Who doesn’t love all the rides at Disney World?!
You basically got about every option you could ever want when it comes to the type of attraction you can get on at Disney World. There are spinning rides, traditional coasters, and even fully immersive almost 20-minute long experiences like Rise of the Resistance. All of those are well and good, but we have to be honest — there are SOME rides we just totally avoid. We asked our former Cast Member team members what rides they never get on, and you may be pretty shocked by some of their answers!
Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run
First up, we’ve got Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run in Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. We told you you’d be surprised!
One of our teammates was a former Cast Member, and they shared that while the ride is many a Star Wars fan’s dream, working during the opening of Galaxy’s Edge took some of the magic away.
“When we were training to open Galaxy’s Edge, we were constantly sent over to ride Smuggler’s Run so that the cast working the ride could train with real people. I got paid to ride it so many times that now, on my personal days, I’m good skipping it. I’ve done it enough for a lifetime.”
While getting paid to fly the Millennium Falcon multiple times a day sounds like a dream fit for a Star Wars fan, the reality of it is that even the biggest fan can get burned out after so riding it so many times in a row. It’s also important to note that if you’re someone who is prone to motion sickness or just prefers smoother rides, this won’t be the one for you. Not only is it entirely screen-based, but if you’ve got an unexperienced pilot, you’re in for a rough ride.
I Piloted the Millennium Falcon COMPLETELY ALONE in Disney World — and You Can Too!
Mission: SPACE (Orange)
If you’ve ever been on Mission: SPACE, you know there are two intensity levels — Green (mild) and Orange (intense). The Orange side simulates a flight to Mars with all the stomach-churning force of a real space mission. For some, that’s thrilling and for others, it’s a recipe for disaster.
One former Cast Member admitted, “Knowing how often people get sick on Mission: SPACE Orange means I usually never go on it. While it’s a cool ride, the sensations on the Orange side are not a friend to many.”
So, knowing about how often guests “lose their lunch” after this one, you can understand why they’d steer well clear of it for the sake of their stomachs. Even if you yourself have a strong stomach, seeing someone else get sick on this ride sounds like a nightmare. There’s barf bags in this ride for a reason, but you have to hope someone’s able to grab it fast enough in the dark.
Disney World Got Rid of Horizons Over 20 Years Ago… and the Replacement Is FULL of Problems
Journey into Imagination with Figment
Oh, Figment. This lovable purple dragon has been a staple at EPCOT for decades, but not everyone has fond memories of him. “I worked in that building and had to hear that awful music all day long,” one former Cast Member said. “It left me scarred, lol.”
If you’ve ever had a song stuck in your head all day, you can probably sympathize. Now, imagine hearing the same whimsical tune for eight hours straight every single day. No wonder this Cast Member would skip this one on their personal time.
There’s also the matter that this is the third edition of this ride, and many people are in agreement that there’s a LOT of room for improvement. The current edition of this ride opened in 2002, and we’ve been begging Disney for an update pretty much ever since.
Why I Think Disney Refuses to Fix EPCOT’s Imagination Pavilion
Alien Swirling Saucers
Alien Swirling Saucers in Toy Story Land is cute, no doubt, but for our former Cast Member, it’s a ride that can be skipped every trip.
“Hard pass,” our former Cast Member says. “That 30-minute wait always feels longer, and it’s definitely a ride you can find at your average carnival. It’s just themed better at Disney.”
They’re not wrong! This is a very similar ride vehicle to many classic carnival ride, so at the end of the day, the nostalgia for Toy Story and the theming may not be enough to justify waiting for this one. That’s especially true if it’s during the heat of summer, because while the majority of this ride queue is covered, it’s not inside, and that makes a big difference.
I’ve Done Some Absolutely Unhinged Things in Disney World, and This One Almost Broke Me
Peter Pan’s Flight
Ah, Peter Pan’s Flight, a Disney World classic. It’s got that quintessential Disney charm. It’s a slow-moving dark ride that takes you over London and into Neverland. But even though it’s been around forever, one of our former Cast Members would skip this one all the time.
They explain, “I’ve never quite fully understood why it has the wait it does. While I love the IP and classic dark ride attractions… It’s gone past the line of nostalgic and feels old. To wait 80 minutes for that attraction seems irresponsible lol.”
They admit that even with a Lightning Lane, they’re often disappointed. It seems that some of the magic of Peter Pan fades when you’ve been behind waiting in the line at Disney for far too long. Now, if you happen to see this one at a 20-25 minute wait, either during a very empty day in the park or during an after-hours event, and you’re looking for that nostalgia, we say go for it. Otherwise, you may find yourself feeling similar.
You Need a Plan A, B, and C in Magic Kingdom and My Last Trip Is PROOF
Na’vi River Journey
In Pandora – The World of Avatar, Na’vi River Journey is all about immersing you in the world of Pandora, but for some former Cast Members, it’s not worth the typical hour-long wait.
“Unless it’s a five-minute wait or I have a Lightning Lane, I’m skipping Na’vi River Journey,” a former cast member says. “And now they are maximizing the throughput of people where it used to just be two people in each row depending on the size of your party. Now it’s four people in each row… literally squeezing you in with multiple strangers. Not ideal lol.”
With all the crowds and long waits for what should be a mellow boat ride, you can see why some former Cast Members aren’t rushing to get back in line. Now, we have noticed that later in the day, this ride often drops pretty drastically, so if you want to ride without a long wait, watch those wait times closely and catch it closer to park close.
Disney World’s Toughest Critics Agree This Land “”Needs to Stay Open Later””
Kali River Rapids
For water ride lovers, Kali River Rapids might seem like a must-do at Animal Kingdom. However, some former Cast Members disagree.
“That’s a big one I always skip because the average 45-50 minute wait is not worth the single drop on the attraction, lol,” says one former Cast Member.
Sure, it can be refreshing on a hot Florida day, but the payoff might not be enough for those in the know. We will admit that we often see MUCH lower wait times for this during any time of the year that’s not summer, and again, you can often find it at lower waits during off-peak times (aka when the sun isn’t at the highest point in the sky and everyone’s melting). It can be fun to ride, but we don’t recommend waiting longer than 10-15 minutes maximum.
Everyone Agrees THIS Is The Most Disappointing Ride In Disney World
The Rides Our Former Cast Members Do Love
While our former Cast Members may skip many popular rides, they have their own favorites that are a little more laid-back or have shorter lines. Here are some of their favorites:
-
- Living with the Land: This slow-moving boat ride through EPCOT’s greenhouses is both educational and relaxing. Plus, it almost never has a long wait.
- PeopleMover: Our former Cast Members swear by this ride for the view and the chance to sit back and relax while cruising through Tomorrowland.
- Spaceship Earth: This is another EPCOT classic. It’s indoors (yay A/C!), and you get to enjoy a slow journey through the history of human innovation.
- Carousel of Progress: A/C and comfy chairs? Yes, please. Our former Cast Members love this classic attraction for the chance to chill and enjoy some retro Disney vibes.
Of course, they still enjoy a good thrill now and then. Cosmic Rewind and Rise of the Resistance are two big-ticket attractions they’re willing to wait for, but only when it’s worth it (especially if Rise of the Resistance has their single rider line running!).
While we’re here to help you plan your vacation with our recommendations and experiences, it’s up to you to decide what plans are best for you and your travel party. If all these rides are high up on your list, don’t let anyone talk you out of experiencing them — what’s great for you may not be the best for someone else, and that’s more than okay. With that being said, be sure to stay tuned to AllEars for all the latest Disney World news, tips, and tricks!
5 Disney World Cast Members Revealed Their FAVORITE Restaurants
Which Disney World rides would you never get on and why? Tell us all about them in the comments!
A common denominator on the favorite rides: short waits and long ride times. Ie., maximizing your time! I could not agree more.