Why the obsession with SDD?

[lorenae]

I haven’t been to WDW in more than three years, so I’m brushing up on things before my adults only trip in January.
The last time I went, the hoopla was on SDMT. I rode it twice with my grandson, and had another FP that we let time out because we just didn’t want to do it. It was cute, the theming was nice, but it was an ok ride. My GS liked Barnstormer every bit as much.
So what is it with SDD that people wake up at 5 AM to try to make FPs for 60+ days out? Great theming, a fun ride, something new?
I get FOP, and am really hoping to grab that (maybe not all that likely, but.....) I just can’t see what the huge draw here is.
What do you (and your kids) love about it?

 

[SaintsManiac]

It’s fun. It’s smooth, but a level up on intensity from Mine Train. Riding at night is an experience that I can’t really compare to another ride at WDW. We love it and have ridden many times.

 

[Calee]

It's fun, the theming is cute, and it is new.

 

[Canoook]

Haven't been since TSL opened, but compared to the rest of the rides in the park it's an easier ride for the young ones and the light stomachs. ToT, RnR, even Star Tours are all intense rides, where as SDD and TSMM are tamer rides. TSMM has so many cars and tracks going it can accommodate a much higher volume than the 2 or 3 train SDD with all the time it takes to load each train. Also kids (very generally, your mileage may vary) relate much more to Toy Story than the Twilight Zone, Aerosmith, and Star Wars. Just my 2 cents

 

[RememberWhoYouAre]

Like you said, it's new and fun. I hate coasters, but even I think SDD is fun. It's not a "thrill" coaster by any means, but a fun family coaster. I think a lot of the appeal is that it is one of the few good ride options for families with young kids. It has a 38" height requirement while RNRC has a 48" height requirement. Plus it's Toy Story themed in a Toy Story Land.

 

[ClapYourHands]

HS doesn't have much in the way of rides for younger kids. SDD is one of those rides that is smooth and "tame" enough a more timid kid might ride it, but well-themed and fast enough that adults enjoy it, too.

Let's face it: there's no way my 4-year-old is going to attempt ToT, and she's too short for RnR, even if she wanted to go on it. AS2 is okay, but not very interesting for me. TSMM is cool, but fairly similar to Buzz in MK. Until the Mickey and Minnie railway ride is built or the Star Wars rides get FP, SDD will be the most desired FP.

Plus, there's the scarcity factor because it's not a long car and it loads relatively slowly. Even if the same number of people want to ride SDD and TSMM, the line for SDD will be longer simply because of lower capacity.

 

[gharter]

Because it might be one of the best rides in HS? RnRC is really fun, and ToT is amazing, but they have ben around for some years. SDD is new and rides much bigge than it is. Its smooth and just a really fun rollercoaster. I used to love RnRC, but now it has become really rough and despirately needs a rehab to smooth it out again.

 

[PetePanMan]

Surprisingly fun ride

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Kids are 9 and 6, for context. One word for us: Fun.

There's not a time we don't head into to TSL to ride or get off the ride where we're not smiling.

I dislike the ride photo location but the few that have come out well are holiday card material - hands up and all smiles.

Happy place material.

 

[NickC]

We just did our FP+ for our upcoming November trip. We didn't even put SDD on the list of must haves. We did it last year. It was fun. We don't need to do it again.
Even our kids said that they preferred RNRC and ToT. So, we will RD those, hit TSMM and then FP+ RNRC again.
Having said that, if you've never done it, I do think it is worth at least trying to get a FP+. Do FoP first, and then if SDD is available, grab it. It's always fun to try something new. But, I would personally never fight RD crowds to ride it or keep refreshing months before the trip to try and get it.

 

[mom22boys]

It’s fun. It’s smooth, but a level up on intensity from Mine Train. Riding at night is an experience that I can’t really compare to another ride at WDW. We love it and have ridden many times.

Agree! And if you are lucky enough to have the fireworks going off while riding it, it is even more magical! We've gotten lucky twice by getting in line five minutes before park closing. Even the teens loved it!

 

[yorkieteacher]

It was sooooo smooth, and enough of a thrill for me! I don't like big drops on coasters (water ride drops don't bother me)! Pus the theming of it being made completely out of toys was fun to see. It also felt like a longer ride than it really was.

 

[DWillowBay]

Cute concept ride that puts you in the role of a toy moving through a toy world. I guess it depends on what you're actually looking for. If you're looking for thrills, Disney may not be your park. If you're looking for a kind of suspended reality fun, Disney's definitely your park. I just enjoy the innocent link to childhood.

 

[Kestryl]

You could see Batuu construction from the ride, which for us was the second best thing.

The best thing is the Wheezy animatronic.

 

[gharter]

The best thing is the Wheezy animatronic.

Especially if you are stopped there for a longer time.

 

[yulilin3]

added bonus if you ride it at night. It's so beautiful.

 

[Charmel]

Just last night when I told my husband I was planning one day at HS just for Star Wars he said, "and SDD! I think that is my now favorite ride in all of Disney." I think that is something Disney does well. So much variety. Something for everyone. For our family SDMT is just OK. We only ride it with FP. But SDD we are willing to stand in line for the nighttime ride. And we all agree it is worth it. Even the teens. My favorite part is towards the beginning there is a part of the track that takes you kind of sideways and you are looking down on the land. My husband loves the countdown part. And we all love the sounds and toys.

 

[mshanson3121]

Like others have said - it's so smooth! And it definitely has a more intense feel than the other ones.

 

[Helvetica]

It's a pretty clever ride. The ride system was originally designed for much more intense applications, but Disney's use makes it for a very smooth ride. The dual launch is novel and well done. It's also ridiculously cute, and the animatronic at the end is awesome. The experience at night is also very different.

So what you're left with is a very cute and inoffensive roller coaster that's fun for the whole family.

 

[GillianP1301]

It is a very fun ride for sure. It's perfect for people who like a little thrill, but aren't mega coaster riders. If you are a coaster enthusiast, then this ride won't be that big a deal for you. The theming is also really great and in my opinion is now one of the best rides in that park. I think it deserves it's hype.