DisneyTips.com Your Guide To A Great Disney Vacation
Most Disney fans can agree that Walt Disney World (and Disneyland Resort) offer some of the best rides, shows, and attractions on the globe. However, not all of these experiences are equal. Some provide the best time of your life while others leave you feeling disappointed and like you wasted part of your valuable vacation. Below are the top five most overrated rides at Walt Disney World, that for some reason always have long waits while providing a subpar experience.
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5. Mad Tea Party
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The Mad Tea Party has been a Fantasyland staple for decades in Disney Parks. Themed after the Walt Disney Animation classic Alice in Wonderland (1951), Guests ride within giant tea cups, which then spin at high speeds that the riders control. Although this may have been a revolutionary experience when it debuted in Disneyland, spinning rides such as this have become commonplace in almost every major theme park in the country. Aside from the unique Alice in Wonderland theme, there is nothing that really sets this attraction up to be as popular as it is.
4. Na’vi River Journey
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This peaceful, slow-moving dark ride at Pandora – The World of Avatar in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park isn’t the worst ride in Orlando by far. It offers a tranquil experience for on-the-go Park-goers to snag a bit of relaxation as they float along the Kasvapan River, taking in all the whimsical sights of the bioluminescent forests. However, it is definitely not worth the wait that sometime accompanies it. As one of the two newest rides to be added to the Park lineup of attractions over the last few years, it’s still one of the “must-dos” that garner lengthy lines and massive waiting times. And for some, that begs the question of whether it’s worth it.
3. Slinky Dog Dash Roller Coaster
This smaller coaster added to Hollywood Studios in recent years can be a fun experience for young families or little children. But as is the case with Na’vi River Journey, most of the appeal for the Slinky Dog Dash Roller Coaster rests in its status as being that shiny new toy everyone wants to play with.
Credit: Disney
However, it may disappoint those looking for a full-throttle adrenaline rush rather than a cutely themed experience laden with springy twists and turns. For these people, the most climactic part of the riding experience is finally moving up in line to be next to the ride.
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2. Peter Pan’s Flight
Most Disney fans know that if you want to ride Peter Pan’s Flight, you’re looking at a minimum 45 minute wait on a good day. This dark ride, similar to Mad Tea Party is a Disney Park classic. Its popularity seems to rest more on the iconic history of the attraction and its connection to a classic Disney film, rather than a memorable or thrilling experience.
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The ride consists of revisiting scenes from the beloved animated film Peter Pan (1953) in a slow moving vehicle. So why all the hype? The common belief is that the unique ride system suspends the vehicles so little ones experience the sensation of “flying.” However, children over six (and their parents) may not find the ride to be that amazing of an experience and certainly not worth missing a chance to ride the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train or another more updated attraction.
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1. Tomorrowland Speedway
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This may very well be the most overrated attraction in all of Walt Disney World Resort. It is your standard take-the-wheel, ride in a miniature car. Similar to the Mad Tea Party, it’s an attraction that back in the day may have been a unique experience but has become very commonplace in most theme parks. In addition to the lackluster ride experience, it is often a long wait and occupies a tremendous footprint in the park that could be better served for newer attractions.
Opinions do vary among Guests as to which Disney World rides are the most overrated and which ones are entirely worth it. Just with everything else in life, every one has their own interests and expectations. At the end of the day, it is up to each Guest to make the most of their own magical experience.
