Alternative Fireworks Viewing Spots: Gasparilla Island Grill at the Grand Floridian Resort

 By: Nick

If you want to enjoy fireworks, but don't want to deal with the crowds, there are many places from which to view them, and you may even be able to hear the music as well. As an added bonus, you can also avoid the hoard rushing to get out of the park. 

 The spot we're looking at here is a lovely seating area outside of Gasparilla Island Grill, the counter service restaurant at the Grand Floridian Resort.

As you can see,  it has a fabulous view of Cinderella Castle. I have, however, heard people expressing dissatisfaction that the fireworks aren't directly over the castle. 

 I actually love the dynamic of the in park pyrotechnics with the larger aerial fireworks, and the reflection off of Seven Seas Lagoon. 

Also, there is usually music pumped through speakers, but the evening we were there, music was not playing due to the lines feeding the speakers being cut by construction. If the wind is blowing right, you can still sometimes hear the soundtrack all the way from Magic Kingdom.

So, there are pros and cons, but if you aren't interested in dealing with a swirling mass of humanity at the end of the day and still want to experience the magic of a Disney Nighttime Spectacular, this is a great alternative. I'll be sharing more in the future, so please come back, and invite your friends!

Tron: Lightcycle Run at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom

 By: Nick Maglio

 

My wife and I went to a Cast Member Preview of Tron: Lightcycle Run at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom a few days ago, and here are my thoughts.

Spoilers!

I really like the Tron films, so I've been excited to ride this attraction for several years. 

Approaching the queue with the ride vehicles going overhead amps up the excitement!

 

 

Before a new attraction opens, I actively avoid reviews, and that was no different in this case; I'm glad I did, because the queue has a really awesome reveal as you approach the load area, which I won't reveal here!

 

Then there is the launch, which is now one of my favorite things ever. 

 

I'm going to be honest here, overall the ride is no more exciting than Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, but that launch to the outside was just amazing. It's a short ride... which may be a blessing, because...

...the big downside to this is the very convoluted ride vehicle contraption. Of course there is a fit issue, and I'm not sure how some people with mobility issues are going to get into it. As a very big boy, I was actually concerned about this, but had zero issues the first time I rode. Seating is similar to Flight of Passage.

The second ride, both my wife and I both felt like our calves were not seated as comfortably as they had been the first time, which we both found irritating.  

Overall it's a good solid ride, not on the scale of Guardians of the Galaxy by any means in my opinion, but I'm sure riding at night with the lights on and the cycles having a more dramatic glow may make the overall experience more immersive, and perhaps gets it closer to that high bar.