The 10 Most Overrated Things at Walt Disney World

February 1, 2016, 3:17 PM · Since 1999, I have been inviting readers to rate and review attractions and restaurants at the Disney and Universal theme parks. During the nearly 17 years that I have been writing about theme parks, we have expanded Theme Park Insider to cover dozens of other parks around the world, as well. But the most popular parks on the site, understandably, remain the parks that attract the most visitors in the world — the parks of the Walt Disney World Resort.

And over the years, some clear patterns have emerged as to which rides, shows, and restaurants at Disney World are the most popular one with our readers. You (collectively) know what you like and you (collectively) have let other Theme Park Insider readers know, through your ratings.

But what is true for the group is not always true for each individual within it. As the editor of Theme Park Insider, I have been fortunate enough to have the opportunity to visit not just Disney World, but many other parks around the world, on a regular basis. And as much I as try to defer to the community's judgment in leading conversations on the site, that hasn't kept me from wondering... just what in the heck y'all has been thinking now and then. ??

I mean, I love all of you, but that doesn't mean we have to agree on everything. Here are 10 examples of attractions and restaurants that Theme Park Insider readers love as a group that I, as an individual, think are overrated. Keep in mind that these are not what I consider the 10 worst things at Disney. Far from that. Some of these are wonderful, delightful experiences. I just don't think that they are nearly as wonderful or delightful as everyone else seems to believe.

Let's count down my top 10 overrated locations at the Walt Disney World Resort, from the mildly overrated to the wildly overrated:

10. Toy Story Midway Mania

Okay, Toy Story's a good ride. But it's not special enough to be worth the hassle of experiencing it at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Midway Mania's Fastpass+ times disappear as soon as the become available and the stand-by wait times for this interactive dark ride routinely exceed an hour... and often last much longer. When considering my including Midway Mania on an "overrated" list, keep in mind that I live in Southern California, where I can ride Midway Mania at Disney California Adventure and wait far less time for it than I ever do when I ride it at Disney World.

9. Le Cellier Steakhouse

Again, here's another example of a good location that just isn't as good as the ridiculous hassle of getting in would suggest that it should be. If you really want a steak while visiting Epcot with less hassle getting a table, just walk over to the Yacht Club and eat at the Yachtsman Steakhouse.

8. Rock n' Roller Coaster

The in-queue puns make me smile, but RnRC is a pretty basic Vekoma launch and loop, without any particularly compelling elements beyond that. And as for the show? Well, RnRC fell on to my overrated list the moment that I realized that it rests on the same device as DCA's late, very unlamented Superstar Limo ride.

7. Specialty Mac and Cheese

A bit of a twist here: Theme Park Insider readers aren't especially enthusiastic about the various topped mac and cheese dishes that Disney serves in places such as the The Friar's Nook in the Magic Kingdom, either. But I'm putting them on the overrated list simply because you haven't downvoted these things into oblivion. Mac and cheese ought to be a can't-miss comfort food — rich, creamy and fulfilling. But WDW's mac and cheese is too often greasy, slimy and tasteless — and made worse by the fatty toppings that leave you wondering why you bothered eating this mess.

6. IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth

I sense a disturbance in the Force as I now really start to tick off readers. So allow me to qualify this one, too. The current IllumiNations show is fine. But it's just not as good (in my too-rarely humble opinion) as the original IllumiNations show, which played from 1988-1996 and featured a "greatest hits" collection of classical music, including the goosebump-raising moment when all spotlights converged on the American Adventure pavilion as Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" began to play.

5. Mickey's Philharmagic

If Universal produced a Disney World show, this is what it would be: computer-animated characters on a screen, breezing through one highlight after another, chasing more laughs than feels. Check that. Let's try again. This is what would result if Disney re-imagined Mickey and the gang as Looney Tunes characters. It's an interesting experiment, but I want to see Disney when I visit Disney. Not Universal. Not Warner Bros.

4. Whispering Canyon Cafe

My problem with this restaurant is the same that I have with the 50's Prime Time Cafe at Disney's Hollywood Studios. I just can't stand restaurants where rudeness is played for laughs. Whispering Canyon gets the place on this list, though, because of an incident when our server couldn't break out of his "rude" character to acknowledge that we had an actual, real problem with the food served us. At least at Prime Time, the servers I've had have known when to kick the schtick.

3. Sunshine Seasons

I will concede that I might just be the unluckiest guest when ordering at The Land pavilion's food court, but even meal I've gotten here has been nearly inedible. Gristly meat, bland flavors, and of course, the ubiquitous cheap paper and plastic service found at quick service eateries throughout the Walt Disney World Resort. Maybe I'm spoiled by Disneyland's QS restaurants, but, to me, Sunshine Seasons just tastes, well, spoiled.

2. Be Our Guest

Yeah, it's a nice place to sit down and eat. The decor is wonderful, and the food generally better than average for Disney. (Though I don't think it is as good as it was when the restaurant debuted.) But c'mon. It feels like it's easier to win the freakin' Powerball than to get a reservation at this New Fantasyland restaurant. Maybe if we Insiders begin a campaign to downvote BoG, the casual visitors will stop wanting to book it — and then maybe we actually could get a seating in here once in a while.

1. Soarin'

Technically, Soarin' has flown away forever, as it is being replaced by the new Soarin' Over the Horizon show, which will debut this summer. But it's hard to imagine that Soarin' Over the Horizon, even with an additional theater, will alleviate the ridiculous wait times that propelled Soarin' to the top spot on my list. Again, my California bias shows here, as Soarin' Over California at Disney California Adventure rarely hits even a third of the wait time that the Epcot version routinely posted. Overshadowed as a travelogue by the far superior Impressions de France, Soarin's gimmick — watching the show from "hang gliders" suspended in front of the screen — would impress more if the seats did anything during the actual show beyond tilt so gently as to be imperceptible. Save this one for your next trip to California, instead.

Tomorrow: The 10 Most Underrated Things at Walt Disney World

Replies (49)

February 1, 2016 at 3:25 PM · All right, I'll bite.

Completely agree with Soarin' as the #1 most overrated, if only because the wait times are extremely long. Even the Fastpass line often moves slowly and has a long wait.

Disagree on Philharmagic and Illuminations. Philharmagic because the waits are often really short and its humor and surprises appeal to all 4 members of our family (which is unusual for any attraction). Illuminations because as long as you get a close spot, it's a tremendously visceral experience "feeling" part of the fireworks and music more than Wishes or Fantasmic which while great are more like "watching" (I'm hopeful that the new Star Wars fireworks in Hollywood Studios is also visceral in the same way). Would choose that nighttime show over the other 2 anytime because of that feeling.

February 1, 2016 at 3:31 PM · Honestly I disagree about soarin. I think soarin is a great ride and deserves the hype that surrounds it. However, I think "Rock n Roller Coaster" deserves to be number 1 because it literally is no different than a six flags or cedar fair coaster. It doesn't feel magical and it doesn't feel remotely Disney. I hope that Disney eother re-themes it in the future or builds something more thematic there. Also, I think Toy Story Midway Mania should be number 2 on the list, as its truthfully just not that fun. There are no physical sets, the ride is short, and it's basically like playing a video game at home with moving seats. Honestly, TSMM belongs at Legoland at best. It does not belong at Disney and if Disney really wanted to make an interactive toy story ride, than they could have made one with much more detail. Also, the capacity is extremely low.
February 1, 2016 at 3:40 PM · You nailed quite a few overrated ones - particularly Illuminations. I can tick everyone off further and throw The Animal Kingdom in the pile of hype. Having lived many years in San Diego with the zoo and animal park, AK is entirely skippable.
February 1, 2016 at 3:55 PM · Soarin' isn't really fair because its long wait times are mostly due to the lack of headliners at EPCOT. You could say the same about Toy Story Mania (a better candidate in my mind), but I believe Soarin' deserves to be considered a top-flight attraction. It has a grand scale and still has the spirit of EPCOT, and that's saying a lot considering where that park is gone.

I agree mostly about Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, but I do think they do d a good job with the theming. I haven't experienced any coaster with theming even close to that at my local Six Flags park. It also is more of a thrill ride because of the comparable offerings at Disney. It may not be Top Thrill Dragster, but it still packs a punch to guests who aren't really coaster fans.

I love Illuminations: Reflections of Earth, but you're right that the show in the '90s was so much better. It also used the pavilions better and didn't have the drop-off in the middle.

February 1, 2016 at 4:03 PM · By the way, everyone is invited to submit their 10 Most Overrated list in the comments, as well!

And please, go to our Hotel & Park Reviews pages to rate and review all the places you have visited recently, too.

February 1, 2016 at 4:07 PM · Totally agree on Soarin. It just gave me motion sickness and I never felt engaged with it. I cannot understand why it always has insane queues at Epcot when it at max is a one and done ride for me.
February 1, 2016 at 4:16 PM · I could not agree more with you about Toy Story Midway Mania. There is no game play during the ride and there is no ride during the game play. Men In Black Alien Attack is a much better grown-up shooter.
Soarin’ or as I called it the first time I rode it, Borin’ took a while to grow on me. The visuals still are underwhelming mostly because of the editing between segments. What I do love about the original version was the music. Thank goodness I have that on CD. I sure hope the new version includes better edits between segments and a bit more aggressive motion…nothing that will make people sick, but remind me that I’m supposed to be flying!
February 1, 2016 at 4:33 PM · Going on the basis that -Must Do- and -Recommended- on the parks' ratings list gives it potential for being "overrated", I have to go with the following (in no particular order):
1. Via Napoli in Italy (Epcot). I've known Italians who raved about the food here. I was completely disappointed by my meal, as was my wife.
2. The American Adventure. Look, I get it might bring any red blooded American to tears of patriotism, but as a foreigner (with a fairly good knowledge of American history) I found it painfully boring. Some good animatronics, but otherwise...one of my least favorite attractions.
3. Impressions de France - Okay, before anybody gets too mad (aside from anybody who already feels it sacrilege to not love an animatronic Ben Franklin) I REALLY enjoyed the movie. But to be on the MUST DO list for Epcot, with only Illuminations beside it...I don't get it.

As for Robert's list, I have to disagree with the inclusion of Illuminations, Rock N Roller Coaster and Soarin'. They're three of my favorite things in the parks. Of course, I always thought that Soarin' could use some improvements, which it looks like are coming.

Toy Story Midway Mania, though: Yeah, I am completely baffled by the line ups for that one (even when 1/2 the park wasn't closed). It's cute and all. Not a bad ride. But nothing that impressive.

February 1, 2016 at 4:39 PM · Robet, agree with most, great article, here's my ten.
Sorin
Test Track
Mikey Christmas Party (you pay extra for not a lot, the boo to you is far better)
Bongos at Disney Springs
Illuminations reflection of earth
Seven dwarfs mine train ( waited so long to open and yes it's clever but could have been so much more)
Space Mountain
Frozen ( yes it's good but the hype, wait times etc etc is just crazy)
Kali river Rapids
Rock n roller coaster

No doubt many will not like the inclusion of Frozen but to me as great a film it was the hype is way over the top.

February 1, 2016 at 4:43 PM · Robet, agree with most, great article, here's my ten.
Sorin
Test Track
Mikey Christmas Party (you pay extra for not a lot, the boo to you is far better)
Bongos at Disney Springs
Illuminations reflection of earth
Seven dwarfs mine train ( waited so long to open and yes it's clever but could have been so much more)
Space Mountain
Frozen ( yes it's good but the hype, wait times etc etc is just crazy)
Kali river Rapids
Rock n roller coaster

No doubt many will not like the inclusion of Frozen but to me as great a film it was the hype is way over the top.

February 1, 2016 at 4:46 PM · You make excellent points, but the cheap shot at Universal was unnecessary. It's possible to love both and I really wish there could be less negativity and way less rivalry in tbeme park coverage.
February 1, 2016 at 4:51 PM · "Robet" thank you for another exercise in subjectivity.
February 1, 2016 at 5:02 PM · Oh my goodness yes to almost everything on this list, particularly TSMM and Soarin'. I'll admit I was quite taken by Le Cellier when we finally managed to get a table on my last visit. But the price tag is so hefty, I'll accept its inclusion here. I'll try to temper my expectations visiting BOG this year.

Wish I'd had a chance to see the original Illuminations. The current version is still one of my very few absolute must-do things on an Orlando trip. I'll be sad to see it go/change, though it's probably due an update.

I'd be tempted to include Jungle Cruise on my list, if I didn't fear for my safety at the hands of TH. And if we were broadening this out to Orlando generally, Forbidden Journey would be close to a number 1 for me. But that's an argument for another time, perhaps.

February 1, 2016 at 5:34 PM · I'm not sure what my whole "Top Ten" would look like, but #1 would be Main Street/Castle live entertainment in the Magic Kingdom.

MK is the most-attended theme park in the world, and all of the major live shows are in one corridor (sure, the parades travels through Frontierland and the fireworks can be seen from other vantage points in the park, but most of the crowds are centered on Main Street/the Hub). Even with the hub redevelopment/bypass setup (which is nice), the crowd flow issues are numerous and most non-magical on most days of the year. And, it also causes the vehicles to go away early in the day.

Dapper Dan's, Dream Along with Mickey, Move-it/Shake-it, the main parade, MSEP, fireworks, Magic/Memories/You... Just try to get to Starbucks with all that going on! Meanwhile, the other lands have a Jack Sparrow impersonator, an evening dance party, and a totally non-spontaneous flash mob.

February 1, 2016 at 5:57 PM · I love Philharmagic. Where do we send the hate mail too again?.... lol.
February 1, 2016 at 5:59 PM · I don't think that the comment about Universal was a "cheap shot." They *do* use a lot of screens and go for laughs over Disney-style "feels." Disney is earnest and Universal sarcastic. I love that about both.
February 2, 2016 at 3:40 AM · Wow, that was a hard list to read. Although, after I finished it, I have to say I agree with some of it, specially BoG, which definitely is great, but not worth the agony of trying to book it.
I'm thinking about the subject and trying to come up with a couple of overrated attractions on my own, but all I can think about is the Indiana Jones show. It deserves a reboot since 2000,at least; it gets old after you've seen it 2 or 3 times. The only way it becomes fun is when I get chosen to participate in it; otherwise, i skip it whenever I'm over at DHS.
My husband is sitting next to me and states his all-time overrated attraction : Peter Pan's Flight! Is it really worth the long waits, he asks...
February 1, 2016 at 7:48 PM · I prefer we talk about 10 Walt Disney things that are obvious cheap choices and filler.
February 1, 2016 at 8:12 PM · peter pans flight is pure nostalgia ,up up and away! classic ride
February 1, 2016 at 8:17 PM · You know now at Whispering Canyon they put these coasters on your table with a green side and a red side. If you don't want to be "part of the show" you put the disk on the red side. I wonder how many complaints they got before they finally decided to put that in place.
February 1, 2016 at 8:24 PM · Interesting concept. My personal list would add Space Mountain, Jungle Cruise & Peter Pan, though Disney did improve Peter Pan with that new excellent queue. Except you can only experience Peter Pan's new queue by standing in an overly long stand by line, unless you hit it when it opens first thing after rope drop. But I would omit BOG, Mickey's Philharmagic, & Rock n Roller Coaster.
February 1, 2016 at 8:33 PM · Sorry Robert, but I can't agree about many of these. Toy Story suffers from a low capacity and I think everyone knows that, hence why it is too popular for its own good. Not really a fault of the ride itself, moreso the park it's in. I absolutely love the theming in Rock n Roller coaster, the ride itself is a hoot, and comparing it to Superstar Limo is like saying Revenge of the Mummy is a ripoff of Indiana Jones for both being about archaeological trips gone wrong. I have no problems with Philharmagic since it's more of a filler attraction to do when the lines are long and you're waiting for a Fastpass. I know you were joking about downvoting Be Our Guest (or at least I hope you were), but the public, who we serve to educate, deserves to know about it's quality. It's not a Disney problem and if they took the time to make a restaurant that people are booking six months in advance, more power to them I say. Lastly, my mother is in no way, shape, or form a theme park person. She'd prefer to spend her vacations reading on her tablet beside the pool. However, she absolutely loves Soarin (it's her favorite ride in the world) and it is a must-do anytime we visit. I concur.

Personally, I found Festival of the Lion King to be pretty overrated. The story was jilted and the characters were barely used. For some reason, I remember Finding Nemo as the superior show at Animal Kingdom. Sorry gang.

February 1, 2016 at 9:00 PM · I would remove Le Cellier and replace it with Yachtsman... The last couple of times I've eaten at Yachtsman, it has only been OK, but for me, Le Cellier has been much more consistently delicious.

On a side note, we had dinner at Artist Point last night, and it was great! I would add it to my list of under appreciated things at WDW!

February 1, 2016 at 9:26 PM · (1) Illuminations burns too much propane, and does NOT have to be done EVERY darn night.
(2) Soarin' is going away anything, but its lifetime and lingering popularity are a testimony to the increasing and annoying fickleness of Disney fans.

Frankly, if attractions are to be judged just by how they make you feel, they are going to get boring and short-lived. Maybe, suggests a Real Old Timer, you ought to expect attractions that make you THINK and LEARN.

February 1, 2016 at 9:27 PM · I disagree with everything on the list except the 2 that I have not experienced, which are the mac and cheese and Be Our guest restaurant. I take exception to the one who said that the American Adventure is painfully boring. I can't see any possible way that it would be boring, except maybe to a 5 year old. But each to his own.
February 1, 2016 at 9:37 PM · I listed my thoughts about overrating previously, before I signed in. Don't know if to repeat, or wait for the Anonymous posting.

But, basically, I think Disney fans deserve what they get. Over the (many) years, they have gotten collectively more emotional and less cerebral, so they tire of expensive attractions faster, and complain when Park prices go up.

And, like the rest of the United States, they don't want to be presented with ANYTHING the least bit controversial. Accordingly, they cut themselves off from most of human art.

What do you expect?

I'm a strong and long-time Disney fan, and Vacation Club owner, but, really, I think people, including those who frequent Walt Disney World, can REALLY be a piece of work.

February 1, 2016 at 10:23 PM · If we could fly around the country as you seem to do, maybe we common people could compare Disneyland and Disney World too. Unfortunately since most of us cannot do like you do, we have to take one or the other.
February 1, 2016 at 11:20 PM · I gave up WDW 16 years ago, when I found that, for a chunk o change more, I could get a VIP tour of Universal and Islands of Adventure... backstage viewing, front of the line, special seating... all in a half a day. Back at WDW, I was waiting half a day just to find out that the fastpass option for Soarin was already gone for the day. WDW always touted that it would not provide VIP options because they treated everyone the same. Not so, many celebrities get the VIP treatment there. Until they figure out a way to cut wait times, lower park maximum guests, or provide bonus front of the line access for Disney Hotel guests... I'm pretty happy with seeing ALL of Universal in two days.
February 2, 2016 at 1:25 AM · Spot on, I like to add buzz lightyear. Cardboard cutouts in a worldclass theme park is not only disapointing but cheap and ugly. If the ride had full sets with aa's it would be better.
February 2, 2016 at 5:51 AM · I like RnRC because of it being an enjoyable Vekoma. I'll take Kingda Ka at my home park over it any day, but its easily in DHS's top 5 attractions (wait...). As with Midway Mania, I enjoy MiB over at Universal because of the physical sets and higher capacity. And Soarin'... ugh. One of the best things in Epcot, but thats not saying much. I know its getting the update and more theaters, but its a SCREEN. Its not Spider-Man, Gringotts, or Transformers were there is a physical element, its a screen.
February 2, 2016 at 6:36 AM · Rob you are a brave man. I commend your courage in the face of internet wrath.

I'm a big fan of Soarin, Philharmagic, and adore the storybook boat ride at Disneyland. I will completely agree these attractions are highly overrated! I still love them though. :)

Keep up the good work. I love your site.

February 2, 2016 at 8:31 AM · Most Overrated thing at Disney is well, Disney, Most underrated thing in Florida is Busch Gardens...

The whole Magic Kingdome is overrated.... It is a nice park but $100 for a day pass and wait times are terrible, even at midnight, still wait times for below average attractions.
Popular will never mean better, I give Olive Garden as an example. Popular but still terrible.

February 2, 2016 at 7:07 AM · I agree on Philharmagic. It's nice but once and done. I couldn't put my finger on why it didn't impress me, but you nailed it by labeling it as a Universal/Warner Bros. type show that lacks the Disney heartstring pull.
Also agree on TSMM being overrated. It could really use some physical sets during the transitions between screens. An animatronic Woody and/or Buzz in the ride to encourage riders would be pretty cool.
February 2, 2016 at 8:27 AM · Soarin': We got Fast Passes and still waited 45 minutes to get on, and I was seated on the very bottom row in the very last seat on the left side. Thus I got lifted up about 5 feet and had to stare up and to the right to watch the film. I hated it and I've never understood its popularity.
February 2, 2016 at 9:41 AM · I have a problem with deciding whether or not an attraction is overrated becuase it doesn't seem to justify the wait times. IMO that's not how an attraction should really be judged. But then again I will judge my experience at a park or on a ride by how much time I wasted in line so I understand why people do it. But judging the attraction soely on the attraction I have to say the most overrated ride is Space Mountain followed by Rock N Roller coaster. Both are fun but neither are really great coasters and the Aerosmith preshow is cheesy and annoying. After that, and I know people are going hate me, but I'd say Tower of Terror. It's a fine attraction but it's not as great as people make it out to be. It's more queue than ride and even the storyline (if you follow it) is weak.
February 2, 2016 at 9:38 AM · "It's Tough to be a Bug" is my vote for overrated. I always feel as though I'm trapped in my chair whilst being gassed, poked, jounced tickled and subjected repeatedly to sudden loud noises. It's not an unamusing attraction, but it verges on the sadistic. That's just me though.
February 2, 2016 at 10:50 AM · What's the single most overrated thing about Disneyworld? Bob Iger. Iger has systematically under-invested in the Orlando parks for the last 10 years. Soarin' and Toy Story Midway Mania are great attractions, but not worth waiting in line for hours. And there is no reason why restaurants that charge top-dollar should sell sub-par food. If Iger had invested enough money in the parks, half of the items on this overrated list would become pleasurable experiences. Bob Iger: "go cheap or go home".
February 2, 2016 at 11:04 AM · YES! Move It - Shake It needs to be replaced!!! I feel bad for those performers STILL doing a performance that is reminiscent of High School Musical.

I agree with almost all of Robert's list. He also has a great point, let's stop voting these attractions/restaurants so high and maybe we can actually have a change to get into them.

I live 1.5 hours away and am a pass-holder but will not be renewing. You can't get into any of these restaurants unless you've made a reservation months in advance, the wait line for rides is ridiculous - if you don't have FP it's not worth waiting for. And don't get me started on the parking: OK, I will...First you have to park, scramble to catch the tram. Then you have to scramble to get onto the ferry OR the Monorail. Monorail is breaking down A LOT so I don't even bother. THEN, you have to walk around a very reasonable entrance to the entrance closer to the monorails (more expensive resort guest benefit?), scramble to the bag checks, wait in line for the magic band scanner. I'm mentally over the lines before I've even attempted to get on a line for a ride!!

While I will miss playing Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom I've decided I just need to stay away for 5 yrs so they can be done with all the updating and the novelty to wear off.

February 2, 2016 at 11:07 AM · I almost fogot - Illuminations........Why, people, why?
I don't understand the hype. It's terrible.
February 2, 2016 at 12:18 PM · I disagree about Philharmagic. What's wrong with a little gentle (not sarcastic) humor in a Disney park? Not everything has to be tugging at your heartstrings. Besides, I love the 3D.
February 2, 2016 at 12:33 PM · I think we all agree on Move It! Shake It! You hate it. I hate it. Therefore it is not overrated. Just poorly rated! (Gratuitous exclamation point added just because it seemed appropriate, given the event in question.) :^)
February 2, 2016 at 1:11 PM · I hold passes to all of the Florida parks as well as a Cedar Fair Platinum Pass. I am an avid theme park enthusiast, and in recent years have become less interested in Florida parks all together. Walt Disney World once felt like an escape from reality, and a total dream trip. I could barely sleep the night before a visit. Nowadays I can barely stand to last a few hours in one of the parks. The crowds are epic, and not in a good way. Its a cash cow, this kills the quality of the experience. Cramming a bunch of tourist into a tight space to make more money takes away from the Magic.. Here are my top 10 overhyped attractions at WDW; In no particular order. I understand this is just my opinion, and not yours, and I respect that.


1. Test Track: Minimal thrill, long queue that replaced a classic Disney Dark Ride.
2. Pirates of The Caribbean: A very abbreviated version of Disneyland California.
3. The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train: a carnivalesque attraction to counteract the objection of Fantasyland becoming to oriented for young girls.. Fire Mountain/ Journey to The Center of The Earth, A Matterhorn.... Any other hopeful contender?
4. Dinosaur: A tame overlay of Indiana Jones from Disneyland
5. Kali River Rapids: Way to short, Kali (Over in a second) River Rapids... The original raft concept art looked amazing. Replace it with a Jungle Book overlay and lengthen the attraction.
6. Toy Story Midway Mania (Ridiculous queue for an underwhelming ride
7. The Little Mermaid (MK)This ride could have been a amazing...
8. San Angel Inn: over priced mediocre Mexican food.
9. Rock n' Roller Coaster: Great ride just needs a re-theme (Perhaps a fictional band?
10.Indiana Jones SS: I want a temple of doom coaster ride!

February 2, 2016 at 2:28 PM · I would say Fantasmic! at DHS is far more overrated than Illuminations, and would be pretty close to the top of my list of overrated things at WDW (along with Soarin', Cinderella's Royal Table, and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train). Yeah, it's cool, but if you've seen the Disneyland version, you can save oodles of time by skipping Florida's cheap facsimile. The thing that bugs me more than anything about Fantasmic! is the amount of time it takes to watch it. Aside from nearly dead crowd days, you need to arrive between 15-30 minutes before the show starts (an hour or more on busy days) to be seated anywhere in the middle 3 sections of the arena. Then the show itself is 20+ minutes long and it takes another 20+ minutes to get out of the place, meaning that you're sinking over an hour (2 hours or more on busy days) to see a show that frankly isn't nearly as impressive as it was when it started at DHS in 1998 (free outdoor shows on the Vegas Strip are far more impressive and entertaining). Sure, they have places to sit down, which I'm sure many people appreciate after a long day of walking around, but the arena is so isolated from the rest of the park and the overall experience such a letdown compared to California's version, yet people still line up an hour or more in advance to watch this thing (personally I think lining up more than 15 minutes in advance for fireworks or a parade is a waste of valuable time). Not only that, but Fantasmic! has barely changed since it debuted over 17 years ago. IMHO, Illuminations is superior because it transforms EPCOT and can be enjoyed even if you don't want to sit in one spot and watch it, and is still enjoyable on repeated viewings because of the numerous angles the show can be seen.
February 2, 2016 at 2:29 PM · The only one I will disagree with is Illumination, especially during the holidays when they add the "Holiday Tag". If you are not into fireworks, i can see why you might think it's overrated.

The rest of your list, I agree with.

I do have one addition... Seven Dwarfs Mine Train to me is on the same level as Goofy Barnstormers. It's a "C ticket" ride for the little kids at most (if Disney still did tickets). I can't believe people sometimes wait TWO HOURS in a standby line for it. So many better things at the MK to do with your time.

February 2, 2016 at 4:13 PM · I'm sorry but I'm gonna have to disagree with you on some of these Mr. Niles.
Specifically:

TSMM-don't quite understand all the hate I'm seeing for this one. Yes the line's long, but I think it's more than worth the wait. In fact, if it weren't for the wait, I'd reride it multiple times! It's just so much fun and there's so many fun little interactive things.

RnRC-maybe I'm just biased because this was the first roller coaster I went on that goes upside down, and I love Aerosmith, but I love it and have always found it to be one of Disney's best. I love how it's the exact opposite of everything you'd expect from a Disney ride, but in a good way. And that launch....ooooh, that launch! I've heard that the launch required so much power that they literally had to give the ride it's own power grid, as Disney was afraid that the launch combined with TIT's drop sequence would be too much for the park's power grid to handle. Plus, it's a lot better than Rip Ride Rockit.

Soarin-Again, don't understand the hate. I've always thought this was the best ride in Epcot!! Even if it wasn't in the current state it's in now! Just everything about this ride is perfect! The motions, the visuals, the sounds, the smells....did I miss something? Where's all the criticism coming from?

Mickey's Philharmagic-so what if it doesn't have sweet, sugary feels that Disney is known for? Not everything they make has to be. Just like how not everything that Universal makes has to be sarcastic and satyrical. I would argue that ET and Despicable Me have quite a bit of heart to them.

Now here's some stuff at WDW that I do think is overrated.

Country Bears Jamboree-yeah, I've gone on before about how much I can't stand this show. But I'm sorry, I just don't understand the appeal! Annoying characters! Dreadful music! Every time someone talks about the worst Disney attractions and talks about Stitch, all I'm thinking is, "that should be Country Bears in it's place."

Peter Pan-this isn't easy for me to say. This ride is always one of the first things that comes to my mind when in thinking of "Classic Disney." But it's unfathomable that such a short ride with such outdated effects has such an unforgivingly long wait time!

7DMT-Another ride I really like. I actually think this ride gets more hate than it deserves. But just like Peter Pan, the ride itself does not justify the queue.

Impressions de France-this is actually one of my favorite Epcot attractions. But better than Soarin? Seriously?! This show doesn't even come close to Soarin. And an attraction gains a reputation for putting the park's target audience to sleep, I take that as a bad sign.

And the most overrated thing at WDW is:

Blaming everything on Iger-if you don't like Iger, that's fine, but for Heaven's sake, some of the criticisms against him are just ridiculous. I don't like Obama, but I don't think he's responsible for every single problem in our country. Same thing with Iger! Just like the government, the Disney parks have over a bajillion people running the show. So there's always going to be several people, not just one. So please use some common sense.

February 2, 2016 at 8:57 PM · I think you made some really good points, but I think you are also looking at Disney World through Disneyland lenses. However, I find that I must agree with Midway Mania as the DCA version of the same ride seems to fit and still have a much shorter line.

I could not disagree with you more on Illuminaitons. The greatest hits of classical music makes sense to adults, but completly bores the kids. I absolutely love the music of Illuminations and feel it acts as a more subtle "its a small world".

You must be the unluckiest person when it comes to Sunshine Seasons Food Fair. I actually put it on the top of my table service list.

February 3, 2016 at 7:22 AM · Reflections of Earth? I probably would stop going to WDW if they ever cancelled that show...
February 3, 2016 at 7:36 AM · I extremely agree with Soarin' but I do have a bias because the pine spray they use made me extremely ill (and ultimately led to the realization that I needed nasal surgery.) Disney needs to be more proactive in warning about their use of scents in case of allergies, not all allergies are food based!
February 3, 2016 at 8:07 AM · As somebody who goes to WDW nearly every weekend, but has never been to Disneyland:

10. Toy Story Midway Mania - Disagree, it's a lot of fun when you're with a competitive friend.
9. Le Cellier Steakhouse - Neutral, I still haven't gotten a reservation. Hopefully it'll be worth it...
8. Rock n' Roller Coaster - Disagree, it's one of Disney World's only "grown-up" coasters and a lot of fun.
7. Specialty Mac and Cheese - Agree.
6. IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth - Neutral, I'm too young to have ever seen the original.
5. Mickey's Philharmagic - Agree.
4. Whispering Canyon Cafe - Strongly agree.
3. Sunshine Seasons - Agree.
2. Be Our Guest - Disagree, this is solid food, and I got a reservation very easily. My girlfriend loves the croque monsieur.
1. Soarin' - Agree.

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