The Ultimate Disney Parks Attraction Bracket -- Round Five, Day Three

There's always room for a thousand.

Friends, we’re halfway through the week, of course, and we’re also now halfway through the Sweet Sixteen of the Ultimate Disney Parks Attraction bracket. We’re so close to the Elite Eight that I can almost taste it. And two of the attractions in today’s matchups will be able to taste it too.

What should go forward? Time to vote!

(9) Main Street Electrical Parade vs. (12) Pirates of the Caribbean (WDW): Considering the fact that the Pirates of the Caribbean on the East Coast just barely made it into this round, I am firmly expecting that the winner here will be the Main Street Electrical Parade. Now, that’s not the same as me telling you my preference, but…OK, my preference here is also the Main Street Electrical Parade.

As we get to the Elite Eight, one of the questions that can weigh on your mind is “Is there a duplicate version of the same attraction in the next round?” And the Disneyland version of Pirates is already in the Elite Eight. So that much is resolved. But also, honestly, the parade is better. I’ve talked before about how the Orlando version of Pirates is lesser compared to its Anaheim twin — an attraction twins bracket…that might be fun one day — and even if that wasn’t true, I think the parade is more impressive.

And more importantly, like the Highlander, there can only be one Main Street Electrical Parade. Now, let’s find out if we agree. Vote!

Main Street Electrical Parade

Pirates of the Caribbean (WDW)

(2) The Haunted Mansion (DL) vs. (3) Tower of Terror: If there is a tough decision for you today, it’s in this matchup. The Haunted Mansion is one of the finest theme-park attractions to ever exist, and so too is the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. Thematically, these attractions are extremely similar, even if you’ll find more obvious thrills in the Hollywood Tower Hotel. Both attractions are enduring, they have each inspired copies across the Disney theme-park universe, they each enable Cast Members to play a spooky role, and they each have memorable moments unrivaled across other attractions.

You may already have a guess as to what I’m voting for, but if not…it’s got to be the Tower of Terror. I have two main arguments. First, there is now only one true Tower of Terror. Yes, the Guardians of the Galaxy ride at Disney California Adventure overlays the Tower, but its charm is vastly lacking and the tone is quite different. The Haunted Mansion endures so much that you can’t imagine it getting a full-on overlay. Which leads me to my second point: if this was the Walt Disney World version of the mansion, my choice would be harder, because that mansion is a year-round ride that goes unchanged. The Disneyland version of the mansion is, five months a year, left to the whims of Jack Skellington, an overlay I find less charming with each passing year. (And an additional aspect of this argument: the Disney World mansion is already in the Elite Eight.)

Friends, do what’s right. Vote for the Tower of Terror.

The Haunted Mansion (DL)

Tower of Terror