News Summary
The Orlando Sentinel’s recent poll showcased the most beloved theme park attractions in Florida, with readers favoring rides from Epcot, Magic Kingdom, and Islands of Adventure. Highlighted attractions included Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Jurassic World VelociCoaster, and Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure. The poll also celebrated live shows and nostalgic experiences, reflecting the diverse preferences of theme park visitors. Dining options, themed areas, and annual events like Epcot International Food & Wine Festival were also recognized. The results portray a blend of classic favorites and new attractions in the theme park landscape.
Orlando, FL – The Orlando Sentinel recently conducted a poll among its readers to determine their favorite theme park attractions and experiences, revealing a vibrant mix of beloved rides and nostalgia-infused choices spanning Florida’s popular amusement parks. The results prominently featured attractions from Epcot, Magic Kingdom, Islands of Adventure, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom, highlighting both favorites and some less-loved experiences across various categories.
The standout attraction among voters was the thrilling Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at Epcot, which took first place as the top overall attraction. Following closely in second place was the Jurassic World VelociCoaster at Islands of Adventure, with the Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure not far behind. Readers also expressed their fondness for Magic Kingdom’s classic Haunted Mansion, which was voted the favorite dark ride, followed by Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey and Space Mountain.
The interactive dining experience around Epcot’s World Showcase was celebrated as a must-do activity, earning its spot among top experiences alongside Cosmic Rewind and Hagrid’s ride. Furthermore, the poll revealed that animatronics within Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, Carousel of Progress, and Na’vi River Journey were recognized for their impressive figures.
In terms of live shows, readers favored the Festival of the Lion King as the best show, with the Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular and The Bourne Stuntacular following closely behind. Nostalgia played a significant role as readers expressed their affection for classic attractions like Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean, along with a yearning for former rides such as The Great Movie Ride, Jaws, and Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride.
In themed experiences, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey emerged as the leading favorite, in line with voters’ strong appreciation for the Wizarding World. The most popular treat turned out to be Dole Whip, with the Mickey Bar and butterbeer also receiving notable mentions.
As for dining options, Le Cellier Steakhouse at Epcot was recognized as the top restaurant. Other eateries that made the list included Tiffins at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Mythos at Islands of Adventure, illustrating a wide range of culinary experiences available throughout the parks.
Special events were also highlighted, with the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival voted as the best annual event, trailed by Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights and Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. For younger guests, Peter Pan’s Flight was identified as the favorite children’s ride, with E.T. Adventure and Barnstormer rounding out the top three.
Among newer attractions, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Magic Kingdom earned positive recognition for its “splashtastic” experience, reflecting the parks’ continual evolution and effort to engage guests.
The poll also accounted for themed areas, naming The Wizarding World of Harry Potter as the best overall themed area, followed closely by Epcot’s World Showcase and Galaxy’s Edge. Fireworks shows remain a favorite as well, with Happily Ever After at Magic Kingdom leading the category, followed by Fantasmic! and Hogwarts light shows.
Conversely, the poll indicated that Mission: Space was deemed the most nausea-inducing ride, followed by the Incredible Hulk Coaster and Cosmic Rewind. Meanwhile, Fast & Furious – Supercharged received the unwelcome title of the ride most likely to disappoint, with Mission: Space again noted for causing dissatisfaction among visitors. Noteworthy mentions included Living With the Land, which garnered less enthusiasm but still maintained a dedicated fan base.
With such a diverse range of attractions and experiences, the results from the Orlando Sentinel’s poll reflect evolving preferences among theme park visitors and highlight the enduring appeal of classic and new attractions alike.
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Additional Resources
- Orlando Sentinel: Theme Park Poll
- Florida Today: Disneyland Anniversary
- Orlando Informer: Universal Orlando September 2025
- Blooloop: Universal Orlando Epic Universe Plans
- People: Disney World 5th Park Plans
- Wikipedia: Theme Park
- Google Search: Orlando Theme Parks
- Google Scholar: Theme Parks Florida
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Theme Park
- Google News: Orlando Theme Parks
