Top 25 Rides # 22-20

When we last left off I had begun the countdown of my top 25 favorite rides I have ever been on with number 25 through 23. Today we will continue that countdown with the next three entries, but first a quick recap.

25. ET Adventure
24. Expedition Everest
23. Spaceship Earth

Now, continuing on

22. Soarin': The opening of this ride in 2004 provided a much needed headliner to the old and dated attractions on the East side of Future World. Now there was a top ride on the east side to complement Test Track and Mission Space on the west side. When this ride first opened it would have easily cracked my top 10, but I have been on so many new rides since then that I consider better, that it has lessened Soarin' a bit. Still, that initial takeoff followed by the first few notes of music and that first glimpse of the golden gate bridge to begin the ride is one of the most breathtaking ride moments you can experience.

21. Radiators Springs Racers: This brand new ride in California Adventure, Disneylands second park that finally convinced me to fully pursue a trip to California. This ride is like Test Track 2.0. Based off the movie cars the premise is you are a new car preparing for a race against Lightning McQueen. The first two minutes of the ride is the indoor portion, a ride through Radiators Springs, with life size versions of all the Cars from the movie that talk and move, it really is jaw dropping. That is preceeded by the big race, the outdoor portion nearly identical to the outdoor portion of Test Track. A great ride that I wish we had in Orlando.

20. Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey: The ride that saved Universal and jump started their attendance to record levels. It is hailed by some as the greatest ride in the world, but I disagree and find it a little overrated. There is no doubt it is a technological marvel, with a ride system like none other in the world. However, the lack of any cohesive story is a major drawback, as you really just sort of stumble along from one Harry Potter scene to the next. One second your in the forest, two seconds later your playing Quidditch, then all of a sudden your surrounded by dementors, then magically you are in the Chamber of Secrets. It all makes little sense. Its a great ride but with a mess of a story it falls to number 20.