Walt Disney World is huge – there are so many rides and attractions, it’s hard to do them all! Most of the time, people find themselves gravitating towards the classics. The Haunted Mansion, The Jungle Cruise, Splash Mountain – all the big ticket items are usually on people’s “to do” lists. Because people have an idea of what they want to do before they step in the park, that often prevents them from venturing out of their comfort zone. There are more attractions at Walt Disney World than your roller coasters and dark rides. Sadly, these attractions get overlooked for the more popular rides.
Here are the most underrated (in my opinion) attractions at each of the Walt Disney World parks. Be sure you check out these four hidden gems on your next trip! You will NOT be disappointed!
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Magic Kingdom – Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress
This is one of my personal favorites, and an attraction we didn’t even know existed until we had been to Disney a few times! The Carousel of Progress is a 10-15 minute show that takes place on a revolving stage. You stay seated, and the entire auditorium moves to transition scenes. It follows a typical American family through the beginning of the 20th century and beyond, highlighting all the advances in technology we’ve made a society over the years.
One of the things I love most about this attraction, in addition to it being a timeless classic, is that Walt himself came up with the idea. The attraction has a fascinating history as Walt designed it for the World’s Fair in 1964. The story is pleasant and I never get tired of watching it. It’s interesting to see how far we’ve come in just a few decades! The song “It’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow” is also a Disney classic! It’s a wholesome attraction that makes you grateful for all the good technology has brought us through the years. I definitely recommend this to everyone, it’s a treasure!
Epcot – World Showcase films
Everyone knows about the new Frozen attraction in Norway. There’s also an adorable little dark ride starring The Three Caballeros in the Mexico pavilion. But did you know that there are FILMS you can watch scattered around World Showcase?! That’s right, in the America, Canada, and France pavilions there are educational films that you can watch that teach you about the culture and experiences in each country.
Since each film runs about every 10 minutes or so, I recommend you check out all three. You’ll definitely gain a better understanding of each country while doing so! They truly live up to the original message of EPCOT and World Showcase – that there is a whole world out there, and lots to learn about each unique culture!
Hollywood Studios – Walt Disney Presents
While taking a break from all the thrills that Hollywood Studios has to offer, check out this self guided tour on the life of Walt Disney. The exhibit highlights Walt’s life and accomplishments, as well as the technological advances Disney Imagineering has made over the years. There’s a film at the end that is about 15 minutes long on Uncle Walt himself to end out your tour. Take as much time as you like looking over all the memorabilia packed in to this underrated attraction. If you’re a huge history buff, or simply a huge fan of Walt and how to started and grew along his career, it’s a must see!
Animal Kingdom – Maharajah Jungle Trek
This adorable little trek gets missed as people run from Asia to Africa in Animal Kingdom, eager for their next Fastpass. Hidden near Kali River Rapids is the Maharajah Jungle Trek, where you can take some time to disconnect from the crazy theme park experience and just be one with nature. Bats, tigers, tons of colorful birds await you along the trail. It’s self guided, so you can take as long as you want to make sure you experience the attraction fully. The only downside is that these are, of course, real animals. This means they don’t necessarily cooperate, and may not always be in full view. If that’s the case, move on and check out the next amazing animal on the tour!
These are my personal picks as the most “underrated” attractions at Walt Disney World. Be sure you check out each one, and remember to always explore everything Disney has to offer. You’ll be so happy you did!
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