Walt Disney World Resort offers a variety of thrilling experiences, immersive lands, and magical adventures. However, with many incredible attractions, some rides may not live up to the hype. Whether it’s due to long wait times, outdated technology, or a less-than-exciting experience, here are some attractions that may not be worth your time, especially if you’re looking to make the most of your visit to the Disney parks.
Test Track Presented by Chevrolet: Fun, But With Glitches
Epcot’s Test Track, Presented by Chevrolet, is a high-speed attraction that combines the excitement of designing a car with an outdoor thrill ride. While the concept is fun, there are a few drawbacks to consider.
Test Track is known for occasional glitches that can impact the interactive experience, leaving guests unable to see how their custom car performed during tests. On busy days, the line for Test Track can stretch over an hour, which can feel like a lot of waiting for a ride that lasts only a few minutes.
Due to safety protocols, the outdoor portion of the ride closes when lightning strikes the area. This can lead to unexpected closures, especially during Florida’s frequent thunderstorms.
Test Track is currently closed for reimagining and will reopen in 2025. Until it reopens, consider visiting other attractions in Epcot.
Peter Pan’s Flight: A Classic, But Not Worth the Wait
Magic Kingdom’s Peter Pan’s Flight is a timeless attraction, but it’s often considered overrated by those looking for a more efficient use of their time in the park.
Peter Pan’s Flight consistently has long wait times, often exceeding an hour during peak times. This wait-to-ride ratio can be frustrating for a ride that lasts only about three minutes.
While the views over Neverland are magical, the ride’s short duration doesn’t quite justify the time spent waiting. If you’re short on time, it may be worth skipping this one in favor of attractions with better value for the wait.
Alien Swirling Saucers: Cute But Basic
Alien Swirling Saucers in Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is a cute, family-friendly ride, but it’s not as thrilling as other attractions in the park.
This attraction is essentially a “whip” ride, which is fun for younger children but lacks the excitement of some of the park’s other offerings. For a more engaging experience, guests are better off visiting Toy Story Mania or Slinky Dog Dash, which offer more immersive and exciting experiences.
While it’s fun for some, Alien Swirling Saucers is easy to skip in favor of more thrilling attractions nearby.
Kali River Rapids: Get Ready to Get Wet
Kali River Rapids in Disney’s Animal Kingdom is a water-based ride that combines thrills with an environmental message about deforestation. However, there are a few reasons why it might be overrated.
The ride is known for getting guests drenched. While the water ride is fun for some, walking around the rest of the park completely soaked can be uncomfortable.
The experience is short, and while thrilling, it may not be worth the potential discomfort and wait time. Kali River Rapids can be fun for those who don’t mind getting wet. But it may be worth skipping if you want to stay dry and comfortable for the rest of your day.
Tomorrowland Speedway: Long Waits and Bumpy Rides
Tomorrowland Speedway in Magic Kingdom allows guests to drive classic cars around a track, offering a nostalgic experience. However, there are a few reasons why this ride is often considered overrated.
The ride often has long wait times, especially during peak hours. Additionally, the outdoor line usually exposes guests to the hot Florida sun.
The cars can be challenging to control, and bumping often occurs, leading to a less-than-smooth experience. If you’re looking for a classic Disney ride with less hassle, you might be better off skipping Tomorrowland Speedway.
Dumbo the Flying Elephant: A Classic, But Predictable
Dumbo the Flying Elephant in Magic Kingdom is a favorite for families with young children. However, this ride can feel overrated for those seeking something more exciting.
While Dumbo offers a fun, gentle flying experience, it doesn’t provide much thrill for older children or adults. Despite its simplicity, Dumbo often sees long lines, which can be frustrating considering the short duration of the ride.
For a similar experience with less wait time, consider visiting other nearby attractions or exploring different parts of the park.
Mad Tea Party: Dizzying Fun, But Proceed With Caution
Mad Tea Party in Magic Kingdom offers a classic spinning teacup experience, but it’s not for everyone.
The spinning cups can quickly cause dizziness, and many guests don’t realize how susceptible they are to motion sickness until it’s too late. The ride is fun but can be overwhelming for some guests due to the spinning and the short duration.
If you’re prone to motion sickness, it’s best to skip this one. If you enjoy spinning rides, it can be a nostalgic experience, but be prepared for the dizzying effects.
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith: High-Speed Thrills, Long Waits
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is a thrilling, high-speed roller coaster with inversions and intense drops. However, it comes with a few downsides.
This ride often experiences long wait times, especially during peak hours. Getting through the line can take up a significant portion of your day.
With its high speeds and intense inversions, the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster may not suit everyone, especially those not fond of fast rides. While it’s a must-do for thrill-seekers, it might not be the best option for guests looking to experience multiple attractions in one day. It should be noted that this attraction will soon be reimagined as a Mupper roller coaster.
Star Tours – The Adventures Continue: Outshined by Galaxy’s Edge
Star Tours – The Adventures Continue, once the flagship Star Wars attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, is still enjoyable but overshadowed by the opening of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
While the ride still offers a fun experience with 3D effects, it feels dated compared to the newer, more immersive attractions in Galaxy’s Edge, like Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. Star Tours, while enjoyable, is relatively short and lacks the level of immersion offered by newer Star Wars experiences.
If you’re a Star Wars fan, you’ll still enjoy Star Tours, but now that more advanced options are available, it may not be the best use of your time.
Na’vi River Journey: Beautiful, But Not Worth the Wait
Navi River Journey in Pandora – The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom offers a visually stunning ride through a bioluminescent forest, but it’s not as thrilling as it seems.
The ride is over in just a few minutes, and while the Shaman of Songs is an impressive audio-animatronic, the experience doesn’t offer much excitement beyond its visuals. The wait times for the Na’vi River Journey can be quite long, especially during peak hours, which may not justify the short duration of the ride. For a more thrilling and immersive experience in Pandora, Avatar Flight of Passage is a better choice.
While Walt Disney World Resort has many incredible attractions, these overrated rides may not best use your time. With long wait times and less-than-exciting experiences, prioritizing other must-do attractions is often better. Make the most of your Disney visit by focusing on experiences that provide more excitement, immersion, and value for the time spent waiting in line!
