Disney World Rides

Embark on a magical journey of Disney World rides where every twist is a gateway to adventure, and every drop is a memory for the future. 

There are over 50 rides at Disney World, spread throughout the park in different sections, such as Disney Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, etc. 

Guests visiting Disney World for the first time naturally feel overwhelmed and need clarification about which Disney World ride to cover first, especially those with kids and senior citizens. 

There’s a Disney World ride for everyone, with some being perfect for adults while others are a treat for the kids. On the other hand, some slow rides are suitable for older visitors, too. 

The rides at the park have various features, some being loud, dark, and scary, while others use high-tech features such as attraction photography. 

There are several water rides and roller coasters, too, and there are several factors that guests must keep in mind, such as height restrictions. 

Learning about the rides at Disney World and knowing the ages and heights allowed at the rides and attractions is essential. 

Learn everything about the rides at Disney World Orlando, including their location and wait times, so that you can navigate the park quickly. 

This guide will help you explore the coolest rides at Disney World to take advantage of every must-see ride. 

How Many Rides Are There in Disney World?

There are 80 Disney World rides, including small drops, thrilling rides, water rides, and more.

The rides at Disney World are scattered throughout the parks in different locations, such as Disney Springs, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, etc.

Disney World Ride List

Navigating through the park to explore all the Disney World rides can be tricky unless you know where to find the rides.

Here is the list of Rides at Disney World based on their location:

Fastest Rides At Disney World 

Beat the speed with the fastest rides at Disney World and feel the adrenaline rush as you enjoy the rides at Disney World.

Such rides are usually suitable for young adults and adults and have specific height requirements to ensure the safety and security of the visitors.

Here is a list of the fastest rides and their speed at Disney World:

• Test Track- 65 mph
• Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Reqind- 60 mph
• TRON Light Cycle Run- 59 mph
• Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster- 57 mph
• Expedition Everest- 50 mph
• Splash Mountain- 40 mph
• Slinky Dog Dash- 40 mph
• Twilight Zone Tower of Terror- 39 mph
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad- 36 mph
• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train- 34 mph
• Space Mountain- 27 mph
• The Barnstormer- 25 mph

Thrilling Rides at Disney World 

The thrill rides at Disney World are the coolest rides at Disney World and guarantee you an eventful and unforgettable day at the park.

Such rides usually involve small and big drops, sudden twists and turns, and can sometimes be loud, dark, and scary.

Certain thrilling rides at Disney World are water rides that involve dips in pools.

Here is a list of thrilling Disney World rides you must explore on your trip to the park.

• Avatar Flight of Passage
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
• Crush ‘n’ Gusher
• Downhill Double Dipper
• Expedition Everest- Legend of the Forbidden Mountain
• Gangplank Falls
• Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
• Humunga Kowabunga
• Kali River Rapids
• Keelhaul Falls
• Mayday Falls
• Mission: SPACE
• Runoff Rapids
• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
• Slinky Dog Dash

Dark Rides at Disney World 

Several dark rides at Disney World are immersive and usually occur indoors.

You can expect featured and controlled lighting and special effects that help the park administrators create a convincing, entertaining, and compelling storytelling experience.

At some rides, visitors may experience moving through several scenes that contribute to narrating scenes from famous shows, movies, and cartoons like Peter Pan’s Flight.

Dark rides are indeed fun and must be experienced when at Disney World.

Here is a list of dark Disney World rides worth exploring at the amusement park.

• DINOSAUR
• Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival
• Expedition Everest- Legend of the Forbidden Mountain
• Frozen Ever After
• Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
• Haunted Mansion
• It’s Tough to be a Bug!
• Journey Into Imagination With Figment
• Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
• Mission: SPACE
• Pirates of the Caribbean 
• Space Mountain
• Spaceship Earth
• Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
•  TRON Lightcycle/ Run
• The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

Best Rides at Disney World for Kids

Visitors often wonder if bringing their kids to Disney World is a good idea, considering several rides have height restrictions where young children and small kids are not allowed.

But Disney World has something for everyone, and there are several rides for the little guests to ensure they have an unforgettable experience at the park, too.

Here is a list of the best Disney World rides for kids that will offer your little one a unique experience, as these rides are perfect for kids, preschoolers and tweens.

• Aerophile- The World Leader in Balloon Flight
• Astro Orbiter
• Avatar Flight of Passage
• The Barnstormer
• Bay Slides
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
• Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
• Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak Station
• Cross Country Creek
• Castaway Creek
• DINOSAUR
• Crush ‘n’ Gusher
• Dumbo The Flying Elephant
• Frozen Ever After
• Gangplank Falls
• Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros
• Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
• It’s a Small World
• Jungle Cruise
• Ketchakiddee Creek
• Mad Tea Party
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
• Marketplace Carousel
• Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
• Peter Pan’s Flight
• Pirates of the Caribbean

Ranking The Top 15 Rides at Disney World

Your trip to Disney Park is incomplete without exploring certain rides at Disney World.

Here are the top 15 rides you must explore at all costs on the day of your visit.

#1 Alien Swirling Saucers

The Alien Swirling Saucers is one of the most popular rides at Disney World, as it welcomes visitors of all ages and takes them on an intergalactic spin.

The cutest aliens from Toy Story visit and take the guests on an unforgettable space adventure at this amazing spinning ride.

• Location: Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
• Height Restriction: 32in (81 cm) or taller
• Wait Time: 30 minutes

#2 Pirates of the Caribbean

Say Yo Ho, Yo Ho, sail past the Dead Man’s Cove, navigate through the memorable journey and decide if it’s the pirates’ life for you!

The Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disney World is a must-try for all adventure lovers. 

• Location: Adventureland at Magic Kingdom Park
• Height Restriction: No restrictions
• Wait Time: 35 to 40 minutes

#3 Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind

Explore the best of the tech world at the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind and prepare for a unique and unforgettable intergalactic adventure.

The ride is dark and thrilling and involves the use of attraction photography.

• Location: World Discovery at EPCOT 
• Height Restriction: 42in (107 cm) or taller
• Wait Time: 1 hour

#4 Avatar Flight of Passage

The Avatar Flight of Passage is one of the most unique rides at Disney World, where visitors embark on a 3D flight over Pandora’s otherworldly landscape.

The thrilling expedition lets you enjoy the eye-catching and stunning aerial view and is a must-do when visiting Disney World.

• Location: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park
• Height Restriction: 44in (112 cm) or taller
• Wait Time: 90 to 120 minutes

#5 Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith 

Hop into a sleek limo rocking to the tunes of Aerosmith and race along the dark freeways of the Los Angeles city at this fun ride at Disney World.

This thrilling and loud ride involves big drops and attractive photography to enhance the visitor experience and provide an unforgettable trip.

• Location: Disney’s Hollywood Studios48in (122 cm) or taller
• Height Restriction: 
• Wait Time: 10 minutes

#6 DINOSAUR

Head to this unique attraction and travel back to prehistoric times to save the dinosaurs from extinction.

Prepare to embark on a heroic adventure where you can save the Dinos before the meteor strikes again on this dark, scary, thrilling ride with small drops.

• Location: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park
• Height Restriction: 40in (102 cm) or taller
• Wait Time: 30 minutes

#9 Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

The Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is an open roller coaster where visitors explore through a gold mine.

This thrilling ride involves small drops and is perfect for visitors who cannot tolerate sudden twists, turns, and big drops.

• Location: Frontierland at Magic Kingdom Park
• Height Restriction: 40in (102 cm) and taller
• Wait Time: 20 to 60 minutes

#10 Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin

Fight the battery stealer, the evil Zurg, at Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin and engage in a fun and memorable laser battle.

This slow and spinning ride also involves attraction photography, further enhancing the experience.

• Location: Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom Park
• Height Restriction: No height restriction
• Wait Time: 40 to 60 minutes

#11 Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain

Embark on the most exotic and amazing Eastern adventure on this unique and exciting ride as visitors enjoy the scenic views of the icy peak on a speeding train.

Before you know it, the thrilling ride envelops you in rich darkness in the caves and plunges outside for big drops, making you skip a beat.

• Location: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park
• Height Restriction: 44in (112 cm) or taller
• Wait Time: 40 to 60 minutes

#12 Space Mountain

As the name suggests, the Space Mountain at the park takes you on a unique and one-of-a-kind space adventure in a roaring rocket.

The roller coaster ride is a dark, thrilling ride that involves big drops and keeps the adrenaline rush high throughout the journey.

• Location: Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom Park 
• Height Restriction: 44in (112 cm) or taller
• Wait Time: 45 to 60 minutes

#13 Soarin’ Around the World

Soarin’ Around the World takes you on an airborne adventure where you feel you are soaring through the winds over the world, in the sky.

The ride is thrilling, involves small drops, and is perfect for kids, tweens, teens, and adults.

• Location: EPCOT
• Height Restriction: 40in (102 cm) or taller
• Wait Time: 45 minutes

#14 Astro Orbiter

Astro Orbiter takes you on an unforgettable trip around the planets for a gleaming adventure you will never forget.

The Astro Orbiter is a slow and spinning ride and is among the most popular rides at the park.

• Location: Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom Park
• Height Restriction: No height restriction
• Wait Time: 10 to 15 minutes

#15 Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

One of the most impressive rides at all the amusement and theme parks worldwide, the Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is a treat for all Star Wars fans.

The ride is perfect for all visitors who cannot wait to experience the beauty of Star Wars on a humongous level.

The thrilling, dark, loud ride involves small drops and takes you on a memorable battle against the First Order.

• Location: Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
• Height Restriction: 40in (102 cm) or taller
• Wait Time: 90 to 120 minutes

#16 Peter Pan’s Flight

Peter Pan’s Flight takes you on a beautiful adventure over some iconic scenes from Disney’s animated film, Peter Pan.

Visitors get to board the pirate galleon, follow Peter Pan, and take a historic ride involving small drops.

• Location: Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom Park
• Height Restriction: No height restrictions
• Wait Time: 60 minutes

#17 Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run

The Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run is an immersive and captivating ride where visitors get to fly the fastest ship in the galaxy.

Guests without flying experience are provided on-the-job training as they prepare to fly the Millennium Falcon, the ride’s namesake. 

This thrilling, loud, dark, and scary ride is one of the best in the park and is a must-do when visiting Disney World.

• Location: Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney Hollywood Studios
• Height Restriction: 38in (97 cm) or taller
• Wait Time: 60 to 75 minutes

New Rides To Open At Disney World 

Change is the only constant, and to ensure the best visitor experience, Disney World goes out of its way by introducing new and exciting rides and attractions now and then.

Learn about the new rides at Disney World coming in 2024, including their dates and locations, and prepare for a fun trip ahead of time.

Magic Kingdom Park

The new rides at Disney World’s Magic Kingdom Park are:

• Tiana’s Bayou Adventure- June 2024

The Tiana’s Bayor Adventure will open in June 2024 at Disney Park and Walt Disney’s Magic Kingdom.

The ride is based on the Princess and The Frog and involves some of the music from the film.

• Country Bear Musical Jamboree – Summer 2024

The Country Bear Musical Jamboree is a new show coming to Disney World’s Magic Kingdom Park this summer, where the bears will learn new music.

Guests can expect performances of usual songs in new styles like country, rockabilly, and bluegrass.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

The new ride at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is:

• Star Tours – Starting 15th April 2024

The Star Tours will be getting new adventures added to the existing ride.

The new adventures include stimulating rides featuring New-to-the-ride characters and locations from Ashoka, Andor, and The Mandalorian.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park

The new ride at Disney World’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park is:

• Transformation of It’s Tough to be a Bug – 2024

It’s Tough to be a Bug is already a famous ride at Disney World, and this ride is now about to get a makeover.

The dates for the opening or commencement of the Zootopia-themed event have not yet been revealed.

The makeover will take you through different biomes that visitors only see in movies with various film characters like Judy Hoppes, Nick Wilde, etc.

Things to Remember Before Visiting Disney World Rides

There are certain things that visitors must keep in mind before visiting Disney World rides to ensure a smooth and hassle-free experience, such as the following:

1. Plan ahead- Exploring Disney parks and rides can be overwhelming and difficult for visitors, especially those visiting the park for the first time.
   It is essential to plan ahead and create a blueprint of the plan, including which rides you want to visit first and which you are okay with leaving.
2. Early Access- Explore the early access option, which lets visitors enter the park 30 minutes before the official opening time.
   Early access ensures you are in the park before the major crowd approaches, keeping you ahead of the rest of the visitors.
3. Download the Disney App- The Disney App is your guide for Disney World rides as it serves as your atlas, helping you navigate the park quickly.
   Visitors can find important information about the location of rides, the timings of rides and attractions, etc., so make sure you download the app before going.
4. Height Restrictions- several Disney World rides restrict visitors below a certain height from enjoying some rides.
   Make sure that you pass the height requirements for all the rides you want to explore, especially if your kids will accompany you.
5. Wait Times- Rides at Disney World have different wait times, so keep this important factor in mind.
   Visit the most popular rides first, as certain Disney World rides can last up to two hours, while you might have to wait for only ten minutes at some others.
6. Rider Switch- Learn about the options like Rider Switch and use them to make the most of your trip.
7. Safety Measures- recklessness can cause accidents; ensure that you adhere to all safety measures suggested by the park administrators at all costs.
   Do not try to stand or leave the rides while they are still moving, and avoid bringing items not allowed inside the park.
8. Check the Refurbishment Calendar- Disney World rides require regular maintenance and servicing; therefore, some rides may remain closed for refurbishment.
   Before visiting, make sure to check the refurbishment calendar and learn about the rides that are closed and those that are operating to avoid disappointments.
9. Genie+ and Lightning Lanes- visitors can skip long wait times and queues with several add-ons like the Genie + and Lightning Lanes options.
   Use these options to ensure you do not have to wait in lines and actually explore the Disney World rides instead of wasting time in lines.
10. Dress Appropriately- the most crucial factor to remember before visiting Disney World rides is to dress appropriately.
    Dress in comfortable clothes and shoes to avoid discomfort, shoe bites, chaffing, and other problems that can spoil your trip.