My favorite is gone; 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. Of those left I’ll say Haunted Mansion.
If it carries any weight, I am in ACE, DAFE, GOCC and the Coaster Zombies as well.
The audience is still on the carousel. The theater seats rotate around the various sections of the stage, which does not move.
Expedition Everest for me. The first time I rode it, I was in the front car, and no idea about the broken tracks. In my entire life, I have never been more convinced I was about to die. They totally got me.
This one time, when I went to the Haunted Mansion, as we were all filing in to the entrance hall, one of the somber attendants approached me and said in a low tone, “You should not have come.”
That was the best Disney trip ever.
We did that this past weekend, which would make the second time I’ve seen that show, and I’m surprised at how fun it is every time. You can never go wrong with gymnastics and a Hawaiian fire spinner!
I mean, the Frozen ride isn’t THAT much different. You still go backwards!
Love Livin’ with the Land! They have a backstage tour (Behind the Seeds Tour) that is cheap to do (I think 30 bucks, but I’ll confirm this weekend) and hella interesting. You’re able to see their science center, feed the fish, eat a cucumber they grew there and there’s a moment where you can literally just walk around and look at the plants.
Flight of Passage is truly amazing. There’s a moment where you’re flying around on a beach and you literally want to close your eyes and soak up the sun and feel the wind…even though it’s all fake. It’s phenomenal.
Since Mrs. Cups doesn’t like roller coasters I always go on Rock’n Roller Coaster by myself while she waits for me at the exit. She says that the people getting off that ride are the most jazzed and hyped up of any ride in Orlando.
I actually don’t know what those acronyms mean. What are they?
Expedition Everest
Our kids (6 & 8) got off and squeezed stuffed animals because of how scared they got.
Then they wanted back on it.
We rode it 5 times.
Like Dung Beetle, I haven’t been to Disney World in a long time, though I’ve gone to Disney Land many, many times.
For straight up thrills the best ride is Space Mountain. It’s not much when you compare it to some of the super duper looper coasters but I’ll take it over any of those.
I used to love Pirates and Haunted Mansion and, I don’t know if Cal. did the same thing or if I’m imaging it, but they seem to have changed, and not for the better. Does anyone else remember when the HM *wasn’t *covered in cheesy, neon, black light paint? The graveyard used to actually be scary but now it looks like a cheap carnival ride. I haven’t been on PotC since the PC police “cleaned it up” and I almost don’t care if I ever ride it again. That is saying something:(
Now that I think about it, my best Disney memories are from the CA park, so I may not have anything valid to add to the OP.
If I may, let me be the sole person to speak up for It’s a Small World. It’s a great place to cool off and rest your feet. Plus, I like costumes and I love the way it smells in there.
I love the safari in Animal Kingdom. Every trip is completely different.
Another vote for the Haunted Mansion. I can’t remember if we had a get-in-early pass or what, but when the gates opened we ran to the back corner of Liberty Square where the Haunted Mansion is located and we got right in. Runner-up favorite is Thunder Mountain Railroad.
The shuttle back to the hotel.
I was never big for the actual rides, I get motion sick pretty easily, but when Epcot first opened and there was a…ride? that involved being On a people mover going through a tunnel made of round neon lights, they were something about a dragon – Fidget? I remember very little of the actual details but I remember the sense of wonder/excitement. I am sure that the ride has closed.
Don’t threadshit.
If you have something to contribute to a thread that’s fine, even a contrary opinion. But driving by a thread and dropping a one liner like that serves no purpose except to shit on the topic is Just not cool.
Space Mountain is my favorite in the Magic Kingdom. If you include all of WDW then Tower of Terror. But I also have a soft spot for the Haunted Mansion and the Jungle Cruise (which is all dependent on the tour guide).
That whole Imaginarium section could definitely use some love. I could honestly take or leave Figment, but people in that park luuuuuurve him.
Him and the bird-thats-also-an-orange. They’re everywhere.
OK. They’ve gone back to the original. When I was there, only the inner stage rotated.
If I had to choose - I’m taking a bunch of teen girls in three weeks, pray for me - I’d go with Soarin’, I suppose?
The thing is, Disney has always been more about the experience and not so much about the rides. They’re selling a point-of-view and not an experience. It’s less adrenaline rush and more soaking in the atmosphere. It’s that combined with really nice - but expensive - resort living.
I used to caution people about going to DW and tell them that if they thought it was all about the rides, they were wrong and would have a disappointing day. DW is about LINES. It’s about standing in line, talking with your friends and family and others around you and the shared experience that the day brings. The rides are the briefest part of your day, and they are fun, but they aren’t really what the DW experience is about.
Pirates of the Caribbean, followed closely by Spaceship Earth.
Love the musty corridors leading up to the Pirates ride, the detail on the pirates, the cannonballs splashing special effects, the guys in jail trying to lure that dog with the key. Lots of fun, but I thought bringing in Jack Sparrow and sanitizing the pirate chasing a woman around (now for her food, formerly for her body) were in one instance trying to cash in on a movie franchise and in the other instance prudish.
Spaceship Earth was better with the Cronkite narration, but love the ride and the best part is smelling the burning of Rome.
Thunder Mountain at the Magic Kingdom, Safari at Animal Kingdom, Test Track at Epcot, Fantasmic at Hollywood Studios.
I agree wholeheartedly with this. It’s hard to pick any favorite thing. I almost said pin trading, or the Monorail. Yes, the Monorail. I have a co-pilot’s license around here somewhere.
One time I was walking in Fantasyland with my daughter, who was five, and out of nowhere this garbage can rolls up alongside of us and starts chatting pleasantly. Stuff like that is why we go to Disney.