Numbers 3-1

#3: Haunted Mansion, Magic Kingdom

This next attraction is unique because, even though it is found at Disney parks around the world, it is located in a different land in each park. The original Haunted Mansion opened in Disneyland in 1969 in New Orleans Square. Not having New Orleans Square, Haunted Mansion was an opening day attraction in Magic Kingdom’s Liberty Square in 1971. In 1983, the Haunted Mansion opened in Tokyo Disneyland’s Fantasyland followed in 1992 with Phantom Manor debuting in Disneyland Paris’s Frontierland. Most recently, Mystic Manor opened in 2013 at Hong Kong Disneyland. As a result, no two Haunted Mansion experiences are exactly the same, each providing its own unique spin with differences in theming and backstory. One of the most recognizable of all Disney attractions, Haunted Mansion is the quintessential Disney dark ride, combining immersive storytelling and a tremendous attention to detail.

What is amazing about Haunted Mansion was that its ride technology was really state of the art when it first opened and yet even today (forty-four years later) this technology continues to captivate Guests. The Haunted Mansion features some of the most effective uses of special effects found in any Disney attraction, from the rotating marble busts to Madame Leota’s head inside a floating glass orb to the hitchhiking ghosts. However, the most iconic of moments is the attraction’s ballroom scene. To create the illusion of ghosts dancing throughout the ballroom, Imagineers used an effect that had been around since the mid-19th century known as the Pepper’s Ghost effect. The "ghosts" are merely the reflections of Audio Animatronic figures, located in rooms above and below the ride path, where the walls are painted entirely black. In fact, the Haunted Mansion features one of the largest uses of the Pepper’s Ghost effect in the world.

The Haunted Mansion is more than just innovative technology and the attraction features Disney storytelling at its very best. Before even getting onto the ride, the exterior queue through the graveyard, foyer, and stretch room all help to set the mood for the attraction. The chilling narration throughout the Haunted Mansion is provided by your “Ghost Host” voiced by Paul Frees, which adds a very ominous and foreboding tone. One of the interesting things about the Haunted Mansion is that the ride starts off very eerie and creepy, but by the end of the ride has a much more whimsical and lighthearted feel (as evidenced by the Hitchhiking Ghosts). In fact, for a good portion of the attraction there are not even any Ghosts to be seen. This is all helping to set up the big reveal with the ballroom scene followed by the attic and finally the graveyard scene. One of the great things about Haunted Mansion is that it tells an extremely immersive story, but its storyline itself is not especially detailed. The Haunted Mansion is meant to be essentially just that, a haunted mansion. While there have been numerous “unofficial” storylines developed over the years, it is really an attraction that lets the Guests use their own imaginations and create their own stories.

The Haunted Mansion is very much a Disney cult classic with a passionate fan base; with so many memorable characters, such as Madame Leota, the singing marble busts, and the Hitchhiking Ghosts, tremendous use of special effects, and a number of truly iconic moments and scenes it is easy to see why it has become so popular. The narration in the stretch room may be the most-often quoted lines of dialogue from any Disney attraction and the ride’s “Grim Grinning Ghosts” is a song known around the world. The Haunted Mansion has withstood the test of time and remains to this day one of Disney’s most popular attractions. Aiding this is the fact that the ride has been continually tweaked and “plussed” over the years with the addition of new scenes and more up-to-date technology. One thing that has remained constant, however, is a passionate group of Cast Members whose performance theming really help bring the attraction to life. For all these reason, it is easy to see why the Haunted Mansion ranks #3 on the top fifty countdown.

#2: Pirates of the Caribbean, Disneyland

Pirates of the Caribbean at the Magic Kingdom is certainly a solid attraction, but after you have experienced the Disneyland version you will never look at Disney World’s the same way ever again. It is an attraction steeped in Disney heritage and history. In fact, the original version at Disneyland which opened in 1967 was actually the last attraction whose construction was overseen by Walt Disney himself as he passed away three months before it opened. The attraction was such a success at Disneyland that it was replicated at the Magic Kingdom in 1973, at Tokyo Disneyland in 1983, and at Disneyland Paris in 1992. Arguably one of the most iconic Disney attractions, experiencing Pirates of the Caribbean is a rite of passage for any Guest who visits Disneyland or Disney World. It is an attraction which is truly timeless, as popular today as it was when it first opened in 1967, and its universal appeal can clearly be seen with the movies the attraction inspired.

It is hard to believe that Pirates of the Caribbean was originally envisioned to be a walk-through wax museum. The goal was always to transport guests back to the 18th-century Caribbean islands, but that notion took a dynamic turn when Imagineer Marc Davis was assigned to the project. His sketches, drawings, and creation of colorful, comical fictional pirates were really what inspired Walt and greatly influenced the final version of the attraction. In addition to this, the 1964 World's Fair really helped move the project in a whole new direction. It was here that Walt debuted the first Audio Animatronic and with this success at the World’s Fair it was logical that Pirates of the Caribbean use the technology to breathe motion and life into its characters. The attraction was truly groundbreaking for its time, featuring animatronic figures on a scale that had never been seen before. In fact, Pirates of the Caribbean features over one hundred animatronic figures whose lifelike appearance and movements really give the attraction a tremendous sense of realism.

In addition to its colorful cast of characters, Pirates of the Caribbean completely immerses Guests into the storyline with detailed show scenes. It is here that Disneyland has a tremendous advantage over Disney World. Whereas Pirates of the Caribbean at Magic Kingdom is eight and a half minutes long, Disneyland’s version is a whopping fifteen and a half minutes. This extra time allows for even more detail and theming that makes for a more complete story. Disneyland’s bayou scene and extensive treasure-filled caverns help to set the stage and establish the setting for the attraction, taking Guests from the charm of New Orleans square and transporting them to the Caribbean islands. Disneyland’s Pirates of the Caribbean is on a scale few attractions can match, which is surprising since it is a much smaller park than Magic Kingdom, but it really is that scale which helps immerse Guests into the story; this is all done so effectively that you can almost forget that you are on a theme park attraction.

Helping to make Pirates of the Caribbean such a memorable attraction are a number of iconic moments. Scenes such as the auction where the pirates call out for the red head and the dog with the keys are immediately recognizable images that come to mind when one thinks of this attraction. Added to this is one of the most beloved and memorable songs found at any Disney attraction. Pirates of the Caribbean is a great example of Disney’s ability to take something potentially scary and yet end up making it a whimsical and fun adventure that can be enjoyed by the entire family. With such popularity in the theme parks, it is no surprise that Pirates of the Caribbean has become one of Disney’s tent pole movie franchises. These movies have helped introduce a new generation to Pirates of the Caribbean and have also helped to breathe new life into the attraction itself with a number of technological upgrades and new animatronic figures. While some may argue against having Captain Jack Sparrow in the attraction, it is done very tastefully in a way that does not remove from the original intent and vision of the attraction; it is just another chapter in the attraction’s long and storied history. Thus, Pirates of the Caribbean comes in at #2 on the top fifty countdown.

#1: Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Forbidden Eye, Disneyland

At long last we come to the final attraction on the countdown. This attraction is one that combines everything that make Disney attractions so special: tremendous theming and attention to detail, a completely immersive experience that effectively transports Guests to another time and place, a unique and thrilling ride system, state-of-the-art special effects, and a moving musical score. Added to all of this is the fact that this attraction features one of the most recognizable and beloved movie characters of all time. The Indiana Jones Adventure opened at Disneyland on March 4, 1995. Despite being over eighteen years old, this attraction is still Disney’s best and has withstood the test of time to become a true classic. No trip to Disneyland is complete without experiencing this attraction.

Because of the success of Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular at Disney's Hollywood Studios, George Lucas decided to join forces with Disney in creating a new attraction for Disneyland. Several early concepts were considered including a walk-through adventure and a high-speed mine car adventure within a temple. The story, set in 1936, is told through letters and telegrams scattered throughout the queue as well as newsreels shown before guests board the attraction. Indiana Jones has reunited missing fragments of a map scroll of parchment documenting the precise location of an ancient temple. Although Jones’ discovery, dubbed the "Temple of the Forbidden Eye" by the media, has set the archaeological community abuzz, his funding has run out. To raise money so the excavation can continue, Sallah has begun conducting guided tours. Good fortune has come to many of the tourists who survive, but others have not returned. Promising to find the missing tourists, Jones ventured inside the temple approximately one week ago, and has not yet reappeared.

The attractions theming and intricate attention to detail are truly unmatched and it features one of the best queues in any Disney park. The attraction’s immersive and carefully detailed queue leads guests through dimly lit temple chambers and eerie passageways containing booby-trapped sections reminiscent of the Indiana Jones movies. Throughout the temple, petroglyphs in "Marabic" warn visitors of the rewards and perils that can be found further within. The ride itself continues with this immersive theming. It may seem hard to believe, but the ride path for Indiana Jones is identical to that of Dinosaur at Animal Kingdom. The difference is that, whereas Dinosaur is very dark throughout much of the ride, Indiana Jones features far more detailed show scenes and is designed on a much grander scale. Nowhere is this more evident than with the overlook scene in which the transport emerges from a passage and teeters on the edge of a vast pit of lava. From here, another transport is seen attempting to cross a rickety rope bridge. On the far side of the cavern there is a 45-foot-tall stone face, the left half of which has eroded in such a way that it resembles a skull, with lava occasionally pouring out of its mouth into the pool below. Its left eye contains a swirling flame, and periodically shoots green rays at both transports, causing flames to erupt from where the beam hits. With this scene and many others it is clear that Indiana Jones makes tremendous use of special effects, featuring everything from fire and smoke to lasers and various other lighting effects.

On top of all this tremendous theming and detail is one of Disney’s most unique ride systems. Guests board an Enhanced Motion Vehicle (EMV) intended to appear as a battered military troop transport. Each transport is a motion simulator which travels at a speed of only fourteen miles per hour on a guiderail track. The car’s body is attached by three hydraulic rams to the frame of the chassis, which allows the shell to articulate independently. A Guest's physically intense experience is programmed to achieve the illusion of greater speed and mechanical failure using the EMV's ability to add several feet of lift then rapidly descend, shudder and tremble, and intensify cornering with banks and twists. Combining thrills with theming, the Indiana Jones Adventure would be an incredible attraction even if it did not feature Indiana Jones. But, when you add memorable characters along with John Williams’s moving musical score, you have the absolute recipe for success. The Indiana Jones Adventure has everything you want in an attraction, it is a truly unforgettable experience from the moment you set foot in the queue until you exit. Every aspect of the attraction is top notch in terms of theming, detail, story, and technology and it is for all these reasons that the Indiana Jones Adventure is the #1 attraction on the top fifty countdown.

Numbers 6-4

#6: Dinosaur, Animal Kingdom

This next attraction utilizes one of Disney’s most technologically advanced ride systems, features some of the largest Audio Animatronic figures, and completely immerses Guests into a prehistoric environment. When the attraction first opened on April 22, 1998 it was originally known as Countdown to Extinction. However, the name was later changed to Dinosaur to promote the Disney film of the same name. The attraction has never contained any explicit references to the film and has a completely original storyline. However, the two dinosaurs most prominently featured in the ride have always been an Iguanadon and Carnotaurus, which were both also featured in the film. The result is an attraction can be appreciated by those who are familiar with the movie as well as by those who are not.

Dinosaur’s vehicles, referred to as Time Rovers, are a ride system known as an EMV (Enhanced Motion Vehicle). The EMV is like a next generation motion simulator, where the ride vehicle travels through a show building instead of enclosing occupants in a moving theater room. The EMV itself is a technological marvel. Each vehicle features three hydraulic actuators attached to the frame of the chassis which allow the body shell (where the Guests are seated) to articulate independently and rapidly. The ride’s physically intense experience is programmed to achieve the illusion of greater speed and even mechanical failure using the EMV’s ability to add several feet of lift then rapidly descend, shudder and tremble, and intensify cornering. All the while, the actual chassis of the vehicle is travelling along the ride path at top speeds of less than fourteen miles per hour. All this help to make the EMV one of Disney’s most unique and thrilling ride systems, and one which provides Guests with a truly unforgettable experience.

Dinosaur, however, is more than just a technologically-advanced thrill ride. In true Disney fashion, this attraction is a completely immersive experience. This begins as soon as Guests enter into the Dino Institute, with exhibits, fossils, and background narration by Bill Nye the Science Guy that all make Guests feel as though they are walking through a museum. Following the preshow, the look and feel of the institute change dramatically as Guests enter an underground research facility where they board their Time Rovers. Once the ride begins, Guests are transported back to the time of the dinosaurs and become completely immersed in a dense prehistoric jungle complete with numerous animatronic dinosaurs. It is unfortunate that much of the ride is so dark because there are many details that go unnoticed by Guests as they pass by. Helping add to the experience is a variety of other special effects, such as smoke, lasers, projections, and numerous other lighting effects. Not only are the animatronic dinosaurs throughout the ride massive in scale, but their movements are also extremely lifelike.

Dinosaur was essentially the only thrill attraction when Animal Kingdom opened in 1998. Combining getting chased by a Carnotaurus with a pending asteroid impact, sharp twists and turns, and parts of the ride that are essentially pitch black, Dinosaur is definitely an attraction that is not for the faint of heart. However, while its thrills are certainly a major draw, Dinosaur is such a successful attraction because it places all of these thrills into the context of a unique and original storyline and completely immersing Guests into that story with detailed and well-themed environments. While it may be overlooked by some Guests because of its out-of-the-way location at Animal Kingdom, there is no denying that Dinosaur is worthy of the #6 spot on the top fifty countdown.

#5: Star Tours, Disney’s Hollywood Studios

The relationship between Disney and George Lucas is one that stretches back well before Disney’s recent acquisition of Lucasfilm. The collaboration between Lucas and Walt Disney Imagineering began in the mid-1980s, working together on Captain EO with Lucas as executive producer. At the same time, Lucas and Disney Imagineers began exploring concepts based around flight simulator technology. The notion of taking the exotic locations featured in Star Wars and projecting them into a theater that could twist and turn in sync with scenes involving characters and action sequences from the films appealed to Lucas and soon the idea for Star Tours was born.

When the attraction opened at Disney’s Hollywood Studios it actually was not the first Star Tours, but the show was identical to the one that opened at Disneyland nearly three years earlier. Star Tours at Disneyland took the place of a longstanding attraction known as Adventures Through Inner Space, which had been a part of Tomorrowland since 1967. When Star Tours opened at Disneyland in January 1987 its final cost was $32 million, almost twice the cost of building the entire park in 1955. Meanwhile, Hollywood Studios was originally planned to be a working film studios with just a few theme park attractions. Even though not intended to be a full day theme park, management worried that the park’s capacity would not be high enough for the projected crowds. With the great success of Star Tours at Disneyland, the attraction was an obvious choice for the park. However, the attraction was added so late that it would not be completed in time for the parks May 1, 1989 opening. Thus, Star Tours made its grand opening at the park in December 1989. The attraction remained essentially the same until September 2010, when it closed for a lengthy refurbishment. When it reopened in May 2011, an already good attraction was taken to an entirely new level.

The advantage of Hollywood Studio’s version of Star Tour as opposed to Disneyland is its larger size and it utilizes this extra space to help more completely immerse Guests into the Star Wars universe. The theming outside the attraction is distinctly different from that inside. As Guests make their way through the exterior queue they are meant to feel as though they are on a movie set depicting the Forest Moon of Endor, complete with light-rigging, prop trees, and the façade of an AT-AT. As soon as Guests enter the building, however, they are transported into the middle of the Star Wars universe. Following the refurb, the entire interior queue was updated with the look and feel of a sleek, streamlined spaceport. Guests encounter an arrival and departure board displaying flights in the Aurebesh language, galactic weather, and advertisements for various Star Tours flights, they see C3PO and R2D2 working on a new StarSpeeder 1000, they make their way through the droid customs area, and encounter two security goose droids who interact with them as they wait in line; all of this happens before even getting onto the ride itself. This detail helps give Star Tours one of the most highly-themed queues in all of Disney World.

Once they board their flight, Guests now are able to experience a variety of different planets from across the Star Wars universe. Thanks to multiple, random ride scenarios, Guests never truly know what to expect from their Star Tours flight. In addition, making the ride 3-D only increases the level of immersion into the Star Wars world. Featuring some of the most iconic locations and characters from the movies, the new version of Star Tours just feels more like Star Wars than the original. This is also aided by moving the attraction up in the Star Wars timeline from the original (which took place following Episode VI) to the current version which is now set between Episodes III and IV. All of this helps to make Star Tours one of the most re-rideable attractions in Disney World. Combining thrills with arguably one of the most popular movie franchises of all time, Star Tours is a truly exciting and immersive experience and as such ranks #5 on the top fifty countdown.

#4: The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Disney’s Hollywood Studios

This next attraction is arguably one of the most recognizable of all Disney attractions. It is hard to believe, but the original Tower of Terror opened at Disney's Hollywood Studios almost twenty years ago in July 1994. Several years later, Disney began plans to add similar versions of the attraction at their other parks including California Adventure, Tokyo Disney Sea, and the Disney Studios in Paris. The California and Tokyo versions of Tower of Terror opened in 2004 and 2006 respectively, while financial problems caused the Paris version to be delayed until 2008.In addition to its iconic architecture and ominous appearance, the Tower of Terror buildings are among the tallest found at their respective Disney resorts. At 199 feet, the Florida version is the second tallest attraction at Disney World, shorter only than Expedition Everest's 199.5 feet. At the Disneyland Resort, the 183-foot structure is the tallest attraction at the resort as well as one of the tallest buildings in Anaheim.

When it opened in 1994, Tower of Terror was one of the most technologically advanced attractions ever created by Disney and even today remains a truly unique ride system. What also makes the Disney World version of the attraction special is that it is the only one to employ this particular ride system. The Tower of Terror at Hollywood Studios employs specialized technology developed specifically for Disney that gives it the ability to move vehicles in and out of the vertical motion shaft. The elevator cabs are self-propelled automated ride vehicles which lock into separate vertical motion cabs. This allows the cabs to move into and out of the elevators horizontally, through the "Fifth Dimension" scene, and then into the drop shaft. Adding to this element, and in order to achieve the weightless effect Imagineers desired, cables are attached to the bottom of the elevator car pull it down at a speed slightly faster than what a free-fall in gravity would provide. Two enormous motors are located at the top of the tower accelerate the cabs fifteen times the speed of normal elevators. In fact, they generate torque equal to that of 275 Corvette engines and reach top speeds in 1.5 seconds.

While technologically impressive, free-fall attractions have been done countless times at theme parks around the world. What makes Tower of Terror so special is that it puts its free-fall into the middle of a highly-themed story with countless intricate details that help to completely immerse Guests in a bygone era. Throughout the queue, 1930s jazz music can be heard hauntingly echoing through a serpentine pathway as Guests wind their way through the overgrown gardens of the hotel, past signs pointing to the stables, bowling green, tennis courts and swimming pools. Once inside the lobby, the Hollywood Tower Hotel appears frozen in time, everything in it draped in decades' worth of dust and decay. Next, Guests are ushered into a library where the Rod Serling provides the backstory about the hotel’s mysterious past. Following this, Guests move through the boiler room, past quietly humming boilers, furnaces and engines, and then await the service elevator's arrival. Everything about the Tower of Terror’s queue helps to set the stage for the actual attraction, making waiting in line just as much a part of the experience as the actual ride itself. The queue completely immerses Guests into the story and features an astounding number of the tiniest details that help give the attraction unmatched authenticity and realism.

Really, it is all this detail and theming that make Tower of Terror what it is. While the free-fall is certainly thrilling, it becomes even more eerie thanks to the attraction’s backstory. Throughout the entire experience, starting with the queue, there is a nagging sense of foreboding. Tower of Terror is truly Disney Imagineering at its very best, taking something that had been done countless times before (a free-fall attraction) and turning it into an experience that is truly unique. It is a testament to the attraction’s design is that it remains to this day (almost twenty years later) one of the most popular attractions in any Disney park. Combining theming with thrills, attention to detail with adrenaline, Tower of Terror is both a technological marvel as well as a truly immersive experience. For this reason, Tower of Terror finds itself at #4 on the top fifty countdown.

Numbers 10-7

#10: Radiator Springs Racers, Disney’s California Adventure

Cars Land was one of the most highly anticipated expansion projects at any Disney park in recent memory. Meant to be the centerpiece of a completely re-imagined California Adventure, Cars Land promised to be a highly immersive environment the likes of which had never been seen before. To say that Cars Land delivers on this promise is an understatement. This new area of California Adventure is one of the most breathtaking to be found in any Disney park with a level of detail and theming that completely immerses Guests into the world of Cars. While Cars might not be the most popular or acclaimed Pixar movie, one cannot help but be impressed by the massive scale and beauty of this land. From its shops and restaurants to its neon signs, every aspect of Cars Land is meant to transport you down Route 66 to the town of Radiator Springs. At the center of this new land is its headliner attraction: Radiator Springs Racers.

With a cost of over $200 million, Radiator Springs Racers is one of the most expensive attractions Disney has ever created. The ride system itself is nearly identical to Test Track, yet this attraction takes it to a whole new level. Radiator Springs Racers is designed on a scale that Test Track can’t match. From its beautifully detailed rockwork (complete with waterfalls and caverns) to its large animatronic cars, Radiator Springs Racers takes Test Track technology and puts it into a much more highly immersive story. In fact, it is more of a dark ride with a high-speed component rather than a thrill ride like Test Track. To appeal more to children of all ages (although it still has a height requirement), Radiator Springs Racers only reaches speeds of 40 mph as opposed to Test Track’s 65 mph. However, the side-by-side racing aspect adds a component that Test Track does not have.

The true success of this attraction lies in its intricate detail, which starts as soon as you set foot in the queue. Set amongst the rock formations of the Ornament Valley, the attraction provides stunning visuals both while walking throughout the queue and while on the ride. It is the type of attraction that has so many little details that no matter how many times you ride it you will always spot something new. While the exterior portions of the ride are visually striking, the interior continues to immerse Guests into the story by featuring some of the largest Audio Animatronic figures ever created by Disney. These animatronics help bring the world of Cars to life and help Guests relive some of their favorite moments from the movie.

Radiator Springs Racers took a ride system that was already very good and made it even better. The attraction is a showcase of Disney Imagineering at its best, combining a high level of detail that completely immerses Guests, memorable characters and storyline, and innovative technology. It comes as no surprise that Radiator Springs Racers is the most popular attraction at California Adventure. It is an attraction that has raised the bar when it comes to immersive storytelling while still providing thrills that can be enjoyed by almost the entire family. Therefore, Radiator Springs Racers is worthy of the #10 spot on the top fifty countdown.

#9: Spaceship Earth, Epcot

From one of Disney’s newest attractions to one with a far longer history. Spaceship Earth is without a doubt one of the most iconic of Disney attractions. One cannot think of Epcot without conjuring images of this massive structure, one of the largest freestanding geodesic spheres ever constructed. Spaceship Earth is truly an engineering marvel. It is interesting to note that Spaceship Earth is in fact two structural domes. The upper dome sits on a ring with trusses that form a table-like structure that separate it from the lower dome. Below this ring, a second dome is hung from the bottom to complete the spherical shape. 165 feet in diameter, 180 feet high, encompassing 2,200,000 cubic feet of space, weighing 15.5 million pounds, with an outside surface of 150,000 square feet covered by 11,324-silver facets on 954 triangular panels, Spaceship Earth is an awe-inspiring site.

While visually impressive, Epcot’s icon is more than just an architectural masterpiece. While its structural design captures the spirit of what Epcot was supposed to be all about, the attraction it houses likewise embodies Walt’s original vision of EPCOT. The Epcot that exists today draws its inspiration from Walt’s plan for an Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow. In Walt's own words: "EPCOT will take its cue from the new ideas and new technologies that are now emerging from the creative centers of American industry. It will be a community of tomorrow that will never be completed, but will always be introducing, and testing, and demonstrating new materials and new systems." Examining the evolution and progress of the human race, Spaceship Earth provides a look back in time but also forward into the future. Throughout the duration of the attraction Guests see how our past has shaped the present and how it is also helping to lead us into the future.

Helping to bring the whole of human history to life is one of the largest casts of Audio Animatronic figures ever assembled. Recreating scenes from the time of the cavemen through Ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome to the Renaissance and up to modern times, these animatronic figures are amazingly lifelike. These figures and scenes help to immerse Guests into history. Also brining this history to life is a powerful narration accompanied by a moving musical score. Over the years Spaceship Earth has featured several prominent narrators, beginning with Lawrence Dobkin and continuing with Walter Cronkite, Jeremy Irons, and currently Judi Dench. While it is difficult to match the power and intensity of the Irons version, Judi Dench’s narration is still poignant and features some memorable moments.

Spaceship Earth is one of the best examples of what can best be termed as “edutainment.” It is an attraction that combines education and entertainment together in a way that allows Guests to learn something but have fun while they are doing it. It is one of the few remaining Epcot attractions that hold true to the goals and intent of Future World specifically and Epcot in general. It is an attraction which at its heart is about moving forward, looking toward the future, and progress. Although it has had some changes over the years, these central themes have stayed the same. It is an attraction that Walt himself would have been very proud of. As such, Spaceship Earth comes in at #9 in the top fifty rankings.

#8: The Great Movie Ride, Disney’s Hollywood Studios

This next attraction is one very near and dear to my heart, one with a long history, and one which inspired an entire theme park. The Great Movie Ride was originally planned to be the main attraction in a movie-themed pavilion at Epcot, which would have been located between The Land and Imagination. This pavilion was to have featured, among other things, a restaurant themed after a drive-in movie theater as well as an attraction that would recreate some of the most classic movie scenes ever featured on screen which was to be called "Great Moments at the Movies." However, the new Disney CEO Michael Eisner and WDI president Marty Sklar decided that this idea was strong enough to not just be a single pavilion, but an entirely new theme park. Thus, the idea for the attraction was expanded and the Disney-MGM Studios went into development.

Sitting at the end of Hollywood Boulevard, the replica of Grauman’s Chinese Theater is the true icon of Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This replica is nearly identical to the original version in Hollywood. The intricate detail and craftsmanship of the building’s exterior provide a fitting home for the attraction. This theming is carried from the exterior courtyard, complete with a 1936 Cadillac and numerous celebrity handprints, into the building’s lobby featuring props from several memorable movies. Next, Guests enter into the preshow area where they are treated to trailers from some of the movies they are about to experience on the attraction before finally stepping onto the Hollywood soundstage and boarding their vehicles for their 22-minute tour into the movies.

The success of the Great Movie Ride can best be attributed to the attraction’s high degree of immersion. As the tour guide says at the very beginning of the ride, “The Great Movie Ride brings these movies to life and puts you right into the middle of the action.” Guests on the Great Movie Ride are not just passive observers, but rather active participants in the storyline; it is as if they are the “extras” in an actual Hollywood production. This is evident better than anywhere else with a feature that is unique amongst all Disney attractions, having the vehicle hijacked during the middle of the tour by either a gangster or bandit. In addition to the live-action component of the tour guide, gangster, and bandit, the movies throughout the ride are also brought to life by the attraction’s numerous Audio Animatronic figures, which present strikingly lifelike representations of some of Hollywood’s biggest stars such as James Cagney, Julie Andrews, and Humphrey Bogart.

What makes the Great Movie Ride so impressive is the massive scale of the attraction. Some of the show scenes are so immense that you cannot help but feel you are on an actual movie set. Interestingly enough, the entire attraction was first constructed in California and then shipped to Florida where it was pieced back together. The attraction’s success can also be attributed to a passionate group of Cast Members who help bring the attraction to life as the tour guides, gangsters, and bandits. While the movies throughout the attraction have not changed since the park opened in 1989, the Great Movie Ride still remains popular with Guests of all ages coming into the park today. In fact, the attraction plays an important role in helping to keep these classic movies alive for new generations. What truly makes the Great Movie Ride special is that nothing like it can be found in any other Disney park around the world. For these reasons, the Great Movie Ride finds itself at #8 on the top fifty countdown.

#7: Splash Mountain, Magic Kingdom

Song of the South might be a relatively unknown Disney film, but it serves as the basis for one of the most popular attractions found in Disney parks around the world. The idea for Splash Mountain was originally conceived by Imagineer Tony Baxter while stuck in rush hour traffic on his way to work. He wanted to attract Guests to the often-empty Bear Country and make use of the Audio-Animatronics from America Sings, which was also receiving poor attendance. Dick Nunis had insisted that Imagineering create a log flume for Disneyland, but the Imagineers were initially unenthusiastic about it and insisted that log flumes were too ordinary a ride to include in a park like Disneyland. While trying to solve the problems of including a log flume, bringing people into Bear Country, and reusing the America Sings characters, Baxter then thought of Song of the South and the concept of Splash Mountain was born.

Splash Mountain is probably best known for its thrills, in particular its 53-foot drop into the briar patch. When it opened in Disneyland in July 1989, its final cost of $75 million made it the most expensive attraction ever built by Disney up to that point. The attraction’s great success in Disneyland led to the creation of similar Splash Mountains at the Magic Kingdom and in Tokyo Disneyland in 1992. The real appeal of Splash Mountain, however, is not because of its big drop. In typical Disney fashion, Splash Mountain is so much more than a log flume attraction; it is more a dark ride with a thrill component, and one which completely immerses Guests into the storyline.

While many Guests who ride Splash Mountain may not even be familiar with Song of the South, the attraction very effectively sets up the main characters and plays out their story in a way that is very easy to follow. Each scene of the attraction is so detailed that Guests feel as though they are put right into the middle of the story. It is a level of detail that is usually reserved for traditional dark rides rather than major thrill rides. In fact, Splash Mountain probably has one of the best storylines of any Disney attraction. These stories of Song of the South are brought to life through numerous Audio Animatronic figures, beautifully designed show scenes, and (of course) upbeat, catchy music. With songs like "How Do You Do," "Everybody's Got a Laughin' Place," and "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah," Splash Mountain will have Guests humming and singing these tunes for the rest of the day.

Splash Mountain would be a fantastic attraction even if it did not have its big drop at the end, but this thrill component takes the ride to the next level. It is a perfect example of how Disney can take a ride system (a log flume) that has been used in countless other theme parks and make it something truly unique and immersive. This attraction is also proof that you do not necessarily need to have well-known characters or be themed after a popular movie in order to be successful. What makes Splash Mountain so special is its attention to detail that helps to completely immerse Guests in the storyline. Thus, Splash Mountain ranks #7 on the top fifty countdown.

Numbers 14-11

#14: Soarin' Over California, Disney’s California Adventure

Disney’s California Adventure has undergone many changes since it first opened on February 8, 2001 as the park has completely remade its image. Soarin’ Over California, however, has been one of the park’s mainstays and remains to this day one of its most popular attractions. Even as the park as a whole was seen as somewhat of a disappointment when it first opened, Soarin’ received tremendous praise for offering Guests such a unique ride experience. In fact, its great popularity led to the replication of the attraction in Epcot’s Land pavilion just four years later.

While California Adventure’s and Epcot’s versions of the attraction are exactly the same, the edge goes to California for fitting much better into the park’s overall theming. Condor Flats is themed around an airfield in tribute to California's golden age of aviation and the aeronautical achievements of the pilots and engineers from the 1940s to the mid-1960s. The attraction takes Guests over some of California’s most beautiful locales and iconic monuments and has always felt much more at home in California Adventure rather than being shoehorned into the existing Land pavilion at Epcot.

While the attraction provides stunning visuals, it is the technology of the ride system that makes the attraction so unique. Soarin' was first conceptualized in 1996 as "Ultra Flight,” which was to feature an IMAX screen with an inverted track. The attraction would have had three load levels and the system would operate on a horizontal cable, much like a dry cleaner's rack. This plan was abandoned, however, when it was determined that the construction and labor costs for that design would be far too high. Imagineering later developed a different idea for the ride vehicles and used (of all things) an Erector Set to create a working model. This design would allow Guests to be loaded more efficiently on one level instead of three, thus cutting construction and labor costs greatly.

To help complete the illusion of flying over California, Soarin’ is a complete sensory experience. Combining scents of pine and oranges along with wind effects and the subtle swaying of the carriages, Guests really feel as though they are flying. The screen itself is enormous and scenes were shot with an IMAX HD frame rate of 48 frames per second, twice the conventional output for regular films. With a ride duration of just under five minutes, Guests wish the experience could last longer because it is the likes of which cannot be found almost anywhere else. Combining a unique ride experience with impressive technology, Soarin’ is a testament to the creativity of Disney Imagineering and worthy of the #14 spot on the top fifty countdown.

#13: Test Track, Epcot

Replacing the beloved World of Motion at Epcot, this next attraction had big shoes to fill. Whereas World of Motion was a whimsical look at the history and achievements in transportation, showing scenes from the invention of the wheel right up to the present day, Test Track would be higher on thrills and provide Guests with a completely different ride experience. Even though its opening was delayed more than two years, Test Track opened to much fanfare on March 17, 1999 (over three years after the closure of World of Motion).

Although one of Epcot’s most popular attractions, Test Track underwent a lengthy refurbishment from April through December 2012 to update and upgrade the experience. While the ride system itself remained the same, the whole premise and theming of the attraction was changed. The result was an attraction that looks and feels completely new, while still providing Guests the same thrilling experience. One of the criticisms of the original Test Track was its theme of being put through a series of automotive tests never jived well with the overall theming of Future World. The new Test Track, on the other hand, has a much more futuristic look and feel while its new theming that focuses on the design aspect of the automotive process makes for a much more relevant and timeless experience.

One of the biggest improvements of the new version of Test Track is the addition of the design studio. This new interactive element adds a lot to the attraction by giving Guests the opportunity to create their own custom car design. What’s more, Guests can see how their creations perform throughout the entire course of the ride and then have more fun with their designs in the post-show area. This new element really helps add to the re-rideability of the attraction. Guests can now return time and time again and create completely different designs; not only does this allow them to see if they can improve upon the scores of their previous designs, but they can continually compete with other members of their family to see who can score higher.

One of the criticisms of the new version of Test Track is that it removed many of the tangible set pieces and replaced them with projections. I would counter this criticism by saying that it is all part of the more futuristic theming of the pavilion. The original Test Track was meant to make Guests feel as though they were at an actual test facility, while the new Test Track makes them feel as though they are inside of a computer testing out different designs before the cars are actually built (with the track even being referenced as the “sim track”). Overall, Test Track today now feels much more in line with the original spirit of Epcot, looking forward at the future rather than the present. The attraction continues to provide thrills while the new interactive design elements add even more to the experience. Thus, Test Track ranks #13 in the top fifty countdown.

#12: Toy Story Midway Mania, Disney’s California Adventure

While Toy Story Midway Mania may be the signature attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, with wait times usually anywhere between one and two hours in length, the version of the attraction at California Adventure holds the advantage solely based on its location and theming. Toy Story Mania at California Adventure was an early part of the park’s image-changing refurbishment, opening in June 2008 (less than a month after the attraction opened at Hollywood Studios). The attraction has since been a little overshadowed by other new attractions and the opening of Carsland and Buena Vista Street. Despite this, Toy Story Mania remains one of the park’s more popular attractions and great fun for Guests of all ages.

Paradise Pier at California Adventure is based on that of Victorian boardwalks that were once found along the coast of California in the mid-1920’s. As such, the midway-style games of Toy Story Mania are a perfect fit. While the Hollywood Studio’s theming of Pixar Place, with the toys taking over a replica of the Pixar studios, is very clever and well-done, the attraction just feels like a much better fit on Paradise Pier. In addition, moving Mr. Potato head from inside the queue at Hollywood Studios to a more prominent position near the attraction entrance at California Adventure helps to better draw-in Guests and more immerse them in the theming.

The ride itself is actually one of the more technologically advanced ride systems ever developed by Disney Imagineering and cost an estimated $80 million to design and build. What is most significant about the ride, however, is that it took interactivity to an entirely new level. While Disney had already developed a similar attraction in Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, Toy Story Mania would take this to the next level by not only making it 3-D but also giving Guests more control over what happens throughout the ride. The genius of Toy Story Mania is that Guests really never get the same ride experience twice. Depending on what targets are hit, the order in which they are hit, or how quickly they are hit, Guests are able to trigger different effects and experiences throughout the ride. While Guests compete against the people they are riding with, some of the games also rely upon working together as a team to help trigger different “bonus” effects.

As a result of its interactivity, Toy Story Mania is the type of attraction that can be ridden over and over again without it getting old. Added to this is the competition aspect, which really gets Guests wanting to come back to see if they can improve upon previous scores. When you combine the actual ride experience with great theming and memorable characters from one of the most popular Pixar movies, what you have is a definite recipe for success. As a result, Toy Story Mania comes in at #12 in the top fifty rankings.

#11: Kilimanjaro Safaris, Animal Kingdom

This next attraction is one of the most ambitious projects ever undertaken by Disney Imagineers. This is not necessarily due to the technical components of the ride, but rather because of the scale of what was being undertaken. In addition, the inclusion of live animals adds a component not present in any other Disney attraction. Kilimanjaro Safaris is the headliner attraction at Animal Kingdom. Nearly every Guest who sets foot into the park experiences this attraction; it really is what the park is all about. While the attraction has undergone some tweaks and changes over the years, the overall ride experience has remained the same and it continues to provide Guests with some of the most amazing scenes and moments found in any park.

At over 800 square miles, Kilimanjaro Safaris is the largest attraction ever built in a Disney park. In fact, the entire Magic Kingdom could fit inside the attraction’s borders. The attraction so effectively immerses Guests into its surrounding that it is easy to forget that you are in the middle of Florida at a theme park. Throughout its stunning visual landscapes, the safari is home to a wide variety of animals. Ranging from the well-known giraffe, elephant, and rhino to less common animals such as okapi, bontebok, and addax, with all the animals seen on this attraction it is probably the closest thing to actually going on a safari in Africa.

Along with seeing a plethora of animals, the attraction also has an important educational component as well. At the core of Animal Kingdom’s overall theming lay the ideals of conservation and living in harmony with nature. Kilimanjaro Safaris addresses the conservation message throughout the attraction. Even though the storyline has changed drastically since the attraction first opened, loosing Big Red, Warden Wilson, and the poachers, there is still a strong message of conservation and protecting the wild animals and their habitats found throughout the ride (even though it may not be as overt as before); it is an attraction that is able to both educate and entertain Guests simultaneously.

Kilimanjaro Safaris is another attraction on which Guests never have quite the same experience twice. There might be times that many of the animals are resting or hiding in the shade while other times they could be walking right up to the safari trucks and blocking the middle of the path. This component of having live animals in their natural habitats gives Kilimanjaro Safaris the type of realism and authenticity that cannot be found anywhere else. It is truly one of the most immersive and unique attractions in any Disney park. As such, Kilimanjaro Safaris ranks #11 in the top fifty countdown.