What Are the Most Romantic Disney Rides?
In August 2002, a woman from Normal – that’s a real place, I swear — gave up any semblance of normalcy when she agreed to move to Tennessee and live with me.
As we celebrate 22 years together, now seems like the perfect time to discuss our favorite shared interest: Disney.
Flowers – Partners Statue – Magic Kingdom
So, because I’m a rom-com enthusiast, let’s be a bit thematic today.
Here are the most romantic rides at Disney’s theme parks.
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
Photo: Also Disney
I’ve tried to write this somewhat as a conventional wisdom article, but some of these choices will be based on my experiences.
I’ve prioritized attractions where I know my wife either wants to hold my hand or crush me like a bug during the experience.
Photo: Disney
Even after our relationship is many years old, competition remains integral.
So, when I think about Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, I picture my wife’s intense face while she concentrates on the targets – just before I spin the cart around to annoy her.
Photo credit:buzz-lightyear-rides.wikia.com
Sadly, that kind of dad-joke flirting is right in my wheelhouse.
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
(Matt Stroshane/Disney Parks)
Then we have the Disney take on relationships, the attraction starring their power couple, Mickey and Minnie.
What could be better than joining them on a picnic/double date?
(Kent Phillips, photographer)
Sure, the experience goes horribly, horribly wrong at times, and you’ll be lucky to survive it, but it’s a delight from start to finish.
Plus, you get to do a little bit of ballroom dancing in the middle of it.
What other Disney ride can say that?
Na’Vi River Journey
Photo: Disney
I often discuss the darker undertones of this attraction, which I consider the ultimate Lord of the Jungle experience.
Those howling predators aren’t your friends. They want you for dinner, and not in a romantic way.
Photo: D23
Still, the attraction is unexpectedly intimate since it’s the two of you on a dark boat ride.
Generations ago, carnival fans called that the Tunnel of Love
Soarin’ Around the World
One of the things I did when planning this list was ask my wife which attractions made her want to hold me tight.
Without hesitation, she answered Soarin’, which aligns with many of my favorite ride memories.
Soarin’
We’ll clutch each other’s hands as we fly over mountains and waterfalls.
Plus, we feel like we’re on international vacation as we explore the different landmarks from foreign lands.
Photo: WDW Magazine
All things considered, this is a cheap vacation speed run.
Who needs three-day weekends when you can do Soarin’ in five minutes?
Spaceship Earth
When was the last time you were on a first or second date?
If the experience has been a while, you might have forgotten.
Spaceship Earth
However, if it’s been recent, you know all too well that many of these experiences involve a seemingly endless series of questions about the future.
There’s a good reason why speed dating is a thing.
Spaceship Earth in EPCOT
Some people want to know immediately whether a relationship has any deal breakers.
While the first half of Spaceship Earth tells the story of the history of civilization, the back half feels like a meeting with a wedding planner.
Spaceship Earth closed for refurbishment
You must answer so many questions about the future in a matter of minutes, even though you’re in no way prepared.
Do you know that “push the button” meme?
Spaceship Earth
That’s Spaceship Earth. Any wrong answer could end the date immediately.
Especially if your partner is already checking their phone.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
Photo: Disney Parks Blog
I’m lost in admiration for the character of Tiana, one of Disney’s finest creations.
Here is this strong, independent woman in the 1920s who believes in herself, goes out to experience adventure, and establishes herself as an entrepreneur.
(Olga Thompson, Photographer)
Tiana embodies the self-starter nature of Disney heroines, and she just happens to be a master chef, too.
Still, at the end of the day, once she has planned a feast for what seems like the entire New Orleans metropolitan area, she still finds time to dance with Prince Naveen at the end.
(Olga Thompson, Photographer)
Tiana doesn’t need a partner, but she’s enough of a romantic to appreciate it when her frog turns into a prince.
Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover
Photo: Disney
Here’s the other answer my wife provided immediately, although I was totally going to say it if she didn’t.
We both have bad backs, the kind that require tons of IcyHot each week.
PeopleMover
So, walking around Magic Kingdom can get to us after a while.
That’s why we love the respite offered by the PeopleMover.
Photo: Disney
Even if we didn’t need the break, we’d still love the attraction for the Tunnel of Love qualities mentioned above.
On the PeopleMover, you go through several dark stretches, plus you get to talk about all the majestic sights and sounds of Tomorrowland.
Of course, the real romance of this attraction occurs at night, as Tomorrowland and Cinderella Castle illuminate the darkness.
It’s especially magical during the fireworks.
I realize this is only a few minutes out of each day, but it’s an unforgettable experience.
Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid
Photo: Disney
Look, some of these aren’t complicated.
You’ve seen the movie, and you know that scene? Kiss the Girl? That’s pretty romantic.
Disney Parks
This is one of Disney’s most romantic movies ever, so the dark ride based on it will obviously be romantic as well.
Plus, if you like a little violence with your love story, Ursula suffers before the couple gets their happily ever after.
Rapunzel’s Lantern Festival
Photo:seoclerk.com
Fun fact: I started writing this article several weeks ago, as it was intended to be a wedding anniversary article.
Our anniversary was in mid-May, so you can imagine what my summer has been like.
Photo: Disney
In the interim, a phenomenon has unfolded at Tokyo Disney Resort.
The new Fantasy Springs area has unintentionally created a viral phenomenon.
It happened for an obvious reason, though. Remember the floating lights scene from Tangled?
Disney has faithfully recreated that for the attraction. Some enterprising romantics have identified an opportunity.
In case you haven’t heard, people are proposing on this ride all the time.
It’s a daily occurrence, bordering on an HOURLY occurrence.
I originally had no intention of including international attractions on this list.
Still, I’m not going to ignore an event of this scale, one that will likely be recreated in the United States if and/or when Disney builds a version of the attraction here.
Photo: Disney
There’s nothing more romantic than asking someone to go on a lifetime journey with you.
Nothing else here can compete with that, so for now, Rapunzel’s Lantern Festival has earned the title of Most Romantic Disney Ride.
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