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What is Disneyland’s Thesis Attraction?
- Thread starter mickEblu
- Start date
Consumer
Well-Known Member
I have to go with the Disneyland Railroad. If it weren't for Walt's love of trains, I'd argue there would be no Disneyland at all. It's an idea that goes all the way back to Mickey Mouse Park in Burbank. The Disneyland Railroad embodies the American history that Disneyland celebrates and even features a dark ride portion with the Grand Canyon and Primeval World dioramas.
Side note, I waited around an hour just to take a grand circle tour aboard the Disneyland Railroad the summer it reopened after the Rivers of American rerouting. Thank God virtual queues weren't around back then!
Side note, I waited around an hour just to take a grand circle tour aboard the Disneyland Railroad the summer it reopened after the Rivers of American rerouting. Thank God virtual queues weren't around back then!
Practical Pig
Well-Known Member
I'm going with The Disneyland Railroad. It roots in the soul of Walt, which led to everything that followed.
You forgot to vote!
Practical Pig
Well-Known Member
I've tried three times. For some reason it won't register. I try later.
Practical Pig
Well-Known Member
I restarted my laptop, and vote is logged.
I restarted my laptop, and vote is logged.
Nice! You voted for the wrong option though! The correct answer is Jungle Cruise. Jk jk
Practical Pig
Well-Known Member
My second choice from your list would have been Jungle Cruise. But off-list it would probably be Rivers of America with the Mark Twain. You know, since Mine Train Through Nature's Wonderland isn't around anymore.
Transportation seems to be something happening for me tonight.
I consider the ROA to be the single most important thing at Disneyland.
SuddenStorm
Well-Known Member
To add on to this- every other attraction listed has been duplicated elsewhere, sometimes exactly, sometimes with slight differences. You can go to other parks and get essentially the same experience on the attraction.
The Disneyland Railroad is the only attraction listed that has not been properly duplicated. Sure, there are other railroads at the other castle parks- but none are the Disneyland Railroad with the sights and sounds of Disneyland USA, and the Grand Canyon Diorama and Primeval world.
Ne'er-Do-Well Cad
Well-Known Member
Pirates is like the Citizen Kane of theme park attractions. While not the first dark ride or boat ride or themed experience, it's the theme park attraction that elevated the medium to a more respectable art form in the popular consciousness.
PiratesMansion
Well-Known Member
Pirates. It's a defining moment for the park, for the medium of dark rides, and it perfectly represents everything the park does best in one attraction.
Much as it's not my favorite ride on this list, to me it's the one that says Disneyland more than any other.
Small World would be number two and the railroad would be number three for me.
Much as it's not my favorite ride on this list, to me it's the one that says Disneyland more than any other.
Small World would be number two and the railroad would be number three for me.
Brer Oswald
Well-Known Member
I’d have to say…probably the ride they’re getting rid of. The combination of music, animatronics, set design, stories, and thrills sums up what Disneyland is known for into one package. Pirates also does this well, but I’ve always felt the Pirate theming was a bit to specific to feel all encompassing Disney (vs Anthro Animals which have been Disney’s strength since the beginning of the company).
Californian Elitist
Well-Known Member
Disneyland Railroad, for all the reasons mentioned. That it takes guests around the park with stops along the way is significant, as it’s the only ride that does that and allows for guests to get a feel of the park as a whole. It is quintessential Disneyland in ways the others aren’t.
EPCOTCenterLover
Well-Known Member
BuzzedPotatoHead89
Well-Known Member
I vote Disneyland Railroad. For all the reasons others have mentioned.
As I noted in another post here somewhere, it also is the first attraction that is prominent upon entering the park, connects the various disparate themed lands, establishes a berm between the park and the outside world, and directly connects to the park’s founder and his love of trains by bridging the real world and the fantastical. It truly is uniquely Disney.
That said I do agree a case can certainly be made for Pirates, IASW, JC, etc.
As I noted in another post here somewhere, it also is the first attraction that is prominent upon entering the park, connects the various disparate themed lands, establishes a berm between the park and the outside world, and directly connects to the park’s founder and his love of trains by bridging the real world and the fantastical. It truly is uniquely Disney.
That said I do agree a case can certainly be made for Pirates, IASW, JC, etc.
SuddenStorm
Well-Known Member
I considered throwing Splash into the mix, as I agree it does a number of things well- represents a Disney film without being 'book report', the sound design, the animatronics, the history it represents using Walt Disney era characters, Marc Davis designs, Blaine Gibson sculpts- and the best of what second gen Imagineering had to offer.
But if we're looking for an attraction that embodies Disneyland USA and 'sums up' the park in one go- the railroad has to be the one. Heck, you go through the Splash finale on it.
