Give These Attractions a Second Chance!

After visiting Disney theme parks for a while, habits form.

Gradually, we grow set in our ways, prioritizing our favorite attractions over everything else.

But we also live in an era of snap judgments. Sometimes, a person tries something once, acts non-plussed, and never does it again.

Due to these two contributing factors, some attractions slip through the cracks.

You should give these attractions a second chance, though.

Astro Orbiter

In 1974, Magic Kingdom unveiled a different kind of spinner attraction.

This one, Star Jets, spun people around in a looping circle, but it was different from typical carousels.

All the spinning occurred more than 100 feet in the air, as you can see in this video:

The space shuttle look was a nice touch back in the day, but Disney modernized the ride in 1994.

Since that was still 30 years ago, you may not have given Astro Orbiter much of a chance lately.

That’s unfortunate because this is legitimately one of Disney’s best nighttime attractions.

In fact, the entire Tomorrowland skyline once relied on the splendor of Astro Orbiter’s lighting. Just look how gorgeous this is!

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

I’ve listed a couple of attractions here because they’re about to change soon.

As you’ve surely heard by now, we’ll soon find out What Lies Beyond Big Thunder.

One of those experiences will be a themed land based on Disney Villains. Alas, the timeline here suggests an opening of 2029.

Park officials have accounted for this by announcing a new Disney Villains show at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

That’s the short-term solution while Disney performs construction in the area behind Big Thunder Mountain.

During that construction, Disney will likely reclaim some of the land currently used as theming for this roller coaster.

So, I’d strongly encourage you to ride Big Thunder Mountain Railroad now before it changes.

With the introduction of several other Disney roller coasters, this one has declined a bit in popularity, but it’s still the gold standard!

Disney is unlikely to change the coaster tracks much, but the hills surrounding the ride probably look much different in five years.

DINOSAUR

All the other attractions deserve a second chance. With DINOSAUR, you’re approaching your last chance!

Disney begins construction on the Tropical Americas soon. When that happens, the DINOSAUR deathwatch begins.

Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro indicated that DinoLand USA will close in phases.

So, you’ve still got some time to ride one of Walt Disney World’s truly underrated attractions.

Otherwise, you’ll never hear, “WE’RE NOT GOING TO MAKE IT!” again, which would be tragic.

The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

Sometimes, Disney creates a ride experience that perfectly encapsulates a story.

However, when the story is so innocent and pure, adults grow a bit jaded toward it.

That’s my perception of The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, one of Disney’s most realistic themed rides.

You literally enter the book of Winnie the Pooh and live out the adventures of the residents of Hundred-Acre Wood.

This dark ride admittedly skews very young, but if you’re still young at heart, you should give it another shot.

You’ll notice a meticulously detailed representation of the works of A.A. Milne. Plus, it’s just plain fun!

Mission: SPACE

I’ll admit to having mixed emotions about this one myself.

Twenty years ago, Disney officials grew overly ambitious in their marketing of Mission: SPACE.

At the time, EPCOT really needed a hit after a couple of brutal mistakes leading up to the millennial celebration.

So, management excitedly hyped the ultra-realistic outer space simulator.

Disney had cause for excitement, as NASA employees and former astronauts, people who had been to outer space, liaised on the ride.

Alas, Disney overdid it, which led to a few infamous incidents during the attraction’s early days.

Park officials split the ride into its Orange and Green versions, giving guests a choice about the authenticity of the experience.

Really, the only difference between the two versions was whether the hidden centrifuge was active, though.

Finally, in 2017, Disney created unique stories for Green vs. Orange.

The Green version transports guests into Earth’s orbit, where you look down on the planet from a perspective few have ever seen.

The Orange version takes you on the first exploratory mission to Mars.

Disney has plussed both to make them better than they were a few years ago.

To a larger point, Mission: SPACE has gotten lost in the shuffle a bit during EPCOT’s expansion.

You’ll get plenty of bang for your buck riding this one, which makes it worthwhile.

Na’vi River Journey

I mean, what else are you going to do at Disney’s Animal Kingdom?

Once DinoLand USA closes, the park will be operating at half-mast for a while.

In 2025 and 2026, Disney will only operate five true rides at this park.

I’m confident you’ll stand in line for Avatar Flight of Passage, Expedition Everest, and Kilimanjaro Safaris.

That leaves Kali River Rapids and Na’vi River Journey as the ones you’ll view as a judgment call during your visit.

Since Kali River Rapids likely depends on the weather, you’ll make up your own mind there.

With Na’vi River Journey, you may have prematurely decided that this is the lesser attraction at Pandora – The World of Avatar.

I politely disagree, as I consider it one of Disney’s most atmospheric attractions.

You’d do well to take another boat ride through the dark forests of Pandora.

Keep your head on a swivel to admire the artistry and realism of the various set pieces. They bring an alien world to life.

Star Tours – The Adventurers Continue

This isn’t the attraction you remember from a few years ago.

When Disney revamped the original Star Tours, Imagineers really thought of everything.

These brilliant minds future-proofed the attraction by adding randomization.

Nowadays, a Star Tours ride isn’t time-locked in the days of Princess Leia or Anakin Skywalker.

You never know who you might meet during your travels, as even Baby Yoda is known to make an appearance.

Similarly, Disney has added new locations based on stories in Ahsoka, Andor, and The Mandalorian.

So, parts of Star Tours are entirely new, and due to the randomness, each ride is entirely different!

You should give Star Tours a second, third, and fourth chance because they’ll all be different!

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Feature Photo: Disney