My Disney List - From #52 to #1!
Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 10:26 am
Here we are in the doldrums of July, no Disney World visit on the near horizon (a probable Disneyland visit in October, but I digress), and nothing to keep my Disney obsession alive, except maybe a complete ranking of WDW attractions from my least favorite #52, all the way to the big Cheese!
What I didn't include in this list:
- non-3D movies. Anything that I could basically watch from home is not included, so you won't see any films from China, France or Canada.
- Live action shows. This includes Beauty and the Beast, the Indiana Jones show, and Lights! Action! Motorcars, as well as the Lion King show. I liked every one of them, but they didn't lend themselves well to ranking, at least for me.
- Anything intended solely for young kids (not just young kids at heart). I think this is basically just attractions you find in Toontown.
Other than that, I think I have everything except for Toy Story Mania, which wasn't open the last time I visited. And, by the way, Play It! would have ranked 4th.
Here we go....
52. Mission Space - Orange Side (Epcot)- You can list this under Rides Starfish Has Never Been On And Never Will Because He's Pretty Sure He Would Die.
51. Stitch's Great Escape (Magic Kingdom) - I finally broke down and went on this the last time I visited, in March. I'm a big fan of attractions with aromas, but when one of the smells is a Stitch belch after eating hot dogs, you kind of lose me there. Never again.
50. Mad Tea Party (Magic Kingdom) - This is more commonly known as the Teacups. I've been on it once and was useless the rest of the day. My kids still laugh about my adverse reaction.
49. Jungle Cruise (Magic Kingdom) - Another ride that I have gone on exactly once. Nothing spin-ny about it, but the puns and hokiness are annoying to the extreme. And, now that Animal Kingdom is open, fake animals just don't cut it.
48. Astro Orbiter (Magic Kingdom) - The only other ride that I've never been on. Sickness probability factor is high, but I would try it if the kids really wanted me to. I think I'd like the view.
47. Country Bear Jamboree (Magic Kingdom) - Jungle Cruise's hokey cousin. There was something about it that rubbed me the wrong way. It had that 1950s patriarchal mentality that wears thin in the 21st Century.
46. Honey I Shrunk The Audience (Epcot) - Honey, My Movie Is Dated.
45. Enchanted Tiki Room Under New Management (Magic Kingdom) - I've done this once, on a day that was about 100 degrees. The air conditioning was exhilirating. The show I slept through.
44. Triceratops Spin (Animal Kingdom) - The first of three swing rides with a theme. The preshistoric theme is my least favorite. The views suck too.
43. Liberty Square Riverboat (Magic Kingdom) - OK, so you get on a big riverboat and slowly encircle Tom Sawyer's island. Did I mention slowly? I found myself yearning to get off. Quickly.
42. Dumbo The Flying Elephant (Magic Kingdom)- Swing Ride #2. You go around and around and around. And around.
41. Primeval Whirl (Animal Kingdom) - A herky jerky mini-coaster that gave me borderline nausea. The dips are fun, though.
40. Muppet Vision 3-D (Hollywood Studios) - The Muppets reek of bad 70s TV to me (albeit TV that I watched over and over again when I was a kid). This is the television show with 3-D glasses. My least favorite of WDW's four 3-D attractions.
39. The Seas with Nemo and Friends (Epcot)- A fairly new attraction, the Seas seats you in a half clam shell on a continuously running conveyor belt as you watch Nemo and Friends frolic around in a faux ocean in front of you. This is the first attraction on this list that I don't dislike.
38. Magic Carpets of Alladin (Magic Kingdom) - My favorite swing ride. Extra points for cool theme and the camel that randomly spits water on (sometimes) unaware riders.
37. Star Tours (Hollywood Studios) - A bit outdated and definitely queasy-inducing, this ride still packs a wallop as you travel through space and avoid all sorts of menacing things.
36. Tomorrowland Indy Speedway (Magic Kingdom) - Cons: WAY too long a line for a non-thrill ride and the smell of gas is a bit too intense as you wait. Pros: There aren't many places in Magic Kingdom where you can feel like you are truly by yourself. Remote parts of the speedway can make you feel that way. It's also cool to "accidentally" bump when the ride ends.
35. Gran Fiesta Tour (Epcot) - This pedestrian water ride with the Three Caballeros and scenes from Mexico is ranked as high as it is because the Mexico Pavilion is my absolute favorite place in all of WDW.
34. Mission Space - Green Side (Epcot) - Much more palatable than the Orange Side, although I can see how the experience loses its edge without the spinning (for those who can take it, that is). Interesting storyline, but not much more to it.
33. Cinderella's Golden Carousel (Magic Kingdom) - Standard (but really ornate) Merry Go Round.
32. Studios Backlot Tour (Hollywood Studios) - This one definitely doesn't improve with multiple rides. When I first went on this (in 1995), it was one of my favorite attractions. Now, we'll go if we have time.
31. Ellen's Energy Adventures (Epcot) - A pleasant surprise, in that I had never been on this until last Fall because it looked stupid. While the movie (with Alex Trebeck and his retro 'stache!) is dated, Ellen is funny and keeps it interesting. The ride portion is much more majestic than I expected. And I always love the You Feel Like You Are Outdoors Even Though You Are Indoors rides!
30. Maelstrom (Epcot) - A slow moving water ride detailing Norway's history, there are many parts to this ride that I really enjoy, from the threatening monster to the little flume to the dock town at the end.
29. Monsters' Inc. Laugh Floor (Magic Kingdom) - Pleasant "show" in which the Monsters Inc. cast interact with the audience and tell jokes that were submitted by audience members. Not a "must see", but not bad.
28. Snow White's Scary Adventures (Magic Kingdom) - My least favorite of MK's dark rides, it tells the story of Snow White. And it might be scary for babies, but that's about it.
27. It's Tough To Be A Bug (Animal Kingdom) - A 3-D movie inside AK's Tree of Life, this one might be a bit too intense for the Under 10 crowd, but it's kind of fun and a little scary for everybody else. And, they give you bug eye glasses to see the show!
26. It's A Small World (Magic Kingdom) - I struggled on where to put this one. It's definitely a must-ride every time we go, and yet it does get a bit grating. It's also not a exactly a thrill ride! Still, many of the scense are visually appealing (especially the arctic one towards the end), and you'll get the song out of your head within a few days!
25. Living With The Land (Epcot) - Another pleasant surprise. I was fascinated by the greenhouse you sail through and by the interesting facts that they give you about the food they grow (and serve) at Disney.
24. Hall of Presidents (Magic Kingdom) - This one could have gone higher, except that I get big time pushback from most of my family when I suggest going into it. I love most things about it, from the history lesson to the animatronic Presidents to the fact that the current President's voice is used for his figure. Don't go when you are tired, though. It gets dark in there.
23. Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (Magic Kingdom) - Another dark ride, this one with a Pooh bear theme. I was always a big fan, so going on this definitely brings back favorable childhood memories.
22. Dinosaur (Animal Kingdom) - This one suffers in comparison to its cousin from the West, the Indiana Jones ride at Disneyland. Still, it's an exciting adventure back to prehistoric times in a quest to locate some dinosaur. Or something like that. The story gets lost in the excitement of the bumpy ride. Also, points up for being the one ride in which we were awarded our own car (they seat eight I think) by winning a Disney Year of a Million Dreams Family of the Hour award.
21. Kilimanjaro Safaris (Animal Kingdom) - A must-do at AK, this long ride through Animal Kingdom's animal preservation affords you great views of giraffes, elephants, lions, crocodiles, and other animals living in a habitat other than a zoo. The storyline, while necessary to make it something other than an expedition, is forced.
20. Turtle Talk with Crush (Epcot) - The first time I saw this, I thought "How the f*** do they do that??? It features an animated crush talking to audience members. And really answering their questions and making jokes at their expense! Did I mention he's animated??? It's pretty funny, too.
19. Great Movie Ride (Hollywood Studios) - Sad to say, I was watching a scene from the Wizard of Oz the other day and said to Tracey, "Hey, that reminds me of the Great Movie Ride!" I'm way too obsessed....
18. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (Magic Kingdom) - A few years ago, my kids and I convinced my 61-year old, non-roller coaster-riding mother that this ride was, in fact, a kiddie ride, and she would have no problem with it. She'll never listen to us again!
17. Journey Into Imagination with Figment (Epcot) - Silly? Yes. But with Eric Idle leading the way through the senses (they conviently skip touch and taste, though), it is a fun romp. And the song is addicting!
16. Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin (Magic Kingdom) - If I were only doing the rides I love, that list would start here. A shooting arcade game on steroids, riders collect points based on how well they hit targets in a game they are riding through. Very colorful and loud and exciting.
15. Kali River Rapids (Animal Kingdom) - A standard Rapids ride with a cool theme, anybody who gets off this ride dry is in the minority. My favorite part is when your tube goes past a very (but not too) hot fire. That is usually followed by some welcome water relief!
14. Haunted Mansion (Magic Kingdom) - Nothing scary about this one (in fact, I think it could be improved by being scarier). A conveyor belt takes you through a mansion filled with ghouls and ghosts. I love the cemetery scene.
13. Tomorrowland Transit Authority (Magic Kindom) - All this is is a tram ride in and around Tomorrowland, but the sights and sounds are unbelievable. First, you go through Space Mountain and then you wind your way past Carousel of Progress and Astro Orbiters before going into Buzz Lightyear, where you can see riders shooting at targets. Before the ride ends, you get a great view of the castle. If you like people watching, this is your ride.
12. Pirates of the Caribbean (Magic Kingdom) - Possibly the most elaborate of all WDW rides, a slow moving boat takes you through various pirate scenes, most of which have been made more famous by the Johnny Depp movies. Another one where the music enhances the experience.
11. Carousel of Progress (Magic Kingdom) - I always here that this one is only open seasonally, but it has been open every visit I've made. An animatronic figure, representing different times of the 20th Century, tells you about all of the contraptions of his time, from these crazy new electrical appliances through to voice activated ovens. One minor quibble: The need to update the "present time" scene. There are constant rumors that this attraction will close down, so the last time I was there I videotaped it, despite signs that strictly prohibit it. I know. I'm such a rebel.
10. Peter Pan's Flight (Magic Kingdom) - My all time favorite dark ride. Flying over London at night is what makes it. The Peter Pan story itself if secondary. I just wish the ride was longer.
9. Spaceship Earth (Epcot) - The giant golf ball. The ride it takes you on, chronicling communication through the ages, is never dull. The Burning Rome smell is memorable. The new ending is (in my view) a vast improvement over the old one.
8. Twilight Zone Tower of Terror (Hollywood Studios) - The elevator drops at the end of this ride are only part of the thrill. What leads up to it, from the creepy bellhops to the elevator ride up to the haunted house portion just before the big drops. And now, since the drops are randomly generated, you don't know what to expect!
7. Space Mountain (Magic Kingdom) - It doesn't go fast and there are no particularly thrilling drops, but it's what you don't know that makes this ride. You are completely in the dark (the DL version is actually darker and more ominous, though) and every twist and turn is unexpected. All indoor coasters are measured against this one.
6. Expedition Everest (Animal Kingdom) - The queue, which gives the backstory of the Yeti and prepares you for the harrowing journey, is the best in all of WDW. The ride itself isn't shabby either. When you are climbing that first hill, you can see all of the Disney Parks in the distance. Then, you experience both forward and backward roller coaster action while being chased by the Abominable Snowman.
5. Test Track (Epcot) - I hear such divergance of opinion about this one (some people I know won't go on it because they figure they can ride in a car anywhere) but it makes my top 5 for a couple of reasons. First, the pre-show gets you really interested in what you are about to experience. Then, once on the track, you go through a series of tests meant to ensure the durability of the car, from Belgian bricks to extreme hot/cold (I love the cold room) to hairpin turns. Then, it's off to the track outside, where you make a loop around the building. The last time we went, it was raining outside and the feeling of the rain on your face as you whip around the track is like nothing else.
4. Mickey's Philharmagic (Magic Kingdom) - A 3-D show that takes you on a tour of several Disney animated classics. You fly through Agrabah (my favorite part), smell apple pie, get wet from the mops in Fantasia, go under the sea with Ariel, and experience the Lion King. I can't adequately describe the joy that I experience every time I see this. I will take it all in because the last time might be, you know, the last time seeing it, and I want to make sure that my memories last.
3. Rock 'n Roller Coaster featuring Aerosmith (Hollywood Studios) - An indoor coaster that surpasses Space Mountain! The queue is great (like you are walking through a recording studio, with gold records and rock posters on the wall), the studio itself is interesting (it features Aerosmith as if they are recording and you are watching them; I wonder what group they will use after Aerosmith is retired); and the ride itself - which takes you on a limo ride through the city on the way to a concert - is fantastic. All the while, Aerosmith music blares. 0-60 in 3 seconds!
2. Splash Mountain (Magic Kingdom) - Not your typical flume ride. The scenes leading up to it are every bit as captivating as the flume at the end is thrilling. The smell of the ride itself is, to me, part of the experience. I think it's just the water, but I look forward to it whenever I go. And, if you take a ride at night, the view of the Castle is fantastic. Splash Mountain has ruined other flume rides for me. Nothing will approach it.
1. Soarin' (Epcot) - The first ride that Tracey and I ever went on together was Soarin' Over California at DCA. The one at WDW is identical, and from the music to the visual to the smells, it delivers in a big way. I try to ride it at least three times during a visit. Since I've seen it at least twenty times now, my the best part of it for me is when the Golden Gate bridge comes into view in the beginning and you can hear your fellow riders gasp. Of course, the pine and orange smells never get old, and the golf course and Los Angeles scenes always make me smile. Now, if I could only find the music so that I can put it on my Ipod! Also, I've heard rumors of other Soarin' shows, including Soarin' over the World. Can't wait for those!
Well, that's it. I don't think I've missed any attractions that fit into my eligibility criteria. If you've gotten this far, tell me what you think.
What I didn't include in this list:
- non-3D movies. Anything that I could basically watch from home is not included, so you won't see any films from China, France or Canada.
- Live action shows. This includes Beauty and the Beast, the Indiana Jones show, and Lights! Action! Motorcars, as well as the Lion King show. I liked every one of them, but they didn't lend themselves well to ranking, at least for me.
- Anything intended solely for young kids (not just young kids at heart). I think this is basically just attractions you find in Toontown.
Other than that, I think I have everything except for Toy Story Mania, which wasn't open the last time I visited. And, by the way, Play It! would have ranked 4th.
Here we go....
52. Mission Space - Orange Side (Epcot)- You can list this under Rides Starfish Has Never Been On And Never Will Because He's Pretty Sure He Would Die.
51. Stitch's Great Escape (Magic Kingdom) - I finally broke down and went on this the last time I visited, in March. I'm a big fan of attractions with aromas, but when one of the smells is a Stitch belch after eating hot dogs, you kind of lose me there. Never again.
50. Mad Tea Party (Magic Kingdom) - This is more commonly known as the Teacups. I've been on it once and was useless the rest of the day. My kids still laugh about my adverse reaction.
49. Jungle Cruise (Magic Kingdom) - Another ride that I have gone on exactly once. Nothing spin-ny about it, but the puns and hokiness are annoying to the extreme. And, now that Animal Kingdom is open, fake animals just don't cut it.
48. Astro Orbiter (Magic Kingdom) - The only other ride that I've never been on. Sickness probability factor is high, but I would try it if the kids really wanted me to. I think I'd like the view.
47. Country Bear Jamboree (Magic Kingdom) - Jungle Cruise's hokey cousin. There was something about it that rubbed me the wrong way. It had that 1950s patriarchal mentality that wears thin in the 21st Century.
46. Honey I Shrunk The Audience (Epcot) - Honey, My Movie Is Dated.
45. Enchanted Tiki Room Under New Management (Magic Kingdom) - I've done this once, on a day that was about 100 degrees. The air conditioning was exhilirating. The show I slept through.
44. Triceratops Spin (Animal Kingdom) - The first of three swing rides with a theme. The preshistoric theme is my least favorite. The views suck too.
43. Liberty Square Riverboat (Magic Kingdom) - OK, so you get on a big riverboat and slowly encircle Tom Sawyer's island. Did I mention slowly? I found myself yearning to get off. Quickly.
42. Dumbo The Flying Elephant (Magic Kingdom)- Swing Ride #2. You go around and around and around. And around.
41. Primeval Whirl (Animal Kingdom) - A herky jerky mini-coaster that gave me borderline nausea. The dips are fun, though.
40. Muppet Vision 3-D (Hollywood Studios) - The Muppets reek of bad 70s TV to me (albeit TV that I watched over and over again when I was a kid). This is the television show with 3-D glasses. My least favorite of WDW's four 3-D attractions.
39. The Seas with Nemo and Friends (Epcot)- A fairly new attraction, the Seas seats you in a half clam shell on a continuously running conveyor belt as you watch Nemo and Friends frolic around in a faux ocean in front of you. This is the first attraction on this list that I don't dislike.
38. Magic Carpets of Alladin (Magic Kingdom) - My favorite swing ride. Extra points for cool theme and the camel that randomly spits water on (sometimes) unaware riders.
37. Star Tours (Hollywood Studios) - A bit outdated and definitely queasy-inducing, this ride still packs a wallop as you travel through space and avoid all sorts of menacing things.
36. Tomorrowland Indy Speedway (Magic Kingdom) - Cons: WAY too long a line for a non-thrill ride and the smell of gas is a bit too intense as you wait. Pros: There aren't many places in Magic Kingdom where you can feel like you are truly by yourself. Remote parts of the speedway can make you feel that way. It's also cool to "accidentally" bump when the ride ends.
35. Gran Fiesta Tour (Epcot) - This pedestrian water ride with the Three Caballeros and scenes from Mexico is ranked as high as it is because the Mexico Pavilion is my absolute favorite place in all of WDW.
34. Mission Space - Green Side (Epcot) - Much more palatable than the Orange Side, although I can see how the experience loses its edge without the spinning (for those who can take it, that is). Interesting storyline, but not much more to it.
33. Cinderella's Golden Carousel (Magic Kingdom) - Standard (but really ornate) Merry Go Round.
32. Studios Backlot Tour (Hollywood Studios) - This one definitely doesn't improve with multiple rides. When I first went on this (in 1995), it was one of my favorite attractions. Now, we'll go if we have time.
31. Ellen's Energy Adventures (Epcot) - A pleasant surprise, in that I had never been on this until last Fall because it looked stupid. While the movie (with Alex Trebeck and his retro 'stache!) is dated, Ellen is funny and keeps it interesting. The ride portion is much more majestic than I expected. And I always love the You Feel Like You Are Outdoors Even Though You Are Indoors rides!
30. Maelstrom (Epcot) - A slow moving water ride detailing Norway's history, there are many parts to this ride that I really enjoy, from the threatening monster to the little flume to the dock town at the end.
29. Monsters' Inc. Laugh Floor (Magic Kingdom) - Pleasant "show" in which the Monsters Inc. cast interact with the audience and tell jokes that were submitted by audience members. Not a "must see", but not bad.
28. Snow White's Scary Adventures (Magic Kingdom) - My least favorite of MK's dark rides, it tells the story of Snow White. And it might be scary for babies, but that's about it.
27. It's Tough To Be A Bug (Animal Kingdom) - A 3-D movie inside AK's Tree of Life, this one might be a bit too intense for the Under 10 crowd, but it's kind of fun and a little scary for everybody else. And, they give you bug eye glasses to see the show!
26. It's A Small World (Magic Kingdom) - I struggled on where to put this one. It's definitely a must-ride every time we go, and yet it does get a bit grating. It's also not a exactly a thrill ride! Still, many of the scense are visually appealing (especially the arctic one towards the end), and you'll get the song out of your head within a few days!
25. Living With The Land (Epcot) - Another pleasant surprise. I was fascinated by the greenhouse you sail through and by the interesting facts that they give you about the food they grow (and serve) at Disney.
24. Hall of Presidents (Magic Kingdom) - This one could have gone higher, except that I get big time pushback from most of my family when I suggest going into it. I love most things about it, from the history lesson to the animatronic Presidents to the fact that the current President's voice is used for his figure. Don't go when you are tired, though. It gets dark in there.
23. Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (Magic Kingdom) - Another dark ride, this one with a Pooh bear theme. I was always a big fan, so going on this definitely brings back favorable childhood memories.
22. Dinosaur (Animal Kingdom) - This one suffers in comparison to its cousin from the West, the Indiana Jones ride at Disneyland. Still, it's an exciting adventure back to prehistoric times in a quest to locate some dinosaur. Or something like that. The story gets lost in the excitement of the bumpy ride. Also, points up for being the one ride in which we were awarded our own car (they seat eight I think) by winning a Disney Year of a Million Dreams Family of the Hour award.
21. Kilimanjaro Safaris (Animal Kingdom) - A must-do at AK, this long ride through Animal Kingdom's animal preservation affords you great views of giraffes, elephants, lions, crocodiles, and other animals living in a habitat other than a zoo. The storyline, while necessary to make it something other than an expedition, is forced.
20. Turtle Talk with Crush (Epcot) - The first time I saw this, I thought "How the f*** do they do that??? It features an animated crush talking to audience members. And really answering their questions and making jokes at their expense! Did I mention he's animated??? It's pretty funny, too.
19. Great Movie Ride (Hollywood Studios) - Sad to say, I was watching a scene from the Wizard of Oz the other day and said to Tracey, "Hey, that reminds me of the Great Movie Ride!" I'm way too obsessed....
18. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (Magic Kingdom) - A few years ago, my kids and I convinced my 61-year old, non-roller coaster-riding mother that this ride was, in fact, a kiddie ride, and she would have no problem with it. She'll never listen to us again!
17. Journey Into Imagination with Figment (Epcot) - Silly? Yes. But with Eric Idle leading the way through the senses (they conviently skip touch and taste, though), it is a fun romp. And the song is addicting!
16. Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin (Magic Kingdom) - If I were only doing the rides I love, that list would start here. A shooting arcade game on steroids, riders collect points based on how well they hit targets in a game they are riding through. Very colorful and loud and exciting.
15. Kali River Rapids (Animal Kingdom) - A standard Rapids ride with a cool theme, anybody who gets off this ride dry is in the minority. My favorite part is when your tube goes past a very (but not too) hot fire. That is usually followed by some welcome water relief!
14. Haunted Mansion (Magic Kingdom) - Nothing scary about this one (in fact, I think it could be improved by being scarier). A conveyor belt takes you through a mansion filled with ghouls and ghosts. I love the cemetery scene.
13. Tomorrowland Transit Authority (Magic Kindom) - All this is is a tram ride in and around Tomorrowland, but the sights and sounds are unbelievable. First, you go through Space Mountain and then you wind your way past Carousel of Progress and Astro Orbiters before going into Buzz Lightyear, where you can see riders shooting at targets. Before the ride ends, you get a great view of the castle. If you like people watching, this is your ride.
12. Pirates of the Caribbean (Magic Kingdom) - Possibly the most elaborate of all WDW rides, a slow moving boat takes you through various pirate scenes, most of which have been made more famous by the Johnny Depp movies. Another one where the music enhances the experience.
11. Carousel of Progress (Magic Kingdom) - I always here that this one is only open seasonally, but it has been open every visit I've made. An animatronic figure, representing different times of the 20th Century, tells you about all of the contraptions of his time, from these crazy new electrical appliances through to voice activated ovens. One minor quibble: The need to update the "present time" scene. There are constant rumors that this attraction will close down, so the last time I was there I videotaped it, despite signs that strictly prohibit it. I know. I'm such a rebel.
10. Peter Pan's Flight (Magic Kingdom) - My all time favorite dark ride. Flying over London at night is what makes it. The Peter Pan story itself if secondary. I just wish the ride was longer.
9. Spaceship Earth (Epcot) - The giant golf ball. The ride it takes you on, chronicling communication through the ages, is never dull. The Burning Rome smell is memorable. The new ending is (in my view) a vast improvement over the old one.
8. Twilight Zone Tower of Terror (Hollywood Studios) - The elevator drops at the end of this ride are only part of the thrill. What leads up to it, from the creepy bellhops to the elevator ride up to the haunted house portion just before the big drops. And now, since the drops are randomly generated, you don't know what to expect!
7. Space Mountain (Magic Kingdom) - It doesn't go fast and there are no particularly thrilling drops, but it's what you don't know that makes this ride. You are completely in the dark (the DL version is actually darker and more ominous, though) and every twist and turn is unexpected. All indoor coasters are measured against this one.
6. Expedition Everest (Animal Kingdom) - The queue, which gives the backstory of the Yeti and prepares you for the harrowing journey, is the best in all of WDW. The ride itself isn't shabby either. When you are climbing that first hill, you can see all of the Disney Parks in the distance. Then, you experience both forward and backward roller coaster action while being chased by the Abominable Snowman.
5. Test Track (Epcot) - I hear such divergance of opinion about this one (some people I know won't go on it because they figure they can ride in a car anywhere) but it makes my top 5 for a couple of reasons. First, the pre-show gets you really interested in what you are about to experience. Then, once on the track, you go through a series of tests meant to ensure the durability of the car, from Belgian bricks to extreme hot/cold (I love the cold room) to hairpin turns. Then, it's off to the track outside, where you make a loop around the building. The last time we went, it was raining outside and the feeling of the rain on your face as you whip around the track is like nothing else.
4. Mickey's Philharmagic (Magic Kingdom) - A 3-D show that takes you on a tour of several Disney animated classics. You fly through Agrabah (my favorite part), smell apple pie, get wet from the mops in Fantasia, go under the sea with Ariel, and experience the Lion King. I can't adequately describe the joy that I experience every time I see this. I will take it all in because the last time might be, you know, the last time seeing it, and I want to make sure that my memories last.
3. Rock 'n Roller Coaster featuring Aerosmith (Hollywood Studios) - An indoor coaster that surpasses Space Mountain! The queue is great (like you are walking through a recording studio, with gold records and rock posters on the wall), the studio itself is interesting (it features Aerosmith as if they are recording and you are watching them; I wonder what group they will use after Aerosmith is retired); and the ride itself - which takes you on a limo ride through the city on the way to a concert - is fantastic. All the while, Aerosmith music blares. 0-60 in 3 seconds!
2. Splash Mountain (Magic Kingdom) - Not your typical flume ride. The scenes leading up to it are every bit as captivating as the flume at the end is thrilling. The smell of the ride itself is, to me, part of the experience. I think it's just the water, but I look forward to it whenever I go. And, if you take a ride at night, the view of the Castle is fantastic. Splash Mountain has ruined other flume rides for me. Nothing will approach it.
1. Soarin' (Epcot) - The first ride that Tracey and I ever went on together was Soarin' Over California at DCA. The one at WDW is identical, and from the music to the visual to the smells, it delivers in a big way. I try to ride it at least three times during a visit. Since I've seen it at least twenty times now, my the best part of it for me is when the Golden Gate bridge comes into view in the beginning and you can hear your fellow riders gasp. Of course, the pine and orange smells never get old, and the golf course and Los Angeles scenes always make me smile. Now, if I could only find the music so that I can put it on my Ipod! Also, I've heard rumors of other Soarin' shows, including Soarin' over the World. Can't wait for those!
Well, that's it. I don't think I've missed any attractions that fit into my eligibility criteria. If you've gotten this far, tell me what you think.
