Disney Adventure Awaits Trapped Chilean Miners

A hero’s welcome to Walt Disney World Resort awaits the formerly trapped, Chilean miners and their families, creating what will hopefully be new memories from a vacation of a life-time.  Beginning a six-night stay at the Resort, the miners will arrive on January 27 and remain through February 2.

The whole world became wrapped up in the story of these brave individuals who were trapped 2,300 feet underground.  Anxiously waiting, the men were miraculously rescued 69 days after the mine they were working in collapsed.

Walt Disney World will welcome the miners, their rescuers and their immediate families for a well earned vacation.    Among the special events planned for the group will be a welcome dinner where they will be and be greeted by some of Disney’s most beloved characters.  The dinner will also include dancing and Chilean dishes prepared by Disney chefs.

All visitors to the Magic Kingdom (map) will have the opportunity to show their support for these courageous men during the Main Street, U.S.A. parade, as they will serve as honorary Grand Marshalls.

The guests will visit all four theme parks which made me ponder a question, if you were one of these men, would there be certain attractions that you would avoid?

• The gold mine themed, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad attraction located in Frontierland of Magic Kingdom, is based around the thrills of riding in cars that have broken free from the train.  Yet, when the trains belonging to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad are named U.B. Bold, U.R. Daring, U.R. Courageous, I.B. Hearty, I.M. Brave, and I.M. Fearless, somehow it seems like a ride that was built just for them.
• On the famous Tomorrowland  attraction,  Space Mountain guests are treated to thrills in the dark.  Being in a close, dark space might be the last place these men would want to visit, still traveling at speeds up to 28 miles per hour, they will definitely emerge sooner than 69 days.
• Ellen’s Energy Adventure located in Epcot’s Future World (map) might be top on my list of attractions to see if I was one of these miners.  Hosted by Ellen DeGeneres, this attraction is filled with comical, yet educational information about how fossil fuels were created and future alternative energy sources.
• Over at Disney’s Hollywood Studios (map), I think it goes without saying that The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is a definite no-no.  After all, if you had been trapped in a collapsed mine, would you really want to be stuck in a dark elevator that repeatedly plunges?  But, being like real-life stunt men, they might enjoy Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular! or even Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show seen several times throughout the day.

No matter where there adventures take them, I congratulate these resilient men, their faithful families and their brave rescuers and wish them all safe travels.

Photo Selection: WDW News