Disney World Rides Ranked – The 25 BEST Rides!
The Walt Disney World Resort boasts over 100 attractions, and over 50 of those constitute as rides. This can make it challenging to figure out which attractions – or even which park – to prioritize for your vacation. That’s why we’ve got the best 25 Walt Disney World rides ranked based on overall quality, so you can decide which ones are worth your time!
While the topic is most certainly a subjective one, we’ve endeavored to be as unbiased as possible or, at the very least, explain why we think some of these rides are just so darn cool. We’ll give you a rundown on the immersiveness and intensity of each ride – the two biggest hallmarks of a quality ride experience – as well as the overall feel of the ride. After all, having fun on a ride is the most important part!
The goal of visiting Walt Disney World is to have as much fun as possible, and we’re here to help you itemize the perfect itinerary to make that happen. MouseEars TV crew – let’s ride!
Top 25 Disney World Rides Ranked
Every ride at Walt Disney World provides its own brand of fun, but these are the best – the ones you’ll want to rope drop, wait in line for, or even splurge on Lightning Lane to get a front-row seat.
25. Tomorrowland Transit Authority Peoplemover
Magic Kingdom
Although at the bottom of our list, the Peoplemover really is a ride you shouldn’t miss. In fact, I’d say it’s one of the best rides at Disney World for adults! There’s no wait time for this gentle, ten-minute lap around the park, but there is shade, relaxation, and great views of Tomorrowland and Cinderella’s Castle! It’s a great place to take some bird’s-eye-view photos for the scrapbook or just marvel at being in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World.
There’s no immersive storyline and no intensity to speak of – and that’s why it made the list – because we all need space to chillax sometimes, especially on vacation!
24. Living with the Land
EPCOT
This ride is another sleeper you don’t want to miss. Unassuming and tranquil, Living with the Land is also surprisingly engaging and enjoyable. This boat tour will float through a variety of different ecosystems, from rainforest to American farmland, from thunderstorms to sunny days, with fun animatronic friends in every scene. We just couldn’t leave this wholesome EPCOT favorite off our list!
23. Toy Story Mania
Hollywood Studios
Toy Story Mania is a 4D, interactive carnival ride where you play your way through five fast-paced mini-games. Your spinning ride vehicle comes equipped with a spring-loaded shooter to help you achieve a super-high score. Each midway game pays homage to favorite Toy Story characters and is built to make you feel like you, too, are living a toy’s life! The added element of competition makes it the perfect ride for friends and family who enjoy board game nights or mini golf excursions.
22. Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
EPCOT
There’s something special about character-centric rides; perhaps it’s simply the pre-established connection that makes it feel like journeying with an old friend. Whatever the case, I can’t get over how fun it is to join in Remy’s rat race through this Parisian kitchen! You’ll find yourself feeling small as everything is scaled up to shrink you down to a rodent’s size. 3D glasses and graphics along with 4D effects like water, wind, and heat provide a well-rounded experience all can enjoy.
21. Space Mountain
Magic Kingdom
Space Mountain is a Classic (with a capital C) Disney coaster/dark ride with a forty-year history of constant popularity. There aren’t any crazy loops or speed records being broken here, but quick twists and turns still bring a thrill factor, and the lighting creates an otherworldly atmosphere. It’s not a real trip to the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World if you don’t blast off into outer space at least once.
20. Kilimanjaro Safari
Animal Kingdom
Kilimanjaro Safari is one of the best rides at Disney World for adults and kiddos alike. This 20+ minute truck ride through the African savanna is so fun because of the proximity to the animals who roam freely across the landscape. This adventure is just so alive. While the animatronics throughout Walt Disney World are cute and impressive, nothing beats being within a few feet of a giraffe, rhino, or gazelle! (Lions, cheetahs, and crocodiles are also viewable at a safe, less-accessible-to-the-open-air-truck distance.)
19. Test Track
EPCOT
The most intense ride at EPCOT, and a contender for the fastest ride in Walt Disney World altogether, Test Track puts the pedal to the metal and tests the limits of the sound barrier with break-neck speeds. Design a virtual concept car at an interactive kiosk before boarding a six-passenger SIM car. Ride along as you put your creation through the rigors of the titular test track, reaching speeds of 65 mph as you hug tight curves, blast along straightaways, and climb enormous hills in all sorts of weather.
The way your custom-designed car virtually follows you through the ride is really fun and adds a surprisingly personal touch to this automotive ride.
18. Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway
Hollywood Studios
Believe it or not, this is the first of any Walt Disney World rides to feature Mickey Mouse! Obviously, that alone is enough reason to put Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway on our list, but it ranks well on its own merit, too! This trackless ride has no height or health restrictions but still offers a thrilling, slapdash adventure through an amazingly immersive 2D cartoon world.
The graphic design of this attraction is genuinely innovative, and because the ride cars can take multiple paths, each ride-through offers a potentially unique experience. Re-rideability is definitely part of what makes a ride truly great!
17. Slinky Dog Dash
Hollywood Studios
If we were doing Walt Disney World rides ranked by cuteness, Slinky Dog Dash would certainly be near the top! While it’s not majorly heart-pounding in the thrills and spills department, it’s still a quality roller coaster (as evidenced by the long lines). It’s zippy enough that adults won’t find it boring but tame enough in track design that little ones shouldn’t feel too afraid.
From the queue to the ride itself, the attention to detail is awe-inspiring with enlarged instruction manuals, drawings by Andy, and of course, your trusty ride vehicle – Slinky Dog himself! While there’s not a story beyond Andy combining Slink with a coaster-building kit, the theming is still wonderfully well done.
16. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Magic Kingdom
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is another classic Walt Disney World coaster that’s impossible to leave off of a short list of great rides. Both the theming and track design adds to the thrill factor – driven by an invisible conductor, this train barrels around the mountain and through dark, spooky caverns. The queue leading up to this exciting ride is also pretty fun, setting the groundwork with stories of an ancient curse.
This is another tried and true attraction that’s been around for forty years and is loved by both kiddos and kids at heart. For many, it’s a can’t miss attraction of the Magic Kingdom!
15. Haunted Mansion
Magic Kingdom
The Haunted Mansion is one of Walt Disney World’s most iconic rides (an opening day attraction, in fact!) with plenty of merch and a new movie in the works. This ride has some top-notch theming and illusionary tricks that spirit you away into a classic ghost story. The ride doesn’t do any corkscrews or zip along at break-neck speeds, but instead, the thrills come from being immersed in the ghoulish antics of the Haunted Mansion’s dearly departed residents.
While specters are known to be pretty sinister, Haunted Mansion is actually a family-friendly ride. There aren’t any jump scares or gore, just some skeletons and ghosts going about their own business. This ride was made for folks who love the month of October!
14. Jungle Cruise
Magic Kingdom
Jungle Cruise is another ride that’s simply synonymous with the Magic Kingdom. It combines live theatre, outdoor adventure, and audio-animatronics for a totally immersive experience. This boat ride floats along a winding river and is led by a trusty skipper (played by a cast member) who narrates your tour of the jungle with hilarious dry humor, puns, and any improv they see fit to throw in. If you enjoy laughing at cheesy dad jokes, you’ll love Jungle Cruise!
While the float along the river won’t necessarily get your adrenaline pumping, the showmanship of the ride will certainly leave you smiling.
13. Mission: SPACE
EPCOT
This space travel simulator is certainly one of the most intense rides at Walt Disney World! While there’s no storyline behind it other than a collaboration with NASA, you really do get the feeling of being an astronaut. Placed in a small cabin with screens that display scenes of space, a powerful centrifuge spins the ride capsule so you feel real g-forces, just like you would taking off in a space shuttle.
Thankfully, there are two different levels to choose from – Orange (super intense) or Green (less intense). Either way, motion sick prone people like me, be warned – this is not for the faint of stomach!
If we were doing Walt Disney World rides ranked by intensity alone, Mission: SPACE would have to be in the top five!
12. Star Tours – The Adventures Continue
Hollywood Studios
Before Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge was a fixture in Hollywood Studios, Star Tours – The Adventures Continue took us to a galaxy far, far away. Although this ride is an older one, the flight simulation is still impressive and may make your stomach do a flip-flop or two! In fact, the ride was overhauled in 2010, so it would include practically every planet in the Star Wars franchise as a possible destination. Each ride-through will have you hurtling through the 3D, CGI landscapes of three different planets, with legendary droid C-3PO piloting – and more likely crash-landing – your vessel.
This ride is fun and enjoyable for anyone, but for dedicated fans of the Star Wars franchise, that special connection will likely bump Star Tours into their top 10 rides at Disney World. (It’s on my personal shortlist, LOL!)
11. Pirates of the Caribbean
Magic Kingdom
Another Magic Kingdom classic that’s too iconic to pass up is Pirates of the Caribbean. It’s consistently ranked among the top 10 Magic Kingdom rides and honestly wouldn’t feel out of place ranking in the top 10 of all the parks! It most certainly delivers in the immersion category as you delve into a world of pirates who are busy pillaging the Spanish main. Several iconic scenes from the Pirates of the Caribbean movie series were lifted straight from the ride, like the cute puppy dog carrying a jangling set of prison keys.
Its legendary status is part of why it ranks so highly here, but a few rides just beat it out in terms of intensity, keeping it just shy of our top 10. Nevertheless, Pirates is a must-ride and probably one of the most ridden rides at Disney World.
Top 10 Rides at Disney World
Well, here we are. The top 10 rides at Disney World – the ones we consider the best of the best! Like we said before, a combination of immersiveness, intensity, and simply feeling good for having ridden are all integral to each of these. There’s also the element of “classic” at play here – these are the rides that make a trip to their respective parks complete. So, without further ado, meet the rides we consider to be at the heart of a great Disney World experience!
10. Peter Pan’s Flight
Magic Kingdom
While Peter Pan’s Flight isn’t as flashy or “cool” as newer rides, it is a quintessential Disney experience and one of the most popular rides in the Magic Kingdom. With the help of audio-animatronics and forced perspective, you’ll fly through this dark ride with Peter Pan, Tinker Bell, Wendy Darling, and even Captain Hook. The ride’s simplicity is charming, and the story it tells is a beloved childhood favorite.
While it won’t necessarily get the adrenaline pumping, soaring over a night-cloaked London might make your heart skip a beat, and the nostalgia alone is powerful enough to push this ride into our top 10.
9. Expedition Everest
Animal Kingdom
One of Disney’s most exciting roller coasters is Expedition Everest. This coaster comes with a fun little backstory about a Yeti living in the Himilayas and the precarious-looking track winds around the snow-capped recreation of the mountain range. With a fast pace, a backward “free fall,” and an abominable jump scare, this ride is pretty intense, and some might even consider it mildly scary.
While the storytelling might not be as immersive as some (partially because the rollercoaster format doesn’t allow for much narrative during the ride), it still has a rich and compelling setting, atmosphere, and hairy antagonist! The intensity of the coaster, as well as the genuinely beautiful mountain setting, makes Expedition Everest one of our favorite Walt Disney World rides.
8. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
EPCOT
After decades of waiting for its time to shine, EPCOT finally has its own roller coaster in the form of Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind! This highly anticipated coaster features Disney’s first-ever reverse launching coaster along with brand new 360-degree rotation innovation. Sound cool? It is!!
The theming for this Walt Disney World ride is also incredibly strong. The ride is considered EPCOT’s first pavilion representing another planet, merging the world of the Guardians with our own in such a fun way. With a star-studded pre-show (Chris Pratt and Glenn Close) as well as character cameos throughout the ride, you really feel like you’re experiencing a Guardians film! Plus, each ride will be accompanied by one of six mixtape songs like “Conga” by Gloria Estefan or “September” by Earth, Wind and Fire.1
While some park-going diehards might find the ride out of place in EPCOT, the test of time will show how (or if) it becomes an integral part of the park. The newness of the coaster made me hesitant to include it among my top 10 rides at Disney World, but as it stands, this ride undeniably hits those marks of immersion and intensity!
7. Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run
Hollywood Studios
Part of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and one of the newest editions to Walt Disney World, Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run took advantage of all the technology and fan service available to it – and with great success! The immersion and intensity of this ride are both phenomenal because you are an integral part of how the experience plays out. Each rider has a job to do, be it piloting, gunning, or engineering on the fly.
With this aspect, you really feel like part of the story, and the adrenaline gets pumping because of how invested you are! The motion simulation and CGI screens are well done, and of course, for Star Wars fans, flying in the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy is a bucket list dream come true.
Even for non-Star Wars fans, this ride promises to be a fun and unique experience.
6. Soarin’
EPCOT
Where to place Soarin’ and Smuggler’s Run on this list was difficult because it’s pitting two excellent flight simulators against one another. However, because Soarin’ is more accessible to everyone (no fandom knowledge required to enjoy the experience fully) and because it has that “classic” status, I went ahead and put it ahead of Smuggler’s Run.
Indeed, Soarin’ is an older ride, and, in some ways, it shows – a refurbishment could definitely move it up a place or two!
Nevertheless, the feeling of flying in Soarin’ is almost more intense than Smuggler’s because it’s an open concept. Rather than viewing the world from a cockpit, you’re dangling from a glider – there’s nothing between you and the gorgeous surrounding IMAX cinematography. In addition to being graphically immersive, Soarin’ is also 4D with gusts of wind and even smells, so you really feel like you’re hovering over the Great Wall of China or the Eiffel Tower. It’s one of the best rides at Disney World for adults and kids alike – or really anyone who’s ever felt a pang of wanderlust.
5. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
Magic Kingdom
One of the newer Walt Disney World rides, the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train pays homage to Snow White – the first animated feature-length film in the U.S. – with a rollicking, underground adventure!
From the beginning of the queue to the end of the ride, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train exudes color and charm, just like a well-polished gem. There are several fun games to play in the queue and that sense of fun continues on the coaster. As you pass through the mines, you’ll see the dwarfs (in animatronic form) and hear them singing old, familiar tunes. Each scene is illuminated by glowing gemstones, giving the ride an air of enchantment.
The coaster is nowhere near as intense as Expedition Everest, but it’s unique in that the ride cars swing back and forth as you zip along the track. This fun sensation combined with the feeling of being transported into Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs makes it a highly anticipated ride for any Magic Kingdom visit.
4. Rockin’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
Hollywood Studios
The best – and most intense – roller coaster in Walt Disney World has to be Rockin’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, hence our high rating! Blasting off from 0 to 60 in three seconds and twisting through three inversions will have your heart beating to the rhythm of “Walk This Way” – or faster!
In addition to zooming through a neon setting of a California highway – all to the tune of a randomized Aerosmith song – there’s actually a story set-up before you hop on the coaster. A little pre-show reveals that Aerosmith is super late for a concert. You’re cordially invited to hop in the limo with them, and from there, the wild ride begins.
You’ll experience g-forces on this ride – five, to be exact! – so, know that if we were doing Walt Disney World rides ranked by intensity alone, this would have to be number one!
3. Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
Hollywood Studios
If we were doing Walt Disney World rides ranked by scariness, the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror would be number one!
Even so, the Tower of Terror still ranks highly on our list. It’s the most iconic ride in Hollywood Studios – so iconic, in fact, people get married in front of the tower! This ride is both incredibly intense and immersive, making it one of the best rides at Disney World for adults who aren’t afraid of a thrill.
The ride is narrated in the style of a Twilight Zone episode and takes place in the confines of a spooky and dilapidated elevator shaft. In the blink of an eye, you’ll find yourself being hurtled down 13 stories at 30 miles per hour – faster than just free falling! Not for the faint of heart, the Tower of Terror is sure to give you goosebumps. For many Walt Disney World fans, it’s the crown jewel of Hollywood Studios.
2. Avatar Flight of Passage
Animal Kingdom
When it comes to high-level immersion and intensity, Avatar Flight of Passage knocks it out of the park. Even the queue and pre-show are impressive with an animatronic avatar and the concept that you, too, are being “linked” to your own avatar.
With 3D glasses and 4D effects (smells, wind, water), you’ll truly feel as if you’re riding on the back of a banshee – the majestic, pterodactyl-like creatures from Avatar. In a sense, it’s a flight simulator like Soarin’ and Star Tours. However, Avatar Flight of Passage takes it to the next level. Rather than a spaceship or glider, you really get the feeling of being on the back of a living creature, right down to its breathing. The landscape of Pandora is also breathtaking, and the movements of the banshees are comparable to sensations you’d feel on a roller coaster.
You become truly integrated into the world of Avatar, and physical and simulated sensations will genuinely make your adrenaline get pumping! (Those who suffer from motion sickness should ride with caution.) A writer for Insider declared it to be the best ride they’ve ever been on – period.2
1. Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
Hollywood Studios
Coming in at our highly-coveted number-one spot is Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.
When it comes to immersion, nothing feels as real as this ride. While the 3D screens and motion simulation of Avatar are excellent, nothing quite transports you like actual movements and authentic props. Both the WDW Magic and DIS Trip Planning forums hosted online polls, and in each case, Resistance was voted to be better than Avatar, winning by 71% and 60%, respectively.3,4
Rise of the Resistance places you in the heart of a Star Wars story as a rebel recruit on a mission gone awry. With stunning animatronics, acting cast members, and extremely detailed sets, you really will forget the planet outside of the hangar door is just plain old earth.
Additionally, the trackless ride vehicles give it a wonderfully unplotted feeling, like just maybe the adventure is playing out in real-time rather than from a script. The ride itself is zippy, and there are some twists, turns, and spins, but the true intensity really comes from the incredible atmosphere and living out the story.
While there aren’t g-forces like the Aerosmith coaster, the feeling of being on this ride – of being utterly transported into another time and place – is so powerful, it’s awe-inspiring. That’s why, of all the Walt Disney World rides, we had to rank Rise of the Resistance number one.
Well, here are our top 25 Walt Disney World rides! But what’s your favorite ride? Let us know in the comments below! We’d love to hear about your experience and what makes your favorite ride special to you!
P.S. You might have noticed a conspicuous absence on our list – Splash Mountain. While we would definitely rank it in the top 25, its imminent closure kept us from adding it to the list. However, we plan to update our rankings now and then, so check back to see if its replacement, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, makes the cut!
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