There comes a time in everyone’s life when they have outgrown Dumbo, but aren’t quite ready for Space Mountain, whether they are not tall enough, or just a bit too scared. Disneyland offers some great rides for kids of all ages who fall into this category.

#10: Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin - Located in Toon Town in Disneyland, Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin is a new take on the classic ride through attraction like Snow White, with a twist. You get to control the car, and spin it as much as you want. A fun ride for all kids, but especially those you want a bit more than just sitting and watching.

#9: Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage - A recently opened update on the classic submarines in Disneyland, Nemo and friends are featured throughout the ride, including several action/adventure sequences that are fantastic. Always fun to go in a submarine, and Nemo makes it just that much better.

#8: Astro Orbiter - Located at the entrance to Tomorrowland, the Astro Orbiter allows you to control the rocket to go as high or low as you want. Pretend to be an astronaut as you get great views of Tomorrowland and Disneyland.

#7: Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters - Located just inside Tomorrowland, Buzz Lightyear takes you on an adventures of finding and fighting the evil Emperor Zurg. Not only is it a fun ride, but an arcade game all in one. Shoot your way through the ride to get your high score. A great ride you can ride over and over, it never gets old.

#6: Gadget’s Go Coaster - Located in Toontown, Gadget’s Go Coaster is a mini version of a real roller coaster, perfect for small kids . Not too high or too fast, but perfect for those little kids who want a bit of a thrill.

#5: Autopia - Located in Tomorrowland, Autopia allows kids of all ages to drive a real car through a fun track, you even get to control the direction and speed of the car. While some kids may be too small to go by themselves, even young children can drive while an adult pushes the gas.

#4: Jungle Cruise - Located in Adventureland, the Jungle Cruise is an all time favorite. You adventure through the rivers of the world, and encounter elephants, gorillas, hippos and waterfalls. Watch for the natives, they are getting restless!

#3: Pirates of the Caribbean - Located in New Orleans Square, Pirates of the Caribbean now features Captain Jack Sparrow. Sail through the Bayou as you head to the depths of Disneyland, and pirate country. Great thrills, wonderful action and great pirates make this for a family adventure.

#2: Haunted Mansion - Located in New Orleans Square, the Haunted Mansion takes you on an adventure through the lives of 999 ghosts, as they spook and haunt the mansion of New Orleans Square. While a fun ride, it can be scary for some small kids, so beware.

#1: Matterhorn Bobsleds - Located in Fantasyland, the Matterhorn is a perfect introduction for small kids to experience the thrills of Disneyland’s bigger rides. With a height requirement of only 35 inches, the Matterhorn is perfect for most kids starting at 3 or 4. Not to fast or scary, and offering great views of Disneyland, the Matterhorn is a not miss attraction for kids of all ages. Watch out for the Abominable Snowman, he can be scary!

Disney World can be expensive. There are times when you find yourself at Disney World looking for something to do that won’t cost an arm and a leg. Here are our top 10 free activities to do while at Disney World:

#10: Watching the “Old Faithful” Geyser - Located at the Wilderness Lodge, the Old Faithful Geyser erupts just about every hour, all day long. While not exactly Old Faithful, it is a fun event to watch with the kids. There are also plenty of walking paths, and the lobby of the Wilderness Lodge is great.

#9: Touring the Deluxe resorts - Disney has some fantastic resorts, all with great theming and wonderful areas to explore. None of the resorts require an entrance fee, just jump on a bus from one of the parks or Downtown Disney to a resorts of your choice and start exploring.

#8: Downtown Disney - Disney’s mall. With Disney shops galore, there is plenty to do and see at Downtown Disney. Make sure you visit the oft missed West Side.

#7: Boat Rides - Disney operates many different boats around WDW, all free to ride. Take a boat from the Magic Kingdom to the Wilderness Lodge, from Port Orleans Riverside to Downtown Disney or the big steamer from the Magic Kingdom to the Ticket and Transportation Center.

#6: Magic Kingdom Monorail - The monorail that serves the Magic Kingdom is basically a big circle, stopping at the Contemporary, Polynesian, Grand Floridian and the Ticket and Transportation Center. A great way to see the resorts and Magic Kingdom up close without spending any money. Feel free to get off at any of the resorts to explore.

#5: Epcot Monorail - They monorail that serves Epcot runs from the Ticket and Transportation Center to Epcot and back. While there isn’t much to see between the two stops (a lot of trees, Epcot parking lot and if you look closely, the old Walt Disney World Airport), but once you arrive at Epcot, the monorail actually enters the park, and you get an up close view of the entire park, without paying admission. A great introduction to Disney World.

#4: Magic Kingdom Fireworks - While best seen from inside the Magic Kingdom, you get a great view of them from either the California Grill (you must be dining there to watch from that point) or from the main level, where they often pipe in the music direct from the Magic Kingdom.

#3: Animals - The Animal Kingdom Lodge is spectacular, but you don’t have to be staying there to enjoy the animals. Once inside the resort, just head to the back of the lobby, go downstairs, and walk outside. You will be located right in the middle of the savanna surrounding the resort. There is an area where you can walk out into the savanna for a better view. They often have guides from the resort pointing out animals and asking question.

#2: Electrical Water Pageant - Each night, the Electrical Water Pageant passes through the Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake, and can be seen at the Grand Floridian, Polynesian, Contemporary, Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness. By far the best place to see it is from the Beach at the Polynesian. Plenty of places to sit, nice soft sand and easy access make this a prime place to spend a while watching the special water parade.

#1: Boardwalk - The Boardwalk area, located just outside of Epcot, is the hidden gem of Walt Disney World. Plenty of wonderful places to walk, good good, a decent view of the Epcot fireworks are just part of the reason why you should make a stop here. My favorite is the Buskers that appear on weekends (Thursday through Sunday night). They are very entertaining for both adults and kids, and are absolutely free, and don’t ask for tips either. If you feel like spending a few dollars and burning a few calories, rent one of the surrey bikes available on the Boardwalk. They will seat between 2 and 12 people, and there is an awesome circular path that goes around the Boardwalk, past the Yacht and Beach Club resorts, and back to the far end of the Boardwalk. 30 minutes is ample, it doesn’t seem like that long of a time, but trust me, after 20 minutes, you will wish you had only paid for 15.

Disney World does offer many other free events and activities around the resorts, and many that are very affordable. Just ask around. Many deluxe resorts do tours and special events throughout the year, so don’t be afraid to ask at your front desk or call the resorts directly.

The holidays are a fantastic time to visit Disney World. Starting just after Thanksgiving, all of the Disney resorts and parks get into the holiday spirit with special events, parades and activities to get you into the mood of the season. No need to go over Christmas week either, early December will get you access to all the events. There are a ton of things to do at Disney World anyways, but here are the top 10 to do for Christmas:

#10: Hollywood Holly-Day Parade - Located in Disney Studios, the Hollywood Holly-Day Parades gives you all of your favorite Disney characters in the holiday best. This is a fairly quick parade, but it is fun for the entire family to see their favorite characters up close.

#9: Disney’s Days of Christmas - Located in Downtown Disney, Disney’s Days of Christmas is a small shop, open year round, selling Christmas ornaments and other items. While open year round, this place really shines for Christmas, a great place to stop before heading home to grab some last minute gifts or decorations.

#8: Gingerbread House - Located at the Grand Floridian, the Gingerbread House is a must see. Once you enter the lobby, you can smell the gingerbread. Hand made each year, this near life size house feature a gingerbread store inside. As a related activity, the decorations at all the deluxe resorts are fantastic, in particular, the Grand Floridian and Wilderness Lodge.

#7: Tree Lighting Ceremony - Located in Epcot at the entrance to the World Showcase, each night at 6:00 PM, Mickey and friends light up the huge Epcot Christmas Tree. A quick, though enjoyable ceremony should be seen at least once during your Christmas trip.

#6: Harlem Gospel Choir - A special for 2007, and hopefully for years to come, the Harlem Gospel choir performs inspirational Christmas songs nightly at the Theater of the Stars in Disney Studios.

#5: Voices of Liberty - Located in the American Pavillion in Epcot, Voices of Liberty is an eight-part a cappella group that sings holidays songs in and around the rotunda of the American Pavillion. While they sing year round, it is their Christmas show that makes the group special.

#4: Santas from around the world - Located in Epcot, meet the Santas from around the world, from Santa in the American Pavilion to Père Noël in France and La Befana in Italy. Kwanzaa and Hanukkah is also featured in several countries. A great way to introduce the kids to the different Christmas traditions around the world.

#3: Osborne Family Spectacle of Lights - Located in Disney Studios, the Osborne Family started decoration their home in Little Rock, but things got a bit out of hand. The Arkansas supreme court barred them from displaying lights, so Disney stepped in, and move them to Disney World. Featuring over 5 million Christmas lights, it isn’t like anything you have ever seen before. This is also one of your only chances to see snow in Florida.

#2: Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party - Located in the Magic Kingdom, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party requires a separate entrance in addition to your park passes, but you get to see a special Disney Christmas parades, a special edition of the Fantasy in the Sky Fireworks, Goofy Santa, Hot Chocolate and snow on main street. Plus, many of the Magic Kingdom rides are open for your enjoyment.

#1: Candlelight Processional - Located in the American Pavilion in Epcot, the Candlelight Processional is a moving reading of the Christmas story by a celebrity, accompanied by a huge choir and orchestra. Just a first rate Christmas event, this is a not miss. Seating is first come, first serve, and the line is often very long, as there are only three shows per night. Celebrities that have participated in the past are Edward James Olmos, Gary Sinise, Rita Moreno and Marlee Matlin.

Epcot, with the World Showcase at your disposal, offers a wide variety of food, drinks and snacks that make Epcot a special place to visit. During the Food and Wine festival each Fall, the number of offerings explodes. We will cover the 10 best snacks available to Epcot guest on a normal day, I couldn’t limit myself to just 10 during Food and Wine:

#10: Nestle Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookies - Found in Sunshine Seasons in the Land Pavilion, these cookies are freshly made throughout the day, a great snack for adults and kids alike.

#9: Minnie’s Strawberry Fruit Bar - Located throughout the park at ice cream carts, Minnie’s Strawberry bars are deceptively yummy, and may possibly even be good for you. Hey, it has Strawberry in the title, how bad can it be for you? A great break from a normal ice cream treat.

#8: Crepes - Located outside Chef de France in France, this crepe carts makes them like the do on the streets of Paris, right in front of you. With options such as chocolate, Strawberries or Sugar (yum, my favorite), you can please everyone in your family with one stop.

#7: Peach Tart - From the Boulangerie Patisserie in France, the Peach Tart is my favorite of many wonderful snacks available at this busy snack shop. From the classic Eclair to Elephant Ears and Napoleons, you are sure to rekindle your memories of France for a few dollars.

#6: Apple Strudel - From Sommerfest in Germany, the Apple Strudel is to die for. Plenty of tables around, and a wonderful atmosphere make Germany a great place to stop to snack. And if you are a beer drinker, Sommerfest offers several Germany beers to go with your strudel.

#5: Red Bean Ice Cream - A Chinese specialty, this ice cream is found in the Lotus Blossom Cafe in China. A unique taste sets this ice cream apart from others, not suite, but a slight tart flavor makes is special. If you want to try something out of the ordinary, the Red Bean Ice Cream should be your first option.

#4: Club Cool - While technically not a snack in itself, Club Cool is a great stop on a hot day to pick up a free drink or two. Sponsored by Coca Cola, Club Cool offers free drinks from around the world, including Smart Watermelon from China, Mezzo Mix from Germany and Lychee Mello from Thailand. Some are fantastic, others, not quite so much.

#3: Kringla Sweet Pretzel - From the Kringla Bakeri og Cafe in Norway, the Kringa Sweet Pretzel is just awesome. The Bakery offers other wonderful cakes and sandwiches, a nice, out of the way place to snack or dine. Plenty of tables around overlooking the Norway play area (cool ship that kids can play on).

#2: Mickey Ice Cream Bar - From ice cream carts from around the parks, what would a trip to Disney be without eating a Mickey Head Ice Cream Bar or ten? Shaped like Mickey, this is a classic vanilla ice cream bar covered in chocolate. Messy for kids and adults alike.

#1: Funnel Cake with Sugar - From the Funnel Cake Kiosk in the American Pavilion, this is the classic American Fair treat. Deep fried dough covered in powdered sugar. The line is usually long, especially right before Illuminations, so plan accordingly. You can get your funnel cake covered in chocolate, ice cream or fruit, but the plain old sugar one is by far the best. Just make sure you eat carefully, that powdered sugar has a strange way of finding the front of your shirt.

Many people think of Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom, full of rides for the under 8 crowd, and assume that the rest of Walt Disney World is just like that. Well, over the past few years, Disney has added quite a few “thrill” rides for teens, and others who want to add a little spice to the Disney adventure. Here are our top 10 Disney World rides for teens.

#10: Soarin’ - Located in Epcot, Soarin’ is a replica of Soarin’ over California originally built in California Adventure in Disneyland. With an eye towards the future, the California part has been left off the title, as we will surely see an updated film sometime in the future. Replicating a ride on a hang glider, Soarin’ gives you a thrill that is hard to replicate. While not necessarily fast or scary, it is a fun, cool ride.

#9: Dinosaur - Located in the Animal Kingdom park, Dinosaur takes you back in a time machine, in search for a “friendly” dinosaur that you are to bring back in the future. Unfortunately, things go wrong, and your time machine vehicle goes through quite an experience before returning home. A dark ride, huge, hungry dinosaurs, plenty of chances to get your hear pumping, it is all that you can ask for in a scary ride.

#8: Big Thunder Mountain Railroad - Located in the Magic Kingdom, Big Thunder is the classic run away mine train adventure. Mild, as far as a roller-coaster goes, it is still fun, loud and worth the wait. After all, it is the wildest ride in the wilderness!

#7: Splash Mountain - Located in the Magic Kingdom, much of Splash Mountain is a kid friendly trip through the adventures of Brer Rabbit. It isn’t until Brer Rabbit is caught by Brer Fox where the real fun starts. A huge drop awaits, and it ends up being a fun, exciting ride.

#6: Test Track - Located in Epcot, Test Track recreates an automobile testing ground, with bumps, turns and high speed test included. You board a test car, and are taken through a series of test including high speed turns. Once outside the building your test car accelerates to over 60 MPH, giving the riders a big thrill.

#5: Space Mountain - Located in the Magic Kingdom, Space Mountain has been around for 30+ years, but is still a fantastic ride. You are launched into space, and then you hurtle back to earth, dodging asteroids and other space materiel. In itself, it isn’t a fantastic roller coaster, but the dark atmosphere and theme of the ride make it a great thrill ride.

#4: Mission Space - Located in Epcot, Mission Space takes you to Mars on a fantastic journey. Not only do you feel the full G-Force that astronauts feel, you get a great ride out of the experience. If you get motion sickness at all, opt for the non-spinning side. You still get the great ride, without the G-forces.

#3: Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster staring Aerosmith - Located in Disney Studios, Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster is a full fledged indoor roller coaster. With a 0-60, under three second start, RNR is as exciting as it gets at WDW. Full loops, corkscrews and loud music make for a fun, fast ride for teens and just about anyone else willing to ride.

#2: Twilight Zone Tower of Terror - Located in Disney Studios, Tower of Terror is a unique Disney experience. Enter an abandoned Hollywood Hotel, that has not been entered since a tragic accident in the 30’s. While the original elevators are now gone, they were lost during the storm that closed the hotel, there is still a maintenance elevator that is in use. Unfortunately, as you use the maintenance elevator, things get a bit out of hand. Big drops and unpredictable situations make for one of the best thrill rides anywhere.

#1: Expedition Everest - Located in Animal Kingdom Park, Expedition Everest is Big Thunder Mountain Railroad meets the Matterhorn, updated for a 21st Century ride. The Everest Yeti is out to get the Expedition Everest train, and will do anything to destroy it. From destroying tracks to swiping at passing trains, Expedition Everest is fast paced, exciting and offers a few unexpected twists not seen in any other roller coaster. Ask for the front row, it is worth the wait.