Which Disney Attractions Are Dealbreakers for You?
Walt Disney World theme parks will reopen soon! On this momentous occasion, Disney will bring happiness and joy back to the world.
However, park officials must make a few concessions due to the pandemic. Some attractions won’t return immediately, and this aspect makes me wonder.
Which Disney attractions are dealbreakers for you? Well, everyone has their own list, but here is mine at Walt Disney World.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
I’ve previously mentioned that whenever I reach the pinnacle of this roller coaster, I exclaim, “Tony Baxter is a genius!”
Each time I’m on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, I feel like I’m experiencing some of the best Disney theming. Every detail is perfect.
Plus, the entire coaster experience is exhilarating.
Expedition Everest
What did I just say? Everyone has a favorite Disney roller coaster. As much as I love Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Expedition Everest is mine.
Image Credit: Disney
Imagineers really went for it in designing this entire coaster. It starts with the patient ascent into the mountains.
Then, the visual of the broken tracks ahead terrifies guests. While our hearts are beating, the cart suddenly lurches backward and, well, you know.
Expedition Everest proves that Disney can build thrill rides just as well as anybody else on the planet…and with exceptional theming, too.
Haunted Mansion
I’ve been at the parks on days when Haunted Mansion wasn’t running. And it made me feel empty inside.
To me, the Doom Buggy is synonymous with a Magic Kingdom visit. I don’t want to go into the park unless I’m visiting 999 Happy Haunts.
So, this one might be the purest dealbreaker on the list for me.
Jungle Cruise
I know the jokes are corny. Even stranger, I hate puns.
Seriously, one of my friends fills up his social media timeline with puns, which makes me want to pull my hair out.
Still, for some reason, I cannot skip any opportunity to take a ride on Jungle Cruise. It’s the one attraction that reminds me most of childhood Disney trips.
I suspect that’s the commonality here for many of us. The rides we consider dealbreakers are the ones we’ve loved since we were kids.
Kilimanjaro Safaris
I firmly believe that Kilimanjaro Safaris embodies the spirit and ambition of Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
This attraction takes guests on a ride through several habitats, where the locals may or may not show interest in humans.
(David Roark, photographer)
The animals here are the residents, and we’re the guests in their home. I simply cannot imagine an Animal Kingdom visit that doesn’t include Kilimanjaro Safaris.
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
The newest Disney attraction makes this list because I need it. This ride is the one that I haven’t experienced yet.
Well, technically, there are two, and they both make the list.
After all, the appeal of Disney is its plussing process. The parks are constantly changing and evolving.
As guests, we want to enjoy everything that Imagineers have to offer. The Runaway Railway is the latest and greatest of Disney rides.
If my next park visit doesn’t include this attraction, I’ll be heartbroken.
Pirates of the Caribbean
I love the classics. However, I don’t have to do all of them on each trip. For example, I haven’t listed It’s a Small World or Space Mountain here.
I’d miss the attractions if I didn’t ride them, but I’ve spent several days at the parks where I didn’t board either one.
Pirates of the Caribbean is different.
This attraction was the final one that Walt Disney worked on. It matters from a historical perspective, and it matters from the fan’s point-of-view, too.
I feel like I’m witnessing Disney as Uncle Walt desired when I get on the boat and ride through the various sets. And that triggers my sentimentality.
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
I received a social media notification the other day. It was the anniversary of something from 2014.
Yes, six years ago, my wife and I caught one of the best breaks in our lives. We were walking by Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.
At the time, the attraction hadn’t opened yet. We knew when we booked the trip that it wouldn’t debut until our trip had ended, either.
Well, fate treated us kindly on this day. On just the second day of testing, we passed Seven Dwarfs Mine Train right as they allowed guests into the line.
Less than five minutes later, we were riding this roller coaster for the first time. Ever since then, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train had held a special place in our hearts.
In fact, during my last full day at Magic Kingdom earlier this year, I had a similarly uplifting experience. This ride has become my lucky charm.
Soarin’
When I want to be reminded of the best of Imagineering, I jump on Soarin’.
This ride represents the genius of Disney employees. Someone once stared at a childhood toy and suddenly found inspiration for a theme park attraction.
Thanks to this epiphany, I can ride through the sky and feel like I’m doing something between hand gliding and flying.
The sights and smells of Soarin’ trigger my escapism more than anything else at Disney. I’m free when I’m onboard this attraction, and I treasure that sensation.
Spaceship Earth
EPCOT wouldn’t feel the same for me unless I rode the attraction that I love the most.
I’m lucky that my wife is so tolerant, as she knows we’re going to ride Spaceship Earth at least twice during an EPCOT visit.
Each time I go – and that number is probably in the hundreds – I unfailingly notice something new and remarkable.
I’ve also done that “What Are You Most Interested In?” game so much that I think I’ve seen all possible videos.
Spaceship Earth is my one true Disney ride.
Photo Credit: BuffaloSmash.net
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
This attraction is the other one that I’ve yet to ride. Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance was actually open the last time I was there.
However, the lines were comically long. In fact, we did a VIP Tour on one of the days. Even with that approach, Rise of the Resistance wasn’t an option.
(Matt Stroshane, photographer)
Our tour guide indicated that he thought it would be several months before the ride became eligible for the tour.
The demand for this attraction is outrageously high. Disney had to create an entirely new virtual queuing system to handle the customers’ desire to ride.
Simply stated, Rise of the Resistance is the most technologically advanced Disney attraction ever. And I desperately want to ride it!
Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover
Finally, there’s the ride that many people treat as a vacation from walking.
To some of us, the PeopleMover exemplifies Walt Disney’s vision for a better tomorrow. The founder understood that car traffic came with undesired aspects.
So, Uncle Walt took it on himself to find an alternative. And that’s the PeopleMover.
Also, the Magic Kingdom version of the attraction houses part of the original Progress City model. Yes, this attraction celebrates two parts of Disney’s brilliance at once!
Plus, riding on the PeopleMover is always so relaxing. It’s a moving stress reliever. And when you’re lucky, you might even catch the fireworks during your ride!
