Updated after my Cali Trip, probably going to get bashed but what do I care. ITS MY LIST
#10 Splash Mountain
Splash Mountain is arguably one of the greatest water rides ever created as well as one of the best dark rides out there. It blends classic Disney story with great sets, great AA's, and multiple surprises along an extremely long course. Its over the top scenes combined with its family thrills truly set it apart from all water rides and most dark rides.
#9 Horizons
Another truly immersive attraction that also broke the mold of being interactive. While many people never got the chance to experience this attraction I was lucky enough to several times over all the way until demo. This ride had a unique ride system that blended perfectly with its sprawling sets. At the end you got to choose the actual ending and it made for great rerideablitliy while opening the door for other attractions with the same premise. It was a great classic Disney ride that screamed Epcot or at least what Epcot used to stand for.
#8 Kongfrontation
This is the ride that made me a dark ride fan. When I was a kid my parents had to take me on this ride over and over and over because I could not get enough. From the moment you entered the queue to the moment you walked off the tram you were fully immersed 360 degrees around you. The sets were AMAZING, probably the best dark ride sets ever created IMO. It brought so many things to the table. A highly themed queue, a great story, amazing AA's, a unique ride system, interactivity, smell effects, live action, simulation, and list keeps going. Of all rides now gone, this is the one I miss the most.
# 7 Radiator Springs Racers
The ride overall is very very good. Without a doubt the best thing from Disney in a VERY LONG TIME! The Pro's of the attraction are the visuals, AA's, and race segment. The con's include the length, a an even shorter dark ride section, and a true wow moment. The ride weaves in and around the massive rock work which just adds to the realism of such a massive looking attraction. The forced perspective makes it even appear larger and you believe it. Everest would pale in comparison next to this beast. Then you have the Audio Animatronics which were arguably the best I've ever scene anywhere. From the character movement to the facial expressions they were flawless and probably my favorite part of the attraction. On the other side of things this ride IS SHORT! From the moment you enter the mountains til you cross the finish line is just over two minutes. The dark ride section doesn't last but maybe 75 seconds. All in all the ride is right at the 4 minute mark. While those two minutes of the bulk of the ride are amazing it does leave something to be desired. Its also missing that never been done before WOW moment. You know like 5th dimension in ToT, ending in Indy, the first screen in Spiderman, the FJ ride system, and so on. I'm not harping on the ride by any means as it is an amazing attraction and easily the best thing to come from WDI stateside since the 90's. So yes its awesome, is it the best attraction in the park yes. Is it the best attraction at DLR, no. That title still belongs to Indy. If I was to place RSR's in my top ten dark rides which I obviously would it wouldn't make the top 5 but then again that list is damn hard to beat.
#6 Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Forbidden Eye
This is without a doubt the best ride at the Disneyland Resort and one of Disney's best creations to date. From the mammoth queue to the vast interior sets it has it all. The ride plays directly into the style of the movie franchise I love so much. So to jump on and literally feel like an adventure straight from the movies was an amazing experience. All the effects were top notch and the sets are just awesome. The EMV vehicles though are what really give the ride that X factor. In a digital time its great to see an older but still amazing attraction show us live sets are the way to go.
#5 The Tower of Terror
Lets face it, the first few years at MGM (Disney's Hollywood Studios) were well rough. It was a half day park at best and it lacked a truly must see attraction. So Disney decided to build probably its greatest creation at the end of Hollywood Blvd. This ride is blends great effects, cool sets, an amazing queue, fantastic story, and a unique ride system around a free fall ride. Its extremely fun and its great that its been reprofiled several times over the years to keep in fresh. Another thing that sets it apart from EVERYTHING else is its truly themed 360 degrees. I mean no matter where you look whether it be outside the park, inside the park, in the queue, on the ride, in the gift shop its themed to the fullest extent. Theres no show building looming in the background or another ride vehicle in sight. Its just you and the beast.
# 4 The Haunted Mansion
Alright I probably am going to catch some fire from some on placing this attraction so high on the list. This IMO is the ultimate Disney experience and I NEVER miss it during a visit to the Magic Kingdom. From the facade to the effects this ride screams classic Disney. It offers the rider a backstage pass into the haunted world many of us try to peer our curious eyes into. The update this attraction received in 2007 really cemented its place as my overall number one Disney dark ride. The blending of todays advanced technology with the storyline and sets of Disney's past blend perfectly to create an overall masterpiece. Now if we can just get that Holiday makeover...
# 3 The Amazing Adventure of Spiderman
In the late 90's when my love of theme parks was taking a more serious turn I began following the construction of Universals newest park, Islands of Adventure. At the time I could not wait to ride the Hulk, Dueling Dragons, Dudley, and Jurassic Park. While I did know about Spiderman I didn't at the same time. So in the summer of 99 at my first visit to IOA the family and I did what most do. Started in Marvel and went around. So we did the Hulk, SWEETNESS! Then Doom, ehh that was cool. Then it was time for Spiderman. I mean I had read a few things about how awesome it was but I was young and in 1999 there were not a ton of theme park sites out there. I remember walking in the Daily Bugle and instantly being like whoa this is cool and so did my family. It really hit me as soon as the vehicle turned and Spidey jumped on the scoop. I still remember my jaw dropping to the floor! This ride from start to finish was the most amazing experience I had ever had. I mean it was lightyears ahead of anything else at the time. And now with it being in 4K HD oh man its insane. The ride is the total package and I have nothing negative to say about it, NOTHING!
# 2 Transformers the Ride
Immediately after I saw Transformers in the movie theater I knew it had the possibility of making one amazing attraction. I mean how could one not think the same? It was a special effects dream come true! So when Universal Studios announced the ride was coming to Singapore and Hollywood I was pumped! And to know the ride was going to be based off of the same tech as Spiderman, arguably the greatest dark ride ever, I mean come on. So last month I finally got a chance to take a few spins on this mega attraction and it blew me away. While their are several gag effects that carry over from Spiderman, its takes all things learned from Spiderman and builds on them drastically. The one thing that I loved about this attraction was the urgency, pacing, and overall chaos you experienced from the moment you enter to the moment you leave. Its literally a massive battle playing out in front of your face for 5 minutes non stop. On top of that this ride has a much more out of control feeling. Their were times where you felt the ride vehicle was truly going 60 MPH due to the amazing 4kHD Screen resolution and graphics as well as awesome pacing and simulation effects.
#1 Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey
Yeah you knew it was coming. Islands of Adventure now houses the two greatest dark rides created IMO and by Summer 2013 Universal Orlando will have the top 3 Dark rides on my list. This ride has the best queue I have ever waited in. It has a ride system that not only destroys crowds but it offers an intimate experience that words just can't describe. When the Wizarding World was being built, I followed it closer than anything else I have ever followed in theme parks. The main thing I was interested in was in fact the Forbidden Journey. It was also one of the only rides I have ever been able to say NO I WILL NOT READ SPOILERS. So in true dork fashion I drove to Universal everyday I could for Potter watch in hopes of getting a ride in. One morning my wish came true. I ran to it like a fat kid to the desert pizza at Cici's. From the moment I walked in my emotions ran wild. Jesus people I called my mom, wife, sister, and dad while I was in line! Anyways the real magic started once I was loaded in got my three clicks and away we went. Each and every scene was everything I had hoped for. The ride system was so much better than I could of dreamed of. It was truly an experience I will never forget and each ride since then has been the same. I love taking people on this ride and watching there reactions. Universal broke the mold 20+ years ago with Back to the Future and Kong. Then they rewrote the book on dark rides with Spiderman ten years later. Now yet again they have taken the dark ride to even higher ground. The ride is as close to total perfection as I have seen.