Rating our favourite Disney sights across the globe–not simply at Walt Disney World and Disneyland, but additionally Paris, Tokyo, Hong Kong, and many others–is not any simple process. It’s powerful to stability sentimentality and storytelling with wow-factor and fashionable know-how. That’s additionally a lot of rides and exhibits to slender down into a comparatively quick record. (Up to date October 15, 2023.)
If you happen to’re in search of extra goal rankings (to the extent potential), we’ve additionally ranked all 88 sights at Walt Disney World and adopted that up with a related record for Disneyland’s rides & exhibits. Our intent was to make this inherently subjective course of as goal as potential, which meant swapping out private favorites for crowd-pleasers. That process was tough sufficient, and we might endlessly tinker with that record, justifying why virtually each attraction must be moved up, however hardly ever down–therein lies the rub.
Nevertheless, we’ve by no means finished an inventory encompassing each of our prime 10 favorites, and thought it could be a enjoyable–and difficult–endeavor. Whereas happy with our selections, we now have to confess that we aren’t completely pleased with what we’ve been compelled to exclude–and doubtless by no means will likely be! There are dozens and dozens of nice Disney sights and narrowing that right down to a prime 10 means a variety of snubs.
The one definitive conclusion we’ve reached throughout that point is that definitive rankings are a idiot’s errand. There are too many sights we love, and the record might–and does–change by the day, relying upon temper and what we haven’t finished recently. Critically, you attempt placing collectively an inventory that you just’re 100% happy with over a yr later! (As a corollary, please don’t take private offense in case your record differs from ours. Everybody has completely different favorites–we promise our picks weren’t made as an affront to you.)
Shifting alongside, methodology for the rankings is pretty easy. Just one model of every attraction is allowed, and that continues to be the case regardless of seasonal overlays and dramatic variations between incarnations (e.g. legacy Pirates of the Caribbeans versus Shanghai’s). We every independently decided our favorites, with the upper rating controlling for record placement.
Sufficient with the preface, right here’s the record…
Carousel of Progress & TTA PeopleMover (#10 Sarah, N/A Tom) – One entry into the record and we’re already “dishonest” by consolidating two sights. That is the one exception we’re making, and it’s exhausting to fault viewing Tomorrowland’s one-two “leisure” punch as a singular bundle. (One technically travels by the opposite!)
Each are additionally very a lot “warts and all” sights which are lengthy overdue for updates and don’t stay as much as their full potential. However, they’re nostalgic favorites which have a sure inarticulable enchantment. The duo additionally provides a pleasant change of tempo from the remainder of Magic Kingdom, and a reprieve from crowds on a busy day at Disney’s hottest park. We love these moments slowing down, savoring the expertise–and have many fond reminiscences of those two Tomorrowland classics from our journeys through the years.
Avatar Flight of Passage (N/A Sarah, #10 Tom) – This thrill journey is like Soarin’ on steroids, finished to perfection. It’s a lot extra, although, from the sensible outside and indoor queues to the enjoyable pre-show. Then there’s the attraction itself. Riders climb aboard the again of a banshee and hyperlink to an avatar flying by Pandora for a simulator expertise that’s way more ‘energetic’ than any previous attraction of its nature.
You may really feel your banshee breathe, the wind and spray of the ocean in your face, and scent loads of scents alongside the best way. Despite the fact that Avatar Flight of Passage is a screen-based attraction, that fades away throughout the expertise. You might be absolutely immersed within the expertise, and absolutely droop disbelief and embrace the motion over Pandora. Flight of Passage is majestic, perfectly-paced, and brimming with element. This attraction has a sure je ne sais quoi that provokes an emotional response in contrast to many different sights. It’s additionally the one we revisit greater than some other at Animal Kingdom, and that’s regardless of it having the longest line and charging for Particular person Lightning Lane!
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind (#9 Sarah, N/A Tom) – These first three sights are all very completely different in nature, however basically make the record for the very same cause: we do them quite a bit! And isn’t that the final word endorsement of an attraction–how typically you repeat journey it? We nonetheless make a degree of doing Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind each single go to to EPCOT, and it nonetheless fires on all cylinders for us. If something, it’s grown on us extra over time.
An extremely satisfying attraction from begin to end, with a queue and pre-shows which are fascinating and humorous, a few wow-moment results, hilarity & hijinks, and a compelling story set-up. The curler coaster itself is satisfying in length and has improbable circulation and fluidity–higher the music and the movement, it feels a bit like dancing.
Above all else, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is simply flat-out, improbable enjoyable. It’s considered one of essentially the most enjoyable sights in all of Walt Disney World. It hits all the proper notes, and is only a continuous hoot from begin to end. Largely, that is owing to the Marvel characters, humor, and use of music. It’s precisely the blockbuster attraction that EPCOT wanted, and is one other nice fashionable hybrid of story and enjoyable from Imagineering.
Splash Mountain (N/A Sarah, #9 Tom) – Tokyo Disneyland takes this idea to new heights, with a Critter Nation that’s a veritable Splash Mountain Land. Each Grandma Sara’s Restaurant and Rackety’s Raccoon Saloon are outgrowths of Chickapin Hill, inhabited by an array of animals which are completely distinctive to Tokyo Disneyland.
Then there’s the log flume journey itself. At round 13 minutes, Splash Mountain is lengthy. It additionally has fantastic units with elaborate and environments that includes over 100 Audio-Animatronic critter figures which are reinvented as symbols of Japan’s kawaii tradition. All of this combines to kind a cute, homey, and lived-in land–culminating in an attraction with tons of re-rideability.
Indiana Jones Journey (N/A Sarah, #8 Tom) – From the unbelievable queue to the hilariously dry pre-show (my favourite a part of the attraction) to the particular effects-laden journey, Indiana Jones Journey nonetheless is a type of sights that leaves me impressed after every time I journey it. It’s a type of uncommon sights the place, whilst you’re on it, whilst an grownup you droop disbelief and really feel as when you’re taking part in an journey.
As Sallah would say, “it’s in contrast to something you may have ever skilled, I guarantee you!” A number of particular results upgrades to the Disneyland model in the previous few years push it barely forward of the Tokyo DisneySea model for me, however it’s nonetheless a good race. Every have some spectacular results and are sufficiently distinctive that diehard followers ought to expertise each.
Tower of Terror (N/A Sarah, #7 Tom) – One among my favourite sights at Walt Disney World for so long as I can bear in mind. I bear in mind going shortly after it opened, and first getting into that ominous, foggy queue. Even then, I liked that it featured considered one of my favourite tv collection. Recognizing Easter Eggs from the Twilight Zone was my Hidden Mickey searching. (I used to be a bizarre child.)
As a substitute of being a glamorized or idealized model of the Hollywood that by no means was and can all the time be, Tower of Terror is darker than the remainder of Disney’s Hollywood Studios–like Sundown Boulevard somewhat than Singin’ within the Rain. The attraction delivers on that tone with an encompassing expertise that features an elaborate queue, pre-show, second queue, journey, and post-show. It’s a satisfying 20-minute journey that’s a lot greater than the sum of its components, with deliberate pacing and rigidity. One among Imagineering’s finest fashionable works of immersion that wasn’t eclipsed at Walt Disney World for many years.
Journey to the Heart of the Earth (#6 Sarah, N/A Tom) – A hybrid darkish journey and thrill journey, Journey to the Heart of the Earth is Tokyo DisneySea’s flagship attraction. Beginning with the method that goes inside Mount Prometheus, Journey to the Heart of the Earth is unbelievable. It helps that Mysterious Island is a Fashionable Masterpiece of Imagineering, and that the attraction seems like a part of one thing “larger.”
By the point you enter by the underground marquee for Journey to the Heart of the Earth, you’ve already skilled a variety of stage-setting and mood-making. Then there’s the meticulously detailed queue, taking company by a makeshift lab in a cavern the place Nemo and his crew have been learning their excavations, earlier than taking them on a Terravator deep down beneath the floor of the earth. The attraction takes company on excavators deeper under the earth, from a forest of mushrooms with cute little creatures, to a sea with a particular impact that may make you leap out of your seat. The climax is intense and spectacular.
“it’s a small world” vacation (#5 Sarah, N/A Tom) – That is the primary of two Christmas overlays on the record, which speaks each to their high quality and our bias for the vacation. Each are additionally iconic and historic Disneyland sights, which are meritorious of inclusion. Within the case of it’s a small world vacation, there’s the underlying Mary Blair artwork and ear-worm Sherman Brothers music, plus the sights, sounds, and smells of Christmas.
That’s solely half of what makes this overlay hum. Whenever you close to “it’s a small world” vacation at evening, all lit-up in these vibrant lights, you may’t assist however cease in your tracks, entranced and in awe. Following the retirement of the Osborne Lights at Walt Disney World, this attraction facade is now essentially the most sensible and fascinating Disney Christmas show.
Radiator Springs Racers (#4 Sarah, N/A Tom) – Some followers thought this would possibly fade as soon as that “new Automobiles scent” wore off or when its know-how was surpassed elsewhere. That has not occurred for us within the least–we might do Radiator Springs Racers many times with out ever getting sick of it, noticing new particulars with every ride-through.
The pleasure of driving by the Cadillac Vary mountains is why Radiator Springs Racers retains us coming again. The way in which the vehicles weave across the peaks, beginning with a leisurely drive by nature and ending with an exciting race by this beautiful panorama, bookending a satisfying darkish journey phase. The pacing of Radiator Springs Racers is pitch-perfect, and the journey is enjoyable and various from starting to finish. Radiator Springs Racers helped reinvent the ailing park, positioning Disney California Journey as a worthy second gate to Disneyland.
Haunted Mansion (#7 Sarah, #6 Tom) – Like lots of the sights on this record, Haunted Mansion excels at establishing a temper. Or in its case, a number of. Half surreal dream, half superbly imaginative and impressionist nightmare. Haunted Mansion is so fascinating as a result of it could actually evoke completely different feelings on completely different ride-throughs, and even throughout completely different scenes of the identical expertise.
Like an particularly vivid dream, there’s quite a bit to unpack with Haunted Mansion. This is the reason a lot has been written in regards to the attraction, why there are such a lot of fan theories explaining all of it, and why visible components of Haunted Mansion are so significant to so many. Haunted Mansion is an expertise that etches itself in your reminiscence, even when you’re not solely positive why. It’s a transcendent attraction, and a murals that will likely be mentioned for generations to return.
Pirates of the Caribbean (#8 Sarah, #4 Tom) – We’re torn as to which Pirates of the Caribbean model is our favourite. Sorry Shanghai, however previous tech edges out new. And it’s undoubtedly not Magic Kingdom, which might be a fantastic journey if it have been the one incarnation in existence, however it’s like studying the Coronary heart of Darkness Cliffs Notes somewhat than the novella itself. We’ll simply say our favourite model is at Disneyland …
The considerably longer variations in Paris, Tokyo, and Anaheim every supply their very own strengths. Two use a foreboding framework to current what’s to return as a cautionary story. One has a wide range of added results and spectacular Audio Animatronics. All characteristic pirates participating in swashbuckling mayhem in sprawling units that make you are feeling within the midst of the motion and environments.
Pirates of the Caribbean deftly balances wry humor and lighthearted gags alongside the dastardly deeds of pirates in what must be a jarring juxtaposition, however it simply works. This journey is a quintessential slice of mid-century Americana, and with {that a} generally cavalier angle that has landed the attraction in scorching water (so to talk) with fashionable audiences within the US. However, it continues to resonate, immersing company in a pirate assault whereas additionally delivering character and emotion.
Pooh’s Hunny Hunt (#3 Sarah, #5 Tom) – It’s exhausting to imagine this “subsequent gen” Fantasyland darkish journey, which paved the best way for different trackless darkish rides, is over twenty years previous. It’s nonetheless technically formidable, and the best way Hunny Hunt’s journey autos dance with each other and have interaction their environments makes this some of the immersive sights Imagineering has ever created.
Nevertheless, it’s the center that Pooh’s Hunny Hunt derives from the trackless tech that makes it one thing particular. From the autos “gathering” round for story-time to bouncing with Tigger to spinning in Pooh’s dream with Heffalumps, you are feeling like part of Pooh’s ragtag band of buddies on this extremely imaginative journey. It doesn’t damage that all the units and Audio Animatronics are extremely detailed and superior, both. All of that, plus the appeal of Winnie the Pooh, makes this a brand new basic and the gold normal of Tokyo Disneyland’s darkish rides.
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance (N/A Sarah, #3 Tom) – That is the head of recent Imagineering, and barring an enormous shock out of Fantasy Springs at Tokyo DisneySea, will maintain that title for the subsequent decade to return. Greater than that, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance redefines what a theme park attraction could be. It blurs the boundaries of queue, pre-show, attraction, and places company in the midst of an intergalactic journey.
What makes Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance so mind-blowing is very large set items, seamless mixing of know-how and bodily units, and a slew of how did they try this moments. The outcome with Rise of the Resistance is one thing epic in scale that feels extra like an interactive blockbuster movie than it does a conventional theme park journey. As cliche as it’d sound, you’re “residing your personal Star Wars story” in Rise of the Resistance, and within the middle of the motion from the second you enter the road till you exit.
Mystic Manor (#2 Sarah, #2 Tom) – This would possibly come as a shock since we don’t heap as a lot effusive reward on Mystic Manor as the opposite prime 5 picks, however such is the character of something at Hong Kong Disneyland. Nevertheless, we now have previously stated that Mystic Manor is alone definitely worth the journey to Hong Kong. That’s nonetheless true.
Mystic Manor immerses company within the motion, making them really feel like an energetic a part of the expertise. Though it’s always and erroneously in comparison with Haunted Mansion, I’d liken to extra to the unique Journey into Creativeness. For one, numerous results actively interact company and the standard of Danny Elfman’s rating mirrors that EPCOT Heart basic.
Extra importantly, it pairs you with Albert, who’s a non secular successor to Figment. Albert’s sense of childlike surprise and curiosity will get the perfect of him–and by extension, you–on this spellbinding Magneto-Electrical Carriage tour of Lord Henry’s manor. You may’t assist however fall in love with Albert, largely as a result of he’s a stand-in in your little one (or your self as a baby). In reality, I’d go so far as to say that Albert is “extra Figment” than the incarnation of the present character inhabiting Epcot’s Creativeness pavilion. Mystic Manor is one other fashionable masterpiece with tons of coronary heart.
Sindbad’s Storybook Voyage (#1 Sarah, #1 Tom) – If we’re concocting constrained hypotheticals, we might fly to Japan simply to journey Sindbad’s Storybook Voyage and actually nothing else. If we might solely to select one attraction to journey one Disney attraction once more for the remainder of our lives (hopefully again and again), we’d select Sindbad’s Storybook Voyage with out hesitation.
Sindbad’s Storybook Voyage is the one attraction on this weblog with two devoted posts (most have 0): one calling it Disney’s finest fashionable darkish journey, and one other reminding everybody that it’s nonetheless superior. Greatest described to those that haven’t skilled it as a cross between Pirates of the Caribbean and it’s a small world, that doesn’t even start to do the boat journey justice. From its length to the variety of Audio Animatronics to the catchy Alan Menken track to Chandu the Tiger to the opposite cute critters and a lot extra, Sindbad’s Storybook Voyage is a pure delight. If you recognize, you recognize.
Honorable Point out
Nation Bear Christmas (N/A) – This seasonal stage present beforehand ranked within the prime 5 for each of us, however hasn’t been proven at Tokyo Disneyland within the final 4 vacation seasons. That’s lengthy sufficient for us to take away it from the record, however not absolutely. Tokyo Disneyland nonetheless is within the midst of its phased reopening, and never every part is again to regular. If it’s not again by Christmas 2024, although, it’s most likely gone for good.
Our love of Nation Bears is effectively documented. In a nutshell, the attraction represents Disney at its finest: a mixture of quirkiness, sharp humor, charming characters, and memorable music. It additionally manages great world-building and character improvement in a brief period of time. (Take into consideration what number of sights truly succeed at this–there’s a cause so many lean on preestablished characters.) It’s an attraction that works on a number of ranges and even alternating between English and Japanese.
Each Trip Jamboree and Jingle Bell Jamboree at Tokyo Disneyland take the spirit of the unique to the subsequent stage with added visible gags, whereas additionally softening up a few of that sharpness (that may be off-putting to fashionable audiences) with the heat, schmaltz, and sentimentality of the vacation season. Nation Bear Christmas eschews spectacular know-how and wow-worthy results for coronary heart and character, which wins each time with us.
Hope you loved our worldwide Disney attraction rankings. Remember the fact that this record is all in good enjoyable–and compelled us to make some extremely tough selections. Most Disney followers have robust allegiances in the direction of their favorites and take offense after they really feel they really feel slighted. Keep in mind that that is the opinion of two random folks on the web.
On the finish of the day, it doesn’t influence your enjoyment of your favourite attraction if it doesn’t make our record, nor does our opinion matter (in any respect) within the grand scheme of issues. This record is value about as a lot as you paid to learn it! 😉
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YOUR THOUGHTS
What are your prime 10 Disney sights on the planet? It doesn’t matter what number of parks you’ve visited, we’re nonetheless concerned with figuring out another favorites. Who’s record is healthier–Sarah’s or Tom’s? Do you suppose we missed any that ought to have made the record, or made any poor selections? Any questions we might help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even while you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!