Weekly Top 10: The World's Best Theme Park Movie Attractions

By Robert Niles: While rides remain the top draw bringing people into theme parks, sometimes you just want to sit down, relax, and watch a show for a while. That's why movies remain the basis of many popular attractions in the world's top theme parks. But parks aren't satisfied to recreate the experience in your local multiplex. Theme park movies almost add extra elements to their presentations, whether it's 4D ("Height, Width, Depth, Spray!"), 180-degree or 360-degree theaters, or even live actors interacting with the film onscreen.

Theme Park Insider readers can rate and review attractions at the world's top parks, and, based on those ratings, here are our readers' choices for the Top 10 movie-based attractions in the world today. Remember that you can click on these attraction names to submit your rating of these shows, too!

10. TurtleTrek

SeaWorld Orlando

SeaWorld plussed its sea turtle exhibit with what it promoted as the world's first 360-degree, domed, 3D movie.

9. Reflections of China

Epcot

This 13-minute, CircleVision 360 movie plays in a theater housed in a re-creation of Beijing's historic Temple of Heaven. We follow Li Bai, an ancient Chinese poet, as he leads us through a visually spectacular, on-screen tour of Chinese landmarks and historical sites, from the Great Wall of China to Beijing's Forbidden City.

8. MuppetVision 3D

Disney's Hollywood Studios

Kermit and Miss Piggy take you on a video tour of Muppet Labs, for a demonstration of their new filmmaking technique, MuppetVision 3D. But of course, something goes terribly wrong, and chaos ensues, with in-theater effects adding to the mayhem you should expect from any Muppet production.

7. It's Tough to Be a Bug!

Disney's Animal Kingdom, Disney California Adventure

Located under the park's iconic Tree of Life, this 4D film featuring characters from A Bug's Life actually premiered before that Pixar animated movie. The show includes all the typical 3D/4D gags, including objects seemingly flying from the screen, creepy-crawlies on your seat, and even a fragrant stinkbug.

6. Terminator 2: 3-D

Universal Studios Florida

You're welcomed on to a tour of Cyberdyne Systems (from James Cameron's Terminator movies), but since this is a theme park attraction, you shouldn't be surprised when something goes “terribly wrong.” Soon, you're traveling through time with John Connor and the Terminator as you try to save the world from Skynet. The show blends live actors, a 3D movie, and in-theater special effects, including explosions.

5. CineMagique

Walt Disney Studios Paris

Martin Short and France's Julie Delphy star in this charming montage of scenes inspired by classic Hollywood films. The characters literally "break the fourth wall" on occasion, bringing the action off the screen and into the theater.

4. Walt Disney: One Man's Dream

Disney's Hollywood Studios

The pre-show of this movie is as much the attraction as the film itself, featuring a museum of Disney artifacts, including Walt's office from the real Disney Studios. The centerpiece of the attraction remains the filmed biography of Walt, exploring his journey to Hollywood and life at the studio, including Walt talking about the creation of Mickey Mouse.

3. Mickey's PhilharMagic

Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom, Tokyo Disneyland, Hong Kong Disneyland

Even though the title is "Mickey's" PhilharMagic, Donald Duck is the star of this 12-minute 3D movie where we fly through a medley of famous songs and from top Disney animated films. This was the first time that Disney created computer-animated versions of many of its classic characters, including Mickey and Donald.

2. Soarin' Over California

Disney California Adventure, Epcot

Board one of three massive "hang gliders" for a flight around the state of California. You'll "fly" around the Golden State, breezing along above river rafters, orange groves, golf courses, national parks, and even an aircraft carrier. For the finale, you'll skim above a downtown Los Angeles freeway on your way to a fireworks display at Disneyland, making this the only theme park attraction whose climax is a scene from... another theme park.

1. Impressions de France

Epcot

Playing on a 200-degree screen in a sit-down theater at the back of the pavilion, Impressions de France was directed by Rick Harper and produced by Harper and Academy Award nominee Bob Rogers. The movie depicts a series of visual impressions from France, enlivened by Buddy Baker's arrangement of French classical music.

You Might Also Like:

• Why 'Impressions de France' is the best movie ever made for a theme park


• Theme Park History: 10 top movies or TV shows filmed in theme parks

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