Are you taking a Disney Vacation and wondering how to possibly fit it all in? With tons of rides, restaurants, shows, and resorts to visit, it sometimes helps to just narrow it all down to the BEST. So if you’re ready for our Favorite Disney Rides then settle in and take notes! Here are the Best Rides at Walt Disney World we find ourselves riding every time we visit the parks! Mind you they may not all be the most popular, but we think they are the most fun and well worth the time
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The Most Popular Rides in Each Disney Park
Rides and Attractions at Walt Disney World are EVERYWHERE! And of course, everyone will have their own preferences. Know that this list is completely biased! There are rides we know we “should have” liked and didn’t, and other less popular rides we absolutely adore! That said, it’s important for us to disclose a few things; we’re three girls who don’t like waiting in lines and often just need a break. This means we’re not necessarily always thrilled about that giant line at Epcot’s Test Track, but that doesn’t mean that taking time to design and drive our own “car” isn’t fun. It also means you may find us on the PeopleMover at Magic Kingdom more often than normal because running this blog, and our shop is a lot of work.
Choosing Your Favorite Disney Rides
Of course, you will have your own rides in each park that you discover and love. If you want to check out all the rides and experiences, be sure to check out our Disney Checklists for each park to get you started. But if you’re ready to check out the Best Rides at Walt Disney World then read on! We’ve broken this down by Walt Disney World park, and given a short description for each. We’ve also added the Category of Ride ( slow, fast, scary, thrill, dark etc.), Height Requirements, Who it’s good for ( adults, teens, kids), and if the ride is a Lightning Lane priority.
Best Rides at EPCOT Park
EPCOT Park has been undergoing a major transformation over the last couple of years and is finally almost complete! As one of our favorite places to be, you may find that rides come second to both the festivals and the Disney snacks to be had. For us, we love it all. Epcot Park is split into four main areas; World Celebration, World Discovery, World Nature, and World Showcase. All areas have rides themed accordingly. Overall, Epcot is a 2-day park, and if you’re visiting for a festival, then we’d recommend closer to three days. There is just so much to do here! Check out the Top 10 Things to do at EPCOT. And if you’re looking for the very best rides at EPCOT Park, these are our favorites.
Soarin’
This ride is a simulated hang-glider tour that takes you around the world. Complete with sights, sounds, and smells. Shown on a 180-degree, 80-foot IMAX digital projection dome.
- Category: Slow Ride
- Height Requirement: 40″ or taller
- Good for: Kids, Teens, Adults
Frozen Ever After
Previously Maelstrom, this boat ride is best known for its fun scenes featuring Olaf, Elsa, and Anna. Ride through the lands of Frozen and spot awesome details along the way.
- Category: Slow Ride
- Height Requirement: Any
- Good for: All
- Lightning Lane Priority
Living with the Land
One of our favorite rides this narrated boat ride takes you through Disney’s greenhouse spaces sharing the story of agriculture and conservation. This ride is also decorated seasonally!
- Category: Slow Ride
- Height Requirement: Any
- Good for: All
Gran Fiesta Boat Tour with the Three Caballeros
If you need a break from the weather, this indoor boat ride is dark, features cartoons with the Three Caballeros and scenes of Mexico.
- Category: Slow Ride
- Height Requirement: Any
- Good for: All
Spaceship Earth
This journey through life gives a better history lesson than you’ll find in school. As one of our favorite rides, this is a great ride for when you need a break and want to be told a story. Sit back and relax.
- Category: Slow Ride
- Height Requirement: Any
- Good for: All
Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure is NEW and located in EPCOT’s France pavilion. This dark, trackless ride is a family favorite as guests are shrunk down to the size of a rat in a busy kitchen.
- Category: Slow Ride
- Height Requirement: Any
- Good for: All
- Lightning Lane Priority
Guardians of the Galaxy
Guardians of the Galaxy is the newest roller coaster in EPCOT. This coaster offers a 360-degree view that allows the guest to spin the car while in flight through outer space.
- Category: Thrill Ride
- Height Requirement: 42″ or Taller
- Good for: Tweens, Teens, Adults
- Virtual Queue Boarding Pass System, Individual Lightning Lane Priority
Be sure to check out our EPCOT Park Checklist to make sure you don’t miss a thing, and all the Best Disney Snacks at EPCOT to help keep you going throughout the day!
Best Rides at the Magic Kingdom
Magic Kingdom Park is home to Cinderella’s Castle and definitely Walt Disney World’s most magical park. It’s true we’re usually mesmerized by the smells of cinnamon rolls on Main Street and the gorgeous lands in this park. Chances are you will be too. And of course, once you’re ready to ride all the rides, Magic Kingdom has some of the Best Rides in Walt Disney World! We definitely recommended at least 2 days in Magic Kingdom. And truthfully, there is nothing better than walking into Magic Kingdom on the first day of your vacation. To get a handle on the very best things to do in this park, check out our Top 10 Things to do in Magic Kingdom.
Pirates of the Caribbean
This is one of our favorite rides ever and one we ride over and over on every Disney Vacation. This is an original ride created by Walt Disney himself back in 1967 and shows familiar scenes immortalized in the Pirates of the Caribbean Movies. another storytelling ride, take note of the smells and sights, and see if you can spot Captain Jack Sparrow. Pirates of the Caribbean is often considered the best ride in Magic Kingdom due to nostalgia, theme, and storytelling.
- Category: Slow Ride
- Height Requirement: Any
- Good for: All
Peter Pans Flight
One of the most popular rides in Magic Kingdom, this ride always has a long wait, so grab a Lightning Lane Pass if this one gets on your list. This is a dark ride that brings sailing across the skies of London in your very own ship, off to Neverland.
- Category: Slow Ride
- Height Requirement: Any
- Good for: All
- Lightning Lane Priority
Haunted Mansion
A must-do ride, even if you don’t do spooky, the Haunted Mansion is a slow-moving ride that takes you through the mansion of 999 haunts. With stories for every space, it’s the ballroom scene and the graveyard song, sung by Julie Andrews, that put this ride in the not-to-be-missed category.
- Category: Slow Ride
- Height Requirement: Any
- Good for: All
Seven Dwarf’s Mine Train
This mine ride is a roller coaster that brings you through the diamond mines with the seven dwarfs. This ride is a little fast and always shorter than expected. The line, however, is always a long one, so be sure to have a Lightning Lane Pass for this one.
- Category: Thrill Ride
- Height Requirement: 38″ or taller
- Good for: Kids, Teens, Adults
- Lightning Lane Priority
Jungle Cruise
The punniest ride in Disney World, this exotic cruise brings you down the amazon river to famous landmarks like the “backside of water” and Trader Sams. We love the Jungle Cruise jokes and the Christmas overlay- Jingle Cruise- is a must-do.
- Category: Slow Ride
- Height Requirement: Any
- Good for: All
- Lightning Lane Priority
It’s a Small World
This classic Disney Ride may have you humming this song for the rest of the day, but it’s worth the journey! Seeing all the countries and animatronics is a marvel and a reminder of the good old days. This slow boat ride is a great way to take a break and usually has a pretty low wait time!
- Category: Slow Ride
- Height Requirement: Any
- Good for: All
Tron Lightcycle Run
This light cycle ride is the newest thrill ride to arrive in Magic Kingdom, weaving you in and out of spaces within Tomorrowland. And as one of the best rides at the magic kingdom it’s a Disney Must do for your vacation.
- Category: Thrill Ride
- Height Requirement: 48 inches or taller
- Good for: tweens, teens and adults
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure- Coming Soon! Summer 2024
In a much-needed refresh, Splash Mountain is set to transform into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. This Princess and the Frog re-imagining of Splash Mountain turns this boat ride into a bayou-focused ride featuring Princess Tiana, Mama Odie and friends, opening in Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom Park. Recreating a New Orleans Mardi Gras experience this ride includes jazz music, bayou culture, familiar faces from Princess and the Frog, and more. This new ride features Tiana, Naveen, and Louis the alligator preparing to host a Mardi Gras Celebration. This ride picks up where the movie left off.
Other Magic Kingdom Rides
With so many rides in Magic Kingdom, it’s hard to narrow it down to just the top ones we love. So, if you have time we’d also recommend the Tomorrowland Transit Authority Peoplemover, allowing views of Tomorrowland as you sit back and relax in your car on a track high above the ground. Or Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin if you’re up for a shooting adventure for some classic state fair-like gameplay. And the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad has a major following for its rollercoaster fun and amazing theming. We also love Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid which often has lines low enough that you don’t need a Lightning Lane Pass.
Grab the Magic Kingdom Checklist for all the rides and attractions in this park, and be sure to check out the Best Snacks at Magic Kingdom to make sure you don’t miss the good stuff!
Best Rides at Hollywood Studio
Hollywood Studios Park is filled with new rides and experiences since the arrival of Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge and Toy Story Land. Typically a 1-day park, Hollywood Studios is a small park, but if you have a Star Wars fan in your group, it could easily be a day a half. From rollercoasters to shows this park features an array of experiences. Be sure to keep an eye out for the Hollywood Studios’ personalities that pop up throughout the day in the park. And don’t miss our Top 10 Things to Do at Hollywood Studios if you’re looking for a checklist.
Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway
Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway is the newest ride to take over Chinese Theater in Hollywood Studios. Featuring a trackless experience, this one brings you in and out of various stories with Mickey and Minnie as they navigate the perfect picnic day with train conductor Goofy. What could possibly go wrong?
- Category: Trackless Ride
- Height Requirement: Any
- Good for: All
- Lightning Lane Priority
Rise of the Resistance
This larger-than-life ride is massive in scale. A trackless dark ride, you’ll see familiar scenes from the Star Wars films and characters you know and love. An absolute must for any star wars fan.
- Category: Thrill Ride
- Height Requirement: 40″ or taller
- Good for: Kids, Teens, Adults
- Lightning Lane Priority
Star Tours: The Adventure Continues
There are over 50 different storylines to experience in this flight simulated, digital 3-D ride. As you sit in the cockpit with your fellow pilots you are taken to, and crash on different planets, see familiar places, and are guided with the help of C3P0. Definitely a fun ride for the whole family.
- Category: Thrill Ride
- Height Requirement: 40″ or taller
- Good for: All
Slinky Dog Dash
This outdoor rollercoaster in Toy Story Land is by far one of the best rollercoasters in Walt Disney World. And is frequently a drop to Rope Drop at Disney. Be prepared for a long wait in line if you don’t have a Lightning Lane.
- Category: Thrill Ride
- Height Requirement: 38″ or taller
- Good for: Kids, Teens, Adults
- Lightning Lane Priority
Toy Story Midway Mania
For kids and grown-ups alike this is a classic shoot and score game that brings you through Toy Story Land. More like a classic state fair ride, we like this one, because everyone can get involved and score. It makes for a fun interactive ride.
- Category: Slow Ride
- Height Requirement: Any
- Good for: All
- Lightning Lane Priority
Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
This ride is an “elevator” that drops at random intervals. While this is one of those rides we find rather scary, the magic is in the storytelling. If you’re not thrilled about a ride that drops you for fun, you can actually take the entire pre-ride experience to hear the story and then take a back exit before you get on the ride.
- Category: Thrill Ride
- Height Requirement: 40″ or taller
- Good for: Kids, Teens, Adults
- Lightning Lane Priority
Other Hollywood Studios Rides
If you’re visiting Hollywood Studios and have the time we’d also highly recommend taking a break and heading to MuppetVision3D. This Muppets show is a great way to relax indoors and perfect for all ages. While we also enjoy Millenium Falcon Smugglers Run, it did not make our list simply because as a ride it involves cooperation between the people “flying the ship” in order to succeed. If you have 6 people in your travel group who can all work together, then great, this may be a successful ride for you. If you are traveling with fewer people however you’ll be paired with the next guests in line who may or may not know what they’re doing. It could prove as a frustrating, rather than fun, experience as you have to shout out the orders to other members of your crew depending on your ride role. But, to each his own!
Hollywood Studios has a lot to do, especially with everything new that has arrived over the last few years so be sure to check out our Hollywood Studios Checklist. And if you’re looking for the Num Num Cookie, you’ll find it on our Best Snacks at Hollywood Studios list.
Best Rides at Animal Kingdom
Animal Kingdom Park is Walt Disney World’s largest park and includes trails, animal habitats, rides, and shows. This park includes the land of Pandora World of Avatar and specialty tours like the Wild Africa Trek. Most recently Animal Kingdom is also featuring Disney Character Flotillas that include Disney characters sailing on the Discovery River as part of the distanced character experience. If you’re looking for all the Best Rides at Animal Kingdom, check out our favorites, and be sure to read up on the Top 10 Things to do in Animal Kingdom so you know before you go!
Kilimanjaro Safari
This classic safari ride at Animal Kingdom lets you ride across the savanna to see the animals and enjoy the sights. The fun of this ride is in learning about the animals and rough riding through the savanna. The ride itself is about 18 minutes long and we get a Lightning Lane for this ride when we can.
- Category: Slow Ride
- Height Requirement: Any
- Good for: All
- Lightning Lane Priority
Expedition Everest
While the Yeti in this ride may be perpetually broken, it doesn’t make it any less fun. As THE rollercoaster in Animal Kingdom, this one brings you up to the mountain tops of Everest, and then hurls backward back down them! Scary, fun, and thrilling, if you like coasters, try this one!
- Category: Thrill Ride
- Height Requirement: 44″ or taller
- Good for: Kids, Teens, Adults
- Lightning Lane Priority
Avatar Flight of Passage
Considered one of the Best Rides at Walt Disney World, this simulated ride lets you ride on the back of a banshee with dips and weaves through the trees, bringing you into the World of Avatar. But we love it most for its breezes, smells, and the whole 4D experience. The absolute MOST POPULAR ride in Animal Kingdom, we always recommend you rope drop this one if you don’t want to pay for it as wait times can be hours.
- Category: Thrill Ride
- Height Requirement: 44″ or taller
- Good for: Kids, Teens, Adults
- Lightning Lane Priority
Festival of the Lion King
Not a ride, but by far one of the best performances in Walt Disney World, this amazing performance includes floats, characters, acrobats, and vocalists that know what they’re doing. Half broadway show, half circus we can’t get enough of this one. It gives you all the feels, so get ready to sit back and enjoy!
- Category: Stage Show
- Height Requirement: Any
- Good for: All
Dinosaur
You don’t even have to like dinosaurs to like this ride. This dark ride has high-tech visuals, bumps, and some speed as you race around in your jeep trying to outrun the dinosaur on your tail. If you’ve been on the Indiana Jones ride at Disneyland, this ride features the same ride track system. It’s just a fun ride, though will sometimes have a wait!
- Category: Thrill Ride
- Height Requirement: 40″ or taller
- Good for: Kids, Tweens, Teens, Adults
Other Animal Kingdom Rides
In this park, we also love Kali River Rapids, and the Na’vi River Journey and both are definitely worth the wait or grab a Lightning Lane Pass if you can score them. Be sure to check out our Animal Kingdom Checklist for all the rides and shows to see and take a look at our favorite Animal Kingdom Snacks, both savory and sweet!
Best Rides at Walt Disney World
There you have it! All our favorite Disney World rides in each park! From slow boat rides to fast coasters there is something for everyone! Hopefully, this has helped you narrow down your ride list, especially if you’re on a time crunch with shorter days or a shorter vacation. And if you’re traveling with small children be sure to check out the Height Requirements for all the Walt Disney World rides. What are your favorite rides in Walt Disney World?
Rochelle Mariah is a writer, designer and photographer with an MLIS in Information Science and a B.S. in Arch and Design. Determined to make Planning a DIY Disney Vacation easier she makes lots of lists and drinks lots of coffee. When not designing apparel at Polka Dot Pixie Shop, she's watching old movies and planning the holidays. She has been traveling to Disney destinations since 2010.
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