Mission: Nausea!

We choose to go. That's the slogan of Mission: Space, the motion simulator attraction that's been a hit since it opened in 2003. Your objective is to coordinate with your crew and guide the spacecraft safely on a mission from Earth to Mars. The control stations you see here are full of complicated switches and controls, and even the slightest delay in timing and maneuvering will bring the entire attraction to a standstill.... (Just kidding! The automatic pilot takes over if you forget to trigger a switch). There have been a few changes to the ride cabins over the years, including the addition of fans that blow cool air over the faces of the crew, to help deter motion sickness. And, if the fans didn't do the trick, air sickness bags are now available in front of your seat. Now, that's what I call entertainment!

Is that a Rhinoceros tusk in your shorts?

Someone's cruisin' for a bruisin'! The classic Jungle Cruise is one of the original attractions from the opening of Disneyland in 1955. When Walt Disney World opened their version in 1971. Originally planned to be a more serious adventure through the rivers of the world, imagineer, Disney Legend (and one of the "Nine Old Men") Marc Davis added a bit of whimsy to this scene, depicting a rhinocerous chasing a group of explorers up a totem pole.

Tomb Sweet Tomb: The Haunted Mansion

At the back of Liberty Square looms the Haunted Mansion, an imposing brick and stone manse that houses a group of retirees....

Although the general consensus of the Disney fan community is that the exterior design of the Mansion is based on the Harry Packer Mansion in Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, there exists no real evidence that this is the case. Rather, the appearance seems a combination of random Gothic and Victorian elements, as filtered through the keen eyes of the Imagineers.

All Aboard: The Iron Spike Room at Disney's Wilderness Lodge

Tucked away off the lobby of the Villas at the Wilderness Lodge hides a wonderful, secret place: the Iron Spike Room. Intended as a lounge where Disney Vacation Club members can kick back by the fire and read, play checkers, or shoot the breeze, the room is filled with memorabilia and artifacts from Walt Disney's personal railroad, the Carolwood Pacific.

On display are actual cars from the railroad built by Roger Broggie, photographs of Walt Disney, and enough memorabilia to keep you occupied for quite some time. What always impresses me is how serene and calm the room is; I could see myself sitting in front of the fire, dozing off for hours, if it weren't for that priority seating at Le Cellier that I have for dinner.... Here's a photograph that closely captures the lighting and ambience of this hidden treasure:



MousePlanet has a wonderful article with details about the Iron Spike Room; why not board the train and ride on over!

Dragon, 25, Slain by St. George in Lake Buena Vista

In the legend of St. George and the Dragon, there is a spring from which the townsfolk get their water. Unfortunately, the Dragon has made his nest there, and every time the people want to get water, they have to get the Dragon to move. They do this by luring him out of the way with a daily human sacrifice. One day, lunch happens to be the Princess; she appeals to her father to spare her life, to no avail. Then, just as the dragon is about to strike, in comes riding St. George, who slays the Dragon and rescues the Princess. Elated and overjoyed at her new lease on life, she asks him, "What are you going to do next?" And, of course, he replies, "I'm going to Walt Disney World!"



And, there he is today. Or, at least, a replica of the statue in Rothenburg, Germany. As the centerpiece of the town square at the Germany Pavillion at EPCOT center, our hero sits mightily on his horse, gazing upon us civilians as we drink our beer and eat our pretzels. In 3D, the effect is so compelling, you can almost smell the bratwurst.

Norwegian Troll at the EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival

My favorite park since it opened in 1983, EPCOT is where I spend the majority of my time when in Walt Disney World. As a result, I have more 3D photos from this park than elsewhere on Disney property. Let's kick this off with a photo of a troll in front of the Norway pavillion, taken during the EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival:



This seems to be a troll of the friendlier variety, not the menacing brute that lives under a bridge.

You'll need 3D glasses to view these photos. They're very inexpensive, to the point where you can buy a couple of them and give them to friends (some of them can be bought for less than three dollars each, with a discount for buying more than one). Look under "Glasses" on the right to see where and how to obtain them.

To view these photos, sit back away from the screen and hold up your 3D glasses to your eyes. You should see a series of about four blurry images all lined up, like this:



Then, start moving in closer to the screen. The two images in the center will come into focus. Then, you can move back and forth slightly, adjusting your position to a distance that is comfortable to your eyes. It may seem a bit tricky at first, but after a while it becomes second nature, and you'll be able to focus on the stereograms instantly.