As one of the newest attractions that will appear on this list, and one I've personally only ridden a handful of times, Slinky Dog Dash is hard to rank. While it was always in consideration -- and I should admit now there are something like ~75 attractions that were in consideration to at least make it to spot 50 -- there were drafts when it was well off the list, and drafts where it was much higher than this. It probably went back and forth across a wider range than any other attraction I thought about, almost like. . . some kind of toy that stretches to be longer then compresses back to shorter. . . I can't think of one at the moment. . .
At final publish, this is where Slinky will be, at *checks notes* 47? Okay.
A confession I have to make that's relevant to making a list of theme park attractions: I don't love rollercoasters. I do like them, especially the first ride. I absolutely do enjoy the anticipation of a lift hill or a launch, and the speed, g-forces, and inversions that come from a good rollercoaster. However, on repeat rides, those physical forces become less of a thrill for me, and I end up preferring something with some great sights and nifty tricks.
Exasperating this is not feeling that many coasters are good for the park, at least a theme park. A big, exposed piece of twisted steel is not a boost to a sight line, and does nothing to enhance an area's theme; though the kinetics are definitely appealing.
Slinky, though, manages to avoid that with how it's constructed, and how it works with the land it lives in. Looking like a giant toy set in a land of toys, it never feels intrusive, and that allows that kinetic energy to shine and add excitement to Toy Story Land. At points the track juts out overhead on the walkways, or dips down to the side, really becoming an intricate piece wrapping around the land, rather than being hidden away or off in the distance.
Which means we have to address my other personal concern with rollercoasters, and that's the diminished thrill returns on repeat rides. Slinky isn't immune to that, which is why it's "only" 47, but the sheer joy its launch brought me the first time I rode it -- smooth, exhilarating, and with great open-air views at the crescendo -- is absolutely enough to give it a place on the list.
Finally, while this is my list and is going to be fueled very much by personal preference, I'm not trying to completely exclude all other experiences. Slinky accomplishes a dual purpose, adding a little bit of extra thrill for those who do get the same feel each time they ride a coaster, while still being approachable for those younger guests maybe looking to brave their first launch coaster. For as much as an attraction with a height restriction can be, Slinky Dog has put up a large tent to welcome a broad audience.
I'd be remiss in not talking about the excellent queue and setting, as well. As with every other Toy Story attraction -- another one of which is up ahead -- the approach to the load station is an absolutely adorable collection of classic (and invented) toys used in smart ways as walls, dividers, and communication tools. Toy cameras tell you how to board and lower your safety bar. Fiddlestix hold up the sign. Alphabet blocks are used for stages. Colored pencils and line paper are used to show off the ride path. The details are everywhere, and while they're not unique to Slinky, it probably does the best work with the concept.
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