Dark Ride Magic: Roger Rabbit's Falling Room

There's a moment on Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin where you seem to be hurled into the air by an explosion. You have to return to Earth somehow, of course...

How about a hundred-story fall between skyscrapers toward the distant skylight of the Acme warehouse? My blurry photos don't do it justice, but the "Falling Room" is one of my favorite Disney ride scenes: a horizontal hallway that makes you feel as though you're plummeting vertically.

It's simple, shorter than it looks, and effective simply because it's so well designed and painted--and it even gets its point across while your cab is spinning in circles (trying to keep the cab facing forward while snapping pictures is a challenge in itself!)

All of Disneyland's black-light dark rides have their own unique mood and approach. Roger's ride is full of mess-with-your-perception visual gags that do a fantastic job of making you feel off-balance and disoriented--exactly how a human chasing a gang of weasels through Toontown should feel.

Hands Up for Radiator Springs Racers

That woman in green has the right idea; no place else at Disneyland Resort is as suited to arm-raising and joyful cheering as Radiator Springs Racers.

It's good for camera-raising, too! In fact, that's one factor the resort previously lacked: a good hands-in-the-air ride. California Screamin' would be perfect, but the shoulder harnesses limit your range. Space Mountain? Too dark. Big Thunder? Too smooshy. Splash Mountain's final drop is good, but brief. Small World? That just gets you funny looks.

No, what Radiator Springs Racers finally brought to the equation is a good, solid run of multiple dips, gentle air-time, and a chance to throw your digits skyward and yell like crazy -- and it's contagious!

 Sometimes, without saying a word, you can get the whole carload to join in before the finish line!