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Welcome, dreamer, to Part 2 of Your Guide to Virtual Attractions at Disney! If you missed Part 1 covering virtual attractions at Magic Kingdom Park and EPCOT, be sure to check it out here! Today we’re diving into the virtual attractions at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. There are some incredible virtual attractions at these parks, and I’ve found some great ways to enjoy them even if you struggle with virtual attractions.
Before we get started, I want to remind you again of what I personally consider a virtual attraction, as this is the guideline I will follow with this post! To me, virtual attractions are those with 3D or 4D glasses, along with any that involve a motion simulator. If you’re looking for attractions that can specifically induce motion sickness, I highly recommend you check out my other blog post, Top Tips to Avoid Motion Sickness at Disney. Now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s get started!
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
This attraction is truly unique and unlike anything I’ve seen before. I was very undecided the first time I rode and asked a cast member for their thoughts, explaining what other virtual attractions at Disney I could and could not handle. She explained that the show/theme itself is very similar to Star Tours, but with the smoothness and new technology of Flight of Passage. I think this is by far the best description I could provide as well.
If you struggle with small spaces, you might want to skip this as there are many tight hallways in the queue and the cockpit itself is about the size of a guest bathroom, with only enough room for six seats.
It is considered a motion simulator attraction, but one big perk for this attraction is that there is a constant flow of air, like Soarin’ Around the World, which helps with motion sickness.
Additionally, this ride uses very smooth, new technology which can make it easier to enjoy as well! It would be remiss if I didn’t mention that this is an interactive attraction. Meaning, you’re assigned buttons and gears to use throughout the duration of the ride that will affect your show sequence.
While I’ve never had any issues on this attraction, I could see instances where a crazy pilot zig zagging back and forth could cause some motion sickness! If you are on the attraction and find yourself struggling, I recommend looking straight ahead instead of the buttons on the side or closing your eyes altogether and you’ll be just fine! You’re also welcome to kindly request waiting for the “pilot” role to come available so you can be in control of the zig zags!
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
While most of this attraction is a physically moving attraction, there is a small portion of the ride that places your ride vehicle into a motion simulator, very similar to Millennium Falcon. Please see its listing above for information and tips to help with this scene!
Star Tours – The Adventures Continue
Let me tell you, Star Tours is a big no no if you struggle with motion sickness on virtual attractions at Disney! This is a motion simulator attraction, where you will sit in a small theater which is suspended in the air on cranes that significantly shake, sway and dip. Unlike Millennium Falcon, which has a constant flow of air, this virtual attraction has absolutely no air flow and is very much enclosed for the duration of the ride.
Further, the movie sequences change each time you ride, so it’s difficult to anticipate which scenes you’ll want to close your eyes for, as you’ll have a different “show” each time you ride. While I can take in this attraction by closing my eyes when I start to feel queasy, still, 1 out of every 3 times I ride, I come out dizzy, nauseous, and regretting the sequence we had. All in all, if this is your only trip to Hollywood Studios, I wouldn’t risk it ruining your afternoon by trying out this virtual attraction!
Muppet*Vision 3D
Like PhilharMagic, Muppet*Vision 3D is a 3D show in a stationary theater, so you can’t go wrong here! Your seat never moves or shakes at all, and if the 3D aspect becomes sickening, you can easily take off your glasses or close your eyes. I highly recommend this as an attraction anyone can enjoy!
Toy Story Mania
Toy Story Mania is a physically moving attraction where you are wearing 4D glasses. Think of this as an updated Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin. You are physically moved – and often spun – to different 4D screens during the attraction, and you use your shooter to take a shot at numerous targets on the screen.
The only time I feel any motion sickness throughout this attraction is when the cart physically moves from screen to screen as it often spins and whirls! The 4D aspect of the attraction is not sickening in the slightest, but just beware of the brief spinning moments!
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park
It’s Tough to be a Bug
On the outside, it appears It’s Tough to be a Bug is an adorable, innocent family show. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. While this is a 3D show in a stationary theater, making it one of the easier virtual attractions at Disney, the actual show itself can be a bit scary for children particularly. There is a lot of fog, strobe lights, and some scary animatronics involved in this show.
Keep in mind, it’s an amazing choice for adults with motion sickness, as you can simply close your eyes if you find yourself queasy. However, I would chat with the Cast Members at the entrance to the attraction if you have children that can be sensitive to darkness or scary moments.
Avatar Flight of Passage
Flight of Passage has a long-standing history of being one of the most popular attractions at Disney World, and it’s not hard to understand why! This virtual simulator attraction is truly one of its kind, with brand new, innovative technology that truly immerses you in magic!
Throughout this attraction, you will step onto the backside of a banshee, soaring, flying, and dipping throughout the ride. The “banshee” is your personal motion simulator; it’s very similar to how you would sit on a bike. You will then have restraints come up behind your back and calves, which can make it seem a bit claustrophobic, as a warning! You will wear 3D glasses, and once the attraction starts, your screen will be revealed and your bike will begin moving along with the motion on the screen.
While there are some more intense feeling moments in this ride, I do not struggle with motion sickness at all on this virtual attraction, as air is constantly blowing through your ride vehicle onto your face. Still, I do know guests who need to close their eyes during certain points of the attraction, so they don’t get dizzy.
I highly recommend giving this attraction a try at least once, to see what all the hype is about! It truly is magical in how it makes you feel as if you are truly soaring through Pandora’s floating mountains, diving into the ocean water, and smelling the incredible scents. If you find yourself nervous, try watching the attraction on YouTube! Watching will give you a good sense of the ride.
Summary
Now that we’ve completed our collection of Virtual Attractions at Disney, I hope you feel more confident trying out some of Disney’s most beloved and popular attractions! If this was helpful for you, be sure to share it with a friend who also loves Disney! Stay magical, and I’ll see ya real soon for another blog post!
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Every time I read one of your Disney posts it makes me want to go even more! Partly because it all sounds amazing and partly because I love your tips to prepare people in advance – such as mentioning about the spinning in Toy Story Mania! Knowing what to be aware of can make such a difference!
Thanks for your sweet comment! Being prepared helps it to be more fun with less interruptions. I hope it helps if you’re ever able to visit!
Now I want to go to Disney land too
I hope you get to visit soon!
I went to Disney World when I was little. Your post makes me want to go visit Disney Land. The Avatar attraction sounds so cool!
This is actually Disney World in Florida, but the Avatar attraction is the newest attraction in Animal Kingdom! It’s truly SO much fun! I hope you get to experience it soon 🙂
I love every single one of your Disney posts! They make me really want to visit and try all the rides and it’s so helpful knowing which ones to be aware of for motion sickness!
Thank you so much for your kind comment! I agree, nothing ruins a day faster than motion sickness!
These rides all sound so amazing. I wish I could go to Disneyland right now.
I hope you get to visit soon! 🙂
I love reading your super helpful reviews of the Disney theme parks! I have a 4-and-a-half-year-old daughter, and I can’t wait to bring her!
It’s such a memorable time experiencing Disney through a child! I hope you get to visit with her soon!
A lot of cool options. I am embarrassed to say I have never seen a Star Wars movie.
I actually just started watching them about a month ago myself! These rides are super fun, even if you haven’t seen the movies 🙂
So many great choices on this list! Avatar Flight of Passage was my favorite.
Me too! It’s such a unique ride and SO much fun!
Your posts are absolutely fun and informative. At the same time, they make me want to visit Disney World so much. I will be sure to use these as my guide if and when I get a chance to visit.
Thanks for your sweet comment!
Disney is such a magical land of amusement. I went to Florida over 20 yeayago and it was spectacular. Five years ago I visited Paris and took the kids to Disney. Hoping to return soon.
I couldn’t agree more! I hope you get to visit soon, a lot has changed in 20 years!
That avatar ride looks so cool!
It really is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before. You would love it!
I have not been to Disney World since I was like 5. While I always knew that the experience is great for adults too, my excitement for going back slowly faded as I got older. However, this article just re-sparked that excitement. I learned so much, now I have to add it to my list of future vacations. Thank you for sharing!
I totally get that! But Disney is SO much fun, even for adults! I hope you’re able to visit soon, thanks for taking the time to read!
Thank you. You make Disney so much easier to navigate!!!
Thanks so much for sharing your kind thoughts!
I am so ready for a Disney trip! I always enjoy your in-depth coverage of Disney and its attractions. Your 2nd installment of the virtual attractions at Disney is really awesome. Perfect for planning the day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park!
Thank you so much for your kind feedback!
Wow so cool, I miss the Disney theme part and this fun stuff to experience. Thank you for sharing!
I hope reading my posts helps you while you wait to visit again! 🙂
It’s been a couple of years since the last time I went to the theme parks so I haven’t tried the very new ones at Hollywood Studios.
I did the Muppets’ one. I found it hilarious and laughed so much.
Time to go back and try the newly opened attractions!
I love Muppets! Such a fun time and a perfect depiction of the Muppets lol. I hope you’re able to come back soon to see all the new attractions 🙂