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7. First banter with Gaston

Gaston flexing by his fountain

Image: Disney

We can’t go on about how much we love Gaston—even if saying that does make me want to gag a little.

Tucked in the far corner of Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom, right next to his namesake tavern, guests can wait in line for the honor—nay, the privilege—to meet Gaston. Why would anyone want to meet Gaston you ask? Because no one fights like Gaston, gives sound bites like Gaston, no one’s teeth shine so marvelously bright as Gaston. He’s especially good at intimidating (male guests), and no one loves your camera more than Gaston.

Though it defies all logic, Gaston has become social media and reaction video gold to rival Mickey Mouse himself. He broke the internet well before Ralph (who certainly couldn’t beat Gaston in a push up contest). He argues with little girls. He butts in on honeymoons and proposals. He bribes children to stop crying. You never know what to expect with Gaston, and if you’ll be bringing a loved one to meet him for the first time (or second or third or fourth), you’ll definitely want to have your camera ready for their encounter with the man, the myth, the legend that is Gaston.

8. First reaction to Disney’s VR Experiences

Guests in VOID hyperreality experience

Image: The VOID

We tried not to focus on too many ride reaction videos (though a video immediately after Mission: Space Orange can certainly prove entertaining!), but there is one category of Disney attractions that will definitely merit having your camera ready after the ride is over. That would be to capture the first moments after you and a loved one have completed one of Disney’s phenomenal virtual reality experiences.

Disney currently has three VR experiences: Avatar, Flight of Passage in Disney’s Animal Kingdom and two hyper-virtual reality experiences at The VOID in Disney Springs-- Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire, and Ralph Breaks VR.

Avatar: Flight of Passage is one of Disney’s most immersive attractions to date. For a ride that focuses on the thrill of flight above an alien world, it’s surprisingly accessible to all ages and even those who don’t care for roller coasters. We’ve seen some awesome reactions from everyone from children to seasoned adults who can’t believe how realistic the experience was. Especially if you have kids, you will definitely want to catch their reaction the first moments after you exit the ride (though don’t block the exit queue while doing this).

However, we’ve mentioned before that Disney has a VR experience even more immersive than Flight of Passage—oh, and now it has two.

Ralph Breaks VR Promo art

Image: The VOID

We’ve written before about how Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire might be one of Disney’s finest attractions to date (and you don’t even need a park admission for it). No, they are not paying us to say that. I have no shame wanting to keep this attraction open for as long as possible, and I can safely say I have probably never had more fun on a Walt Disney World attraction that I did taking on the mission in Secrets of the Empire. Families who enjoyed the attraction now have access to double the fun with a new hyperreality experience from the geniuses at The VOID—Ralph Breaks VR.

Both Secrets of the Empire and Ralph Breaks VR are virtual reality experiences where guests can move freely through the VR world thanks to a giant maze that exactly matches the digital world. You can pick up props, interact with buttons with physical touch, and duck behind real obstacles to avoid fire. The experience is stunningly realistic, to the point your brain convinces you to be extra careful crossing that tiny catwalk across the boiling lava pit because the floor REALLY IS lava.

Naturally, you cannot film inside The VOID. You can, however, capture your family’s reactions immediately after the experience is done. In many cases, these are the stuff of reaction video gold.

Similar to stepping off of Mission: SPACE Orange Team, it takes some guests a little bit of time to remember how to walk in the real world. We were stunned by the transition, and we couldn’t stop gaping about it. Kids who are old enough to participate regularly come out smiling ear to ear. No matter what your family’s reactions are to Disney’s awesome VR experiences, don’t miss the chance to capture that moment to remember forever.

What are some other great reaction videos guests can capture at Walt Disney World?

 
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