Disney is know for some of the best attractions in the world! Some are thrilling, nostalgic, or display some of the best storytelling. And others…well, they just need to go. Do you agree with this list?
Tomorrowland Speedway
My (Monica) kids love this ride so I do it for them, but Tomorrowland Speedway really needs to go. Between the smell of gasoline and the painfully slow speed of the cars, I can only do this ride once a trip (and none at all if I’m on an adult-only trip). Let’s not forget the fact that Tomorrowland Speedway is now really outdated for Tomorrowland.
Many have suggested turning Tomorrowland Speedway into some kind of Wreck-it Ralph/Sugar Rush attraction, and I actually love that idea. I think it would be fun to maybe have different ride vehicles going together in tandem as a race!
it’s a small world
Ok, hear me out on this! There are just sooo many boat rides at Disney World. I love the idea of children around the world, but I don’t think the execution is Walt’s best work. It’s just going through room after room of dolls and that song.
I was stuck on it’s a small world once for way too long so I may be a bit jaded. Personally, my favorite part of the ride is waving to the people in Pinocchio Village Haus. Also, I have been known to go to Pinocchio Village Haus for the sole purpose of waving to people on it’s a small world.
I know many love the nostalgia of this ride (it was created for the 1964 World’s Fair), but this ride just doesn’t do it for me.
Magic Carpets
To go along with the sentiments of it’s a small world, Disney World also has sooo many spinner rides. Magic Kingdom has three: Dumbo, Astro Orbiter and the Magic Carpets. Of the three, I think Dumbo is cuter and has an edge with the play area. And at least Astro Orbiter has the whole elevator thing and view of the park going for it.
I don’t necessarily have anything against Magic Carpets, but I think this little area would be better served as a splash/misting area for kids. Keeping the spitting camel would be a cute touch.
Journey into Imagination with Figment
Moving along to Epcot, Journey into Imagination with Figment needs to go. This ride has undergone three different versions, and I think this ride in general is just poorly done. I know many love the original version, and of course, we have Figment.
With Epcot undergoing a massive reimagination, this attraction will be even more dated and lacking that wow factor compared to other things Disney has in store. Maybe they could refurbish this ride to bring it up to date and bring back elements of the original version for nostalgic purposes for all those Disney Adults.
Definitely keep Figment!
Mission: SPACE
This one needs to go for one reason and one reason alone: this ride is nauseating. Not just a little but a lot. Mission: SPACE has two versions (orange and green), and even the green is rough enough to make me lose interest in anything for the rest of the day. Plus, many complain the space chambers are very claustrophobia-inducing. I just don’t think Disney really thought this one through.
Space 220 and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind are near Mission: SPACE. I think most people are in agreement with me that they don’t care for this ride, but I don’t really have a suggestion for a replacement. I think the concept is cool, but Disney should re-work this ride so it’s much more manageable for Guests.
Star Tours
I had trouble finding an attraction that should be removed from Hollywood Studios, because well, almost everything has already been changed! This was a very small park before the recent additions of Toy Story Land and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. The Great Movie Ride is gone with Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway taking its place.
Don’t you try to take away my Tower of Terror and Rock ‘n’ Rollercoaster, Disney!
If I had to choose it would be Star Tours for me. Not only does this ride feel out of place since it’s not in Galaxy’s Edge, but it’s also another ride that makes me feel icky afterward. I know it started the whole Star Wars in the parks thing, but now it’s just out place.
This area of the park still has that backstage studio feel (which the whole park was originally designed to be), so some type of ride with movie elements would be neat. Maybe Disney could use some of the concepts and ideas from the Great Movie Ride as a nod to the attraction that started Hollywood Studios. And of course, keep some of the Star Wars pieces for nostalgia purposes.
It’s Tough to be a Bug
This 9 minute 3D show at Animal Kingdom is straight up terrifying for many Guests. Between the bugs, the atrocious smells, and that feeling that something is crawling all over you, it doesn’t give us that feel good feeling. Why Disney would ever want to turn us off on a show is beyond me.
Keep A Bug’s Life and the cute conservation message, but maybe get rid of the things that make is so unpleasant.
Kali River Rapids
Rounding out the Animal Kingdom for attractions that need to go is Kali River Rapids. It needs to go for one reason and one reason only: no one likes to get wet on vacation unless you’re at the beach. Unless you get stuck on Splash Mountain on that first incline, Kali River Rapids is the one ride where you are guaranteed to walk away soaked.
It’s not a very pleasant feeling, and it’s the main reason I have only ever been on it one time.
What about you? Are there any rides you just don’t like at Disney World? Do you agree with my list? Any you would add or take away? Join the conversation in the comments below and on Facebook.
I wish I could post a picture of my grand daughter’s face during it’s a small world. The wonder in her eyes is more than enough justification to keep that ride forever. Because the rude is for them, not me.
I’m just there to enjoy the wonder in their eyes.
But I guess it’s not that important to some that children going to Disney parks can find wonder in things that adults have forgotten used to create wonder in their eyes.
Dinosaur Race to Extinction!!! Talk about nausea…this ride throws you about, the narrative is ridiculous and the dinosaurs look unreal. In fact, Dinoland needs to go completely and be re-themed into something else.
I honestly don’t know how you said “Epcot” and didn’t say “Gran Fiesta Tour” .. that ride is a snoozefest. Could easily be retrofitting into a Coco ride and I would love that idea. Nobody under 40 even knows who the the Three Calleberos even are anyway.
Only issue is I dint see any feasible way of adjusting the cue to deal with more than 10 people.
#1 should be Swiss Family Treehouse. Takes up prime space and younger generation don’t even know what it represents.
I agree with other commentary. You have made a very broad assumption that these are the rides that are needing to go. Outside of a few that maybe just need to be modernized. I’d say a majority of the ones listed above especially small world are way too iconic to just be replaced. This should be a polled question.
Amen Greg Star Tours is literally the BEST ride considering how long you have to wait! Usually always under 20min wherever I’ve been there.
Ok so you couldn’t think of ANYTHING besides Star Tours to crap on at Hollywood Studios?! You say it’s out of place because it’s not in galaxy’s edge? You know what the problem is – The DING DANG MUPPETS! Obviously the MUPPETS 3D Vision is the ABSOLUTE WORST attraction in Hollywood Studios and is super out of place seeing as it lies between Star Tours and Rise of the Resistance. Not only is the Muppets show pretty Dumb, it’s also SO OUTDATED when it comes to Disney 3D shows! Like this show acts like it invented 3D and maybe it did (who knows) but seriously Bug’s Life and Mickey’s Philharmagic are both WAY BETTER!!! I CAN’T believe they got rid of GOOD rides like The Great Movie Ride and The Backlot Tour and kept the awful outdated Muppets 3D Vision Show that NOBODY wants to see! So Kenny I love your articles but I want to know how the Muppets didn’t make this list!
You are totally off base. These are great rides. The speedway could use an update
LEAVE ITS A SMALL WORLD ALONE
I disagree with this list. Stop trying to change everything. Not everyone gets to experience Disney as often as others. Some nastalgia is good.
I have been going to Disney for over 45 years and now take my grandchildren they love all these rides especially Small World. We even had to buy small world singing dolls which they play every night before bed and can sing in each language.
I do agree with the speedway maybe being changed to a Wreck it Ralph ride as it is not environmentally friendly. Also maybe the carpet ride as there is already Dumbo.
As for the classics some you just can’t change.
I disagree with most of your assessments/opinions on the rides. I prefer Star Tours to the much hyped Rise of the Rebellion because Star Tours is fun and funny. It’s a Small World is much nicer since it’s been spruced up. The song is still annoying but part of the fun of remembering it afterwards. Personally, I wish Epcot would change the three caballeros to Coco. And I would ditch that dreadful Beauty and the Beast sing-along in France – killed the storyline. Love Kali River Rapids hate kite tails
I agree that Missiom Space needs to go. I love all the others.
Kali River Rapids is a weak water ride if you want a great rapid water ride go to Seaworld and ride infinity falls.
I think all these recommendations are ridiculous. All of these rides are great and make the park what it is! Disney has started to change and take away so much already that the parks are losing the magic they once had.
Thanks for asking. I disagree about a few and I always remember some people still experience WDW for the 1st time and have a very different impression! Until MK refreshed It’s a Small World i would have avoided it. My spouse never wants the song in her head. But the refresh is so bright and cheery and different that I now recommend it not only to first timers but to those who think they don’t want to see it again. Sure, I won’t go there a lot but it is a classis.
We had not been to Star Tours until this week and we loved it. We usually avoid jostling rides and coasters but it may now be one of our top rides in DH!
Similarly we love It is Tough to be a Bug. We think it is really cute with a perspective only Disney might think of. I just recommended it this week when in AK.
Disney reaches a lot of different groups and I am sure many have differing favorites. I do agree that “Tomorrowland” is no longer relevantly named. Yet, I am amazed at long lines for classis and irrelevant rides that are seen as ‘classic.’