While there are several attractions that began in Disneyland and were then transported to Disney World, there are far fewer that went in the opposite direction. One such attraction, however, is one of the most iconic experiences in multiple Disney parks around the world. Space Mountain has been a part of Tomorrowland in Disneyland since 1977, but its history goes back even further. Walt Disney originally conceived the idea of a space-themed rollercoaster following the success of the Matterhorn Bobsleds. However, a number of factors including lack of available space, Walt's death, and the focus on building Disney World led to the project's postponement. Disney finally revived the Space Mountain project and opened the first at the Magic Kingdom in 1975.
Despite having the same name and theming, there are some major differences between the Disney World and Disneyland versions of the attraction. First and foremost is their size. Having less space, the Disneyland version only features one track (as opposed to the two in Florida) and the show building is also much smaller. Whereas at Disney World Guests ride in single file, the rockets in Disneyland allow Guests to sit two-by-two. Disneyland’s Space Mountain also offers Guests a much smoother ride (thanks to its 2005 refurbishment) as well as onboard audio, which greatly enhances the ride experience.
Even before its extensive renovations in 2005, Space Mountain was one of Disneyland’s most popular attractions. However, when it reopened for Disneyland’s 50th Anniversary, the attraction featured an array of new effects and a brand new musical score composed by Academy Award winner Michael Giacchino. The attraction had always relied on pitch-blackness to give the illusion of travelling through space, but new projectors and lighting effects allowed to even more greatly immerse Guests into this theming and give the impression you are travelling much faster than you actually are. In addition, the musical score through onboard audio adds even more excitement that Disney World’s version can’t match.
Space Mountain is an attraction that is synonymous with Disney; it is truly a classic and is found in Disney parks around the world. What is so great about the Disneyland version of the attraction is that it has been continually improved upon and “plussed” over the years. Combining its striking exterior appearance that marks Tomorrowland skyline with the thrill of space travel, Space Mountain’s immersive theming makes it more than just a rollercoaster and worthy of the #18 spot in the top fifty rankings.
#17: Expedition Everest, Animal Kingdom
This next attraction follows in the footsteps of those coasters that came before it, like Matterhorn, Big Thunder Mountain, and Space Mountain. It is fitting that this rollercoaster is also a mountain, but on a scale that had never been seen before. Expedition Everest takes what was achieved with these previous rollercoasters and brings them to entirely new level, but not just in terms of thrills. Expedition Everest may be one of the most immersive rollercoasters ever built and this is largely due to a creative storyline and a tremendous amount of research that give the ride unparalleled authenticity.
Expedition Everest’s striking appearance dominates the skyline of Animal Kingdom. In fact, at 199 feet, it is the tallest of the mountains at Disney World. It is listed in Guinness World Records as the most expensive rollercoaster in the world with a total cost reported to be $100 million over six years of planning and construction. While its scale is certainly impressive, what makes this attraction truly special is its attention to detail. This starts with a queue that may be one of the most immersive ever designed by Disney Imagineers. Guests start at the office of Himalayan Escapes travel agency, progressing to a replica temple, a room with equipment for the expedition (much of which actually scaled Everest), and finishing in the Yeti Museum. In fact, there are about 8,000 artifacts brought back by Imagineers from a trip to Nepal that are housed in this museum.
This tremendous theming continues into the actual attraction itself. Riding in old, rusty steam trains, Guests pass groves of tea and bamboo trees, ascend through a temple with murals of the mysterious yeti, and make their way all the way to the snowcapped peak of the mountain before careening downwards through caverns and caves and finally coming in contact with the yeti itself. At 22-feet tall, the yeti is the largest and most complex audio-animatronic figure ever built by Imagineers. Even though it is not functioning in full A-mode, it is impressive nonetheless.
Expedition Everest proves that it is possible for rollercoasters to have detailed theming and storylines while still being high on thrills. In fact, it is really all this attention to detail that make the attraction what it is. Just like Animal Kingdom as a park completely immerses Guests into exotic lands, Expedition Everest does the same for all Guests who experience the attraction. From the moment they set foot in the queue and throughout the entire ride, Guests are transported to the Himalayas. As a result, Expedition Everest finds itself at #17 on the top fifty countdown.
#16: Jungle Cruise, Magic Kingdom
An opening day attraction at both Disneyland and the Magic Kingdom, the Jungle Cruise is an attraction that Walt Disney himself had a major role in creating. Sources of inspiration for the attraction include a 1955 True-Life Adventure about a pride of lions and the film “The African Queen.” The original plan was to use real animals, but logistically this presented too many problems and it was thought that the animals would have been sleeping during much of the day. Walt wanted to make Guests feel as though they were really travelling through the world’s jungles and seeing real animals. Interestingly enough, the original spiel had no jokes and sounded much like the narration of a nature documentary. It stayed this way until 1962 when a more lighthearted and comedic spiel was introduced. This revision helped the Jungle Cruise become the attraction it is today.
While the attraction is similar at both Disneyland and Magic Kingdom, a slight edge is given to Florida’s version thanks to being slightly longer with the inclusion of the temple scene. One of the greatest strengths of the Jungle Cruise is its storytelling and its ability to immerse Guests in that story. This begins as Guests make their way through the queue, set in a Depression-era British outpost on the Amazon River operated by The Jungle Navigation Co. This level of immersion continues throughout the attraction with lush plant life that replicates the jungle settings of Asia, Africa, and South America. The animatronic figures are also extremely life-like, considering it was one of the first attractions to utilize Audio Animatronic figures and on a scale much larger than any others at the time.
The real appeal of the Jungle Cruise, however, is the pun-filled comedy of the Skippers. This is one attraction where the Cast Members play a significant role in the Guests’ enjoyment of the experience. The jokes might be corny, but they really make the attraction what it is. In fact, one might argue that it is the Skippers and their delivery of the spiel, not the actual ride itself, that keeps Guests coming back. It is a spiel filled with memorable lines and moments, not the least of which is seeing the backside of water.
With exception of its spiel, the Jungle Cruise has changed very little since it first opened and yet it remains an extremely popular attraction. It is an attraction that is appreciated on different levels by different Guests. While kids enjoy seeing the animals that appear incredibly real, adults will appreciate the dry sense of humor of the Skippers, while still others come for the nostalgia of one of Disney’s most storied and classic attractions. Really, it is all of these reasons combined that make the Jungle Cruise so special and place it at #16 in the top fifty countdown.
#15: Disney's Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular, Disney’s California Adventure
Disney is known for producing incredible stage shows and we have seen several thus far throughout the top fifty countdown. This next attraction, however, is unmatched when it comes to these theatrical productions and that is why it is the highest ranking show on this list. Disney’s Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular is on a scale that no other Disney theme park show can match. While there are several shows in Disney parks that one could consider Broadway-caliber, Aladdin by far comes the closest to replicating the look and feel of a Broadway production.
The Broadway-style feel of the show starts as soon as Guests enter into the 2,000-seat Hyperion Theater. With its multiple balconies, it has the look and feel of a theater you would expect to see in New York. Added to this are beautiful sets, high –energy choreography and action that spills out into the aisles, an actual flying magic carpet, and (of course) memorable music from the movie. In addition to well-known songs such as “One Jump Ahead,” “Friend Like Me,” and “A Whole New World,” Alan Menken also composed and wrote lyrics for an entirely new song just for this production called “To Be Free.” All of these different aspects help to make Aladdin a major production, and its 45-minute run time also make it one of the longest stage shows at any Disney park.
What also makes this Aladdin musical so special is an extremely talented Cast. While the vocal talents of Aladdin and Jasmine are showcased in several songs, the character who really steals the show is Genie. It is this character that really helps make the show what it is and keeps Guests coming back again and again. The reason for this is that the Genie ad libs much of his dialogue depending on current events in popular culture and the news. This means that you could even see the show twice in the same day and experience the Genie doing or saying something totally different. No matter what the Genie is doing, he is absolutely hilarious and brings a tremendous amount of energy to the show.
Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular is one of the must-see attractions for any Guest visiting Disney’s California Adventure. In fact, even after seeing it once, you will want to see it again because it is such a high-quality performance. Combining beautiful visuals with detailed costumes and sets, memorable music, popular characters, and plenty of lighthearted and comedic moments, this show is a little bit of Broadway in southern California. For these reasons, Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular is the highest-rated show on the countdown and worthy of the #15 spot in the top fifty rankings.
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