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The Disney World Attractions That Might Not Be Worth the Wait on Your Next Trip

The Barnstormer Roller Coaster
Credit: Disney

Planning your next Walt Disney World vacation? The process can easily feel overwhelming, especially as Guests continue to navigate updates to things like virtual queues, Disney Genie+, Lightning Lane, and more.

Of course, for most Disney attractions, Guests do have the option to wait in the traditional standby line, but is it worth the wait? Well, it depends on the attraction and what you are hoping to get out of your trip…

Cinderella Castle

Credit: Disney

The Barnstormer

Located in Storybook Circus in Magic Kingdom Park, The Barnstormer is Disney’s most kid-friendly roller coaster-style attraction. With a short height requirement of only 35 inches, low height, and slower speed compared to other roller coasters, The Barnstormer is an excellent choice for families with little ones looking to try out their very first coaster.

Is it worth the wait, though? It depends on who is in your party, what their interests are, and how much time you have. The Barnstormer is a very short attraction coming in at under 1 minute (53 seconds to be exact), so depending on how long the line is, it could be difficult to justify a long wait for such a short ride. While the theming on The Barnstormer is indeed fun (as the Great Goofini works on his flying skills) it is rather light compared to other Disney attractions, so if you are not in it for the limited thrills you may be disappointed. We still recommend this attraction as a first roller coaster for kids, or anyone new to thrill rides, but especially with limited time or a long wait you may otherwise want to pass.

The Barnstormer in the Magic Kingdom

Credit: Pics From the World of Disney

RELATED: Is Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid Worth the Wait?

Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival

Moving over to EPCOT, choosing an attraction you may want to skip can be a challenge as the rides and shows in this Disney Park vary wildly. Near the Imagination Pavilion, Guests will find the Disney and Pixar short film festival, a 4-D showing of beloved short films, currently Get a Horse (2013), For the Birds (2000), and La Luna (2011).

This attraction rarely has a wait (aside from waiting for the next show to start) but it does take about 25 minutes giving time to sit and exit the theater for the full experience. If the show just started, you could be spending about 45 minutes at the Magic Eye Theater, which might be a nice way to do something relaxing and enjoy these amazing films, or it could be time better spent elsewhere since the films are all available to stream on Disney+.

Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival

Credit: Inside the Magic

RELATED: You Know Walt Disney World Is Busy When These Attractions Have A Long Line

It’s Tough to Be a Bug

In Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Guests can have a truly wild time seeing exotic animals on attractions like Kilimanjaro Safaris and walking trails around the Park. Thrill rides like DINOSAUR and Expedition Everest, along with the totally immersive Pandora – The World of Avatar.

If there is one attraction that is routinely skipped over by Guests, and perhaps for good reason, it’s It’s Tough to Be a Bug, the 3-D show located inside the Tree of Life that gives Guests an up-close look at the world of insects and their world. The show does feature loveable characters from A Bug’s Life (1998) like Flik (but also the film’s villain, Hopper.) There are a couple of scenes in the show that may not be for you (or your little ones) especially (spoilers ahead) when spiders come down from above and the theater’s special effects give the illusion that bugs are crawling and stinging you. If that’s the case, your time in Disney’s Animal Kingdom would be better spent on the other attractions, or simply walking around and seeing the animals.

It's Tough to Be a Bug Theater

Credit: Disney

RELATED: Disney Says ‘Unexpected Enhancements’ Are to Blame for Guests’ Issues With Genie+

We hope this list helps you plan your next Walt Disney World vacation, especially if you find yourself short on time. As always, we recommend checking wait times in the My Disney Experience app to plan your day in the theme parks, and you may want to consider purchasing Genie+ if it is in your budget.

Note: The opinions in this post reflect those of the author and may not be consistent with Disney Tips in general. 

About Brittany DiCologero

Brittany is a New England-based writer focused on the history of the Walt Disney World Resort. She is the author of "Red, White, and Disney: The Myths and Reality of American History at the Walt Disney World Resort," and "Brittany Earns Her Ears."