In late June of this year, Disney announced that it will replace the iconic “Redhead Auction” scene on its Pirates of the Caribbean attractions. Whatever side of the debate you fall on, it is hard to deny the impact that scene had on the overall presentation of the story the attraction was telling. So it got us to thinking about other iconic scenes in some of our favorite attractions, and, I guess we’ll just have to make a Top 10 List out of it!
Welcome to Believe Vacation’s Top 10 where today, we’ll look at our Top 10 Scenes in Disney Attractions. For this list, we are reflecting on the most memorable moment on some of the most famous rides in history. They are the scenes we tell our friends and family about when we get off the attraction and they are the scenes that fill our dreams until the next trip back to the Happiest Place on Earth. Speaking of Earth…
10) Looking at Earth (Spaceship Earth) – Spaceship Earth (IE. the big golf ball) is a slow-moving, dark ride that takes us on a journey chronicling advancements in communication as time has gone by. Each advancement has a dedicated scene of animatronics and historical backdrops to accompany it. So you can imagine that asking which one of the scenes is our favorite may create some debate. But there is something special at the end of the attraction, after the vehicles have made their way to the top of the geodesic sphere, when we make a semicircle, looking back at Earth. Among shooting stars and constellations, the visual is breath-taking and stunning and makes us a little sad when our vehicles turn backwards and make our return to our home planet.
9) Carnotaurus Encounter (Dinosaur) – Taking us back in time to the land of the dinosaurs, Dinosaur is fun for older kids and adults as we encounter a dozen or so members from the Jurassic age. Why not fun for some small children you ask? One encounter with the massive and frightening Carnotaurus changes the whole attraction experience. What started as a peaceful journey, viewing creatures from eons ago and trying to pick up an Iguanadon to bring back with us, suddenly turns into monster vs. prey and you can guess which role you are! If you’re a collector of on-ride pictures, remember that your reaction to this carnivore may be captured forever with a Memory Maker purchase.
8) Elsa’s Powers (Frozen Ever After) – All of our favorite characters from the biggest Disney blockbuster in decades have invited us to visit them in their home of Arendelle. Frozen Ever After, located in the Norway section of Epcot, uses the familiar track of its predecessor, Maelstrom, and has created a “Summer Snow Day” boat ride under the reign of Queen Elsa herself. While the scenes are humorous and reflective of the movie, it is the Queen herself that steals the show by using her powers and forcing our boat backwards through a fun snow storm. A moment that is impossible to conceal happy emotions!
7) Munchkin Land (The Great Movie Ride) – The Wizard of Oz is one of the best movies ever. On top of that, the scenes in Munchkin Land are my favorite. So when I was young and would pick up brochures of Disney’s MGM Studios, they would feature traveling to this mythical land via their attraction, The Great Movie Ride. I could not wait to board the attraction and sit through scenes of movies I was less familiar with just so that I could visit the land where the Yellow Brick Road began. I have to admit, arriving and being greeted with “The Munchkin Land Song” can get a little emotional. Thankfully, the Witch is there to jolt us back to reality!
6) In a Mine (Seven Dwarfs Mine Train) – The current featured attraction of Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is a wonderful combination of a thrilling roller coaster and kid-friendly attraction. While the track is not on the same level as Big Thunder Mountain or Space Mountain, there are enough twists and turns to make you want to ride again. But it’s the brief visit to the mine where the Dwarfs work that really makes this attraction stand out. Featuring some of the most advanced animatronics to date and thousands of jewels and gems, you’ll be singing along and feel like part of the crew. If only there was a little more time to spend and not be so quick to be “home from work we go!”
5) All Presidents (Hall of Presidents) – An educational journey that admittedly may not be for everyone, The Hall of Presidents is the ultimate way to honor the 40+ men who have held the office of President of the United States of America. Throughout the show, there are individual monologues, speeches, videos and narrations that can at any moment, stir your patriotic senses. But the show-stealing moment happens when the curtain raises and before you stands every single one of our Presidents on a long stage. A true USA! moment if there ever was one!
4) The Elephant Pool (Jungle Cruise) – The Jungle Cruise is a fun boat ride through some of the world’s longest rivers, all being captained by a quirky, joke-cracking skipper. Along the journey, you encounter animals and natives of all kinds, even a special pass through to view the Backside of Water! While each scene may have its own jokes and moments, the one that people always remember is being in the middle of a dozen or so elephants, splashing, playing, bathing and spraying in their own pool. Be careful and don’t get wet but it’s okay to stare; they are wearing their trunks!
3) 16 Bears (Country Bear Jamboree) – Fun, entertaining, and full of songs you’ll want to learn, The Country Bear Jamboree is a 15-minute foot-stompin’, hand-clappin’, hoot-and-a-hollerin’ show featuring some furry friends on guitars, banjos and even Little Tennesse Bear, featured on the Thang! While each one has a part, be it a solo or with one or more other bears, it is when all 16 of the bears perform the finale that you really get to have a good time. No wonder these guys and gals keep selling out Bear Hall after all these years!
2) Yeti Encounter (Expedition Everest) – Bottom Line: If Expedition Everest were only just a roller coaster, it still would be one of the most popular ever. When you add the storyline that we are in the mountains trying to find the mysterious Yeti, it makes for a wonderful addition. And when you witness the Yeti ripping up the tracks in front of you, it makes for a dangerous journey. But when you go crashing down the mountain towards the outstretched arms and jaws of the monster, it makes for one of the best scenes on any attraction ever!
Honorable Mention
Greenhouse (Living with the Land) – Seeing the actual working greenhouses of the Land Pavilion at Epcot is a nice tribute to how agriculture benefits us all.
Under the Sea (Journey of the Little Mermaid) – Led by Sebastian, almost 100 fish and aquatic friends sing and dance for your enjoyment.
Flying over London (Peter Pan’s Flight) – Passing over homes and cars and around Big Ben, this scene creates the ultimate dream of flying.
1) The Graveyard (Haunted Mansion) – The Haunted Mansion is a ghost-guided tour through a haunted house, all while seated in your “Doom Buggy.” If the attraction would just stay within the mansion, it still would be one of Disney’s greatest. However, the moment you fall out of the attic window and find yourself in the graveyard, we go to the next level. Impossible to describe every single detail that goes into making this the Best Scene, just start with ghosts, spirits, ghouls and supernatural entities doing all kinds of random activities. Got that in mind? Now imagine one of the most elaborate sets designed to portray a cemetery and mausoleum. Got that? Now imagine all of them harmonizing and singing one of the greatest songs in the Disney catalog, Grim Grinning Ghosts. The combination makes for the greatest Disney Attraction Scene and for that reason, I’ll sign up now to be the 1000th Happy Haunt!
Did we miss anything? Which part of your favorite attraction do you think is the greatest? Leave your answer in the comment section below and remember there is a great, big, beautiful tomorrow!
