George Lucas Doesn't Always Mean Fun Times

I read several descriptions of the old attraction Alien ExtraTERRORestial Encounter before my first trip to Disney World. Each one described it matter-of-factly and made it sound like something I'd like to try. George Lucas had a hand in creating it. I'd experience an exciting encounter with an escaped alien. Just like the Pirates of the Caribbean ride was described as sailing the Spanish Main with some wild pirates. Nowhere did a guidebook ever say, "Pins you down with a harness and uses psychology to SCARE the BEJEEBUS out of you and SCAR YOU FOR LIFE!" Even after reading descriptions, reviews and ratings of an attraction, it might still be difficult to figure out what it's really like. Thanks a lot, George.

Since then I've gotten a lot warier when it comes to ride descriptions. But also a lot braver when it comes to the rides themselves. I look forward to the unexpected now that I've gotten over my initial shock of my first visit. However, others may not be as adventurous as me. It's also not always obvious what might scare a kid. My nephew loves the Tomorrowland Transit Authority, except for the part where it rolls through the complete darkness of Space Mountain. Even at the age of nearly five he still freaked out at the Davy Jones spray in Pirates of the Caribbean and the cannon fire.

This is where the Internet comes in handy. In recent years, many people have filmed the rides as they went through them. While the quality will vary depending on the camcorder and person holding it, this can at least give you an idea of what to expect. This comes in handy if you are skittish or if you want to preview a ride before allowing a little kid on it. It can also convince you to go on a ride you might have otherwise passed up. The Haunted Mansion isn't as scary as it sounds, it's actually silly and fun.

Although, I am not one to spoil the ride experiences for people, I think it would have helped in the Pirates ride to have at least prepared my nephew for what was coming up. The videos are never complete enough to give you the full experience of a ride. So this may be an option to see what a ride is really like before you decide to drag some poor unfortunate soul, even yourself, onto it. Better to be spoiled than sorry when someone starts screaming.

There are several resources you can use. Youtube often has many of the ride-throughs posted. You can also go to google's video search. A web search will yield even better, higher quality videos for the ride you are looking for. Some rides have a whole website devoted to them.

As for Alien Encounter. It's been replaced by the friendlier, non-scary Stitch's Great Escape attraction. But you don't have to take my word for it.