Top 10 Rides

Recently, the Tool Box co-founders have agreed to embark on their most ambitious article to date. No, it's nothing original, but something definitely worth checking out. More news on that on a later date. For now, I thought I'd do something a little lighter. Being an expert in the world of thrill rides, or rides in general is something I take great pride in. I have been to numerous amusement/theme parks in my day, including: Walt Disney World, Cedar Point, Six Flags (Chicago and California), Universal Studios (Hollywood and Orlando), Disneyland, King's Dominion, King's Island, and most likely a couple more. After my recent visit down to Orlando, I thought it'd be fun to count down the top 10 rides I have been on. (These are in my opinion the BEST rides, not my favorites.)

10. Splash Mountain (Magic Kingdom/Disneyland)
Most parks have the obligatory "log ride" where you usually just kind of float around for about 3 minutes, climb up a hill, and go down. Disney takes that to a different level with Splash Mountain. Riders get a chance to experience the story of Brer Rabbit, featuring some of their finest animatronics, along with numerous drops, most notably the one that takes you into the Briar Patch. A must ride.

9. The Tower Of Terror (Disney-MGM Studios, Disney's California Adventure)
Another ride where Disney takes a basic boring ride and turns it into a clever, enjoyable experience. You are a part of a Twilight Zone episode, where the elevator shaft is haunted. Featuring random drop patterns, you will most likely get the same ride twice. This ride beats any of those standing tower drop rides any day of the week. The exterior to the building is also very detailed, giving riders a feel of authenticity.

8. The Raptor (Cedar Point)
This is a ride that begs you to ride in the front car, giving you a genuine feeling of flying. Never one to just give you a 30 second roller coaster (okay, except for Top Thrill Dragster), the Raptor features numerous corkscrews and loops in a ride that is most certainly worth the wait.

7. Indiana Jones Adventure (Disneyland)
Looking at the building that contains this attraction, it's hard to imagine how they even fit a ride in there. However, it is brilliantly set up, and while it is not as thrilling as a roller coaster, you can't help but caught up in this re-creation of the Indiana Jones series.

6. Top Thrill Dragster (Cedar Point)
Although this ride is short on time, it will give you the greatest thrill of your life. Towering over 400 feet, riders are shot at over 100 miles per hour. Unfortunately, the ride often experiences technical difficulties, but it is one ride that every thrill-seeker must ride in their lifetime.

5. Test Track (EPCOT)
Test Track gives guests an up close encounter with what goes on behind the scenes at the auto companies. Riders go along through numerous simulated tests, which eventually leads to the climax, a high-speed ride around the test track.

4. Millenium Force (Cedar Point)
One of the most intimidating rides ever constructed, the Millenium Force is a true roller coaster. Even after the 300+ foot drop, the thrills continue on this exciting coaster. There is only one other roller coaster track that I have found to be better designed, and that is the next selection.

3. The Magnum (Cedar Point)
The original "giant" coaster at Cedar Point, the Magnum may have the smaller drop, but the actual track is even more exciting. Don't believe me? Ride this one at night, and I guarantee that it's a whole different experience.

2. Spider-Man (Islands Of Adventure)
Universal put all of their brain power into this attraction, and boy did it pay off. Combining 3-D technology with a simulator-type ride, Spider-Man is unlike anything else you've ever been on. Jumping from scene to scene, you experience Spider-Man and a whole group of villains right in your face. There are explosions of both fire and water, smoke, and it even feels as if you are falling off of a skyscraper.

1. X (Six Flags Magic Mountain)
This ride is absolutely insane. There is no other way to describe it. The wait is often around 4 hours, even if it's not a busy day, but you won't regret your decision to take this ride on. You are strapped down to the side of the cart, from there as you are traveling through the track, your seat also revolves around to give you a multiple ride experience. Never before has my brain been so scrambled.