20 Disney Attractions You Don't Want to Miss in 2018

Only at Disney California Adventure in summer 2018 is the transformation of Paradise Pier into Pixar Pier. Coming along for the ride will be the conversion of California Screamin' into the new Incredicoaster telling the kinetic story of the animated family of The Incredibles superheroes.

What was once the great "The Twilight Zone" Tower of Terror ride at Disney California Adventure has become an even better one in the form of "Guardians of the Galaxy" - Mission: BREAKOUT! Its story is now more fun, and its thrills have been amplified both gravitationally and musically.

Rod Serling still narrates "The Twilight Zone" Tower of Terror at Walt Disney Studios Park in Paris, France for purists wanting to enjoy the original attraction. There are rumors that this location's ride may soon see the "Guardians of the Galaxy" treatment, so 2018 might be the best year to drop in.

While you're at the French Walt Disney Studios Park, you definitely owe it to yourself to also check out its latest ride-the marvelous Ratatouille: L'Aventure Totalement Toquée de Rémy. Visitors join the chef for kitchen mayhem as vehicles seamlessly spin between physical sets and animated projections.

As the only version with inversions, Disneyland Paris' Space Mountain was already arguably the best. Now named Hyperspace Mountain and temporarily themed to Star Wars for the park's 25th anniversary, it's even better. Since the ride's expected to revert back to its previous incarnation at the end of the year, there's limited time to experience the artful franchise intersection.

Shanghai Disneyland's Tron Lightcycle Power Run has already become so legendary since opening in 2016 that Florida's Magic Kingdom is planning to launch one during 2021. Until then, you have to go to China to experience the roller coaster and its speedy indoor/outdoor Tomorrowland route.

Also at the newest Disneyland in Shanghai is Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure as undoubtedly the most technologically advanced version of the classic attraction ever. Signature Audio-Animatronics figures and expert stagecraft combine with special video effects to immerse the boat ride in the narrative like never before.

Hong Kong Disneyland's newest Iron Man Experience combines the ride system of Star Tours with the charisma of the metallic Avenger in a battle against extraterrestrials. It's yet another early example of engaging Marvel franchises working their way into the Disney parks around the world.

Formerly StormRider, Tokyo DisneySea's newest Nemo & Friends SeaRider is set at the Marine Life Institute from the film "Finding Dory." The simulator features the playful characters from the sequel as well as the original animated movie for a shrunken submarine adventure.

Not since James Cameron released his groundbreaking film have travelers been able to be as immersed within the fantasy world of Pandora. Avatar Flight of Passage at Disney's Animal Kingdom in Florida completely transports fans to their very own avatar during the soaring 3-D journey.

Also at Pandora - The World of Avatar is the Na'vi River Journey boat ride through the world's beautiful bioluminescent rainforest at Disney's Animal Kingdom in Florida. As guests glide down the scenic waterway, they encounter the positive energy and music of a female Na'vi shaman.

It's hard to believe that Expedition Everest - Legend of the Forbidden Mountain at Disney's Animal Kingdom is now over a decade old because it still holds up as one of the best attractions ever, even compared those at Pandora. The forward and reverse motion combined with extensive theming makes it an all-time favorite roller coaster.

While in Florida at Epcot, visitor's can hop on over to the Norway pavilion and experience Frozen Ever After. The park's newest ride gave a fresh theme to Maelstrom with Queen Elsa, Princess Anna, Olaf, Kristoff, Sven and more playfully letting it go.

While Pixar Pier comes to California, Toy Story Land will be opening at Disney's Hollywood Studios in Florida during summer 2018 (as well as Shanghai Disneyland). One of the new area's signature attractions will be Slinky Dog Dash, seen here under construction. Riders will soon follow the fun course set out by Andy.

The New Toy Story Land's Alien Swirling Saucers attraction will take the ride system from Mater's Junkyard Jamboree at Disney California Adventure's Cars Land and give it a sci-fi overlay. Meanwhile, "The Claw" will attempt to mystically capture the vehicles.

Part of Toy Story Land's upcoming opening at Disney's Hollywood Studios this year will be incorporating the existing Toy Story Mania! ride into the park's new section. This will reinvigorate the already popular 3-D attraction that challenges riders with several interactive carnival games.

Don't get too excited yet. This is just a model of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge from D23 Expo 2017, and the land is still not set to open at either Disneyland in California or Disney's Hollywood Studios in Florida until 2019. However, its planet setting of Batuu can be previewed in the current iteration of Star Tours at both parks.

Still relatively fresh at Florida's Magic Kingdom is the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train from the park's recent New Fantasyland expansion. The combination of dark ride and roller coaster features family-friendly thrills with a unique swaying sensation of the cars as they pass scenic rock formations and show scenes of the titular characters.

Coming back full circle to the park that started it all in California, most of Disneyland's major new attractions are slated for the years ahead. But that hasn't stopped recent improvements to classic rides: Big Thunder Mountain Railroad's once constantly quaking cave is now charged with "explosives" timed precariously to your car's arrival.

Also sporting a relatively new facelift is the Abominable Snowman in Disneyland's Matterhorn Bobsleds. Impressive Audio-Animatronics technology makes the figure more fierce than ever with agile lifelike movements towards riders as they zoom past. A fresh tableau creatively showcases a vintage bobsled and Skyway gondola captured by the monster.