Florida's Mountain Range

Over the past 35 years Disney has created some of the most majestic mountains found in the state of Florida.

On January 15, 1975 the first of four mountains was created. Space Mountain is a descendant of Disney's very first mountain the Matterhorn Bobsleds in Disneyland. Though the attraction has had multiple refurbishments through its life, little has changed from when the attraction opened in 1975. The track is the same now as it was then. The only changes that have been made to the attraction are those of queue post shows and updated projections and lighting effects. Space Mountain still packs the same thrills now that it did on opening day.

With the success of Space Mountain, Disney commissioned Vekoma to build Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Thunder Mountain was found to have gold deep in its caverns and miners flocked to the mountain from all over. Unfortunately, the miners did not know that the mine was haunted by an old Indian burial ground. The trains operate by some mysterious force that has never truly been explained. Instead of the noise from picks and axes, you hear the hoops and hollers from those daring to board the mine trains.   

Thunder Mountain brought much needed crowds to Frontierland. To further the story of this land, Disney decided to bring in a proven attraction from Disneyland. On October 2, 1992 Splash Mountain opened to the public. Boarding your log you quickly find yourself singin' along with Br'er Rabbit and going to find your laughing place. Your adventure culminates in a 52 and a half foot drop at 45 degrees at 40 mph into the brier patch. With a total of 68 audio-animatronics, Splash Mountain has one of the most characters in Magic Kingdom. Splash Mountain also has an incredible amount of hidden Mickey's. This would be a great attraction to keep your eyes peeled!

Finally, on April 7, 2006 Expedition Everest opened in Disney's Animal Kingdom. Disney again enlisted Vekoma to come up with a state of the art attraction to thrill guests. This is another richly themed attraction that can only be appreciated in person. During the development of this attraction, Joe Rhode took a trip to Nepal to research the topic of The Yeti. Coming back with stories and many artifacts, Rhode convinced Disney executives that this attraction will be the be all and end all of Disney attractions. Since the story is so richly represented with the theme, I will tell you the story of the Forbidden Mountain when we are waiting to ride.       

Disney's mountain making is not just relegated to Orlando. Mountains have popped up all over the world from Hong Kong to the suburbs of Paris. Imagineers pull out all their tricks of story telling and engineering to create mountains from steel and concrete. The theme of these mountains carry from the moment you step into line and beyond leaving the exit turnstile.  

THIS WEEK IN WDW HISTORY:

1928 - (March 13) On a train ride back to California with his wife Lillian, Walt sends a Western Union telegram to his brother and business partner Roy that reads: "LEAVING TONITE STOPPING OVER KC ARRIVE HOME SUNDAY MORNING SEVEN THIRTY DON'T WORRY EVERYTHING OK WILL GIVE DETAILS WHEN ARRIVE WALT." This is in reference to the fact that although the Disney brothers have lost their animated creation Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, Walt has a new idea for an animated mouse character.

1942 - Michael Eisner was born in Mount Kisco, New York. He ran the company from 1984-2005. 

1953 - Africa USA opens in Boca Raton, Florida. Walt frequently visited the site and considered purchasing the 300 acre site. Unfortunately the park closed in 1961 due to its revolutionary ideas. 

1984 - Touchstone Pictures releases its first film, Splash. 

1984 - Roy E. Disney resigns from the board of the Walt Disney Company setting in motion a series of takeover bids that by August will actually leave him in control of the company.

1985 - (March 10.) This is the last day that General Electric will sponsor Carousel of Progress. Their association goes back to 1964 when the attraction was originally built for the New York World's Fair. 

2000 - The Omnimover Vehicles are slowly removed from the closed Horizons building as it is being prepared for demolition. A very sad day for Epcot's idea of Edutainment. (education + entertainment) This theory to be explained on location. :-)  

2001 - The Nanea pool at Disney's Polynesian Resort replaces the original pool. The new one features underwater music. 

2001 - The Mulan parade has its final step-off at Hollywood Studios.

2005 - Robert Iger is to succeed CEO Michael Eisner who will remain at his post until September 30. 

2005 - Typhoon Lagoon opens with a new attraction, Crush 'n' Gusher water coaster.

2008 - The first Hartmann's Mountain Zebra was born at Disney's Animal Kingdom. They named him Kidani after the new Animal Kingdom Villas. 

2008 - Disney's Block Party Bash makes its first public appearance at Hollywood Studios replacing Stars and Motorcars. 

2009 - Disney officially launches D23 their first OFFICIAL fan organization. 

DAYS UNTIL OUR VACATION: 51