Top-10 Underrated Aspects Of WDW That I Absolutely LOVE

[PhilharMagician]

10. Hall of Presidents
9. Tom Sawyer Island
8. How the parks, walkways, resorts, transport vehicles and every other nook and cranny gets cleaned and prepped for a new day with some days only have 3 - 4 hours of down time.
7. Relaxing @ the pool with an afternoon cocktail while watching the monorial and watercraft making their rounds.
6. One Man's Dream
5. American Adventure
4. Mini Golf
3. Checking into your resort and hearing "Welcome Home"
2. Carousel of Progress
1. Resort Transportation. It is amazing how many people are transported between 4 theme parks, 2 water parks, DTD and over 20 resorts in an efficient manner.

 

[LuLaSue]

10. Hall of Presidents
9. Tom Sawyer Island
8. How the parks, walkways, resorts, transport vehicles and every other nook and cranny gets cleaned and prepped for a new day with some days only have 3 - 4 hours of down time.
7. Relaxing @ the pool with an afternoon cocktail while watching the monorial and watercraft making their rounds.
6. One Man's Dream
5. American Adventure
4. Mini Golf
3. Checking into your resort and hearing "Welcome Home"
2. Carousel of Progress
1. Resort Transportation. It is amazing how many people are transported between 4 theme parks, 2 water parks, DTD and over 20 resorts in an efficient manner.

Totally agree! Under Rated! this is Fantastic.

 

[ddbowdoin]

10. Mini Golf - I can do that when I'm at home or if I make a trip to the beach. I have no desire to waste my time on that at WDW when I could ride Space Mtn, EE, RnRC, or ToT over and over. AGREED

9. Ellen's Energy Adventure - An embarrassingly bad attraction. When I was a lot younger, I used to like the dinosaur part of the attraction, but other than adding poorly-done animatronics of Ellen Degenerate (no spelling mistake) to the mix, they haven't updated it. Then, when you have rides like Dinosaur (at AK) with much better dino animatronics, it really makes UoE that much more embarrassing. I can't stand ED and her inclusion as part of the attraction just doesn't work for me. To much of my embarrassment I have never experienced this attraction!

8. Water Taxis - (see my reasoning for #10)I can understand this... especially if you don't get on a boat very often. It is nice though when a boat is a little less occupied and you can sit in the rear or chat it up with a CM. You usually meet a captain who's loved boats his whole life and captaining one of the Disney taxis was a life long retirement dream.

7. Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse - I've done the walkthrough on that once, and that was plenty. It's a pretty useless attraction. I like this, it's a nice break in the day and I suppose its part of my own personal tradition.

6. Staying Off Property - I can definitely see the financial benefits of that, but when I'm going to WDW, I want the whole experience, and having to go off-property just to go to sleep and then take a shuttle (or my own car) back to the parks the next day takes away from it all. I have done both and agree... it does hurt though spending the cash for deluxes, especially when I'm not really a resort guy. I spend so much time in the parks that I hardly take advantage of any of the amenities. The only thing I enjoy about onsite is the EMH and being able to walk to Epcot and DHS when we stay at BC.

5. Enchanted Tiki Room - No, it's not fun. Borrrrring. Been ages... next week will be the first time Ive seen it in 10 years.

4. Hall of Presidents - I've always liked this attraction, I just have to be close enough to it to think about it and go in. Always fun! And A/C so its nice to beat the heat.

3. Resort Hopping - Too much trouble and hassle to have to pick up, pack up, and move from one resort to another. I'm going to stay at one resort for the length of my trip and that's it. I'll have an opinion in my TR next month, as we'll be switching from Poly to the BC in the beginning of our stay. I believe Poly was like 80 bucks more a night and 10 nights total added up!

2. Tom Sawyer's Island - (see #5) I'm not entirely sure what's the point of this one haha, its prime location too and takes up a huge chunk of land. yet, it is a classic.

1. Carousel of Progress - This is a MULTIPLE experience for us, at least once a day... I simply love it.

 

[spacemt354]

10. Walt Disney World Railroad
Even though it's the first attraction everyone sees when going into the Magic Kingdom, and many people let it go right over their heads (figuratively and literally! )

9. Tom Sawyer Island
A great place to get away, and also has some nice views of BTMR.

8. Living with the Land
A great way to use your time while waiting for your fastpass at Soarin' or to just get off your feet.

7. Boat Ride from Wilderness Lodge to Magic Kingdom at Sunset.
It's a great memory for me coming from dinner at WL and going to the MK on the boat. You travel west to the MK, pass under the monorail, and watch the sunset as you go. And it's even better if you can sit outside in the front!

6. Staying at Coronado Springs
It is the most centrally located moderate resort on property. From the property, you can see the peaks of Expedition Everest and the Swan and Dolphin hotel, which sits right between Epcot and Hollywood Studios. Plus Blizzard Beach is right down the road.

5. Walking to and from Hollywood Studios.
Even though the boat is avaliable from Epcot and Epcot Resorts to Hollywood Studios and vice versa, a lot of times it's faster just walking to the locations. There is a lighted pathway along the water and it offers some great views as well. (If you want a ToT picture without crowds in it, taking a picture from the path is a great way to do that)

4. Club Cool
In Innoventions, if you're ever looking for a drink to "cool" off, this place offers free samples of coke products from around the world. (Just don't get the Italy one...it's really bitter )

3. Carousel of Progress
It's a classic attraction, who's theme song gets stuck in my head for days (in a good way). We always look for the vast number of Hidden Mickeys in the ride as well! It's a great show, even though I always get confused when they say car phone in the future scene haha

2. Wilderness Lodge Villas Train Room
To me, this is one of the nicest places on property. It has Walt Disney's trainset on display, checkers, and leather chairs by the fire. It's just so relaxing and quiet because you're usually the only person in there.

1. Tomorrowland Transit Authority
This is an awesome attraction. It's the one ride my family and I always have to do each time we go down. There's hardly ever a line, it gets you off your feet, and it shows you all of Tomorrowland, including going inside Space Mountain. It's fantastic.

 

[PhilharMagician]

2. Wilderness Lodge Villas Train Room
To me, this is one of the nicest places on property. It has Walt Disney's trainset on display, checkers, and leather chairs by the fire. It's just so relaxing and quiet because you're usually the only person in there.
.

Yeah, that is a great room. Most people have never and will never see it which is also nice. I really enjoy sitting in front of the fire and warming up on a cold winter day.

 

[ScoutN]

I will give my critique of each you post, Sir Love and Hugs.

10). Mini-Golf
I agree, the mini-golf can be a blast, especially for a regular golfer as I am. Fantasia Gardens is my top pick.

9). Ellen's Energy Adventure
Bill N Eye. Enough said. The loading, waiting for the preshow, then loading for the ride, show there, etc, it can become a bit time consuming but Bill N Eye is the one of the three Kings of Corny so it CAN balance itself out.

8). Water Taxi's
I cannot comment as we usually have a need for them.

7). Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse
I love the movie, love climbing it. But because you don't SIT and do most just write the treehouse off. I guess it falls into society's current orientation.

6). Staying Off Property
Haven't done it in 15 years, don't really care to again. I like my drinks around the world and a bus or boat to take me back for the night.

5). Enchanted Tiki Room
Who doesn't like it? Oh, I know, the unless I can sit/do/move crowd with all three wrapped into one.

4). Hall Of Presidents
As long as a certain person has a dedicated dialogue vs nodding head I will not go back to it.

3). Resort Hopping
This is nice, or as DVC members doing a few nights at one a few night at another couple at a different. It can certainly be nice.

2). Tom Sawyer's Island
Guilt as charged, have not been there in 7/8 years.

1). Carousel Of Progress
Perfect snooze attraction for the father but not because it is dull or lack. It just simply has comfortable seats and good AC. ZZZzzzzzzzzzzs just occur naturally. It is neat to see the era represented that my grandparents grew up in and how vastly different they portray the last scene from how it actually was.

 

[MagicMike]

Living with the Land
A great way to use your time while waiting for your fastpass at Soarin' or to just get off your feet.

Agreed.
I must be easily amused because I really like some of the simple ride-throughs like Living With The Land, Gran Fiesta Tour, Maelstrom, and Tomorrowland Transit Authority (which I group in this category). While I don't necessarily feel the need to ride each these multiple times per visit, I do always enjoy the experience.

 

[olinecoach61]

I've always wanted to do the mini golf, I can never tear myself away from the parks long enough. I also enjoy the water taxis, much like the monorail, I enjoy the ride.

 

[Bob Saget]

10. Walt Disney World Railroad
Even though it's the first attraction everyone sees when going into the Magic Kingdom, and many people let it go right over their heads (figuratively and literally! )

Good one. There is nothing wrong with the WDW Railroad, but we somehow miss it more times than not. I've probably ridden it 2-3 times at best in all our trips to MK. (And it's so underrated that I forgot about putting it in my list of underrated things. Now that's sad. Lol ) We'll slide the railroad in at #11.

 

[David Roberts]

10). The American Adventure- Not sure if this is on anyone's list but as I've gotten older I really appreciate this attraction and especially the music.

9). The Enchanted Tiki Room- We went in to the Tiki Room for the first time in years on our most recent trip, and it was a great experience.

8). Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular- I think this attraction gets a lot of criticism because it hasn't changed, but I'm not sure it has to. Everytime I go I have a deeper appreciation for the work the performers do several times a day, and I feel like it's a great way to introduce Indiana Jones to a younger generation.

7).Living with the Land- Back in January we went on this boat ride for the first time since I was a little kid and it was a very relaxing and interesting ride. It will be a must do on every trip.

6). The monorail- I don't care if we have a particular reason for using the monorail (although we normally do) I would take a ride on it at least once every trip for the experience.

5). Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor- I know this attraction or type of attraction normally attracts younger kids, but since me and my girlfriend are huge Monsters Inc. fans we do this attraction several times every trip.

4). The Sci-Fi Drive In- I'm sort of contradicting my self because we are not doing Sci-Fi on this trip, but we normally do on every trip. It's not the best food, but for the atmosphere alone I believe it's worth it.

3). Resort Hopping- By this I mean on every trip I try to spend a little bit of time at a resort we haven't stayed at before or if we're there for a restaurant just take a look around. The one we end up at most often is Grand Floridean. You can't beat the ambiance of that resort.

2). Carousel of Progress- Since I was little I've enjoyed this attraction and I don't think that will ever change. It's a Disney Classic.

1). Tomorrowland Transit Authority- One of my top 3 favorite rides at the world. If we rode this 5 times on a single trip that would probably be below average for us. So relaxing. Love it.

 

[englanddg]

With respect to Ellen's Energy Adventure...it's complete garbage compared to the old ride back when Exxon ran it.

10) The Nature Walk (name escapes me at the moment) near the Safari in AK - Whilst I am not a fan of the park, I really enjoyed the walk.

9) DisneyQuest - Yeah, it's Chuck. E Cheese / Dave and Busters on steroids, but who doesn't like playing video games. Plus the fact that they are all free?

8) Watching the parades from Frontierland - I don't get why people crush to get a view from Main Street, when at Frontierland it's far less crowded.

7) The Backstage Tour at HS - Yeah, it's old. Yeah, it doesn't fit in well anymore. Yeah, they've taken out a lot of the fun / interactive stuff (remember riding the bee?). Yeah, the cast scripts have gotten worse and less interesting, and now it's basically a long ride to get to the "disaster" section so you can feel the heat of the gasoline...but, it's still fun. It's great to see Walt's plane, and all the older prop vehicles, many of which most people probably don't recognize...they used to tell you more about them.

6) The Ferry into MK from TTC - Almost everyone wants to do the monorail, but I prefer my first day on park to float over to the MK, observing the looking Contemporary (my favorite hotel) from the front of the second level and watching the castle get bigger until it's blocked by the Train Station...let the anticipation build.

5) Communicores / Innovations - There are all sorts of fun and interesting things to do in them, but it seems most people just eat and shop.

4) Kim Possible (now Perry the Platypus) Adventure in EPCOT - This is a *fantastic* way to do EPCOT with the kid. It also engaged me, and though I've been to the parks countless times, I noticed new things in each pavilion because it makes you really focus on your surroundings in detail.

3) The movie theaters (Canada / China) at EPCOT) - It seems almost no one sees these shows, but they are fun and entertaining. Though, I do wish they'd use benches instead of queues inside.

2) Carousel of Progress - In the age where people can see animitronics at their local Chuck E. Cheese, these sorts of shows have lost some of their wonder. But, it's a classic, with a song that sticks in your head, and fun writing, makes you think as well as being educational. Youknow, all that stuff they have mostly stripped out of EPCOT now?

1) The Plaques outside of EPCOT / Bricks outside of MK - People just waltz by them. I take time to read a few. each one represents a person or family who loves (or loved) those parks just as much as me. I wish they still sold them.

 

[The Empress Lilly]

10). Mini-Golf
Mwah.

9). Ellen's Energy Adventure
I love the dinosaurs. It's why I ride it. Otherwise I can't help but feel tremendously sad for the loss of the much more ambitious Universe of Energy.

8). Water Taxi's
As they say: the parking lot tram is the first ride of the day. After all these years, I'll still take a boat at WDW simply for the pleasure of it!

7). Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse
Awesome! All the intricate detail of a great dark ride, but outside and for you to discover at your own pace! A complete must-do for me.

6). Staying Off Property
For half the price of a WDW value I'm sipping cocktails at the pool of a nice off-site resort.

5). Enchanted Tiki Room
Awesome! Together with the Treehouse and the Jungle Cruise the Holy Trinity of Adventureland. I can spend all afternoon doing the three of them.
If only they removed that god-awful desert-themed mechanical cartoon spinner then Adventureland's central plaza would be one of the very best areas of WDW.

4). Hall Of Presidents
It lends an air of respectability and sophistication to the entire theme park.

3). Resort Hopping
Meh.

2). Tom Sawyer's Island
Awesome! A complete gem! And so very overlooked by the stressed out crowds across the river!

1). Carousel Of Progress
I ride it every time.

 

[The Empress Lilly]

My top three:

Liberty Square
Prettier than New Orleans Square. WDI at its finest. The most unspoiled area of the MK - no cartoons, no spinners, no toddler play areas. Just old-fashioned, adult, quality Disney.

Staring at SSE and the Castle all day long
The paths around Cinderella Castle are so pretty! The music around SSE is so beautiful, the reflection of the light on its surface so ever-changing!
*sigh, still smitten after all these years....*

Living with the Land
Why do they all rush to Soarin'? LwtL is the star attraction at The Land!

 

[HM GhostHostess]

My top three:

Liberty Square
Prettier than New Orleans Square. WDI at its finest. The most unspoiled area of the MK - no cartoons, no spinners, no toddler play areas. Just old-fashioned, adult, quality Disney.

Staring at SSE and the Castle all day long
The paths around Cinderella Castle are so pretty! The music around SSE is so beautiful, the reflection of the light on its surface so ever-changing!
*sigh, still smitten after all these years....*

Living with the Land
Why do they all rush to Soarin'? LwtL is the star attraction at The Land!

Well, Liberty Square used to be unspoiled. I'd say that the new interactive queue for the Haunted Mansion added some completely unnecessary and out of place "cartoon" characters.

 

[Fraisie]

10). Mini-Golf
I've only done Winter Summerland, and it was way back in 2001. I normally have shortish trips to WDW (5 or less nights), so it's just something that I don't have enough time for.

9). Ellen's Energy Adventure
LOVE IT! Best 45 minutes of AC in Epcot. Plus, I love Ellen.

8). Water Taxi's
That was one of my favorite thing about my stay at the Boardwalk a couple years ago.

7). Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse
After seeing the Tarzan one over at DL, this one is a little... bleh.

6). Staying Off Property
I would never consider staying off property. I just love being in the Disney bubble.

5). Enchanted Tiki Room
Love it. Love it, love it, love it.

4). Hall Of Presidents
Now this is where it gets strange. I'm Canadian, so technically I shouldn't really care for HoP and AA in Epcot, but they make me feel super patriotic!! I totally blame (or thank) those two attractions for making me love American history (more than I love Canadian history...). Plus, come on... Audio animatronics are what Disney is all about, if you ask me.

3). Resort Hopping
Never really had the time to do that (see #10).

2). Tom Sawyer's Island
TBH, I can't recall ever going on TSI. I should go next trip.

1). Carousel Of Progress
YES x 1000!!!!

 

[smw]

Ellen Degenerate (no spelling mistake)

if that's in reference to her being gay, there's a decent chance i'm going to get kicked out of here for telling you a few things about yourself.

 

[acishere]

1. Ellen: I find the show funny. I find find Ellen's stand up funny (I can't remember ever watching her talk show though). And I grew up watching Bill Nye. So I can happily stomach 45 minutes of them some with dinosaurs thrown in. Plus Kramer shows up to invent fire!

2. The Muppet's Show: I wish they had more rides with them. But I hope if they ever do add more that they don't get rid of the original 3D attraction and its glorious 3 hour finale. Wait they only have time for a minute and a half? Meh its still worth it and I have never waited in line for it somehow.

3. World Showcase: I love getting lost and exploring all the little details. From the Stave Church (Why I love that place so much I can't even explain) to sitting in an alleyway in France in one day makes me love taking an entire day to just this one half of Epcot. There are so many spots that no one else seems to take notice of. Forget drinking around the world, its those places that are why I spend a whole day there.

4. Exploring Animal Kingdom: Only a half-day park my #$&. The theming in Africa and Asia is the best in all the parks. You can spend the other half of the day just looking around and walking from trail to trail and not even remotely feel like you are missing out on anything better. Stupid dinner reservation stopped me from being able to explore everything. Even though it feels 10x hotter here than everywhere I don't care. I don't need a resort break, its too beautiful!

5. Monorail: Because it gives me an excuse to hum this:


6. Staying ON Property: Yeah its more money, but even in the value resorts there is just a different feeling you get exploring the grounds that I never felt while staying in the Holiday Inn during the end leg of my trip.

7. The vet station at Rafiki's Planet Watch:
"Where were you? You have been gone for over an hour."
"I just watched a golf ball get removed from a stork for 45 minutes. I couldn't walk away halfway through!"

8. Pleasur....wait can't say that one anymore... Dixi...err I mean..... Port Orleans Riverside: I have never loved walking around the resort at night more than I did there. My memory may be trumping it up though. I swear the pool bar looked cooler and more like it was a house on a swamp then it does now. Also hear the Bud frogs everywhere was just cool. They seriously were sounding like the ones from those old ads.

9. Carousel of Progress: Because its a great big beautiful tomorrow. Crap now that is stuck in my head. Where did I put that monorail song...

10. Tom Sawyer Island: I miss being able to get a lemonade while sitting in the rocking chair, but while everyone rides my nightmare (Small World, I got stuck on it once and will never ride again) I get to peacefully sit by a fake river and watch the hustle and bustle from afar while sitting on a covered dock.

 

[wdwfan4ver]

10). Mini-Golf
Agree. It is one of the last things I do at Disney before I leave for the airport based on the fact I use of all 10 days in WDW parks.

9). Ellen's Energy Adventure
Wouldn't be on my list. It a moving bunch that I do go on, but the attraction itself doesn't belong on the list.

8). Water Taxi's
Wouldn't be on my list although it is nice and relaxing. I do use them a lot for Disney trips, but there are not for leisure purposes. I go to downtown Disney from the French Quarter by using a Water Taxi and use them from the Magic Kingdom to the MK Hotels.

7). Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse
Not really something I would do and wouldn't put on my list.

6). Staying Off Property
Can't comment since I never stayed off property before and I wouldn't put on my least either.

5). Enchanted Tiki Room
I agree. I always like the original version of the Tiki Room.

4). Hall Of Presidents
No comment.

3). Resort Hopping
I agree. Based on the amount of Days I go to WDW, it is something that I enjoy doing besides getting a Zebra dome at a hotel that I don't stay at.

2). Tom Sawyer's Island
Disagree. I never really got into it despite my age.

1). Carousel Of Progress
Wouldn't be this high on my list. It is an attraction that I love despite it being outdated.

 

[bethymouse]

Whenever I'm in WDW, I always do the COP at least 3-4 times a trip.

It's a great big beautiful tomorrow!

 

[Scuttle]

Living with the land is hands down the most underrated attraction in all of WDW.