Best Non-Roller Coaster Ride (2020)

Busch Gardens Tampa is home to North America’s tallest freestanding drop tower, the 335-foot Falcon’s Fury. This isn’t any old drop ride; seats pivot 90 degrees and drop riders face first at speeds of up to 60 miles per hour. The ride to the top takes about a minute – loads of time to soak up the stellar views.
Photo courtesy of Busch Gardens Tampa

This Disney take on the popular log flume ride carries the theme of its classic Song of the South movie, starring such timeless characters as Br’er Rabbit, Br’er Fox and Br’er Bear. Go “Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah” past rock caves and swamps, down three dips and ultimately a five-story waterfall. Sit in the front of the hollow log for the wettest plunge possible.
Photo courtesy of Paul Hiffmeyer/Disneyland

MEN IN BLACK Alien Attack at Universal Studios Florida is like a video game on wheels! True to the blockbuster movie, it has riders acting as secret agents to stymie an invasion of extraterrestrial creatures. Each six-seat vehicle has its own laser gun for annihilating some 120 species of aliens. Game consoles keep track of individual scores so that riders can compete against each other.
Photo courtesy of Universal Orlando Resort

Avatar Flight of Passage at Disney's Animal Kingdom takes guests on a high flying journey through the magical landscapes of Pandora atop a winged mountain banshee. The 3D experience has quickly become one of the top rated attractions in Walt Disney World since its debut in 2017.
Photo courtesy of Disney

Based on the eponymous Rod Serling TV series of the 1960s, this attraction recalls an episode where famed Hollywood stars disappear at the Hollywood Tower Hotel in 1939. Modern-day guests tour the creepy hotel and ride the service elevator into the “fifth dimension” and total darkness. The fright factor mounts on the way to the 13th floor, where a free fall and an unexpected change of direction ensue and terrify.
Photo courtesy of Garth Vaughan, photographer

The newest attraction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios invites park goers to join the epic battle against the First Order. The massive attraction combines elements of a trackless dark ride, motion simulator, walk-through attraction and drop ride system, and the experience lasts 18 minutes.
Photo courtesy of Matt Stroshane, photographer

Gringotts Bank lies beneath the massive fire-breathing dragon in the world of Harry Potter. Mere mortals can at last visit this fantasy landmark and take a thrilling 3D ride through its cavernous passageways and dangerous vaults. The conveyance is a roller coaster, but the special effects make it a hybrid thrill ride with highly detailed sets, motion-based cars and evil villains.
Photo courtesy of Universal Orlando Resort

The enchanting world of wizards and magic introduced by Harry Potter books and films comes to life as guests pass through Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry before soaring on enchanted benches with Harry and friends above the school grounds. The dark, motion-based ride visits all of the iconic venues at the Hogwarts campus while facing mythical and magical creatures that spit, swat and spook.
Photo courtesy of Universal Orlando Resort

One of Disney’s oldest and most enchanting rides, Haunted Mansion never fails to amaze visitors with its spooky and intricate audio-animatronic figures and special effects. Doom Buggies transport guests about the eerie estate to meet ghostly, singling and giggling ghouls – 999 specters in all, some of whom end up hitchhiking along with riders. The labyrinth of haunted chambers include a casket-clogged conservatory, candlelit séance room and ghostly graveyard.
Photo courtesy of Joshua Sudock/Disneyland Resort

A virtual adventure extravaganza, this attraction starts visitors with five massive video games before they begin their hang-gliding simulation. It takes guests high above the Pacific waves, ski slopes, redwood forests, orange groves and famed landmarks of California. The 180-degree IMAX projection dome is the closest sensory experience – including the sense of smell – there is to the reality of gliding 40 feet in the air.
Photo courtesy of Disney