10 More Walt Disney World Attractions and Shows You MUST See

Sure, you've been filled in on the rides you simply can't miss at Walt Disney World. But there's more you need to know about. There are some rides that may not be as big and flashy, or as long and complex as the top 10 Can't Miss Rides, but they still have that little dose of magic that can wow both you and your children.

The Magic Kingdom

The Swiss Family Treehouse - This walk through attraction has an unbeatable make-believe appeal. Sure, it's not a ride or a show, but that means there's next to no line, and if there is a line...no sweat. The line is the attraction. It's essentially a movie set come to life, available to you as your own cinematic playground. You'll find yourself walking around, touching the surrounding trees and plant life and fantasizing about what life could be like for you if you crashed on a jungle island.

The Enchanted Tiki Room - Even though this show originated with the very beginnings of Disneyland, it's still a huge fan favorite. If you had a choice, between the original Tiki Room show at Disneyland and the "Under New Management" show at Disney World, I'd hands down tell you to see the original. But since we're talking Disney World, I'll tell you that it's still very worth a watch. Even with the new script that some of us purists don't fancy too much. You'll watch in amazement, as people young and old lose their inhibitions enough during this animatronic show to sing along and not be embarrassed in the slightest. It's kind of like a 5 star, high end Chuck E Cheese.

Peter Pan's Flight - Sure, this is a quick little dark ride. But there's just something about this one that has the power to make you feel 10 again. It's got an extra little giddy sense to it, because the ride is flying-based. Most small Disney dark rides you're either in water or on land. So that one little quality can do a lot. Also, Peter Pan is a movie that's very beloved, very stylistically early Disney, and that separates it from a lot of the other rides. It's cool, relaxing, and surprisingly affective in the illusion department. Sorry, Imagineering department. It's worth a small wait, and this is a great ride to go do if you have a fastpass for something larger like Splash Mountain.

Mad Tea Party - You just CAN'T go to any Disney theme park without taking a ride on what is more commonly known as, "The Tea Cups". There's nothing super technical about it. It's like the ultimate playground ride. The line moves fast, and it's fun to get dizzy! Don't skip this one, or it will haunt you. It's an iconic part of visiting a Disney park, a tradition for sure.

EPCOT

The Maelstrom - Not too many people even know about this ride. It's located in the Norway section of the World Showcase. It's a must-ride for several reasons. For one, it's very long. And very air-conditioned. Second of all, it's kind of funny. I feel bad for Norwegians, because there's something that's just inherently light and enjoyable to some of us about their accent. Your narrator for this ride had a heavy accent, and it's just...it's just a great novelty. I don't know how else to put it without sounding offensive. I just find Norwegians lovable, okay? Do it, you'll get a kick out of it while getting out of the heat. It's a nicely placed ride too, because chances are, you'll eat somewhere in the World Showcase, (there's a lot of good food to choose from) and waiting in line for this smooth cool ride can honestly give you time to digest your food before finding your next thrill ride. (Bonus Tip: If you don't want to watch the video about Norway at the end, slide right on through and exit as the group who was watching the video before you exits.)

Gran Fiesta - That goes double for this ride housed inside the Mexico section. It's chipper and pleasant and smooth and relaxing. It's very "tunnel of love" fiesta style. A real bonus for Donald Duck fans. I wouldn't miss it if you're there with a significant other. Also, a very good ride to take post-meal and pre-thrill ride. This seems to be a really good ride for smaller kids too, because it has a lot of stimuli, but it's not overwhelming or scary at all.

Disney's Hollywood Studios

The Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular - I'm a HUGE geek for all things Indiana Jones, so I admit to being a little biased about this one. But the best thing about this show is being able to watch live stunt professionals in action before your very eyes. It's not tricks...and whatever is an illusion, they fill you in on. But the stuntman who performs REALLY drops down from the ceiling, he really leaps over buildings, and he does it live with no safety nets. Add to that factor the addition of the movie elements and the impressive acrobatics and set-changes, and there's just NO way you should miss this show. For some added dramatic elements, see the show at night. It makes the fires brighter and the lighting more effective.

Star Tours - This ride is similar to the Maelstrom in many ways in the sense that it's just a touch outdated. It definitely needs a makeover, and the word on the street is that Disney is working with Lucas to get it one. But it's still a very exciting ride for any Star Wars geek. There's nothing quite like facing down an Imperial Battle Cruiser yourself. It's much better than just watching the movie. Don't be surprised if you get goosebumps when you hear John Williams' brilliant musical cues regarding the dark side. Let me give you a tip too, if you want a bumpier ride, sit in the back row. For a smoother ride, stick toward the front, and yes, you can choose your row.

Muppet Vision 3D - We're talking Muppets here! Muppets AND 3-D. What's not to love? Even the waiting room is packed with visually interesting things, so there's plenty to look at as you wait. The show itself is in movie format, but because of the 3D, you feel like you're seeing the Muppets onstage before your very eyes. Pair that with some surprise live appearances of some of the Muppets you know and love, some physical effects (hope you like bubbles!) and it's a ball! This one almost made the MUST-RIDE list for me, but I thought 11 made an awkward number. But by all means, consider it a must-ride. (Watch "Muppets Take Manhattan" before you go and take note of the 3D movie scene. Funny how things work out, huh?)

Fantasmic - This isn't a ride, it's the show of a lifetime. I've heard that showings of this are getting cut down due to cost and the slumping economy. So plan ahead to go to the Hollywood Studios on a day when you know this show will be playing. The spectacle is huge! It involves water, stunt actors, fire, giant animatronics, your favorite movie scenes, songs, and characters. It's Disney's answer to Cirque De Soleil. A show this grand in scope is honestly worth at least half the total price of your park ticket for the day. You'll want to get to the show at LEAST an hour early. And that was my recommendation before Disney decided to cut down on shows per week. So consider getting there even a touch earlier. Trust me, it's completely worth it. Don't miss this one!