So, predictably, I suppose, today let's take on the flip side: What are the most underrated theme park attractions in the country?
Here's my list. Again, these aren't my necessarily my favorite attraction, or the ones I think best in a park (though a few are). They're the rides and shows that I think don't get enough credit from the wider audience of theme park fans. And if I don't list a park, it's because either I haven't visited it in the park year or so, or if I did, I didn't consider any of its attractions to be especially underrated.
In some cases I mention an attraction here because of a single element or quality that I think too often overlooked. In other cases, the attraction presents a complete package, but for some reason, perhaps age or the presence of even better attractions nearby, people don't rave about it as much as they should.
Busch Gardens Williamsburg: Loch Ness Monster
This Arrow classic stands up better than just about any other coaster its age. Frankly, of the (now) four coasters at Busch Gardens Williamsburg, this remains my favorite ride.
Disney's Animal Kingdom: Finding Nemo - The Musical
This mix of puppetry, love actors and original music evokes the Broadway version of "The Lion King" and delivers what I think is the most delightful musical running in a theme park, anywhere. But, man, do they ever need to install more comfortable seats.
Disney's California Adventure: Monsters, Inc: Mike and Sulley to the Rescue
A classic dark ride, with a fun interactive twist at the end. Parks need more of these.
Disneyland: The Enchanted Tiki Room
See my article from last month on this gem.
Dollywood: Sha-Kon-O-Hey!
This show is underrated mostly because I failed to list it on the site when it first opened. But it deserve fans' praise as an engaging, Broadway-quality musical with the best original song score in a theme park attraction.
Epcot: Impressions de France
Okay, you've heard this from me before.
Knott's Berry Farm: Mystery Lodge
The most "Disney"-like of Knott's attractions, this pre-dates the current, Cedar Fair regime and is a product of the same crew that produced "Impressions de France."
Legoland California: Fun Town Fire Academy
More than any theme park attraction I've experienced, Fun Town Fire Academy enables (even requires) families to work together, providing few minutes of good, bonding fun. For that reason, because family vacations are supposed to be about family time, this is my pick as the most underrated theme park attraction in America.
SeaWorld Orlando: Clyde and Seamore Take Pirate Island
I'm giving them this because of the pre-show mime. Yes, I am a bad person for writing this. But, c'mon, he is funny.
SeaWorld San Diego: Rocky Point Preserve
An engaging interactive experience, and the original SeaWorld park gets extra points for the lovably cute sea otters.
Six Flags Magic Mountain: Riddler's Revenge
No matter what I do when I visit Magic Mountain, I always make time for a ride on this B&M stand-up, and always end up enjoying it as much as any other coaster in the park. So why doesn't it get the attention as a top national coaster that others do?
Universal Studios Hollywood: Jurassic Park - The Ride
Hollywood's version of this Universal staple cranked up the soak factor a while back, making this an even more enjoyable splashfest. Still, it seems to me overshadowed by the Orlando version, which I don't enjoy as much.
Universal's Islands of Adventure: Flying Unicorn/Flight of the Hippogriff
This installation of a Vekoma Junior Coaster remains the best "family" coaster I've ridden, with just enough thrill to tempt a youngster, without so much as to turn them off coasters.
Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom: Tom Sawyer Island
I thought about giving this to Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor, but, c'mon, you know me by now, right?
Okay, let's see your lists. To the comments!
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Tower of Terror at DCA/WDSP is drastically underrated. In my opinion the versions in Paris and California are far superior to there predecessor in Walt Disney World.
I'm also going to go against your choice for overrated attractions, Robert, and nominated Journey to Atlantis as underrated. Whilst it does need some updating it offers a good theme, a great collection of drops that get you soaked and to top it all off a roller coaster segments towards the end of the attraction.
I did a fair share of work on that attraction. In fact I changed my TPI pic to a shot of yours truly working on the track for the non-running electric train in the exhibit.
Thanks Mr. Owen!
As for most underrated I like 'Impressions du France' and 'Alice in Wonderland' at DL.
Primal Whirl at AK…. Its fun the first time because of the unexpected spinning…
MK - Tomorrowland Transit Authority. The line is always short if not non-existent and it's just so relaxing.
DHS - One Man's Dream. I love the history and the AC is great too.
Epcot - Innoventions. It has greatly improved since it first opened.
AK - The trails. Always interesting with very knowledgeable cast members.
IOA - Unicorn/Hippogriff. Great little coaster that can only get better with the re-themeing.
USF - Disaster! Christopher Walken's in it. Nuff said.
BGW - Loch Ness Monster. Right on Robert.
Kings Dominion - Avalanche. My first roller coaster and its a bobsled.
Confession: I haven't seen it. I was under the impression that it was mostly a clip job of previous Disneyland and Magic of Disney Animation films about Walt, so I skipped it. (Yeah, I fall down on the gig sometimes. But I really wanted another crack at a high score on Midway Mania last time I was there.... Okay, my name is Robert N. and I'm a Midway Maniaholic.)
Any fans of Walt Disney: One Man's Dream care to share more details?
A couple of other underrated stuff:
Entertainment at World Showcase (Mo'Rockin, Off Kilter, British Invasion, Candy Lady, Japanese Drums, World Showcase Players)
Alice's Labyrinth at DLP. A great deal of fun that I would like to see brought stateside!
Innoventions is cool to walk around (I can't wait to give Sum of All Thrills a shot) and Club Cool at EPCOT is kinda underrated. It's free soda in air conditioning! What can go wrong there? (Stay away from the Italian soda)
And not to be biased (cause I worked this ride durring my Spring 08 College Program) but I would Kali River Rapids is slightly underrated. Now yes it doesn't compare to it's Grizzly brother out in Cali, and yes I wouldn't wait over 30 minutes for it, but with a fast pass or a short line it is def. worth a ride.
To throw some home-grown love, I would say that Top Gun (oh sorry...Afterburn) at Carowinds is underrated. It is a top class invert that can compete with Raptor and Alpengist.
And on the ONE MAN'S DREAM, I heard a rumor that due to MGM's drop in Disney Studios that the movies in the Great Movie Ride might be gone. If that is true, I would love to see One Man's Dream brought into there and have it as a ride through.
Long-time lurker, but just HAD to register to agree with this comment, all that entertainment is great and super-underrated. Also the Chinese Acrobats, JAMMitors, Chair Guy in France, etc.
In DHS, I think Beauty and the Beast is underrated, there's incredible details throughout the production. It was especially underrated when 4-For-a-Dollar used to perform before the show.
I also really like Corkscrew Hill at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. I have no idea why this attraction often gets such a bad rap when it is easily one of the best, most original simulator rides I have ever visited.
Others:
Tomorrowland Transit Authority - always a must visit at the end of a long day of park touring.
Turtle Talk With Crush (WDW) - sure, it is well liked and highly rated on this site, but it is too seldom mentioned in discussions of great attractions. Honestly, I think it is one of the best, most original shows at any Disney park.
Lights! Motors! Action! (DHS) - I am gonna give props to this show just because so many people panned it yesterday. Fast cars, explosions, crazy stunts, honestly, what's not to like about it? And unlike some other DHS shows (Indy, anyone), LMA is imminently re-watchable.
Maharajah Jungle Trek, Pangani Forest Exploration Trail, Discovery Island Trails, and the Oasis area of DAK are all phenomenal, especially to someone like me who loves zoos.
Grizzly River Run (DCA) - I am not sure what else people could want from a white water raft ride than is provided by GRR. Maybe a little more theming and narrative elements? Otherwise, it is flat out the best of its type.
Camp Jurassic (IOA) - an outstanding playground for the young and young at heart.
Wildcat (CP) - lost among all the uber coasters a Cedar Point is this pleasing little gem. Greater than the sum of its parts, Wildcat always brings a smile to my face.
Legend (HW) - if it wasn't for the fact that this monster is completely overshadowed by the Voyage, Legend might rank as the best wooden coaster I have ever ridden.
Orient Express (WoF) - this now demolished classic should never have been torn down. I may never be able to forgive Cedar Fair for their poor judgment. Robert, if you like Loch Ness, you would have loved the Orient Express. Curse you, Cedar Fair, Curse you!
Zambezi Zinger (WoF) - as if I needed one more reason to despise Cedar Fair, this classic coaster was sold to some park in South America about 20 years ago. Similar to the Whizzer at SFGA, this fun family coaster had no lighting at night and sported two person inline seating, making it possibly the greatest date ride in the history of theme parks!
Silver Dollar City - provides as immersive of a theme park experience as you can get west of Florida, or east of California. I hope more theme park fans add SDC to their travel plans in the future.
The only reason I left the others off was because the ones mentioned have been there as long as I can remember, but all the entertainment is fantastic there!
I did get around to One Man's Dream on my last WDW trip, and it was definitely worth the visit. If you're at all interested in Walt and the birth of the Disney theme parks, this is a very well constructed mini museum.
Epcot - Turtle talk with crush- It's a small setting, short lines and to see the awe in all the kids eyes will make the most stressful Disney Day better...Dude!
DAK - Fining Nemo... what a greeat show, yes festival of the Lion King gets all the attention but I love this show.
DHS - Muppet Vision, the preshow rocks and the theater is nice and comfortable. The show keeps me laughing every time. I just whish they would add the Bohemian Rapsody song to the show!
I also have to second the Trails in AK. The Jungle Trek was my favorite. There's a whole back story to it that most people miss. It's the old hunting palace of one of the Rajh's of Anandapur. From it, he hunted tigers, and legend had it that Kharma reincarnated him as a tiger to teach him a lesson. There is a mural depicting him and his brothers, one who built the Aviary, one who built the arboretum, etc.
Talk to the CM's there; they are very knowledgeable.
Cedar Point: Somebody mentioned the Wildcat, and I'm right there with them; Wildcat is this innocent little mini-coaster parked in the middle of the park and yet almost entirely unseen. Yet the lines are usually at least 15 minutes long constantly because it's a quickie and it moves fast. Still, it definitely works according to the "fun-sized" designation.
King's Dominion: Someone said Avalanche before I could, and dammit they're right again! How could you NOT like the Avalanche? Fun Bobsled-coaster parked right next to the Volcano, so it gets kind of dwarfed by the hulking, fire-breathing monster next door. I might also say the Ricochet. I love Wild-Mouse coasters! Pity it doesn't use the mushroom-peg design to let the carts tip but, beggars can't be choosers.
...Yeah, that's all I have. ._.
Overshadowed by the Lion King, despite that the performance is as visually entertaining. The music is a little sappy, but it's Disney. Also, the actress who played Dorey had such a sickeningly high-pitched voice that we nearly left.
Disney's California Adventure: Monsters, Inc: Mike and Sulley to the Rescue
DISAGREE
Mediocre. It felt like they were trying to return to the classics, but failed. The imagery was very cheap. Considering how technically amazing and detailed (e.g. Sulley's fur) the film was, this felt like a ripoff.
Epcot: Impressions de France
DISAGREE
Don't get me wrong, great attraction, but I find Impressions gets more love than Living with the Land, which most tourists seem to put off as boring. Maybe the animatronic section is dry, but the greenhouse section is great and ever-changing.
SeaWorld Orlando: Clyde and Seamore Take Pirate Island
AGREE
Amazing show. Best in the park, but still overshadowed by the overly sappy Believe and Blue Horizons.
Universal Studios Hollywood: Jurassic Park - The Ride
DISAGREE
If anything, the most overrated in the park. Badly in need of a refurbishment. The dinos look terrible and constantly malfunction. Really, there isn't anything underrated in this park.
Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom: Tom Sawyer Island
DISAGREE
Carousel of Progress, baby. As classic as they come, and always empty.
And one of my own:
Disney's Hollywood Studios: Walt Disney - One Man's Dream
Great attraction. They know how to make an exhibit work. If anything, it should be bigger.
Cedar Point:
#1 Iron Dragon
#2 Calypso
#3 Derby Racer
#4 Wildcat
Six Flags Magic Mountain:
#1 Ninja
#2 Gold Rusher
#3 Log Jammer
#4 Riddler's Revenge
Disneyland:
#1 Alice's Adventures Through Wonderland
#2 Winnie The Pooh
#3 Storybook Canal Boats
#4 Casey Jr. Circus Train
#5 Roger Rabbit's Cartoon Spin
Disney's California Adventure:
#1 Golder Zephyr
#2 MuppetVision 3D
Knott's Berry Farm:
#1 Silver Bullet
#2 RipTide
#3 Calico Mine Ride
#4 Wipeout
#5 Jaguar
Kennywood:
#1 Jack Rabbit
#2 Turtle
#3 Whip
#4 Noah's Ark
#5 Exterminator
#6 Pitfall
Hersheypark:
#1 Great Bear
#2 Rodeo
#3 Flying Falcon
#4 Sky Ride
#5 Trailblazer
Dorney Park:
#1 Hydra:The Revenge
#2 Screamin' Swing
#3 Thunder Creek Mountain
#4 Hang Time
World's Of Fun:
#1 Finnish Fling
#2 Flying Dutchman
#3 Timber Wolf
#4 Bamboozeler
#5 Cyclone Sam's
#6 Mamba
King's Island:
#1 Top Gun/Flight Deck
#2 Racer
#3 Adventure Express
#4 Delirium
#5 Invertigo
Six Flags St. Louis:
#1 The Boss
#2 River King Mine Train
#3 Log Ride
#4 Colossus
#5 Excalibur
Silver Dollar City:
Everything!
Cedar Point:
#1 Iron Dragon
#2 Calypso
#3 Derby Racer
#4 Wildcat
Six Flags Magic Mountain:
#1 Ninja
#2 Gold Rusher
#3 Log Jammer
#4 Riddler's Revenge
Disneyland:
#1 Alice's Adventures Through Wonderland
#2 Winnie The Pooh
#3 Storybook Canal Boats
#4 Casey Jr. Circus Train
#5 Roger Rabbit's Cartoon Spin
Disney's California Adventure:
#1 Golder Zephyr
#2 MuppetVision 3D
Knott's Berry Farm:
#1 Silver Bullet
#2 RipTide
#3 Calico Mine Ride
#4 Wipeout
#5 Jaguar
Kennywood:
#1 Jack Rabbit
#2 Turtle
#3 Whip
#4 Noah's Ark
#5 Exterminator
#6 Pitfall
Hersheypark:
#1 Great Bear
#2 Rodeo
#3 Flying Falcon
#4 Sky Ride
#5 Trailblazer
Dorney Park:
#1 Hydra:The Revenge
#2 Screamin' Swing
#3 Thunder Creek Mountain
#4 Hang Time
World's Of Fun:
#1 Finnish Fling
#2 Flying Dutchman
#3 Timber Wolf
#4 Bamboozeler
#5 Cyclone Sam's
#6 Mamba
King's Island:
#1 Top Gun/Flight Deck
#2 Racer
#3 Adventure Express
#4 Delirium
#5 Invertigo
Six Flags St. Louis:
#1 The Boss
#2 River King Mine Train
#3 Log Ride
#4 Colossus
#5 Excalibur
Silver Dollar City:
Everything!
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EPCOT: Living with the Land
DHS: Muppetvision
AK: Finding Nemo (I agree)
SFGA: The Whizzer
USO: Horror and Makeup Show
IOA: Popeye Barges
SWO: Seymore and Clyde (I agree)