Here are Dad’s favorite Walt Disney World Rides and Attractions. These are the best of what Disney has to offer. Whether it’s the Magic Kingdom or Typhoon Lagoon, a roller coaster or a lazy river, there is some thing for everyone at one of the parks.
Dad’s Guide to Walt Disney World Rides
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The Monorail – Joe Penniston
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#10 – The Monorail – It may not be in the actual parks, but it’s a classic, Uncle Walt inspired, not to be missed, integral part of Walt Disney World. It’s not unusual for the family to take a ride on the monorail even if we’re not going to one of the parks. It’s fun just to hop on and check out the hotels on the monorail, especially at Christmas time.
#9 – The Muppet Vision 3D – “It’s time to play the music, It’s time to light the lights…” Everyone loves the Muppets, and the show in Disney’s Hollywood Studios is a classic. Kermit, Miss Piggy, Gonzo and all the gang bring a show that ends with a bang, and brings the house down. See it with friends.
#8 – Jungle Cruise – I don’t know why, but this quaint little Walt Disney World Ride is always one of Dad’s favorites, and judging by the long lines a lot of other people share Dad’s opinion. It’s old, the jokes are still the same, but it’s classic Uncle Walt.
#7 – The American Adventure – No Dad’s not crazy. The reason the American Adventure is one of Dad’s favorite Walt Disney World Rides is because of the Voices of Liberty. Dad loves to sing, and loves to listen to good singing. The Voices of Liberty bring tears to Dad’s eyes. THE PLAN always includes a stop at the American Adventure when the Voices of Liberty are singing.
#6 – Test Track – American’s especially those of us from the great plains love our cars. I can’t think of a better way to experience cars than Test Track. It takes real genius to produce an attraction that embodies an industry like Test Track does. Somehow that barrier thing always get’s me.
#5 – Star Tours – Dad’s a real Star Wars nut. I saw the original (episode 4 for you younger types) 9 times in the first month it was out. So riding Star Tours was a real thrill and it still is. It’s fun to see how much of the original Star Wars movie shows up in the ride. Hopefully when they refurbish this attraction they’ll find a way to make it even better.
#4 – Castaway Creek – Not all great Walt Disney World Rides are in the Theme Parks, and not all of them have to be thrill rides. Sometimes it’s nice to lay back in a nice calm inner tube and take a lazy ride around the water park. Dad prefers Castaway Creek at Typhoon Lagoon to Cross Country Creek at Blizzard Beach because it’s slower and gentler. It’s a good way to relax on a nice hot summer day.
#3 – Kilimanjaro Safaris – Disney creates a Zoo. Boy is it a doozy. Animal Kingdom has one of the best interactive attractions anywhere. Lions, hippos, giraffes, and all kinds of other animals await those who dare climb onto the safari vehicles. It’s a great ride, especially early in the morning.
#2 – Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster – Dad’s not a big roller coaster fan, but this one is something special. It’s also Dad’s favorite ride anywhere. Disney has found a winning combination by taking normal roller coasters and putting them in a building and turning off the lights. What a concept.
#1A – Toy Story Mania – I can’t wait to ride this ride again. This is more fun than a barrel of monkeys (which you can probably find somewhere inside the ride.) Check it out.
#1 – Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin – “To Infinity and Beyond” that’s the last thing you hear before you enter the best ride in Disney World for all ages. This is Dad’s favorite because he always wins. (And he will continue to win until one of the family wises up and does a little research about which targets to hit.) This is always our first, and usually our last stop at the Magic Kingdom.
Dad’s Bottom Line
Walt Disney World Rides are the best on the planet. It’s a shame to just list 10 and leave out some of the classics like Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Twilight Zone Tower of Terror . And of course some of the new rides are growing on me like Expedition Everest. Stay tuned, you never know this list could change tomorrow.
