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Disneyland Resort Paris - Attraction Stitch Live!
by karalouk
* What is it? *
Stitch Live is an attraction in the Walt Disney Studios at the Disneyland Resort, Paris. It opened in 2008 and there is also a similar version of the attraction at Hong Kong Disneyland called Stitch Encounter. The attraction is not a ride but more of an interactive show that uses real-time animation and digital ... puppetry.
* Where is it? *
Stitch Live is located in the Production Courtyard which is to the west of the Walt Disney Studios park (turn left outside of the entrance building) and is next to another attraction called Playhouse Disney Live On Stage. It is clearly marked on the park map and has a big sign outside which is hard to miss.
* Who is Stitch? *
Stitch is a character from the 2002 animated Disney film 'Lilo and Stitch' and appears to be a favourite amongst young children - probably down to his mischievous nature! He was an experiment created by an alien called Dr Jumba Jookiba. He is blue and funny looking, and his the best friend/owner is a little Hawaiian girl named Lilo.
* Show times *
Shows run around every 15 minutes and you can choose from a showing in English or French, which is ideal - unless you don't speak English or French of course! There is an electronic board outside of the attraction which tells you when the next showing is (and in which language) and how many seats are available (it counts down every time somebody enters the turnstile). I believe each showing holds 200 people and lasts 15 minutes.
* Going live! *
First off, if you are planning a trip to Disneyland you should stop reading now as I wouldn't like to spoil the surprise for you! Here is my experience of Stitch Live...
There is a pre-show which we missed as we grabbed the last couple of seats! The pre-show is basically an introduction to Stitch (handy for those who aren't too familar with him) and informs everybody that Stitch has stolen a space cruiser and has gone missing. It is your duty to find him and return him home to Lilo.
We walked into an indoor theatre-type room, refered to in the pre-show as the 'Galactic Transmission Center'. Inside were rows of benches, a big screen at the front (surrounded by lights to give it a futuristic/spaceship feel) and a man with a microphone. We were instructed to take a seat and the children were encouraged to sit at the front inside a circle on the floor.
Stitch appeared on the screen and the man with the microphone explained to him that he was from Galactic Communications and we were his guests. Stitch then gave us a big "Aloha" - our efforts were mocked until we replied very loudly. Stitch then went on to point out 'the little people' at the front and asked one of the little girls what her name was, how old she was and where she was from.
Soon afterwards Stitch claimed to recognise a man on the back row. Stitch described the man by the colour of the jacket he was wearing and where abouts he was sitting - the man with the microphone walked over to the man and Stitch asked his name. The man in the back row replied "Dave" into the microphone to which Stitch asked "and where are you from Dave?". Stitch and Dave had an amusing conversation for a little while which ended in Stitch informing everybody that Dave was a bad man and had escaped from space prison, before producing a poster which read 'Reward - Wanted for escaping from space prison' along with a photo of the man!
There was then a video message from Captain Gantu (the 'baddie' alien from Lilo and Stitch) who told Stitch that he knew he took his space cruiser and was after him - Stitch called him a stinky fish face much to the childrens delight! We then had to help Stitch escape from Gantu in his space cruiser by shouting 'lightspeed'.
A mobile phone started ringing and Stitch was quick to tell the owner of the phone off, before realising it was actually his phone! The phone call was from Lilo (her picture came up on the screen) - she told him that she knew that Stitch had stolen the space cruiser - Stitch denied this claim and instead blamed Dave! We had to roar like lions and make monkey noises to fool Lilo into thinking Stitch was at the zoo and not in space. Afterwards Stitch told a young boy in the front row that he did a really good monkey impression - he went on to ask his name and then took a photo of him doing a monkey face. Afterwards he turned the camera round to show everybody the photo before swallowing the camera to 'keep it close to his heart'. Gantu then stormed into the space cruiser and we had to direct Stitch out of the space cruiser (by shouting different coloured doors out) to escape from him. Stitch escaped and thanked his new friends by name.
* Suitability *
Stitch Live is described as a 'family adventure', which means it's suitable for all ages. This attraction is an all rounder that will amaze and amuse both children and adults, so I recommend to everybody!
* Overall *
I wasn't really sure what to expect as we were entering the doors to Stitch Live, but I never expected an animated interactive show! It went above and beyond my expectations. Me and my partner thought it was great and were laughing throughout the show - whilst also praying that we wouldn't get picked to talk to Stitch! My young daughter loved the show and was so excited to be interacting with Stitch. She often gets quite shy with new people or in unknown environments but she sat right at the front and really got involved throughout the show.
It's such a clever attraction - kids will leave the attraction thinking they have actually spoken with Stitch and adults will spend the day pondering on how it works! It's great how Stitch's movements, facial movements and tone of voice change on what members of the audience say - he has some great comebacks and is very witty too! It's also very clever how he can repeat things perfectly and can pick people out of the audience by their hair, clothes, posture, general appearance and seat positioning - he actually interacts with the audience which is something I have never seen before (although apparently there a similar Finding Nemo attraction in America). I have no idea how it works but to be honest I think I'd rather not know.
I should also mention that every show differs according to the audience, so no two shows will be the same and each show is unique (but with the same overall story I think). Check out YouTube if you want a sneak peak! I am revisiting Disneyland Paris again this year and am interested to see what Stitch has to say this time around.
In my opinion Stitch Live is a must-do if you're visiting Disneyland Paris.
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Disney World Orlando Florida - Attraction: Big Thunder Mountain
by flowerpot19
Big Thunder Mountain is known as one of the "Three Mountains" in the Magic Kindom, Florida. (The others being Splash Mountain and Space Mountain). It is essentially a run away mine train type ride, that takes you through sharp turns, steep hills and drops and has some interesting scenery along the way.
Big Thunder ... Mountain is one of the Magic Kingdoms most popular attractions and as a result can get pretty busy, especially in peak times. I would suggest wither getting their early or get a Disney fast pass to reduce your queuing time.
The background story to the ride is that this was a thriving mining town that suffered from a Flash Flood. Some years later Mine trains were found to be running around the tracks on their own without a driver. As such the queue area is themed like an abandoned mining office. There are various artefacts on the walls to take your attention away from the long queue.
Seats are generally for 2 people, but if your slim enough you can get 2 adults and a small child in one row. As soon as the riude starts you are thrown into darkness and the first of many sharp turns. You then go up a steep hill before the ride takes you through the mountains on a series of sharp twists and turns, hills and drops. The ride is pretty fast and can be quite bumpy but its all great fun.
Although its hard to pay attention when the ride is wizzing about do try to look at some of the things around the ride track - for example near the end there is a man sitting in the batyh reading a news paper and when you climb up through the cave you will see lots of baths on the wall (you have to do this ride at night to see them I think).
I think this is a really long ride for a theme park and it makes it well worth the queue. My favourite time to go on this is when it is dark. The ride is fast and bumpy and therefore may not be suitable for some people, but it is one of the most fun attractions in the park in my opinion.
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Disney World Orlando Florida - Attraction: Splash Mountain
by flowerpot19
Splash Mountain is log flume style attraction located in the Magic Kingdom park within the Walt Disney World resort in Florida. There are also versions of this rides in some of the other Magic Kingdom parks (e.g Paris).
Depending on the time of year you go you may encounted a large queue for this ride in Florida as although it ... has been there for many years it still remains a very popular attraction. The longest queue I ever saw for this ride was 3 hours! If you plan it right and get there first thing in the morning or get a Disney fastpass for the attraction you can cut this queue time.
If you do have to queue its not so bad, as with all Disney attractions the queue area is well themed and has various things to look at that will help pass the time. A substantial section of the queue is under shelter too, which is great if your visiting at a hot time of year.
Once you reach the front of the queue a cast member will place you in a row ready to get on to the boat. The ride seats 8 people in four rows of 2. The restraints are large padded bars that pull down over your front. One thing im sure you will notice when you sit down is that there is a fair amount of water already in the boat - this gives you a pretty good indication that you are going to get pretty wet!
The ride begins by taking you through an indoor themed area based on Disney's film the song of the south (Brer Rabbit, Brer Bear, Brer Fox etc). I have yet to see the film but still thoroughly enjoy the ride. The ride tells the story of Brer Rabbit who leaves home looking for a laughin place. Brer Bear and Brer Fox are chasing after him trying to catch him.
You go through several cheerfully themed indoor areas, that have animatronic animals singing and dancing songs from the movie. As the villians in the film (brer bear and brer fox) chase after the rabbit you encounter some darker scenes that involve several short drops. From memory I think 2 of these are inside and in the dark.
Towards the end of the ride Brer Rabbit manages to outsmart the villains and they end up falling down in the briar patch. Riders follow this fall with the rides biggest drop (which is visable on the way to get to the ride). A photo is taken as you drop and you can purchase this after the ride.
An Indoor Segmant follows after the ride which shows Brer Rabbit returning to his "home sweet home" and is finished off by the annoyingly catchy zip a dee doo dah song which no doubt you will find stuck in your head.
I personally love this ride, I think it is brilliantly themed and has lots of happy scenes and catchy songs. It has just enough drops to make the ride that bit more entertaining too. The final big drop is quite steep but the padded bar makes you feel very secure. My 70 year old Nan loves the ride so it cant be that scary!!
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