The Disney Parks are home to some of the greatest attractions in the world, but not all of them are created equal. While many of these lesser efforts are often cited as such, there are some that maintain a great reputation even though they may not be as great as many believe (or maybe they’re just not worth the long waits they attract). With today being National Everything You Think is Wrong Day, we thought we’d highlight some of the attractions at Disneyland and Walt Disney World that we the Laughing Place staff say are overrated.
Finding Nemo – The Musical
Suggested by: Kyle Burbank
I had heard for years how great this show was before I finally got a chance to return to Walt Disney World and see it for myself. In addition to the great word of mouth, I was also a big fan of Avenue Q and was eager to see how the songwriters behind that adult musical would adapt their cleverness for a younger audience. While there are some great numbers in Finding Nemo The Musical, I can’t say I’m a big fan of most of them — at a certain point, I’d much prefer they just use spoken dialogue instead of trying to make everything a song (think Rent the movie instead of the stage show). By doing that, it would make those stronger songs really stand out and be a better production overall IMHO. It’s not a really bad attraction but certainly meets the criteria of “overrated” for me.
Autopia
Suggested by: Mike Celestino
While I admire the current winding track layout of this opening-day attraction at Disneyland, I seriously can’t stand the noise and smell emitting from those cars. Even while in line for the Monorail or Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage, I am annoyed by Autopia. Why does this ride always have a relatively lengthy wait? I guess kids love driving more than I do. After a one to two-hour haul from my home in Burbank down to Anaheim, the last thing I want to do is queue up to sit in another gas guzzler. When the park finally makes the long-rumored switch over to (quiet) electric cars, we can talk about Autopia again.
Soarin’
Suggested by: Jeremiah Good
This attraction was really the biggest of the opening day attractions in 2001 when Disney’s California Adventure opened. With lines in excess of two hours since it opened, to me this is a bad version of Circle-Vison 360. I have never gotten the appeal of being lifted up to watch a film and have a slight tilt to the chairs. Yes, it got better with the latest update to actual feel a bit of a drop for two seconds, but it is still just a travel film with a few smells. I have done all three of the current versions of this attraction and can say without a doubt none of them, for me, are worth anything more than a 15 minute wait.
Toy Story Mania
Suggested by: Gideon Moseley
In the end, it’s just a ride with screens where you shoot at stuff. It’s meant to look like real life, so shouldn’t it be real life instead? The proof is they actually made a video game of it which is essentially the same thing, so you don’t even need to ride it. The only thing that made the ride special was the 3D and the Wii version of the video game even has that. That’s why I think it’s an overrated attraction for what it gives you, even though I love it.
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
Suggested by: Cole Geryak
I do not understand how people can wait over an hour to experience Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin. I get that it’s the original version of the attraction, but oh boy does it need an upgrade. The guns have barely any mobility, so trying to actual figure out where you are shooting is a nightmare. Plus, once you can finally aim, the targets all look the same, so you have no idea how many points anything is worth. The entire experience is so dreary and dull that I wouldn’t go on it unless it was a walk-on wait, and even then, I just might choose the Tomorrowland Speedway.
Jungle Cruise
Suggested by: FanBoy
With what may be the most miserable queue in all of Disneydom, the torture just begins. You get to see some plants and low-grade Audio-Animatronics as a skipper, who may not know how to articulate, tries to make up for the lack of scenery with jokes that the seldom understand how to deliver. Add low-fi speakers and you have a recipe for the most overrated Disney attractions.
Frozen Ever After
Suggested by: Michael Mack
I get it. “Frozen Fever” makes this a must-do attraction, especially if you’re bringing children to Epcot. But, with that being said, it’s just not a very good attraction. It’s not necessarily bad, but given the wait times for it, it’s not worth your time. Frozen was shoehorned into an existing location and not given the full attention it deserves (I know, that sounds crazy when we’re talking about Frozen). The attraction looks nice, it’s just not a good fit and there is always at least one part of it that isn’t working. Personally, I think Maelstrom was the stronger attraction.
Mad Tea Party
Suggested by: Bekah Burbank
All of my choices were already taken, so I’m settling for Mad Tea Party — AKA the Tea Cups. Even though this ride features fantastic theming, there’s nothing original about the ride itself. It’s a generic spinning ride with pretty colors and a mouse playing peek-a-boo. And on top of that, no one even calls it by its proper name, opting instead, for Tea Cups! Yes, it’s great for the whole family, and yes, you can choose to make yourself dizzy, but overall, this this Party isn’t the best cup of tea.
Pirates of the Caribbean
Suggested by: Doobie Moseley
What many people consider the greatest attraction of all time, I consider boring. In fact, I prefer the Walt Disney World version (heresy!) just because it’s shorter. I’ll admit, this is partially a personal issue of mine. I don’t like period pieces or swashbuckling or pirate talk, matey. But I also think much of what is done here is executed much better in the Haunted Mansion. I prefer its special effects, music and sets (Pirates does have superior animatronics, though). I also prefer being in a Doombuggies with just my small group to drifting in a boat with 15 other people. Now, I’m not dumb enough to suggest that Pirates is a bad attraction or one you should skip. It was Walt Disney’s last attraction and it redefined the scope of what a dark ride could be. If you’ve never been to Disney before, there’s no way you should skip. I’m just saying that once you do experience it you might find, like I do, that once is enough.
Avatar Flight of Passage
Suggested by: Alex Reif
It’s Soarin’ on a strange straddle bench that awkwardly locks your legs in. I’m also not a fan of how it gets you wet. Plus the 3D is blurry in your peripheral, which is nauseating. Definitely not worth the wait.
Honorable Mentions
Journey Into Imagination (All of them)
Epcot International Food & Wine Festival (Overpriced+overpacked+overserved = overrated)