The Highest of Highs! - What is the pinnacle attraction of Imagineering at WDW past and present?

[Disgruntled Walt]

This is a tough question, and I have to limit this to WDW only, because otherwise there would be too many choices. I'm also limited by ten total choices. If I don't list your choice, feel free to vote "Something else not listed" and comment your choice below.

Also, for every choice, we're assuming best upkeep and condition — all effects are functioning and basically the ride is new. Poor upkeep by TDO or replacement by a more popular IP should not play a role in your vote.

What we're actually evaluating here is the Imagineering of the attraction.

 

[JIMINYCR]

ToT, RotR, FoP.

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

ToT, Dino and Expedition Everest

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Splash
Haunted mansion
OG Tower

…if I’m honest

 

[Smiley/OCD]

Splash
ToT (Orlando)
HM

 

[SyracuseDisneyFan]

Tower of Terror
Splash Mountain
Great Movie Ride

 

[HauntedPirate]

Horizons
Journey into Imagination
Splash Mountain
Tower of Terror

Those are the pinnacle of WDI. Sadly, only one is left.

Just a hair below those:
Spaceship Earth (Cronkite and Irons versions only)
The Great Movie Ride
Listen to the Land

 

[Skibum1970]

Pirates of the Caribbean, Horizons, and Spaceship Earth.

 

[Horizonsfan]

Of the list given: RotR, Horizons,JII

If HM was an option it’d be in my top three, though I’m not sure which choice I’d replace.

Honorable mentions to SSE, Kilimanjaro Safaris, and WOM.

 

[marni1971]

Splash Orlando, Horizons, ToT, RotR, PotC DL, SSE, GMR, UOE

 

[nickys]

Rise and Horizons.

Haunted Mansion or Spaceship Earth for the “other”.

POTC in Orlando for the tunnel under the road solution.

But BTMRR at DLP would also get my vote.

 

[999th Happy Haunt]

Tower. No better experience in the parks than the entirety of that attraction, and it starts the second you turn down Sunset.

 

[DisneyDean97]

Splash Orlando, Horizons, ToT, RotR, PotC DL, SSE, GMR, UOE

Couldn't agree more, I'd give a honorable mention to Expedition Everest and Mystic Manor.
But out of all of the masterpieces you listed... look how many of them are gone, SAD!

 

[marni1971]

Couldn't agree more, I'd give a honorable mention to Expedition Everest and Mystic Manor.
But out of all of the masterpieces you listed... look how many of them are gone, SAD!

I should add an honourable design mention to Kilimanjaro. But I can’t include Everest. Nice rock work but nothing not seen elsewhere, a nice but nothing special layout, minimal show scenes, light leaks and more effects no longer working than still work.

 

[JMcMahonEsq]

Spaceship Earth/Flight of Pandora/pirates

I don’t understand all the love for splash in this context. It was a fan favorite to be sure, and was certainly fun. But at the end of the day, it was a flume ride. There have been flume/log rides forever, at big parks, small regional parks, ect. It’s a log ride done well, but not a huge stretch for the imagineers in creation or innovation

 

[yeti]

Space Mountain should be in your poll. That whole complex is brilliantly designed.

 

["El Gran Magnifico"]

I’m in with Splash

Always had a soft spot for the ‘ol swimmin’ hole. So River Country gets an honorable mention from me.

 

[rio]

TOT
Splash
MMRR or Ratatouille
HM

Probably in that exact order, and assuming only WDW rides are included. I only started going to the parks in 2004, so never rode Imagination when it was new.

Engineering wise for attractions I’d give the award to Kilimanjaro or Space Mountain. Kilamanjaro for the animal upkeep and design, and Space for raw technical complexity. Eltororyan on YouTube has a great video about how Space Mountain works, and it’s amazing that it does.

 

[Eric Graham]

Wasn't mentioned, but we particularly enjoy Soarin' although some do not. To us, it is really amazing that is almost like a giant erector set that I used to play with as a child. It is also so much fun to me that it literally takes you about 10 feet up (not sure of the exact height) and it gives you the sensation like your flying through the air. I also particularly like receiving my pin on It's a Small World when the floor opens up (Wait what, that's the plot of the Tomorrowland Movie)

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Wasn't mentioned, but we particularly enjoy Soarin' although some do not. To us, it is really amazing that is almost like a giant erector set that I used to play with as a child. It is also so much fun to me that it literally takes you about 10 feet up (not sure of the exact height) and it gives you the sensation like your flying through the air. I also particularly like receiving my pin on It's a Small World when the floor opens up (Wait what, that's the plot of the Tomorrowland Movie)

What I love about soarin is the simplicity of it…

It’s not complicated at all…but manages to deliver a good time without tons of frills

I always liked rockinrollercoaster for the same reason…

Sometimes the more you spend, the less effect it has over time and takes money AWAY from the park piggy bank otherwise