About this time in 2017, we dropped a Disney Rides Top 20 to celebrate the opening of Shanghai Disneyland. Five years and two revisions later, we’re back with the 3rd Edition of our Global Disney Top 20. We’re proud to bring an increasingly comprehensive countdown of Disney’s top rides from around the world – each one pushing the limits of storytelling entertainment and illustrating for the visionary artwork of Walt Disney Imagineering.
Continue reading “20 Best Disney Rides in the World – 2022 Edition”All Disney Coasters – Ranked
On our 2019 trip to China, we didn’t plan on riding Rex’s Racer at Shanghai Disneyland. The new credit was tempting, but we assumed the line would be too long for us to want to take time away from all of the superb rides Shanghai Disneyland has to offer – after all, we already had the Paris and Hong Kong ones.
On Shanghai Disneyland day the crowds were light, and when we checked out the new Toy Story Land we couldn’t help but notice Rex’s Racer going out with empty seats. “Eh, why not” we said. After riding, it occurred to us that we’ve now ridden every coaster Disney has ever built – but not for long. Wandering Oaken’s Sliding Sleds will open at Hong Kong Disneyland before we know it, and with no plans for a Hong Kong Disney visit in our near future, we knew our every-Disney-coaster-ridden claim had an expiration date on it.
Naturally we decided to write an article ranking all operating Disney coasters – it may have taken 2 years for us to get around to it, but we’ve finally put it together. As Califloridian DLP passholders, we take our Disney coasters seriously, and with 30-ish coasters we had a lot to consider.
Continue reading “All Disney Coasters – Ranked”Weakest Theme Park Areas
Since their creation amusement and theme parks have utilized landscaping and theming as an important part of the experience. The massive popularity of Disneyland standardized the idea of themed lands within a park. Most parks which opened in the resulting regional park boom incorporated this idea. Theme parks have the ability to transport guests to different times and worlds. A well-themed area can be an attraction in and of itself. But these areas often fall flat. The following are five of the weakest theme park areas. Also included are some ideas on how they might be refreshed. This is by no means an exhaustive list so please make your own suggestions, they may find their way to a part two!
Continue reading “Weakest Theme Park Areas”5 of America’s National Coaster Icons
In 1981 Dutch fantasy park Efteling decided to add their first roller coaster. Already a well established theme-park they chose to make an investment that would make a big impact on the European market. Working with Dutch manufacturer Vekoma they unveiled the largest roller coaster in all of Europe, Python. Although a copy of the existing Arrow Huss Carolina Cyclone, this 4 inversion monster was unlike anything in the region. It was only 2 years after Blackpool Pleasure Beach had unveiled Europe’s first modern looping coaster and the first time modern inversions appeared in continental Europe. Efteling had built something loopier, larger, and unlike anything else that Europe had seen and it became a phenomenon. Python has been featured in numerous Dutch TV programs, was used by Porsche to film a television commercial, and continues to be one of the most popular attractions in the park. So beloved is this ride that in 2018 the park spent an estimated 4.5 Million Euro ($5.3 Million USD) to re-track the majority of the ride and ensure it continues to run for future generations. Continue reading “5 of America’s National Coaster Icons”
Magic Kingdom and TRON Lightcycle / Run Update – October 13th 2020
It’s been a few weeks since we provided you with a TRON Lightcycle / Run Update from Magic Kingdom. As the project is trucking right along, we get more excited each day. Let’s take a quick look: Continue reading “Magic Kingdom and TRON Lightcycle / Run Update – October 13th 2020”
TRON: Lightcycle / Run – Magic Kingdom Update – Late-September 2020
A quick trip to Magic Kingdom was even shorter than we anticipated due to the larger crowds. With one side of Space Mountain down, we ended up waiting over an hour and decided to just get some TRON shots and leave. Enjoy this quick TRON/ Magic Kingdom update: Continue reading “TRON: Lightcycle / Run – Magic Kingdom Update – Late-September 2020”
Disney’s Animal Kingdom – Back at Walt Disney World’s Best Park
We know the claim we make in the title for this article is lofty, but we can explain! With pictures! And words! Our first trip back to Animal Kingdom since Covid-19 shutdowns was a blast, and reconfirmed our love for this extraordinary Walt Disney World park.
Continue reading “Disney’s Animal Kingdom – Back at Walt Disney World’s Best Park”