3. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith (TPT Ranking: #27 overall)

As you can see, a huge gap exists between my favorite of the three major adrenaline junkie rides at Walt Disney World, Test Track, and the other two. You have Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster almost 50 spots ahead, which is strange to me, even as a huge fan of Aerosmith as a band.

Theme Park Tourist voters clearly love this ride for being the best pure roller coaster at Walt Disney World since Space Mountain. That’s valid. For my part, I’ve forgotten to hold my head back against the chair one too many times. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster is the attraction that’s most likely to give me a splitting headache at Disney. Also, since I’m fairly tall, I don’t fit comfortably in the seats. This one’s less a thrill for me and more an endurance test. It joins Carousel of Progress in being a ride that wouldn’t make my top ten at Walt Disney World.

2. Expedition Everest (TPT Ranking: #7 overall)

Okay, here’s another spot where I’m not with you. The consensus opinion of our readers is that Expedition Everest is a five-star ride. On that point, we agree. The point of contention is that you folks have selected only 13 attractions as worthy of that honor out of all rides in the industry. Shockingly, only two of them are at Walt Disney World. That’s where you lose me.

Expedition Everest is an adrenaline junkie’s dream come true. After a seemingly impossible upward climb, you suddenly see broken tracks in front of you, a disturbing sign that you’re not alone at the top of the world. It sets the stage for high velocity mountain chase as you seek to avoid an apparently not-fictional Yeti.  As you attempt to escape from the monster, the ride becomes a 50 MPH descent down the mountain…and you’re going backwards in the dark.

Expedition Everest is a wonderful example that the highest speed or most air-time isn’t what makes a thrill ride great. It’s the sensations and tactile experiences. It’s a wonderful achievement in ride structure and design. I just don’t think that it’s the second best thing at Walt Disney World. It wouldn’t even make my top five. As I mentioned above, I prefer Test Track, your least favorite of the three major thrill rides on Disney’s Orlando campus.

1. Twilight Zone Tower of Terror (TPT Ranking: #1 overall)

Image: Disney

When you’re right, you’re right. And Theme Park Tourist voters are absolutely correct about the best attraction at Walt Disney World. Sadly, this one’s no longer available at Disney’s other North American Park, Disneyland Resort. The knowledge that the Hollywood Studios version of the attraction was also in jeopardy caused a spike in its popularity.

You maintained that enthusiasm over time, which explains why Tower of Terror isn’t just the highest rated attraction with a five-star average. Our loyal (thoughtful, kind, and attractive) Theme Park Tourist readers have also voted for it almost 200 more times than anything else in the top 100. So, this ride isn’t just the highest graded. It’s also the one with largest volume of grades, indicating a clear and emphatic opinion about what’s the best of the best at Walt Disney World.

Image: Disney

Twilight Zone Tower of Terror features a brilliant ride design, one that honors Walt Disney by plussing an existing amusement park ride structure, the drop tower, with a healthy dose of Disney magic. The outcome is an impeccably themed attraction that delights fans on first blush. Then, each additional bumpy elevator shaft fall (and rise) comes with a new set of surprises. You never quite know what to expect from any visit to the Hollywood Tower Hotel, but as you approach the facility, the joyous screams of thrilled theme park tourists strongly hint at what’s in store for you. While all of the selections listed here are worthy of your adoration and praise, Twilight Zone Tower of Terror’s is Disney’s perfect attraction.

Now that you know the top ten Walt Disney World attractions as voted via the consensus of Theme Park Tourist readers, let’s take a moment to discuss notable exclusions. You’ve currently listed five other Walt Disney World attractions on the top 100. Those are Jungle Cruise (#79), Peter Pan’s Flight (#79), Pirates of the Caribbean (#90), Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin (#91), and Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor (#97).

While I’m glad to see some much deserved credit go to the Monsters, Inc. comedy show, a highlight of any Magic Kingdom park visit, a lot of this is troubling. Jungle Cruise deserves higher placement than #76, as does Pirates of the Caribbean. These are two staples of a Disney visit that you’ve clearly started taking for granted.

Peter Pan’s Flight is hit or miss to many. I personally wouldn’t list it since the wait is approximately 30 times as long as the ride. That’s just not good bang for the line queue buck. You also didn’t vote for my favorite Walt Disney World attraction, Spaceship Earth, but I accept that I’m tilting at windmills there. I love the way that Imagineers have helped history come alive. I understand it’s a disappointing usage of space to a lot of theme park fans, though.

As for Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin, that one’s fun as far as competitive rides go but dude! How do you have that ranked while leaving Toy Story: Midway Mania! off the list? That’s like picking a Rolling Stones cover band over the actual Rolling Stones. A couple of other unheralded attractions I’d to see get some love are Living with the Land, a spectacular demonstration of mankind’s ingenuity in combatting the world’s hunger/nutrition problems, and The Seas with Nemo & Friends, a simple but effective celebration of a wonderful movie. Kilimanjaro Safaris and Dinosaur also deserve more support. I can understand all of those, though.

Where you really lose me is by excluding Soarin’ and Frozen Ever After. Those are open acts of rebellion. I understand if you preferred the old version of Soarin’ and were a fan of Maelstrom, but Walt Disney World is a place of constant change. The new attractions deserve a chance, and both of these recent offerings are masterpieces. They merit a place not just on the list of top ten Disney attractions but one high on the chart!

Okay, I’ve said my peace. Now is the time when you get to judge me. Where do you agree and disagree with me on the rankings? Remember that you can always head over to the TPT100 section to weigh in with your own ballot!