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Walt Disney World’s Most Underrated Rides

Epcot World Celebration Gardens
Credit: Disney

It’s no secret that Disney World is full of some pretty spectacular rides. Many of these rides are plenty appreciated by park-goers, and some might even be a little overhyped. That said, plenty of other wonderful attractions don’t get the attention they deserve.

These underrated Disney attractions are often skipped over by guests, and in some cases, there are people who don’t even realize certain rides on the list exist. Obviously, you want to get the most out of your time in “The Most Magical Place on Earth,” and part of that is definitely riding those headliner attractions.

However, I also highly recommend that you stop in at these underrated Disney rides we’ve listed below to see how you like them.

under-the-sea-journey-of-the-little-mermaid

Credit: Disney

1. Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid

This is an adorable dark ride that perfectly encapsulates the spirit of Disney. It includes an immersive queue, beloved characters, great animatronics, catchy Disney music, lots of color, awesome storytelling, and pretty much anything else you could want from a Disney ride.

Unfortunately, the ride catches a lot of flack from those who were hoping for more after a long construction process, as well as those who were disappointed the ride is identical to the one in Anaheim’s Disneyland. I love it though, and I ride it every time I visit.

Carousel of Progress broken wrist

Credit: John Lam, Flickr

2. Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress

Nothing could be more “Disney” than an attraction created by Walt Disney himself, and that is exactly what the Carousel of Progress is.

No, this isn’t a thrill ride with all the latest and greatest technology. What it is is a fun little journey through time, as well as a blast from the past that fulfills our need for Disney nostalgia (and gives us a nice break in the air conditioning to boot).

PhilharMagic

Credit: D23

3. Mickey’s PhilharMagic

Speaking of nice breaks in the air conditioning, Mickey’s PhilharMagic is another attraction that we think is underrated.

This super cool 4D show incorporates classic Disney characters and takes guests on a journey through several classic films. I love that it includes many of my favorite characters, and that the 3D screens and smell effects make me feel like I’m actually in the movie. I also love that this attraction rarely has a wait and gets me out of the hot Florida sun for a bit.

Toy Story Land _ Disney fanatic

Toy Story Land, Disney’s Hollywood Studios Theme Park, Disney World / Credit: Disney

4. Toy Story Mania

I get it, with the two newer rides in Toy Story land, Toy Story Mania is no longer the center of attention. That said, this is still a fantastic ride that is often completely looked over by those doing a mad dash to Slinky Dog Dash. Don’t be like those people. Take the time to ride this super fun and interactive 4D ride. You won’t regret it!

Star Tours The Adventure Continues

Credit: Disney

5. Star Tours – The Adventures Continue

Similar to what is happening in Toy Story Land, we also see many people skipping over Star Tours, opting to ride the new Smuggler’s Run instead. Don’t get me wrong, Smuggler’s Run is a fantastic ride and definitely a must-do, but Star Tours is still perfectly relevant and well worth riding in addition to Smuggler’s Run. After all, who doesn’t want all of the Star Wars they can get?

animal kingdom dinosaur

Credit: Disney

6. DINOSAUR

The DINOSAUR ride is a fantastic example of Disney storytelling. The queue leading up to the ride takes guests through the fictional Dino Institute. There, they discover they will have the privilege of riding a “time rover” back in time to the days of the dinosaurs.

Once you board your rover, you are transported to the late Cretaceous and get to go on an awesome dino adventure. Now, I will say that this ride isn’t usually one that is usually skipped over completely, but I do feel like many people fail to appreciate the attention to detail put into this attraction.

Perhaps these individuals aren’t paying enough attention while going through the queue, or maybe there’s just too much going on to notice the incredible detail on a first ride through, but this is one that is definitely underrated in my opinion.

Credit: Disney

7. Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros

To be fair, Gran Fiesta Tour is very hidden away inside of the pyramid in EPCOT’s Mexico Pavilion. This is likely why many guests walk right by without even knowing a ride exists in the pavilion.

This is unfortunate however, as the ride is actually quite cute and is especially fun for fans of Donald Duck. It also hardly ever has any wait at all, and because it’s in the pyramid, the whole experience is nice and cool.

epcot the land pavilion sign

Credit: Frank Phillips, Flickr

8. Living with the Land

Another EPCOT attraction that I feel doesn’t get enough attention is Living with the Land. This is a seriously cool boat ride that almost feels like two rides in one. The first half is a dark ride that takes guests through a number of different nature scenes and more.

Meanwhile, the second half takes you through the park’s active greenhouses, where you can see loads of fruits and vegetables actually being grown for use right there in The Land Pavilion’s restaurants.

Both sections are educational while also keeping the element of entertainment. This is also another one that is located inside of a building, meaning no sunlight during your wait, which is likely to be under 15 minutes anyway.

the seas with nemo and friends epcot

Credit: Brian McGowan, Unsplash

9. The Sea with Nemo and Friends

The final attraction on our list is yet another EPCOT attraction. The Seas with Nemo and Friends is an absolutely adorable dark ride that takes guests under the ocean as they go on an adventure to find Nemo.

Toward the end of the ride, it even incorporates real ocean creatures alongside characters from Finding Nemo (2003), a touch I think is fantastic. Oddly, this ride very rarely has any sort of line despite how cute and fun it is.

About Chelsea

Chelsea is a lifelong Disney fanatic who lives and travels full time in an RV with her son and husband. Their family takes full advantage of their unique living situation by visiting Disney parks on both sides of the country as often as possible. In doing so, the Gonzales family gathers loads of great tips and info about the parks, which Chelsea is thrilled to share with readers here. Visit Chelsea's blog: https://wonderwhereverwewander.wordpress.com Wonder Wherever We Wander! Here you’ll find a wealth of valuable information as well as a variety of reviews and resources to help you navigate the often uncharted territory of roadschooling.

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