According to Science Direct, the fear of missing out (FOMO) is defined as, “pervasive apprehension that others might be having rewarding experiences from which one is absent.” Disney FOMO is something that affects countless theme park tourists each day, both in positive and negative connotations.
Sometimes, FOMO drives our decision-making to pick the right entertainment. On other days, we do the wrong thing because we’re afraid that somebody else will do it, causing us to feel left out. Let’s focus on that aspect right now. Here are the biggest Walt Disney World FOMOs that you may regret.
Cinderella’s Royal Table
Image: DisneyFirst of all, let me say that everything I discuss here is something that a lot, maybe even most, Disney fans adore. These things aren’t for everybody, however, and the opportunity cost of choosing them is problematic.
For example, everyone dreams of dining inside Cinderella Castle. It’s the most majestic setting imaginable at the Most Magical Place on Earth. Park officials understand this and price the meal there accordingly.
To dine at Cinderella’s Royal Table, you must book 180 days in advance due to its popularity. Then, you’ll pay more than $80 per person for a meal that’s…just okay. You have limited selection during your dining experience, and what’s there certainly isn’t universally appealing, at least not among the entrees.
Yes, the Disney Princess encounters are perfect, and the desserts are divine. So, you won’t feel like you’ve made a colossal mistake or anything when you dine at Cinderella’s Royal Table. It’s just not something that you’ll feel pressured to do ever again. I actually think that Akershus and 1900 Park Fare both offer better character meals, and they cost less. Cinderella’s Royal Table is more of a bucket list dining experience that you may not want to repeat.
It’s a Small World
Image: DisneyJust by reading the header, the song got stuck inside your head, didn’t it? For all of the wonders of It’s a Small World, the attraction has a couple of crippling flaws. First, it’s around 12-15 minutes long plus the wait-time spent in line.
At Magic Kingdom, so many rides and shows are worthy of your time that any wasted effort is regrettable. Let’s say that you spend 45 minutes or so at It’s a Small World. Are you sure to have more fun doing that than visiting Pirates of the Caribbean or Haunted Mansion? Both of them are iconic Disney attractions with similar wait-times.
How about Mickey’s PhilHarmagic? It’s in the same area as It’s a Small World and may take less of your time. Alternately, you could head to the back of Fantasyland to ride Under the Sea – Voyage of the Little Mermaid. I view all of these attractions as equal to or significantly better than It’s a Small World. Oh, you don’t get that dreaded earworm that will haunt you for hours afterward, either.
Your FOMO may pull you toward one of the most famous rides at Disney. That doesn’t mean it’s the best thing that you could do, though.
Mad Tea Party
Image: DisneyFew rides have as recognizable a ride design as Mad Tea Party. Its elegance is its simplicity. You sit in a gigantic teacup, and then you spin and spin and spin. Mad Tea Party is thematically glorious in the way that it represents the chaotic realm of the Mad Hatter. The bright colors here are dizzying, intentionally so.
Given the status of the attraction and its unmissable location on the path between Tomorrowland and Fantasyland, you may feel compelled to ride it. You want to do everything recognizable at Walt Disney World so that you can brag to your friends, right? Well, Mad Tea Party strikes back. It’s a nausea-inducing ride that may haunt you for hours after it’s over. Your FOMO may cause your stomach to churn, and it’s that much more of a mistake if you’ve eaten before or try to eat after the ride.
Mission: SPACE
Image: DisneyFor 15 years now, Mission: SPACE has caused a buzz due to its notoriety. Any Disney ride that comes with a body count is sure to garner attention. This attraction, however, isn’t worth the hype.
You mainly know Mission: SPACE because Imagineers messed up. They tried to build a ride that celebrates those brave men and women who have conquered Earth’s atmosphere. They worked with NASA experts to design this realistic space simulator. What they overlooked is that only the hardiest of individuals ever earn the title of astronaut.
Ordinary Disney guests struggled under the force of the centrifuge. Mission: SPACE accidentally became one of the deadliest theme park rides ever built. Since it does have that reputation, you may want to brag that you rode/survived the attraction. In reality, you’re doing yourself a disservice. Mission: SPACE frankly isn’t very good, and your FOMO will cause you to have a bad time on a sub-par attraction.
Na’Vi River Journey
Image: DisneyPandora – The World of Avatar is Disney’s greatest theme park triumph of the 21st century. I honestly believe that. Any visit to Disney’s Animal Kingdom should include a stop at this immersive themed land. Everyone knows this, which explains the huge crowds so long after Pandora’s opening.
The FOMO here is that you want to ride everything at Pandora, and that’s not difficult since there are only two rides. No, the difficulty stems from the wait-times for these attractions. Presuming that you don’t have a FastPass, you may spend half of a park day just on two rides. It’s not the best investment of your valuable park time.
While I happen to love Na’Vi River Journey, I’m in the minority. The general perception of this (extremely) dark ride is that it’s substantially worse than Avatar Flight of Passage. Your FOMO may drive you to ride both attractions, but you’ll buy yourself a couple of hours to do other stuff by skipping Na’Vi River Journey.
Rivers of Light
Image: DisneySpeaking of poor time investments at Animal Kingdom, your love of Disney’s nighttime presentations could get you into trouble here. Since you’re already at the park and have heard how spectacular it is at night, you may feel compelled to watch Rivers of Light. Sadly, that’s not a great idea.
For whatever reason, this presentation seemed doomed from the beginning. It was first delayed for the body of a year. Then, it was changed at least twice during its initial 18 months of operation. Even now, it’s a shiny but dull display that you’ll struggle to understand.
I once wrote a Behind the Show about Rivers of Light. Most of the feedback I received echoed the same thought. Even those Disney fans who had watched it multiple times hadn’t followed the story at all. It’s just too confusing. Don’t let your FOMO trick you into watching the worst of Disney’s nightly presentations.
Space Mountain
Image: DisneyI think this is the most controversial suggestion on this list. Let me explain. Space Mountain is the most recognizable roller coaster on the planet. Without it, none of the other coasters that you love would exist. Given its status as the seminal roller coaster, Space Mountain regularly has long lines. Your FOMO will drive you to take a tour of the galaxy on this attraction anyway.
Here’s the thing. Space Mountain is more than 40 years old, and it hasn’t gotten a lot better over the years. To the contrary, it seems rather quaint compared to today’s monstrous giga and strata coasters. The other troubling aspect of the ride is that roller coasters have gotten a lot less rickety over the years. Space Mountain has not.
I pity anyone with a bad back who gets on this ride. You’ll get your butt kicked to the point that you may struggle to walk for a few minutes afterward. And fans of high velocity will exit feeling disappointed as well. Space Mountain’s top speed is only 28 miles per hour. It’s a bike ride down a steep hill more than a hyperspace portal into the abyss of space.
Oh, who am I kidding? You’re all going to ignore me and do all of these things anyway. You don’t want to miss out, right?
