Underrated Disney World Experiences
We’ve already shared some of the Walt Disney World experiences we believe are overrated, but what about the underrated rides, restaurants, and hotels? Well, you’re in luck, because there are a ton of them! In fact, our list of underrated experiences is longer than the overrated ones. Just like the overrated list, this list is based upon quality exceeding hype, price, or wait times.
One pitfall with a list like this is conflating experiences (mostly attractions) for which we’re nostalgic with attractions that are actually underrated. Despite our nostalgia-driven love of some attractions, many have flaws that preclude them from being underrated. For this reason, you’re not going to see Carousel of Progress (one of my all-time favorite attractions, but also an attraction that still plays to decent audiences despite an incredibly dated final scene and poor maintenance) on this list, nor will you see Maelstrom (kitschy fun, but still reasonably popular despite similar issues). These are just a couple of examples; other attractions for which we wax nostalgic are not present for similar reasons. After all, it’s a list of underrated experiences, not a list of the “Best Stuff for Embracing Nostalgia.”
Just like the “overrated” list, this topic is inspired by our Facebook page, where commenters haven’t been afraid to share conflicting opinions on what we review and deem things “overrated” or “underrated.” Just like the underrated list, this list does not take into account any of your opinions we’ve read; it only contains our opinions (as such, places like Trail’s End and Pepper Market where we haven’t eaten in our adult years are not included). Because “underrated” is widely subjective based upon personal tolerances, financial circumstances, and wait-tolerance, we’re really hoping for some feedback from you on what you think is underrated at Walt Disney World in the comments!
Dining
Sanaa – We’ve been praising Sanaa as one of the most adventurous and under-appreciated restaurants at Walt Disney World for the last couple of years, and we’ve received feedback from a number of readers who have given it a chance and have loved it. It’s relatively easy to get same-day dinner reservations at Sanaa, and it’s not uncommon to have a 75% empty restaurant if you’re there for lunch. Due to the lack of other guests, our service at Sanaa has always been phenomenal, and we regularly receive appetizers or desserts “compliments of the chef.” If you only try one new experience as a result of this list, Sanaa should be it.
Studio Catering Co. – Between the two of us, Sarah and I have had every entree on the Studio Catering Co.’s menu, and we have liked each one. It seems like this counter service location, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios dining in general, is underrated based on the food we’ve had. The food isn’t particularly inventive and there aren’t any “signature” items or cult favorites here, but there are a few solid choices that make Studio Catering Co. worth trying.
Kona Cafe – Breakfast at Kona Cafe is pretty popular, but it’s usually overlooked at dinner in favor of ‘Ohana. While‘Ohana is great, so too is Kona Cafe. The menu has some adventurous options as well as delicious “safe” choices, including a surprisingly delicious New York Strip Steak. The only downside is the noisy and uninspired open air seating area, but it’s still a great choice!
Captain Cook’s – Captain Cook’s has a self service ordering system that includes a lot of options, many of which are unique to Captain Cook’s and are quite delicious. The adult grilled cheese is a popular choice here, but there are many much better options. Dessert options include a couple of cupcake choices and the highly regard (and if the “overrated” article comments are any indication: overrated) Dole Whip in self-serve form.
The Wave - Another newer restaurant that has had a difficult time finding an audience (unless there’s a convention at the Contemporary), The Wave has a large menu, and a lot of modern twists on old favorites. As far as Walt Disney World goes, this is about as “trendy” as dining gets. There are a lot of sustainable and local options here, and just about everything is great. Menu prices vary substantially, so this can be a cheap lunch option if you want, or a pricey dinner. It all depends upon what you order.
Contempo Cafe – Included for basically the same reasons as Captain Cook’s, minus the self-serve Dole Whips. Varied made to order menu with some excellent choices. Usually a great spot for interesting cupcakes, too!
Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater – Years of poor reviews have placed Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater on many “Worst Of” lists. However, a substantial menu overhaul in 2011 has substantially improved the quality of food at Sci-Fi, to the point where it’s now one of our favorite restaurants at Walt Disney World. The ambiance here has always been great, so due to its poor reputation alone, Sci-Fi is highly underrated.
Hotels
Caribbean Beach Resort – The Moderate tier of resorts seem to be where “best” and “worst” debates rage most fiercely, with Caribbean Beach Resort often finding itself on the “worst” list. Much like Old Key West Resort below, Caribbean Beach Resort is very lush. It also has a great and colorful tropical theme, and a really cool pool. Of course we wouldn’t want to live somewhere with such vibrant and clashing colors, but on vacation, it’s fun. I don’t know how this breaks down in most reviews of hotels, but Caribbean Beach Resort is the second best hotel for enjoying a sunset (scientifically speaking, of course). All in all, there’s a lot to love about this much-maligned resort. While Coronado Springs Resort or the Cabins at Fort Wilderness would also be viable “underrated” Moderate Resort candidates, they each have their legions of fans, leaving Caribbean Beach Resort as the undeserved ugly duckling of the group.
Animal Kingdom Lodge – When it comes to Deluxe Resorts, the Epcot resorts and the Magic Kingdom resorts seem to get all of the love. Due to its location out near Disney’s Animal Kingdom (park), not as many people are interested in Animal Kingdom Lodge. This is crazy! Animal Kingdom Lodge has some of the nicest themed rooms (Sarah’s favorite on property) and has incredible dining options in Jiko, Sanaa, Boma, and The Mara. The beauty all around the lodge is incredible, surpassing even Wilderness Lodge (except at Christmas). For a couple interested in a relaxed, resort-oriented vacation, Animal Kingdom Lodge cannot be beat.
Old Key West Resort – Old Key West resort has large rooms, lush grounds, and a relaxed atmosphere. Despite all of this, it (along with Saratoga Springs Resort) is one of the least popular resorts at Walt Disney World, and one of the first to be heavily discounted. Sarah understands why, as she dislikes the sprawling size of this resort and its theme. I strongly disagree. To me, Old Key West feels like a “resort” rather than a hotel. Its mature vegetation and design adds to the feel that you’re in the “town” of Conch Flats, making it a fun environment to explore. I can understand that it’s not for everyone, but it does not deserve to be so unpopular.
Attractions
Country Bear Jamboree – After my opening statements about avoiding nostalgia, this might seem like an “interesting” first pick. It’s not. Country Bear Jamboree has a lot of nostalgia attached to it, but it has even more quality attached to it. I’ve long been of the opinion that Country Bear Jamboree is an extremely intelligent show, and its irreverence and sharp humor make it an easy pick here. Maintenance-wise, it’s in much better shape than most other “classic” attractions, and although there are occasional issues with audio levels, it’s arguably in better shape than newer attractions like Soarin’. If you’re the politically correct type who can’t look past a few wry jokes by singing bears as they parody stereotypical Southern life, Country Bear Jamboree probably won’t be for you. Those who enjoy irreverent and clever humor will enjoy Country Bear Jamboree.
Gran Fiesta Tour – The attraction that replaced the cult-favorite El Rio del Tiempo doesn’t receive much love. It rarely has a line, and the fan community doesn’t seem to care for it. With the exception of the excellent El Rio del Tiempo music that is now gone, I think Gran Fiesta Tour is a better and far less-dated experience. It weaves culture together with Disney characters to make for an enjoyable and more dynamic experience. Normally, I wouldn’t be thrilled with the “toonification” of an attraction, but Three Caballeros, a film that itself blends culture with animation, works perfectly here.
Impressions de France – We think that Impressions de France is the best film in all of Epcot. That wouldn’t be saying much if only including the World Showcase, but that also includes Future World…which includes The Land pavilion. Impressions de France doesn’t have the same “experience” that Soarin’ has, but it does have a beautiful, chills-inducing score, a new digital projection that’s free of debris, and breathtaking visuals. Even though the substance hasn’t been updated since 1982, it still feels fresh (with the exception of a few dubious outfit choices of folks in the travelogue). I don’t expect anyone else to agree with us that Impressions de France is better than Soarin’ (which admittedly has its own excellent score, visuals, and is a really fun experience), but the fact that the two can even be reasonably compared makes Impressions de France, which rarely plays to more than half-full theaters, underrated.
Stitch’s Great Escape – Okay, stick with me here… I’ll bet not many of you expected to see this, and might even be “disgusted” that it’s present. I poke fun at Stitch’s Great Escape a lot, and it’s far (FAR!) from being my favorite attraction. I’m still bitter that it replaced the witty and dark Alien Encounter, but I’ll give credit where credit is due and say this isn’t as terrible as it’s cracked up to be. The pre-show (with Skippy!) is entertaining, the main show has some cool effects, and the Stitch Audio-Animatronics is highly advanced and impressive. It doesn’t do the best storytelling and the chili dog smell is disgusting, but Stitch’s Great Escape actually isn’t all bad. It’s not even close to being the worst attraction at Walt Disney World, as some claim.
Monster’s Laugh Floor – Monster’s Laugh Floor (can’t include that “Inc.” or else we have an acronym that isn’t very family friendly! 
) doesn’t draw a lot of guests (since the shows are so long it often comes close to filling up its seating area) and it’s not at all popular with Disney fans. It seems most people take issue with its location rather than the substance of the show, though. Substantively, we think the Laugh Floor fires on all cylinders, with great guest interaction and humor that appeals to a wide range of audiences. It’s repeat-ability is high, as the jokes change depending upon the audience. We can understand shy guests not liking this attraction due to uneasiness about being picked on, but otherwise, we think Monster’s Laugh Floor isn’t praised nearly enough for its great humor and interactions.
Great Movie Ride – Once a flagship attraction of the Disney-MGM Studios, the Great Movie Ride doesn’t receive nearly as much attention these days. Many guests complain that it’s stale and needs a refresh. To the extent that I think the whole tour guide shtick doesn’t really work anymore, I agree. To the extent that people think newer or Disney movies needed to be added to the attraction, I wholly disagree. It’s an attraction focusing on great movies, not current movies. That many current-day guests don’t recognize these movies says more about the guests than it does about the attraction. Granted, there are a couple of broad genre scenes that could be replaced, but suggestions I’ve heard that National Treasure or Pirates of the Caribbean should be added to the Great Movie Ride are beyond ridiculous. It remains an excellent attraction the takes guests on an engaging tour of the highlights of American cinema. The incredible sets and Audio-Animatronics in the attraction are reason alone that it should be a popular attraction.
Living with the Land – I know nothing about, and have absolutely no interest in, gardening. Yet I find Living with the Land to be a highly underrated experience, and one that weaves together elements of a traditional attraction with some “edutainment” components. If even my curiosity is piqued by the experimental horticulture techniques showcased in The Land greenhouses, then just about anyone should find it interesting. Living with the Land is a testament to human ingenuity, and it’s a shame that more people aren’t interested in experiencing this relaxed boat ride.
Hall of Presidents – For years, Hall of Presidents existed solely as an attraction dealing in nostalgia. It was boring and dry, and best used as a place to take an air-conditioned nap. In our opinion, this all changed with the refurbishment that brought in President Obama and narrator Morgan Freeman, and now the attraction starts with an inspiring patriotic film followed by a Lincoln speech, presidential introductions, and a speech by Obama. The pacing of the presentation is much better, and it’s engaging throughout. Young kids still probably won’t enjoy it, but they like to play with cardboard boxes, so what do they know!
Flights of Wonder – Thanks to incredibly poor timing, we haven’t seen this show in years. Assuming that it hasn’t changed much since when we did last see it, it’s definitely underrated. This type of show that is high on both entertainment and educational information about birds, should be more prominent in Animal Kingdom. It’s the kind of experience that differentiates the park from a zoo. Unfortunately, it’s a show that you rarely hear about in comparison to Finding Nemo: The Musical or Festival of the Lion King. It’s not theatrical like either of those shows, but it’s entertaining and slightly humorous in a way that almost humanizes the birds. It’s too bad it seems to be so overlooked, as Animal Kingdom could use more animal-driven entertainment like this and less dry zoo-like content.
One Man’s Dream – Highly regarded in the fan community, One Man’s Dream is often overlooked by normal park guests despite being in a high traffic area. If you haven’t given it a chance because you assume it’s a dull museum, commit 10 minutes to it on your next trip. You’ll likely find yourself spending a lot more time inside as you pore over the many interesting pieces that have made the Disney empire what it is today.
That’s it for the list! Part of me regrets leaving off some borderline favorites like Columbia Harbour House and the Tomorrowland Transit Authority Peoplemover, but I think many of these favorites are fan-favorites in general, and aren’t really underrated as a result. That, or maybe I want the quiet upstairs at Columbia Harbour House to remain quiet, so I don’t want to share that little secret with too many people! In any case, there are a ton of things at Walt Disney World that can be viewed as underrated, so no reasonably concise list can be complete!
Your Thoughts…
What do you think is underrated at Walt Disney World? We’d love it if you’d share your thoughts on anything at Walt Disney World that you believe is overrated, whether that be attractions, restaurants, hotels, or something else entirely! What do you agree or disagree with on our list?
63 Responses to “Underrated Disney World Experiences”
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I agree with probably 90% of what you said and even what I wouldn’t necessarily say is “underrated” I’m willing to give you because we’ve either never experienced the attraction (Impressions de france) or stayed there (AKL). Old Key West is our home DVC resort and we love it for exactly the reasons you state. I love that I don’t feel like I’m staying in a hotel.
You absolutely need to see Impressions de France. I would say it’s your civic duty, but that doesn’t exactly apply here!
Good call on Flights of Wonder. My husband has gotten into birding over the past year and, while these wouldn’t count for his list (sigh, yes there is a list), I still thought that he would enjoy seeing the birds. I think I ended up enjoying it more than he did! I was so charmed by the whole thing, even the cheesy tour guide character.
He did not enjoy the Hall of Presidents. Apparently he had to go to the restroom the whole time and thought I would be mad if he left mid-show. Is it just me or does the George W. Bush AA not look a thing like him?
As far as this list goes, does he just have to see the bird to cross it off, or is it more complex than that? Are there any rules (do birds in captivity even count?). Just curious!
I don’t think George W. Bush looks that accurate, either, but it doesn’t help that he’s recent and we’ve all actually seen him (at least on TV), so we know exactly what he actually looks like!
He has to either see it or identify its… Call? Song? I’m not down with the bird lingo. Only birds in the wild “count”. It all started when he got The Big Year at the Red Box (Owen Wilson, Jack Black, Steve Martin are competing birders). He gets Birds of North America from the library and next thing I know he’s off birding in the Wisconsin Dells with my Grandma. Now I’ll always ask him what the names of birds are and he knows, like, every bird. It’s bizarre. But I still have him beat on Disney bird character identification.
Except for Stitch, I agree with your attractions list. I agree even more with the statement that Impressions de France is better than Soarin’. People rave so much about Soarin’ that it drives me mad. It is enjoyable but I feel that the France film is better (even without the scents). The music for Impressions de France on its own makes a grand statement (you already know that).
Even though I really do feel that SGE gets ‘dissed’ a bit too much, I almost didn’t include it because I didn’t want its presence to invalidate the rest of my list in the eyes of readers. To be clear, I don’t love it, I just think it’s not the worst attraction ever.
Glad to hear others agree on Impressions de France being superior to Soarin’!
100% agree with Sanaa.
We celebrated my wife’s 50th birthday with lunch at Sanaa after a CM at the Animal Kingdom Lodge recommended the place. The restaurant was only about 25% full when we arrived. The decor was perfect and the view of the savannah was great.
We had the lamb kebabs for appetizer. My wife had the choice of two entrees (beef short ribs and pork chop) with basmati rice. I had the sustainable fish in curry broth. The kids had the angus burger with naan bread. The food is definitely for the more adventurous at heart and may not appeal to every palate but definitely worth it.
After one of the best meals we’ve had at WDW the CM’s brought out a complimentary birthday cake and sang for my wife.
Grade: Decor: A+. Food: A+. Service: A+. Highly recommended.
I’ve really been wanting to try the beef short ribs. They sound so good. Maybe next time.
Based on your score, I assume she liked them. Right…?
I love this list (even though Stitch is on it).
Your restaurants are pretty dead-on. We loved Sci-Fi, but didn’t have the best gluten-free option (for our daughter) this last time. Regardless, the atmosphere and Attack of the 50-foot Woman was enough to keep us coming back. Kona dinner is great (especially the Pan-Asian noodles) and you can’t beat the location. Sanaa is on my must-try list for next trip, but this post simply hammered that choice home.
Impressions de France is fantastic. Besides the full immersion into the incredible music and images, I love talking to the cast members who host the attraction. They always seem to have an overflowing pride for France. Discussing the film and country with them is one of my favorite things to do in all of WDW. (and it IS better than Soarin’ – there, i said it)
Living with the Land (and the Behind the Seeds tour) is one of my favorites. It rarely has a line, but I would gladly wait in one for this attraction. It is a great balance of information and effects and seeing (and even holding!) a 9-pound lemon is worth the price of admission.
Finally, Hall of Presidents. Brings me to tears every time. I mean, who can resist this story, the animatronics and Morgan Freeman? I submit that no one can!
Anyway, great post. Thanks for taking the time to do it!
The mickey pumpkins in LwtL are also pretty awesome!
Carribean Beach Resort is my favorite Disney Hotel by far, and I def agree with the Country Bears Jamboree. When we were there in December we were the only people in the whole theater to see the Country Bears. I couldn’t believe it, but we enjoyed our solo show. The guy working it even took our picture in front of the big finale since no one else was there to disrupt. Great list.
THAT. IS. AWESOME.
Never have been in an empty show of CBJ. Now I’m hoping for it to happen!
I agree with almost all of your choices here… although I can’t comment on the hotels since I haven’t stayed at any of them. You’ve inspired me to check out impressions de france. Also- I love monster’s inc laugh floor… we had a great time there on our honeymoon. Stich’s great escape I think is awesome, so I guess I’m in the minority there.
One thing I will add to underrated experiences at Disney World is Philhamagic. I adore Philharmagic!
We love PhilharMagic, but I’m not sure I’d classify it as underrated. Every time we see it, it’s close to full.
I just can’t get on board with the Caribbean Beach Resort.
We stayed there once in 2009 and I regretted it the entire trip. We rented a car and were in Jamaica so the transportation/size were not really an issue, I just got kind of a cheap motel feel from it- room decor to food court.
I suppose I’m glad we were able to cross it off our list of staying at as many Disney resorts as possible, but it is my least favourite by far.
I do agree the Monster’s Laugh Floor and Gran Fiesta Tour are underrated. Gran Fiesta Tour is one of my favourite Epcot attractions and I can’t quite put my finger on why. I think it has to do with the smell of the water, the music, the colours and the novelty of it all.
We are also big fans of Sanaa although I am not sure I would call it underrated- I have never heard anything but great reviews!
With regard to Sanaa being underrated, beyond our own anecdotal experiences, we eat there frequently because it’s a restaurant that often offers a 40% off Cast Member discount, so a college friend of ours who is a CM takes us there. That 40% off discount is only offered at restaurants that are unpopular (other restaurants on the list include Olivia’s, The Wave, Kouzzina (breakfast)), so that’s my basis for including it. Most reviews I’ve heard have been pretty positive, too, but it still remains an unpopular restaurant.
Fair enough!
It may be a good thing it is under the radar of the average WDW visitor because if it were wildly popular I could see it going the way of Le Cellier and gradually transitioning to a signature.
OK Tom, you’ve talked me into seeing Impressions de France on my next trip in three weeks! I’m also glad you mentioned “Flights Of Wonder”, always one of my favorite little secrets. I actually really liked “Sounds Dangerous” while it was around too, but you didn’t hear that from me.
Oh man, I love Living with the Land. It’s not a Disney trip unless we do that ride! I also love Flights of Wonder. I had heard that they might be getting rid of that show, though. I hope that rumor isn’t true! Overall, really great picks.
Livin’ With the Land is one of the most puzzlingly wonderful attractions at WDW. I can’t say I love it for nostalgia because I never experienced it as a child. It’s simple, but so enjoyable and feels distinctly “Disney”. I always have to drag my wife to go on it. “Who wants to watch lettuce grow?”, she says….I DO!
Your list makes me want to go back to Florida RIGHT NOW! I love all the tidbits and details you teach me. I do have a small request though….when you write up these lists that include restaurants or attractions from all throughout WDW, would you please put a footnote about its location? I am not as frequent a visitor as you, and I want to know exactly where to look for these amazing things!
I’ve always love the gounds and the atmosphere of CBR. I think it’s downfall is that it is the only moderate to still have full size beds.
tom, you’ve covered the rides, the restaurants, and the hotels, and quite well i might add. now, how about the lists for the most over and underrated BARS?
Is there such a thing as an overrated bar?!
What do you think is the worst attraction on property if you don’t think it’s SGE? Just curious.
Worse attractions off the top of my head:
Magic Carpets
Barnstormer
Primeval Whirl
Triceratops Spin
Captain EO
Almost anything in Innoventions
Lights, Motors, Action!
Backlot Tour
Disney Channel Live
I’m sure there are others.
Can’t argue with any of the bottom five listed…at least if you have kids the others hold some merit.
Thanks for the France Rec. saw it yesterday for the first time and its really good! I also like the film in China but this is even better.
I think for me it’s a tie between Primeval Whirl and Captain EO.
This list makes me want to be at WDW right now! I think you are spot on here, minus Caribbean Beach and Saana which I have yet to visit so I have no opinion. I will have to add Saana to my next trip! Also, I love OKW…but it’s my home resort so I am admittedly biased
I agree with most of what you said! I also think the Great Movie Ride should not get rid of the classics. The only way my son knows about a lot of these movies is because of this ride! I would like a little update, and not just including clips at the end! Just don’t change it too much. I am really over the tour guide shtick. It almost hurts my ears! LOL!
I think, in addition to Impressions de France, O Canada should be added to the list. It’s tucked way in the back of the pavilion, so I think it’s a bit overlooked when it comes to the average tourist. It’s the most recent film in World Showcase (if not all of Epcot). It blends classic Disney technology (Circlevision) with an updated narration from Martin Short and a new rendition of the classic theme song sung by Canadian Idol winner Eva Avila. Even though it got a fresh coat of paint, it still manages to honor the original movie by keeping classic scenes such as with the Mounties circling and the Bay of Fundy.
I also want to add Restaurantasaurus to the underrated list. Not as a restaurant (I haven’t actually eaten there), but because it is so chock-full of little details and backstory for the Dinoland area. It tells of its history as the original Dino Institute, how it evolved and grew over time, and how its role changed to intern dormitories as the new (current) Dino Institute was built. There are many references to the interns on the outside of the buildings: lawnchairs and a cooler on the roof, dinosaur toys scattered around, etc. The exterior theme of the hodge-podge of buildings is extended throughout the interior of the restaurant as well. The first time I went into Restaurantasaurus I just wandered around, taking in many of the wonderful details. In the main area: Newspaper clippings, pictures and fossils from dinosaur digs and discoveries around the world. In the vehicle repair bay: an engine hoisted in the air, supplies on shelves and oil handprints on the walls in the shape of dinosaurs. In the room shaped like the Airstream trailer: a jukebox and other knick-knacks. In the packaging/shipping tent: shelves of boxed and half-boxed dinosaur bones from the Dig Site, in the process of being shipped out. I honestly can’t do it justice by trying to explain it on a blog comment. My favorite details are in the main room. There’s a bulletin board on the wall to the left of the main ordering area. In it there are newspaper/magazine clippings of stories about the Time Rover and the Dino institute, along with announcements by the interns who called this area home (Volleyball on Thursday at 7!). There’s also a classified ad that reveals Dr. Seeker’s first name (Spoiler: it’s Grant). On the other side of this wall there’s a picture of Walt with the dinosaurs from his diorama for the World’s Fair/Disneyland. It’s really a nice touch. So, while it is often overlooked as merely a restaurant for getting YADB (has that acronym caught on yet?), it plays a vital role in telling the story of Dinoland and tying everything together.
I’m with you on O’Canada, but probably not on Restaurantosaurus. We still haven’t eaten there, and it looks neat, but I think the whole Dinorama backstory is bogus.
We love the Peoplemover and Carousel of Progress (though they are much more about nostalgia for us too). My kids 11 and 3 love Hall of Presidents and glad to see CBR made the list. We loved it when we stayed last year for 12 days. Great picks, so I will be sure to add some of the restaurants that we haven’t tried yet next year!
Spot on review!! Thanks. I enjoyed this post even more than the Overrated post!
Most of that list I expected based on your reviews, but Stitch was a surprise. And one I completely disagree with! I’d also take exception to Sci-Fi diner (I disliked nearly everything about the experience) and the Wave (we were looking forward to it, but both had mediocre meals).
I’d agree with the rest of the list – wholeheartedly so for Saana. We ate there for a second time earlier this week and loved it.
Impressions de France is underrated. I like Soarin’ as an overall experience better, but the score and film quality are far higher in France. This was my daughters’ first trip tall enough to ride Soarin’ and I had to explain what the large black things on the screen were (dust blobs).
Not surprised by the Stitch hate, but am about Sci-Fi and The Wave. When did you eat at each of them? The Wave should have been good regardless of when. Disappointing that you had a bad experience there.
I love both Soarin’ and Impressions, but ultimately, Impressions wins out. I think it’s mostly due to the visuals…if they redid that, I don’t know how they could EVER top the current cinematography.
We ate at the Wave 12-1-11. I had a pretty mediocre steak, and the rest of the meal didn’t wow me. I don’t recall what my wife had but she wasn’t excited either.
For Sci-Fi, I’ll put the caveat that my wife enjoyed the meal. I disliked sitting in two rows (we’re a family of 3) more than I thought I would, my meal wasn’t great, I really disliked that the low lighting in the cars meant my food was backlit and I couldn’t see what I was eating, I didn’t like that the clip cycle was shorter than the meal so that you had to watch many (most?) of them twice, and it turns out I don’t like watching campy sci-fi clips while eating my dinner. That’s about it.
I’ll agree with you that they do a good job of making it feel like an outdoor drive-in. I just turned out to be not what I was looking for in a dinner.
For smaller kids and their families, an underrated (or never mentioned) attraction is T. Rowe Price’s Great Piggy Bank Adventure in Innoventions West. It’s a fun set of games for a group to work together, the piggy bank character and props are cute, and you may learn something about money too. A favorite among the choices in either Innoventions pavilion.
Interesting pick! We’ve never done it (for obvious reasons) but that’s good to know!
Living with the Land and GMR are tolerable at best and always have a line. Both are attractions we ride on every visit. I am a huge Stitch fan. HUGE! He’s easily the most creative thing to come out of feature animation in the last fifteen years. And I don’t understand why he gets so much hate in the fan community. But I have a feeling Great Escape has a lot to do with it. The storyline is very anticlimactic and the attraction itself feels half finished. Not underrated in the least bit.
Living with the Land always has a line? That surprises me, I’ve literally never seen it have any line.
When I say line I mean a wait of anything more than five minutes. But I have waited thirty minutes to ride it in the past. My wife loves it. I think watching tomatoes grow is about as interesting as watching tomatoes grow.
I’ve only seen it have a line right after the Soarin’ rush and on NYE.
It’s almost always a walk-on.
When me and my husband visited the last week in August 2012, there was like a 20 minute wait, the queue(cue? weird word) lines were completely filled. I was amazed. I love that ride! But I’ve really never had to wait either. We thought that week was going to be slow, but there was actually a pretty good amount of people in the parks, apparently due to school starting the week after in the north (we’re from Georgia, so schools here start the beginning/middle of August). So, it’s not always empty!
I agree with you 100 percent on OKW A great underrated resort. Has the largest rooms, and it looks like a resort not a hotel. Great place to stay excellent landscaping. You cannot go wrong
Pretty good review. CBR is our favorite resort. A lot of people complain that it’s too big, but that’s why we love it! Everytime we get back from the park, it feels like we’re in our own personal paradise, swinging on a hammock and running our fingers in the white sand while watching the sun set over the lake….sigh….
Also, I love Living with the Land. Just a great ride and we do it MULTIPLE times everytime we’re down there!
On another note, did I read that you’re from Indiana? Where about? I live on the north side of Indy. Keep the great articles coming!
I love Great Movie Ride. However, I think something needs to change. Whether it’s script, scenes, etc. I don’t know.
Last trip I made in Sept. I had a GREAT guide. He actually was making “jungle cruise” type of jokes within the ride. Something I had never experienced before with GMR. It was a pleasent surprise, and made for a great experience. Curious if that has happened to anyone else? I think maybe give the guides more of an opportunity to go off the script would make a nice change of pace.
I mostly agree with your estimations here, but I think it is sometimes a mistake to compare how bad people say something is vs how bad it really is.
Based on the level of hatred Stitch gets you’d think it kills small children. Clearly it doesn’t.
Before my recent WDW trip, I asked my blog readers to choose 3 bad park experiences that I would be forced to participate in. Stitch’s Great Escape won enough votes to force me into its doors. But so did Journey into Imagination with Figment over at EPCOT. Having promised to follow through with the choices my readers made, I took in both of them. As brainless as JIIwF was though, I didn’t have the sinking feeling of suck wash over me there like I did at SGE. That thing Blooooowsss!
To be fair, I didn’t do any of the things you listed above as worse, so maybe I can only be forced into such things.
Sci-fi Dine-in is a great themed experience, but the burger I had there was completely without taste! I honestly have never had a burger that bland before in my life. In the future I’ll probably only go there for ice cream or drinks.
It’s quite interesting to see the Country Bear Jamboree and the Hall of Presidents on the list, though you are correct that they are underrated today by visitors to the Magic Kingdom. What’s fascinating is how times have changed. In the years just after the park opened, they were among the biggest draws and the most popular attractions, even more so because they had not been replicated from Disneyland, but were Magic Kingdom originals. Before Pirates of the Caribbean and Space Mountain were added, the original “E” tickets were the Haunted Mansion, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, it’s a small world, the Jungle Cruise, Country Bear Jamboree, and the Hall of Presidents. Before the days of Fast Passes and extravagantly detailed vacation planning, the basic plan for those in the know was to get to the park as soon as it opened and then high tail it to the popular “E” tickets before long lines developed. The Hall of Presidents and Country Bear Jamboree were both extremely popular and well-loved, with long wait times if you didn’t get to them quickly. We would rush to the Haunted Mansion first, then work our way down, next to the Hall of Presidents, then to the Country Bears, then finally to the Jungle Cruise (sometimes we would switch the plan and omit the JC to rush over to 20,000 Leagues instead). Though the Bears have always proceeded from a foundation of corniness and the Presidents was (and is) undoubtedly “history lite,” they are incredibly sophisticated attractions for those who care to notice (and no, they are not beyond criticism). That they are underrated by the current populace doesn’t, I sadly admit, really surprise me. It’s doubtless the result of many factors, including disinterest in history, shorter attention spans and a spastic need to keep moving. But I think the main factor may be the lack of cynicism in both shows. Their simple messages and their Walt-Disney-style-optimism probably just don’t signify for a lot of people today, especially those who go to the parks without a great appreciation for Walt Disney’s body of work and place in American culture, those people who really just want an amusement park with fast rides.
I definitely agree with a lot of your choices! Some of the restaurants and resorts I haven’t been to/stayed at of course, but I’ll take your word for it! I agree with OKW, stayed there with my family and loved it. I’m staying at Kidani in October, cannot wait to try Sanaa!
I really agree with Country Bears and Flights of Wonder! I’m a bird person, I have a pet cockatiel, so I love seeing all the different birds, even if the whole tour guide angle could definitely change! I hope one of the previous commenters is wrong about them possibly cancelling it.
Also, my husband also loves Columbia Harbour House’s upstairs! It’s good to keep quiet about that one!
I pretty much agree with everything you have on here. AKL is one of my favorite resorts (DVC Home) and that includes all of it’s restaurants!
Stitch’s Great Escape is not a good ride, but it has possibility. If they just went back in to redo the script and take out the chili dog smell it could be closer to the greatness that was Alien Encounter. At least they still have Skippy! (On a side note, I don’t do the whole vinylmation thing, but had to get the Alien Encounter one when it came out.
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Great article! First of all let me say that I could not agree more with your inclusion of both the Laugh Floor and Stitch’s Great Escape. While I am of the opinion that the quality of Alien Escape was certainly superior to its current iteration, it was absolutely out of place in MK. To the point that it really seemed like an attraction better suited for Universal or at the very least Hollywood Studios. Stitch’s Escape is a fitting use of that character and it fits in an attraction that was built completely independent of it surprisingly well. He is also represented quite well in audio-animatronic form.
As for the Laugh Floor, I agree in that the show is quite witty and the performers are often on point with their reactions to the attending audience. Plus Mike Wazowski is always awesome!
One addition that I think could be added to your list is the Animal Kingdom park itself. As a park it is critically underrated in the Disney community. It is one of the most beautiful theme parks ever. Walking through the front gates and strolling through the Oasis is such a pleasurable and beautiful experience that I rarely feel the need to race my fellow guests to the nearest FP distribution point. The entire trek around the park is a feast for the senses. Not to mention that this park has four of the best attractions in all of WDW in Expedition Everest, Kilimanjaro Safaris, Kali River Rapids, and Dinosaur. While I realize this park sees it’s fair share of visitors I feel like it is often playing third and often fourth fiddle in the overall pecking order. I can honestly say that any day that I’ve ever spent at AK has been completely amazing. I certainly can’t say that for HS, and maybe even the other two.
I hear that argument a lot about Alien Encounter not being appropriate for the Magic Kingdom, and I suppose I can understand it to an extent. At the same time, Hall of Presidents and any attraction with a higher height restriction also aren’t aimed at children. Personally, I don’t see a problem with having well-themed attractions that appeal to a range of demographics. The same guests who are going to the Magic Kingdom are going to DHS, so if it wasn’t appropriate for them at Magic Kingdom, why would it be okay at DHS? Just like the whole “alcohol in the MK” thing, I think it’s more a matter of tradition than it is anything else.
A lot of people think Animal Kingdom is underrated, a lot think it’s overrated. I think it is a solid park filled with unrealized potential. It needs a better balance of attractions, in my opinion.
I’m not at all saying that Alien Encounter wasn’t an awesome attraction. At the time it was the coolest thing that Tomorrowland had to offer. I only mean to say it’s theming seemed to not work with all of the “happy” and “kiddie” – centric attractions that surrounded it. It was a great attraction that was possibly in need of a different location. I say this not because I am worried about frightening children or whatnot, more because I take a great interest in the overall flow of the attractions. I would say the same thing about Avatarland. While I am not at all interested in Avatar I can see how it could give life to some really cool E-Ticket attractions. However, I do not think these belong at AK. Blue aliens may be neat to some people but I don’t really see what they have to do with animals and conservation.
Country Bears???? Don’t even know why they keep this show in Disney (as well as Carousel of Progress). We absolutely hated it!!
Some of your other suggestions we are going to try out in 2 weeks when we are in Disney. Thanks for the info!!
You may not like my other suggestions if you don’t like those two attractions!
I remember going to CBJ when I was 4 years old back in 1974. I’m clearly much older and have been to the parks 7 or 8 times since then and have never been back to see the show, it always sort of creeped me out (like Showbiz Pizza did in the 80′s). Anyhow, I’m heading back with my wife and daughters in May and I think I’ll have to give it another shot.
I had to Google Showbiz Pizza because I had never heard of it. Wow… That. Is. Awesome.
Maybe “awesome” isn’t the right word. It’s something, though, that’s for sure!
Great article! I have experienced most of these and agree. I especially agree with the Monster’s Inc Laugh Floor. We found it HYSTERICAL! So did my three-year-old daughter.
I would have also added Turtle Talk with Crush at Epcot. It is more interactive and funny for kids and adults! We were almost crying we were laughing so hard. The kids get so into it. There was no problem getting a good seat and the show just flew by.
I am dying to try Sanaa, but sadly, I do not have a very adventurous family. Boma is incredible though!
Why is it the attractions that tend to be the least popular seem to be the most enjoyable?
I will refrain from answering your last question as my answer would probably insult the general public.
I will refrain from answering your last question as my answer would probably insult the general public.