Which Pixar Ride Is the Best?

We just learned that construction will begin soon on the Coco ride at Disney California Adventure.

Once again, Disney will give Pixar fans what we want by creating a new ride themed to a beloved story.

Of course, this isn’t the first Pixar ride nor will it be the last. But it does raise a question. Which Pixar ride is the best?

Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue

Okay, I’ll start by being a spoil sport. There are a LOT of Pixar rides already.

So, I’ve arbitrarily dismissed any international ride without an American park process.

Then, I culled the list to dismiss the rides that I didn’t deem competitive. Tough luck to the following attractions:

• Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind
• Jessie’s Critter Carousel
• Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters
• Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree

That leaves us with ten rides, all of which capture the spirit of Pixar storytelling.

The Mike & Sulley ride recreates familiar elements of Monsters, Inc., and you can’t help but smile when you see Boo pounding on Randall, the villain.

 

This ride is actually the reason why I wrote this list today. I find it charming and wanted it here.

Since Disney just announced that the ride will close as part of the DisneylandForward expansion, I had to act fast!

Alien Swirling Saucers

I decided to pick one of Alien Swirling Saucers or Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree because both employ the same ride mechanics.

You spin in a circle until your section detaches and then starts spinning in another circle.

While the complexity of this ride is higher than you’d think, it’s still just a fun, silly way to pass some time.

I happen to love it, and I prefer Alien Swirling Saucers since it’s covered.

Pixar Pal-A-Round

I won’t bore you with a detailed explanation about the differences between a Ferris wheel and an eccentric wheel.

Let’s just say that the Pixar Pal-A-Round falls into the latter category, but nobody cares. It’s a big spinny thing in the sky.

To you and me, that’s a glorified Ferris wheel providing an inimitable view of Disneyland Resort.

This ride isn’t fancy, yet no visit to Disney California Adventure could possibly feel complete without it.

Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin

Honestly, I probably would have slotted this one a bit higher if not for the fact that it’s closing soon.

That’s Disney’s way of telling you that Space Ranger Spin needs improvement, which makes it difficult to rank high.

Still, this ride and its twin, Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters, have provided Disney fans with tons of fun over the years.

Hopefully, the new version extends the lifespan of Space Ranger Spin for several more decades.

The Seas with Nemo & Friends

One of the recurring themes with this list is that most Pixar rides just make me happy. I presume you feel the same way.

The Seas with Nemo & Friends merrily hit the high points of the story of Finding Nemo, even including Bruce the Shark and the East Australian Current.

The unique clamshell design of the ride cart sets the mood, making kids believe that they’re about to voyage under the sea.

While other attractions on today’s list are objectively great, I’m not sure any of them capture the spirit of Pixar as much as this ride.

The Incredicoaster

Here’s a ranking that left me conflicted.

California Screamin’ was already a spectacular roller coaster. Then, Imagineers plussed it by adding some Pixar magic.

The end result is the Incredicoaster, which I describe as California Screamin’ with the Parr family.

Really, that’s exactly what it is, as Disney didn’t touch much of the track. They simply added themed elements inside the tunnels and along the sides.

So, now you truly believe that you are trying to chase down the world’s most OP superhero baby, Jack-Jack Parr.

Plus, you get bonus Edna Mode along the way! I’m all about this ride, but it may be the least Pixar thing on this list.

Disney just took an existing ride and gave it a permanent overlay.

Toy Story Mania!

If I were only voting based on my preferences, this one might win.

I’m someone who considers the lost years of Disney’s Hollywood Studios its glory days.

About ten years ago, this park was empty all the time. While the attendance numbers show that ten million people were visiting, you’d never know it by the crowds.

Around 3 p.m., the entire park would empty out save for the folks hanging around for Fantasmic!

 

During those days, one and only one attraction required a lengthy wait. It was Toy Story Mania!, easily the park’s most popular ride.

Nowadays, Toy Story Mania! isn’t even in the conversation for the top five, yet it remains the most euphoric of gamified Disney rides.

I love watching people in the surrounding carts focus and absolutely hammer their triggers to “win” at this carnival arcade game.

Toy Story Mania! is one of the most straightforward yet brilliant rides in Imagineering history.

I just wish I got the top score in my ride cart more often. It’s always some showoff I don’t know sitting behind me.

Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure

In 2014, Disneyland Paris introduced this ride, and it may have saved an entire theme park.

At the time, Walt Disney Studios Park wasn’t doing well, which remains true to this day.

In fact, Disney is currently re-theming this entire park into Disney Adventure World.

Still, one trackless ride has sustained it for more than a decade now. Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure proved so popular that Americans begged for it.

Seriously, for a period of several years, the two rides fans begged for the most were this one and Tron Lightcycle Power Run.

You’ll find both at Walt Disney World now, with Ratatouille providing an exceptional recreation of the film’s central conceit.

You’ll shrink down to the size of a rat to better understand what Remy went through during his culinary adventures. It’s pure joy.

Slinky Dog Dash

Ultimately, the top two Pixar rides are the ones that are most popular with guests.

At Walt Disney World, that attraction is objectively Slinky Dog Dash, which often requires a 90-minute wait.

Fans line up to experience the exhilarating sensations of a slinky. That’s what this entire roller coaster is: one giant slinky.

You’ll never understand the laws of physics better than when you’re bunny-hopping your way through Slinky Dog Dash.

Disney won’t ever let you forget that it’s a Pixar ride, either. You’ll hear You Got a Friend in Me when you finish this ride and probably while standing in line, too.

Radiator Springs Racers

Come on, you knew what I had to pick.

Earlier, I mentioned how Ratatouille saved a Parisian theme park. Radiator Springs Racers did the same at Disney California Adventure.

This glorious thrill ride thrusts guests into the world of Radiator Springs, where friendly anthropomorphic cars welcome you.

You’ll get the full Lightning McQueen experience as you meet the colorful locals and then eventually compete in a thrilling race to the finish line.

This ride has remained the most popular thing at DCA for 13 years (!) and counting.

While all these Pixar rides will delight you, Radiator Springs Racers is currently the gold standard.

Will Coco change that? You’ll find out next year!

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Feature Photo: Disney