogged with Br’er Rabbit.

Ready for another train ride? How about in the Himalayas?

Expedition Everest became Walt Disney Worlds tallest mountain and most expensive coaster on April 7, 2006. You must be 44 inches tall to join this trek to find the Yeti.

Your train departs from the station which is located in the village of Serka Zong. For about 3 minutes you take speeds of 50 mph through the Himalayas. You get a glimpse of the Yeti’s shadow and suddenly hurl out the side of an 80 foot mountain. Just as you feel this may not have been a good decision, you pull back into the station, a little rattled but with not a scratch.

These are the Mountains of Walt Disney World? Have you conquered them all?

Tell us which is your favorite or which you don’t dare to board!

~Maureen

How Imagineers Advertised Attractions

The Many Mountains of Walt Disney World Resort