The best thrill rides at the Disneyland Resort are hard to pick. There are so many, but narrowing it down to 5 is very hard. There is a blog out there called disneylandtraveler.blogspot.com and he tried to make a list of the best based on his own opinions. But I think he could have elaborated a bit more. He also could have picked better rides. So, here's a response to disneylandtraveler.blogspot.com's "Top 5 Thrill Rides at the Disneyland Resort."
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| Posters of Disneyland. |
The list itself isn't bad, I just think it needs improvement. The first ride on his list was the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Not a bad choice at all. It's got great thrills, it's themed beautifully, and it's become a staple in Disney Parks all over the world. But should it be number one? That's a toss up. On the one hand, there is the "Floating" effect you get because off how fast the drop is. But on the other hand, Space Mountain you can't see anything. Then there is California Screamin' which goes from 0 to 55 in 2.3 seconds. You can make the argument that Tower of Terror is just a free fall in the dark. But it's fun factor is so high. You may just get lost in the Twilight Zone...
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| That's what they all say. |
Next on his list is Space Mountain. This and Tower of Terror you can toss around as both are equally as thrilling even if they are completely different rides. Space mountains thrills however, aren't thrilling at all. You see, the rides top speed is 30-35mph depending on the weight of your car since the ride is momentum based. That's about the same speed as Big Thunder Mountain. Putting into perspective also is that a car on the average freeway goes anywhere from 60-70mph depending on what state or country you live in.
So how does Space Mountain feel like it's going faster than 30mph? Disney play's with your sense's a lot. The forced perspective used in the park is remarkable. The Matterhorn for instance uses big trees at the base of the mountain, the trees get smaller and smaller the higher up they go so it looks massive. Main Street also uses an effect similar to this. There is a first floor obviously, and some have second floors yes, but most of the buildings get smaller and smaller the higher up they go. Some getting as small as 5/8th scale at their tallest point.
Space Mountain uses the darkness to it's advantage. Because it's so dark in there, your sense's have a hard time picking up what's going on around you. Since they are thrown off, Disney places fans in strategic locations to make you feel that WHOOSH! Feeling that you get when you are riding fast on a motorcycle or when you have the windows rolled down in your car on the freeway or something like that. The fast paced music you hear also makes you feel like your going faster because of it's up-tempo orchestration type sound. So now you know how the ride feels so fast when it's really not. Taking all this into consideration, the ride shouldn't even be at number two on a list like this. But you have so much fun on a ride like that, you don't care to stop and think about it.
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| Space Mountain with the lights on. The black thing going up above the rockets is the lift chain before you enter "Space" |
Next is California Screamin'. This ride is one of the few opening day attractions left in California Adventure. This ride is based on the wooden coasters of boardwalk amusement parks of old. This ride like stated earlier goes from 0 to 55 in 2.3 seconds. It's also the only ride in the Disneyland Resort to go upside down. The exterior itself looks wooden but it's actually steel. The track is steel and the "Wooden" supports are also steel. It's your typical Magic Mountain type roller coaster. So yes, it's pretty thrilling. The ride also uses the fast paced music to make you feel like your going faster than you actually are.
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| Fake wood supports. Note that this picture was taken before the mickey head was removed from the ride in 2009. |
The last one is Splash Mountain. Now before I begin, I just have to say this is my personal favorite ride of all time. It's defiantly a thriller on that final drop and even the smaller drops within the mountain. The history of the ride is interesting but I'll touch on that in another post. Now there is a reason you get so wet that I'll talk about now since it adds to the thrills I guess you could say.
When you go down the first drop Slippin' Falls there are curved walls so the water comes down on you like a waterfall. Same thing with the second drop that puts you in the Laughing Place. The third drop (The Big One) the walls are the same but in a tunnel formation. so it comes down on you like a shower almost. You also feel "Wetter" than you really because there are strategically misters on the big drop too get your face wet so you feel wet. Disney trickery is everywhere.
Now, all of these rides are "Thrilling" but this wouldn't be a proper response without my own list. So, here is my list of the Top 5 most thrilling rides and the Disneyland Resort.
1: Tower of Terror: The rides theme is unbelievable. The ride itself is as thrilling as you'll find anywhere.
2: Space Mountain: Darkness, Disney Tricks, an amazing soundtrack. The ride is one of if not the best roller coaster in the world.
3: Indiana Jones the Temple of the Forbidden Eye: This ride isn't all that fast, but the technology used makes you feel like your going very fast. Not to mention nearly being crushed by a giant boulder, going through a room full of dead corpses, and 10 foot tall snakes. But just remember, don't look into the eye's of Mara.
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| Don't look into the eye's of Mara |
5: Splash Mountain: Marc Davis' animatronics shine in this log flume for the ages. The end drop is one of the most thrilling 5 seconds of your life. Just make sure to pack and extra set of clothes.
Honorable Mention: Matterhorn Bobsleds.
There you go. A response and my own list of the Top 5 most thrilling rides at the Disneyland Resort. Hope you enjoyed and I hope you now know Disneyland isn't some kiddie place. Take care guys.
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| Right on the money |
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