© 2004 The Walt Disney Company

Fans of Walt Disney Pictures' animated comedy "Lilo & Stitch" know him as a cuddly but destructive alien prone to hilarious fits of havoc. But what was Stitch like before the movie?

Walt Disney World guests find out when they come face to face with the mischievous character in a new Magic Kingdom attraction -- Stitch's Great Escape!

Featuring some of the most sophisticated Audio-Animatronics technology ever developed by Walt Disney Imagineering, the multi-sensory Tomorrowland adventure puts guests in the middle of the mayhem caused by "Experiment 626" -- a.k.a. Stitch -- when he's sent to the Galactic Federation Prisoner Teleport Center.

In the unique theater-in-the-round attraction, park guests arrive as new recruits at a detention facility designed to separate the galaxy's naughty from the nice. Guests are ushered into the center's high-security teleportation chamber as the six-limbed Stitch beams in, tracked by two ceiling-mounted "plasma cannons" that follow his DNA whenever -- and wherever -- it moves.

With guests seated in DNA scanning restraints, Imagineering's proprietary "proximity audio" technology provides a close encounter with the playful Stitch as he attempts to outwit the galactic authorities in the circular chamber. Sights, sounds and -- ewwww! -- smells add to the pandemonium.

In addition to Stitch, the fun-filled attraction features several characters familiar to "Lilo & Stitch" fans, including the Galactic Federation Grand Councilwoman, Captain Gantu and Agent Pleakley, with voices supplied by the movie's original actors.

Stitch's Great Escape! offers Disney's FASTPASS, a free service available to all guests that eliminates the need to wait in long lines at popular attractions.

© 2004 The Walt Disney Company

Type - show

Location - Tomorrowland, Magic Kingdom

When to go - Visit before 10am, during the parade or in the evening

Duration - 15 mins

FASTPASS

Restrictions
40" height restriction.
Guests must transfer from ECVs to available wheelchairs to experience the attraction.
This attraction contains loud sounds, bright lights, and segments in total darkness.
Guests will be confined by a restraint system that applies pressure to the head and shoulders.
Persons who develop anxiety in dark places or those with neck or shoulder conditions should not experience this attraction. Certain special affects may be too intense for some Guests.
Guests using electronic medical devices that may be affected by electromagnetic fields should not enter this attraction.

Facts
- The building that houses The Extra TERRORestrial Alien Encounter has been the home to Disney space-themed attractions since 1971. Beginning that year, "Flight to the Moon" took guests into orbit. In 1975, "Mission to Mars" blasted off and sent guests farther into the galaxy. Alien Encounter premiered in December 1994.
- Stitch is the first Audio-Animatronics figure to spit.
- The alien language seen throughout the Prisoner Teleport Center was inspired by designs created for the opening scenes of "Lilo & Stitch." Graphic artists with Walt Disney Imagineering turned the designs into a practical alphabet that can be decoded into English.
- "Skippy," an alien seen previously in The ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter attraction, returns in a new role in Stitch's Great Escape!
- The two "plasma cannons" that track Stitch's DNA were inspired by devices seen in "Lilo & Stitch." Each weighs more than 1,600 pounds.
- Walt Disney Feature Animation produced all of the attraction's character animation. Many of the animators who worked on "Lilo & Stitch" partnered with Imagineers for Stitch's Great Escape!

Hidden Mickeys
As you wait in the queue, take a close look at the alien "hieroglyphics" on the pole.

Reviews

"I'm short of words, this attraction is really great. My sister and I have never experienced anyting like this in Europe. If you are not easily scared - try it!" (8/03) Britt Terney

"This attraction is definitely not for children! Our son, who is 9 years old, was terrified beyond words. He loves scary movies and is a big fan of anything "alien". There is no way to comfort your child, due to the restraint devices. We were forced to sit next to him while he was terrorized. I don't believe Disney adequately warns parents of the extreme nature of this attraction. Many children left crying and were visibly shaken. We felt terrible for subjecting our child to thi s As an adult, I was very uncomfortable and felt frightened during the show. It was worse than any horror movie or haunted house I have every experienced!" (8/02) Tese Stephens

"Alien Encounter is very scary indeed! And you'll see why it's scary in just a moment when i tell you what happens! First of all Chairman Clench (A green alien) shows you to some aliens in little glass tubes. He then shows you into a big room with a big glass tube in the middle, you sit round this glass tube. Suddenly the lights go pitch black and Chairman Clench says that an alien has teleported from his little tube into the big glass tube in the middle of the room! The glass tube lights up and all you can see is an alien figure in the tube, Suddenly the glass tube breaks and the alien is released from the tube. Guests feel hot breath, something wet on their necks and the alien running around the room. It is a frightning experiance as all of this is going on while your seats are moving. Once the alien has flew away you hear a voice saying "You have survived". Now can you see why it is scary if you don't you need serious help!" Holly Brown

What do you think about this attraction? Do you have any tips or comments? Fill in the attraction review form.