Last "Great" Disney Ride

ddubdad · Post by **ddubdad** » Jan Fri 11, 2008 2:00 pm

I haven't ridden EE yet, so I can't include it in my list yet. Soarin' is a great ride, but the queue area seems uninspired. Tower of Terror is the last great end to end Disney experience for me.

meticulus9 · Post by **meticulus9** » Jan Fri 11, 2008 3:30 pm

i would argue that soarin the ride makes up for the crappy queue (besides i almost always use fastpass besides early am for soarin)

but if we include queue: EE, tot, safari, kali all have great queues

Cheshire Cat · Post by **Cheshire Cat** » Jan Fri 11, 2008 3:32 pm

If I had to pick one: Tower of Terror

For quite a while, I've always referred to Splash Mounatin as the last great Magic Kingdom ride and ToT as the last great MGM ride. Following suite, I guess EE would be worthy of the same title at AK.

I don't include epcot because Horizons IMO was the last great ride built at epcot.

(Soarin' is copied from DCA so I wouldn't count it plus I don't really share the same enthusiasm about it as the majority of people do. It's not awful, it just feels like a tweaked IMAX Theater to me. I'm more of an animatronics person anyway)

HSolo29 · Post by **HSolo29** » Jan Fri 11, 2008 3:56 pm

I agree that Tower of Terror is definitely up there among the greats. And if I thought about it long enough, it even surpasses Soarin'(you're correct that the queue kinda messes up the experience). So yea, my final vote goes with Tower of Terror.

ddubdad · Post by **ddubdad** » Jan Fri 11, 2008 4:06 pm

I'm more of an animatronics person anyway

Same here - as much as I love the coasters I'd choose PoC or HM over them in a minute. I'm a sucker for robots and theming...

Is the queue different for Soarin' Over California? Was any theming done at all?

Lion Sleeps Tonight · Post by **Lion Sleeps Tonight** » Jan Fri 11, 2008 8:06 pm

The queue for Soarin' over at Epcot is just a line. On the wall are panels with some images, and I heard it's a little more interactive now, but it hardly inspires, and isn't as memorable as the one in DCA. There isn't any kind of flight history or music I believe.

Not everyone knows that all the places we visit are in CA.

DisBeamer · Post by **DisBeamer** » Jan Fri 11, 2008 8:31 pm

I have to vote ToT too. It's very well done from start to finish - the queue is fantastically detailed (even outside), the ride system is very clever ... the whole design is just very, very good from start to finish. And it had a fair bit of originality wedged in there to boot; sure they didn't come up with the dropping elevator-type ride idea but they certainly made it their own.

Cheshire Cat wrote:(Soarin' is copied from DCA so I wouldn't count it plus I don't really share the same enthusiasm about it as the majority of people do. It's not awful, it just feels like a tweaked IMAX Theater to me. I'm more of an animatronics person anyway)

You know, I'm sure it's because I read so much hype about it for so long, but I didn't think Soarin' was all that much to write home about. I've been in a lot of IMAX theaters before (IMAX was invented in my home town =D ) so that was really nothing new to me. The hang glider element was neat, and it was fun but ... well suffice it to say we waited in the stand by line as we didn't have anything else to do, but we got fast passes for later before we got on line. We never used the fast passes. I'm not saying it's a terrible ride, but I don't think it'll be a must do for me.

I'm not sure it's all down to hype though (although as I said, I'm sure a good part of it is; that and personal taste). I read a lot of hype about EE too, and I thought that was a much better ride.

Blackie Pueblo · Post by **Blackie Pueblo** » Jan Sat 12, 2008 12:20 am

I have to say I really love Soarin. But I think EE might be the best new ride they Disney has come up with. It doesn't seem like much, just another quick roller coaster. But it's a roller coaster with Disney touches. The que that builds up the excitement. The torn up track that really adds shock. The animation in the cave. Then the animatronic itself is simply amazing.

But I also have to note, I know it's not at all new because "...it was done in Disneyland first..." but the refurb of the Haunted Mansion has to be one of the best refurbs in a long time. Almost makes it like a newer ride. Not new, newer.

"When we consider a new project, we really study it-not just the surface idea but everything about it."
---Walter Elias Disney

DisBeamer · Post by **DisBeamer** » Jan Sat 12, 2008 2:36 am

I was tempted to mention the Haunted Mansion myself. Best refurb is probably a separate category, I guess, but they certainly breathed new life (new death? o.O) into a classic in an impressive way.

casrin · Post by **casrin** » Jan Sat 12, 2008 12:01 pm

I like the queue at Tower of Terror, but never cared much for the ride itself.

PotC and HM are my absolute favorites.

Post by **YZFDonor** » Jan Sat 12, 2008 8:54 pm

I enjoyed Exterrorestrial Alien Encounter but it's gone, does it count??

Post by **js3901** » Jan Sat 12, 2008 10:09 pm

I wouldn't count Alien Encounter/Stitch's great escape a ride. it's one of my pet peeves when I hear people call it a ride. It's more of a show like Mickey's Philharmagic, and of the Circlevision films, or Country Bear Jamboree. You just sit there, and don't go anywhere.

Expedition Everest is a great ride with a great queue. It definitely builds up the excitement to the ride itself. I've never been on ToT (can't do the droppy-type rides), so I've never actually been in the queue. but I think next trip I'll go through the queue and duck out before the ride itself. I've seen some deceent pictures online and would like to see it for myself at least once.

Lion Sleeps Tonight · Post by **Lion Sleeps Tonight** » Jan Sat 12, 2008 10:56 pm

For me, Everest is Disney's latest great attraction. The queue is definitely an attraction in itself; it's awesomely detailed. The coaster, while not totally crazy-fast, is pretty dang fun.

TikiTikiRoom · Post by **TikiTikiRoom** » Jan Wed 16, 2008 11:29 am

the queue for Expedition Everest (from what i recall) is fantastic. Pictures of yeti footprints, supposed clumps of yeti fur, even a snapshot of a supposed yeti attacking a the camera-man.

so fun.

SWHorn · Post by **SWHorn** » Jan Wed 16, 2008 1:30 pm

I guess it depends on how you define "great." Great, to many people would be something they thoroughly enjoy, even if it isn't something most would consider extraordinary.

I really like Mission Space. It's just fun to me. I think the queue, the preshow, and the ride were very well put together.

I think Soarin' is super fun. I think the queue is awful, the fastpass line is always too long, and it's a copy of the DL ride. But, I think it's truly a wonderful addition to Epcot. Many people (like my dad) think it's GREAT. But, that's not how I would classify it.

Anyway, I guess I have to agree that the last "great" rides would be EE or ToT. Just incredible detail from start to finish. You really are sucked into the world of the attraction.