OK, I try to keep it positive here but sometimes you just need to know what’s not worth your time.
You’ll never be able to do every attraction in one trip, so why waste your time on things that are not good?
Here are the worst attractions in each of the 4 theme parks (according to me).
Magic Kingdom’s Worst: Stitch’s Great Escape
If there is only 1 ride that you should absolutely avoid and walk right by in all of Disney World, it’s this one.
Visitors are burped and spit on while being held prisoner in a super uncomfortable seat. It’s not a ride. You are literally just being held in place to be belched on.
Take a look:
This ride used to have a FASTPASS option (seriously) but it was recently removed.
If you happen to be a Stitch fan, make a dining reservation for the Lilo and Stitch Best Friends Character Breakfast which is at ‘Ohana at The Polynesian Resort.
Also worth avoiding: Country Bear Jamboree, The Enchanted Tiki Room and Tomorrowland Indy Speedway (although it often feels almost impossible to skip the Speedway – it takes up a large area and kids can’t seem to resist it)
EPCOT’s Worst: Journey Into Imagination with Figment
I’ve never minded this harmless attraction since it’s never busy and it’s nice to just be in the AC for a little while but…
It used to be so much better. And there’s not much to it.
This is what it was until 1998…
And this is what it is now, after going through a couple of revisions which ironically made it less imaginative.
There’s a lot to do at EPCOT and if you’re trying to narrow down your list, feel free to skip this one.
Also worth avoiding: Ellen’s Energy Adventure (I still love you, Ellen!)
Hollywood Studios’ Worst: Muppet Vision 3D
For many years, this attraction escaped the disdain of visitors because attractions like Sounds Dangerous were so much worse.
But those attractions are gone and now this outdated movie just feels like it’s lost in time and in dire need of an update to make it match the look of the new (and fabulous) Muppet movie that came out last year.
Enjoy this 2D video of this 3D movie.
Also worth avoiding: Studio Backlot Tour (it’s a pared down version of its former self)
Animal Kingdom’s Worst: Rafiki’s Planet Watch/Conservation Station
Rafiki’s Planet Watch is an area of Animal Kingdom you reach by a train called the Wildlife Express. There are often long lines to catch the train going and coming.
A review on ThemeParkInsider.com said it best:
The whole Rafiki’s Watch area is fine for your local zoo, but underwhelming for Disney. While there are one or two interesting things to do at the Conservation Station (I especially liked the sounds of the rainforest listening stations), there is just not enough “stuff” to justify the round trip time on the train in a park with short hours and better things to do.
The saving grace for this section is that they sometimes do medical procedures on animals that visitors can watch. These are usually scheduled first thing in the morning.
Here’s the full tour, starting at the train station.
Also worth avoiding: It’s Tough to be a Bug (absolutely terrifying to so many children)
******
Let’s cleanse our palette and end on a positive note.
Here’s a video of the super fun Toy Story Mania ride, the most popular ride at Disney World (side note: get to Hollywood Studios by 8:15 – they’ve been opening the park early and you can get on this without much of a wait at all).
OK, leave your thoughts, feedback (I’m sorry I don’t like the Muppets 3D movie!) and nominees for the worst attractions in your opinion in the comments. I can’t wait to hear what you think.
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{ 13 comments (add yours) }
I love Muppet’s 3D, I think it is technically cool and I love the Muppets and the mix of actual puppets and the movie is a nice blend.
I totally agree about the stitch ride very much a waste of my time.
Tough to be a bug is a good show if you are up for the surprise and don’t scare easily by bugs. I think if you have young ones (not under 4) and give them upfront info about how the technology works you can make it through it. The tree of life is worth walking through the line.
I just wish they’d update the movie. I think all of the attractions are worth checking out if you have time, but if you’re going 1 time, some things are worth skipping.
Love your website!!! So helpful Ok – here’s my opinions:
Magic Kindom – Swiss Family tree house Hollywood Studios – Backlot
tour – scary for kids & Boring for adults Animal Kingdom -
Totally agree with you about Rafiki’s planet EPCOT – ALL THE
COUNTRY MOVIES!!! France, Canada, China, even Norway after the
actual attraction…. they are all in need of some huge
revamps.
Consider the amount of money families spend on visiting WDW – many of which are only able to plan a trip ONCE – I really appreciate you advising me of the rides and attractions to skip. You’re not saying NOT TO do them but depending on the # of days you’ll spend at the park, the traffic, long lines, etc it’s best to just enjoy the best for your time and money. I have never been and plan to visit at least once and for the time and effort it takes to plan and enjoy the vacation, I really want to make it the most memorable one. Thank you.
I absolutely love the enchanted tiki rom and sing along with the birds………..can’t help myself.LOL
TOTALLY agree on the Stitch ride. Do you remember when it
was still Alien-themed before they changed it to Stitch? Scared the
life out of me when I was little! Seriously scarred me for life,
haha!
Hahaha omg me too. I was crying so hysterical for like 30 mins. It took my dad awhile to calm me down lol.
My skip list:
Magic Kingdom: Stitch’s Great Escape (only justified if you have extra time or if someone else in your party is doing a Tomorrowland ride that you don’t want to do. It’s not bad, just not worth the wait since there are so many better things to do there.), Tom Sawyer Island and the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse
EPCOT: Test Track (The renovation is horrible and the lines are still the same length.)
Hollywood Studios: Backlot Tour and American Idol
Animal Kingdom: Kali River Rapids and Flights of Wonder.
My favorite rides: Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, The Enchanted Tiki Room, Haunted Mansion, Snow White (not there anymore), Monster’s Inc Laugh Floor, Space Mountain, Ellen’s Energy Adventure, Spaceship Earth, Mission Space, Test Track (old version), Maelstrom, Muppet Vision 3D, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, Tower of Terror, Toy Story Mania, Fantasmic, Expedition Everest, Dinosaur, Festival of the Lion King and Finding Nemo the Musical
You are correct on the Stitch’s Great Escape. Absolutely the worst attraction I’ve ever been on. My dad and 4 yr old daughter went with me. My daughter was scared for her life.
The Muppet Vision was ok. My 4 yr old daughter and 1 yr old son enjoyed it.
Site is great. We’re planning our second family vacation to Disney.
Stitch’s Great Escape is one of my son’s favourite attractions but that’s probably because he’s a young boy who enjoys jokes, potty humour, and Stitch. I guess it all depends on who you’re visiting the parks with. For example, it’s wise to miss The Hall of Presidents or The Haunted Mansion with a toddler, etc.
Completely agree on “It’s a Bug’s Life.” My son does not scare easily, but this one bothered him so much that two years later he is STILL creeped out by bugs. He did love the Country Bear Jamboree, however…or actually I should say he loved the three mounted heads on the side of the building. I think he watched those the entire time and not the actual show. Now that he’s older though, we will definitely be skipping it!
I totally agree with the Stitch ride. I “rode” it once and totally hated it! I can’t see why there is always a line for this one. I can also skip the Magic Carpets (I’d rather ride Dumbo with a FP) and Astro Orbiter. We do normally sit through Country Bears because it’s air conditioned and it is rarely crowded. I’ve never seen the Tiki Room, but I intend to experience at least once. At EPCOT, we like to ride Figment, but only when the lines are short. My fiance likes the song – I think that’s the main reason he rides it! We always skip Captain EO. Not a fan – wish they would bring back Honey I Shrunk the Audience instead. At AK, we always skip Kali River – mainly because we don’t like to get wet. I have never ventured out to Rafiki’s Planet Watch, so I can’t comment on that. I do know that if time is shortm, we will skip AK altogether. At HS, we like Muppet Vision, but we find the movie itself entertaining, not necessarily impressive. I can always skip the Great Movie Ride, but my fiance always insists on riding it.
Great post about what attractions to avoid. I Do a lot of research and blogging on Disney and never thought to do a post on what to avoid and why. Thank you for all the great information and helping future guests get the best of Disney.