Dark rides are one of the greatest creations in theme park history. And like so many similar innovations, they stem from Walt Disney. An illustrator by trade, Disney honed his craft until he could create cinematic shorts from his ideas. Later, he illustrated any movies starting with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
As he constructed the Happiest Place on Earth, Uncle Walt translated his storytelling skills into a new medium while using the same tricks. His attractions had scenes, just the same as movies. These set piece-based ride structures were the basis of the dark ride. And judging by the Top 100 Attractions voting on Theme Park Tourist, it’s one of your two favorite kinds of rides. Here are the best nine dark rides as chosen by you, our wonderful readers.
9. Test Track and…
8. Radiator Springs Racers
Image: DisneyTwo fraternal twin attractions begin our list. Test Track at Epcot and Radiator Springs Racers at Disney California Adventure share the same ride structure, with the cosmetic differences a matter of theming. Test Track simulates the automobile manufacturing processes, demonstrating some of the stress tests a vehicle must pass to prove itself road-safe. The California version substitutes the Cars brand for General Motors, and it’s the superior ride experience.
Image: DisneyTheme Park Tourist voters are decidedly passionate about both, though. Test Track is currently the #34 ride on the Top 100 while Radiator Springs Racers is slightly higher at #32. Yes, every dark ride on this is among the best 35 attractions in the world according to your voting!
7. Indiana Jones Adventure
Image: DisneyDisney isn’t merely the inventor of the dark ride. They’re also the dominant force in the industry for this type of ride. While roller coasters are the domain of other places like Cedar Fair, seven (!) out of the top nine dark rides on the Top 100 are Disney properties. I’ll go ahead and spoil you on the fact that the other two are Universal Studios attractions. You can probably guess which ones.
The third Disney dark ride to make this list is Indiana Jones Adventure at Disneyland. You’ve voted it the #29 attraction in the world, presumably because it so perfectly embodies the spirit of the Indiana Jones franchise. While you don’t get to play Indy himself, you do interact with him at times during the series of misadventures at the Temple of the Forbidden Eye. It’s a thrilling way to live out the fantasy that you’re an archaeologist, and thanks to deft Imagineering tricks, the ride is always thematically bumpy. Indiana Jones Adventure is one of the most underrated Disney rides in my opinion.
6. Pirates of the Caribbean
Image: DisneyOkay, before you grow angry that your fellow voters only ranked this as the sixth best dark ride, let’s get one thing straight. It’s the #18 overall attraction on the list. The rest of the dark rides listed here are almost all masterpieces that have stood the test of time. Only one of the top six selections is constructed in this century. You love the classics! And you should.
Pirates of the Caribbean is a perfect example of the profound skill of the original Imagineers. Famously the last ride that Walt Disney worked on before his death, Pirates displays some of the most memorable sets ever built. Why, the mere thought of changes to the Redhead Auction/Wench Sale caused angry protests and internet petitions. Guests are that attached to the fictional characters from the ride. And while I’m fairly indifferent to the removal of the Wench Sale, I understand that level of passion.
Image: DisneyI state with conviction that if Disney ever tried to remove the set piece with the dog holding a key in its mouth, I will rant like a madman. That dog is one of my favorite childhood vacation memories. It’s a universally relatable bit that still works more than half a century after its creation!
5. The Haunted Mansion
Image: DisneyI’m not sure if a dark ride can qualify as under-ranked when it’s #13 overall, but that’s still how I feel about The Haunted Mansion. Famously the most difficult Disneyland attraction to construct/open, it’s also in the conversation for greatest theme park attraction of all-time. Disney Imagineers engaged in a civil war about the content of the ride, bitterly picking sides about whether it should be funny or scary.
In the end, an unlikely shotgun marriage of the two premises became the easiest way to finish the ride after more than a decade of trying. And the end result is an unforgettable series of sets, each one iconic and unforgettable. I would argue that The Haunted Mansion is the first modern dark ride, as it features several key elements associated with the premise. It has a time-controlled ride system, forced perspective that requires the viewer to look a certain direction, and some of the largest sets ever built for an attraction.
4. Splash Mountain
Image: DisneySpeaking of huge set pieces, Splash Mountain is one of the longest dark rides at Disneyland or Walt Disney World. That’s primarily due to the exhaustive nature of some of the sets such as The Laughing Place. The false finishes heighten the rider’s excitement for that exhilarating moment when the boat finally tips over the edge and heads straight down into the water below, eventually delivering the promised splash. It’s one of the funniest attractions ever built.
Splash Mountain also claims one of the most engrossing ride experiences of all-time. The frolicking characters and playful tone are delightful to watch, so much so that you’ll forget for a time that you’re about to get soaked. You rank it as the #9 attraction in the world, and that sounds about right to me.
3. The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man
Hey look, it’s a non-Disney ride! I promised that Universal Studios would make two appearances on this list. What I failed to mention is that their rides are all about quality rather than quantity. Despite only having a pair of entries on this list, they still hold down two of the top three spots!
You definitely line up with the critics on this one, too. The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man famously won the Golden Ticket for Best Dark Ride for 10 (!) straight years. You “only” rank it as the seventh best attraction overall, which I would argue reflects two things. One is that you love roller coasters so much that even the finest dark rides must have that extra special oomph to rate higher. The other is that after almost 20 years in service, Spidey’s not webslinging his way into your heart like he once did at the turn of the millennium. This ride set the bar and held it there for a decade. Today, it’s still really, really good, just not the best.
2. Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
Image: UniversalAnd that’s because the best thing at Universal Studios is obviously something with the Harry Potter name on it. While some would argue that Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts is now the superior ride, it has roller coaster elements that take it out of the conversation for dark ride consideration.
The one true Harry Potter dark ride is the attraction Universal built as they prepared the Wizarding World of Harry Potter for public consumption. It’s the amazing attraction that allows all jealous Muggles to live the Wizard life for a time. You get to interact with the main characters, watch a Quidditch match, have splashy fun with a giant spider, and narrowly escape a Dementor. After five minutes on this attraction, you’ll feel like you’re ready to chase after horcruxes. It’s understandable why you view it as the sixth best overall attraction and second best dark ride.
1. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
Image: DisneyHere’s the thing about the Top 10 attractions according to your votes. More than half of the rides are roller coaster-based. In the top five, all but one ride is a coaster. What’s the lone exception? Well, it’s a big one. Despite your obvious adoration of roller coasters, you named The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror as THE best attraction on the planet.
Yes, all of the dark rides listed here are among the top 35 attractions in the world. Despite the deep list of great rides, only one stands apart from its peers so much that it’s ranked with roller coasters…and in fact ahead of them. When you think of theming and ride entertainment, Tower of Terror simply has no peer. After 1,125 votes from theme park tourists, it has a perfect grade of five stars. It is clearly the people’s choice and the best dark ride in existence.
So, how do you like the list that you created? Well, if you’re unhappy with the results, I’ve got great news! You can always head over to the voting page and add your picks. Rock the vote, theme park tourists!
