Numbers 42-39

#42: Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, Magic Kingdom

Just as with the Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin may be out of place in Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland but that does not mean it is a poor attraction. An updated version of a classic omnimover dark ride, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin was really one of the first Disney attractions to take interactivity to a whole new level, making Guests an integral part of the ride experience. Since it opened in Magic Kingdom in 1998, similar Buzz Lightyear attractions have opened around the world in California, Paris, Tokyo, and Hong Kong.

The attraction’s general layout and ride system actually date all the way back to 1972. This space was originally home to If You Had Wings, an aviation themed ride sponsored by Eastern Airlines that later became Delta Dreamflight. Dreamflight closed in January 1998 to be transformed into Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin, which opened ten months later.

The greatest aspect of this attraction is that, rather than telling Guests a story, Guests are made active participants; they literally become part of the story. This starts as Guests are making their way through the queue and are informed that they are the newest batch of recruits and Star Command is depending on them to defeat Emperor Zurg. Then, while Guests are on the ride, not only are they given some control over the movement of their vehicle but they can trigger different experiences and effects depending on what targets they hit.

In addition to the storyline of the attraction you also have the sense of competition that the ride creates. Not only are Guests competing against the person riding next to them and the rest of their families, but they are also competing with themselves and previous scores they may have had. This element of Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin is what keeps Guests coming back again and again. It is an attraction that has tremendous re-rideability and has been incredibly popular since it first opened in Tomorrowland. Thus, it ranks #42 on the top fifty countdown.

#41: Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room, Magic Kingdom

This attraction is the perfect example of how rankings like these can easily change over time. Up until two years ago, the Tiki Room would not have been anywhere close to the top fifty attractions. When the “Under New Management” version of the attraction opened in 1998, it was an attempt to draw upon the success of The Lion King and Aladdin by adding the characters Iago and Zazu. However, the changes and updates caused the Tiki Room to lose much of its charm and nostalgia. That all changed on August 15, 2011 when Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room reopened in honor of the Magic Kingdom’s 40th Anniversary with a version holding much more true to the original.

The attraction at Magic Kingdom has its roots with the original attraction that opened in Disneyland on June 23, 1963. At the time, it was the first Disney attraction to feature Audio-Animatronic technology. A virtually identical copy of the show, originally called Tropical Serenade, was installed at Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom when that park opened in 1971.

One aspect that made this attraction so memorable was its music, including the attraction's signature tune "The Tiki Tiki Tiki Room" by the Sherman Brothers. While “Under New Management” moved toward more popular and current music, the current incarnation of the attraction (although five minutes shorter in length) returns many of the classic favorites of the original.

When the attraction first opened at Disneyland in 1963 and Magic Kingdom in 1971 it was a technological marvel, really a groundbreaking attraction for the time. While certainly no longer that today, the Tiki Room still has a tremendous amount of charm and is certainly not short on heritage and history; this was an attraction whose design and construction Walt Disney himself oversaw. The Tiki Room is certainly a Disney classic and even though it was an original Magic Kingdom attraction it continues to entertain Guests to this day with its memorable characters and delightful music. For these reasons, Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room ranks #41 on the top fifty countdown.

#40: Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin, Disneyland

Following the release of “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” in 1988, Disney recognized the incredible popularity of the character and planned an ambitious set of attractions based on the movie for many Disney theme parks, including entire lands at Disneyland and the Disney-MGM Studios. However, after the financial disaster of the Euro Disney Resort plans were dramatically cut back with only Disneyland and Tokyo Disneyland receiving any Roger Rabbit-themed attractions.

The fact that Roger Rabbit can be found so sparingly in Disney parks is something that makes Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon spin all the more memorable and unique. Another impressive element of the attraction is the amount of detail and theming found throughout. This starts with the exterior façade of the attraction and extends through the queue and into the ride itself. Even though many children today probably have no idea who Roger Rabbit actually is, the ride provides a fun and entertaining story. In the mold of classic Fantasyland dark rides, this is an attraction that immerses Guests into the middle of the story, featuring many characters and scenes from the movie. In this way, Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin is an attraction geared more toward kids but may actually appeal more toward adults who are familiar with the film.

Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin takes the classic-style dark ride to a whole new level with the inclusion of allowing Guests to be able to spin using their vehicle’s steering wheel. This element helps add to the craziness of the attraction that fits in perfect with the storyline. This is the type of attraction that, when you ride it for the first time, you never really know what is going to happen next. Even after you have ridden it multiple times, there are still new details that you might pick up on, whether in the queue or on the ride itself. However, what makes this attraction so special is that it features a beloved Disney character who has become so rare. Roger Rabbit was an incredibly popular character during our childhood, but has now faded into relative obscurity. His legacy is kept alive at Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin and is a big reason why it comes in at #40 in the top fifty rankings.

#39: Muppet Vision 3-D, Disney’s Hollywood Studios

From one set of under-utilized characters to another. Just like Roger Rabbit, the Muppets were supposed to have a much larger presence in the Disney parks. The original plans for the Disney-MGM Studios called for an entire Muppets land featuring a 3-D attraction, various shops and restaurants, and a dark ride attraction known as The Muppet Movie Ride. However, when Jim Henson passed away in 1990 plans were drastically scaled back and Muppet Vision 3-D was the lone survivor. The attraction does have the distinction of being the last project that Jim Henson ever worked on.

This is an attraction with the unique distinction of having a preshow which is just as entertaining (if not more so) than the actual show itself. All the theming and detail found throughout the preshow area really helps to immerse Guests into the story. Included among all the props are numerous gags, jokes, and elements that pay tribute to the heritage of both Disney and the Muppets. Throughout the preshow Guests can find various themed elements such as a net full of Jell-O that pays tribute to Mouseketeer Anette Funicello. The preshow itself features several memorable moments such as the Three D’s of Dorothy, Dina, and Max (Debbie was sick), Rizzo the Rat making an appearance as Mickey Mouse, and Sam Eagle reminding Guests that stopping in the middle of their row is “distinctly unpatriotic.”

The theater itself provides a striking resemblance to the Muppet Show theater while the show is more than just a 3-D movie. The show features a variety of Audio Animatronic figures including Statler, Waldorf, Bean Bunny, the Swedish Chef, and an orchestra of penguins in addition to an assortment of other special effects. Throughout the show Guests are blown by vans to create a vacuum effect, have both water and bubbles rained down on them from above, and experience the theater exploding with CO2 effects. The show also includes a special appearance by Sweetums who walks in the front of the theater searching for Bean Bunny.

Overall, Muppet Vision 3-D is everything you would expect from the Muppets. Funny and entertaining throughout, it is an attraction where you can expect the unexpected and nothing seems to go quite according to plan. Featuring a variety of characters that you know and love, this is an attraction that has withstood the test of time and continues to be incredibly popular among both children and adults. You can expect the show to become even more popular as the new Muppets movies introduce the Muppets to a new generation. As a result, Muppet Vision 3-D finds itself at #39 in the top fifty rankings.

Numbers 46-43

#46: It’s Tough to be a Bug, Animal Kingdom

The Tree of Life is not only the icon of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, but it is one of the most recognizable structures in any Disney park. This imposing structure with its intricate detail creates a sense of awe and wonder in all who gaze upon it. Located inside the Tree of Life, It’s Tough to be a Bug has the task of living up to its beautiful home.

Believe it or not, initial plans called for a restaurant to be built beneath the Tree of Life. However, early on in the design phase of the project, this idea was abandoned in favor of a show. With the Tree of Life being the icon for the park, whatever idea was selected to be showcased here had to represent the park’s overarching themes of harmony with nature and conservation. It was ultimately decided that a show about bugs would be very fitting since bugs are an integral part of the animal kingdom and many live beneath the ground and within the roots of plants and trees. Also, the show could tie in with the new Pixar film “A Bug’s Life.” In fact, when Animal Kingdom and It’s Tough to be a Bug opened on April 22, 1998 it was a full seven months until “A Bug’s Life” premiered in theaters.

One of the greatest benefits of going to see this show is making your way through the queue, which offers an up-close view of the Tree of Life. As the queue winds around the tree, Guests can glimpse animal carvings on the tree that aren't visible from other vantage points. The queue is designed to make you believe you are shrinking and becoming bug-size as you travel further and further along the trail. The theater itself is an enormous and beautiful space. Just as with the outside of the Tree of Life, the interior of the theater gives you the sense that you are inside of an actual tree. The show is much more than merely a 3-D film. It combines several animatronic figures along with a variety of special effects to create a truly sensory experience; the Hopper Audio Animatronic figure is one of the more advanced and articulated animatronics found anywhere in Disney World.

It’s Tough to be a Bug combines a good amount of lighthearted comedy with some darker and scarier moments along with catchy music and memorable characters. The show really benefits from using characters from “A Bug’s Life” without tying itself too closely to the movie’s plot. This has helped the show withstand the test of time while the overall message of appreciating nature (and even the smallest members of the animal kingdom) resonates strongly with the main themes of Animal Kingdom itself. For these reasons, It’s Tough to be a Bug comes in at #46 in the countdown.

#45: Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor, Magic Kingdom

While an argument can be made against the location of the Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor for not really fitting with the overall theming of Tomorrowland and replacing the beloved Timekeeper, it cannot be argued that it is not a highly entertaining show and that is the reason why it has made it into the top fifty rankings.

Drawing upon the highly successful Pixar film, this attraction is set after the events of “Monsters Inc.” and has a clever back-story that help to tie it into the movie while not being a complete re-hashing of the plot. Monstropolis is running on safe, clean "laugh power," but even now it still needs more laughs to provide for the needs of the monster world. To that end, Mike Wazowski suggests opening up Monstropolis' first comedy club and humans are allowed to temporarily enter the monster world via a door the monsters have placed in Tomorrowland.

The real strength of this show lies in its interactivity. Building upon the success of Turtle Talk with Crush, the Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor gives Guests an even bigger role in the show. Prior to the performance, guests are invited to use their cellphones to send text messages with jokes that could be used during the show. Once inside the theater, movable cameras are used to locate Guests, who are then shown on the big screens in the front of the theater. Another great asset of the show is that no two performances as exactly the same. Since it relies so heavily on audience participation, the shows will vary depending upon the Guests that are called upon.

The Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor is an attraction that is fun for the entire family. While there are some running gags, like “That Guy,” that stay consistent from show to show, there are still plenty of elements that change each time you visit. This is something that help keeps the show fresh, so you are not always hearing the same jokes and watching the same gags over and over. This gives the Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor great re-watchability and also helps it land at #45 in the top fifty rankings.

#44: Maelstrom, Epcot

Norway is the most recent nation to be added to World Showcase. It opened on May 6, 1988 with a dedication by Harald V of Norway, who was then Crown Prince, that was broadcast live to Norway. The original idea was to create a Nordic Pavilion that would combine elements from various countries into one exhibit. Three countries were consulted, but investors from Norway ended up raising the money required to create an exclusive national pavilion. With the Norway pavilion also came a ride that has since become one of the headline attractions in all of World Showcase.

One could say that Maelstrom is the Norwegian version of Pirates of the Caribbean, a classic-style dark ride that features Vikings and trolls instead of pirates. It might not be high on thrills, but the attraction’s small drop and rapid backwards portion give Maelstrom a degree of excitement not found in the rest of World Showcase. The attraction also features a series of animatronic figures (some quite large), ranging from Vikings to trolls to polar bears, that help to better immerse you into the storyline.

One of the strongest attributes of Maelstrom is that it conveys aspects of Norway’s culture, history, and heritage but in an entertaining and exciting way. From scenes of seafarers and maritime villages that demonstrate the importance of the sea in Norwegian culture to mystical forests and magical trolls that highlight Norway’s myths and folklore to the natural beauty of the Arctic and the North Sea, Maelstrom tells a story that touches upon many different aspects of Norway, its land, and its people.

The attraction ends with the line “Norway’s spirit will always be adventure.” This is a very fitting description of Maelstrom itself as it provides Guests with an adventure through Norwegian history and culture while still providing some mild thrills. It is an attraction that holds true to Epcot’s premise of being to simultaneously educate and entertain Guests. Thus, Maelstrom ranks #44 in the top fifty countdown.

#43: Living with the Land, Epcot

When you think of classic Epcot attractions, like Horizons and World of Motion, the Living with the Land boat ride is another one that immediately comes to mind. It is an attraction that has changed very little since the Land pavilion first opened (although originally called Listen to the Land), and yet it is still as relevant today as it was all those years ago. It is an attraction that truly fits with the theming of Future World. It is the type of ride that made Epcot such a unique theme park, the likes of which had never been seen before. While other classic Future World attractions have long since been replaced, Living with the Land has survived the test of time.

Part dark ride, part greenhouse tour, Living with the Land at the same time showcases new technology while also focusing on ways that we are working to make agriculture more efficient and environmentally friendly. With the dark-ride portion of the attraction, the boat then sails through artificial biomes representing a tropical rainforest, a desert, and the American prairie. Increasing the sense of realism and to further immerse Guests in these environments, the biomes feature sound and lighting effects, in addition to heat, wind, and mist, to simulate real conditions. The second part of the attraction takes place in The Land's "Living Laboratory", which showcases ideas about the future of agriculture; all of the plants in this section are grown through various methods of hydroponics.

At 43,000 square feet, the Land’s greenhouses are immense and breathtaking, not only in sheer size but also in the beauty of the plants, flowers, fruits, and vegetables growing inside. This is an attraction that actually is able to make agriculture interesting. Herein lays the success of the attraction. While it is certainly one of the more educational attractions remaining at Epcot, it still keeps you interested and entertained from start to finish. Living with the Land holds true to what Epcot is all about, showcasing new technology along with the hope and promise of what the future might bring. It might not be the most thrilling or technologically advanced, but there is something about the attraction’s simplicity and nostalgia that make it so appealing. Therefore, Living with the Land finds its place at #43 in the rankings.

Numbers 50-47

#50: Ellen’s Energy Adventure, Epcot

Possibly a surprise at number fifty. Everyone often jokes about how long the attraction is (forty-five minutes in length) and it can certainly be argued that the attraction is in need of an update in order to keep up with advancements in the field of energy, but this attraction is not without some endearing qualities that help to place it in the top fifty.

When the Universe of Energy opened at Epcot in 1982, the pavilion itself was an innovation in energy technology. The entire roof is covered with 80,000 photovoltaic solar cells that partially powered the ride vehicles. The building is massive, stretching 440 feet across at its widest point and 290 feet from front to back. Guests are transported through the pavilion in large battery-powered traveling theatre cars that followed guide-wires embedded in the floor as opposed to riding along conventional ride tracks, which was groundbreaking ride technology at the time. In addition, the attraction featured some of the largest Audio Animatronic figures ever created by Disney Imagineers.

In January 1996 the pavilion closed for a major refurbishment and reopen in September as Ellen’s Energy Crisis, which was soon after changed to Ellen’s Energy Adventure. The new version of the attraction is certainly not lacking star power as Ellen DeGeneres is joined by Bill Nye The Science Guy, Alex Trebek, and Jamie Lee Curtis. Among the changes from the original version was making the attraction more entertaining and family friendly; the witty back-and-forth banter between Ellen and Bill certainly give the attraction a lighthearted feel that was lacking in the original. The attraction also features one of the more entertaining preshows in Disney World as Guests are transported into Ellen’s dream where she is a contestant on Jeopardy and all the questions are about energy.

While not having the nostalgic feel of the original Universe of Energy, Ellen’s Energy Adventure is a worthy successor. The ride system itself remains largely unchanged since 1982 and the overall scale of the attraction, with its large animatronic figures, rotating theaters, and huge movie screens, still make it a very impressive attraction. Perhaps what this attraction has going for it the most is that it still holds true to what Epcot, and specifically Future World, are all about; it is a classic example of using an attraction to both entertain and educate Guests. For these reasons, Ellen’s Energy Adventure ranks #50 amongst all Disney attractions.

#49: Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show, Disney’s Hollywood Studios

At number forty-nine is a show that is high on thrills, action, and excitement. Offering Guests a glimpse into how elaborate automobile chase and stunt scenes are produced, Lights, Motors, Action is a show that meshes well with the overall theme of Hollywood Studios.

Based on the Moteurs... Action! Stunt Show Spectacular at the Walt Disney Studios in Paris that premiered in March 2002, the show had its grand opening at Hollywood Studios on May 5, 2005. The show was brought to Disney World as part of the Happiest Celebration on Earth, where Walt Disney World celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of Disneyland by bringing in attractions from other Disney parks around the world.

The show has more than 40 vehicles between those featured in the show as well as ones stored in the backstage maintenance garage. The primary car which the action revolves around, referred to as the hero car, is a custom-built design specifically for the show. There are actually three different hero cars, including one that has the bodyshell oriented backwards to allow the driver to appear to be driving in reverse and another that has a seat and steering wheel bolted onto the side of the car away from the audience, so that the car can be driven showing that there is no driver in the driver's seat.

With a beautiful backdrop inspired by Villefranche-sur-Mer, a Mediterranean village in the south of France, the show features an array of pyrotechnics, car and jet ski chases, and physical stuntwork. The cars perform some truly impressive feats that showcase the skill of the stunt drivers and the combination of automobiles, motorcycles, and jet skis provide good variation throughout the course of the show. What really makes the show a fitting addition to Hollywood Studios is that it shows Guests a real behind-the-scenes look into how these elaborate stunt scenes are produced, how the cars operate, how the stunt actors are kept safe, and how all the various components are brought together and edited into a final product. It really gives Guests a good sense of how action movies are made. Thus, Lights, Motors, Action ranks #49 on the countdown.

#48: Kali River Rapids, Animal Kingdom

It might be hard to believe, but when Kali River Rapids opened at Animal Kingdom in 1999 it was actually Disney’s first ever river rapids attraction. Opening a year after the park’s grand opening, this attraction was a part of Animal Kingdom's large Asia expansion and provided another, much-needed, attraction for the park.

Kali River Rapids takes Guests on a rafting expedition along the Chakranadi River, but the adventure begins before Guests even get onto the ride as the attraction features one of the best-themed and most immersive queues anywhere in Disney World. Guests enter along a winding pathway that makes its way through temples and shops, passing by ancient, decaying statues, shrines, overgrown ruins, and lush landscapes before finally ending in the rafting offices for Kali Rapids Expeditions. The queue really helps to set up the story for the actual attraction for as Guests are passing by all this natural beauty in the distances the ominous sound of chainsaws can be heard. Even when in the rafting offices, as Guests pass a television screen on which the proprietor explains the company's mission of showing visitors the natural beauty of the area, a radio transmission can also be heard warning that illegal loggers have moved dangerously close to the river.

The ride itself presents the stark contrast of the natural beauty of the environment and man’s destructive power. As the rafts leave the dock, Guests begin their adventure on the Chakranadi River by ascending a 90-foot lift hill through jasmine and ginger scented mist. Once at the top, the raft floats past gushing geysers and waterfalls through a dense tropical jungle where countless animal and bird calls can be heard. The water then becomes choppier as Guests hear the sound of chainsaws and the smell of smoke. Around the bend, the lush vegetation gives way to charred tree stumps and the raft passes a fully loaded logging truck which has slid perilously into the river before plunging down a thirty-foot drop.

While the ride itself may not be very long in duration, it effectively captures the essence of what Animal Kingdom is all about and the message of conservation, environmental protection, and harmony with nature that permeates the park. Providing mild thrills and a way to cool off during the hot Florida summers, while at the same time displaying a high degree of intricate theming and attention to detail, Kali River Rapids ranks #48 on the top fifty list.

#47: The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Magic Kingdom

Even though it replaced the beloved Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh has proven to be an incredibly popular attraction in Fantasyland since it opened in 1999. And, aided by the recent aesthetic changes to the attraction’s exterior and queue that help create a more immersive setting for the attraction, Winnie the Pooh has earned a spot in the top fifty.

One of the best qualities of Winnie the Pooh is that it is a classic dark ride that harkens back to the original Fantasyland attractions while at the same time it takes that dark ride technology to a new level. The goal of Fantasyland is putting Guests into the classic Disney stories that they love. In the case of Winnie the Pooh this happens quite literally as Guests start by passing through the pages of a giant story book. Of all the elements of the attraction, however, it is the ride vehicles themselves that make the attraction unique. Whether it is giving the sensation of bouncing along with Tigger or floating through a rainstorm, the movement and motion of the vehicles changes throughout the course of the ride to help enhance the story that is being told.

For fans of Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, the current attraction also pays homage to the former tenants of the building. As Guests make their way through Owl’s home there are two painting that can be seen: one of J. Thaddeus Toad himself handing a deed over to Owl and another of Winnie the Pooh greeting Moley (Mr. Toad's sidekick). It is a subtle but charming nod to the original attraction that helps to keep that important piece of Disney history and heritage alive.

Even though it opened in 1999, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh has a very classic feel, which really adds to the charm and appeal of the attraction. It is an attraction, like many of the older Fantasyland attractions at Magic Kingdom and Disneyland, that relies on storytelling and characters rather than thrills and technology to create a memorable experience for Guests. It is an attraction that seems as though Walt himself could have designed, an attraction that honors the past while still showcasing the advancements in ride technology that have been made since Magic Kingdom first opened. For these reasons, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh comes in at #47.

Ranking the Top 50: How It Will Be Done

Anyone who has ever set foot inside of a Disney theme park has a favorite attraction. What makes each person different, however, are the reasons for why they consider it to be their favorite. These favorite attractions can stay constant over long periods of time or change rapidly as we get older, our tastes change, and new experiences are created. I think it is safe to say that our favorite attractions are not based solely upon any single factor. Rather, there are many aspects that go into why we consider any one particular attraction to be our favorite.

I can’t say how many times I have been asked or have asked someone else what their favorite attraction is. This question is usually unfair because it warrants a quick response without giving the proper amount of time to think about all the different components of each attraction. Thus, whenever I answer this question, it seemed as if I always have several different responses. This really got me thinking about what Disney attraction truly is my favorite; there are so many to choose from and, having come to Disney World since I was a small child, I have so many experiences and memories to draw upon.

Thus, I have decided to undertake the task of ranking my top fifty attractions from Disney’s American theme parks: Disneyland, Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, and California Adventure. The rankings take into account all attractions (rides and shows) that are currently in these parks. For the sake of these rankings, I have chosen to include only those attractions that I have personally experienced and will not include nighttime spectaculars or parades.

These rankings are based upon my own personal tastes but include multiple factors such as theming and detail, storyline, history and heritage, emotional connection, the ride system/technology, level of immersion, the queues, entertainment value, re-rideability, and the overall ride experience. By no means is this list expected to be the be-all-end-all of Disney attraction rankings. Rather, it reflects my own personal feelings about these attractions at the moment. If I were to do this again two to three years down the road, my rankings may be totally different. But, at this present time, here are my top fifty Disney attractions.

Stay tuned!!