Top Five Rides for 11-Year-Olds at Disneyland and Universal

By Brooks, Charlie, and Eleanor Clifford, students (all 11-year-olds) at The Bronxville School

Jul. 27, 2016: It was an awesome feeling. We were finally going into sixth grade, but more important, we were going to California!

This was going to be our first time going there and we were so ready to get on the plane. After our moving-up ceremony, we said our goodbyes to friends and got into bed. It felt like we were asleep for two minutes and then we were up at 4:00 in the morning to head to the airport. The car ride seemed to take forever but we finally got there. My mom was looking forward to seeing our relatives but my brothers and I could not stop thinking about the days ahead, which would include a wedding, hiking, and trips to the San Diego Zoo, Sea World, Disneyland, Universal, and San Francisco. These were all "firsts" for us.

We had an amazing ten days, and after going to all these places, we thought it would be fun to rank our top five rides and share this information with you just in case you are planning a trip to California's theme parks. This is what we came up with.

The number-1 ride we went on was Jurassic Park at Universal. Basically, what happens is you get into a big raft and you ride in a stream, which takes you through a world of dinosaurs--big and small. At the end, you go into a tunnel and a huge T. Rex walks out of a small waterfall and you plunge down an 80-foot thrilling drop to a platform that squirts water that you go rushing through. We loved this ride for two main reasons: First, the special effects were great. Second, the drop is very fun and thrilling. You will love this ride as long as you don't mind getting wet! This is the only ride we went on twice.

The number-2 ride we went on was Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts at Universal. This ride is technically a simulated ride but it is very, very realistic! If you do not like sharp twists and turns, scary insects and dragons, death eaters, and more scary things, this ride isn't for you! The ride takes you on an adventure through Harry's world. This includes the Quidditch Field, Hogwarts, and all around the school. It has amazing special effects and is very cool, especially if you are a Harry Potter fan!

The number-3 ride we went on was Splash Mountain at Disneyland. We liked this ride because there is a really fun 50-foot drop at the end. The couple of seconds that you are going down that drop are the reason you wait in line for this ride. Another reason we liked it was because of all the water! When you are walking around for hours, you can get in this ride and you are cooled right down! Also, it was humpy and had a few hills that keep you entertained as you get ready for the big drop ahead! And for all the moms who don't like the big drops, we suggest this one because it is much smaller than others like Jurassic Park.

The number-4 ride we went on was Space Mountain at Disneyland. For all the Star Wars fans, we suggest this ride for you. We loved this ride because it takes you on an adventure through space with many twists, turns, and drops, along with battles between good and evil. Throughout the ride, lights were flashing and spacecraft were shooting. This was an adventure through the world of Star Wars.

The number-5 ride we went on was Matterhorn Bobsleds at Disneyland. This ride takes you through a mountain full of sharp turns and drops. Up and up the mountain you go, and back down you come through with a bit of water splashed on to you.

Other fun rides were Despicable Me Minion Mayhem at Universal, Big Thunder Mountain at Disneyland, and The Simpsons Ride at Universal, which was a simulator but very realistic.

Finally, if you have time to visit only one park, we would suggest Universal. It had our favorite rides and ranks number one!

Pictured here: Jurassic Park ride at Universal.

Photo provided by Sarah Clifford

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