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There are two Rainforest Cafes on Disney property.  The original Walt Disney World location is in Downtown Disney.  A second location was added when Disney’s Animal Kingdom was constructed.  Although it’s not strictly a Disney entity, dining at the Rainforest Café is a Walt Disney World rite.

For anyone who has not dined at a Rainforest Café, it’s a unique experience.  Guests are seated in various parts of a rainforest—gorilla room, elephant room, etc.  At regular rotations, the animals at the Rainforest Café come alive.  Children in particular find it entertaining, but adults are suckers for it, too.

The menu at the Rainforest Café is somewhat extensive.  If you have a family whose members’ culinary tastes are as far apart as the East Coast from the West Coast, the Rainforest Café is a particularly good choice for dining.  No matter the tastes, there is something on the menu to please everyone.

To say the portions are generous is an understatement.  In fact, one meal could easily feed at least two–if not three–people.  It’s almost a sure thing that you’ll be asking for take home boxes.

The shop that adjoins the Rainforest Café is worth some time spent browsing.  There is an interesting array of items for sale, many of them benefitting the conservation of endangered species.  There is a definite bend toward awareness at Rainforest Café.  It’s as if the concept is that commercial is good as long as it benefits the larger scheme.  As a diner, you won’t mind either.  It’s an enjoyable and an hour or two well spent in the chaos that can be Walt Disney World.  Guests should note, though, that waits for the Downtown Disney location can be lengthy on weekend evenings or holidays, so it’s best to be prepared to put your name in and then do some shopping.

Space Mountain at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom is not only consistently one of the most popular rides at Walt Disney World, it’s one of its most legendary.  The ride itself is a relatively tame, though extremely fun, ride through outer space.  It’s completely enclosed and it’s difficult for riders to tell at any time where they are or in which direction they’re heading.

One of the most legendary aspects of Space Mountain are the “asteroids” that roll across the out space sky of the attraction.  They are most conveniently noticed while waiting in line.  There is a story that the asteroids are actually chocolate chip cookies that are run through a projector.  Walt Disney World imagineers and employees have never confirmed or denied the rumor, but it’s still intriguing to think about while one toils away minutes waiting to board one of the space vehicles.

Although by coaster standards Space Mountain is hardly for daredevils only these days, it’s still an adrenaline pumping ride that inevitably pleases riders.  The fact of the matter is that it’s just fun.  It may not be the newest ride at Walt Disney World nor is it the most innovative (anymore) but four decades after its conception, it doesn’t fail to entertain.  Very few people who wait in the often lengthy line come away complaining.  It’s a theme part attraction that has truly stood the test of time, which speaks to its conception.  Few amusement park attractions can make the same claim.

If you want to ride Space Mountain, we recommend heading there first thing in the morning, getting a fast past, or trying late in the evening during the Main Street Electrical Parade.  Crowds tend to dwindle during parades.  Also, be aware that fast passes are sometime completely distributed for the entire day by mid-afternoon.  So if your plan is to get a fast pass, secure one early in the day.

Test Track is one of the most popular rides at Walt Disney World.  The experience simulates the tests that automotive makers put their cars through prior to sending them out into the market.  For anyone who views the imposing structure head on, it’s imposing.  It’s surrounded quite literally by a track at which cars shoot out and appear to speed around at the appearance of 60+ miles per hour.  In fact, the test track cars are moving at closer to 35 mph.  But don’t let that fool you, Test Track is an exhilarating ride.

The line for Test Track is perpetually long.  Even the single rider line consistently exceeds a twenty minute wait.  This speaks to the ride’s appeal.  Don’t sweat it.  There is plenty to entertain riders while they wait in the queue.  All of us have seen the crash test dummy commercials—the ones that appear to send a couple of crash test dummies full speed toward a wall.  Test track does this, but not before putting riders through a few other tests first.

Of note, there is the heat test, in which the vehicles in which riders are strapped are sent through extreme temperatures to see how the car weathers high temperatures.  There is the corrosive test in which “corrosive” chemicals (i.e. water) are sprayed at the vehicle and riders.  There is the cold weather test, kind of like the heat test, only the opposite.  There is the high speed curve test, which tests how well the car takes curves at high speeds as well as an incline test.  However, the crowning moment of the ride is the acceleration test.  This is the big moment, the one in which riders are sent full speed ahead toward a wall.  We won’t ruin the surprise, but Test Track at Walt Disney World’s Epcot Center is a definite can’t miss!