Disney CEO Bob Iger has just published his autobiography, The Ride of a Lifetime: Lessons Learned from 15 Years as CEO of the Walt Disney Company and during a recent promotional appearance in the Los Angeles area, he said that his favorite Disney ride was the original Pirates of the Caribbean.
That's a strong — though some might say, easy — choice, given the ride's history and its foundation as one of Disney's most lucrative franchises. But do you agree with Iger's pick?
Here are our Theme Park Insider readers' ratings for the top 10 Disney theme park attractions around the world. Where does your favorite rank?
10. Phantom Manor Disneyland Paris
Back from an extended refurb, Paris' version of the Haunted Mansion includes elements from Disney World's never-built Western River Expedition, making this a favorite for Disney trivia buffs as well as casual fans.
9. Pooh's Hunny Hunt Tokyo Disneyland
Disney's first "trackless" ride spawned an industry trend and continues to delight visitors to Disney's first park outside the United States.
8. Haunted Mansion Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom
Foolish mortals continue to queue for what might be the most famous Omnimover ride in the world.
7. Twilight Zone Tower of Terror Disney's Hollywood Studios
Disney's original Tower of Terror continues its reign as the top ride at Disney's Hollywood Studios, though one wonders if a "Rise of the Resistance" might displace it.
6. Mystic Manor Hong Kong Disneyland
This trackless wonder wowed fans when it opened, lifting Hong Kong Disneyland from an afterthought to a bucket list destination for Disney fans around the world.
5. Radiator Springs Racers Disney California Adventure
The ride where nothing goes terribly wrong offers one of the most impressive facades in the business, finished with one of Disney's top family-friendly thrills.
4. Flight of Passage Disney's Animal Kingdom
The anchor of Pandora - The World of Avatar land, Flight of Passage surprises many of its visitors with an emotionally engaging finale.
3. Pirates of the Caribbean Disneyland
Bob Iger's pick manages only the third spot on our list — but (spoiler alert?), it is the best Disney theme park ride in the United States.
2. Journey to the Center of the Earth Tokyo DisneySea
A long-time favorite of Theme Park Insider readers, Journey offers a collection of amazing moments, leading up to an exhilarating final act.
1. Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle of the Sunken Treasure Shanghai Disneyland
Okay, I guess Pirates did win on this last after all! It's not the 1967 Disneyland original, but the next-generation Shanghai wonder that continues to win our readers' love as the world's best theme park attraction.
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Wow, great list, but no Indy.
I'd rank Mystic Manor over Journey but still good list. As a long-time lover of POTC, can't argue with its placement and the vidoes I've seen of Shanghi are amazing.
Haven't been to any other international disney park except for Shanghai but I agree with Keith on this one. Indy is such of an inventive attraction with breathtaking theming, in the ride and the queue.
Journey to the Center of the Earth doesn't even crack my top 10. It looks cool, but other than having one cool animitronic figure the ride is short and nothing happens.
I've been to the Hong Kong and Tokyo Disney Resorts in addition to the American ones of course and they are spot on with Journey ttcot Earth and Mystic Manor. Pooh is awesome too at Tokyo. I did though come back a huge fan of Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars over at Hong Kong Disneyland. Definitely would make my top 3 Disney rides and it certainly is a crowd favorite in Hong Kong. Pure fun.
Love the ranking! Although it is missing Indy, and Guardians honestly could be in place for Tower of Terror. I love when this site does top tens like this! Do top 10 Universal rides in the world now!
I definitely love this ranking! Battle of the Sunken Treasure is by far the most technologically impressive ride I've experienced, and Mystic Manor is so fantastic. I hope to experience the ones at the Tokyo Disney Resort sometime in the next couple years!
This is a really good list!!! And I whole-heartedly agree with Shanghai's Pirates. OMG. I could not believe how incredibly immersive this was. The mix of physical props/sets and screens is mind-blowing.
And I agree with Manny regarding Grizzly Mountain. It doesn't get a lot of love, but it is fantastic, with the traditional + launch + backwards sections and really great theming . I'd have to think about whether it's Top 3, but definitely Top 5 for me.
As mentioned above already, I think Grizzly Mountain should be on here as well as TRON. Both fantastic as well as just plain fun rides!
My order of this list would be a little different, but it’s a very solid and accurate list!
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Fully agree. Pirates in Shanghai is the prototype worlclass attraction for everyone - mix of sets, screens, and some genuine nice thrills thrown in. Just an awesome experience for both adults and children.
I'm bemused why it's taking so long to get this ride thememing in some incarnation over to America.