Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
204
the South,
Splash Mountain takes you flume-style down a flooded mountain, past 26
colorful scenes that include backwoods swamps, bayous, spooky caves, and waterfalls.
Riders are caught in the bumbling schemes of Brer Fox and Brer Bear as they chase the
ever-wily Brer Rabbit, who, against the advice of Mr. Bluebird, leaves his briar-patch
home in search of fortune and the “laughing place.” The music from the film forms a
delightful audio backdrop. Your hollow-log vehicle twists, turns, and splashes, sometimes
plummeting in darkness as the ride leads to a 52-foot, 45-degree, 40-mph splashdown in
a briar-filled pond (you'll feel the drop!). And that's not the end. The ride keeps going
until it's a Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah kind of day.
Note:
You must be at least 40 inches tall to
ride. Also, expectant mothers and people prone to motion sickness or those with heart,
neck, or back problems shouldn't climb aboard.
Tom Sawyer Island
Frommer's Rating:
C for most, B+ for energetic kids who need a release
Recommended Ages:
4-12
Huck Finn's raft will take you on a 2-minute journey across the River of America to the
densely forested Tom Sawyer Island, where kids can explore the narrow passages of Injun
Joe's cave (complete with such scary sound effects as whistling winds), walk through a
windmill, examine a serpentine abandoned mine, and investigate Fort Longhorn. The
island's two bridges—one a suspension bridge, the other made of barrels floating on top of
the water—create quite a challenge for anyone trying to cross. Maintaining your balance is
difficult at best, if (or should I say when) the other guests are jumping up and down—but
that's half the fun. Narrow, winding dirt paths lined with oaks, pines, and sycamores create
an authentic backwoods atmosphere. It's easy to get briefly lost and stumble upon some
unexpected adventure, but for younger children, the woods and caves can pose a real
problem—toddlers who can't easily find their way back to you or who may get scared by
darkness and eerie noises should be watched very carefully. Aunt Polly's Dockside Inn,
though open only seasonally, serves up sweet treats and snacks, and with a porch overlook-
ing the river makes the perfect spot to sit and relax after all that running around.
6
Shopping in Frontierland
Mosey into the
Frontier Trading Post
for the latest and greatest in cowboy wear. The
Prairie Outpost and Supply
is your best bet for sweets and treats.
LIBERTY SQUARE
Unlike the other lands in Magic Kingdom, Liberty Square doesn't have clearly delineated
boundaries. Pass through Frontierland into this small area, and you'll suddenly find
yourself in the middle of Colonial America. Before you can say “George Washington,”
you'll be standing in front of the Liberty Tree, an immense live oak decorated with 13
lanterns symbolizing the first 13 colonies. The entire area has an 18th-century, early
American feel, complete with Federal and Georgian architecture, quaint shops, and
flowerbeds bordering manicured lawns. You may even encounter a fife-and-drum corps
marching along the cobblestone streets. The
Liberty Tree Tavern
(p. 140) is one of the
better Magic Kingdom restaurants.
Hall of Presidents
Frommer's Rating:
B+
Recommended Ages:
8-adult
American presidents from George Washington to Barack Obama are represented by life-
like audio-animatronic figures (arguably the best in WDW). If you look closely, you'll see
