It's imperative to deal in numbers when you begin to size up the Walt Disney World Resort. Good ol' Uncle Walt was disappointed by the side-show periphery that cropped up around his flagship dream-park in Anaheim, California and immediately regretted not buying up more land. It bothered him that within easy reach and glance of his divine kingdom, one could also eyeball the hard neon of the motor inns that beckoned park visitors to spend a night's peaceful slumber.

Walt solved that problem when he conceived of Walt Disney World. Through the Reedy Creek Development Company, a private real estate concern that Walt established, he managed to snap up 43 square miles of land that is, to this day, nowhere near fully developed. Quickly, the Florida park gained momentum and blossomed into the multi-faceted resort that exists today. What began as simply The Magic Kingdom soon begat Walt's next dream, or something close to it--E.P.C.O.T. Center, or Experimental Prototype Community Of Tomorrow. Later came the Disney-MGM Studios and 1998 will see a fourth park called Disney's Animal Kingdom.

Disneyland took the first great leap into its own rollercoaster history back in 1959 with the addition of the Matterhorn. In 1975, WDW countered with the intergalactic Space Mountain, which Disneyland followed suit with in 1976. Then, the rowdy Big Thunder Mountain Railroad debuted in 1979 and the popular mine train adventure has since been replicated at each of Disney's international resorts. The out-of-control mine adventure got a bigger production on the east coast, yet presents the same basic storyline that's become so classic: you're trapped on a runaway mine train and there's nothing you can do about it.

Stepping aboard the train, a miner's voice warns that "this is the wildest ride in the wilderness" and with that initial descent into bat-infested caves, you're at the mercy of the Imagineers. After the headlong plunge into darkness, the train emerges in rainbow caverns and passes underneath an unusual waterfall that sprays water over delighted riders.

Once the final car is over the rise, the run is on. Quickly through, around, over and in between the majestic rock-work of Big Thunder Butte, the train chugs frenetically, diving around in errant spirals and dipping suddenly underneath imposing boulders. Whipping into a tight turn, riders feel as if they're uncomfortably out of control, thanks to the unusual track layout that simulates "train turbulence" as you wind your way through the course. A flooded town provides an entertaining obstacle as the train careens through and offers glimpses of people in bathtubs, saloons with parties in progress and a deep tunnel to contemplate as you hit a long, high lift that affords a brilliant view of the coaster landscape.

A natural Disney twist, your train ends up in the middle of an avalanche, with fiber optics simulating falling dirt and rock walls converging in on your hapless train. A guaranteed good time for all, not too rough and not too wimpy. Is there anything such as a wimpy coaster anymore? It's all a matter of taste and it's subject to many different interpretations, but as we moved along to Goofy's Barnstormer, it was noted that even kiddie coasters have more kick than they used to.

This coaster, designed by Vekoma, is a pint-sized thrill for kids of all ages. The cars resemble tiny biplanes and the circuit includes a rousing series of sloping dives, tight turns and a climactic classic barnstorming move into a barnhouse full of chickens. This highly imaginative ride is based in Mickey's Toontown and on a two-train operation, the wait is not bad at all.

Of course, a visit to the Magic Kingdom wouldn't be complete without a ride upon the original Space Mountain. 'Twas a novel idea for Disney to place a rollercoaster inside a dark, enclosed space; and it's been a favorite of visitors ever since. With two seperate tracks, Alpha and Omega, Space Mountain offers a total sensory thrill as you blast off into the blackness aboard your own personal rocket.

The Alpha track contains an extra "umph" in the form of one strongly pronounced dive, but other than that, the circuits are fairly identical. After boarding tobaggan-style rockets, you're dumped into a blue-flashing chamber that takes you towards the main gantry lift which is decorated by a huge space station and its attending astronauts. Your countdown is tracked by displays on either side of the ascending rocket. Once you crest the lift hill in the blackness, your journey kicks off into a series of tight 180 degree curves and surprising moments of air-time in the form of sudden drops. Though the top speed doesn't waver higher than 35 m.p.h., the illusionary darkness and special effects help to make things seem a lot faster.

There are quite a few more thrills to be found at this magical playground, but we've still got a second visit in which to explore these wonders, including The Twilight Zone Tower Of Terror and a sneak preview of the resorts newest E-ticket, The GM Test Track. Our next stop is not far from the WDW property and it presents an interesting take on the family amusement biz.