We’ve been in our fair share of ride vehicles over the years at both Disney World and Universal Orlando!
You know that feeling when you’re at Disney World, ready to brave Space Mountain, and then your anxiety kicks in but it’s not because of the drops or speed you’re about to face. It’s because you’re dreading getting into the tiny ride vehicle. Well, we didn’t think it was possible, but we found a ride vehicle that’s even worse than Disney World’s Space Mountain!
As we were saying, for years we’ve found Space Mountain’s ride vehicle to be the most uncomfortable in all the lands, but recently we found a different ride vehicle that takes the cake. Allow me to introduce you to the most uncomfortable, awkward, and downright miserable ride vehicle experience in all of Orlando — Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls at Universal Orlando.
Yes, we’re talking about a water ride, and yes, it somehow manages to make Space Mountain feel like it was straight-up designed for comfort in comparison.
Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls
For those who haven’t had the pleasure, let me give you a quick overview of the ride. Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls is a classic flume ride based on the old-school cartoon character Dudley Do-Right, a well-meaning but clueless Canadian Mountie.
You hop in a log-shaped boat, float through various scenes of goofy cartoon antics, and then plummet down a steep drop at the end. Sounds fun, right?
And it is…mostly. The ride itself is enjoyable. The theming is cheeky and nostalgic, and that final drop will definitely get your heart racing. But the real problem is with the ride vehicle.
A Tight Fit
Unlike Disney’s Space Mountain, where you’re sitting in individual seats within a rocket, this log flume forces you to sit front to back, single file, with your knees awkwardly wedged behind the person in front of you. There’s no “personal space” to speak of, and depending on how tall or long-legged you are, it can feel like you’re folding yourself into a human pretzel. And the struggle doesn’t stop there.
Getting into the vehicle is no simple feat. You have to step down into the log which is usually wet, and then you have to maneuver your way into a tight, plastic seat that seems specifically designed to make you question all your life choices.
Soaked, Stuck, and Peeling Out
If getting in feels bad, just imagine the nightmare of trying to get out. After surviving the ride itself, you’re soaked, stuck to the plastic seat, and peeling yourself out of that log feels like trying to escape from a water-logged Tupperware container.
You’ve got your feet wedged in, your clothes clinging to you, and the ride attendant is just staring, waiting for you to somehow unglue yourself from the seat so the next poor soul can go through the same struggle. It’s not a good look, and it’s definitely not a graceful exit.
The Verdict
Space Mountain’s ride vehicle can be pretty tight and uncomfortable, but at least there’s a sense of organization to the chaos. With Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls, it’s just an awkward, wet, cramped ordeal from start to finish. Space Mountain might have your knees up to your chest, but at least you’re dry when you get off the ride!
When it comes to sheer awkwardness and discomfort, Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls takes the cake. It’s the ride vehicle equivalent of sitting in a wet sock. So, if you’re thinking Space Mountain is the worst vehicle you’ve ever had the misfortune of squeezing into, think again. Dudley Do-Right is here to make sure you have a truly uncomfortable experience.
Next time you’re at Universal Orlando, ride it for the thrills, but don’t say we didn’t warn you! In the meantime, make sure you’re following along with us for all the latest Universal news!
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What are your least favorite rides at Universal Orlando? Tell us in the comments below!
I’ve ridden Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls many times and have never really found the ride vehicle to be all that uncomfortable. Also, you must not be positioning your legs properly, if you find your knees up by your chest, as I’ve never had any problem with legroom on this ride.
Now, if you want a truly uncomfortable ride vehicle, the Matterhorn Bobsleds in Disneyland takes the prize. It’s ride vehicles have all the shortcomings you attribute to Ripsaw Falls — difficult to get into and out of, no legroom, wet seats — and they also have the additional disadvantage of virtually no padding for one of the roughest and bumpiest rides in Disneyland.