Top 25 rides # 13-11

First a quick recap

25. ET Adventure
24. Expedition Everest
23. Spaceship Earth
22. Soarin'
21. Radiators Springs Racers
20. Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
19. Toy Story Mania
18. The Incredible Hulk Coaster
17. Peter Pans Flight
16. Men in Black Alien Attack
15. Rock N Roller Coaster
14. Manta


And now continuing on


13. California Screamin': For the second time, and not the last a ride from Disneyland finds its way onto this list. This is far and away one of the most enjoyable roller coasters Ive ever been on. It is not all that thrilling, but the best word to sum it up is just fun. It begins with an inital launch, very much like Rock N Roller coaster, except this launch takes place along the water instead of in a dark hallway. The next three minutes are followed  by zig zagging around a boardwalk meant to imitate the boardwalks in places such as the jersey shore, a very cool setting for a roller coaster. It is also one of the longest coasters in the world, stretching over a mile long and lasting three minutes.


12. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (Orlando): Very similar to California Screamin in that while it is not to thrilling there is something about it that is just plain fun. Unfortunately I did not get to go on the Disneyland version as it was closed for refurbishment during my trip, so this countdown is for the Orlando version. As a rule of thumb all outdoor rides are more fun at night, but this is one of two rides that really stick out to me as being extra special in the dark, the other one will be seen later in the countdown.


11. Splash Mountain (Orlando):  I did get the chance to ride the Disneyland version of this ride and did not enjoy it as much as the Orlando version so this countdown is for that version. One of the most important things a theme park rides needs to tell is tell a story, but very often those stories, whole fun, are a bit convoluted and make little sense. But no ride tells a story quite like Splash Mountain, one of the best examples of ride storytelling in theme park world. Following the adventures of Brer rabbit as he escapes and torments brer fox before he finally gets caught and thrown into the briar patch, and the climax of the ride, a 52 foot drop. It just misses out on the top 10, but with all the incredible rides to follow, number 11 still means one of the best in the world.