• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

The Curious Footprint

  • Home
    • The Latest Instagram Captures 📸
  • Family
    • T’s Treasured Thoughts
    • Food Allergies
  • Travel
    • Disney
      • Walt Disney World Resort
        • Dating Around World Showcase Series
      • Disney Cruise Line
      • Disney Vacation Club
      • Food Allergies in the Park
    • Visit Orlando
    • Blogging Branson
  • Movies / Entertainment
    • Arena Venues
    • Movies
    • Printables and Crafts
    • Theater / Broadway
    • Theme Parks
  • Dining
  • About / Contact
    • Meet the Author
    • Disclosure Policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • WORK WITH ME

Aaryn’s Best of the Best: First Edition – WDW Attractions

February 21, 2016 By Aaryn 6 Comments

The Best of the Best: Attractions at Walt Disney World Resort

I consider myself quite fortunate to have been able to visit Walt Disney World many times in my short life and have had a chance to try out nearly all of the attractions that grace each of its four wonderful theme parks to this point.  These are probably my favorite part of our Disney vacations (other than the food, of course).   Over the years, I have found that I have developed very specific tastes and have noticed that I have some favorites in each park.  I am curious if your teens and pre-teens have the same favorites, so what I have done is created a list of my top two favorite attractions in each of the four main Parks at Walt Disney World Resort.

The Magic Kingdom

Space Mountain ~ photo courtesy of Memory Maker 2015
Space Mountain ~ photo courtesy of Memory Maker 2015
  1.  Space Mountain – This is easily my favorite attraction in the Magic Kingdom (MK) Park.   Built in 1975, just four years after the Park’s opening, this Tomorrowland attraction rockets you far into the future.   In a space-age launching station, Guests board a technologically advanced “rocket” capable of traveling to parts unknown.   After take-off, Guests are sent whirling through dark space at high speeds.  As they soar, they are watching the illusion of bright stars zooming by.  Twisting and spiraling through space has never seemed so fun.  This attraction is definitely an all-time favorite of mine and definitely a must for the first-timer.  Challenge: Say cheese!  Do you know where the camera is located on this ride?
  2. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad – This Wild West attraction found in Adventureland gives Space Mountain a run for its money.  However, it remains second on my list here.   Set in an abandoned mine, Guests travel on a runaway mine train through some of the superstitions of the Wild West.   What keeps this on my list of favorites are the high speeds and the sudden drops.   My mother gets rather giddy when we board this runaway train, calling this one her favorite at MK.  It’s both exciting and heart-pounding.  Big Thunder Mountain Railroad definitely keeps Guests on the edge of their seats (or is that “out” of your seat).

EPCOT

  1. Mission: Space – This is probably one of the coolest attractions on the Resort for me.  Mission: Space is a simulator that takes Guests on a crazy adventure to Mars.   Guests are given two frequency choices.  There is Orange (for the brave of heart) and Green (for those who might not want so many thrills).  For those who struggle with motion sickness issues (like my mom), I would not recommend the Orange level ride.  I find that this attraction has many things going for it, including an immersive queue, an interesting in-ride story and a heart-pounding finish.  If you are a thrill-seeker, this is a must-do when you visit EPCOT.
  2. Soarin’– This particular attraction is a serious fan-favorite for Guests from all over the world.  This thrilling ride features a hanging glider (with seatbelts, of course) that has been taking Guests on a free-flying adventure through some of the most beautiful sights of California.   With beautiful scenery, dizzying heights, beautiful scents and some very discreet Hidden Mickeys to find during the trip, this attraction has been one of the best ways to settle down and enjoy a care-free virtual ride through all the parks.  It is notorious for a lengthy queue – sometimes up to 300 minutes! – so securing a FastPass+ for this is an almost necessity.   At current, Soarin’ has suspended all flights while the attraction undergoes renovation.  Once complete (with the addition of a new hanger), Guests will be flying high around the world, not just California!   It is set to reopen Summer 2016.

Hollywood Studios

Rockin' Rollercoaster ~ photo courtesy of WDW PhotoPass 2014
Rockin’ Rollercoaster ~ photo courtesy of WDW PhotoPass 2014
  1.   Rock n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith – Now this is the attraction, in my book, that makes all the previous ones look boring.   Probably my favorite attraction on the entire Resort, this is the one that makes thrill-seekers drool!   Guests are personally invited by the stars of the rock band Aerosmith to join them at one of their concerts.   After boarding a very cool-looking stretch (I mean, super-stretch) limousine and before you can even prepare yourself for the moment, Guests blast off down the “highway” at an intense speed.   The “limo” zooms around in the dark, looping and twisting around neon signs, dodging stoplights and traffic signs the whole way (not a good example for those getting ready to take their driving tests).  Finally, the ride reaches its destination and Guests disembark onto the red carpet, hearts pounding and pulses racing.   I can’t wait to take this limo ride again!
  2. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror –  Year after year (I’ve been going since I was four), this ride never fails to please me and never bores me.  Set in an abandoned hotel, this bone-chilling attraction sends Guests on a direct path… into the Twilight Zone. (Wa wa waaaa…)   After entering the dusty hotel, creepy-looking bellhops bring Guests into a room where the hotel’s history is told in black-and-white.  From there, the journey to the service elevators begins.  Guests find themselves seat-belted in for a dark, eery and thrilling ride.  At one point, the elevator car stops.  Everyone braces themselves.  Then the fun begins with varying degrees of rises and drops.  The drops provoke screaming that can be heard throughout the Park!  I could not love this ride any more than I do now.

Funny note: In 2013, our family of five (wink, wink) had the haunted privilege of riding this attraction alone.  Five people, just us, no one else.  Fortunately, we survived and were greeted by a CM who offered us the opportunity to check out the “special service elevator” for another ride.

The Animal Kingdom

Animal Kingdom entrance ~ photo taken by T.M. Brown
Animal Kingdom entrance ~ photo taken by T.M. Brown
  1.  Expedition Everest – I love roller coasters!  This attraction is the only one that could challenge the Rock n’ Roller Coaster as the best ride.  Set in the fearsome and superstitious area of Asia, Guests are sent on a mission through the frigid mountain.  But beware… a terrifying legend lurks deep within those mountains… the Yeti!   Filled with spooky tales and a great atmosphere for terror, this extremely fast-moving and backwards flying attraction is just another perfect option for those who enjoy chills and thrills.
  2. DINOSAUR– It’s time for another kind of expedition.  This one takes Guests back in time and is an epic attraction in Animal Kingdom.  After a “briefing” on the expedition at hand, Guests are sent back in time by a hotheaded scientist.  His plan is to change their course so they can retrieve a much-sought after dinosaur.  The attraction is a bumpy one and takes Guests for a crazy ride through the prehistoric world, coming face to face with incredible animatronics that seem extremely realistic. This is another one of those attractions that may negatively affect those with motion-sickness.  Just a word of precaution….(my mom can handle this one, though).

Create That Bucket List!

Well, there you have it.  This is my complete list of top two favorite attractions for each of the Walt Disney World Resort theme parks.  For those who have not been to Walt Disney World, these are definitely attractions that should go on your bucket list for your first trip.   For those who have been and perhaps frequent the parks, I’d love to know if you feel the same way and agree with my choices. Leave a comment below on what YOUR favorite attractions are at Walt Disney World.   Perhaps you can even convince me to change my mind!  Who knows?  With all the changes going on, my selections may be changing sooner than I thought.

If you enjoyed this post, I hope you tune in for my next segment of The Best of the Best.  This time I’ll be exploring dining at the Walt Disney World Resort!

Until the next step! ~ Aaryn

Updated 06/26/18

Filed Under: Walt Disney World Tagged With: Disney

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Walt Brown says

    February 21, 2016 at 4:47 PM

    One of my favorite rides is Toy Story Midway Mania” in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The 3D graphics are amazing and the ride is so much fun!

    Reply
  2. Patty says

    February 26, 2016 at 1:11 PM

    My favorite attractions at each park are as follows:

    Magic Kingdom – Peter Pan’s Flight (I know it is short, but I experience the Magic each time I ride).

    Epcot: Soarin’

    Hollywood Studios: Toy Story Midway Mania

    Animal Kingdom: Killamanjaro Safari because it is always different.

    I wonder how your list will differ in 10 or 20 years?

    Reply
    • Tina says

      May 30, 2016 at 10:45 AM

      Hello again, Ms. Patty! Aaryn here. I love your choices for favorites and I wonder, as well, how my choices will change as I get older, have my own family (a long time from now) and as WDW adds to the magic over the years. I am excited to see what attractions will be included with Star Wars Land, Pandora, etc. I guess it will give me more to write about! Thanks for reading and sharing your favorites! ~ A

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Disney Vacation Club's Moonlight Madness: Partying at Disney's Animal Kingdom - Footprints in Pixie Dust says:
    March 30, 2018 at 2:25 PM

    […] at 10 PM, likely for the animal’s sake.  What attractions were available to us included Expedition Everest, Dinosaur, Primeval Whirl, Na’vi River Journey and Avatar: Flight of […]

    Reply
  2. Hoop-Dee-Doo: A Pre-Teen's Review - Footprints in Pixie Dust says:
    April 21, 2018 at 2:54 PM

    […] for reading, and be sure to check out my new blog series coming out, The Best of the Best: My Favorite Attractions at Walt Disney World Resort starting […]

    Reply
  3. Disney Vacation Club's Moonlight Magic: Partying at Disney's Animal Kingdom · Footprints in Pixie Dust says:
    November 13, 2019 at 9:02 AM

    […] at 10 PM, likely for the animal’s sake.  What attractions were available to us included Expedition Everest, Dinosaur, Primeval Whirl, Na’vi River Journey and Avatar: Flight of […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Looking for something specific 🔎?

RED CARPET PREMIERE OF FROZEN 2
Frozen 2 Red Carpet II
Tina is a lifestyle writer with a focus and passion for travel and entertainment.  Want to collaborate?  Email me at [email protected]

Check Out These Popular Posts!

Footer

AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE

The Curious Footprint is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for the blog to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com.

All opinions expressed are solely those of the owner.  They are in no way representative of the brands or companies being reviewed or showcased.

PRIVACY POLICY

All photos & posts displayed on this site are the property of The Curious Footprint or Footprints in Pixie Dust (unless otherwise specified).  All rights reserved.  No part of this site may be reproduced without obtaining prior permission from the owner, with the exception of brief quotation uses permitted by copyright law.

COPYRIGHT © 2020 Daily Dish Pro on Genesis Framework - Wordpress
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're okay with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Accept Reject Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT