By Emily Gilburt ‘16

Disney World in Orlando, Florida, is an amazingly adventurous and fun-filled park, full of brand new rides for people of all ages. Disney completely modernized and updated its technological systems and introduced new features to the parks. Most people visit Disney World only a few times in their lives, but millions of people visit the parks every year. Even teenagers, who are difficult to please, would find new adventures that will engage their interest.

Upon checking into a Disney World hotel, visitors are given a personalized wrist band with  their name scripted on the back. At the touch of the wristband, the world of endless opportunities is available at their leisure. Disney’s app, MyMagic, for a smartphone is a necessity. Using a cell phone to set up dinner reservations, check park hours, and even book “fast passes” to be assigned a specific time to ride (and not have to wait in line), is something every teenager knows how to do. Everything done on the app automatically gets inputted on the personalized wrist band. When attending a planned arrangement, wristbands are scanned against a Mickey Mouse shaped circular pole. Credit cards are connected to the wristbands and make it simple and quick to purchase souvenirs or dining. The wristbands are also room keys.

This whole modern, new Disney World arrangement has cost the Disney Corporation between $800 million to $1 billion.

Of course, there are the smaller changes like the rapidly rising prices of tickets, which have nearly doubled in the last 10 years. And, to appease the millions of die-hard ‘Frozen’ fans, Elsa and Anna have been customized and ready for pictures in Fairytale Hall, which now includes a Tangled Square.

Disney demolished Mickey’s Toontown Fair in 2011. Mickey’s Toontown Fair was the largest area in Fantasyland; it included Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy’s houses, along with a roller coaster called The Barnstormer and Pixie Hollow. Toontown  was completely removed, in order to make room for the “Enchanted Forest and Storybook Circus” project. It now features a giant Dumbo’s circus tent and two Dumbo Carousels.

Disney World also added a new ride, “Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid” in Fantasyland which is a double seated sea-shell that brings passengers through the musical story of Ariel and her battle for true love. The ride is surrounded by waterfalls and is next to Ariel’s Prince Eric’s brand new castle.

A new roller coaster in Disney World is called the Seven Dwarves Mine Train. It’s not the average roller coaster, but it is spiced up with a bit of Disney magic, as it tells the entire Snow White story from the perspective of the seven dwarves. After being launched in a log, the ride takes its passengers through a glittering scene of darkness and bright gems being mined by the dwarves as they sing. The ride continues with the story of Snow White arriving at their cottage, doing chores and being tricked by the evil queen.All in all, Disney has made the necessary improvements to keep up with the times. The new attractions will make any visitor happy.

Prince Eric’s Castle, a new Disney World attraction, is just one of the several new additions that excites visitors in the improved park.