Top Ten Family Attractions of Walt Disney World

 

So I have listed my favorite and least favorite attractions at Walt Disney World. Now I point out what I think are the best attractions for families.

In this list, I am considering several factors:
- Height Requirements
- Ride Intensity or Scare Factor
- Wait Time vs Ride Time
- Comfort of Queue
- Appeal
- Tonymation Family Opinion

Tonymation's Top Ten Family Attractions of Walt Disney World

10. Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros
I love the atmosphere inside the Mexico pavilion. Throw a boat ride into the mix with the Three Caballeros celebrating Mexican culture with vintage Disney style, and you have a great recipe for a fun family attraction. This is one of the few pavilions we make sure to visit every time we visit Epcot.

9. Mad Tea Party - Magic Kingdom
The entire area around tis attraction is shaded due to well-grown trees, and the attraction itself is covered, unlike the Disneyland counterpart. This is one of those classic attractions that is easy to get on rather quickly. It's also a plus that we can usually get some really cute pics of the kiddos on this ride.

8. It's A Small World - Magic Kingdom
This relaxing boat ride around the world will undoubtedly etch into your memory just how small the world is after all. The lines to this attraction are rarely long, and the ride is smooth and comfortable.

7. The Seas with Nemo and Friends - Epcot
This attraction has a really cool queue. Overall it is a really well done dark ride. Being a 3D animator I appreciate the animation they employ to enhance the experience on this attraction.

6. Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress - Magic Kingdom
Sit back, relax, and enjoy the air conditioning in this lazy attraction. This one holds a special place with me because it seemed to embody the idea of Disney World on my first trip. Plus, I was able to escape the summer heat for such a long time and actually re-energize myself. I can't count how many naps that catchy tune has lulled me into.

5. Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover - Magic Kingdom
This is pretty much a walk on attraction at any given time of the year. I love how relaxing it is, and the view of the park. It's a good place to recharge your batteries and cuddle the little ones.

4. Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin - Magic Kingdom
This is a fun ride that is interactive, in that you get to shoot stuff. Any ride I get to shoot stuff is alright in my book. The Disneyland counterpart, Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters, is a far better attraction, because the guns are not mounted to the car, and you don't have to spin the car to face targets. Also there is an audio-animatronic Zurg that is sadly missing from the DisneyWorld version.

3 Jungle Cruise - Magic Kingdom
From the fake hippos to the corny jokes, this ride is good family fun. Where esle can you take a boat through the jungle and see a teenager weild a gun without being completely terrified.

2. Spaceship Earth - Epcot
The one attraction that still reminds me of the Epcot of old, is Spaceship Earth. Even after the update, this ride still pushes my nostalgia button. It was a trip to Walt Disney World that inspired me to actually pursue my dream of being an animator, and every time I ride Spaceship Earth I get a little hint of inspiration to form a brighter future for the Tonymation family. Go Epcot!

1 Monster's Inc Laugh Floor - Magic Kingdom
This is an interactive show located in Tomorrowland at the Magic Kindgom. It never fails to entertain the Tonymation family, and for that I applaud the only Disney attraction to have a touch of Tonymation magic.

Please be aware that this is not a complete list of all the attractions that are family friendly. I actually plan to address why certain family friendly attractions did not make my list on my next post.

Ten Best Attractions of DisneyWorld 2011

As promised here is the updated list for my top ten favorite attractions at Walt Disney World.

I figured if I were to rip ten attractions apart, I better praise ten attractions... after all, Walt Disney World is my favorite vacation destination!

I found it stragely more difficult to come up with the Ten Best list than the Ten Worst list. Not that there aren't enough good rides, it's just hard to rank them. But here I go anyway.



Tonymation's Top Ten Best Attractions of Walt Disney World

10.2 Monster's Inc Laugh Floor - Magic Kingdom
As you can see I am cheating. I couldn't bear to bump Jungle Cruise or Laugh Floor off of the list, so they get to share #10. This is definitely a controversial pick. However, I worked on this attraction, so I bribed myself to put it on the list. This is an interactive show located in Tomorrowland at the Magic Kindgom. It never fails to entertain the Tonymation family, and for that I applaud the only Disney attraction to have a touch of Tonymation magic.
Dropped down 1 spot from #9

10.1. Jungle Cruise - Magic Kingdom
From the fake hippos to the corny jokes, this ride is good family fun. Where esle can you take a boat through the jungle and see a teenager weild a gun without being completely terrified.
Remained #10 kinda

9. Spaceship Earth - Epcot
The one attraction that still reminds me of the Epcot of old is Spaceship Earth. Even after the update, this ride still pushes my nostalgia button. It was a trip to Walt Disney World that inspired me to actually pursue my dream of being an animator, and every time I ride Spaceship Earth I get a little hint of inspiration to form a brighter future for the Tonymation family. Go Epcot!
New to the list

8. Expedition Everest - Animal Kingdom
This coaster seems to be the only reason I go to the Animal Kingdom. As far as coasters go, this is a short but fun ride. The fact that the ride is such a quick trip is what pushes it so low on the list. Other than the length, the coaster is a smooth and thrilling adventure. The theming is top notch from start to finish.
Dropped down 1 spot from #7

7. Haunted Mansion - Magic Kingdom
Here is a classic that lands on my top ten list for showmanship alone. I am not a big fan of all things scary, but Disney did this ride with class and style. The Disneyland counterpart is far more entertaining, but I prefer the Mansion design at DisneyWorld. It's obvious that this attraction is an Imagineer favorite, because it seems to have new updates every time I visit the park.
Dropped down 1 spot from #6

6. Rock 'n' Rollercoaster - Hollywood Studios
This coaster stars Aerosmith, a familiar band that I grew up with. I'm not a big fan of timestamping a Disney attraction with something like a popular band that will be outgrown and need replacing. But, I still think this coaster is the most exciting in any disney park I have visited. The magnetic propulsion is crazy cool, combine that with gravity defying corkscrews, and loops, and you have a great Disney coaster. I think more impressive surroundings during the ride would help this be a stronger coaster, however.
Dropped down 4 spots from #2

5. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad - Magic Kingdom
This coaster beats out the shiny new Expedition Everest for its ability to deliver an experience worth waiting in line for. The ride lasts long enough to satisfy, and the complete immersion in the theming is undeniably top notch. It is obvious why this classic coaster still deserves praise.
Remained #5

4. Splash Mountain - Magic Kingdom
This is one of the few rides that is superior to its Disneyland counterpart. I thoroughly enjoy this ride, even though I detest getting wet on attractions. I always enjoy the amount of detail that was put into this attraction. From beginning to end you are immersed in the theme. Way to go Disney!
Remained #4

3. Pirates of the Caribbean - Magic Kingdom
Here is yet another attraction that is so much more fun at Disneyland. The ride makes more sense and had much more money put into it upon its most recent update, over at Disneyland. However, the queue at DisneyWorld is so freaking great. If they could take the DisneyWorld queue and the Disneyland ride and marry them somewhere... why that would be enough to bump this ride up to number 2 on my list.
Remained #3

2. Star Tours - Hollywood Studios
This attraction has always been a staple ride for the Tonymation family, but never would I have anticipated it breaking into the Tonymation Top Ten. Not only did it make the list, but debuts at number two! What an amazing ride this has become. I've been telling my wife that they should have multiple destinations for Star Tours since the first time I rode it back in 1998. Now all I have to do is sit back and wait for my Imagineering check to show up in the mail.
New to the list

And my number one attraction of DisneyWorld is...

1. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror - Hollywood Studios
This attraction has it all... immersive theming, interesting story, amazing attention to detail, multi-directioinal dark ride, and thrilling drop sequences. The imagineers must have been drinking genuis juice the day they created this ride. My hats off to you gentlemen!

Next round of Genius Juice is on me!
Remained #1

If you haven't already, be sure to check out my updated Ten Worst Attractions list.

Also, check back later to see a brand new list: Tonymation's Top Ten Attractions for Families..

Ten Worst Attractions of DisneyWorld 2011

The Tonymation family just returned from another grand Walt Disney World vacation. Mickey was happy to see the family had once again grown since last we visited him. I was joined by my wife, son, two beautiful daughters, and we brought my youngest sister along as a graduation gift.

I posted my top ten favorite and least favorite attractions in the parks about 4 years ago. I thought it would be cool to revisit the lists and update them.

I reference my old list from 2007, and track where the attractions used to be in comparison to the new list.
Be aware that this is just my humble opinion and I'm sure will not line up with the opinions of every WDW fan.

Tonymation's Top Ten Worst Attractions of Walt Disney World

10. American Idol Experience - Hollywood Studios
I have to be honest. I have never experienced this attraction. But, that being said, I have no desire to EVER visit this attraction. This says volumes about the attraction as an idea. It was opened after the show it is based on, had peaked in popularity, and it will only become more dated and irrelevant each year that passes.
New to the list

9. Voyage of the Little Mermaid - Hollywood Studios
I love this film, and I used to love this attraction back in the day when it was what the imagineers intended it to be. Now, it has been shortened down to fit more showtimes per day. An entire song was removed, and the entertaining spotlight on Sebastian featuring a puppet of his likeness, has been reduced to a mere cameo. In fact, the show is just a hodge podge of cameos of the characters in the film. Half of the attraction is footage from the actual film. It's a shame.
Moved down 4 spots from #5

8. Disney-MGM Studios Backlot Tour - Hollywood Studios
This attraction has been gutted thanks to the Lights Motors Action Extreme Stunt Show. It has been reduced to the pre-show, and ride through an alley they call a "boneyard", their props and wardrobe building, and the catastrophe canyon. For those that rode it in its original state, it is a sad skeleton of what it once was.
Remained at #8
7. Stitch's Great Escape - Magic Kingdom
What used to be a pretty intense attraction called Alien Encounter, is now the tame and eventless attraction starring Stitch. I wasn't a big fan of the original attraction, but at least it was entertaining. I could recreate this attraction at home by merely turning the lights off, blowing on your face, and spritzing you with a water bottle. I love Stitch, so let's give him a more worthy attraction please!
Moved down 3 spots from #4

6. Ellen's Energy Adventure - Epcot
If the goal of an attraction is to be long and boring, this one has hit the mark. Hey everyone, come in, sit on the floor and watch Ellen dream about being a stupid contestant on Jeopardy. Bill Nye the Science Guy shows up, and after you ride the endless and tiresome attraction, she's a genius. The end.
Remained at #6

5. Dinoland in Animal Kingdom - Animal Kingdom
Yes, this entire section of Animal Kingdom makes my list of worst attractions. You have an entire section of this not so interesting park devoted to a carnival theme. Who was in on this meeting?!!! The poster child attraction, Primeval Whirl, is a jerky ride that, by centrifugal force, slides you back and forth into your neighbor so you can get up close and personal with perfect strangers in the hot sticky Florida sun.... yay.
Moved up 2 spots from #7
4. Journey Into Narnia: Prince Caspian - Hollywood Studios
Disney, let's face it. You let Harry Potter slip through your fingers, and missed out on Lord of the Rings. This was a knee-jerk reaction to capture the fantasy audience that appeared to be spending money on any and all fantasy IPs. Well here's the deal... you managed to make one of my favorite book series look lame on the big screen by skimping on the costume design, and changing characters that were already well written. Then, you blame it on the Narnia IP and let it go to FOX. Let's all just forget the whole thing ever happened, and close this attraction.
Moved down 1 spot from #3

3. O' Canada - Epcot
This is one of those 360 degree "circle vision" movies, and it was recently revamped to be hip and edgy. The older film had no celebrities in it, and made Canada look like a nice retirement home for the elderly. Now they spiced it up by adding Martin Short as host, and some new clips of extreme sports, to make it look like a dream vacation for a teenager. My main problem with it is that you have to stand up through the entire show. When I go into an attraction, I like to enjoy air conditioning and take a load off of my feet. The imagineer that thought it would be a great idea to cram a bunch of sweaty, smelly, hot, exhausted people into a standing room only theater to watch a film about a country, must have been either insane, or just loves to torture tourists.Moved up 7 spots from #10

2. Journey Into Imagination with Figment - Epcot
Let's be honest here... this ride is supposed to be about imagination. Tap into that brain of yours and create, people. This is the inspiration for the attraction. Yet, we see bland walls that are supposedly an imagination lab for the first half of the ride. The premise gives this ride the potential to be one of the coolest attractions at DisneyWorld. Unfortunately, it is one of the dullest. The imagineers that created this ride should be ashamed of themselves. Where is the creativitiy! This attraction makes it so high on the list because of what it COULD be.
Moved down 1 spot from #1

And my number one worst attraction of Walt DisneyWorld is...

1. Sounds Dangerous - Hollywood Studios
I'm honestly surprised that this attraction still exists.
Summary: you listen to a not so interesting story unfold in a pitch black room. Did I mention it stars a comedian that has no acting ability? Seems like somebody at Disney thought it would be a good idea to create a comfortable place for teenagers to make-out.
Moved up 8 spots from #9

Thanks for reading, and stay tuned for my top ten best attractions list coming soon.