Ranking Disney’s New Attractions in the 2020s

We’re on the precipice of a year of dramatic turnover at Disney theme parks, especially Walt Disney World.

Several new and returning experiences will debut later this year.

So, this seems like an ideal time to look back at what Disney has accomplished so far this decade.

Today, we’re ranking Disney’s newest attractions of the 2020s.

Journey of Water | Inspired by Moana

Only Disney could create an attraction like Journey of Water | Inspired by Moana.

It’s an interactive water attraction that delights children of all ages.

Do you remember how your parents told you not to splash around with water as a kid?

Well, Disney says, “Forget that! Splash around as much as you want!!!”

Still, as far as attractions go, this one doesn’t have much repeat value.

Ask anyone who went to EPCOT four or five times last year whether they explored Journey of Water more than once.

The Little Mermaid – A Musical Adventure

The Little Mermaid is my favorite Disney Renaissance animated movie, which puts me squarely in the target audience for this attraction.

So, I swear to you that I’m not insulting The Little Mermaid by ranking it 10th out of 11.

If anything, I’m underscoring how many dynamic theme park changes Disney has introduced over the past five years.

Oh, and by the way, Imagineers did all this while dealing with a global pandemic.

Disney is AMAZING.

This show uses some of the same elements from the first version at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, while adding new mechanics and special effects.

This is a family-friendly experience with some show-stopping musical performances.

Disney Villains: Unfairly Ever After

The way this list has worked out, I could have split it in two, ranking Disney’s newest shows and then ranking Disney’s newest rides.

That’s more a byproduct of the fact that Disney’s newest rides are all slam dunks, because all the shows we’re talking about are exceptional.

For example, Hollywood Studios finally gave Disney fans what we wanted – an attraction celebrating Disney villains.

This show is vibrant, kinetic, and darkly humorous.

It feels like the most of-the-moment show Disney has ever created.

Zootopia: Better Zoogether!

Then, we have Disney’s best-timed show, Zootopia: Better Zoogether, which came out the same month Zootopia 2 was released in theaters.

Hey, how is that film doing at the box office? Let me check…

Okay, it seems to be Disney’s most successful animated film ever! So, that’s pretty good!

Plus, the show introduces American audiences to the adorable Clawhauser audio-animatronic.

Country Bear Musical Jamboree

I have a soft spot in my heart for the Country Bears, who are an iconic part of Disney lore.

In some alternate universe, these audio-animatronics have been entertaining guests at a Disney ski resort since the 1960s.

At Magic Kingdom, they definitely looked AND sounded 50 years old before Imagineers updated them.

Disney accepted the fact that many of the Western classics from this soundtrack are older than most of the park guests listening to them.

So, Disney updated the music to feature country versions of beloved classic Disney movie tunes.

Country Bear Musical Jamboree is pretty much perfect now and the best of Disney’s 21st century show-based attractions.

Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure

Disney recently modified this attraction to correct its glaring weakness.

Let’s just say that it had a… certain vomit comet vibe to it due to the 3D visuals.

However, without the 3D, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure becomes little more than a cute dark ride with trackless ride cart technology.

Don’t get me wrong. It’s still a blast, especially for people like me, who treasure the movie Ratatouille.

Still, among Disney’s new rides, it has fallen to the back of the pack.

TRON Lightcycle / Run

I realize that some of you are grabbing your torches and pitchforks, but I’ve made my feelings on the TRON franchise quite clear.

These films are visually gorgeous, but their stories are more disposable than a Shrek movie.

All right, now I’ve just made TWO fan groups angry.

Seriously, though. I think the TRON ride is breathtaking.

Still I feel the same way about it as many of its critics. I wish it were longer.

As a short ride, it’s fun but somewhat forgettable. TRON looks better than it feels.

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure

If Tiana finishes fourth, the rest of the competition is absolutely incredible.

I’m fanatical about this flume ride, which I believe delivers a better experience than its predecessor, Splash Mountain.

The story is tighter and the special effects blow my mind.

I will say that I miss the humor and soundtrack from Splash Mountain, but the music in Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is better.

It’s just not as much of a sing-along by nature.

Test Track

I’m an EPCOT die-hard, which means I treasure the 1980s version of the park.

That’s when I first experienced it as a child, and some of the memories linger to this day.

One of them was riding World of Motion, an experience that made a huge impression on me and lasts to this day.

The remarkable part is that this isn’t just a retro nostalgia ride.

Vital aspects of Test Track occur in an imagined future so electrifying that I wish I could live there today.

Disney is currently re-imagining several older attractions.

If they all work out as well as Test Track, Disney fans are in business.

Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway

My wife and I recently co-authored a Disney book that will hopefully be available for sale later this year.

She glanced at my list and immediately started arguing with me that Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway should win.

As she eloquently argued, “It all started with a mouse.” So, the first Mickey ride should win.

I cannot argue the point, but I guess I’m the kind of husband who doesn’t listen to his wife, as I’m only slotting it second.

Despite this fact, I’m one of the strongest evangelists for Runaway Railway, which I consider a perfect ride experience.

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind

When Imagineers started hyping their idea for a “storytelling roller coaster,” many people thought, “Yeah, sure, Disney.”

Now who’s laughing?

Disney absolutely pulled it off with this incredible thrill ride into another galaxy.

The ride’s name is a bit misleading in that the Guardians of the Galaxy don’t really help much, but rather spend most of the time quipping while the person on the roller coaster fears for their life.

The Peter Quill-approved 20th century soundtrack adds so much to the ride experience, and that one moment when you gaze down at a planet beneath you lives rent-free in my head.

The best part is that after Disney shows you the danger, you actually hurdle straight down toward it.

One day soon, something will topple Cosmic Rewind.

That will probably be when the Encanto dark ride debuts.

For the time being, this roller coaster represents the pinnacle of Imagineering at Walt Disney World.

Thanks for visiting MickeyBlog.com! Want to go to Disney? For a FREE quote on your next Disney vacation, please fill out the form below. One of the agents from MickeyTravels, an EarMarked By Disney – Authorized Travel Agency – Diamond Level, will be in touch soon!