2010 Best Theme Park Attraction: Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Disney's Hollywood Studios vs. Soarin' Over California at Disney's California Adventure

March 18, 2010, 9:59 AM · We continue the 2010 Best Theme Park Attraction Tournament with a first-round match-up from the Best Themed Ride bracket.

If you haven't been on both rides, please click through to the attraction descriptions linked below, and read the comments, before voting.

2. Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Disney's Hollywood Studios

Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Disney's Hollywood Studios

vs.

15. Soarin' Over California at Disney's California Adventure

Soarin' Over California at Disney's California Adventure

Please tell us in the comments why you voted the way you did.

Replies (11)

March 18, 2010 at 10:02 AM · I love the fact that the ride is different every time so you never get tired of it! The cast members are usually fantastic as well
March 18, 2010 at 10:09 AM · This is like an impossible vote for me, two five star attractions in my book. Gave the nod to ToT because of the different endings.
March 18, 2010 at 10:19 AM · Soarin' is my mother's favorite theme park attraction, so this one hurts, but Tower of Terror is unbeatable.

Word to the tournament!!!

March 18, 2010 at 10:25 AM · This is a tough one, as both attractions are great, but there are some areas Soaring Over California could improve, like the transitions between scenes and the need for better screen maintenance. Florida's Tower's combination of drop ride and dark ride give it the slight win, but Soarin' definitely deserves credit too.
March 18, 2010 at 10:31 AM · Tower of Terror is an amazing ride. I remember the first time I rode it my expectations were low, my thoughts were a themed drop ride? I am sure it will be fun but kind of dissappointing for Disney. But the moment I got to the ride I realized how amazing the theme actually was. And during the ride the moment the elevator moves forward out of the first shaft, I realized that this is so much more than just a drop ride. Not too mention the multiple drop sequences, that make the ride feel different every time. Make this ride one of the best at Disney or any park for that matter. Now on to Soarin'This ride is easily the most dissapointing ride I have ever been on. I hear people rave about this ride all the time. And it is a fun ride. But there is so so much more that they could and should do with this ride. The entire time while I am riding I am thinking to myself why doesn't this happen or this happen, why do we have to have all these annoying cut scenes. Not applicable here since this is Califonia adventure's version, but why can't we end up at Disney World instead of Disneyland. Isn't the fact that they can make film changes relatively easy supposed to be one of the things that is so great about this ride. Also is my memory incorrect but wasn't the technology with this ride something that Universal and Disney had a bidding war over, much like the Kuka robo coaster? If so then why does Disney always claim to have come up with the concept on their own when you see behind the scenes for this ride?
March 18, 2010 at 10:49 AM · This is one of the best Disney rides Ilove the random drops,this ride is amazing
March 18, 2010 at 10:52 AM · I have only been on the California version of both of these attractions, and the Tower of Terror still blows Soarin' out of the water. Er, sky.
March 18, 2010 at 10:52 AM · I had to vote for DCA only because it's the underdog. I normally don't vote this way, but I totally agree that ToT is put together better as an attraction than Soarin. Soarin's transitions are all jump cuts, not to mention the scene flying over Los Angeles should have been done at a higher frame rate and with better vibration/ shake control. I don't have motion sickness, but I know a few people who get a little disoriented by that sped up fly-over.

ToT's random drops are awesome. And not to mention that Twilight Zone fits with this ride... the production value is fantastic. I do hope that ToT goes far or even wins it all, but I just had to help the lil guy name Soarin!

Had Soarin been a cleaner ride, I would say that it should win mainly because it can be enjoyed by all ages like Pirates or HM.

March 18, 2010 at 11:07 AM · Too bad its Disney v Disney, but Tower of Terror is too good to be given up!
March 18, 2010 at 12:43 PM · Both are top notch attractions and its a tough vote for me, but ToT is the overall better ride(the theming is wonderful). ToT won and avoided the upset but the themed ride bracket is the toughest so we'll see how it goes.
March 18, 2010 at 2:00 PM · You and your pro-Disney agenda, Anthony. Remember what that got you last year? Hate mail.

You're treading in dangerous waters, my friend.

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