Flik's Flyers: This is what it feels like to be Chinese takeout
Written: May 08 '04 (Updated Jul 15 '06)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Whole family can ride together, no height restrictions, cute theming
Cons: The ride is short, relatively few people ride at one time
The Bottom Line: A cute, but short, ride for the whole family. It will appeal most to the preschool set.
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| modernmarvel's Full Review: Flik's Flyers - California Adventure |
Flik's Flyers is another cute ride in A Bug's Land in Disney. The best part is that the whole family can ride together. Little kids will like the gentle flying motion of this ride, but the shortest ones may not be able to see over the top of the compartment.
LOCATION
Flik's Flyers are located in A Bug's Land. This area has one of the best theming jobs I have ever seen. It is based on the Disney / Pixar movie "A Bug's Life." The detail is amazing and you will find something cute or clever in every corner. Even the foliage and landscaping are designed to make guests feel as small as bugs. Benches are designed to look like they were made out of popscicle sticks - lights are made of gigantic drinking straws and fireflies. All of the rides and attractions in this area are designed for children (although I saw a lot of adults on them). Even if you don't have small children, take a walk through to check it out.
THE RIDE
The ride itself, like other attractions in this area, is very short. The theme of the ride is based around Flik, an ant from the movie, A Bug's Life, who is very into inventing things. The concept of the ride is that Flik has developed a way for ants to fly. His contraption consists of an elaborately-designed support system mde of leaves and twigs that lifts and spins several "containers." In keeping with the bug's view of the world theme, the containers are designed to look like giant boxes, either from juice, chinese takeout or cookies. As you sit in the giant container, you can feel as small as a bug. I can see why this ride appeals to the imagination of a child. I thought the Chinese takeout boxes were the cutest, but my 4 year old was drawn to the very colorful fruit "boxes." This ride has better theming than some of the other rides in A Bug's Land. Although it is still a basic carnival ride at heart, the theming seems to bring this very basic ride to a new level at Disney.
The nicest thing about this ride is that there are no restrictions. The youngest children can ride. Also, everything is ground level. There are no stairs. Even the containers that you ride in land directly on the ground so there is only a very small step to get up into the container. This would be an easy ride for anyone to get on or off. The gentle motion would also be good for children with disabilities or children that get motion sickness easily.
Each container can hold 4 people. There are two bench seats inside that face each other. There is also a flimsy, plastic seat belt with a cheapy plastic clip. I don't think the seat belt does more than reminds children to stay seated. The sides of the container are pretty deep so young children may not see over the sides very easily.
Once everyone is loaded, you hear Flik's voice announcing that the ride will begin. Then the ride lifts the containers up and gently spins them around. The spinning lasts a little longer than a minute and then you are gently put on the ground again.
THE WAIT
This ride is relatively small compared to other Disney rides. As a result, few people ride each time. Also, the attendants don't seem to fill each compartment. So, if there are only two people in your group, you will probably get to ride by yourselves. The downside is that the line can move slowly for this ride.
The waiting area for this attraction is a snaking line. There is no place to sit and no special theming or entertainment for those waiting. However, there is a lot to see in this area, given the elaborate theming. The foliage alone is amazing and it shades the area nicely. There are also lots of other creations by the bugs including a cute sign that looks like it was handwritten.
Like the other attractions in this area, no fast passes are available.
FINAL RECOMMENDATION
I thought this was a cute ride and I liked the fact that the family could all ride together - not a given in California Adventure. Since the ride is rather short, I wouldn't recommend waiting a long time, but it is definitely worth doing once, especially if you have tots in tow.
MY REVIEWS OF THE DISNEY THEME PARKS IN CALIFORNIA
Disneyland
Disney's California Adventure
MY REVIEW OF THEME PARK HOTELS IN CALIFORNIA
Disney’s Grand Californian
Marriott Suites Anaheim
Residence Inn Anaheim
MY REVIEW OF THEME PARK RESTAURANTS
Storyteller’s Cafe
Blue Bayou
Wine Country Trattoria
Goofy’s Kitchen
MY REVIEWS OF INDIVIDUAL RIDES AND ATTRACTIONS IN DISNEY’S CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE
Soarin’ Over California
Grizzly River Run
The Sun Wheel
Orange Stinger
Mulholland Madness
Jumpin’ Jellyfish
Playhouse Disney Live on Stage
Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
Monster’s Inc. Mike & Sully to the Rescue
Jim Henson’s Muppet Vision 3D
It’s Tough to be a Bug 3D
Princess Dot Puddle Park
Heimlich’s Chew Chew Train
Tuck and Roll’s Drive ‘Em Buggies
Flik’s Flyers
Francis’ Ladybug Boogie
Misson Tortilla Factory Tour
Boudin Bakery Factory Tour
MY REVIEWS OF INDIVIDUAL RIDES AND ATTRACTIONS IN DISNEYLAND
Pirates of the Caribbean
Indiana Jones Adventure
Storybook Land Canal Boats
Snow White’s Scary Adventures
Pinocchio’s Daring Journey
Peter Pan’s Flight
Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride
Alice in Wonderland
Matterhorn Bobsleds
It’s a Small World
Tarzan’s Tree House
Aladdin’s Oasis
Splash Mountain
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Autotopia
Honey, I Shrunk the Audience 3D
Astro Orbitor
Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
MY REVIEWS OF OTHER THINGS TO SEE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Legoland
SeaWorld San Diego
Birch Aquarium at Scripps
The San Diego Zoo
The San Diego Wild Animal Park
Balboa Park
Cabrillo National Monument
San Diego’s Old Town
The Museum of Making Music
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Families
Best Time to Travel Here: Anytime
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modernmarvel
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