When visiting the Disney theme parks – or any theme park for that matter – it’s undoubtedly the headliners that are the main draw. The Rise of the Resistances and Pirates of the Carribeans, but amongst these show stoppers lie a treasure trove of supporting attractions. Being honest, there are few attractions in the Disney parks that I’ve visited (Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World and Disneyland Paris) I don’t enjoy, but these are just a few of my favourites!
Star Tours: The Adventure Continues
Disneyland Park Paris, Disneyland, Tokyo Disneyland, Disney’s Hollywood Studios
When I say Star Tours is underrated, I am very much talking about its current standing. After all, when it opened, this ride was revolutionary. As the first simulator ride to open in a theme park (please do correct me if I’m wrong about that!), Star Tours set a benchmark for the future of themed entertainment. But, history aside, this is just a ridiculously fun ride. With a queue line that stands proud against any in the world – I’ll actively choose to ride Star Tours when it has a long line just so I get to enjoy all the droids – and an exhilarating, sometimes a little scary, but always a lot of fun, ride experience, Star Tours remains one of my favourite Disney attractions. It’s also, to my mind, one of the most re-ridable rides anywhere. As Star Wars movies have been released, the parks continually add new scenes to the point where there are currently 700 possible ride experiences available. With a lot of talk about whether the ride should be decommissioned now Galaxy’s Edge has opened, I really hope its days aren’t numbered. Of course, its main competitor now is Millenium Falcon: Smugglers Run. I enjoyed large sections of this attraction, but even just riding it for the second time I began to feel a little bit of ‘we’ve already done this’, a very rare thought indeed on its predecessor.
Casey Jr. – le Petit Train du Cirque
Disneyland Park Paris
Everyone please take a moment to lay some respect on Casey Jr. – le Petit Train du Cirque, the first rollercoaster in the world to delight its riders with onboard audio. For what would this ride be without its audio? A delightful train ride around (deep breath) Le Pays des Contes de Fées, presented by Vittel? Why yes, yes it would be. But thanks to that wonderful audio this is so much more! Chugging along Casey’s signature song from Dumbo is a joy, and the moment he shouts and the train rapidly picks up speed?! Chefs kiss.
Swiss Family Treehouse
Disneyland Park Paris, Magic Kingdom, Disneyland, Tokyo Disneyland
Look, I know Swiss Family Treehouse is not an exciting attraction, but I would argue that it is a must-do. (At least if you have multiple days, I’m not forcing you up the tree on a rushed visit.) My one proviso here is that you must ascend into the canopy at night. Whilst Swiss Family Treehouse is charming enough in the daytime, at night it just oozes the magic that the Disney parks market themselves on. Wandering through a sea of warm fairy lights with occasional views of the glistening park and a killer soundtrack (if you can listen to Swisskapolka and not jive along, you’re a stronger person than I) is a pretty darn fine way to spend a small chunk of your evening if I do say so myself.
(Note: I’m very excited to experience Adventureland Treehouse at Disneyland this autumn!)
Tom Sawyer Island
Magic Kingdom, Disneyland, Tokyo Disneyland
Would you believe me if I said this piece has been in my drafts since before Tom Sawyer Island’s closure was announced? I promise I’m not lying! Though I almost wish I’d written this as a bitter rebuke of the area’s impending demise. Alas, I just really, genuinely love Tom Sawyer Island, and Magic Kingdom will not be the same place without it, at least for me. For me, every elite theme park in the world needs a place to decompress. Alton Towers has the gardens, Disneyland Paris has Adventure Isle, Phantasialand has the theme world Fantasy and its lakeside stroll, Efteling has the fairytale forest, I could go on. Theme parks are sensory overload. They’re designed to be. I spend my time on here (and in my friend’s inboxes) exclaiming over my love for things I see, smell, hear, taste at theme parks. They’re a constant assault on every sense, and sometimes you just need to take a minute to connect with nature, with quiet, and recharge, ready to hurl yourself back into the madness. I’d argue that more than anywhere else in the world, this is important at Magic Kingdom. The most visited theme park in the world, Magic Kingdom is a lot to process. Packed with crowds, concrete and heat, the park can quickly become overwhelming. Tom Sawyer Island is, for a little while longer, respite from this. We used it on our last trip, breaking up the day into periods of madness, and periods spent sitting on rocking chairs in the shade, by the water, playing checkers. I know which period sticks in my head most vividly.
Main Street Vehicles
Disneyland, Magic Kingdom, Disneyland Park Paris, Hong Kong Disneyland, Tokyo Disneyland
My dream is that one day I will be relaxed enough to start my day by riding a Main Street Vehicle down Main Street. As it is, I always rope drop, and if I’m rope dropping, I’m making a beeline for one of the park’s popular attractions, but, you can often find me riding back down to the front of the park a few hours later! In fact, one of my most memorable Disney ride experiences of recent years took place on a Main Street Vehicle. Following a successful Early Magic Time at Disneyland Paris, we hopped aboard the Paddy Wagon for a ride towards town square. Unfortunately (for the guests) it was shortly after the park opened to day guests, and Mickey and Minnie were atop Main Street Station waving enthusiastically down to their adoring public. A fact that did not phase the driver of the wagon one bit. Why would it? He had a horn! One that he used with great enthusiasm, sending endless adults and children alike jumping out of their skin and leaping out of the way. Cut to the adults in the back of the wagon crying with laughter.
Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters
Disney’s California Adventure
We all rank rides differently. Theming, thrill, uniqueness… so many things make a ride. But if I were to rank my favourite attractions based purely on fun, you know Luigi’s Rollockin’ Roadsters would be right up there. You ride in a car. It dances. That’s the concept. It’s simple, the thrills are minimal. But oh my gosh, the silliness of being in a dancing car, not knowing where you’re headed next (these cars are trackless!) whilst everyone around you moves in the same formation, took me by surprise. I cannot wait to revisit Luigi this year!
Animation Academy
Disney California Adventure, Walt Disney Studios Park, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Hong Kong Disneyland
Animation Academy is one of those attractions I love to take first-timers to. It’s such a simple concept, but one that always seems to surprise people, like wait? You can take a drawing class at Disneyland? Yes, you can! These are the small attractions that help make the Disney parks stand out, and I love it! The classes are always super fun with friendly, talented instructors and a great atmosphere. Plus, you get to compete with your friends to draw the best character and have a unique souvenir to take home. I always make sure to join the fun once per trip, and you should too!
How about you? Do you have a less-celebrated attraction that you adore? Do let me know!
Speak again soon,
Claire
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