What in the World?
By Peyton Schultze
The ongoing pandemic has many people around the world craving the return of entertainment outlets such as sports and theme parks (via MarketWatch).
All around the world, casual entertainment options such as visiting Disney theme parks and watching sports on television have come to a screeching halt. However, with a small light at the end of the tunnel, there is a hope that people will soon enough be able to participate in both of those capacities in limited availability soon enough. With that being said, we figured we would take some of the most prominent athletes in all of sports and compare them to select attractions found throughout Walt Disney World. From intense speeds to pure elements of fun to an all-around package of skills, here are our comparisons of some elite athletes and exciting attractions found around Disney World
Tyreek Hill (Kansas City Chiefs) and Test Track (Epcot)
The speedy Tyreek Hill is a perfect match for the accelerated fun aboard Test Track (via The Athletic and Inside the Magic).
Among the four professional sports in America, there may not be a faster individual than Kansas City Chiefs’ wide receiver, Tyreek Hill. With blazing acceleration, a difficult-to-guard stature, and some of the shiftiest feet in the sport, Hill has an unparalleled ability to separate from defensive backs and get wide open down the field for quarterback Patrick Mahomes. With a weapon as dangerous as Hill constantly performing at a high level on offense and special teams, the Chiefs are a perennial Super Bowl contender that will be able to put up a ton of points on the board for years to come. Hill is flat out lethal, and one of the most exhilarating players to watch in all of sports.
Over at Epcot, Test Track also happens to be one of the most popular attractions in all of the resort due to its high-speed fun. The ride does start out a little slow with its customization process and its test course runs, but the ride truly takes off at burning speed when it shifts to the outdoor course. Test Track is arguably the fastest ride found anywhere in the resort, so it seems perfectly fitting that Hill would represent the attraction with such flair. There’s always a need for speed in sports, and apparently in theme parks as well, which makes this element such a dynamic factor in both fields.
Drew Brees (New Orleans Saints) and Toy Story Mania! (Disney’s Hollywood Studios)
Drew Brees’ pristine accuracy in the pocket would make him a legitimate threat each time he hopped on Toy Story Mania! (via SB Nation and AllEars.net).
If pocket poise and immaculate accuracy are two traits that you value in your franchise quarterback, then Drew Brees is definitely your guy under center. One of the best quarterbacks of all-time, Brees has carried the Saints to high status throughout the league since making the move to New Orleans in 2006. Still going strong in the latter stages of his career, the superstar quarterback has topped the record charts on many occasions and owns the three highest marks for completion percentage in a single season in NFL history. Brees may be getting up their in age at 41 years old now, but he is still as dangerous as any quarterback in the league when you give him time to throw and lethal receivers on the outside.
In order to dominate the scoreboard on Toy Story Mania!, you surely need some exceptional accuracy across the board. Based off Brees’ pedigree in the NFL, there doesn’t seem like there would be any kind of doubt that he would certainly be able to compete with the best over in Toy Story Land. The quarterback’s fascination with perfection and getting the job done would definitely serve him well alongside Woody, Buzz, and the rest of the toys, and it would be interesting to see just how high his overall score was on the attraction.
Von Miller (Denver Broncos) and Expedition Everest (Disney’s Animal Kingdom)
Miller’s ability to strike fear on the edge into the minds of opposing offensive lineman makes him very comparable to the legend of the forbidden mountain (via Predominantly Orange and Insider).
A surefire future Hall of Famer and the former MVP of Super Bowl 50, few pass rushers in NFL history have able to strike more fear on the edge than Von Miller. With exceptional burst and one of the quickest first steps of any defensive player in the league, Miller has been a demon for some elite offenses over the years. Even though Von has started to show some signs of age and may be a little past his prime at this point in his career, there’s no denying that he is still a player that can put together a string of absurd performances in crunch time.
Expedition Everest has also been one of the most intense attractions in the Disney Parks since its debut in 2006. With the backdrop of the terrifying Yeti constantly looming over riders, Everest has some of the most thrilling and heart-pumping action of any ride in the resort. Like Miller’s consistent ability on the edge, Everest may be a bit overlooked with so many other advanced rides stealing headlines across Walt Disney World, but there is no denying that this is still one of the greats when heading over to Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Carson Wentz (Philadelphia Eagles) and Space Mountain (Magic Kingdom)
Space Mountain may be as fun as any ride at the resort, but mechanical issues often limit it from being available to guests on a daily basis (via NFL.com and Disney Parks).
Back in the Eagles’ Super Bowl winning season of 2017, Carson Wentz put together a spectacular showcase before his season was abruptly ended with a torn ACL. Since then, Wentz has shown time and time again that he is one of the best quarterbacks in the sport when healthy, but concerns over his durability have constantly floated throughout the Philadelphia fan base. At his peak, like last season when he carries the Eagles to the NFC East crown in the final weeks of the season, the young quarterback is a yearly MVP candidate. But how great can he truly be if he’s not on the field?
Wentz is a perfect comparison to Magic Kingdom’s Space Mountain, which has long been a favorite among park-goers with its high speeds and accelerating fun. However, like the quarterback, Space Mountain has a very unfortunate tendency to break down often and not always be available to ride at some ideal times. The indoor, turbulent roller coaster may be one of the best rides in all of the resort when it’s up and running, but concerns over its durability have certainly caused some fans to roll their eyes over the years.
Kawhi Leonard (Los Angeles Clippers) and Spaceship Earth (Epcot)
Kawhi’s methodical approach to the game can be boring to watch some times, but doesn’t mean he isn’t still one of the best players in the league (via Bleacher Report and WDW News Today).
After leading the Toronto Raptors to last year’s championship and then joining the Los Angeles Clippers in the offseason, Kawhi Leonard quickly became one of the premier players in the league. Widely recognized as one of the most serious, focused, and robotic basketball players in the league, Kawhi’s ability to dominate on both ends of the floor has been a major problem for every other team in the league despite a lack of flash in his game. After all, he is the same player whose signature shoe has words using Times New Roman. But even without a ton of flair in his individual game, Leonard has a unique ability to take over late in games and put his team in a great position to win when he is in the lineup.
Spaceship Earth may not be one of the most exciting rides at Disney World, but it is certainly one of the most interesting if you are trying to learn about the past. And just like Kawhi, Spaceship Earth is often labeled as boring and not as exciting as other products due to its old-school style. Nevertheless, both of these are some of the most popular products in their fields and have a fairly large fanbase behind them as well. In the end, both of these may try to bore you to death, but that doesn’t mean they are to be ignored by any means.
Luka Dončić (Dallas Mavericks) and Rise of the Resistance (Disney’s Hollywood Studios)
Dončić and Rise of the Resistance are still fairly new to fans, but have immense potential to quickly become the best in their respective fields (via CBS Sports and 10News.com).
Luka Dončić had an exceptional first season, but he took an even greater step forward this season with some massive numbers all throughout the box score. With a unique ability to create his own shot, ridiculous court vision, and an all-around skillset that ranks near the top of the league, Dončić has become the face of the franchise in Dallas and looks to be one of the better players in the NBA right now. And at only 21 years old, Dončić appears to just be starting a potentially long journey toward superstardom. He doesn’t quite reign supreme above the rest of the league yet, but he appears to be just a few years away from taking his place on the throne.
Rise of the Resistance debuted to roaring reviews in late December of 2019, and has quickly risen to the top of the totem pole of Disney attractions. With state-of-the-art technology and some truly intense action throughout, the ride is one-of-a-kind extravaganza and a unique Star Wars journey for all fans. By comparing the ride to Dončić, we can easily see how a fairly new product has risen to the top in such a short amount of time. With such a unique style and some generational ability, both of these products are up-and-coming and could quickly become the very best in their areas very soon.
LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers) and Avatar: Flight of Passage (Disney’s Animal Kingdom)
James’ dominance over the past decade has some apparent similarities to that of Flight of Passage, which has wowed guests at the resort since its opening (via Los Angeles Times and WDW Info).
Before the season was prematurely halted due to the ongoing global pandemic, LeBron James was continuing to show the world why the Lakers should be the title favorites in the NBA. With an extremely bright basketball IQ, Goliath-like physicality in the paint, and some of the best passing skills in the game, LeBron is one of the most talented athletes in the world and a three-time champion over the course of his illustrious career. For the last decade, James has been the best player in the league, and his dominance at the top clearly ranks near the top of some of the greatest players to ever play. But will anybody soon challenge him, or will he eventually ride off into the sunset as the best ever?
Meanwhile, over at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Avatar: Flight of Passage has been Walt Disney World’s most prominent attraction for years until Rise of the Resistance recently jumped into the picture. With some superb visuals, engaging physical ride elements, and some of the most immersive senses in any attraction around the world, the ride has truly wowed guests in Pandora for years. With such dominance at the top of the game, the ride clearly is very reminiscent of LeBron’s play in the latter stages of his career. And even as he heads into the stretch run of his career while suiting up for the Purple and Gold, The King still reigns supreme and doesn’t appear to be in serious danger of losing his crown until someone takes it from him.
Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks) and Peter Pan’s Flight (Magic Kingdom)
If you’ve ever dreamed about soaring through the sky, there’s a good chance you would be a fan of Antetokounmpo’s jumping or Peter Pan’s Flight (via Bleacher Report and WDW News Today).
Is there any other player in basketball right now who seems like he’s flying in the air when he goes up for a ridiculous slam? Last year’s league MVP and the overwhelming favorite to take home this year’s, Giannis has truly risen to the top of the league with such a rare blend of size and athleticism, which makes him almost impossible to guard. A rare physical specimen on both ends of the floor, Giannis has become the superstar that has been missing in Milwaukee since Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and appears to be in the driver’s seat to capture his first championship in the NBA very soon. He still has some ways to go in his shooting development and has to face some tough obstacles in front of him, but he could easily be the face of the NBA very soon.
Speaking of flying, where else in the Magic Kingdom are you able to soar through the London sky then on Peter Pan’s Flight? By sending yourself into the air aboard a pirate ship with the help of Pixie Dust, the ride is one of the most popular attractions in the park and constantly a true treat to ride. And while it may not have the speed of Space Mountain or the thrills of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, there’s no denying the sights that you’ll see on the ride. Antetokounmpo is a perfect fit for Peter Pan’s Flight, as his leaping ability rivals that of a true daredevil in the sky. Man may not ever be able to truly fly, but Giannis is as close as it gets right now and could surely join Peter in the night sky on the flight to Neverland.
Cody Bellinger (Los Angeles Dodgers) and Mission: SPACE (Epcot)
Bellinger’s moonshot power has wowed fans since entering the league in 2017 (via The Boston Globe and DisneyFanatic.com).
There’s some elite power hitters in baseball right now, but few have jumped onto the scene as quickly as Dodgers’ outfielder, Cody Bellinger. Last year’s NL MVP has a rare skillset with great fielding ability and underrated speed on the base paths, but his immense power separates him from some of the best players in the entire league. Each and every time Bellinger steps into the batter’s box, there’s a chance that the slugger could hit a moonshot into space and put more runs on the board for the Dodgers. He’s only about the enter the fourth season of his already-awesome career in the Majors, but the sky is the limit for one of the most exciting young players in all of sports.
Mission: SPACE sometimes slips into the background of extremely fun rides around the resort, but there are very few things that are as exciting as being able to venture into the deep depths of space. And with two different versions of the ride that provide a unique experience to riders, the Future World attraction is a must-ride for newcomers to the resort. And being that the ride centers around space travel, you’d have to think that at least a few of Bellinger’s bombs can be seen out in the galaxy while you’re exploring. Mission: SPACE and Bellinger are both exciting products that have rare traits, which makes them one of the best in the MLB and at Walt Disney World.
Max Scherzer (Washington Nationals) and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith (Disney’s Hollywood Studios)
Speed continues to be a vital part of the game, and few have as fast of a heater as Scherzer and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster (via Federal Baseball and TripAdvisor).
The dominant Nationals’ right-hander showed why he’s one of the best pitchers in recent memory with a prolific run in October of 2019, helping to guide the Nationals to their first World Series win in franchise history. Scherzer has been one of the best in baseball for most of the past decade, with a special mix of pitches including a hard-to-hit fastball and a wipeout slider. While he may have a lot of mileage on his arm at this point in his career compared to other starters such as Jacob deGrom and Gerrit Cole, there’s no doubt that Scherzer is as dominant and laser-focused as any player in the sport when he is at his best. His ferocity and unpredictability on the mound is part of what makes him one of the best in the game and a true joy to watch when he steps foot on the mound.
For one of the best experiences throughout the resort, take a trip on the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith, one of Disney’s most thrilling attractions. By taking a sensational journey on the freeways of Los Angeles in order to make a rock concert in time, riders blast classic Aerosmith songs at high speeds while they soar and twist through the sky on the roller coaster. Scherzer clearly has some similarities to the ride, mostly due to his extremely dominant fastball and his mix of topsy-turvy offspeed pitches. Each of his pitches leaves batters with a shocked and confused look on their face, much like riders after embarking on one of the most adventurous roller coasters around the world. Other rides and pitchers may focus a little more on one particular area, but it’s clear that both of these can do it all for their audiences.
Ronald Acuña Jr. (Atlanta Braves) and Kali River Rapids (Disney’s Animal Kingdom)
Acuña’s unpredictable nature on the field makes him a great comparison to the wet and wild adventure aboard Kali River Rapids (via Tomahawk Take and Ziggy Knows Disney).
Ronald Acuña Jr. has quickly become the face of the Atlanta Braves for the foreseeable future, which is a scary thing for opposing teams across the National League. Already hitting alongside a lineup full of studs such as Freddie Freeman and Ozzie Albies, Acuña Jr.’s versatile skillset on both sides of the diamond has ranked him high amongst his peers as one of the best young players in all of baseball. However, although his raw power and elite contact in the box can be extremely exciting to watch, he has also made some questionable decisions on the base paths and in the outfield when it comes to his hustle. Acuña Jr. is still young and promising, so there’s a good chance some of these incidents could be pushed to the sides in the future. Nevertheless, if these problems continue to persist and Acuña Jr. doesn’t quite pan out the way that the organization pictured, there could be some bigger problems on the horizon in Atlanta.
Over at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Kali River Rapids also happens to be one of the most unpredictable and adventurous rides found anywhere across the resort. With many large waves and surprising cannons of water shooting up to splash guests aboard each raft, park-goers have a ride-of-a-lifetime that is sure to get everyone soaked. This wild nature seems appropriate for the young Acuña Jr., who plays with a childlike joy each time he steps on the mound. While this style of play may get him into a little bit of trouble on-the-field every once in a while, there’s no denying that it is an interesting story to follow along with. From Atlanta to Orlando, Acuña Jr. and the Kali Rivers Rapids are great comparisons to each other with their spark of energy that sends waves throughout their audience.
Mike Trout (Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim) and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (Magic Kingdom)
Like the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Trout may not steal headlines across the sports world, but he is still clearly one of the best athletes in the world right now (via Forbes and Reddit).
What hasn’t been said already about the greatness of Mike Trout? The unquestioned best player in baseball is a generational athlete who has a legitimate chance to go down in history as one of the best of all-time. With immense power, exceptional contact, a great eye in the box, and amazing reactions on the bases and in the outfield, Trout is a bona fide superstar in Anaheim for the Angels. And while Trout may just be searching for postseason success in order to bolster his resume even more, the Angels appear to be willing to do whatever they can to help their star athlete succeed by being aggressive in free agency. With that being said, one of the most impressive parts about the All-Star center fielders is his willingness to continue to get better. By not selling himself short and continuing to improve in some way each and every season, Trout has separated himself from the other greats of the modern game and appears to be well on his way to Cooperstown.
The best ride at the most popular park, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train has been a major hit ever since its debut in 2014. Blending a traditional, Fantasyland dark ride with some aspects of a Disney roller coaster, the ride is one of the most unique attractions around the world with such advanced technology constantly on display. From the fascinating Audio-Animatronics to the swift movements of the ride cart as you leave the mine, the attraction is truly one-of-a-kind. Compare this to the individual skillset of Trout and it is easy to see the comparison. Both of them have thrived in their respective areas since their debut and appear to be right near the top of their fields. However, one of the most interesting components of this comparison is that both of them have not lost their magic whatsoever over time, and only appear to be getting better with age. If other players or rides want a golden standard to follow, they should certainly follow the protocol that both of these have set for future generations.