Some fans openly question whether Walt Disney Imagineering “still has it” or “has lost its touch.” This is crazy. As one development cycle wraps up and another is on the precipice of beginning, we’ve seen some insanely good attractions and technological innovations. This ranks the 10 best rides that debuted in Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and the international parks in the last 5 years.
It’s been a veritable roller coaster since 2019. One of the reasons fans ask this question is understandable–because output has been uneven. This is mostly a result of the 2020 closures, which threw a monkey wrench into Disney’s ambitious plans, causing project cancellations, budget cuts, and other developments to be redesigned midstream. CommuniCore Hall is Exhibit A when it comes to these missteps, but it’s far from the only one.
However, the last 5 years have also seen several new attractions and lands open, while Imagineering has also sought to right past wrongs and correct mistakes of the aughts and late 1990s. The front entrance to EPCOT is Exhibit A when it comes to this, and while nothing revolutionary, it’s a refreshing step forward as to what was there before. This is just one small example of a successful reimagining, but I’m getting sidetracked already. This list focuses on rides that push the creative envelope…
Before we dig into the list, let’s cover the rules. Not eligible for this list are materially cloned attractions that first opened more than 5 years ago. This means that TRON Lightcycle Run at Magic Kingdom isn’t eligible, even though it’s debatably deserving of a spot. Also not eligible is Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, but that wouldn’t have made the list even if it were because it’s just not that good (sorry not sorry).
Finally, everything that’s debuted at Hong Kong Disneyland and Shanghai Disneyland in the last year does not make the list simply because we have yet to experience it. This includes Zootopia: Hot Pursuit, Frozen Ever After (a materially different clone), and Wandering Oaken’s Sliding Sleighs. I’m almost certain that at least the Zootopia attraction would make the cut…perhaps we’ll find out in the coming decade at Disney’s Hollywood Studios?
Anyway, on with the list…
Honorable Mention: Fairy Tinker Bell’s Busy Buggies (Tokyo DisneySea) – This is a family-friendly attraction in Pixie Hollow, the fairy valley in Never Land where Tinker Bell lives. Guests board a Busy Buggy, a vehicle made by Tinker Bell, and explore the fairy valley and its changing seasons. In this fairy valley, everything from flowers and mushrooms to painting utensils and pieces of nibbled cheese is larger than life.
Fairy Tinker Bell’s Busy Buggies punches above its weight. This is the simplest and most straightforward attraction in Fantasy Springs–it’s a kiddie ride that fills a role for families with small children, and doesn’t aspire to be anything more than that. And yet, it does. The scenery is adorable, the motion of the vehicles is delightful, and the whole thing just oozes whimsy.
That’s to say nothing of the end, where you encounter a character who has already developed a cult following. There’s a certain je ne sais quoi about Fairy Tinker Bell’s Busy Buggies and it is better than it has any right to be. It’s still firmly the fourth-place Fantasy Springs attraction–no one would rank it higher–but it’s fantastic for what it is. That’s part of what makes an attraction a modern marvel–using existing technology to create emotional resonance beyond what’s expected.
10. Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway (Disneyland) – Located inside El CapiTOON Theater, the attraction itself starts with a screening of the “Perfect Picnic” short, after which guests literally step from the human world directly into the cartoon world in one of the coolest effects of the entire attraction. This perfectly sets the stage for the ride-through portion of the attraction, with guests loading into the (trackless) train ride vehicles.
Note that although this attraction exists on both coasts, the Disneyland version of Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway is superior thanks to the queue, which is why it’s listed here rather than both DL and DHS. The ride itself is identical, and features a series of loosely-connected vignettes in a variety of environments that the runaway train cars bounce between at a fairly frenetic and disorienting pace. “Nothing Can Stop Us Now” is also an earworm of an original song.
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway is very much paced like a high-octane animated short, and it feels like you’re in the cartoon world as a result. The “2.5D” approach of projection mapping on dimensional environments is the ‘modern marvel’ here, and a big part of its secret sauce. This screen-centric style works much better with Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway than it does with Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure.
9. Millennium Falcon Smugglers Run (Disneyland/DHS) – The secondary attraction of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. It’s definitely not a perfect attraction, with the interactivity being a mixed bag and a gameplay-centric ride not being everyone’s cup of tea. Moreover, not all of the roles are of equal enjoyment.
However, there’s a lot to like about Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run beyond the game/ride experience. It works wonders as a “wish fulfillment” attraction, giving guests the opportunity to step inside the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy and sit inside the cockpit. The queue leading there is brilliant, as is the use of Hondo Ohnaka (a compelling character I had never heard of before, but love now), and the pre-shows are amusing and fun.
The ride experience itself can be a mixed bag and the mission can feel like plodding drudgery, but the Millennium Falcon aspect more than compensates for the Smugglers Run component, and elevates the full package. My hope is that once the new Mandalorian and Grogu mission launches, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run will become a perfect attraction. A ride-through component on par with Star Tours (but gamified) would make this a 10/10 ‘no notes’ attraction.
8. Rapunzel’s Lantern Festival (Tokyo DisneySea) – A romantic gondola tour with outdoor scenery and indoor show scenes that culminates in the annual Lantern Festival, where guests follow Rapunzel as she experiences her “best day ever” and meets Flynn Rider for the first time. Boats float towards the tower where Rapunzel lives, and find her gazing out of her lofty tower window, singing “When Will My Life Begin,” as Flynn Rider watches.
The ride then flows through various dark ride scenes, culminating in Rapunzel and Flynn Rider singing “I See the Light,” as guests are enveloped by the glow of countless lanterns filling the night sky.
If anything, this is the opposite of Busy Buggies in the sense that Rapunzel’s Lantern Festival arguably under-delivers on its promise and potential. This has perhaps the biggest ‘wow’ moment in any Fantasy Springs attraction and a few other lovely scenes and effects, but it’s a bit on the short side and also more rudimentary. It’s as if Imagineering started with the iconic Lantern Festival, nailed that, and decided that was good enough. To be sure, that scene is alone worth the price of admission, but the rest of the ride falls a bit flat–and is over too soon. Read our Review: Disney’s Most Romantic Ride Ever?! for more.
7. Soaring: Fantastic Flight (Tokyo DisneySea) – The above “no clones” rule might seem to exclude Soaring: Fantastic Flight, but it’s like the “No Homers” rule: one is okay. Actually, the reason Soaring Fantastic Flight is able to skirt the rule is because it isn’t materially identical.
The queue, pre-show, and ending are all different and to such a degree that we highly recommend Soaring: Fantastic Flight even to those who have already experienced Soarin. That’s basically our litmus test for whether a ride is a direct clone–are other iterations distinct to the point they’re recommended or skippable? It is not. That’s what we think, and it’s sentiment we’ve heard again and again from others, even those who self-describe as “not big Soarin’ fans.”
Soaring Fantastic Flight’s ride component is similar to Soarin’ in Walt Disney World, Disney California Adventure, and Shanghai Disneyland. The big difference here is the build-up to that: Soaring Fantastic Flight has an incredibly lavish queue and impressive new pre-show. The video also has one scene swapped out, and a new finale that ends over Tokyo Disney Resort. Soaring: Fantastic Flight would be worth experiencing even if you skipped the ride portion! (Obviously, we recommend actually riding it.)
6. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure (Disneyland) – This is the reimagined ride that replaced Splash Mountain at both Disneyland and Magic Kingdom. It uses the exact same ride system on both coasts, meaning it’s a log flume with an outdoor section, interior show scenes featuring advanced Audio Animatronics figures, and several smaller drops culminating in one big 50-foot drop. Same idea, different story and substance.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure picks up the story of The Princess and the Frog after the final kiss, joining Tiana and Louis on a musical adventure as they prepare for their first-ever Mardi Gras performance. During this celebration, guests hear original music inspired by songs from the film. Tiana is leading the way and guests will be able to encounter old friends and make new friends along the way as well.
The highlights of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure are the incredibly advanced human and animal Audio Animatronics, along with a range of memorable music that brings the ride to life. The lowlights are a confusing story, low stakes, and some dubious decisions made with worldbuilding. The Disneyland version is what makes the list here, as we view it as superior to its Magic Kingdom counterpart. But on both coasts, there’s the open question of whether the reimagined ride actually improves upon its predecessor.
Regardless, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure makes the cut and ranks this highly for its contributions in the evolution of Audio Animatronics. It’s very much a “warts and all” attraction, but the animal and (animated) human figures are next-level. Louis the Alligator, especially, is impressive both in his movements and appearance, as the rare breed of “furry reptile.” I’m also personally partial to the cute critter bands, which are lovingly designed supporting players.
5. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind (EPCOT) – This family-friendly Marvel roller coaster replaced the old Universe of Energy pavilion, along with a gigantic blue gravity building out back. Cosmic Rewind is a “storytelling coaster,” which is to say it’s a roller coaster with show scenes that’s suitable for most guests and thrill levels.
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is an incredibly satisfying attraction from start to finish, with a queue and pre-shows that provide depth, a couple of wow-moment effects, hilarity & hijinks, and a compelling story set-up. The same is true for the roller coaster itself, which has a long duration, fantastic flow and fluidity. Its successes are largely owing to the Guardians of the Galaxy characters, humor, and use of music–the roller coaster feels like it’s dancing, for lack of a better term.
Above all else, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is flat-out, fantastic fun. It’s one of the most fun attractions in all of Walt Disney World. It hits all of the right notes, and is just a non-stop hoot from start to finish. As someone who favors longer dark rides to thrill rides, my natural inclination is to rank the other attractions above this, but Cosmic Rewind is too good–and surprisingly innovative–to ignore. This is a best-of-class attraction, and hopefully we’ll see more roller coasters like it in the decade to come. Read our Spoiler-Free Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Ride Review for more.
4. Peter Pan’s Never Land Adventure (Tokyo DisneySea) – During this epic adventure with the Lost Kids to rescue John from Captain Hook and his band of pirates, guests encounter beloved characters from the film. Guests soar through the sky, are put in the midst of battle with the Jolly Roger, and more.
Peter Pan’s Never Land Adventure is one of two “no notes” attractions in Fantasy Springs. On paper, this ride is very similar to Spider-Man or Transformers at Universal, which are iconic screen-based attractions that are also chaotic adventures. In actuality, Peter Pan’s Never Land Adventure is much more like Avatar Flight of Passage.
Like that, this adventure with Peter Pan offers battle and excitement, but also a majestic and well-paced attraction that takes its time to slow down and chew on the scenery. The thrills are followed by quiet and serene moments, and a grand finale that’s stunning and takes your breath away. For more, see our ride review: Disney’s New Peter Pan E-Ticket is an Avatar Flight Plus Spider-Man Adventure.
3. Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast (Tokyo Disneyland) – If I were smart, this would rank #2 and the next ride would be #1. Those are the “safe” attraction picks, especially given the Tokyo-bias that many Disney fans have developed. There’s also the reality that both of these are based on beloved movies and utilize ride systems that fans love. If you’re ranking these rides based on YouTube videos, I’m guessing this would be #2 and the next ride would be #1.
In my view, both attractions play it a tad too safe. This isn’t to diminish their accomplishments, because both are among the best attractions anywhere in the world. But to be a ‘modern marvel’ means something more, and Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast is iterative as much as it’s innovative. It takes the classic formula of a Fantasyland book report ride and reinvents it for the 2020s. Again, not a knock–it’s an amazing attraction!
Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast is an excellent attraction and one that has actually grown on us both more with each repeat ride. Even after over a half-dozen ride-throughs, we’re still noticing and marveling at new features and effects. Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast is worthy of its mega E-Ticket status and is in the upper echelon of all attractions in the world. The Audio Animatronics are incredible, the staging is mostly fantastic, and there are a few amazing effects and ‘how did they do that’ moments.
Not only that, but it’s a meaty attraction, with a compelling queue and pre-show, and a lengthy ride-through portion. You don’t mind waiting in the long line (which is long for a reason!) because the time passes quickly and the payoff is worth it. For more photos & commentary, see our Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast ride review.
2. Anna and Elsa’s Frozen Journey (Tokyo DisneySea) – Guests set out on a voyage by boat that leads them through the events of Frozen. This adventurous and heartwarming tale of two sisters features themes of true love, along with twists and turns (literal and figurative) along the way.
Guests embark on a journey through the sisters’ memories, accompanied by well-known songs from the film. Anna and Elsa’s Frozen Journey culminates in Elsa climbing North Mountain, where she creates an ice palace with her powers. During the ride’s climactic moments, Elsa attempts to save her sister from Hans in an act of true love. You know the drill.
This is totally different from Frozen Ever After at the other parks, and is the second of two perfect attractions in Fantasy Springs. But there are varying degrees of perfection, and this is even more perfect. Anna and Elsa’s Frozen Journey features jaw-dropping AAs, gorgeous show scenes, and a few “how did they do that?!” moments and effects. This is an absolute must-ride, and should be your #1 priority at the #1 Disney park in the world! For more photos & commentary, see our ride review: Anna & Elsa’s Frozen Journey is One of Disney’s Best Rides Ever!
1. Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance (DL/DHS) – Every generation or so, the Imagineers do something so radically different that it redefines what a theme park attraction can be. Since 1955, there have been a handful of such attractions: OG Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, Star Tours, Indiana Jones Adventure, Pooh’s Hunny Hunt, Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure.
And now, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. The way the attraction blurs the lines between queue, pre-show, and the ride experience is the great ‘contribution’ of Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance to the art of attraction design. The sense of tension, use of a variety of technology, and mix of practical plus special effects also help it score high marks.
It remains to be seen whether Rise of the Resistance will go down in the history books alongside Pirates of the Caribbean and Haunted Mansion–attractions that have both celebrated their 50th Anniversaries–but Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is Disney’s best ambitious and envelope-pushing attraction Indiana Jones Adventure. That’s quite impressive given the attractions that have opened during that span, including the entirety of Tokyo DisneySea.
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance may not be my favorite attraction on this list or the one that I’d ride the most, but I feel it’s the objective #1 pick because of the way it pushes the envelope. It is a modern marvel of Imagineering in the truest sense of the term, a technology-ambitious attraction that innovates rather than iterates. And you can expect that other rides at Disney and Universal will be inspired by this in the coming decade, and we’ll see its inspiration everywhere from Epic Universe to the 2029 plan for Walt Disney World and Disneyland.
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Your Thoughts
What do you think of my list of Imagineering’s modern marvels from the last 5 years? Anything I’ve snubbed that you think is deserving? Anything on the list that you think doesn’t belong? What would make the cut–and what would not–on your own list? Agree or disagree with the rankings? Any questions? We love hearing from readers, so please share any other thoughts or questions you have in the comments below!
