My Spiciest Disney Opinions | The Rides, Snacks & Experiences I Will Defend Forever

By Jenna Caron

Let’s be honest: being a Disney fan comes with having opinions. Strong ones. Sometimes too strong. And the longer I’ve spent in the parks — and the more people I’ve met who love Disney just as much — the more I’ve realized that we all have our hill-to-die-on moments.

So today I’m sharing mine.

Let’s start with a classic: some “iconic” snacks are cute for Instagram… and that’s about it. I have bought, photographed, and reluctantly eaten enough sugary, melty, aesthetically-pleasing-but-flavorless treats to confidently say: not everything with Mickey ears deserves hype. Some snacks are stars. Some snacks are frauds. And I will absolutely tell you which ones fall into which category (with love). Remember, I eat vegan & GF!

• Dole whip - hard yes
• Mickey Pretzel - hard pass
• Vegan and GF allergy beignets - hard yes
• Turkey leg - hard pass (I know I don't eat this but it looks so disgusting)
• Mickey bar - hard yes (if I could eat this without dying inside)
• Popcorn - hard yes

Now onto rides. This is where I usually get myself in trouble. I firmly believe that some rides are more enjoyable because of nostalgia than actual ride quality. (Looking at you, Small World, Snow White, Pinocchio, Mr. Toad) I get the charm! I do! But I also can’t ignore the fact that my spine shouldn’t feel endangered while riding something designed for children (Matterhorn). Some attractions are timeless because they’re magical. Others are timeless because Disney fans refuse to let go of tradition. Both can be true!

• Matterhorn - hard no
• Rock n' Rollercoaster - hard no
• Peter Pan's Flight - hard no
• Mission Space - hard no
• Teacups - hard no
• Tomorrowland Speedway/Autopia - hard no

On the flip side, I have rides that I think are criminally underrated. The PeopleMover? A masterpiece. A lifestyle. A mental health tool. Same with Living With the Land — if you know, you know. I will defend that slow-moving boat ride until my dying breath. There is something deeply comforting about being gently lectured about agriculture while floating through a greenhouse. It is main-character energy for the soul.

• Carousel of progress - hard yes
• it's a small world (esp Disneyland) - hard yes
• Pirates - hard yes
• Mr Toad's wild ride - hard yes
• Tower of Terror - hard yes

And can we talk about fireworks? I’ve seen almost every nighttime spectacular at both coasts, and while I love them all, I definitely have ones I think deserve way more praise and ones that… let’s just say… have a nice personality. Some shows make me cry instantly. Others make me think, “That was cute!” and then immediately forget what happened. I’m not naming names (yes I am), but we’ll get there.

• Happily Ever After - hard yes
• Harmonious - hard yes
• Epcot Forever - hard no
• Minnie's Christmastime - hard no
• Not so spooky spectacular - hard yes
• Wondorous Journey's - hard yes
• Fantasmic! - hard yes
• World of Color - hard yes
• Enchantment - hard no
• Luminous - hard no

Finally: Disney adults. This is less of a spicy opinion and more of a lukewarm truth, but I’m saying it anyway — Disney adults are not the problem. Gatekeeping joy is the problem. If you want to wear a spirit jersey and eat a themed cupcake and cry at a parade, do it. If you’re 45 and know every line of “Let It Go,” live your truth. The world is heavy enough. Let people love things.

These opinions are obviously meant to be fun — I’m not here to start a theme park war. But I am here to celebrate how passionate and hilariously dramatic Disney fans can be. And if you disagreed with everything I just said? Perfect. That’s what makes being in this fandom so entertaining.

Now tell me your spiciest takes. I’ll bring the popcorn.