In today’s world of YouTube videos and constant news, it’s easy to learn about the latest attractions. We can experience brand-new rides from around the world. Downsides exist, however. We lose the mystery for our first rides. I’ve dodged many videos of Rise of the Resistance during the past year. The other difficulty is the constant need to visit these attractions. My bucket list is much larger than anything I could place in a blog.
I’m focusing on Disney theme park attractions that I haven’t experienced for this bucket list. Most are overseas, though one is from U.S. parks. Several others will eventually appear at Walt Disney World as clones. We did visit Paris in 2006 but have not reached Disney’s other international parks. This bucket list is aspirational for a time when big vacations are possible.
It wasn’t hard to narrow this bucket list to 15, but ranking them was tougher. I want to check out all these attractions! There is no wrong answer; differences between slots are slim. With a few exceptions, I avoided picks that have similar versions at Disneyland or Walt Disney World. For example, I want to see the Tower of Terror in Tokyo but the ride is like the extinct DCA version. I’d love to hear your thoughts. Leave me a comment below, message on Twitter, or send an e-mail. Let’s get to the picks!
15. Camp Discovery Challenge Trails, Shanghai Disneyland
I’m starting with the only attraction in this bucket list that isn’t a ride. I love hearing about how intense the Challenge Trails are at Camp Discovery! I doubt we’d see anything this cool at the U.S. parks. The three elevated ropes courses take guests through Roaring Mountain in the Adventure Isle area. You can see waterfalls, experience Echo Canyon, and visit lost temples.
Beyond thrills, I love the idea of exploration at Camp Discovery. It reminds me of Marvel Cave at Silver Dollar City, but in a Disney setting. The Challenge Trails are just one part of Camp Discovery, where you can also relax and just enjoy the scenery. It reminds me why I love Disney’s Animal Kingdom; the environment is a big part of the draw. We’re a long way from flat rides that fly over concrete parking lots.
14. Crush’s Coaster, Walt Disney Studios Park in Paris
We just missed the chance to ride Crush’s Coaster, which opened in 2007. I don’t love spinning coasters, but I’ve heard good things on this popular attraction. Ben Rebstock ranked it third in his “Top 10 International Disney Theme Park Attractions” for Attractions Magazine. The Studios Park in Paris needed a lot of help, and this was a good start. I’m intrigued by the mix of a dark ride and coaster, and the effects look cool even in online videos.
Massive lines for Crush’s Coaster are partially due to limited options in the park, but that doesn’t mean it’s bad. The seamless technology to present the characters underwater works great in The Seas with Nemo & Friends. The early Great Barrier Reef scenes feel like classic Disney, with some thrills added by the end. This ranking is lower for me on this bucket list because there are so many options. Plus, there’s that spinning coaster thing.
13. Ratatouille: The Adventure, Walt Disney Studios Park in Paris
Here’s the first appearance of an attraction that I’ll ultimately cross off this bucket list. Ratatouille: The Adventure should open in the France pavilion at EPCOT this year, possibly very soon. In a similar vein to Crush’s Coaster, this trackless dark ride was crucial to help the fledging Studios. I’m curious to see how the physical screens mix with the screens in this attraction. Considering the limited number of rides in World Showcase, Ratatouille should be exactly what that area needs and fit well in that area.
The main reason this attraction isn’t higher on this bucket list is my hesitation about screens. Behind-the-scenes views from the Disney Parks Blog show large sets, but the action mostly happens from the large screens. That can be a great recipe in something like Spider-Man; how will it work here? Regardless, I’m still excited by what looks to be a fun attraction with a zany atmosphere. Ratatouille will also make a big impact in how crowds visit EPCOT and lessen the burden on the other headliners. Since I won’t be returning to Paris soon, I can’t wait to enjoy it at Walt Disney World.
12. Aquatopia, Tokyo DisneySea
It’s time for a very different use of trackless technology with Aquatopia! I love water rides, particularly ones that find a different way to entertain guests. It’s amazing to realize the water is only a few inches deep; you can easily convince yourself it’s a full lake. While compared to Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters, the water elements make an entirely different experience.
Aquatopia reminds me of the Motor Boat Cruise that I enjoyed as a kid at Disneyland in the ’80s. Sometimes it doesn’t take much to provide a great attraction. The jumping fountains and chance to get a little wet add to the fun. Theme parks need more complementary attractions like Aquatopia; let’s bring this to Tomorrowland here!
11. Monster’s Inc., Ride & Go Seek, Tokyo Disneyland
Disney has found clever ways to incorporate Monsters, Inc. within its parks. I don’t love the Laugh Floor in Tomorrowland, but it’s a fun show. Mike & Sully to the Rescue opened at DCA in 2006 and is a solid dark ride. Both of these are just pretenders to the throne, however. I’ve watched ride videos and read about the Ride & Go Seek in Tokyo, and my brain still doesn’t entirely understand how it works. That makes it even more interesting.
Guests hold flashlights that interact with the scenes and impact the monsters. The tagging makes the show interactive without just obvious scores. It’s a clever way to involve us directly and encourage repeat rides. I love a zany dark ride, and Ride & Go Seek works that way even without the flashlights. I’d love to have the chance to experience such a fun attraction.
10. Sindbad’s Storybook Voyage, Tokyo DisneySea
I’m pretty sure that I could ride Sindbad’s Storybook Voyage all day if I had the time. The revamped version in 2007 included adding the song “Compass of the Heart”, written by Alan Menken. This catchy tune plays throughout the boat ride and gives it a feeling similar to “it’s a small world”. I can’t really figure out what’s happening from online videos but suspect that doesn’t matter. The sense of magic and adventure drives the show.
It’s refreshing to see a 10-minute boat ride filled with colorful sets and animatronics. The scenes have depth, particularly ones with characters on multiple sides of you. The room with a massive giant playing a bass while Sindbad stands on a ship across from him looks stunning. Sindbad’s Storybook Voyage is my type of theme park attraction. It should reward us on multiple rides because there’s so much to see in every show scene.
9. Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars, Hong Kong Disneyland
When Hong Kong Disneyland opened, it wasn’t set up like a full-day park you might expect from Disney. The lineup needed some help, and expansions like Toy Story Land and Mystic Point helped immensely (in different ways). The final piece of the expansion was Grizzly Gulch, which was themed like a mining town from the late 19th century. Its centerpiece was an outdoor coaster that makes amazing use of a limited space.
I’m not the first person to compare the Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Expedition Everest. It’s also a throwback with no connection a Disney property. I love the idea of a coaster with great scenery and thrills that’s also suitable for a majority of guests. The backward sections also create surprises for added fun. Plus, you can’t go wrong with animatronic bears! It’s a strong addition to my bucket list.
8. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Tokyo DisneySea
I’m amazed by the ride system of this attraction, which uses bubbles and sound effects to convince us that we’re traveling underwater. The mix of colorful sets, movement, an up-close perspective in the ride vehicles sell the effect. I suspect it’s even more impressive in person than on video too. The iconic giant squid and other sea creatures aren’t scary and fit with Disney’s best attractions. They’re believable for the adventure but not too realistic.
I love the steampunk aesthetic in the queue and sets. Journey to the Center of the Earth might be the headliner of Mysterious Island, but this attraction shouldn’t be overlooked. The Jules Verne theme appears in full force in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. The vehicles also represent an interesting shift from submarines we expect from past variations. This should probably be higher on my bucket list.
7. Pooh’s Hunny Hunt, Tokyo Disneyland
Pooh’s Hunny Hunt may appear similar to other Pooh attractions. Don’t be fooled; it’s big step beyond those dark rides. I enjoy the version in Florida but would to see this enhanced version. It was the first example of a trackless ride when it opened in 2000. It uses this new technology creatively to expand on the format of the others.
Instead of following a normal track, we’re able to get closer and enjoy the scenes in a different way. The rooms are also structured with more details because vehicles are spread out in various locations. In particular, the scene with Tigger bouncing with the room is mind-boggling even on a video. I would love to experience that moment and understand how it works. The vehicles also zip through the scenes at times, which adds a little more thrills to the experience. It’s such an achievement!
6. The Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast, Tokyo Disneyland
I recently spoke to Imagineer Jim Clark, and his insights make the Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast sound even more impressive. This trackless dark ride seems to represent the next evolution of Disney’s theme park attractions. It presents source material that most of us know but in a new way. I love seeing a different use of technology to tell a story. The ride system supports the story and isn’t the primary reason for creating it.
A major expansion based on a 30-year-old animated film may not sound like an exciting addition. What makes this attraction stand out is the attention to detail beyond the ride. The queue and pre-show play a major role in the story, and even the shops nearby connect to it. The castle exterior is also stunning and sets the stage perfectly. I’m basing my thoughts on videos, so visiting in person would go well beyond what I’ve seen thus far.
5. Tron Lightcycle Power Run, Shanghai Disneyland
Tomorrowland has always been one of my favorite spots at Walt Disney World, and it’s about to get a lot more exciting. I’m thrilled that Disney is bringing the Tron Lightcycle Power Run to Florida. From the striking exterior to the background music and pre-show, everything looks amazing from this attraction. It should do a lot more than just provide a fun ride.
It’s hard from my brain to comprehend how different Tomorrowland will be after Tron opens in 2022 (I hope!). Space Mountain has been the centerpiece for a long time, and that may change with another super headliner added. The actual coaster seems pretty short, but the full experience looks really impressive. I can’t wait to board my lightcycle and enjoy such a cool ride system with The Magic Kingdom’s new star.
4. Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle of the Sunken Treasure, Shanghai Disneyland
I’ve always been skeptical about the prevalence of screens in modern theme parks. They can work in certain attractions like Spider-Man at Islands of Adventure or Soarin’ Over California. However, those are the exception to the trends. Moving through physical spaces is a big part of what makes a classic, and Pirates of the Caribbean is a perfect example. It includes so much detail, and I catch something new every time I ride it. Could it work with screens used more prominently?
Based on what I’ve seen, the Battle of the Sunken Treasure in Shanghai finds a brilliant way to combine sets and screens. The massive images of ships floating in the water inside a battle works amazingly. The technology is mind-boggling. What excites me about this attraction is the way Disney retains what made the original great while creating a new experience. It sets the standard for this type of attraction.
3. Journey to the Center of the Earth, Tokyo DisneySea
The immense scale of Mount Prometheus is the centerpiece of Tokyo DisneySea. The eye-catching volcano on Mysterious Island sells the park’s Jules Verne aesthetic and promises an exciting attraction. I enjoy the Test Track ride system, which was also used well in Radiator Springs Racers. The mix of a dark ride with thrills represents the best of what Disney can do. It was hard not to place it at the top of this bucket list.
It’s hard to gather too much from online videos of Journey to the Center of the Earth since much occurs in dark settings. We board mine vehicles to explore unknown territory and encounter strange beings, including a monster. I also love that Buddy Baker composed the score, which makes a great connection to past classics from EPCOT Center and the 1964-65 World’s Fair. I love an E-Ticket attraction an epic scale, and Journey to the Center of the Earth perfectly fits that category.
2. Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, Disneyland and Walt Disney World
I’ve become skilled at bypassing ride videos of Rise of the Resistance during the past year. I don’t mind catching a few glimpses or learning small details, but I’d like to keep the mystery in place. The universal reactions of wonderment at the technology and scope of this attraction are rare. Theme parks can be cynical even with blockbuster expansions. The only grumblings have been about the complicated virtual queue. Before our Disneyland trip was cancelled, I was nervous about that process.
What excites me the most about Rise of the Resistance is the ambition. The Imagineers went beyond what anyone could have expected from a Star Wars attraction. Combining multiple ride systems into a single experience is extremely difficult. The high expectations of diehard fans also made this more challenging than something like Flight of Passage. I cannot wait to finally get the chance to visit Rise of the Resistance during our next visit to Walt Disney World or Disneyland. It looks like a home run!
1. Mystic Manor, Hong Kong Disneyland
I love the fact that Disney built a complicated E-ticket attraction for Hong Kong Disneyland in 2013 that wasn’t connected to a brand. There’s a reason so many long-time fans can’t wait to experience Mystic Manor. It uses the latest effects and the trackless ride technology, but it feels like a throwback. It’s different from The Haunted Mansion but shares the spirit of originality and magic. The exterior isn’t scary or imposing; instead, it feels creative.
Instead of leaning on established properties for the Mystic Point expansion, Disney built a new story centered on the Society of Explorers and Adventurers (SEA). It connects to other elements of the parks but isn’t a copy. Lord Henry Mystic and Albert are classic, whimsical Disney characters. The score from Danny Elfman adds to the sense of mystery and wonder. Mystic Manor is definitely the top draw for me on this bucket list, which is a huge statement. I’d love to ride it someday.
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