Disney World’s Top Rides and Attractions

Often it is easier to visit Disney World via cheap traveloptions such as cheapairplane tickets, cheapfares, discount hotel rooms, cheapdeals, discounttravel deals, and cheap vacation packages thanit is to decide which rides and attractions to visit once you are there.

Given limited time, how do you decide between visitingIts a Small World vs. Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith? What do you most highly value the thrills,storytelling, nostalgia or any number of other considerations? Walt Disney is known for having said itskind of fun to do the impossible.

The following are the best Disney rides and attractions,according to James Riley:

• ExpeditionEverest is the newest attraction at the newest theme park at Walt Disney World,until the upcoming Avatar land opens. The story commences the moment a guest enters the surrounding Tibetantown of Serka Zong, with Yeti imagery imperceptibly introducing the rides starbefore the queue is even entered. Ridersdelight in the story plus immersion plus ripped up tracks.

• Soarinis more than simply a hang gliding simulator. It is one of the most peaceful rides in all four parks for guests who donot have a problem with heights. Itfeels very relaxing to glide over aromatic orange groves with the wind blowingthrough your hair and having your feet just about brush the waves of thePacific.

• StarTours is a new ride with random destinations such as Darth Vader and rebelspies. This is the best and only way totravel to a galaxy far, far away.

• JungleCruise used to be one of Walt Disneys favorite rides because he loved hearingthe various captains spiels. Laughteradds to the rides enjoyment as guests take a cruise through the rivers of theworld.

• TheTwilight Zone Tower of Terror is hosted by Rod Sterling. The elevator drop ride is truly memorable. This attraction incorporates its storyseamlessly into a thrilling ride.

• KilimanjaroSafaris takes guests close enough to its animal stars to make them feel likethey are in the wild. Depending on thetime of day this can be a quick trip around the savannah or an extended wait onsome not to be hurried giraffes or rhinos practically begging to have theirpictures taken.

• SpaceMountain is Disney Worlds concept of Disneylands Matterhorn with the lightsturned out. While not the fastest ridein the park, clocking in at only 27 mph, in darkness everyone hears everyoneelses screams. Space Mountain hasplenty of twists and turns guests never see coming. Although Space Mountain is often the firstcoaster ride many young Disney guests experience, this ride holds up no matterthe age of the rider.

• Piratesof the Caribbean takes guests on a pirate invasion of a Spanish fort. This was the last ride Walt helped develop. This gentle boat ride passes some of theoddest pirate skullduggery ever seen at a theme park.

• PeterPans Flight commences with a pirate ship sailing out of the Darlings bedroomand flies over London. The intricatemodeled detail of London and Neverland makes many a rider believe he isactually flying.

• HauntedMansion is not your average Disney ride. Cast members encourage guests to drag their wretched bodies to the deadcenter of the room with no exits beyond your Ghost Hosts way. 999 happy haunts welcome guests to theirhome. Beware of hitchhiking ghosts andtry not to lose your head.

The following are iconic honorable mention attractions thatyou should try to see, if you have time:

• SpaceshipEarth is inside Epcots giant golf ball. This classic ride inside the geodesic sphere takes guests from the verybeginnings of human communication to the present, and then on to thefuture. The former ExperimentalPrototype Community of Tomorrow is well known for making learning fun. Recent enhancements have added interactiveelements to appeal to children.

• Its aSmall World tugs at heartstrings as children around the world come together tosing about peace, love, and unity.

• WaltDisneys Enchanted Tiki Room was the first attraction at any park to featureaudio animatronics and paved the way for almost every ride that came after it.

One sound piece of advice: instead of making yourself crazy trying to get on as many rides aspossible during your stay, take time to smell the roses and really enjoy therides you take.