Ryan Fork's Blog

I suppose first it is important to outline the scale. For the purposes of this post, “attraction” means any ride, show, or “experience” that is available at Walt Disney World that I also deemed worthy of being included in this post. Based on someone else (@dibadisney) I saw doing this, albeit much earlier than me, I am going with a five-point scale as follows:

1: This attraction means nothing to me. Disney could decide to bulldoze it tomorrow and I wouldn’t have any issues whatsoever.

2: This attraction is okay. I like the core concept/ride-system/theme/placement/etc but it could be re-themed/re-purposed and I wouldn’t have any issues.

3: This attraction should stay as-is, but I don’t have strong feelings either way for it.

4: This attraction means something special to me and I want to keep it as-is, but if something were to be announced that would make it better then I would be okay. Only enhancements, no replacements.

5: Don’t touch this attraction under any circumstances. Anything (even minor) done to this attraction would be a personal insult to me and my entire family.

Main Street, U.S.A.

• Walt Disney World Railroad – 5
  If any changes were ever announced to the Railroad, I would quit my job and chain myself to the tracks so that it couldn’t be tampered with. This is the one thing at WDW that I would be absolutely gutted to see changes to.

Adventureland

• Swiss Family Treehouse – 3
  I’m not partial either way to this attraction. It’s nice, but it also doesn’t do much for me. I have fun popping up in here once in awhile when it isn’t busy, but the nature of it and the narrow paths make it a pain at certain times of the day. I do love the photo opportunities here.
• Jungle Cruise – 4
  Since Jungle Cruise is an opening attraction and because I think it is so well-themed, I would take great offense to anything major being done to it, but enhancements are always welcome (ex. Jingle Cruise).
• The Magic Carpets of Aladdin – 3
  Carpets is an interesting one for me, I don’t really feel that strongly either way. It’s a spinner, what is there to like or dislike. The theming is good for the land, and the spitting camel is amusing, but this attraction overall is just a space-filler for the otherwise blank area in the heart of Adventureland.
• Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room – 4
  I really enjoy Tiki Room, and as a classic attraction I think this one is important to keep around. Given the space that it takes up, I really doubt anything major will be done to this one.
• Pirates of the Caribbean – 2
  I LOVE Pirates. I love the attraction, I love the movies, I love everything. Unfortunately, having ridden the DL Pirates, I think WDW’s pales in comparison and therefore something else could be done with it and I wouldn’t be too upset. The recent news of the red-head being changed doesn’t bother me either way, as I think there are other things that could be done to Pirates as well.

Frontierland

• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad – 4
  Big Thunder is a true Disney classic, even though it came to us much later in WDW’s life. I love this attraction, I love the theming, I love the ride experience and I love that it fits in so nicely with the theme of Frontierland. While I wish that we would have gotten the cool effects in the lift tunnel like DL, I am not necessarily that upset, as I still love BTMRR. Don’t change it, just better it.
• Splash Mountain – 4
  This one I have a hard time with. I hate riding Splash Mountain. The water is icky, the ride experience is long, and it’s based on some IP that we don’t really talk about anymore. All that said, it’s one of the mountains and it’s important. I love to stand on the bridge and watch guests fly down the main drop, and I would be upset if this were repurposed to something else, despite my “whatever” feelings towards it.
• Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade – 3
  I’m not really sure what to say about the shooting arcade. It’s just… There.
• Country Bear Jamboree – 3
  CBJ is a cult favorite, I know. I really enjoy it myself, I reference it a lot, and I think overall it is a HOOT. But I’m not attached to it. I would perhaps be upset if it were to leave, but at the same time I have no strong feelings for it.
• Tom Sawyer Island – 5
  Tom Sawyer Island is a GREAT spot to disappear and enjoy some relief away from the main land. I enjoy going here and exploring the tunnels, and that barrel bridge is what dreams are made of. Coming to TSI is like truly stepping back in time and is something I think everyone should experience at least once. I would be extremely upset if this land were to be used for something else, as I think it makes your Magic Kingdom experience unique.

Liberty Square

• The Hall of Presidents – 2
  HoP is just meh. If you were to pit it head-to-head with American Adventure, AA wins every single time. No comparison.
• Haunted Mansion – 5
  Does anything even need to be said here?
• Liberty Square Riverboat – 4
  I LOVE the Riverboat. Much like the train, I am a sucker for anything steam-powered and I love taking a circle (or two) around the Rivers of America. You get a completely different perspective of BTMRR and Haunted Mansion from on board and I think it’s a gem that goes underappreciated.

Fantasyland

• Barnstormer – 2
  Sorry Goofy, but I think this could be used for something else. I understand the appeal for kids, and I myself have been known to hop on board for a few barnstormings myself, but I think we could do with something else here.
• Dumbo – 5
  You can’t touch this. With dueling Dumbos, it was made that much more fantastic while retaining its classy roots. I don’t know how you could make this any better.
• Mad Tea Party – 4
  I am a sucker for teacup rides. I love the lanterns and I love the area music (yes it’s on my phone). This is a fun little rid,e the wait time is never TOO terrible, and I always manage to get the cups spinning crazy fast. 10/10 would recommend.
• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train – 3
  Ah, the headline attraction at Magic Kingdom. I think it’s great, but it’s TOO SHORT. That said, the swinging ride vehicles are a lot of fun and I enjoy this when I am able to get a Fastpass.
• Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid – 3
  Another attraction that I don’t really feel strongly either way toward. It’s a nice relief from the heat, but that’s about all I can say.
• It’s a Small World – 4
  I would normally give this one a 5, but having seen Disneyland’s version, I can comfortably say that there is some room for improvement, just don’t do TOO much to it.
• PhilharMagic – 3
  It’s a 4D show, I can’t really say much about it. It’s a fun story, but Donald really needs to learn to stay out of trouble. Between this and Three Caballeros, he really doesn’t know what’s good for him.
• Peter Pan’s Flight – 4
  I really appreciate the updated queue for this attraction. I think it could do with some updates to the attraction itself inside, just some minor refurbishments, but otherwise I would hate to see anything happen to one of WDW’s most popular attractions. Disclaimer: I am a huge Peter Pan fan.
• Prince Charming Regal Carrousel – 4
  Given the nature of Fanatasyland, and the placement of the Carrousel, I doubt anything would ever really happen to it, but nothing is safe, right? I really love the music that plays, so I hope that never changes.

Tomorrowland

• Monster’s Inc. Laugh Floor – 2
  Lol.
• Stitch’s Great Escape – 1
  It looks like this one already has one foot out the door anyway. I am a huge Lilo & Stitch fan, but can I just say that the hotdog scene in this is probably my least favorite experience on the whole of Walt Disney World Property. I can remember this as Alien Encounter when I was younger, and I remember being absolutely terrified both times we experienced this. I’m not sure if that’s because I was young and therefore more easily scared or if it was actually just that scary, but Stitch’s Great Escape is just strange.
• Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin – 3
  It’s a fun attraction, but unfortunately it’s showing its age. Also the line for it is usually INCREDIBLE since omnimover-based attractions and Fastpass don’t really go together too well…
• Carousel of Progress – 4
  My goodness, the mixed feelings I have here. I love the story, I love that it’s a World’s Fair masterpiece, but it’s really beginning to show its age. I would appreciate if this could get some tweaks.
• Space Mountain – 5
  I don’t have much to say here. It’s the original Space Mountain. It’s my favorite. Yes it’s rough, but my goodness everything from the music to the queue is a masterpiece to me.
• Tomorrowland Speedway – 3
  Fumes. Fumes everywhere. This one is okay, but the potential is not fully realized. Autopia is such a great attraction and Speedway is just… Speedway.
• Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover – 3
  Probably going to get flamed for this one not being a 5. Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with the PeopleMover, but what is it good for other than a relaxing seat for 10 minutes?
• Astro Orbiter – 3
  Good views of fireworks. Not much else. It also adds some cool scenery that is authentic to Tomorrowland. Spinning rockets with a planet atop is very Tomorrowland-esqe.