There’s no way to put together truly definite rankings of the best Disney attractions. Everything is subjective, but that’s also what makes exercises like this one so much fun. If we all listed the same top five, it would get dull pretty quickly. Today, I’ve focused my attention on Fantasyland at Walt Disney World, and it’s trickier than I originally expected. Disney has added new attractions but also removed some beloved ones. Figuring out where I stand on each one is a difficult undertaking.
The looming question is how much nostalgia plays into these picks. Can I match up an attraction that I loved as a kid against something that’s only been in place for a short time? It’s probably an unfair comparison, but there is no way to set aside my feelings from those early trips. Instead, I’ll use the descriptions to help explain my experiences with each attraction. The ultimate slots are less important to me than why they ended up there.
Polling the Crowd
Out of curiosity, I created a Twitter poll earlier this month that listed four possibilities for the top spot. There was a limit on four attractions, so I didn’t include “it’s a small world” as a choice. I doubt it could have unseated Peter Pan’s Flight as the winner. What surprised me was the low percentage of votes for Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. There’s usually a recency bias in this type of poll, and many likely haven’t experienced some older attractions.
Beyond the victory for Peter Pan, what stands out is the split among the other options. There was no clear consensus about the favorite attraction within Fantasyland. When I reached the top five of my list, I definitely understood the difficulty to rank them. Peter Pan’s Flight has both the legacy and current popularity, while the other three only have one piece.
Before diving into the list, I should clarify that I never experienced the Mickey Mouse Revue (at least in my memories). It closed when I was four years old in 1980. I’m also not including typical meet and greets, restaurants, play areas, and castle shows. I had to draw the line somewhere to keep this list from getting out of control. Let’s get to my rankings!
17. Mad Tea Party
Every choice on this list has something going for it; there are no total duds here. My picks often relate to how often I choose to experience the attraction. Also, how disappointed would I be if we skipped it? Those questions play a key role in the Mad Tea Party ending up in the final spot. Spinning around in a tea cup is fun! But how often do I ride it?
Like many attractions in Fantasyland, the Mad Tea Party works for almost any age. If you don’t love motion, you can just chill and not increase the spins. The trick is making sure your other passengers agree with this plan. The Mad Tea Party has a cool look with all the cups spinning at once, but it’s also tucked away in the corner near Tomorrowland. The overhead cover is needed to protect from the Florida sun, but there’s little to see beyond this space. It’s also the type of attraction we see in many amusement parks. Despite the legacy, there’s just not enough to move it up the list.
16. The Barnstormer
It’s easy to dismiss the importance of “rite of passage” attractions at Walt Disney World, especially with thrill rides. Kids progress through Disney’s coasters up to the parks’ most intense attractions. The starting point for many is The Barnstormer, which mirrors a typical kids carnival coaster but with better theming. Kids that aren’t ready for Seven Dwarfs Mine Train or Big Thunder Mountain Railroad might want to start here.
The Barnstormer received an update when it became part of Storybook Circus, with The Great Goofini (aka Goofy) becoming the star. While it fit better within the overall land, the experience is largely the same. For adults, cramming yourself into the small coaster is not pleasant; your back also takes a beating! Even so, it’s still fun to join your kids and enjoy a few small drops and turns. The short ride time is the biggest drawback, and it’s not as essential as most of the others.
15. Legend of The Lion King
When I first wrote down my rankings, my immediate thought was to place Legend of The Lion King into last place. It’s one of the most head-scratching attractions that Disney’s ever created for its parks. Running from 1994 to 2002, this show was replaced by Mickey’s Philharmagic. It made sense for Disney to capitalize on the popularity of The Lion King film. My reaction comes down to the execution of this strange presentation.
Featuring life-size puppets and clips from the movie, this show had similarities to Voyage of the Little Mermaid at the Disney/MGM Studios. The difference was the focus on the puppets, which made me laugh every time. The reason that Legend of the Lion King moved up two spots is its oddness. I want more weird shows at Walt Disney World! Not every attraction can have a huge budget, and it showed with this production.
14. Prince Charming Regal Carrousel
We’re back to another charming (no pun intended) attraction that goes back to the park’s opening in 1971. I enjoy a good carousel, and riding them with my girls is always a blast. It’s a must ride on each of our trips, and I doubt that will change as they get older. Built in 1917 by the Philadelphia Toboggan Co., its original location was Belle Isle Park in Detroit, Michigan.
The Carrousel’s placement on this list relates more to the complexity of attractions that follow. You also can ride this type of attraction in countless parks. Disney’s version definitely is better maintained and more impressive than my local Six Flags St. Louis’ version. However, the riding experience isn’t completely different. The Disney charm makes this attraction stand on its own, but it’s not enough to land higher on this list.
13. Enchanted Tales with Belle
There are certain attractions that I admire but don’t feel the need to experience again. A perfect example is Enchanted Tales with Belle, which employs clever technology to build something more than a typical meet and greet. You get the chance to meet Belle, but there’s also a story delivered through impressive effects like the Enchanted Wardrobe. It’s worth checking out at least once.
What keeps me from listing Enchanted Tales with Belle higher is my limited personal interest in the experience. My girls enjoyed seeing Belle (especially when they were younger), but the story line is pretty dumb. Do we need to recreate the story of how Belle met The Beast? I’d much rather see a new tale with Belle and her magical friends. It’s a fresh take on the meet and greet with audience participation, but not something to visit regularly.
12. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
We’ve reached a solid stretch of attractions that provide a good time. With the current ones, I visit them on most trips and enjoy the experience. The placement is really about the overall impact on me. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh starts this group because it doesn’t feel as essential. I’ll grab an extra FastPass and ride it, but I’m okay if we skip it.
Opening in 2003, Pooh is a solid dark ride. It takes you on a journey through familiar moments and includes well-designed scenes. What’s missing are those extra touches to make it a classic. Pooh’s Hunny Hunt in Tokyo reveals the potential of this source material. This version just plays it safe. The fact that it replaced Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride doesn’t help either. I appreciate the giant story book pages that present the idea we’re traveling right into the world of A.A. Milne. Pooh is a fun character, and there’s plenty to like here.
11. Magic Journeys
I wasn’t sure whether to even include Magic Journeys because it originated at EPCOT Center at the Imagination pavilion. What made the difference was recognizing that this 3D film played much longer in Fantasyland than its original run. After being replaced by Captain EO in February 1986, this mesmerizing film shifted to The Magic Kingdom and played from 1987 to 1993. It’s one of the more haunting attractions that Disney has ever created.
Magic Journeys has a late ’70s vibe with its synth music and relaxed pace, but it still makes an impact today. The main reason is the eerie tone that remains unsettling even when watched on YouTube. In particular, a scene with a witch projected into the moon still haunts me today. When you add that moment to creepy clowns, kids mindlessly chanting “trick or cheat“, and the intimacy of 3D, it’s the stuff of nightmares! The theme from The Sherman Brothers also is one of their best songs.
10. Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid
Just sneaking into the top ten is one of Disney’s more recent additions to Fantasyland. Opening in 2012, this modern dark ride includes an incredible facade that lifts it above the copy in California. The queue also sets the stage well for us to journey under the sea. I appreciate the high capacity and shorter lines, especially on a hot day. The opening scene, “Under the Sea” room, and Ursula animatronic lift it above the typical dark ride.
What keeps Under the Sea: Journey of The Little Mermaid from going higher is what’s missing. If you’re doing a book report attraction, you can’t skip the final act. Certain animatronics, especially Ariel and Eric in the above photo, are laughably unconvincing. It’s easy to focus on the flaws of what’s clearly an expensive attraction. This could have been a classic dark ride, and it’s instead just a solid, weirdly condensed attraction.
9. Dumbo The Flying Elephant
Fewer attractions represent Disney’s theme parks more than Dumbo the Flying Elephant. There’s reason we have a version of this attraction at every Disney resort. While it’s technically a spinner that resembles many other attractions, Dumbo feels different. Silver Dollar City in Missouri also has a spinning ride with elephants, but it’s doesn’t feel the same. The mix of theming, cool views, and just plain fun brings it all together.
Nostalgia plays a role here; I enjoyed Dumbo when I was a kid and love riding it with my girls today. It also connects to one of Disney’s earliest films and fits well inside the Storybook Circus space. Having two Dumbos right next to each other also helps eliminate the massive lines of the past. The indoor play area makes the wait better too, if you don’t mind screaming kids. Dumbo outshines its ride system and delivers something magical.
8. Mickey’s PhilharMagic
Opening in 2003, Mickey’s PhilharMagic was a big step forward for 3D films. Its mix of impressive visuals, smells, and in-theater effects isn’t jarring or intense. Nothing here scares kids, and the film recreates Disney classics in an interesting way. Beyond that, it’s a relaxing and fun experience that honors the history of the company. Plenty of small touches in the queue (like the music notes in the above photo) expand the experience.
The only downside today is that we’ve been watching the same film for more than 16 years. We’ve heard the songs involved so many times, the theme park effects continue to improve. This isn’t really a negative for PhilharMagic, which still provides an entertaining show. It just reminds us of the limits of film experiences. The remaining seven picks all take us through a physical space. Given these limitations, PhilharMagic is a home run that continues to charm guests of all ages.
7. Snow White’s Adventures
Most of my memories of Snow White’s Adventures look back to the original version that opened with the park in 1971. The witch freaked me out as a kid with its frequent appearances in scary settings. What makes this attraction so original is the way the Imagineers didn’t create a book report. We experience similar moments from the movie but not in the same way. The idea of the riders as Snow White also shifts the tone in something more sinister with the witch lurking around every corner.
The revamped 1994 version, despite being named Snow White’s Scary Adventures, actually removed much of the edge from the attraction. It’s still a good dark ride but not as memorable because it’s safer. I appreciate when Disney attractions feel a little weird and scary. They’re giving us something different than we expect. The changes made sense, and it was still sad to have Snow White lose out to a meet and greet. Fantasyland needs more dark rides! Thankfully, we can still join Snow White in Disneyland, though kids today won’t experience nightmares from the original.
6. Skyway
I love unique transportation options at Walt Disney World, and the Skyway was a perfect example. The gondolas perfectly match the European vibe of Fantasyland and made for a more vibrant land. They also provided an enjoyable way to skip the long walk to Space Mountain from the edge of Fantasyland. Another benefit was the cool views from above the park; it helped to spotlight the massive scale of The Magic Kingdom.
Unfortunately, Disney closed the Skyway in November 1999 due to maintenance costs and safety concerns. All three versions of this attraction have closed, and the parks deserve more. The Skyliner offers a similar vibe, but it’s more of a transportation system than an attraction. The Skyway offered a fun ride beyond its ability to move guests. It was a true gem.
5. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
One of the most popular attractions in The Magic Kingdom, the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is a coaster designed for people that don’t like coasters. There are a few drops and sudden turns, but it’s a smooth ride. When you add in a wonderful dark ride section in the middle and a nice finale, it all works. Fantasyland needs a headliner to draw crowds, and this 2014 addition checked all the right boxes.
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train also heightens the atmosphere of the surrounding area. You can hear the fun everyone is having from all over the park. Why is it not higher then, you ask? First of all, it’s still a short ride of less than three minutes. The dark ride portion is awesome, but it goes by quickly. Finally, low capacity has led to extremely long waits even on slow days. There’s plenty to recommend about this attraction, and it definitely belongs in the top five. I’m just not ready to declare it the winner at this point.
4. Peter Pan’s Flight
This attraction won my Twitter poll by a decent margin, which surprised me. It’s been around since opening day and is still popular with a wide range of guests, so the results make sense. Peter Pan’s Flight is the only classic dark ride left in The Magic Kingdom, so I’m glad it still draws crowds. It’s charming to fly over London and join Peter Pan, Wendy, and Tinker Bell for their adventures. The effect is still convincing, especially if we let down our guard and just enjoy the adventure.
Peter Pan’s Flight succeeds due to its inventive ride system, which goes back to the first version at Disneyland in 1955. Disney has improved the sets and even added more effects to other parks, but Florida’s version retains the classic feeling. It offers a perfect example of how you don’t need a massive show building and expensive sets to entertain guests. The #4 spot just comes down to personal preference and how much I enjoy the top three picks.
3. 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea
I love ambitious theme park attractions that convey a real feeling of adventure in a physical space. While the submarines in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea never actually dove beneath the surface, the journey was easy to believe. What made The Magic Kingdom attraction shine were the ride vehicles that directly matched the look of the 1954 film. The distinctive subs and beautiful lagoon sold the idea of a journey to another place.
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea did more than just provide a fun experience. It enhanced all of Fantasyland and helped it avoid becoming a world of concrete. There’s a lot to enjoy in New Fantasyland today, but we miss the lagoon and the atmosphere it created. The high costs and low capacity led to its closure in 1994, which is understandable but still stings. We can still board a sub at Disneyland, though it’s a much different version today.
2. “it’s a small world”
This is probably the most surprising choice on this list given the overall reputation of this attraction. I don’t have much nostalgia for this little boat ride either. It wasn’t a favorite when I was younger, and my appreciation has really grown in the past 10 years. “it’s a small world” has become one of my favorite spots to relax and just enjoy a cool ride. There’s so much to see on each sailing, and I didn’t give its charms enough credit until recently.
There’s a common misconception that the Sherman Brothers’ theme song for “it’s a small world” just keeps playing over and over. That isn’t really the case since it’s mostly sung in other languages. I’ve never been driven mad by the song, and the only scary thing is really the weird clowns on balloons. What I love about this attraction is all the color and vitality that exists in every room. There’s far too much to see in a single visit! The mix of Mary Blair’s gorgeous art, upbeat music, and a real sense of fun and wonder combines to deliver one of Disney’s most underrated attractions.
1. Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride
When I think about what I enjoy about theme parks, it’s sometimes just about taking a fun ride. You don’t need the latest technology, a complicated story, or a huge brand to deliver a brilliant attraction. Sometimes we just want to board an old-time car, crash through sets, and get hit by a train before going to hell. Okay, maybe that’s not exactly what we want. But you get the idea! Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride is a remarkable creation when you consider the limited popularity of its source material.
This pick may relate to nostalgia, but I’m confident it would still be near the top if it was open today. The two different tracks made the Walt Disney World version superior to Disneyland’s (queue pictured above) because you had different experiences. The rooms when both paths converge were so amazingly chaotic and enjoyable. To put it simply, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride was just fun. I couldn’t ask for more in a classic theme park attraction.
Do you agree with my picks? What are your favorite attractions in Fantasyland?
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