Top 10 Underrated Disneyland Attractions Part 2

Top 10 Underrated Disneyland Attractions Part 2

Welcome to Part 2 of the Top 10 Underrated Disneyland Attractions! If you haven’t already, make sure to check out the first part to this list HERE. This list honors the overlooked rides and experiences of Walt Disney’s original Magic Kingdom in historical order; specifically geared towards returning Disneyland fans. With a whopping 48 total attractions, some favorites are bound to be left out to keep this list short. Please be aware that EVERY EFFORT was made to be as inclusive possible.

Note: Keep in mind that this is Part 2 of 2! Underrated Disney California Adventure attractions have their own list (HERE) and they will not be included in this post!

So, without further ado…

Alice in Wonderland (1958)

This whimsical journey through Wonderland is quite popular with returning Disneyland guests, but is often overlooked by Disney merchandising and marketing. Its thematic sibling and counterpart, the Mad Tea Party, seems to get all the media coverage and attention. The spinning cups have always been a perennial favorite among park goers, but the far more elaborate dark-ride which sits adjacent to it deserves some praise as well. Alice in Wonderland is a little longer than Peter Pan’s flight and just as magical. With extremely effective, but surprisingly simple special effects, bright and happy colors, memorable music, and a madcap style that dazzles the eye, it is worth the wait in line. And now, with the relatively recent updates such as projection mapping technology, this ride is more engaging than ever! Let yourself be drawn into the crazy world of Alice’s Wonderland and feel the child in you shout for joy.

Matterhorn Bobsleds (1959)

In 1959, the Matterhorn Bobsleds made history as the world’s first tubular steel roller-coaster in a world dominated by rickety wooden thrills. The iconic mountain which towers above everything in sight was a personal favorite for Walt. Inspired by Walt’s own trips to the real-life Matterhorn Mountain, the Matterhorn Bobsleds was an attempt to recreate the feeling of exhilaration one would get from careening down a snowy mountain in a sleek sled; including the danger! It’s a badly kept secret that Expedition Everest and its famous Yeti were directly inspired by this Disneyland original, and although the Walt Disney World masterpiece is far more famous, Matterhorn Mountain is not to be ignored. Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, and Big Thunder Mountain may get the most love, but Matterhorn Mountain lives in the hearts of millions of hardcore fans worldwide. And with the relatively recent addition of the Yeti stalking you in the tunnels alongside your bobsled as you ascend the mountain, the thrill has never felt so real!

Abominable-Snowman-Disneyland-Matterhorn-Concept — Concept art for the Matterhorn Updates. It literally feels like the Yeti is stalking you and roaring in your face!

Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room (1963)

A pioneer for the Audio-Animatronics that would one day populate Pirates of the Caribbean and so many other Disney Masterpieces, Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room is a nostalgic classic that is as endearing as it is colorful. The Enchanted Tiki Room is a blast from the past and is one of the attractions that was extremely close to Walt’s heart. He poured his creative imagination and whimsical sense of innocent fun into a beautifully realized show filled with singing plants, animals, and Tikis! Grab a world-famous Dole-Whip treat and watch as Jose the macaw and all his friends serenade you with tropical fun! Often passed up as old and outdated, much like its neighbor The Jungle Cruise, Tiki Room still commands a deep respect from Disneyland fans from around the globe. In a world populated by adrenaline junkies and savvy smartphone users, some old fashioned wholesome entertainment can be a good thing.

Tiki-RoomLARGE — The Tiki Room may not be the first attraction on everyone’s bucket list, but it certainly was one of Walt’s favorites!

Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln (1965)

Many guests pass this gem without even realizing its there in the first place. Situated amidst the shops and eateries of Main Street, U.S.A, The Main Street Opera House is home to one of Walt’s greatest accomplishments; the advent of the fully-realized Audio-Animatronic. Without Abe Lincoln, Pirates of the Caribbean and other rides like it would never have existed the way they are today. This show may be a bit outdated, and more educational than most park offerings, but it was one of the last shows that Walt personally directed and supervised completely. It is an inspirational show about Walt Disney’s love for America and its values of equality and opportunity, and his unending respect for a man who shared his beliefs. Centering around one of the most sophisticated Audio-Animatronic characters ever, Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln is probably as close as any of us will get to the real Abraham Lincoln in our lives, and the result is uncannily realistic. Because of its nature, and its age, the show is not necessarily for everyone, but for those who do love it, it remains a deeply poignant performance that still brings tears of pride to the eyes of many.

The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (2003)

Literally and figuratively overshadowed by its infinitely more popular neighbor Splash Mountain, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh deserves a bit more love. Due to the fact that it replaced the much-loved Country Bear Jamboree, this ride has gotten some bad press from longtime Disney fans. However, It’s actually a very good ride! For an attraction geared towards children, Winnie the Pooh offers an extremely cute journey that is not to be missed. With the beloved characters, song, and story from the animated Disney classic, the story enchants millions who ride through it. Featuring simple and yet extremely ingenious special effects, and eye-popping colors, the ride really does bring you back to your childhood days and makes you feel like you’re having a very happy winds-day with Tigger, Pooh, and Piglet! Especially if you have young children, this ride is not to be missed!

Like our list? Check out Part 1 if you haven’t already! Like and share; let us know in the comments what your favorite Disneyland attractions are!

Top 10 Underrated Disneyland Attractions Part 1

Top 10 Underrated Disney Attractions Part 1

With stories and experiences unlike any other, Disneyland is known for its world-famous attractions. However, some of these amazing attractions still seem to get overlooked when compared with the E-ticket thrills. This list honors those overlooked rides and experiences in historical order; specifically geared towards returning Disneyland fans. With a whopping 48 total attractions, some favorites are bound to be left out to keep this list a reasonable length. Please be aware that EVERY EFFORT was made to be as inclusive possible.

Note: Keep in mind that this is Part 1 of 2! You can find Part 2 here now that it’s up! Underrated Disney California Adventure attractions have their own list (HERE) and they will not be included in this post!

So, without further ado…

Disneyland Railroad (Opening Day, 1955)

91JEcUdnJCL._SL1500_ — Now loading on Track No. 1 for a trip around Walt Disney’s Magic Kingdom!

Most people see the Disneyland Railroad and assume that it’s just a fancy mode of transportation which guests can use to travel around the park. However, there is so much more to this attraction than meets the eye. Believe it or not, the average guest is completely unaware that the Disneyland Railroad travels through a living-breathing Grand Canyon, and then travels back in time to when dinosaurs ruled the Earth! It’s one of the park’s most delightful hidden gems. The Disneyland Railroad was also extremely important to Walt, and was the one thing he insisted on his theme park having, even during the earliest stage of its development. With the recent 2017 update, this attraction is even more magical than ever!

Jungle Cruise (Opening Day, 1955)

World-Famous-Jungle-Cruise-1 — Absolutely breathtaking!

Considering the roller-coasters of today’s world, it is hard to believe that the Jungle Cruise was considered the park’s first ‘thrill-ride!’ It seems extremely tame by today’s standards, but at the time, it was extremely exciting. No one had seen anything like the Jungle Cruise before, and the mechanical animals were a huge technological innovation at the time. Because of its age, the Jungle Cruise often gets ignored in favor of its younger sibling; Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Forbidden Eye. However, the cute animal dioramas, corny wisecracking skippers, and complete immersion into a man-made jungle, continues to fuel an enormous fanbase today.

Trader-Sam — The infamous Trader Sam. The deals he offers will put him ahead of the competition!

Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride (Opening Day, 1955)

5706799125_78b8e5d5dd_b — This stately manor acts as a beacon for all Disneyland fans.

Ask any Disneyland fan; they will all swear by quality of this Fantasyland Dark-Ride! For some reason, millions of zealous Disney fans are obsessed over this quirky ride through the eccentric Mr. Toad’s wild adventures. Usually overlooked in favor of its more famous next-door neighbor, Peter Pan’s flight, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride does not disappoint. With a zany trip in a motorcar mishap, a courtroom, and bad dreams of punishment in the Underworld, Mr. Toad lets us climb into his own shoes for a day. Unlike Peter Pan, this attraction has proven too much for some very young children to handle, but for more mature audiences it proves to be a blast.

mr-toads-wild-ride-01 — After the ride was closed at Walt Disney World, fans of the Disneyland version rallied together to stop the same fate from befalling their version. The effort was a great success!

Snow White’s Scary Adventures (Opening Day, 1955)

maxresdefault (5) — If you look closely, you might just see the Evil Queen pull back the curtains of her lofty tower and gaze down the guests waiting to go inside!

When most Disneyland newcomers first visit Fantasyland, a trip to It’s a Small World, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, The Mad Tea Party, and Peter Pan’s Flight are always on the itinerary, but rarely do you hear them even mention Snow White’s Scary Adventures. The reason for this is in the name of the attraction. Most people visiting Fantasyland are visiting with their young children; and Snow White’s Scary Adventures has been reported by some to be too scary for some of those same children. However, if you have older kids, or love the Disney classic, we highly recommend this Disneyland classic. It’s well made, atmospheric, and very cute.

7434868574_20354237a4_z — Some scenes, like this one, have been deemed by some as too scary for small children.

Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough (1957)

The Sleeping Beauty castle, While not as ornate as the Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World, is the ***original*** Disney Park icon. it is even now the entire Walt Disney Company’s official logo!

The Sleeping Beauty Castle is without the question the central icon of entire Disneyland Resort. The original fantasy castle has been awe-inspiring since the opening day of Disneyland and has touched the hearts of millions since then. As a result, it’s hard to imagine that you couldn’t go inside the castle itself until several years after its opening. The charming interior of the castle tells the timeless story of Sleeping Beauty in kinetic, special-effects laden, dioramas like the famous Main Street store windows and is quite well done considering the extremely limited space inside. Due to a seven-year hiatus, most people didn’t even realize that it has since reopened. Considering that very few newcomers, and even a great deal of returning guests, know this self-guided attraction even exists, it deserves more attention than it has been receiving. Your dreams of traveling inside a real fairy tale castle can come true!

maxresdefault (4) — Most people pass right by the entrance which is tucked away to the side after you enter the castle.

Like our list? Stay tuned for Part 2 next week! Like and share; let us know in the comments what your favorite Disneyland attractions are!

Top 5 Underrated Disney Movies

Top 5 Underrated Disney Movies

With so many good films to remember in the Disney animated canon, it can sometimes be easy to overlook a few of the lesser-known masterpieces. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of what we think are the ‘Top 5 Underrated Disney Animated Films’, so that these great movies can finally receive their due. For this list, we will stick to 56 films that are presently part of Disney’s official ‘Animated Canon’. It’s very hard to narrow this list down to an economical number, so if your favorite movie isn’t featured, please let us know in the comments and please understand that we did our best to include what we could. Perhaps we’ll compile a Part 2 with your picks if enough people want it!

Now without further ado, here we go…

#5: Fantasia 2000

Fantasia has experienced a great deal of resurgence in popularity since its debut in the 40’s, but its sequel is still vastly overlooked even by Disney fans at large. The same concept of the original Fantasia, a showcase of music synchronized to gorgeous animation, remains; but it is enhanced by valuable lessons learned from the original. With a Rotten Tomatoes score of 82%, Its hard to believe that Fantasia 2000 only broke even at the box-office. However, its breathtaking scenes of melody and imagery have spoken to the hearts of many viewers who have seen it since. But the coup de grace of the film is the final sequence; the beautiful music of Igor Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite synchronized to one of the most beautiful pieces of animation ever created. The breathtakingly beautiful scene of the Forest Sprite and the primeval destructive forces of the world must be seen to believe!

#4: Tarzan

This is by far one of the more well-known films of this list, but we at Disney Magic Fanatic believe it is still vastly underrated. The gorgeous film is listed among many people’s favorite Disney films, but due to licensing issues (The estate of Edgar Rice Boroughs limited what Disney could do with the property), Disney was never able to capitalize on its initial popularity. However, due to its Oscar winning music by Phil Collins, gorgeous backgrounds, animation (Tree Surfing rocks!), and an intense attention to anatomy and detail, this film rises above the rest and deserves more attention than it seems to have been receiving.

The amount of detail in the animation and anatomy of the characters is breathtaking. Tarzan is animated by Glen Keane; the mastermind behind Tangled and the animator of dozens of gorgeous sequences of animation (such as the Beast’s transformation). Not a single frame is wasted with his work!

#3: Winnie the Pooh (2011)

For some reason, no one we ask seems to know that this sequel to the adorable Disney classic even exists. Perhaps it’s the fact that it was released the same weekend as a super-popular Harry Potter film (how could it hope to compete at the box-office!), but regardless of the reason, there is no denying that this film is amazing. Imagine all your childhood nostalgia being fulfilled in an innocent tale of beauty and fun in The Hundred Acre Wood; that’s what this film does. With a Rotten Tomatoes score of 90% and a devoted fan following, there is no denying how well-made this film was. In fact, here at Disney Magic Fanatic, Winnie the Pooh is one of our favorite Disney films since the Renaissance of Animation. Just trust us…GO SEE IT!

winnie_the_pooh-3 — The canonical sequel is absolutely adorable and faithful to the original.

#2: The Emperor’s New Groove

Sure, it’s no Lion King, but The Emperor’s New Groove is hilarious! Everyone we ask seems to love this film and we certainly understand why. What can go wrong with a selfish Emperor being turned into a talking Llama? What’s not to like about a villain who’s scary beyond all reason and proof that Dinosaurs once roamed the earth? Nothing; except for the full comedy of ridiculous events and crazy meta-commentary in which those things are found! Plus…who doesn’t love Kronk and his shoulder devil and angel? Spinach Puffs for everyone!

source — Kronk is our favorite! He makes the film into a real hoot!

#1: Treasure Planet

In our opinion (note the keyword: OPINION), Treasure Planet is the most underrated Disney film of all time. It seems to grow on you every viewing more and more, until it’s firmly planted in your mind. Directed by Disney luminaries John Musker and Ron Clements (The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, Moana, etc.), Treasure Planet is a breathtaking display of gorgeous animation, brilliant world-building design, and lovable characters. Sure, it lacks a little on the plot side, and has a few bugs with its logic, but it’s all worth it for the sumptuous visuals and unique blend of 18^th century design and high-tech cyberpunk. Featuring a brilliant voice cast, including a now-superstar Joseph Gordon-Levitt, the great Emma Thompson, and the ever-entertaining Martin Short to name a few; this film has an immense imagination and deserves a little more credit!

black_hole — The film’s visuals are the stuff of dreams; taking years to painstakingly animate.

tumblr_n6nee8FgU91r65lvvo2_500 — There is absolutely no shortage of imagination in this film!

treasure-planet-23 — The stylistic design is unique and fresh; always catching the eye with its intricate detail.

Like our list? Please Like and share and also stay tuned for weekly Disney joy!

Top 5 Most Successful Disney Villains

The Top 5 Most Successful Disney Villains

In some cases, Disney’s villains are just as memorable as the heroes they face off against. However, there are a few fiendish felons that rise above the rest in their craftiness. So, to be fair to these guys, we’ve compiled a list of who we think are the most successful Disney animated villains; regardless of how good of a villain they are or their actual level of popularity. This list is based solely upon the villain’s individual level of success in a film’s plot; even if they remain unmemorable for the audience!

Warning: ‘Be prepared’ for a spoiler alert (but you already knew that!)

#5: Doris the Evil Bowler Hat

1280x720-ZSi — Creepy! Doris gives us the shivers!

Meet the Robinsons is a lesser known Disney movie and the villains are therefore often overlooked by Disney fans at large. However, there is still no denying the success which that film’s villain obtained. Doris, a multitasking super-hat that somehow controls minds (don’t ask), was invented by the film’s hero, named Lewis, in the future. Doris subsequently became self-aware, turned evil (again, don’t ask), and manipulated Lewis’s childhood friend Michael ‘Goob’ Yagoobian into attacking Lewis’s legacy. By stealing a time-machine, Goob allows Doris to go back in time and sell herself as Goob’s invention before she had been invented by Lewis so that she can be massed-produced and have the numbers to mind-control all of humanity (it’s very complicated). She succeeded in doing all of this, but thankfully all of her evil machinations were easily undone when the young version of Lewis decided to overcome his fears and never event Doris in the first place (confusing timey-wimey stuff). At least the endearing unicorn-loving Goob wasn’t such a bad guy after all!

yTdQ34X — We’re glad Bowler Hat Guy (Goob) isn’t a bad guy after all!

#4: Prince Hans

tumblr_n70vn9nqc21qjoke8o1_500 — We love to hate Prince Hans! Shame on him!

No villain makes us cringe more than the chief slime-ball of all Disney villains; the wicked Prince Hans from Frozen. Even Gaston seems a gentleman when compared to how Prince Hans treated the women in his life! Prince Hans set out to marry into the royal house of Arendale and thus inherit the kingdom himself. He manipulated poor Anna into thinking he was in love with her, forced Elsa to retreat from fear, and then dumped Anna and left her to the effects of a frozen heart! He tricked the whole kingdom into thinking he was some dashing hero. He succeeded with all his plans, but in the end, he had not counted on true love to thaw the frozen heart!

#3: Ursula

tumblr_nw8g4jDseK1qzfsnio2_1280 — Who knew such a deep voice could get any deeper…..or that such a big octopus lady could get bigger!

Besides having one of the best villain songs in all cinematic history, Ursula also stands as one of the most successful schemers in the Disney canon. It’s amazing how fast she accomplishes her goals; considering she made up her plan from scratch only after she had discovered Ariel’s rebelliousness! Ursula managed to trick a distraught Ariel into selling her soul and her voice in return for human legs so that she could get prince Eric to fall in love with her. It was not a fair deal! Despite awesome relationship advice from Sebastian, Ursula uses Ariel’s stolen voice to make certain that poor Ariel would never reach that already-difficult goal. Because of the loving father he is, King Triton takes Ariel’s place as Ursula’s slave (talk about a different kind of Disney ‘true love’!) Ursula becomes the master of wind and tide just as she had always wanted….at least for a few minutes. Even if he isn’t good at guessing names, Prince Eric still makes a great hero!

giphy — *Shivers*….That’s one bad octopus lady!

#2: Jafar

Aladdin-disneyscreencaps_com-1535 — Just look at that Monkey-faced malice!

This slimy Sultan’s Vizier manages to sneak his way into the Sultan’s highest confidence with snake-like craftiness. Not only does Jafar manage to remain the Sultan’s most trusted adviser for most of the movie, but he also pulls off a pretty convincing old man disguise! This schemer even seems to have backup plans to achieve his goals if the original plans fail (like marrying Princess Jasmine…He’s so old; YUCK!). Through carefully laid schemes and tempered patience, Jafar not only reaches his life’s goal of becoming Sultan, but even goes a step further; becoming a powerful sorcerer and then an all-powerful genie! Pulling off ‘phenomenal cosmic power’ is an astonishing feat to be sure, but it’s too bad some major strings came attached to the whole genie thing…

#1: Scar

tumblr_n0vm3xxo8y1trav8xo1_500 — What a showman! If he wasn’t so evil, he might be a pretty good actor!

Scar certainly did exactly what he had set out to do (except for catching that mouse for lunch…). Not only did his years of patience and planning pay off with his rise to King of The Pride Lands, but he met every single goal on the way to get there; all of it working perfectly to his design. He engineered the demise of his own brother, managed to convince his own nephew that it was somehow his fault, and even fulfilled his promise to some rather crazy Hyenas. Also, he has the longest period of success out of any Disney villain in history! Scar managed to rule as King long enough for Simba to be raised to adulthood by a lovable Meercat and Warthog; all while enjoying a rousing chorus of Hakuna Matata! Even though the Pride Lands went to waste under Scar’s lethargic rule, he still proved himself to be an extremely successful schemer!

4af23c8b8e4caca3391d2fbfd7bb5c564a3e0ec5_hq — What follows this still brings tears to our eyes…

Like our list? Was your favorite foe included? Let us know in the comments below! Tell us who YOUR picks would be, and we may make another list with your picks later! If you like our content, please like our post and share!

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Month: August 2017

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