2. The Incredicoaster

Image: DisneyThe news that Disney would close its signature DCA roller coaster sent shockwaves across the theme park industry. For all the struggles of DCA in its early days, California Screamin’ joined Soarin’ as the only things that Disney unquestionably did right. The change made sense, though.

On June 23, 2018, Pixar Pier opened to the public. Its debut signified the end of the original version of DCA and the start of the Marvel/Pixar era. A key part of that change was the re-skinning of the signature coaster to Pixar-ify it. While many were skeptical about the shamelessly commercial nature of the choice, the ride that Disney delivered is tremendous.

The Incredicoaster embraces the story concepts from The Incredibles 2. The biggest opening weekend blockbuster in Pixar history, the film picks up one idea from The Incredibles and runs with it. Helen and Bob Parr both have superpowers. What happens when they have a baby? Well, it has superpowers, too. And I mean a LOT of them. The joke in the movie is that Jack-Jack has 17 powers and counting thus far. Imagine what that number will be like when he hits puberty!

As a super baby, Jack-Jack isn’t easy to babysit. The premise of The Incredicoaster is that the rest of the Parr family must try to catch Jack-Jack after his escape. To tell this story, Imagineers left much of California Screamin’ intact. They chose to augment it in a subtle, clever way.

The plot of the Incredicoaster plays out as you go through the tunnels. Here, you’ll see all the super-powered attempts to grab the baby, along with Jack-Jack’s means of avoiding capture. California Screamin’ was already great. Now, Disney’s made it funny, too. As far as escapism goes, the Incredicoaster is tough to beat. But something does.

1. Radiator Springs Racers

I’m a sucker for theming. It’s my favorite aspect of a Disney theme park visit. Whenever I wander through an attraction, I’m lost in admiration at the level of detail that Imagineers put into every element. And I’m a firm believer that the ultimate example of this theming is at Cars Land at DCA.

Radiator Springs Racers is the signature ride at Cars Land, the E Ticket attraction that sells the entire premise. At its core, it’s a systemic sibling to Test Track at Epcot. A hot rod vehicle speeds through several sets, ultimately exiting a uniquely lit interior and bursting into daylight for a few moments of top-down cruising at high velocity.

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What differentiates Radiator Springs Racers is that it recreates the wonderful town of Radiator Springs. Whereas Test Track is somewhat clinical, the Cars ride shows plenty of heart. You’ll see many of your favorite characters from the movie, and you’ll drive through several town landmarks such as Doc Hudson, Mater, Sally, and Luigi. The dutiful recreations of the CGI characters are perhaps Disney’s greatest work ever in turning fiction into reality.

A ride on Radiator Springs Racers provides the ultimate in escapism. You will truly believe that you’re a guest in this small town. While DCA has plenty of great rides and is only getting better, Radiator Springs Racers is still the pinnacle of its current attractions.