What Rides to Ride; What Rides to Skip

[BeckWhy]

Need I say more? Te Hee Hee.

 

[PrincessAurora]

EPCOT (Ride Maelstrom & Mission Space - Skip River of Time unless you are hot, drunk or both)

MGM (Ride R&R, ToT, Star Tours - Skip live action shows acting bites)

Animal Kingdom (Ride Kali River Rapids - Skip Dinosaur unless being tossed around in a murky, humid box appeals to you)

Magic Kingdom (Ride Haunted Mansion, Pirates, Alien Encounter, Aladdins Flying Carpets, Big Thunder, Splash, Peter Pan - Skip It's a Small World unless you want that song in your head all day or its just too hot outside)

 

[Rhonda]

MK - Ride the mountains (Space, Big Thunder, Splash), Peter Pan's Flight, Pirates of the Caribbean, Buzz Lightyear. Skip Alien Encounter, Carousel, Dumbo, Hall of Presidents.

Epcot - Ride Spaceship Earth, Test Track, Living Seas, Living with the Land, Maelstrom. Skip Ellen's Energy Adventure.

MGM - Ride ToT, Rockin Rollercoaster, Great Movie Ride, Muppets 3D, Star Tours. Skip Backlot Tour.

AK - Ride Tough to be a Bug, Safari, Dinosaur (we love it!), Kali River Rapids. I can't think of anything to skip here! It's beautiful everywhere - take you time and walk around, enjoying all the scenery! You'll still need less than a day!

 

[meeko_33785]

My oppinions-

MK
Ride- Big Thunder Mountain, Splash Mountain, Space Mountain, Peter Pan, Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, Buzz Lightyear
Skip- Alien Encounter (Un-Disney, uncomfortable, and sadistic)

EPCOT
Ride- Test Track, Maelstrom, American Adventure, France Movie, Honey I Shrunk the Audience, Imagination with Figment, El Rio Del Tiempo, Spaceship Earth
Skip- Universe of Energy (45 minutes with Ellen Degeress talking about Energy is way too long)

MGM
Ride- Tower of Terror, Great Movie Ride, Animation Tour, Beauty and the Beast, MuppetVision, One Man's Dream, Star Tours, Little Mermiad
Skip- Sounds Dangerous (My worst nightmare- Drew Carry whispering in my ear . )

AK
Ride- Kilimanjaro Safaris, Maharajah Jungle Treck, Dinosaur, It's Tough to Be A Bug, Festival of the Lion King, Tarzan Rocks, Primeval Whirl, Pangani Forest
Skip- Nothing (Everything's great)

 

[B'rer Karen]

My opinion is to do whatever appeals to you and skip whatever doesn't. There are a few things that I choose to skip, but I always tell others to try them because everyone has different tastes. There are things I've skipped because someone else recommended I skip it, and later on I did it and liked it. The only exception to this rule is Alien Encounter. I absolutely hate it. I agree with meeko that it is Un-Disney, uncomfortable, and sadistic. But there again, maybe that's your cup of tea.

 

[DC7800]

My two-cents worth (not all inclusive, by the way, There are plenty of other attractions worthy of mention, but here are some highlights):

Magic Kingdom: Ride Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, Enchanted Tiki-Room, Jungle Cruise, Pooh, Carousel of Progress, Peter Pan's Flight, WDW Railroad, TTA, and Splash Mountain. Skip the speedway, Alladin's Magic Carpets, and Astro Orbiter.

Epcot: Ride Spaceship Earth, The American Adventure, Norway, Impressions de France, Cranium Command (grossly underrated), Illuminations, Figment's Journey into Imagination, and Living with the Land. Skip The Living Seas, Body Wars, Test Track, Food Rocks, and Universe of Energy (the original 1982 version was actually better).

Studios: Don't miss The Great Movie Ride, Tower of Terror, Muppets 4-D, Star Tours, and Fantasmic. Skip Millionaire.

Animal Kingdom: Ride the Safari, Kali River Rapids, see Festival of the Lion King, and walk the Pangani Forest and Maharajah Jungle Trek trails. Skip Dinosaur, all of Dinorama, and Tarzan Rocks.

 

[mrssalvaggio]

If you are a 1st timer then you must go commando style and are not allowed to skip anything. You are required to visit every attraction, see every parade and do at least one character meal a day. Just kidding If I had never been, and read this thread, my brain would hurt I have agreed, and disagreed, with opinions of every poster so far. A lot of it also depends on how much time you have. It is really hard for me to answer, because we have been so many times. There are some attractions that I might be willing to skip now. An example would be Universe of Energy. After 15 times I still enjoy the whole dream/jeopardy sequence with Ellen, and of course the dinosaurs, but the other 35 min portion of the show - I have started to find myself zoning out. Yet I can't imagine a 1st timer not seeing it. My first suggestion would be to get as much info off the net as possible, plus go to the library and get some guidebooks (they are expensive to buy and most get updated every year). When you do visit, relax and enjoy. If you pressure yourself to do everything, it won't be as much fun. Just be excited that you'll have something to come back and see on your next visit.

 

[Lovetherodent]

We skip the rides that make somebody sick! ALL simulator rides and anything that spins while making some other motion (like moving up and down). We're also tempted to skip anything that has a wait of over 30 minutes. Otherwise, we'll try just about anything.

 

[rejobako]

Obviously, the appeal of the rides is fairly subjective; some people love "Body Wars", but it just makes me queasy.

For my top 10 can't miss choices on rides/shows, I'd say:

1) Pirates of the Caribbean: you have to go on this just to study the leg that the animatronic Pirate dangles over your boat as you exit one of the scenes; amazingly real looking.

2) Lion King live show at MGM. I can't agree with what a previous poster said about the acting. Sure it's wooden, but who's there to see an Academy Award performance? To me, it's the best synthesis of live action and animatronics in the park, and those "jumping monkeys" are amazing.

3) ET Extra Terrorestrial at MK. Yes, I agree with the poster who said it's not Disneylike, but for the more adventurous it's extremely frightening, in a thrilling sort of way.

4) Country Bear Jamboree at MK. The animatronics and sound are hoplessly outdated, but let's face it: This is the original show, without adornment or embellishments, that the bears have been performing since the park opened; and it feels that way. It's a slice of Disney history, and everyone should see it at least once. Besides, there's something disturbingly alluring about hearing Big Al slurring through "Blood on the Saddle".

5) Haunted Mansion at MK. Just a great ride; and a great respite from the summer heat, gliding along with your own ghost in the air conditioning, as cool as a crypt.

6) Splash Mountain at MK. Another well conceived Disney ride; you get the fun of an Animatronics show followed by the most thrilling three seconds in all of WDW; that heart stopping drop over the falls.

7) Space Mountain at MK. Purely as a roller coaster, Space Mountain is tame, but as usual, Disney spiced it up by putting it in virtual darkness; there's something extra thrilling about riding a coaster without being able to see the turns coming. This is one of those rides I wish I could experience again for the first time.

8) Fantasmic at MGM. Who else but Disney could make projecting scenes through sprays of water work so well. This, combined with the lights, fireworks, and the thrill of watching Mickey battle all of the classic Disney villains, makes this one a must-see. My little daughter did get a bit worried after awhile. It takes awhile for Mickey to get the upper hand, and this one can get a bit scary for the little ones.

9) River of Time (in Mexico) at EPCOT. This is a purely personal choice, but for me, EPCOT is all about the "world beer tour" (which I don't get to do as often now that I have kids). We always start in Mexico after doing some rides in the world showcase, and after a Dos Equis at noon it's usually pretty hot. Stepping into the cool indoor space in Mexico and hopping on the boat for a quick respite always strikes me as a comfortable and soothing break, and I like the fact that they haven't updated the graphics. Gotta love the cheesy 70's wetbar scene.

10) It's a Small World in MK. Say what you will, you cynics; this one's perfect for the kiddies.

As for the rides to miss, I wouldn't presume to say there's a ride that is completely worthless, although I must say that there are some that I wouldn't stand in line for without fastpass. Last Wednesday there was a 75 minute wait for Peter Pan's Adventure, which is an amusing, but extremely short, ride. No way I'd sit there for nearly an hour and a half for that.

 

[CourtasanSatine]

skip the Tiki Room unless stoned or hot

 

[DisneyBen]

Since everyone's opinion is different, you may just want to try a lot of different things and see if you like them. For example, I have seen a lot of people say not to try Alien Encounter. I happen to like AE. It's just a difference of opinion.

 

[HunnyPots]

As stated earlier, everyone has different taste and preferences. What I love and hate maybe your exact opposites. But here are my loves and hates anyway, so make of it what you will.

Loves:
Everything in Adventureland! Wouldn't miss a thing here!
Haunted Mansion
All the mountains
Tower of Terror
Rock & Roller Coaster
Safari
Dinosaur
The exploration trails of AK
All the details and exquisite theming everywhere in WDW!

Hates:
It's a Small World. Cannot believe this has stood the test of time.
Everything in that abomination called "Chester and Hester's Dino-Rama"

Could take or leave:
Everything in FantasyLand. Maybe if my kids were little.
Epcot! Sorry Epcot lovers. This park just didn't do much for us. I'm going to give it another try, though.

Isn't it great that Disney has so much to offer that there's something to please everyone?

 

[tc]

Contrary to an opinion above, I love every show available, even Tarzan. I could just watch shows all day and be happy.

That being said I also love:

MK don't miss:
Buzz
All the mountains
Haunted Mansion (love the detail)
Peter Pan
Snow White (I force Stephen to ride these with me, we are two adults, kids grown)
TTA
Pirates
Hall of Presidents

MK miss:
Tiki Birds
Alladin
Swiss Family Treehouse
Small World
Pooh
Alien Encounter
Speedway

MGM don't miss:
All shows
Millionaire
ToT
RnR
Muppets
One Man's Dream
Star Tours (I ride alone, makes Stephen very sick)
Fantasmic

MGM miss:
Little Mermaid
Backstage Pass
Sounds Dangerous (something gross about wearing headphones that another sweaty vacationer just had one their ears)

Epcot don't miss:
Test Track
Wonders of Life
Imagination
Everything in World showcase (especially the performers)
Fountains

Epcot miss:
Living Seas (afraid of underwater stuff)
Innoventions
Ellen's Energy thing

AK don't miss:
Kilamanjaro Safaris
All walking tours
Dinosaur
Primevil whirl (really love this ride)
It's Tough to be a Bug
Lion King Show
Devine (if you can find her)

AK miss:
Rafiki's Planet watch
Kali River Rapids (don't like getting so darn wet)

All other attractions not mentioned: take or leave

I never miss any parades or fireworks, ever. Unless, of course, Stephen has his way. He's not a big parade fan.

Isn't it amazing how no one agrees totally with anyone else? That's why there's so many things to do and see at the World.

 

[Planogirl]

My thoughts... don't skip ANYTHING if you can help it! Some of my favorites are on some people's skip lists and the same thing might happen to you. You never know what you're going to love!

 

[CourtasanSatine]

You have to see the performers in World Showcase(especially Off Kilter and the UK performers)

 

[ead79]

I skip all thrill rides, whether they spin, are roller coasters, are simulators, etc. since they give me motion sickness. That aside, here are a few of my favorites and my least favorites.

MK must sees: Haunted Mansion, Pirates, Buzz, TTA
MK skips: Alien Encounter, Swiss Family Treehouse, speedway

Epcot must sees: Spaceship Earth, American Adventure, Maelstrom, Living with the Land, Illuminations
Epcot skips: Living Seas, Universe of Energy

Studios must sees: Great Movie Ride, Muppet Vision 3-D, Fantasmic
Studios skips: Backlot Tour

AK must sees: Kilimanjaro Safari, Festival of the Lion King, Maharaja Jungle Trek
AK skips: Dinosaur, Dino-Rama