Tag Archives: Must-do Attractions

Walt Disney World – Must Ride, Will Ride, Once & Done

Posted on by

Peter Pan's FlightI’m completely serious when I say I’m honestly not trying to rub it in.  You know….how I keep reminding you that I’ll be at Walt Disney World all week next week?  I’m not doing it to be mean.  I’m just so rediculously excited!  I keep picturing myself (and The Fam) riding rides, watching shows, eating favorite Disney foods, and so on.  Which gave me a scathingly brilliant idea (as Hayley Mills once said)….

I’ve divided Walt Disney World attractions into three groups:

  • Must Ride – Wouldn’t be a trip to Disney without doing this attraction! * = will ride multiple times if at all possible.
  • Will Ride – Probably not on every trip, but will re-visit the attraction as time allows.
  • Once and Done – Been there, done that and may never feel the urge to do it again.

Toy Story Midway ManiaYour mission should you choose to accept it:  Jump in with comments and tell me how your lists would be different from mine.  I’d be especially interested in knowing WHY you feel the way you do about a particular attraction.  If you think one of my must do’s is a stupid choice, tell me.  If you think one of my once-and-done attractions is a big mistake, speak up!

Here we go:

Must Ride:

Magic KingdomSpaceship Earth

  • Space Mountain*
  • Splash Mountain*
  • Big Thunder Mountain*
  • Haunted Mansion*
  • Jungle Cruise
  • Pirates of the Caribbean
  • It’s a Small World
  • Mickey’s PhilharMagic
  • Monster’s Inc. Laugh Floor

Epcot

  • Soarin’*
  • Test Track
  • MaelstromIMG_1903
  • Spaceship Earth
  • The Seas with Nemo & Friends
  • Turtle Talk with Crush

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

  • Toy Story Midway Mania*
  • Twilight Zone Tower of Terror*
  • Rock’n’ Roller Coaster*
  • Star Tours
  • Muppet*Vision 3D
  • SHaunted Mansion Signtudio Backlot Tour
  • Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular

Animal Kingdom

  • Expedition Everest
  • Kilimanjaro Safari
  • Dinosaur
  • Festival of the Lion King
  • Pangani Forrest Exploration Trail
  • Maharajah Jungle Trek

Will Ride:

Magic KingdomBUZZ! Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin

  • Dumbo
  • Carousel of Progress
  • Peter Pan’s Flight
  • The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
  • Prince Charming Regal Carousel
  • Enchanted Tiki Room
  • Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
  • Hall of Presidents
  • Walt Disney World Railroad

Epcot

  • Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros
  • O Canada
  • Reflections of China
  • Impressions de FranceMexico Pavilion
  • Living with the Land
  • Ellen’s Energy Adventure
  • The American Adventure
  • Journey Into Imagination with Figment

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

  • Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream
  • The Magic of Disney Animation
  • The Great Movie Ride
  • Beauty and the Beast- Live on Stage

Animal Kingdom

  • It’s Tough to be a Bug
  • Kali River Rapids
  • Primeval Whirl
  • Flights of Wonder

Once and DoneMad Tea Party

Magic Kingdom

  • Magic Carpets of Aladdin
  • The Barnstormer
  • Mad Tea Party
  • Tomorrowland Speedway
  • Stitch’s Great Escape
  • Astro Orbiter
  • Liberty Square Riverboat
  • Tom Sawyer Island
  • Country Bear Jamboree
  • Swiss Family Tree House

Epcot

  • Mission: Space
  • Innoventions (East and West)
  • Captain EO
  • The Circle of Life

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

  • The American Idol Experience (actually have never even been, no desire to go)
  • Lights, Motors, Action – Extreme Stunt Show
  • Voyage of the Little Mermaid

Animal Kingdom

  • TriceraTop Spin
  • Rafiki’s Planet Watch and Affection Section
  • Wildlife Express Train
  • Finding Nemo – The Musical

NOTE:  Three new attractions aren’t ranked yet –

  • Enchanted Tales with Belle
  • Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid
  • Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

What do your lists look like?  What changes on your ranking.  What did I rank in the “Once and Done” category that I need to revisit?  What’s in your “Once and Done” that I ranked higher?