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6. DINOSAUR

Image: Disney

This attraction somehow includes a theme to a 2000 theatrical release, yet the ride debuted in 1998. Disney executives constructed Countdown to Extinction as a brilliant dark ride wherein guests encounter a Carnotaurus, an Iguanodon, and other long-dead dinosaurs.

The Imagineers knew that Disney would release an expensive CGI-animated motion picture in 2000. Since the movie took years to produce, Imagineers had plenty of time to construct a ride that highlighted the dinosaurs from the movie. Then, when the film finally debuted, park officials changed the name of the ride and connected the dots a bit more between the two entities.

The dutiful theming proved pointless, as Dinosaur the movie became a box office disappointment. The ride works wonderfully as a standalone attraction, though. It provides several up-close interactions with fantastic beasts of yore.

5. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith

Image: Disney

Steven Tyler, the lead singer of Aerosmith, takes tremendous pride in this ride. I've actually been at the park a couple of times when he's shown up to ride it. The musician acts like a conquering hero just returned home after a glorious victory on foreign soil. He plays to the crowds and boyishly rushes to the front of the line, no small feat for a septuagenarian.

The singer's exuberance is entirely understandable. The ride that bears his band's name does precisely what Imagineers intended. It proves that Disney can build a thrill ride that rivals anything in the world.

On Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, you board a stretch limousine and explode onto a fictional highway. Your stated goal involves reuniting with Aerosmith at a concert. But that’s a McGuffin. The purpose here is to go very, very fast right from the start.

The ride’s magnetic propulsion propels guests from zero to 57 miles per hour in 2.8 seconds. Today, some street-legal cars can do that. However, back in 1999, no other indoor roller coaster could match those numbers. And none of the competition came with a rockin’ Aerosmith soundtrack, either.

4. Test Track

Image: Disney

World of Motion opened day and date with Epcot back in 1982. I absolutely loved the attraction as a kid, but even I must admit that it aged quite poorly. By the mid-90s, park officials knew that they needed to shut it down.

General Motors, the sponsor of the original attraction, grudgingly agreed to do the same for an update. However, the company attached some strings to the sponsorship renewal. The new ride must focus exclusively on GM rather than the history of all automobiles.

Imagineers weighed their options and came up with an inventive solution. They constructed an entirely new kind of theme park attraction. It would operate similarly to Matchbox cars in that ride carts would function as slot cars. Along the way, Disney would simulate aspects of test track dummy simulations.

The victim rider would experience the tests and twists of driving blindly in the dark. Near-collisions and inclement weather would add a splash of terror excitement to the proceedings. Test Track instantly became one of the most exciting attractions in the world and has stood the test of time for more than 20 years now. And I will never get tired of that glorious moment when the doors open, and the dark ride turns into a blazing roller coaster. 

 
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