Attractions that Surprised You (Not Expecting to be Anything Special)

[Frozen2014]

We just returned from Disney last weekend for the first time since 2014. We had been once before (but first time at Animal Kingdom). Thought I'd start a fun thread of attractions that you went on for the first time and you weren't expecting much but you really enjoyed. As a note, I skipped a lot of the thrill rides due to health issues so can't comment on those.
I'll go first:

Magic Kingdom
1. Carousel of Progress - Didn't really know what this was but as we were passing it my son said he'd like to go on it. Thought it was really neat show of how things have changed over time. Really well done, and a simple but powerful concept of how they switched to the next timeline.

2. People Mover - Thought this would be just a slow train ride with views of Disney World, but quite enjoyed the 'future' theme and the ride. When it went dark we thought it was broken down (as many rides that week went down) but realized that was part of the ride.

3 - Winnie the Pooh - Yes I'm a full grown adult and we went on this ride for me (we have teenagers)...lol...but it's such a cute ride. Plus, the cars move in a fun way vs just straight on a track.

Epcot
4. Frozen - Thought this would be a kiddie ride that my daughter would have liked 7 years ago, but it was lots of fun. I do love seeing all the details and wasn't expecting to go backwards.

Animal Kingdom
5 - Not a specific ride comment, but in general, what a beautiful park. Didn't realize it would be such nature-driven.

(Flight of Passage was amazing, but from all the hype, that wasn't a surprise.)

Hollywood Studios
6 - Mickie and Minnie Runaway Railroad - Wasn't exactly sure what this was, but what a fun ride. Same mechanism as Rise of the Resistance.

Others?

 

[Kerr84]

Country Bears is hysterical and so many people overlook it.

 

[Frozen2014]

Country Bears is hysterical and so many people overlook it.

Wish we had gone to that one. My 13 year old would wave to the bear every time we passed it, but didn't stop to see the show.

 

[TaunTaun]

Living with the Land! Admittedly, this is now one of my favorite attractions of all time. However, the first time I rode it, I wasn't expecting the depth or detail it had.

 

[Flamingeaux]

Astro Orbiter at night is way more fun than I thought it would be.

 

[Ta.Ham1989]

I agree on Carousel of Progress. I love that catchy little tune! Plus you get to sit down in air conditioning.

 

[Park Pirate]

I would have to agree with both Frozen and Runaway Railroad. I liked the rides they replaced and I guess I was expecting to be somewhat disappointed. But, both rides are really well done. I just wish they would have kept/updated the old ones and then added the new rides separately, but I realize that this is not always possible.

 

[SleeplessInTO]

I love Gran Fiesta. My favourite relaxing boat ride. Those fireworks at the end, very similar to Runaway Railway imo. Unfortunately my kid has decided she's now scared of the skulls so we haven't been to the Mexico pavilion in sometime.

 

[Frozen2014]

I love Gran Fiesta. My favourite relaxing boat ride. Those fireworks at the end, very similar to Runaway Railway imo. Unfortunately my kid has decided she's now scared of the skulls so we haven't been to the Mexico pavilion in sometime.

Yes this is a cute one too. Very hidden ride though so unless you are looking for it, you can easily miss it.

 

[Frozen2014]

I would have to agree with both Frozen and Runaway Railroad. I liked the rides they replaced and I guess I was expecting to be somewhat disappointed. But, both rides are really well done. I just wish they would have kept/updated the old ones and then added the new rides separately, but I realize that this is not always possible.

I know Runaway Railroad replaced Great Movie Ride.
Which one did Frozen replace?

I'll also add that I quite liked Remy. Neat 3D/4D effects and view from the rodent. My only beef with it is that it is so far out in World Showcase that it was a long hike to get to it. (I get though that they wanted to include it in the France area)

 

[nicksinger8]

I love Gran Fiesta. My favourite relaxing boat ride. Those fireworks at the end, very similar to Runaway Railway imo. Unfortunately my kid has decided she's now scared of the skulls so we haven't been to the Mexico pavilion in sometime.

Yes the Grand Fiesta - I agree with that 100%. It was surprisingly enjoyable. Minnie and Mickie - I did quite a lot of research for the trip to make sure everything we went on was kid and motion sickness suitable. But Minnie and Mickie I couldn't quite figure out even with descriptions - my kids asked me what it was all about and I did struggle. It blew me away. What a clever ride especially the dancing bit. I was warned I would find Toy Story Mania addictive, but didn't appreciate how much. Got on it twice - thank goodness for Genie +.

 

[maryj11]

Carousel of Progress, The People Mover and Living with the Land! I love those three rides

 

[riversend22]

I know Runaway Railroad replaced Great Movie Ride.
Which one did Frozen replace?

Frozen replaced Maelstrom. It was a ride about vikings. None of the actual ride mechanisms were changed if I recall correctly, but Frozen is a much better ride imo, so I'm glad it was changed!

 

[DisneyFive]

Living with the land
Hall of Presidents
Nemo Show at AK

now, surprising the opposite way:
Stitch's Great Escape
7DMT (just overly hyped, fun but I'm glad it's the one $ILL in MK so that the $ILL isn't for something we REALLY like, like Splash, BTMRR, etc...)
Slinky Dog Dash (fun, but again way overhyped)
Mission Space
Tiki Room

 

[Frozen2014]

Living with the land
Hall of Presidents
Nemo Show at AK

now, surprising the opposite way:
Stitch's Great Escape
7DMT (just overly hyped, fun but I'm glad it's the one $ILL in MK so that the $ILL isn't for something we REALLY like, like Splash, BTMRR, etc...)
Slinky Dog Dash (fun, but again way overhyped)
Mission Space
Tiki Room

Am not a history buff, but missed Hall of Presidents....one I wishes we had seen.
Wanted to see Lion King at Animal Kingdom but the times never worked (it was always 1hr out). Also missed Nemo show but our kids had no interest.

Agree with 7DMT. We did early entry for it. Still waited. I didn't go on it this trip, but I walked through with my family and they were off within a minute. Really quick for the long wait. They seemed disappointed. (Also the ride video was much better when we went on it last time - seemed shortened).

Our kids were just ok with Mission Space. Only did it once even though they could have easily gone on a second time.

 

[holden]

MMRR surprised me! I enjoyed it much more than I thought I would. It's adorable.

 

[nicksinger8]

Living with the land
Hall of Presidents
Nemo Show at AK

now, surprising the opposite way:
Stitch's Great Escape
7DMT (just overly hyped, fun but I'm glad it's the one $ILL in MK so that the $ILL isn't for something we REALLY like, like Splash, BTMRR, etc...)
Slinky Dog Dash (fun, but again way overhyped)
Mission Space
Tiki Room

Slinky is a great example of expectation. Didn’t queue for long as we used Genie+. Also thought it would be tame - but we absolutely loved it. My second favourite coaster behind space mountain.

 

[NH-to-FL]

Thought I'd start a fun thread of attractions that you went on for the first time and you weren't expecting much but you really enjoyed

Another + for the Carousel of Progress! Though I saw it first at the '64 World's Fair. Keep going back.

Also + for the People Mover and Living with the Land. And I share your appreciation for the Animal Kingdom.

I will add a relaxing, step back in time ride on the WDW Railroad to the MK list and the very emotionally moving American Adventure to the Epcot list.

 

[HopperFan]

Mickey Runaway Railway

It is basically what I thought construction wise, but the entire room projections and train itself movement make it a much better ride than I expected. We have done it a couple of times each trip. It's fun!

Do I think we had to lose GMR for it, no. We could have had both. But alas, that is how it rolls.

 

[Frozen2014]

Mickey Runaway Railway

It is basically what I thought construction wise, but the entire room projections and train itself movement make it a much better ride than I expected. We have done it a couple of times each trip. It's fun!

Do I think we had to lose GMR for it, no. We could have had both. But alas, that is how it rolls.

We used a Lightning Lane for it but for that ride, it broke down. First and only time being walked off a ride....lol. Got to see the (static) scenes slowly as we walked back out. On the good front though, we got an Anytime Lightning Lane for it, which meant we used it to re-ride it when it was back up. Then we were able to book an actual LL for Mickey Runaway Railway again.

I liked Great Movie Ride too so agree....sad it replaced it as opposed to in addition to.