3. Universal Orlando Resort

Image: UniversalOkay, we have just reached the point in the conversation where everyone gets edgy and combative. Picking the best ride at the previous parks wasn’t easy, but narrowing the offerings down to a shortlist was. From this point forward, even settling on the top group is likely to cause flame wars if not outright fistfights.

Keeping that in mind, I’m going to stick my neck out here and suggest that the best rides at Universal Studios are the ones with Harry Potter in the name, the ones with The Simpsons in the name, and the Men in Black and Spider-Man themed attractions. I would put the tightly themed attractions for The Mummy, Minion Mayhem, and The Incredible Hulk plus Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit in the next group. Your mileage can and almost assuredly does vary.

Image: UniversalFor me, the top three attractions are The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, The Simpsons Ride, and Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts. I should add that I’m a Simpsons superfan, and I have first editions of most Harry Potter books. I was early on that bandwagon, which makes a trip to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter something of a dream come true for me. As for Spider-Man, it set a new standard in dark ride style. I respect greatness in all forms, and Spider-Man is undeniably one of the greatest rides ever.

Still, I understand that almost everyone would include Escape from Gringotts on their short list of best Universal rides. So, while my heart says The Simpsons Ride, my head says that the best thing at Universal Orlando Resort is Escape from Gringotts. They legitimately have about 10 A+ attractions, though, so picking the best one is a form of nitpicking. The problem only gets worse from here, because we’re not up to…

2. Disneyland

Image: DisneyAs with Universal Studios, I have the entirety of both parks to debate in deciding the best ride at the Happiest Place on Earth. While classics like Pirates of the Caribbean, Indiana Jones Adventure, Haunted Mansion and Space Mountain are all worth of the title, I’ve settled on something much newer.

When I think of Disney attractions, the ones with the strongest theming stand out. At Disney California Adventure, a clone of Test Track somehow stands out from its sibling. The explanation is the theming, as Disney tied it to the Cars universe. By putting eyes on the same ride carts, the same ride experience transforms into Radiator Springs Racers, a genteel drive through a small town that illuminates the night with its serenity.

To me, Radiator Springs Racers is the most soothing ride at either Disneyland theme park; it’s also the one most likely to put a smile on my face. So, I think of it as the best one. I understand that people are extremely passionate about Disney attractions, however, so I fully understand if you disagree.

1. Walt Disney World

Image: DisneyAn almost incomprehensible 140 million people travel to Disney theme parks each year. More than 52 million of them visit Walt Disney World, the Most Magical Place on Earth. This place is the mecca of theme park tourism, and it didn’t get that way by accident. Picking the best ride among four parks is an impossible exercise, one that I’m now inspired to take on in a future article.

For today, let’s use the Theme Park Tourist Top 100 as a starting point. You, the voters, believe that the five best attractions onsite are Avatar Flight of Passage, Expedition Everest, Haunted Mansion, Splash Mountain, and Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.  This grouping wouldn’t be my top five, but it does include the attraction that I view as the best one.

Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is the ultimate Disney attraction. It’s the perfect blend of exciting attraction and inspired theming. It also ably demonstrates the Disney ethos that a basic ride premise like a drop tower can lead to something much more dramatic. All it needs is the loving guidance of passionate Imagineers.