The Porkchop Express said:

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We also got to experience the Ratatouille ride at Epcot for the first time and wound up going on it twice. It's their third trackless ride following Rise of the Resistance and Minnie & Mickey's Runaway Railway. Really, really fun, great mix of practical effects and the big screens.

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My fav Disney rides are based more on nostalgia than new IP, but I really enjoyed Ratatouille and M&MRR. The trackless technology is pretty cool.

EclipseAg said:

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The Porkchop Express said:

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We also got to experience the Ratatouille ride at Epcot for the first time and wound up going on it twice. It's their third trackless ride following Rise of the Resistance and Minnie & Mickey's Runaway Railway. Really, really fun, great mix of practical effects and the big screens.

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My fav Disney rides are based more on nostalgia than new IP, but I really enjoyed Ratatouille and M&MRR. The trackless technology is pretty cool.

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My favorite as a kid was Peter Pan and I have loved taking my kids on it, but it's also 2 minutes and 52 seconds long, which kind of dilutes it as an adult. Pirates is right outside my top 5.

Cars Ride at Disneyland is nuts! You think you're on the little clunky "slow drive through the movie" motif and then it opens up and you're flying around the track. I had no knowledge of what it was going in, that's the best feeling.

Hoping to go to Universal in the next few years. I gotta see Diagon Alley.

Diagon Alley is very cool. And I'm not a Harry Potter fan at all. Just try to avoid it if you're recovering from Achilles tendon surgery. Navigating cobblestone on one of those knee scooters isn't fun.

We went to Florida two years ago, and IMO, Rise of the Resistance blew everything else away. It was incredible. One of the best experiences I've ever had.

The Hagrid ride at HP World is second. It was a lot of fun.

Outside of HP World, though, I really don't like Universal. Way too many 3D rides for my taste. Everytime I go, I say I'm not going to ride the 3D rides, but the kids talk me into going with them and by the end of the day I've got a massive headache and I am nauseous.

We are headed back this summer, and I'm excited to try the new Guardians ride. We'll see if I get talked into the 3Dv rugged again.

I loved it as well. Not a fan of the rest of Universal, but HP is worth the trip. You can really see they stepped up their game with Diagon Alley, but Hogsmeade is great, too. As I said above, I never read the books, but my son did, and to see him experience his favorite book "come to life" was priceless.

I really liked the Diagon Alley ride...the queue is fantastic, and I had never been on a ride like that before. But, I will say, that technology and style of ride got a little old after I saw it over and over again on other rides at Universal. Escape from Gringotts is by far the most advanced and best execution of all the rides that use a similar type of setup.

Forbidden Journey is a more unique experience (I've never been on another ride quite like it), but it gave me horrible motion sickness. I felt awful for the rest of the day and could not bring myself to ride it again.

Agree with the previous poster about the 3D rides at Universal. It feels a little bit like they got lazy and just used the same ride over and over but changed the accompanying film.

Hagrid's is new since we visited, but I just watched a You Tube video and it does look good. The Dragon Challenge that it replaced was just meh.

Top rides:

1) rise of resistance (Hollywood studios)
2) Velocioaster (universal ISLANDS OF ADEVENTURE)
3) Hagrids Magical Creature Motorbike Adventure (Universal IOA)
4) rock and roller coaster (Hollywood studios)
5) Twilight Zone Tower of Terror (hollywood studios)

Haven't ridden guardians cosmic rewind yet.

Top themed areas
1) HP Diagon Alley
2) Star Wars Galaxy's Edge
3) HP Hogsmeade
4) Cars Land (California adventure)
5) Jurassic Park
6) Toy Story Land
7) Paris, Epcot
8) New FantasyLand Magic Kingdom
9) Toon Landong Universal IOA
10) Japan, Epcot

Surprised no one has mentioned Flight of Passage. That still remains my favorite. The sense of immersion is just incredible. Well worth the 2+ hr line I've had to do at it.

Brian Earl Spilner said:

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Surprised no one has mentioned Flight of Passage. That still remains my favorite. The sense of immersion is just incredible. Well worth the 2+ hr line I've had to do at it.

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Agree with this omission miss… on the themed land too. I should have had that at number 4 on my list above. I'd still put both HP's and SW lands above it but it's right there.

I thought this was going to be a thread about one of my favorite simulation games from my childhood.

I need to go ride these. Velocicoaster at Universal Orlando wasn't built last time I was there. I thought Hulk was great but sounds like Velocicoaster and most of these others take it up another level.

https://blooloop.com/theme-park/opinion/top-coasters-usa/

Velocicoaster is awesome, and also pretty scary for those afraid of heights. (Like myself.)

The launch in the middle of the ride is the best part for sure, but quickly followed by a huge drop with the longest airtime I've ever felt in a roller coaster. Felt like I was out of my seat forever.

Here's the Velocicoaster POV. That middle part where they launch you up immediately into that big drop seems intense! Although there's something to be said for that slow climb up on a traditional coaster. Click click click click…. Builds anticipation.

Rocagnante said:

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Here's the Velocicoaster POV. That middle part where they launch you up immediately into that big drop seems intense! Although there's something to be said for that slow climb up on a traditional coaster. Click click click click…. Builds anticipation.

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I like the randomly placed velociraptors along the way. Something to scare you as you see it for 1/50th of a second as you go flying by at 70 MPH.

I've written a thesis on the travel board on why my family and I like Disneyland better than WDW previously, so I won't go into that here. My thoughts on favorite rides are below:

1.) Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout - A new face on the old Tower of Terror, this ride is joy incarnate. All the actors from the movie are there, and most especially, the soundtrack is on blast. We hit this one A LOT. Moreover, the Avengers campus is great. We're not super fans of the Marvel movies, but it exists out of any timeline, so all the characters are there (whether they're alive or dead in the movies).

2.) Incredicoaster - Yet another we hit multiple times. Good to see a true roller coaster at a Disney Park.

3.) The Studio Tour at Universal Hollywood - I first went to Universal in 1986, and this ride stuck with me. I love Universal because of the movie studio portion. The one in Florida just doesn't have that anymore.

4.)Splash/Space/Big Thunder Mountains & Haunted Mansion - What more can you say about these that already hasn't been said? Classic classic classic.

5.) Avatar Flight of Passage - Our favorite ride at Animal Kingdom.



Thoughts on others:

1.) Galaxy's Edge - I would have loved if they had redone Galaxy's Edge in the style of Avengers Campus, i.e. outside of any timeline. As it is, it's centered on the wrong 3 movies in my humble opinion.

2.) Simpsons Ride at Universal Hollywood - It hurts me to say this, as the first 10 seasons of the show are gospel to me, but the ride was not good. We love roller coasters and rarely get motion sick, but the 3-d aspect of this ride hurt our CNS. It's not a ride we'd get on again. We LOVE the Springfield area at the park though.

This may blacklist me but after the first two times riding Rise of the Resistance, I'm just not into it. And I like Star Wars.

For reference, I live in Tampa Bay but work in Central CA so I've been to Disney World once this year (twice last year) and Disneyland twice. I also have a military Annual Pass to Universal. (Fwiw I have not ridden Ratatouille or GotG)

Favorite rides Disney:
1. Guardians of the Galaxy (DL)/Tower of Terror (WDW) - Will forever be my all time favorite ride. I thought I would never love anything more than ToT but then I went on the GotG ride and it blew me away. ADD on top of that the Halloween overlay, Guardians After Dark, and you have one of the most amazing rides around.
2. Haunted Mansion NBC Overlay - holy moly I love it
3. Space Mountain (WDW) - it was my first roller coaster to ever ride as a kid so it's all nostalgia for me and SM at DL doesn't come close IMO
4.. It's a Small World Holiday Overlay (DL) - I've actually never been on the normal Small World ride so I'm biased.
5. Big Thunder Mountain (WDW) - SPECIFICALLY during fireworks, find a better time to go on this ride I dare you.

Universal (ultimately my favorite place to go) - I'm a big Potterhead so I love it no matter how many or which rides I go on. The atmosphere is superb.
1. Hagrid's - it's amazing, what else can I say. However, I usually won't go on it if the wait is longer than an hour
2. Escape From Gringotts - I have this ride memorized and I'll still go out of my way to ride it
3. The Mummy - the nostalgia, Brendan Frasier, the chaos. All around fun ride.
4. Valocicoaster - ride as far back as you can, I promise it's worth it
5. Men in Black - this one brings out my competitive nature

Least Favorite rides - Combined
Flight of Passage (please don't hate me) - I think it's overrated and the wait is way too long
HP and the Forbidden Journey - I want to love this ride but it makes me sick every time
Big Thunder Mountain (DL) - NOT even close to WDW but one of the Walt Disney originals so you have to have a soft spot
Matterhorn Bobsleds (DL) - OMG I had no idea this ride would hurt as much as it did, again a Walt Disney OG
The Hulk - NOPE. JUST NOPE.
Simpsons - Another ride that incapacitates me.

I want to love Flight of Passage, but i just can't. the 3D didnt work for me and instead just gave me a headache. Full props, however, that ride and the Pandora section got my 7 year old daughter hooked on Avatar. She may love it more than Star Wars at this point.

Instantly BLACK LISTED!! Lol

I first went to WDW in 1976. This was back when WDW = Magic Kingdom, as none of the other parks existed. There also were tickets you had to purchase to be able to get onto a ride. For years after that trip when I was 9, two rides stuck out in my memory: Space Mountain and Peter Pan's Flight. With the ticket requirement, we only rode rides one time that. So those two rides were big memories for me throughout the years that followed, for different reasons.

Space Mountain was just a load of fun, with a pre-Star Wars science fiction feel that I remembered for years (and years until I finally went again in the year 2000). You are hurtling through the dark, not knowing where you are going next, with lighting effects that mimic meteor showers or light speed, etc, and all of that was just so much fun for 9-year-old me.

Peter Pan's Flight was memorable because Peter Pan was always my favorite Disney movie as a child (just beating out 101 Dalmatians). I love the attention to detail present in that ride - the lights in the windows of London buildings, the mermaid lagoon, the pirate's ship shooting at you as you "fly" over all these set pieces from the movie.

I mention those two rides because I still love both of them, even at 55 years old now and 4 more trips to WDW since that first time in 1976.

My rankings of the rides go through my last trip to WDW in November 2019, two weeks prior to the opening of Rise of the Resistance:

1. The mountains (Space, Splash, and Big Thunder)
2. Peter Pan's Flight
3. Haunted Mansion
4. Smuggler's Run
5. Tower of Terror
6. Rock & Roller Coaster
7. Expedition Everest
8. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
9. Slinky Dog Dash
10. Flight of Passage
11. Star Tours
12. Dinosaur
13. Soarin'
14. It's a Small World (it's wonderfully cool in there when it's hot outside)
15. Dumbo (first ride I rode in 1976, still enjoy it now with my own kids)
16. TomorrowLand Transit People Mover (nice respite from being on your feet for way too long)
17. Mission: SPACE (either orange or green line)
18. Test Track
19. Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid
20. Jungle Cruise

I didn't get to ride the Na'vi River Journey at Animal Kingdom last time we went

I've only ever been to Universal Studios (not counting Six Flags of course) but it was back in 1996 or so. I remember having fun but can't remember specifics.

I've been thinking about taking my wife and kids to Disney World (or is it Land? whichever one is in Florida). What's the proper ages do y'all think for the kids to actually enjoy it? My kids are currently 3yr, 2yr, & 4 months old. Do you think in like 4 years time it would be good to go?

Also, I've always been curious and have heard some horror stories when it comes to waiting in lines. How long do most of these rides last? I guess what I'm asking, is will we be waiting in line for an hour plus for a 3 minute ride and only get to do 5-6 rides a day? My biggest pet peeve in life is waiting in line for something. I'm way too impatient but will get over it for the kids.

Best ride in the world is the log ride, and this is me enjoying it.

Left our Disney hotel Saturday, yesterday mom and dad tested positive for the flu and 2 oldest tested positive for STREP. Filthy ass Disney.

Legal Custodian said:

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I've only ever been to Universal Studios (not counting Six Flags of course) but it was back in 1996 or so. I remember having fun but can't remember specifics.

I've been thinking about taking my wife and kids to Disney World (or is it Land? whichever one is in Florida). What's the proper ages do y'all think for the kids to actually enjoy it? My kids are currently 3yr, 2yr, & 4 months old. Do you think in like 4 years time it would be good to go?

Also, I've always been curious and have heard some horror stories when it comes to waiting in lines. How long do most of these rides last? I guess what I'm asking, is will we be waiting in line for an hour plus for a 3 minute ride and only get to do 5-6 rides a day? My biggest pet peeve in life is waiting in line for something. I'm way too impatient but will get over it for the kids.

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I think 4 years would be good for your kids age. I took my two when they were 4 and 7. And they had a great time.

Just make sure the kids are tall enough to ride and pay for the fast pass/genie to by pass lines. It's well worth the cost.

Rocagnante said:

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Here's the Velocicoaster POV. That middle part where they launch you up immediately into that big drop seems intense! Although there's something to be said for that slow climb up on a traditional coaster. Click click click click…. Builds anticipation.

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Holy crap. My 6 year old is obsessed with roller coasters and I cant wait to show her that. Her and I are gonna take trips to ride all the best roller coasters and this one just hit our list big time.

Legal Custodian said:

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I've only ever been to Universal Studios (not counting Six Flags of course) but it was back in 1996 or so. I remember having fun but can't remember specifics.

I've been thinking about taking my wife and kids to Disney World (or is it Land? whichever one is in Florida). What's the proper ages do y'all think for the kids to actually enjoy it? My kids are currently 3yr, 2yr, & 4 months old. Do you think in like 4 years time it would be good to go?

Also, I've always been curious and have heard some horror stories when it comes to waiting in lines. How long do most of these rides last? I guess what I'm asking, is will we be waiting in line for an hour plus for a 3 minute ride and only get to do 5-6 rides a day? My biggest pet peeve in life is waiting in line for something. I'm way too impatient but will get over it for the kids.

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Your youngest is the one to gauge against. Will the 4-year-old be tall enough to ride most rides in 4 years? If not, maybe wait another year.

Unless you want to go multiple times so as to not short-change the youngest.

We waited until our youngest was 5 before we went the first time, with the older cousin who we took with each time being 9 (subsequent trips when the girls were 7/11, and 13/17). On that first trip, our youngest was too short to ride Rock & Roller Coaster and barely made it for that second trip.

heddleston said:

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I want to love Flight of Passage, but i just can't. the 3D didnt work for me and instead just gave me a headache. Full props, however, that ride and the Pandora section got my 7 year old daughter hooked on Avatar. She may love it more than Star Wars at this point.

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Curious about this. Are you saying you don't see it in 3D? Is it blurry for you?

Thanks for the replies everyone

Wildmen06 said:

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Legal Custodian said:

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I've only ever been to Universal Studios (not counting Six Flags of course) but it was back in 1996 or so. I remember having fun but can't remember specifics.

I've been thinking about taking my wife and kids to Disney World (or is it Land? whichever one is in Florida). What's the proper ages do y'all think for the kids to actually enjoy it? My kids are currently 3yr, 2yr, & 4 months old. Do you think in like 4 years time it would be good to go?

Also, I've always been curious and have heard some horror stories when it comes to waiting in lines. How long do most of these rides last? I guess what I'm asking, is will we be waiting in line for an hour plus for a 3 minute ride and only get to do 5-6 rides a day? My biggest pet peeve in life is waiting in line for something. I'm way too impatient but will get over it for the kids.

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I think 4 years would be good for your kids age. I took my two when they were 4 and 7. And they had a great time.

Just make sure the kids are tall enough to ride and pay for the fast pass/genie to by pass lines. It's well worth the cost.

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This. All of them out of diapers and tall enough to ride most, if not all, of the rides. For my son, that was 4 1/2…but he's always been in the 90+ percentile for height. And I will say, even though he was tall enough for the rides, some were too intense for him. That stupid dinosaur ride at Animal Kingdom nearly ruined our entire trip. Kid didn't want to get on any ride that looked even remotely similar after that. One of my less proud moments as a parent was how I handled a meltdown he had while in line for test track.

Yeah it was just all blurry. kept trying to adjust the glasses, but I just couldn't get it to work. I ended up sitting back, looking around and appreciating the tech being used for the ride, and it is indeed awesome. Just not for me /shrug emoji.

Went to Horror Nights 31 at Uni Orlando last month. Great houses but feel like the event is getting softer now.

Heading to Disneyland this weekend, gonna have to buy Genie+ as I found it worth it at Animal Kingdon. Good thing about Genie+ in Anaheim is that it comes with the photos included.

We have been to DL and Universal already. For a theme park for 1 day in the LA area, thoughts on Knott's Berry Farm versus Six Flags Magic Mountain? 13 y/o and 10 y/o, enjoy coasters and all types of thrill rides. This would be a potential trip where drive to either one would be an equivalent distance. I have never been to either park.