Underrated Disneyland Rides

Underrated Disneyland Rides

Many (if not most) theme park visitors pick rides based on the thrill factor...and that makes sense. At theme parks, the fastest, darkest, scariest rides = the longest lines. Most of the time, these are not overrated rides, they are totally worth the hype. 

Disneyland, I feel, is different, though. Walt Disney didn't necessarily want adult rides and kiddie rides...he wanted attractions that everyone could enjoy together. Some of these slower rides are often overlooked when people visit the Disneyland Resort...or they have mysteriously longer lines than you may expect and you hear people complain, "Why would anyone wait 35 minutes to go on (fill-in-the-blank)?" 

I am a sucker for these underrated rides! And with that, I present:

Disneyland's Top 5 Underrated Rides

5. Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room

It's cheesy...True. But, when I think of this attraction not being in the park (as is often threatened), I get gloomy. I consider this show a lot like the gone-but-not-forgotten Country Bear Jamboree: It didn't attract the largest crowds and wait-times while it was in the park, but now that it's closed, everyone complains about how much they miss it. I think the same would be true of the Tike Room! (Embarrassing side note: As a child, when darkness comes over the Tiki Room, and the rain/thunder storm starts, I had to remind myself what time it was and how nice the weather was when I entered the Tiki Room, and that it was *highly unlikely* that this was real...and still, when the doors opened at the end, I was always just a little unsure of what the sky would look like when I exited. How old was I? Older than I'd like to admit...)

4. Jungle Cruise

Every time I want to go on this ride, my hubby rolls his eyes. The jokes are cheesy, it is true, but they are also really fun. And it single-handedly made "the backside of water" a thing! (Side note: Several years ago, my friend went on an African safari. When she got back, I asked her how the trip was. Her response? "It was amazing! It was *just* like the Jungle Cruise!" That's how you know a ride is secretly epic...that, right there!)

3. Storybook Land

I will be the first to admit that, up until a few years ago, I could not stand this attraction. To be honest...with absolutely no offense to the Disneyland cast members...I had to tune out they stories that the guides tell. I have nothing against the guides! More like their script. The script is boring, it's bland, the guides can't ad lib and tell jokes like their Jungle Cruise counter-parts. It takes away from the charm of the ride. Without that talking, what you see is a beautiful ride, meticulously cared for, and magical in every way possible. The plants are amazing and perfect down to the last leaf. The villages are not only well-maintained, but this seems to be one of the few rides in the park that gets periodically updated to include a good mix of classic and current Disney! And, let's not forget how many ducks call this attraction home...and normal ducks look ENORMOUS next to teeny-tiny cottages and trees! (Side note: This ride is equally beautiful when viewed while riding Casey Jr.)

2. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

So this is a thrill ride of sorts. But, for some reason, it doesn't share the same fame and popularity as the others. The line is often quite short! Three things I really love about this ride: 1. It's one of the few roller-coaster-type rides that does not make me motion sick. 2. The recent special effect upgrades in the dynamite room are AMAZING! 3. This is a ride that you can tailor-make to suit your needs: Don't like fast rides? Sit in the front! Like more of a thrill? Sit in the back. You'll get completely different experiences depending on where you sit! And, the cast members are more than willing to accommodate seating requests...especially if there's a "please" in there!

1. The Disneyland Railroad

I read a review of Disneyland Rides once that listed the Disneyland Railroad tied for the worst ride in the park with the Monorail because (I believe this was the phrasing) "they are just modes of transportation." False, I say! Yes, it's true, the train is a great most of transportation...especially when your feet are aching from a long day of walking. But, it's also a piece of Disneyland history! The Disneyland Railroad was Walt Disney's first idea for Disneyland Park! Before he knew exactly what he wanted to do, he said, "It will be surrounded by a train." The Lilly Belle caboose is a beautiful was to ride in Disney luxury and learn about the park's and railroad's histories. Read about my experience on the Lilly Belle here! And, let's face it, Disneyland was be truly missing something, if you walked through the turnstiles and did not see that train station waiting for you!

What rides/attractions/shows do you think are underrated? Let us know in the comments below!