Bashful WDW Attractions Tips

Walt Disney World rides and shows. Included here, you'll find crowd warnings, claustrophobia warnings, seating arrangements, and info about avoiding "audience participation". * Please note: there are some spoilers here. I've created this site with the idea that you'd rather be "prepared", then surprised.

MAGIC KINGDOM

The Magic Kingdom – my favorite park. The wandering entertainment is relatively safe here – usually won't approach you unless you approach them. This park is clearly the favorite for the little ones – many kids, many strollers.

Astro Orbiter – If you have a problem with heights, or rides that make you dizzy, you might want to avoid this one. Also, keep in mind that is it a slow loader.

Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin – This one's a lot of fun, and no real "bashful" warnings needed. However, I will give a "dizzy" warning: each car also has one "turning" control; if you are prone to motion sickness, do *not* let someone else control this knob!

Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress – It is typical theater-type seating – comfortable seats, but you will likely be seated beside others. It is fairly small, and usually pretty full, at least when I've seen it. The entire theater revolves around the stage in the center. It moves slowly, between scenes – not anything to cause motion sickness.

Stitch's Great Escape – the preshow area (like most of them) will have you just standing elbow to elbow with everyone. The pre-preshow area is just one open room. The real preshow area is tiered, with railing between. The actual attraction will place you in your own special seat, with harness that goes over your shoulders. (In fact, it should be mentioned that these seats are designed so you *can't* get out – makes you really feel trapped, which is part of the terror.) It's really not the "social" aspect that bothers me about this one – it's just plain terrifying!

Space Mountain – Being the closest thing to a roller coaster that Disney had when I was younger, this was always a "must do". However, as I get older, I realize that this is probably the first of Disney's "thrill rides" that I will have to say good-bye to (not yet, but Bashful is starting to get a few gray hairs). While it doesn't compare to a Six Flags type coaster, it is still quite fast and thrilling. It's all indoors, in the dark. You will have your "own" seat (no fear of being squished beside someone). The seats are a bit awkward to get into, though, and it's the reason I imagine it will get more difficult with age. I think anyone with mobility challenges would find it extremely difficult, if not impossible, to climb in and out. There are all the usual warnings about not riding while "expecting" or with a heart condition, etc. Also, there is a "very" long queue inside the building – a bit claustrophobic, dim lighting, but all with that wonderful space theme.

Tomorrowland Indy Speedway – This one is cute for the kids, but probably not worth the usually long wait for the adults. Each individual car holds one or two people – you must be at least 52" tall to drive solo. For the younger ones who dream of driving someday, it's a must-do, but otherwise, there's not all that much to it. There is a guide rail, so the cars can't stray far from the the center of the track. You do run the risk of a pesky driver hitting you from behind, but otherwise, not much for the "bashful" to worry about.

Tomorrowland Transit Authority – This ride is the best way to take a "breather" from the Tomorrowland excitement. There is rarely much of a wait – in fact, lots of empty seats every time we've been on it – and Bashful never misses this one. You and your party will get your own "car". Each one holds up to four people, with two riding forward, the other two riding backward, facing each other. It takes you on leisurely ride above Tomorrowland, and inside a few of its attractions. In fact, it's the only way to get a glimpse inside Space Mountain, without actually entering its queue. Okay, no thrills here, but one of my favorite "often overlooked" rides.

The Haunted Mansion – This is definately one of my favorite attractions. However, a Disney friend did point out to me the one major downside to this ride: as you enter the Mansion, you are "herded" into a small room with a good-sized crowd of strangers. You are all encouraged to squeeze close together for a small "introduction", during which the lights are also shut off for a moment. After this small display, you are "released" from this room and loaded onto "doom buggies", which are comfortably private (holding 1 to 3 people). If you can manage those few minutes, it's worth it, in my opinion. (A little secret: when you enter the "small chamber", stand below the portrait of the young lady holding a parasol and sitting on a tightrope. This will allow you to be one of the first people to exit the room when the little "display" is over.)

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad – A "runaway train" roller coaster ride through an old mining town. Each seat holds two people (possibly three, if one is a small child). The seats are bench seats and the ride is rather "wild", so be sure you're comfortable with the person you share a seat with! (If you're alone, you'll be seated by yourself.) As today's roller coasters go, this one is rather tame, but the theming makes it a lot of fun.