Some followers brazenly query whether or not Walt Disney Imagineering “nonetheless has it” or “has misplaced its contact.” That is loopy. As one growth cycle wraps up and one other is on the precipice of starting, we’ve seen some insanely good sights and technological improvements. This ranks the ten finest rides that debuted in Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and the worldwide parks within the final 5 years.
It’s been a veritable curler coaster since 2019. One of many causes followers ask this query is comprehensible–as a result of output has been uneven. That is largely a results of the 2020 closures, which threw a monkey wrench into Disney’s bold plans, inflicting challenge cancellations, funds cuts, and different developments to be redesigned midstream. CommuniCore Corridor is Exhibit A with regards to these missteps, nevertheless it’s removed from the one one.
Nonetheless, the final 5 years have additionally seen a number of new sights and lands open, whereas Imagineering has additionally sought to proper previous wrongs and proper errors of the aughts and late Nineteen Nineties. The entrance entrance to EPCOT is Exhibit A with regards to this, and whereas nothing revolutionary, it’s a refreshing step ahead as to what was there earlier than. This is only one small instance of a profitable reimagining, however I’m getting sidetracked already. This listing focuses on rides that push the artistic envelope…
Earlier than we dig into the listing, let’s cowl the principles. Not eligible for this listing are materially cloned sights that first opened greater than 5 years in the past. Which means that TRON Lightcycle Run at Magic Kingdom isn’t eligible, despite the fact that it’s debatably deserving of a spot. Additionally not eligible is Remy’s Ratatouille Journey, however that wouldn’t have made the listing even when it had been as a result of it’s simply not that good (sorry not sorry).
Lastly, the whole lot that’s debuted at Hong Kong Disneyland and Shanghai Disneyland within the final yr doesn’t make the listing just because we’ve got but to expertise it. This consists of Zootopia: Scorching Pursuit, Frozen Ever After (a materially totally different clone), and Wandering Oaken’s Sliding Sleighs. I’m virtually sure that not less than the Zootopia attraction would make the lower…maybe we’ll discover out within the coming decade at Disney’s Hollywood Studios?
Anyway, on with the listing…
Honorable Point out: Fairy Tinker Bell’s Busy Buggies (Tokyo DisneySea) – It is a family-friendly attraction in Pixie Hole, the fairy valley in By no means Land the place Tinker Bell lives. Visitors board a Busy Buggy, a car made by Tinker Bell, and discover the fairy valley and its altering seasons. On this fairy valley, the whole lot from flowers and mushrooms to portray utensils and items of nibbled cheese is bigger than life.
Fairy Tinker Bell’s Busy Buggies punches above its weight. That is the only and most simple attraction in Fantasy Springs–it’s a kiddie experience that fills a task for households with babies, and doesn’t aspire to be something greater than that. And but, it does. The surroundings is lovely, the movement of the autos is pleasant, and the entire thing simply oozes whimsy.
That’s to say nothing of the top, the place you encounter a personality who has already developed a cult following. There’s a sure je ne sais quoi about Fairy Tinker Bell’s Busy Buggies and it’s higher than it has any proper to be. It’s nonetheless firmly the fourth-place Fantasy Springs attraction–nobody would rank it larger–nevertheless it’s unbelievable for what it’s. That’s a part of what makes an attraction a contemporary marvel–utilizing present know-how to create emotional resonance past what’s anticipated.
10. Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway (Disneyland) – Positioned inside El CapiTOON Theater, the attraction itself begins with a screening of the “Good Picnic” brief, after which company actually step from the human world instantly into the cartoon world in one of many coolest results of your entire attraction. This completely units the stage for the ride-through portion of the attraction, with company loading into the (trackless) practice experience autos.
Word that though this attraction exists on each coasts, the Disneyland model of Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway is superior due to the queue, which is why it’s listed right here fairly than each DL and DHS. The experience itself is similar, and incorporates a sequence of loosely-connected vignettes in quite a lot of environments that the runaway practice vehicles bounce between at a reasonably frenetic and disorienting tempo. “Nothing Can Cease Us Now” can also be an earworm of an authentic tune.
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway may be very a lot paced like a high-octane animated brief, and it feels such as you’re within the cartoon world because of this. The “2.5D” method of projection mapping on dimensional environments is the ‘trendy marvel’ right here, and an enormous a part of its secret sauce. This screen-centric model works significantly better with Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway than it does with Remy’s Ratatouille Journey.
9. Millennium Falcon Smugglers Run (Disneyland/DHS) – The secondary attraction of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. It’s undoubtedly not an ideal attraction, with the interactivity being a blended bag and a gameplay-centric experience not being everybody’s cup of tea. Furthermore, not all the roles are of equal enjoyment.
Nonetheless, there’s loads to love about Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run past the sport/experience expertise. It really works wonders as a “want achievement” attraction, giving company the chance to step contained in the quickest hunk of junk within the galaxy and sit contained in the cockpit. The queue main there’s sensible, as is the usage of Hondo Ohnaka (a compelling character I had by no means heard of earlier than, however love now), and the pre-shows are amusing and enjoyable.
The experience expertise itself could be a blended bag and the mission can really feel like plodding drudgery, however the Millennium Falcon facet greater than compensates for the Smugglers Run element, and elevates the complete package deal. My hope is that when the new Mandalorian and Grogu mission launches, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run will develop into an ideal attraction. A ride-through element on par with Star Excursions (however gamified) would make this a ten/10 ‘no notes’ attraction.
8. Rapunzel’s Lantern Competition (Tokyo DisneySea) – A romantic gondola tour with out of doors surroundings and indoor present scenes that culminates within the annual Lantern Competition, the place company comply with Rapunzel as she experiences her “finest day ever” and meets Flynn Rider for the primary time. Boats float in direction of the tower the place Rapunzel lives, and discover her gazing out of her lofty tower window, singing “When Will My Life Start,” as Flynn Rider watches.
The experience then flows by numerous darkish experience scenes, culminating in Rapunzel and Flynn Rider singing “I See the Mild,” as company are enveloped by the glow of numerous lanterns filling the evening sky.
If something, that is the reverse of Busy Buggies within the sense that Rapunzel’s Lantern Competition arguably under-delivers on its promise and potential. This has maybe the most important ‘wow’ second in any Fantasy Springs attraction and some different beautiful scenes and results, nevertheless it’s a bit on the brief facet and likewise extra rudimentary. It’s as if Imagineering began with the long-lasting Lantern Competition, nailed that, and determined that was adequate. To make certain, that scene is alone definitely worth the worth of admission, however the remainder of the experience falls a bit flat–and is over too quickly. Learn our Assessment: Disney’s Most Romantic Experience Ever?! for extra.
7. Hovering: Implausible Flight (Tokyo DisneySea) – The above “no clones” rule might sound to exclude Hovering: Implausible Flight, nevertheless it’s just like the “No Homers” rule: one is okay. Truly, the rationale Hovering Implausible Flight is ready to skirt the rule is as a result of it isn’t materially similar.
The queue, pre-show, and ending are all totally different and to such a level that we extremely advocate Hovering: Implausible Flight even to those that have already skilled Soarin. That’s mainly our litmus take a look at for whether or not a experience is a direct clone–are different iterations distinct to the purpose they’re advisable or skippable? It’s not. That’s what we predict, and it’s sentiment we’ve heard repeatedly from others, even those that self-describe as “not massive Soarin’ followers.”
Hovering Implausible Flight’s experience element is just like Soarin’ in Walt Disney World, Disney California Journey, and Shanghai Disneyland. The massive distinction right here is the build-up to that: Hovering Implausible Flight has an extremely lavish queue and spectacular new pre-show. The video additionally has one scene swapped out, and a brand new finale that ends over Tokyo Disney Resort. Hovering: Implausible Flight could be value experiencing even in case you skipped the experience portion! (Clearly, we advocate really driving it.)
6. Tiana’s Bayou Journey (Disneyland) – That is the reimagined experience that changed Splash Mountain at each Disneyland and Magic Kingdom. It makes use of the very same experience system on each coasts, that means it’s a log flume with an out of doors part, inside present scenes that includes superior Audio Animatronics figures, and a number of other smaller drops culminating in a single massive 50-foot drop. Identical concept, totally different story and substance.
Tiana’s Bayou Journey picks up the story of The Princess and the Frog after the ultimate kiss, becoming a member of Tiana and Louis on a musical journey as they put together for his or her first-ever Mardi Gras efficiency. Throughout this celebration, company hear authentic music impressed by songs from the movie. Tiana is main the best way and company will have the ability to encounter outdated associates and make new associates alongside the best way as effectively.
The highlights of Tiana’s Bayou Journey are the extremely superior human and animal Audio Animatronics, together with a variety of memorable music that brings the experience to life. The lowlights are a complicated story, low stakes, and a few doubtful selections made with worldbuilding. The Disneyland model is what makes the listing right here, as we view it as superior to its Magic Kingdom counterpart. However on each coasts, there’s the open query of whether or not the reimagined experience really improves upon its predecessor.
Regardless, Tiana’s Bayou Journey makes the lower and ranks this extremely for its contributions within the evolution of Audio Animatronics. It’s very a lot a “warts and all” attraction, however the animal and (animated) human figures are next-level. Louis the Alligator, particularly, is spectacular each in his actions and look, because the uncommon breed of “furry reptile.” I’m additionally personally a fan of the lovable critter bands, that are lovingly designed supporting gamers.
5. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind (EPCOT) – This family-friendly Marvel curler coaster changed the outdated Universe of Vitality pavilion, together with a huge blue gravity constructing out again. Cosmic Rewind is a “storytelling coaster,” which is to say it’s a curler coaster with present scenes that’s appropriate for many company and thrill ranges.
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is an extremely satisfying attraction from begin to end, with a queue and pre-shows that present depth, a few wow-moment results, hilarity & hijinks, and a compelling story set-up. The identical is true for the curler coaster itself, which has a protracted length, unbelievable movement and fluidity. Its successes are largely owing to the Guardians of the Galaxy characters, humor, and use of music–the curler coaster feels prefer it’s dancing, for lack of a greater time period.
Above all else, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is flat-out, unbelievable enjoyable. It’s one in every 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. As somebody who favors longer darkish rides to thrill rides, my pure inclination is to rank the opposite sights above this, however Cosmic Rewind is simply too good–and surprisingly modern–to disregard. It is a best-of-class attraction, and hopefully we’ll see extra curler coasters prefer it within the decade to come back. Learn our Spoiler-Free Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Experience Assessment for extra.
4. Peter Pan’s By no means Land Journey (Tokyo DisneySea) – Throughout this epic journey with the Misplaced Children to rescue John from Captain Hook and his band of pirates, company encounter beloved characters from the movie. Visitors soar by the sky, are put within the midst of battle with the Jolly Roger, and extra.
Peter Pan’s By no means Land Journey is one in every of two “no notes” sights in Fantasy Springs. On paper, this experience is similar to Spider-Man or Transformers at Common, that are iconic screen-based sights which can be additionally chaotic adventures. Genuinely, Peter Pan’s By no means Land Journey is far more like Avatar Flight of Passage.
Like that, this journey with Peter Pan affords battle and pleasure, but in addition an imposing and well-paced attraction that takes its time to decelerate and chew on the surroundings. The thrills are adopted by quiet and serene moments, and a grand finale that’s gorgeous and takes your breath away. For extra, see our experience evaluate: Disney’s New Peter Pan E-Ticket is an Avatar Flight Plus Spider-Man Journey.
3. Enchanted Story of Magnificence and the Beast (Tokyo Disneyland) – If I had been sensible, this may rank #2 and the following experience could be #1. These are the “protected” attraction picks, particularly given the Tokyo-bias that many Disney followers have developed. There’s additionally the truth that each of those are primarily based on beloved motion pictures and make the most of experience techniques that followers love. Should you’re rating these rides primarily based on YouTube movies, I’m guessing this may be #2 and the following experience could be #1.
In my opinion, each sights play it a tad too protected. This isn’t to decrease their accomplishments, as a result of each are among the many finest sights wherever on the earth. However to be a ‘trendy marvel’ means one thing extra, and Enchanted Story of Magnificence and the Beast is iterative as a lot because it’s modern. It takes the basic components of a Fantasyland ebook report experience and reinvents it for the 2020s. Once more, not a knock–it’s an wonderful attraction!
Enchanted Story of Magnificence and the Beast is a wonderful attraction and one which has really grown on us each extra with every repeat experience. Even after over a half-dozen ride-throughs, we’re nonetheless noticing and marveling at new options and results. Enchanted Story of Magnificence and the Beast is worthy of its mega E-Ticket standing and is within the higher echelon of all sights on the earth. The Audio Animatronics are unimaginable, the staging is generally unbelievable, and there are just a few wonderful results and ‘how did they try this’ moments.
Not solely that, nevertheless it’s a meaty attraction, with a compelling queue and pre-show, and a prolonged ride-through portion. You don’t thoughts ready within the lengthy line (which is lengthy for a motive!) as a result of the time passes rapidly and the payoff is value it. For extra photographs & commentary, see our Enchanted Story of Magnificence and the Beast experience evaluate.
2. Anna and Elsa’s Frozen Journey (Tokyo DisneySea) – Visitors set out on a voyage by boat that leads them by the occasions of Frozen. This adventurous and heartwarming story of two sisters options themes of real love, together with twists and turns (literal and figurative) alongside the best way.
Visitors embark on a journey by the sisters’ reminiscences, accompanied by well-known songs from the movie. Anna and Elsa’s Frozen Journey culminates in Elsa climbing North Mountain, the place she creates an ice palace along with her powers. In the course of the experience’s climactic moments, Elsa makes an attempt to save lots of her sister from Hans in an act of real love. You realize the drill.
That is completely totally different from Frozen Ever After on the different parks, and is the second of two good sights in Fantasy Springs. However there are various levels of perfection, and that is even extra good. Anna and Elsa’s Frozen Journey options jaw-dropping AAs, attractive present scenes, and some “how did they try this?!” moments and results. That is an absolute must-ride, and needs to be your #1 precedence on the #1 Disney park on the earth! For extra photographs & commentary, see our experience evaluate: Anna & Elsa’s Frozen Journey is Considered one of Disney’s Finest Rides Ever!
1. Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance (DL/DHS) – Each era or so, the Imagineers do one thing so radically totally different that it redefines what a theme park attraction might be. Since 1955, there have been a handful of such sights: OG Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, Star Excursions, Indiana Jones Journey, Pooh’s Hunny Hunt, Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure.
And now, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. The way in which the attraction blurs the strains between queue, pre-show, and the experience expertise is the good ‘contribution’ of Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance to the artwork of attraction design. The sense of rigidity, use of quite a lot of know-how, and mixture of sensible plus particular results additionally assist it rating excessive marks.
It stays to be seen whether or not Rise of the Resistance will go down within the historical past books alongside Pirates of the Caribbean and Haunted Mansion–sights which have each celebrated their fiftieth Anniversaries–however Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is Disney’s finest bold and envelope-pushing attraction Indiana Jones Journey. That’s fairly spectacular given the sights which have opened throughout that span, together with everything of Tokyo DisneySea.
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance will not be my favourite attraction on this listing or the one which I’d experience essentially the most, however I really feel it’s the target #1 decide due to the best way it pushes the envelope. It’s a trendy marvel of Imagineering within the truest sense of the time period, a technology-ambitious attraction that innovates fairly than iterates. And you’ll count on that different rides at Disney and Common shall be impressed by this within the coming decade, and we’ll see its inspiration all over the place from Epic Universe to the 2029 plan for Walt Disney World and Disneyland.
Want Disney journey planning ideas and complete recommendation? Be sure to learn our Disney Parks Trip Planning Guides, the place you will discover complete guides to Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and past! For Disney updates, low cost info, free obtain of our three Walt Disney World eBooks, and far more, join our free month-to-month e-newsletter!
Your Ideas
What do you consider my listing of Imagineering’s trendy marvels from the final 5 years? Something I’ve snubbed that you just assume is deserving? Something on the listing that you just assume doesn’t belong? What would make the lower–and what wouldn’t–by yourself listing? Agree or disagree with the rankings? Any questions? We love listening to from readers, so please share every other ideas or questions you may have within the feedback under!