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
13. California Screamin'
12. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
11. Splash Mountain
10. Revenge of the Mummy
9. Pirates of the Carribean
8. Space Mountain
7. Sheikra
6. Jurassic Park River Adventure
5. Matterhorn Bobsleds
4. Haunted Mansion
3. The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman
Here we go, the top two rides I have ever been on in my entire life. Before we get to those though, i want to throw in a couple of more honorable mentions and add a few more notes. First would be for Transformers. I have ridden this ride a lot since I came up with these rankings and didnt realize just how much I enjoyed this ride. If I had a chance to rerank I would probably find a place for this ride on my countdown. Also, I have not yet had the chance to ride the newest ride in Universal, Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts. There is a very solid chance after I get a chance to ride that it will be in my top 10 favorite rides, let alone top 25. The early reviews are saying it is that good so I have very high expectations. And now, the top two
2. Indiana Jones Adventure: When I was first preparing for my trip to Disneyland, this ride was probably only my 4th or 5th most anticipated ride. I had heard from several people how great of a ride it was, but Indiana Jones is not a property that gets me all too excited, and to be honest I was skeptical that Indiana Jones could really translate all that well into a ride. By the time I had gone on it for the first time however, I was left speechless and amazed at this ride. The ride system is practically exactly the same as Dinosaur at Animal Kingdom, except this ride has some of the most massive and incredible physical sets I have ever seen in a ride, Disney or Universal. The special effects are absolutely top notch as well, with wind, water and fire all combining for a great sensory experience. And the finale is one of the best I have ever seen, as the famed boulder from the movies comes right at you and it really feels like its going to hit you right before you duck under it and escape into pure darkness. I would pay for a return trip to Disneyland just to ride this ride alone. Its that good.
1. Twilight Zone Tower of Terror: Its fitting and ironic and funny all at the same time that the one ride in Orlando I held out riding on for the longest time, the one ride I seriously thought I would never get the courage to go on, that that ride would end up being my favorite ride in the world. The highly themed queue, the creepy terrifying preshow, and the ride itself all combine for an experience truly like no other. What is so amazing about this ride is that it is just a drop ride, but in true disney fashion, they took a drop ride and threw in a ton of special effects and other scenes to make the ride that much better. That moment hen your elevator actually moves forward and you are surrounded by neat visual effects is the moment you realize anything can happen on this ride. And the random drop sequences add an element of surprise every time you ride. I knew this had to be number one when I realized that I still get that super excited feeling every single time I am about to get on this ride, and no other ride still gives me that feeling after so many times. My number on favorite ride, the Tower of Terror.
Thursday, July 10, 2014
Monday, July 7, 2014
Top 25 Rides Ranking: # 4-3
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
13. California Screamin'
12. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
11. Splash Mountain
10. Revenge of the Mummy
9. Pirates of the Carribean
8. Space Mountain
7. Sheikra
6. Jurassic Park River Adventure
5. Matterhorn Bobsleds
Final Four, lets get to it
4. Haunted Mansion: This is specifically for the Orlando version, as I found the California version to far inferior. This ride is simple, yet the effects and fun of it all make it one of the top rides in the world in my opinion. The scene in the large dining room is my favorite ride scene of all time, and the ride through the cemetary is also one of the best rides scenes you can find. The preshow in the stretching elevator is also one of the best preshows for an attraction and sets the mood perfectly. There is something fun and special about this ride that makes it one of my all time favorites. The "ghost host" plays a part in it as well, as you really feel like you are getting your own personal tour of this ghostly mansion. The number one ride in the Magic Kingdom, and number four in the world.
3. The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman: No, not number one, but super close. This ride actually did hold my title as number one ride for four years after the first time I went on it, but has since seen its position drop a couple. To me the most telling thing that can be said about this ride is that it was built 15 years ago and yet still today it remains one of the most technologically advanced rides in the world. Even after 15 years! The beginning of the ride when Spiderman jumps onto your car remains one of my favorite ride moments. Each villain gets their own scene and chance to steal the show before Spiderman fights them all in an awe inspiring sequence on top of the New York skyscrapers. In a park filled with roller coasters and tall rides with big thrills, this ride continues to draw the longest lines. The fact that its not number one is a true testament to the top 2 rides.
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
13. California Screamin'
12. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
11. Splash Mountain
10. Revenge of the Mummy
9. Pirates of the Carribean
8. Space Mountain
7. Sheikra
6. Jurassic Park River Adventure
5. Matterhorn Bobsleds
Final Four, lets get to it
4. Haunted Mansion: This is specifically for the Orlando version, as I found the California version to far inferior. This ride is simple, yet the effects and fun of it all make it one of the top rides in the world in my opinion. The scene in the large dining room is my favorite ride scene of all time, and the ride through the cemetary is also one of the best rides scenes you can find. The preshow in the stretching elevator is also one of the best preshows for an attraction and sets the mood perfectly. There is something fun and special about this ride that makes it one of my all time favorites. The "ghost host" plays a part in it as well, as you really feel like you are getting your own personal tour of this ghostly mansion. The number one ride in the Magic Kingdom, and number four in the world.
3. The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman: No, not number one, but super close. This ride actually did hold my title as number one ride for four years after the first time I went on it, but has since seen its position drop a couple. To me the most telling thing that can be said about this ride is that it was built 15 years ago and yet still today it remains one of the most technologically advanced rides in the world. Even after 15 years! The beginning of the ride when Spiderman jumps onto your car remains one of my favorite ride moments. Each villain gets their own scene and chance to steal the show before Spiderman fights them all in an awe inspiring sequence on top of the New York skyscrapers. In a park filled with roller coasters and tall rides with big thrills, this ride continues to draw the longest lines. The fact that its not number one is a true testament to the top 2 rides.
Saturday, July 5, 2014
Revisiting Diagon Alley
I had a chance to explore Diagon Alley for the second time last night, this time by myself so I was able to pay attention and explore the small details much more. The only description that comes to mind when exploring Diagon Alley is a complete visual overload. It is eye candy left and right, every nook and cranny filled with details. I spent nearly 3 hours last night just exploring and soaking up all the details of the land, it truly is a mindblowing new land that Universal had created. Here are some more pictures and an in depth look of each of the stores the land offers.
The centerpiece of the land really is the massive dragon that sits atop Gringotts.
Every single time it breathes fire (about once every 15 minutes) the whole crowd would stop, pull out their phones to take a picture or record it, and then cheer after it was over. Every single time.
Here are a few more pictures of the general area and the amazing landscape
The first shop to the right when you enter is Quidditch supplies, selling all sorts of Quidditch Merchandise
Next to that is the iconic Weasleys Wizard Wheezes. This is sure to be the most popular store in Diagon Alley
Across the way is Madame Malkins robe shop, selling the robes the students wear in the Harry potter movies.
Going deeper into Diagon Alley, to the right of Gringotts is Wiseacres, an astornomy store. In terms of detail, this was my second favorite store to explore.
On the other side, to the left of Gringotts is Magical Menagerie, a store that sells "pets" for wizards. That is, these animals are not anything you would see in the muggle world.
Finally, the best for last, Borgin and Burkes. Located inside the covered Knockturn Alley, Borgin and Burkes focuses on the bizarre and scary. Fans of Halloween Horror Nights will absolutely love this store.
The main restaurant inside Diagon Alley is the Leaky Cauldron, selling English food, with a large spacious dining room
I also got a couple more rides in on the Hogwarts Express and got a couple more pics of the amazing queue area.
There arent enough superlatives to describe Diagon Alley, and I havent even done the main attraction yet, Gringotts. This is not just my word, twitter has been filled with tons of people hailing Diagon Alley as the greatest theme park land ever made, and its hard to argue. One of the most striking and surreal things about it is how immserive it is. As soon as you step behind the London Facade and into Diagon, you really are transported to a new world. I completely forgot I was in Universal Studios, as you dont see a single thing from the rest of the park while you are in Diagon Alley. As soon as you step back into the London area and see the Simpsons ride and the rest of the park in the distance, it is kind of disorienting. I will probably end up back in Diagon Alley tonight, and tommorrow, and as many days as I can for the rest of the summer.
The centerpiece of the land really is the massive dragon that sits atop Gringotts.
The main restaurant inside Diagon Alley is the Leaky Cauldron, selling English food, with a large spacious dining room
Thursday, July 3, 2014
Top 25 Rides Rankings: # 7-5
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
13. California Screamin'
12. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
11. Splash Mountain
10. Revenge of the Mummy
9. Pirates of the Carribean
8. Space Mountain
As someone who has been on over 100 of the worlds most incredible rides in some of the worlds best theme parks, to make my top 7, or really even my top 25, is really saying something special about that ride.
7. Sheikra: Busch Gardens does make its way onto my list, as the last true coaster on my list had to be Sheikra, a ride that gives an adrenaline boost like no other. The tallest ride in the state of Florida, Sheikra is a floorless dive coaster, with a 200 foot drop at a straight down 90 degree angle, followed by breathtaking inversions. Most dive coasters have the one big drop and then its done, but Sheikra gives two dive drops, as their is a second 130 foot 90 degree drop and then a finale splasdown in a pool of water. The first drop is the most intense ride moment Ive ever been on, and enough to propel this ride to number seven in my rankings.
6. Jurassic Park River Adventure: The number one water ride on this list. Previously on this countdown I said two rides stand out above the rest as being extra special at night. Thunder Mountain was the first, this one is the second. The first half of the ride, especially at night, provides stunning visuals of the dinosaurs with a lush tropical background. Then of course something goes wrong and you venture inside, where one of the most intense in terms of atmoshphere lift hills around. Then of course theres the massive Trex and the 85 foot drop. What really makes this ride tops for me though is the fact you stay relatively dry. As much as I love the other water rides at Islands of Adventure its impossible not to get soaked on them, so I rarely ever ride them. This one however you never get soaked, so I am able to ride at my hearts desire. Just missing out on my top five, but still an amazing ride.
5 Matterhorn Bobsleds: One of the very few remaining rides that were around for Disneylands opening day in 1955. This ride is not intense, does not have great special effects, nor amazing animatronics, but it is just plain fun. Weaving in and out of the mountains escaping the abominable snowman providing amazing views of fantasyland and tommorrowland. I fell in love with this ride on my trip to California last year and rode it more than any other ride their over my four days, a whopping nine times. A ride I desperately wish we had in Orlando.
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
13. California Screamin'
12. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
11. Splash Mountain
10. Revenge of the Mummy
9. Pirates of the Carribean
8. Space Mountain
As someone who has been on over 100 of the worlds most incredible rides in some of the worlds best theme parks, to make my top 7, or really even my top 25, is really saying something special about that ride.
7. Sheikra: Busch Gardens does make its way onto my list, as the last true coaster on my list had to be Sheikra, a ride that gives an adrenaline boost like no other. The tallest ride in the state of Florida, Sheikra is a floorless dive coaster, with a 200 foot drop at a straight down 90 degree angle, followed by breathtaking inversions. Most dive coasters have the one big drop and then its done, but Sheikra gives two dive drops, as their is a second 130 foot 90 degree drop and then a finale splasdown in a pool of water. The first drop is the most intense ride moment Ive ever been on, and enough to propel this ride to number seven in my rankings.
6. Jurassic Park River Adventure: The number one water ride on this list. Previously on this countdown I said two rides stand out above the rest as being extra special at night. Thunder Mountain was the first, this one is the second. The first half of the ride, especially at night, provides stunning visuals of the dinosaurs with a lush tropical background. Then of course something goes wrong and you venture inside, where one of the most intense in terms of atmoshphere lift hills around. Then of course theres the massive Trex and the 85 foot drop. What really makes this ride tops for me though is the fact you stay relatively dry. As much as I love the other water rides at Islands of Adventure its impossible not to get soaked on them, so I rarely ever ride them. This one however you never get soaked, so I am able to ride at my hearts desire. Just missing out on my top five, but still an amazing ride.
5 Matterhorn Bobsleds: One of the very few remaining rides that were around for Disneylands opening day in 1955. This ride is not intense, does not have great special effects, nor amazing animatronics, but it is just plain fun. Weaving in and out of the mountains escaping the abominable snowman providing amazing views of fantasyland and tommorrowland. I fell in love with this ride on my trip to California last year and rode it more than any other ride their over my four days, a whopping nine times. A ride I desperately wish we had in Orlando.
Tuesday, July 1, 2014
Top 25 Tides Rankings #10 - 7
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
13. California Screamin'
12. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
11. Splash Mountain
Now continuing on
10. Revenge of the Mummy: No other ride blends dark ride in with roller coaster so well and seamlessly. This ride throws everything in your face, fire, water effects, fog, a killer launch, a great mummy animatronic, everything. The roller coaster portion, while brief, is intense and thrilling, with plenty moments of big air time. The drop right after the fake ending is so steep you come flying out of your seat. This year this ride celebrates its 10th anniversary, and it is still as popular as it was ten years ago.
9. Pirates of the Caribbean (Disneyland): This is one ride on the countdown where I mus concede that the Disneyland version is far far better than the Orlando version. For starters this version has two drops, rather than Orlandos one. This version also has many more scenes not in the Orlando version at all. The length of ride time of this ride in Disneyland is 17 minutes, more than twice as long as Orlandos 8 minutes. This is also the last ride Walt himself had a hand in creating, and for that it should always be seen as a classic.
8. Space Mountain: This is the one ride where I couldnt decide between the Disneyland or world version so this countdown will just be for both. Both versions have things about them that are different and better than the other version. Disneyland has music to along with their ride, and uses a more convincing space effect during the lift hill that is very cool. Orlandos version goes faster and has the single file ride layout which I think makes more a better ride. Either way this wild roller coaster in the dark is good enough for my number eight favorite ride in the world.
Only seven rides remain, the absolute best of the best.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)