The Worst Theme Park Rides Based on TV Shows

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Many popular theme park rides based on big-budget films serve as attractions, but some exceptional Disney and Universal experiences are actually inspired by television shows. For instance, Walt Disney World’s Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Universal Studios’ The Simpsons Ride, and the lesser-known Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls at Islands of Adventure are all examples of this trend.

This article is not about any of those rides.

Instead, the following 15 attractions serve as examples of theme park rides based on television shows that didn’t live up to expectations. This could be due to a lack of connection to their original content in the ride experience, or simply because they weren’t enjoyable. They are located in various parks across the nation and although many have since closed, some still operate, consistently underwhelming visitors year-round. The next time you visit, consider choosing The Tower of Terror or The Simpsons Ride instead.

The American Idol Experience

Initially intended as both a tourist destination and a functioning movie and television studio, Disney’s MGM Studios Park opened in 1989. However, within just a few years, the real productions on site significantly decreased. To maintain visitor interest, Disney started creating attractions that resembled popular TV shows. For instance, they introduced a “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” show and an “American Idol” experience. In this simulation of the hit reality show, visitors had the opportunity to participate in a staged version of “American Idol,” complete with judges mimicking Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul, and Simon Cowell. Contestants could audition for a performance spot, then compete against other tourists; each day’s American Idol Experience finale winner received a “Dream Ticket” that expedited their line at an actual “Idol” TV audition.

However, this opportunity came with a trade-off: You needed to be prepared to spend as much as six hours each day at an expensive theme park for the auditions and performances. If winning was your goal – and if by some slim chance, you managed to win – then it was worth it. But if you didn’t win, remember that you spent a significant amount of money to hear a fake Simon Cowell criticize you rather than enjoying Toy Story Mania.

The Battle of Galactica

In the late ’70s, following the success of Star Wars, Universal created Battlestar Galactica, an expensive TV series depicting the conflict between human space colonists and robots called Cylons. Despite its high costs, it only ran for 24 episodes before being canceled. During its brief run, a small part of the show was incorporated into Universal’s Hollywood Studio Tour as “The Battle of Galactica,” which featured animatronics and visual effects. Tourists were taken captive by the Cylons, brought into a building, and then rescued by an actor dressed as a space warrior. The location for the Battle of Galactica was eventually torn down in the early ’90s to make way for Back to the Future: The Ride, which has since been replaced by The Simpsons Ride. Considering it was inspired by a show that had been off the air for over a decade, a 12-year run is quite impressive for a laser battle scene.

Chip ‘n’ Dale Gadgetcoaster

Three years after the final episode of Chip ‘n’ Dale: Rescue Rangers, Disney introduced a junior roller coaster inspired by the series at Disneyland, which they called Gadget’s Go Coaster initially. Now over 30 years old, it has been renamed the Chip ‘n’ Dale Gadgetcoaster. Despite the name change, the ride itself hasn’t significantly changed and continues to be the shortest one at the Happiest Place on Earth, lasting only 45 seconds. If you wait for a decent amount of time for this rather underwhelming experience with your kids, you might find yourself wanting to go somewhere else afterwards.

Doug Live!

For nearly a decade starting from the mid-90s, the television animated series titled “Doug” aired on both Nickelodeon and ABC. Disney produced “Doug’s 1st Movie” in 1999, followed by a stage show at Disney-MGM Studios called Doug Live! Despite the excitement among ’90s kids to meet characters from “Doug”, it’s important to note that the cartoon had unique, highly-stylized animation. The live-action stage show, Doug Live!, featured human performers dressed as Doug Funnie and his companions, including his dog Porkchop. However, the unusual stars of this musical, with their unsettling appearance, could be described as disturbing figures brought to life. Doug Live! ran from spring 1999 until summer 2001, which might seem surprising given the peculiar looks of some characters, particularly Roger.

The Funtastic World of Hanna-Barbera

Throughout the history of Universal Studios Florida, the left side of its main street has been home to various large simulator rides. The first one was called “The Funtastic World of Hanna-Barbera,” which allowed visitors to join characters from the Hanna-Barbera universe on a mission to rescue Elroy Jenson, who had been kidnapped by the villainous Dick Dastardly. This ride, while fun and aimed at younger kids, was less advanced and intense compared to “Back to the Future: The Ride.” Approximately ten years after its opening, Universal replaced it with another TV-themed simulator called “Jimmy Neutron’s Nicktoon Blast.

Garfield’s Nightmare

In simpler terms, the aging attraction known as the Old Mill at Pennsylvania’s Kennywood Park was given a makeover in 2004, becoming “Garfield’s Nightmare.” This ride, which originally opened in 1901, has undergone several changes over the years to keep up with themes. However, due to its age and limited rider capacity, the creative team was instructed not to make it too impressive as too many people might want to experience it. Unfortunately, this approach did not lead to a high-quality theme park attraction.

Hercules and Xena: Warriors of the Screen

At Universal Studios Florida, the opening coincided with the peak of syndicated television programming, and nothing was more popular than the dual adventure series, “Hercules: The Legendary Journeys” and “Xena: Warrior Princess.” When the TV-themed attraction, “Murder, She Wrote,” was terminated in 1996, it was rebranded around these two hit shows. However, “Hercules” was also ended in 1999. The show, known as “Wizards of the Screen,” ran for its last performance early in 2000, lasting less than five years, making it one of Universal’s least successful attractions. Watching clips of the show, it’s easy to understand why.

Mike Fink Keel Boats

Surprisingly enough, back in the mid-1950s, Disney ignited a pop-culture sensation with an episode series of their Disneyland television show centered around the renowned American pioneer Davy Crockett. One of these episodes was titled “Davy Crockett’s Keel Boat Race,” where Crockett competed against another historical figure, boatman Mike Fink, according to folklore. It’s said that Walt Disney conceived the idea for a Mike Fink Keel Boats attraction during filming; the original Disneyland attraction utilized the actual boats used in “Davy Crockett’s Keel Boat Race” production.

One intriguing fact and a somewhat understimulating attraction is the leisurely boat tour along the Rivers of America in the park. In the early 1990s, Disney introduced Keel Boats to both the Magic Kingdom and Disneyland Paris, but over time, these boats were phased out by the end of the 2000s following an unfortunate capsizing incident at Disneyland. Although Mike Fink and his boats are history, Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes can still be enjoyed as you paddle around Frontierland.

Motor Boat Cruise to Gummi Glen

Between the late 1950s and early 1990s, Motor Boat Cruise, an attraction similar to Autopia, was situated on Disneyland’s eastern border. Instead of racing miniature cars on a track, visitors navigated small boats along artificial waterways. Just like with Autopia, guests had control over the speed and direction of their vessels, but there was a hidden guide rail beneath the water that ensured they stayed within bounds.

In an attempt to keep the ride fresh, Disney attempted to update it based on the popular cartoon series “Gummi Bears,” resulting in the “Gummi Glen Motorboat Cruise.” However, what was expected to be a magical experience with advanced animatronics fell short, offering only wooden illustrations of the Gummi Bear characters along the same boats and track. These static figures were unable to bounce around as the original ride’s motorboats did, ultimately leading to the closure of the revamped Motor Boats by 1993.

Nickelodeon Slime Streak

At the American Dream Mall in East Rutherford, New Jersey, you’ll find Nickelodeon Universe, an indoor theme park with rides inspired by popular Nickelodeon shows such as Paw Patrol, SpongeBob SquarePants, and multiple Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles roller coasters. Among these thrilling attractions is the Nickelodeon Slime Streak, a gentle coaster without any loops that takes less than a minute to complete one quick circuit around the park. However, you might wonder what connection this has with Nickelodeon or its iconic slime. Well, the track’s color resembles the Nickelodeon logo, and the entrance sign is green. Considering all the imaginative theme park attractions that could have been inspired by Nickelodeon—remember Nickelodeon Studios?—this video of a coaster gliding through a mall for 75 seconds might leave you feeling underwhelmed.

The Outer Limits: Flight of Fear

In the past, Viacom attempted to rival media giants such as Disney and Universal by launching its own theme park division. This division acquired numerous popular theme parks across the U.S., branding them with Paramount and Viacom logos. As a result, Virginia’s Kings Dominion and Ohio’s Kings Island both received a roller coaster named after the popular 1960s sci-fi show “The Outer Limits,” which was experiencing a revival on Showtime at that time.

From the perspective of a cinema enthusiast and rollercoaster lover:

Flight of Fear is an exhilarating indoor coaster that initially presented itself as a restricted military hangar housing a recovered UFO – a nod to the classic television series “The Outer Limits.” However, after Paramount sold their parks to Cedar Fair, all references to “The Outer Limits” were eliminated. To put it simply, this coaster offered an immersive experience by controlling both the vertical and horizontal movements of the ride – a unique aspect that made it feel like being in control of an otherworldly vessel. Despite the changes, the core rollercoaster experience remains thrilling!

Superstar Limo

Among all Disney theme park attractions, none has gained such notorious fame as Superstar Limo. As a Disney executive put it, the idea behind this ride was to simulate a paparazzi chase with you playing the role of a celebrity chaser. However, there was an unfortunate and significant hitch in its realization. (Though there were numerous issues, one particularly tragic problem occurred.) During the ride’s creation process, Princess Diana met her untimely death in a car crash as she attempted to evade a swarm of paparazzi.

Due to the inability to cancel the journey entirely, Disney was forced to make significant changes to the original plan instead. Guests were essentially playing the role of celebrities, starting their adventure in Hollywood and then meandering through a leisurely dark ride featuring sparsely decorated show scenes populated by rigid animatronics of various famous figures. Notably tied to any particular TV series, the animatronic characters were primarily well-known personalities from ABC (which was under Disney’s control) at that time, such as Tim Allen, Regis Philbin, and Drew Carey. The Superstar Limo made its debut with Disney California Adventure in winter 2001 but closed only a few months later. Subsequently, the track and vehicles were refurbished for a Monsters Inc.-themed ride called Monsters Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue. Remarkably, this revamped ride has managed to stay operational at California Adventure up until the present day.

The Swamp Thing Set

These days, visitors to Universal Studios Florida don’t go with the expectation of watching a live TV show taping. However, when the park initially opened, spectators not only anticipated it, they practically insisted on it. In the early years, you could watch a live TV taping at Nickelodeon Studios or take a tram tour through its backlot. One section of the park housed sets from the “Swamp Thing” television show that aired on USA Network from 1990 to 1993. It’s not hard to figure out what happened next; when the series was canceled, these sets became obsolete. People had no interest in seeing where an average TV program previously was produced. After the sets were demolished, Universal Studios utilized that area for its “Men in Black” shooting gallery ride.

The Walking Dead: A Walk Through Attraction

Universal has established a thriving niche within the theme park industry through their annual Halloween Horror Nights events and intricately themed haunted houses. However, trying to replicate that success for a year-round attraction has presented some challenges. One example is a continuous HHN-like experience that debuted at Universal Studios Hollywood in 2016, which was inspired by the enduring Walking Dead television series.

As a movie connoisseur, I must admit that Universal Studios is typically a haven for families with children, but Halloween Horror Nights offers a thrilling escape for adults who crave a touch of terror. The Walking Dead attraction, where you physically navigated through sets adorned by the same makeup artists responsible for the show’s iconic zombies, was a unique experience designed to cater to both horror aficionados and general audiences alike.

However, striking this balance proved to be an arduous task, as it seemed neither camp was entirely satisfied with the outcome. Some found the attraction too tame, while others felt it was excessively disturbing. Ultimately, the attraction closed its doors to visitors in early 2020, leaving both groups yearning for a more satisfactory experience.

Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster

In essence, there’s a common trend among upscale family-oriented theme parks: They should include at least one roller coaster that’s underwhelming and loosely themed around a harmless, well-known animated character. For instance, Disneyland has the Chip ‘n’ Dale Gadgetcoaster, while Universal Studios Florida had Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster – both rides catering to younger children. Despite the connection to Woody Woodpecker being minimal, Universal Studios Florida managed to repaint the track, refurbish the trains, and rebrand it as the Trolls Trollercoaster after the popular film series a few years ago. [Cue manic Woody Woodpecker laugh here]

Amazing Theme Park Rides Based on Movies That Were Never Built

Indiana Jones and the Lost Expedition

Initially, Disneyland had planned an extensive Indiana Jones attraction called The Lost Expedition for its Adventureland area, which was supposed to open in 1995. However, Imagineers had much bigger plans for the Indy property. They intended to construct a pavilion that would house two rides: one modeled after the mine-car ending of ‘Temple of Doom’ as a roller coaster, and another dark ride in jeeps showcasing Indy’s greatest adventures. This ambitious project also incorporated the existing Jungle Cruise. Ultimately, most of the land allocated for The Lost Expedition was used to build Splash Mountain instead.

Indiana Jones Ore Car Attraction

Let’s delve into the details of the “Ore Car Simulator” which would have been part of the abandoned Lost Expedition complex, had Indiana Jones land been constructed. Despite this, Disney has one thrilling attraction that pays tribute to the adventurous archaeologist – the Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril mine-train roller coaster, nestled at Disneyland Paris. This was the inaugural looping coaster in any Disney park, a fact I experienced as a teenager, albeit with an unpleasant memory of getting stuck during a ride.

Indiana Jones Jungle Cruise

The “River Idol” would likely be a focal point in the revamped Jungle Cruise, transforming it into a land filled with Indiana Jones-themed attractions. Indeed, it appears as if it belongs straight out of an Indiana Jones film.

The Hauntington Hotel

Prior to interactive shooting galleries becoming commonplace attractions in Orlando, featuring rides like Toy Story Midway Mania and Men in Black Alien Attack, Six Flags had devised a Ghostbusters-themed ride concept named Hauntington Hotel. This proposed ride would have allowed visitors to explore a haunted building while firing at targets with car-mounted proton packs. As stated by the ride’s designer in an interview on 2600connection.com, the entire project, from conception to design, engineering, and prototype creation, was complete and ready for installation in Texas. However, when Six Flags’ parent company sold its theme parks division, the new owners discontinued the project, which may be considered one of history’s greatest missed opportunities.

Nostromo

For about eight years, the Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland was home to an attraction named ExtraTERRORestrial: Alien Encounter. Riders were literally strapped down to their seats while a menacing E.T. “materialized” in the center of the room, and then proceeded to touch and breathe on them while the lights were out. When Alien Encounter opened it starred a creepy alien; when it was conceived it starred *the* creepy alien — as in H.R. Giger’s iconic xenomorph from Ridley Scott’s classic 1979 film. Astonishingly, someone at Disney thought it was a good idea to insert a little acid-blooded horror into the Happiest Place on Earth. Eventually, Disney came to their senses and abandoned the ‘Alien’ aspect (and the original name for the attraction, Nostromo, after the ship in the film), but not the overall concept. After terrifying children for almost a decade (I was one of them; this thing was pure nightmare fuel), Alien Encounter finally closed in 2003. The site now houses a toned-down version starring Stitch from ‘Lilo & Stich.’

The James Bond Live-Action Stunt Show

The initial plans for Universal Studios Florida featured a breathtaking design by ‘Star Wars’ artist Ralph McQuarrie for a stunt show themed around James Bond. This idea was heavily influenced by Ken Adam, a longtime James Bond production designer. The proposed “Giant Circular Roof” would have opened to reveal screens displaying all of Bond’s formidable enemies, who would watch as 007 met his demise and a nuclear warhead was launched. Unfortunately, this project didn’t come to fruition, but over the years, Universal Studios has hosted stunt shows based on ‘Conan the Barbarian,’ ‘The A-Team,’ ‘Miami Vice,’ ‘Spider-Man,’ and ‘Waterworld.’

Mel Brooks’ Hollywood Horror Hotel

Initially, the Tower of Terror wasn’t themed around ‘The Twilight Zone.’ Instead, it was initially envisioned as a joint project between Disney and Mel Brooks. However, Brooks eventually withdrew from the project, and ‘The Twilight Zone’ elements were later incorporated. During this time, ideas for the attraction, often referred to as “Hotel Mel,” included a combined hotel and ride housed within the same building. The murder mystery concept involved hidden clues scattered across the grounds to solve. According to StudioCentral.com, Brooks lost enthusiasm and moved on to create ‘Life Stinks’ around the same time that Imagineers stumbled upon the idea of incorporating haunted elevators that suddenly plunge from their shafts. It’s interesting to think about what could have been if we had an entire Mel Brooks hotel instead; indeed, it seems that life sometimes can be disappointing.

Batman Island

At Comics101.com, you’ll find a sequence of articles detailing the original concept for Islands of Adventure at Universal Studios: Originally, instead of Marvel Super Hero Island, there was an entire zone dedicated to Batman. This idea emerged in the 90s during the era of Tim Burton’s Batman films. The area would have hosted a Batmobile ride, a Bat-jet experience, and a live performance featuring Batman, Robin, and even Superman. However, plans occasionally change, as they tend to do, and eventually, the space designated for Batman was reassigned to characters from Marvel, such as Spider-Man and the Hulk.

Batwing: Batman vs the Penguin

On Batman Island, potential highlights might have featured a suspended roller coaster, offering visitors a pick between the Batman or Penguin route, each boasting unique adventures, special effects, and fireworks. The bottom left corner displayed a sign for Shreck’s Department Store, a nod to Christopher Walken’s character in ‘Batman Returns.’ Despite never being built, the idea of conflicting roller coasters was eventually implemented at Islands of Adventure with their Dueling Dragons ride (now called Dragon Challenge and part of Harry Potter land).

Dick Tracy’s Crime-Stoppers

In 1990, prior to Warren Beatty’s ‘Dick Tracy’ movie release, there was high anticipation that it would be a massive success. Disney had planned to leverage this excitement by creating a theme park attraction, a “dark ride,” where guests could embark on a chase through Chicago as Dick Tracy, complete with vehicles equipped with pretend tommy guns for interactive target shooting. However, when ‘Dick Tracy’ failed to establish itself as a long-lasting franchise, the idea was abandoned. Interestingly, the design of the intended ride vehicles bears resemblance to those in the Indiana Jones Adventure. The interactive shooting gallery concept, however, persisted and can still be found in Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin.

‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’ Ride

Visitors on this ride inspired by the 1993 stop-motion Christmas movie would have climbed aboard eerie flying caskets, reminiscent of Peter Pan’s Flight but with a Tim Burton twist. However, Disney found the idea intriguing, yet Tim Burton, co-owner of the characters, wasn’t quite convinced and ultimately vetoed the plan. In its place, Disney annually converts the Haunted Mansion in California into “Haunted Mansion Holiday,” a seasonal event showcasing characters from the film.

Godzilla Bullet Train

Since the 1970s, there were initial ideas to incorporate a high-speed train ride into the Japan Pavilion at Epcot. Visitors would have observed a virtual journey through Japan on screens from the comfort of a vehicle. An exciting twist on this idea envisioned Godzilla as part of the adventure; he would surge up from the ocean and assault the train while it was traveling through Tokyo Bay. However, discussions with Toho, the studio that owns Godzilla, never progressed beyond the preliminary stages. Sadly, the concept was abandoned due to Toho’s belief that a colossal, destructive monster didn’t fit well with Epcot’s serene and natural ambiance.

The Great Muppet Movie Ride

For over two decades, The Muppets have been a significant fixture at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, showcasing their 3D movie, MuppetVision 3D. Originally, plans were in place for the Muppets to play a more prominent role within the park, featuring a satirical take on the Great Movie Ride called The Great Muppet Movie Ride. In this attraction, Jim Henson’s cherished characters would have reenacted famous movie scenes. However, Disney and Henson were in the process of merging when the deal was halted following Henson’s passing in 1990, thereby canceling The Muppet Movie Ride. Despite this, Disney eventually acquired the Muppets in 2004, so it’s possible that their most spectacular theme park attraction is still on the horizon.

Jurassic Park Jeep Safari

At Universal’s Islands of Adventure, Jurassic Park features a river adventure ride that, while featuring animatronic dinosaurs like in the ‘Jurassic Park’ films, differs significantly from the movies. The initial plan encompassed additional Jurassic Park attractions, such as a Jeep Safari that would have closely followed the movie’s narrative. This safari ride would have taken visitors on a journey through the park, where they would encounter brontosauruses, outrun T-Rexes, and engage with raptors. However, DisneyAndMore.Blogspot.com reports that the Jeep Safari concept was considered too similar to the river adventure for both attractions to coexist.

Jurassic Park Jeep Safari

Take a look at this detailed shot of the Jurassic Park Jeep Safari vehicle. It’s reminiscent of the iconic eight-seater DeLoreans from ‘Back to the Future’, giving off a similar nostalgic feel.

Baby Herman’s Runaway Buggy Ride

Disney initially envisioned multiple theme-park rides based on ‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit’. One of these, named Baby Herman’s Runaway Buggy Ride, would have allowed guests to act as stunt doubles for the mischievous baby in a risky sequence. The ride vehicles were designed to resemble baby carriages, and guests would wear baby bonnets throughout the ride to enhance the experience and promote photo sales. However, disputes between Disney and Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment over control of Roger Rabbit hindered the development of this attraction. Similarly, construction was halted on other planned rides due to these issues.

Toontown Trolley

Similar to the Baby Herman ride, disputes regarding the character of Roger Rabbit hindered plans for a Star Tours-like simulator ride that would have showcased a tour through Toontown, the world of cartoons from ‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit’. Initially, these rides were intended for an entirely new Disneyland area known as Hollywoodland. Over time, this region was reimagined as Mickey’s Toontown instead. Unfortunately, Roger missed out on his own dedicated area in the park.

Toontown Trolley

As a big fan, I can’t help but share this stunning concept art from the Roger Rabbit trolley ride. It’s definitely out of the ordinary and would’ve been a hit among children, especially those who had a bit too much sugar!

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2025-03-25 17:57