Which is the worst theme park ride or attraction?
My choice is in the Magic Kingdom.
For me the worst is Stitch because there is a bad smell that gave me nausea.
Most of the ones I though where boring have been changed over now. Mission to Mars went from Alien Encounter to Stitch's Escape, Now I love and adore Stitch (as my favorite Disney Character) but I'm sorry, Alien Encounters was so much better.
Astro Blasters has never really impressed me, even as a child. It always had a long line which I was never willing to wait in and I never thought it had that good of a "view" anyway.
Jaws at Universal also falls into this list. While I enjoy the movies and the theme the ride its-self has the actual attraction has never much been fun. It's something to see but if there's a line it's been an easy bypass. It's a rubber shark (which last year was showing some serious need of being fixed since it's worn out and barely works) and that smell. Yeah, you know the "extra crispy shark" smell.
Let's also say, I'm happy that the RL Stine Lighthouse attraction at Busch Gardens is gone. Sorry but modern kids aren't much like my generation was where all of us owned at least 40 of the books. I haven't met a kid yet who has read them.
Now onto the realm of things that NEED to come back, Body Wars. In fact that entire pavilion needs to find a sponsor again or get over-hauled.
From Rob P
Posted July 19, 2010 at 5:36 AM
This has the potential to be a very interesting thread because it's going to throw up a lot of contention. It's one of those topics that really polarises opinion.
I agree that Stitch's Great Escape is nowhere near as good as the ExtraTerrorRestrial of old. In fact it's poor. But I don't agree with Carrie's views on Jaws. I think Jaws is iconic and always a fun attraction. Despite having ridden it countless times and winced at the wonderfully corny script I still enjoy it immensely and would happily stand in line for a trip around Amity.
I think one of the worst attractions has to have been the Stitch stage show which was ill conceived and pretty awful. The performers did their best but it was terrible.
Twister-Ride it Out (I think that's the title- I keep trying to forget it). Perhaps it's not as boring as I remember, but after having been through the real thing, it was silly and not very convincing. It reminded me more of a dust devil that formed in a corner of my elementary school on a windy day.
The thing I discovered about the Jaws attraction at Universal Orlando is that it works MUCH better at night. Fog rolls around the island as the lighthouse beacon turns and the foghorn sounds. The boathouse scene is much scarier. The fire in the water is much more dramatic. You really need to experience it at night.
The Tiki Room Under New Management. Bring back the 1963 version!
Speaking of the Jaws attraction, wasn't it due for a refurbishment this year? I remember friends who work for Universal saying something about it but I can't remember the details now.
I agree with Anthony, I enjoyed the new Tiki Room show but I still believe the old one was so much better. Perhaps they could find a way to use more of the original show while keeping some kind of update. I shall have to ponder this for a while now!
The only other thing I can think of that would be nice is that ALL the coasters in Central Florida BADLY need a paint job. From Hulk to Montu, give them a face lift already! I know the sun eats paint down in Florida but it keeps your rides in much better condition then letting the rust get a foothold. This is really visible on Hulk and Kumba now days, it really doesn't take that long. Now I know the Northern parks have a season to shut down and paint with but I don't think the Florida parks have an excuse for putting it off when it extends the life of your rides. Plus I've heard lots of tourists complain about the outward appearance of the rides, if the tourist notice.. you know it's time to do it.
So paint jobs! Please!
From Joe Brown
Posted July 19, 2010 at 12:58 PM
Sounds Dangerous and Prince Caspian. Total wastes of time and space.
It's difficult for me to narrow it down to just one ride, so here's my condensed list:
Fievel's Playland at Universal Studios - What is Universal thinking? I bet 99% of children under the age of 12 have no idea who Fievel Mousekewitz even is! I understand if USF wants this area to remain as a giant soft-play space, but c'mon... let's update it with some 21st-century characters that most kids can identify today. In fact, that entire KidZone could really use some character updating.
Terminator 2: 3-D also at USF - I may be alone on this one, but I really think T2 is dated. I know that Universal's 3-D effects on this attraction are still regarded as some of the best in the business, but this show is just worn-out and in need of a change. (I also have a hard time putting the Governor of California out of my mind when I watch this one... it's completely lost all believability for me.)
Honey, I Shrunk the Audience at Epcot - I simply can't believe that this attraction is still in existence. Disney, how many years has it been?
Disaster Transport at Cedar Point - It was better as the classic "bobsled on wheels" when it debuted as Avalanche Run. CP's attempt at a Space Mountain-type dark ride has run its course. Time for a new coaster!
High in the sky trolley ride at IOA.This was a total waste of time.No story,barely any theme.All you do is go in a circle.The worst ride ever.
To take us away from the Disney/Universal vortex..which Melissa did a bit by including Disaster Transport...I'll cast my vote for Dark Knight at SF Great Adventure. It's one of the most boring, visually unappealing rides I've ever been on. I will only ride it if I'm with someone who's there for the first time and won't exercise good judgment and skip it. I see a re-theming in a few years. Dark Knight (the movie) came out two years ago. Great as it was, it's yesterday's news.
Ms Donahue ranks "Fievel's Playland at Universal Studios" as one of the worst attractions ... I could NOT disagree more.
Ms. Donahue: "What is Universal thinking? I bet 99% of children under the age of 12 have no idea who Fievel Mousekewitz even is!"
I Respond: Which would mean that they are attempting to introduce the film and its characters to a new audience. Further Fievel's play area is a part of a much larger park design. The playground is ocated next to tghe Woody coaster, the Animal Actors show, Barney and Kidszone. A family with small children can enter that area of the park and stay there for hours.
All in all, Sounds Dangerous (DHS), Stitch's Great Escape (MK), Dark Knight Coaster (Six Flags), Honey I Shrunk the Audience, Poseidon's Fury/Voyage of Sinbad (IOA), Fievel's Playland (USF), all need to be DESTROYED. Replace these terrible and dated attractions with something that's fun, exciting, and resonates with people of the current generation.
Honey I shrunk the Audience always works for me. I would not want to miss it when I am in EPCOT. I think Skull Mountain at Great Adventure is one of the worst rides, if not the worst. I could not believe what a waste it was, when I rode it one time years ago.
You know, I pretty much enjoy all of the rides. I am not uneasy to please and I am very easy to make laugh. But, every once in a while an attraction comes along that makes me say, "what was that." One of those attractions is The Monster Plantation in Six Flags Over Georgia. This ride is absolutely awful. Half of the animatronics (if you can call them that) are out of commition, and the ride is just kind of thrown together. This is just a cheap and dirty looking excuse for a dark ride. Not to mention it is slow moving and the boats feel like they may sink. I also cannot stand the Sinbad Show at Islands of Adventure. So cheesy and juvinile. If I were one of the actors in the show, I would definately be ashamed to admit it. These two attractions, I avoid like the plauge!!!
From steve lee
Posted July 20, 2010 at 4:36 AM
dustin, Monster Plantation got a multi-million dollar overhaul two years ago and is pretty much awesome...
From Scott B
Posted July 20, 2010 at 5:17 AM
-Anything at the Lost Continent (now that the two coasters got SWALLOWED by HP). Poseidon's Fury is hands down the worst thing ever.
-The one two punch of Maelstrom / Gran Fiesta Tour in the World Showcase at Epcot. I mean, it isn't fair to pick on them, but you know they stink. Luckily the World Showcase is so awesome, you don't need rides to enjoy it.
Oh and I agree with Rod's comments above about Jaws. First off, Jaws is so utterly amazing at anytime of the day. But at night.....it is something special.
-
Maelstrom is actually not a bad ride. I don't know, it's just something about it that makes you want to ride it. But why do they still have the updated version of Enchanted Tiki Room @ Magic Kingdom when they know the one at Disneyland is waaay better. Sometimes you just gotta go back to the old version. I forgot to mention Skull Mountain at Great Adventure. That was just a waste of time, it was like a roller coaster in my basement. Definitely destroy that.
For me it's a tie between Stich at the MK and Sounds Dangerous at Disney Studios.
TH - I am certainly not in favor of demolishing Fievel's Playland... I just think it needs some character updating to make it fresh and relatable in today's society. :)
You stated that "they are attempting to introduce the film and its characters to a new audience." I don't really think so. I would guess that the playland hasn't been changed due to larger reasons, like budget and priority. Universal probably knows that they can get by with a new paint job every so often, and they've left it alone for now. Barney's fading fast in overall popularity, too. These characters are stale, so why should Universal try so hard to keep them around?
I understand the larger scope of the entire Kidszone, and I also think it's a fun part of the park for families with younger children -- I just feel that the character theming needs an update.
From Scott B
Posted July 20, 2010 at 9:13 AM
It reminds me of the Honey I Shrunk the Kids play area at Disney's Hollywood Studios. That movie is pretty old. But at least with that, kids have the benefit of seeing huge grass and big bugs. So even if they don't know the movie, they probably will still think it is cool.
Joe Brown is a genius. Caspian and Dangerous at the Hollywood Studios are total wastes. Great Movie Ride also no where near worth a 2 hour wait.
Stitch is my vote. That pepperoni odor always triggers an asthma attack. I only get one attack a year and with Stitch, that makes it two.
BTW. Happy Birthday to me :)
From steve lee
Posted July 20, 2010 at 12:22 PM
Can I toss a vote in for "Monsters Inc Laugh Floor?" Technically solid, but severely lacking in entertainment. And yes, I'd take Timekeeper back...
Universe of Energy. Far too long. Shut it. Gut It. Redesign it.
At last I have a popular thread! Woohoo!
I chose Stitch not only for the bad smell (Stitch burps! yuck!) which gave me nausea (it's like smelling sausage from someone's mouth), but also because of the over-the-shoulder bars which left my right shoulder hurting.
There are very bad rides and attractions out there, but none of them gives me nausea or hurt my shoulder.
From steve lee
Posted July 20, 2010 at 8:43 PM
Before destroying Universe of Energy, how's about we get the Wonders of Life pavillion back up and running?
Three years later, and I'm still trying to figure out what the point of the Prince Caspian attraction was.
Monsters Inc? I can't agree. Is it corny and cheezeball? Yes. Is it fun? YES! I loved being "That Guy"!
They need to get rid of the new narration for the TTA, and bring back the last itteration.
I have to go with a ride that is not really a ride at Disneyland. It started as Carousel of Progress, great ride. Then it became America Sings, another great ride. Then it became Innovations, what were they thinking!
I actually like Innoventions at Disneyland! I know, its only me..........
From James Rao
Posted July 21, 2010 at 7:09 AM
Are we only talking "worst" at Disney parks, or any park? Cause I loathe most all those cloned midway rides taking up valuable real estate at amusement parks across the nation. Things like the Scrambler, the Octopus, the Round Up, and any drop ride not named the Tower of Terror, to name a few. I also dislike most any wooden coaster built by the Dinn Corp.
Backlot Tour. Its just a waste of space.
Don't forget
Vekoma Boomerangs, James.
My picks for the worst attractions. My original list was vast, so I reconsidered it and chose only the worst from each park.
Tomorrowland Speedway (Magic Kingdom)
I don't know how this attraction went wrong. They had so much room to play with, yet there is nothing interesting about the track or its surroundings. It loads slower than any attraction I've experienced at MK, the cars drive slowly on a guided track, no bumping is permitted, and the minimum height to drive is 54", eliminating its targeted audience.
Journey into Imagination with Figment (Epcot)
Ironically named. Just terrible. The character of Figment is horribly executed.
Journey into Narnia: Prince Caspian (Disney's Hollywood Studios)
They reveal the entire plot of the movie, then give you 30 seconds to observe some of the costumes and props.
Chester & Hester's Dino-Rama (Disney's Animal Kingdom)
Kill it. NOW.
California Screamin' (Disney's California Adventure)
This feels like Six Flags at Disney. You wait in a hot, winding queue, only to experience the lamest coaster I've ever witnessed. Disney isn't exactly known for its coasters, but at least they normally give you something to look at. Not this one.
Journey to Atlantis (SeaWorld Orlando)
It's really a shame. The exterior is appealing. The entire attraction is loosely held together by a poorly presented plot. Add in some cheesy lighting effects. The thrills aren't great, either.
Shrek 4-D (Universal Studios Florida)
Packed with recycled jokes, recycled 3D gags, that irritating "4D" title, and pneumatic chairs that drown out the audio.
For the record, Jaws is my favourite attraction at USF.
Dudley Do-Right's Ripsaw Falls (Islands of Adventure)
This was a tough category. I love most of the attractions at IOA, though I'm disappointed at the state they're in. Dudley gets special recognition due to its inefficient loading scheme, uncomfortable flumes, dilapidated theming, expensive locker rental system, and malfunctioning gags.
Universal's House of Horrors (Universal Studios Hollywood)
Considering the effort that goes into Halloween Horror Nights, this is a huge disappointment. The scare actors were visible throughout the attraction and the theme seemed inconsistent.
Pirates 4-D (Busch Gardens Tampa)
I hate to give a negative rating to anything with Leslie Nielsen and Eric Idle in it, but this is a terrible attraction. The gags are cheap and they drench you with water at every possible opportunity, even when it doesn't make sense.
Thunder Run (Canada's Wonderland)
If a ride requires two cycles to get your money's worth, it ain't worth riding.
Cedar Creek Mine Ride (Cedar Point)
Slow, jerky, and painful. I'm not one to complain about pain on a coaster, but damn.
From steve lee
Posted July 21, 2010 at 11:34 AM
Dudley Do Right? Am I correct in believing that's in the same park as the Storm Force Acceleratron? Just checking...
Oh, and if you're gonna take the time to hate on Boomerangs, it's only fair to lump SLCs in there as well (I would put flying dutchman coasters in there as well, but some people have never been on a GOOD flyer, so there's no point in bursting their bubbles).
Joshua, thank you for the list. It's really interesting. I totally agree that pirates 4D was awful; the good news is that Busch Gardens is not showing that movie anymore, but the bad news is that the new movie of Sesame Street is long and boring.
From David L.
Posted July 21, 2010 at 11:31 AM
I think i'll do something like james' way.
MK: carousel-i haven't ridden tiki room, country bears, or stich, or speedway.
Epcot: Figmint ride-rather boring... the only good thing: no line!
DHS: i've gotta say... animation, but i haven't done sounds dangerous, narnia, and i like the backlot tour for some reason ( I guess i just see the potential that it can have and imagine it like that)
AK: dinorama-obvious
SFOG: Ninja-like a boomerang that has more loops and is rougher
i haven't been to that many other parks in a long time.
Joshua - If you're talking pain on a CP coaster, then we certainly have to throw Mean Streak into the mix! The timbers of this woodie should die a quick charcoal death! I can deal with some jostling and banging around on a coaster, but this ride HAS to be the worst out there! I believe that several years ago CP added additional brakes to greatly slow down this coaster, but that hasn't made it much more tolerable. This coaster needs to go.
The Vortex at Kings Island is absolutely terrible. Also any Arrow Corkscrew and Vekoma Boomerangs can count me out. The whole time you just bang your head on the over the shoulder harnesses.
From Tony Duda
Posted July 21, 2010 at 6:54 PM
Prince Caspian is just the latest of the movie's Disney pimps in that space. It stated with Eddie Murphy's Haunted Mansion, then Narnia then N:PC. It was supposed to be the place to advertise the latest live action adventure fantasy Disney movie but Disney isn't making those lately. So, dated and useless as it is, Prince Caspian will be there a while.
I'm with James, any carnival type ride that gives you worse whiplash than a car accident needs to go. I don't mind an exciting ride, there is just no need to make it to where I have to read and think for a minute on all the warnings posted outside the best of rides.
Plus, please....PLEASE Imagineers get rid of Honey I Shrunk the Audience. I can't take it anymore...such a waste of a perfectly good theater. I would rather see tap dancing white blood cells on the screen than that *shudder* show.
From Tim W
Posted July 21, 2010 at 7:35 PM
I gotta agree. HISTA is probably my least favorite in the world!
From steve lee
Posted July 21, 2010 at 8:56 PM
Bradley, if you're ever at Alabama Adventure (shudder), check out the boomerang there. It's the most comfortable one I've ever been on. Their wood coaster is pretty solid also (somehow the potholes enhance the ride...).
I've heard folks say that the newer trains on Carowinds' boomerang are comfortable, but I haven't had a chance to check it out.
EDIT TO ADD - I think Caspian will be history before the year is over. The third Narnia film is not being released by Disney and it's not in their best interests to pimp someone else's product.
From Tony Duda
Posted July 21, 2010 at 8:58 PM
Honey I Shrunk The Audience is gone. The Michael Jackson 3D movie from the 80's - Captain Eo -is there again.
@James: I agree with some of yours. I didn't like Shrek 4-D. Tomorrowland Speedway needs to go. Journey into Imagination is awful. But i think California Screamin' is the best Disney coaster at any of their parks. You said it's like Six Flags, but what's wrong with that? They have some of the best coasters on the planet. You have to give Journey Into Atlantis some credit. For a non-Disney/Universal ride, the theming isn't all that bad. As far as water rides go, Ripsaw Falls is right up there with Splash Mountain. I think it's a better ride than the latter just with mediocre theming.
x no way out in Thorpe park was rubbish I hated it. it made you sick after and is so jurkey and rubbish to make the ride ever=n worse your backwards in the dark this could be a good ride if the ride was smooth and was full of surprises with different holograms and good themeing this could be the best ride in the park but because its soo bad its the worst.
While it isn't the far worst, I am not a fan of the Mummy.
How is california screamin' mentioned before DCA's other boardwalk rides like the golden zephyr or even mullholland madness? Sreamin' is one of my favorite coasters, as for the worst it has to be the grizzly at california's great america. I think I have permanent neck damage from that thing. Worst woodie in america that I know of.
From steve lee
Posted July 22, 2010 at 1:28 PM
California Screamin' is no Superstar Limo.
A bad ride is only as bad as the length of it's queue!
For example: Jimmy Neutron, waited 10 minutes, pretty awful but not a huge waste of my time. However, E.T. waited for 45 minutes, then it broke down, while I was halfway round it, for 30 minutes and then rode the rest of the ride in the dark with no audio. 75 minutes of my life I'll never get back.
In addition one ride, for which I've never had to queue, but still the worst ride ever, would be Twister:Ride it out. Yawn!
The trick for getting around the shoulder harness for Stitchs Great Escape is the same one we all used for Alien Encounters. You rest your hands on your shoulders, it gives you the extra inch or two you need in order to be comfortable. We learned this one after spending half a day riding Alien Encounters simply because we couldn't get enough of Skippy! Yeah, don't ask.
I have to agree with Jennie Lea too. Your perception for a ride tends to be better the lower your wait time, something you might not normally enjoy can become "Cute" or "Okay" if it has a short line. Where on the same hand, a very long wait can build excitement but at the same time it raises your expectations. You get that thought process of "Well if everyone is waiting, it's pretty good right?" thing going on. Growing up in Orlando, I learned that perception and how very wrong it tends to be at a young age. Yet I find myself falling into the pattern at parks I haven't been to before or parks I haven't visited in a while.
I haven't been on Great Movie Ride in years, since around 2002. I enjoyed it but wouldn't call it worth a long line, it could use an update at this point with some of the newer movies they could do it really well.
One thing I've been pondering the last two days is the utter lack of classic dark rides anymore. Not your high tech rides like Spider Man or Buzz Lightyear, your older rides like Old Mill at Kennywood. You don't see those kinds of rides left much anymore, I find that rather sad myself.
I completely forgot about Captain EO taking HISTA's place!!! As long as they do not put HISTA back on the screen when they feel a change in the wind again, then we can all rest well at night. Ahhhh, peace for a moment, until we think of something else that despearately needs to be fixed...*Ahem* Wonders of Life Pavilion...
OK, I agree that Honey I Shrunk the Kids sucked big time. Captain EO is an improvement, but still not that great. I just hope they find something to fill the auditorium and be great. I just don't think the space is well used.
"A Bug's Land". The absolute worst. I hope Disney does does something new to that area along with the rest of the expansion going on over there.
Dragon at La Ronde (my local Six Flags park here in Montreal) gets my vote as worst dark ride in North America. Just a lame, lifeless, half hearted attempt and token dark ride.
I whole heartedly agree that WDW NEEDS to replace Stitch, New Management and the Backlot Tour. The Backlot Tour is a gigantic waste of space, which could be far better used for adding E Tickets like an Indiana Jones ride (how about one based on the sequels?)
Disneyland should replace their Pooh ride with Pooh's Hunny Hunt. That ride would be a major draw, as opposed to the 0 minute wait times for the current Pooh "attraction". The park needs another people eater, not just a cute little ride which people will only do when they're waiting for their Splash Mountain fast passes to be good.
Mine is Monstars of Rock at Freestyle Music Park. The cardboard cutouts were terribly made, but the lead singer's voice was Idol-worthy. Nights in White Satin: The Trip was WAY better.
Jorge,
I wrote something on another thread here about Hard Rock Park, and your post tripped a wire in my brain..I can't bleeping BELIEVE I forgot about Nights In White Satin! Probably one of the two or three best dark rides I've ever experienced, and trailing only Zep as my favorite ride at this sadly defunct park. And I never even particularly liked the song...
Winnie the pooh really does feel out of place next to splash mountain. The ride is just forgotten, I have never seen a wait exceed 10 minutes when splash is open. I may be alone but I actually like winnie the pooh. And I also agree that a bugs land needs to go at dca. Complete waste of space, and it failed to bring its intended audience into the park.
Winnie the Pooh is better at MK and should be somewhere in DL's Fantasyland
The Tomorrowland Indy Speedway - too many people stopping the cars to take pictures of their large families in the cars behind them, risking my own to bump into them, which is not allowable! Ooof!
From Tony Duda
Posted August 6, 2010 at 8:22 PM
I agree with that. Last time I rode, the moron dad in front of me had his 4 year old kid driving and hitting all the rails and making me go way slow.
I'll say its a small world.It scared me to death.It was also weird.
Its a small world because i got so bored on that ride
^It's A Small World is a classic, meaning it will never go away. You may not like it after a while, but children love it, and that is who this attraction is for.
Small World was always the ride to go on at the end of a long day. Relaxing in a weird sort of way. It has added the search for disney and pixar characters as a bonus. Great history since it was part of the World's Fair. I must admit that the song drives me nuts since I have heard it sooo many times.
All the rides mentioned seem like the Tower of Terror or Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey compared to the worst of all-time...Superstar Limo at DCA.
From Rob P
Posted August 9, 2010 at 11:59 PM
Joshua......
..Dudley-Do-Right ?
..Journey to Atlantis ?
..California Screamin' ?
..Shrek 4D ?
Are you sure ? The WORST rides ? Wow..I'm truly surprised at those choices of yours.
I actually agree with 3 of the 4 choices. Then again, I might not say they are the WORST
Actually, Atlantis is the worst, IMO
From Dan S
Posted August 10, 2010 at 9:34 AM
Mine would have to be , Doctor Dooms Fear fall. It was awful. one drop and that was it. I don't see why everyone hates on stitch. I didn't find it to be that bad...
The worst attraction at a park was, for many of us on the West Coast, the infamous Flashback at Six Flags Magic Mountain. This horror was a roller coaster with an exceptionally small footprint, and seemed designed for the express purpose of inflicting great pain upon its riders. Every time it entered a diving turn, the riders' ears would be painfully pummeled by the OTS restraints. And the ride was nothing BUT diving turns. I came off this ride actually HATING it, and wanting to do some sort of damage to it.
From Rhys Evans
Posted September 17, 2010 at 6:40 PM
100% with you, Randall. I never learned how to use an acetylene cutting torch, but after riding Flashback, I was sure tempted to try one!
The Ninja at Six Flags over Georgia.
This was BY FAR the WORST ride I have ever riden. I have never gotten off a ride in so much pain and with so much anger. The ninja kicked my butt and should no be called the ninja but rather Ninja Attack. I seriously just wanted to take a crane to this ride and tear it to smithereens. The ride was the most bump and jerky ride I have ever been on. Everyone that rode the ride in our party was in turn done for the day.
Steve said: "I've heard folks say that the newer trains on Carowinds' boomerang are comfortable, but I haven't had a chance to check it out."
I rode it last Sunday for the first time on my birthday, although I had ridden it before as Head Spin at Geauga Lake. The new restraints are comfortable, flexible, and don't even come CLOSE to your ears, much less bang them.
I'm not a fan of Boomerangs in general, but this summer, I've encountered:
The most comfortable I've been on..Carowinds
The smoothest I've been on..Darien Lake
The most aesthetically pleasing one I've been on...Lake Compounce.
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