Nerd in Another City

Favorite Theme Park Rides

To say I love theme parks would be a gross understatement. I simply adore them. I put my hair up in pigtails, find the most nerd appropriate shirt for the occasion and I just go wild! It’s like I’m 5 years old again. And I was an adorable 5 year old!!

#1 – Star Tours & The Great Movie Ride

These 2 rides hold a special place in my heart because they have been around for a very long time! And I used to ride them as a kid. Not to mention the obvious love for all things Star Wars and the movies in general! I have yet to ride the updated Star Tours ride, but I loved the old cheesy version, so I have every confidence that the new version will not disappoint. (It takes a lot to disappoint me!)

#2 – Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringott’s

This ride is a brand new obsession! I got to go to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter for my birthday last year and I think the world magical accurately describes every single minute of a day spent exploring Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade and Hogwarts. But it’s the brand new ride in the bank vaults of Gringott’s that was my favorite part. The ride makes you feel like you’re in the movie, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. It was so wonderful and I can’t wait to go back and give the park another go. If you come to the greater Orlando area after July 2015 and need a theme park buddy, I’m your girl!!!

#3 – Kingda Ka

I LOVE roller coasters!! I always try to chicken out at the last moment, when I’m strapped in and regretting the wait in line and the stairs I just climbed. But it’s too late, I made my choice! And as the roller coaster climbs higher and higher, I think I might throw up or scream or cry, but then the wind hits my face and we go careening to the ground and my heart is racing and I know that this is the closest I will ever get to flying and the feeling is exhilarating! The very moment the ride ends, I’m back in line for another go around. And the cycle starts all over again!  (And added shout out to Six Flag’s Safari at Great Adventures. It too is amazing. Though not technically a ride, per se.)

#4 – Splash Mountain

This is an obvious choice! A trip to Disney is never complete without a ride on Splash Mountain. And every time I go to The Magic Kingdom, I have to go at least 2 or 3 times. I love Brer Rabbit and Brer Bear! And again, this one has a touch of roller coaster to it. I love the drop before the last drop when you know that last drop is coming and you get that feeling in the pit of your stomach like you might fly out of your log, but you don’t. And it’s amazing!

#5 – Pirates of the Caribbean

This is another ride that holds a lot of nostalgia for me. Growing up in Orlando allowed me many opportunities to go to Disney World. Class trips, family fundays. Not to mention that it was much cheaper back in the day. (Yeah, I’m official old for saying that!) This ride has also been updated since I was a kid and the updates still allow it to be a cheesy pirate ride, but incorporates the Jack Sparrow factor from the wildly successful movie franchise. Plus, it’s always been a pirate’s life for me!!

Like I said, if you ever need a theme park buddy, I’m your girl! Theme parks like Disney and Universal and Wet n’ Wild and Busch Gardens are amazing on their own, but with a Lizzie in tow… they become shamazing!!! Seriously!

What are your favorite theme park rides?