Traveling the Globe for the Best Coasters and Theme Parks
Although Disneyland Paris announced in February that the Walt Disney Studios Park’s Vekoma launched looping coaster would receive upgraded effects, they were not implemented until July 2023.
Continue reading “Finally, Walt Disney Studios added effects to Avengers Assemble: Flight Force”
It’s that time of year again! Welcome to our 4th Annual “Twenty-Year Top 20”, where we rank the top coasters that turn 20 years old this year! 2002 was an extremely strong year, with the “Coaster Wars” at their peak – our favorite coasters in several countries, respectively, made their debut twenty years ago. Let’s get started!
Continue reading “Twenty-Year Top 20: The Best Coasters of 2002”
Beginning with resort-saving Space Mountain de la Terre a la Lune in 1995, Disney was the unlikely champion of the modern launch coaster. Before Premier Rides, Intamin, and other industry juggernauts had their hand at next-generation launchers, Disney partnered with Vekoma to create the first new catapult-propelled coaster in over a decade (one that, unlike its predecessors, would run multiple trains on a full circuit).
Continue reading “The 5 Best Disney Launch Coasters”
It’s only been a couple months since Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind opened at Walt Disney World’s EPCOT, but Disney Imagineering has already unveiled their next Marvel-themed attraction: Avengers Assemble: Flight Force. Though expectations were (probably) modest, the “new” coaster didn’t perform as desired for some folks – what went wrong?
Continue reading “In Defense of Avengers Assemble: Flight Force”
UPDATED – August 2022
We didn’t plan on riding Rex’s Racer on our 2019 visit to Shanghai Disneyland . The new credit was tempting, but we assumed the line would be too long to be a good use of time – after all, we already had the Paris and Hong Kong ones.
On Shanghai Disneyland day the crowds were light, and when we checked out the new Toy Story Land, we noticed Rex’s Racer going out with empty seats. “Eh, why not” we said. After riding, it occurred to us that we’d now ridden every coaster Disney has ever built – but not for long. Wandering Oaken’s Sliding Sleds will open at Hong Kong Disneyland before we know it, and with no plans for a Hong Kong Disney visit in our near future, we know our every-Disney-coaster-ridden claim had an expiration date.
Naturally we decided to write an article ranking all operating Disney coasters – it may have taken years for us to get around to it, but we’ve finally put it together. We’re also pleased to include both Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind and Avengers Assemble: Flight Force in our latest revision!
Continue reading “All Disney Coasters – Ranked”
About this time in 2017, we dropped a Disney Rides Top 20 to celebrate the opening of Shanghai Disneyland. Five years and two revisions later, we’re back with the 3rd Edition of our Global Disney Top 20. We’re proud to bring an increasingly comprehensive countdown of Disney’s top rides from around the world – each one pushing the limits of storytelling entertainment and illustrating for the visionary artwork of Walt Disney Imagineering.
Continue reading “20 Best Disney Rides in the World – 2022 Edition”
There’s no better thing than a brand-new Disney park themed land opening up. This is particularly true for Disneyland Paris’ neighboring park Walt Disney Studios that has always struggled with a smaller-than-usual attraction lineup. As part of a large expansion to the theme park, Avenger Campus will be home to several rides, restaurants, shopping and entertainment attractions. Let’s take a look at all that Avenger Campus will have to offer!
Continue reading “What to Expect at Marvel Avenger Campus at Walt Disney Studios in Paris”
Happy 30th anniversary for Disneyland Paris! The celebration started at Europe’s biggest theme park resort. We go through some of the festivities, including a review of the 30th anniversary Passholder Night. Plus, we also give you an update on Avengers Campus at the Walt Disney Studios!
Continue reading “30th Anniversary at Disneyland Paris”
Paris’ Indiana Jones gets a bad rap. For pretty much its entire existence, the ride has been overlooked because of bigger coasters and better Indy-themed rides – but we think this odd little ride deserves more credit.
Continue reading “In Defense of Indiana Jones et le Temple du Péril”
The year is 1860. Thunder Mesa has been virtually wiped off the map by an earthquake, with its infrastructure largely destroyed. Big Thunder Mining Co. is now shuttered, but indigenous spirits still possess the mine trains to this day.
Continue reading “The Best Big Thunder Mountain”
While we’ve ranked all of Disney’s Space Mountains before, such an article can only spend so much time showcasing the pure brilliance of Disneyland Paris’ Space Mountain. After another recent trip to our french Disney home park across the pond, we decided to highlight this dazzling masterpiece of a roller coaster in a dedicated article.
Continue reading “The Best Space Mountain”
Shortly before most borders (and theme parks) closed, Alex and I traveled to Disneyland Paris for a few days at one of our favorite parks. At the time we did not realize we’d cancel our next several international trips. This summer we finally were able to leave the US again, and the first park we visited was Disneyland Paris of course. Let’s take a look at the French Disney destination, without the usual crowd!
Continue reading “Disneyland Paris: Our Last International Park Before – and Our First International Park Since – the Pandemic Started.”
With most of the parks closed in Europe and all Halloween events cancelled, we might have one of the saddest Theme Park Halloween season ever. But that didn’t stop us from digging into our archives and see what we experienced in the past. This year, we’re looking back at a rare Halloween event that took place at the Walt Disney Studios in Disneyland Paris: Terrorific Nights. Continue reading “Halloween Throwback: Terrorific Night at Disneyland Paris”
After launching our Coaster Line last week, we’re now adding five new pieces to form the Coasters and Landmarks Line. These new pieces take us across the globe to some of the most iconic landmarks in the themed entertainment industry. Carefully chosen and designed based on our love for these remarkable icons, this week’s wonderous landmark designs can’t be missed: Continue reading “SHOP – 5 New Landmark Designs”
UPDATED: October 2020
We’ve had the amazing opportunity to travel to all Disney parks in the world, twice! Along with that, we’ve also been passholders for 8 out of the 12 parks! We’re critics – and thus can’t help but compare every experience at each Disney park. We’ve reasoned back and forth and have taken the changes over the past couple of years in account to create this list ranking all Disney parks in the World. (Please note that this article has been completely rewritten from our January 2019 edition). Continue reading “All Disney Parks in the World – Ranked”
Disney is truly in a league of their own when it comes to themed areas. Our recent podcast covered this in great detail, but we wanted to produce a follow-up article to make a couple changes and reiterate some of our key points.
In our brand new podcast episode we discuss Disney’s best themed areas from around the world! Are your favorites on the list? Continue reading “Coaster Kings Radio – Disney Themed Areas Top 10”
Alexander: It’s no secret that the 4 (sorry, 3) Tower Of Terror rides are some of Disney’s most popular and iconic attractions. “Why not rank them?” We asked ourselves (and if you’re wondering how we squeezed a “Top 5” out of this, your answer lies at the start of our list).
Alexander: There’s no Disney ride quite as well-loved as Haunted Mansion. Lightyears ahead of its time, Walt Disney’s home for 999 happy haunts was a showcase for experimental optical tricks that lent themselves marvelously to spectacular specters – little did they know they’d lead to the most cult-obsessed amusement park ride in the world.
Continue reading “All 5 Disney Haunted Mansions & Manors Ranked”
Sean: Disney loves their (mine) train themed coasters and every Disney Resort is home to at least one signature version! Today we take a look at five of the eight spread around the world to make our ranking. The selection ranges from classic Big Thunder Mountain Railroad installations to new-age versions such as Expedition Everest and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. Continue reading “Our 5 Favorite Disney Mine Train Roller Coasters”