Courtney GThroughout these Disney World posts, I’ve been talking about how I like roller coasters and thrill rides. I was worried I wouldn’t get enough of them since Disney is catered towards families and smaller children.
I found some rides to go on but it looks like Disney has added more exciting coasters since my visit last year. I definitely want to go back one day if only just to ride the new thrills.
I’m not an adrenaline junkie but I like my amusement parks. I’ve been to Six Flags in Georgia, Missouri, and California; I’ve been to Universal in Florida and California; I’ve been to Wild Adventures in Valdosta, Georgia, Dollywood in Tennessee, and Knott’s Berry Farm in California.
I think I’ve ridden my fair share of coasters and thrill rides so I thought I’d rank the thrill rides in each of the main four Disney World parks.
Animal Kingdom
Going in alphabetical order, we’re starting with Animal Kingdom. This park offers attractions that feature Disney movies more involved in nature, exotic places, or have animals in them (of course). There are few thrill rides here that you can get on in between the safari or visiting the Tree of Life. Well, there are four thrill rides in Animal Kingdom to be exact (according to Disney’s website). Not the smallest amount compared to the others but definitely not enough for me.
Avatar Flight of Passage
First, let me say, this is not a coaster. This is a 4D immersive experience of sorts. When I first saw that it was something it was going to be something stationary in front of a large screen, I was little let down… that was before the ride started.
4D things don’t do much for me typically but this was such a fun time “flying” in Pandora as the Na’vi.
The line is probably going to be ridiculously long but definitely give it try for yourself.
I’d rate it a 4 out of 5 on the “thrill” scale.
DINOSAUR
As you may have recalled from the Animal Kingdom post, I originally thought this was a slow boat ride like It’s a Small World but I was completely mistaken.
This ride has you in a “Jeep” like car that whips you around seeing and avoiding dinosaurs. It ends up being a fun ride as your “guide” tries to save you from the hungry dinosaurs.
I rate it 3.5 out of 5. My rating might be skewed because of my expectations were exceed.
Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain
Expedition Everest was one the rides I was excited to go but unfortunately I didn’t get a chance to ride it. It was closed for refurbishing or maintenance at the time.
I’m not sure if spoiling a ride is possible (like spoiling a book or a movie) but if you want to be surprised when getting on this ride, skip to the next section.
I’ll be honest, before this trip, I barely remember my visit to Animal Kingdom. That being said, I distinctly remember this ride being able to go backwards. I’m not sure if it’s memory from actually riding it (because I’m not sure I would’ve been tall enough) or from seeing videos. Memory or not, I love a good backwards rollercoaster.
It would’ve been nice to try and escape from the Yeti.
I can’t genuinely rate it because I haven’t ridden it in 20+ years (if I’ve ridden it) but I’d give it 5 out of 5.
Kali River Rapids
Florida can get pretty hot no matter what time of year it is. If you’re in Animal Kingdom and need to cool off, Kali River Rapids might do the trick. This is a raft-type water ride where every gets into the circular raft and get sent down the river. You may or may not get soaked since the ride is control by the water for the most part.
My friends and I got on it as our second ride of the day because the line was short but we definitely needed later in the day. I myself wouldn’t considered it a thrill from memory but it was a good time. I’m giving it a rate of 2.5 out of 5.
EPCOT
I’m going to be completely honest here and say that EPCOT was my least favorite park to visit as a kid (but my favorite firework/waterworks show). As an adult, it probably still is the one I wouldn’t spend the whole day in unless I want to drink or eat around the world. The back half of the park (depending on which side you enter) is the World Showcase where you can eat and drink to your hearts content. It does have a few rides here. The front half is more of your typical amusement park.
EPCOT has the least amount of thrill rides with only three to choose from. Based on my most recent visit I did not get a chance to ride any of the thrill rides EPCOT had to offer because I spent most of my time in the World Showcase.
That being said, my rating are going to be based on the videos I found for the ride.
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
This is newest ride in EPCOT and one I wish was available to ride when I visited. I don’t want to be spoiled so I won’t watch any videos of the ride therefore I can’t rate it properly.
That being said, I did read the description on Disney’s website. It’s has a reverse launch so I already know I’ll like that.
Mission: SPACE
This ride didn’t even come across my mind while planning the Disney trip or while my friend and I were in EPCOT. However, I will admit I’m intrigued.
This attraction is a “Choose Your Own Adventure” type of ride where you can either choose to go on the Orange Mission to Mars which is more intense, or a Green Mission to orbit around Earth which is a less intense mission. This one would be better for someone who is more likely to get motion sickness.
Each “mission” places you in a simulator where you and three others all have a “task” to do. It reminds of the Millennium Falcon Smugglers Run in Hollywood Studios.
While I haven’t ridden it, I’m impressive how immersive it is which can help with the thrill of it. I’d rate it a 5 out of 5. I will definitely have to go on this when I go back.
Test Track
I thought this was a go-cart track that you had to pay extra for at first before I realized it was just like the other rides. When my friends I went to EPCOT we originally were going to go on this but the day got the best off us and the line was too long so we ended up skipping it.
I wish we hadn’t. This ride lets you do a virtual design of car and then you “get in” to test it. It starts off as an indoor coaster and finishes outside. It’s looks pretty fun and interactive. When it comes to thrills… I’ll rate it a 3.5 out 5. It looks fast but has no major hills or loops.
Hollywood Studios
Now, this park probably has the most thrill rides which is why it’s one I’m always excited to go to. Hollywood Studios is reminiscent of Tinseltown with a replica of the Chinese Theater right in the middle of the park as you walk in from the front.
It’s also home all the Star Wars attractions with Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. My mom is a Trekkie so I didn’t really watch the original Star Wars movies (or the first three prequels) growing up.
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
Starting off, we have the Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. This felt more interactive than thrilling, like I was playing a video game. As I said, in the Hollywood Studios post, I was a pilot in our little smuggling operation and we did not do a good job smuggling, ha.
I’m not a huge gamer so my rating may be skewed but I’m giving it a 2.5 out of 5. If you play videos games that are similar or like Star Wars I’m sure you’d appreciate it more.
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
This was one of the rides I was excited about riding again. The fact that I’d only ridden it once 13 years prior and I still remembered how fun it was should say something. It may have helped that I sat in the front row when I got the coast for the first time.
This is an indoor coaster that takes off as soon as it starts with Aerosmith blasting in your ears. It has loops and turns and is just absolute fun time. It’s not question that I rate this 5 out of 5.
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
Even for a non-star wars fan this ride was so freaking fun. I talk about it the Hollywood Studios but the cast members really get into character while you wait to get on ride (not the long line but right before you get on). Then when you’re on the ride, there’s spins, heat, and even a little drop which was a surprise.
I would most definitely ride this again for the entire experience and that’s why I’m giving it a 5 out of 5.
Slinky Dog Dash
While in Hollywood Studios, my friends and I considered getting on the ride but because the line was so long we got on Toy Story Mania! instead. Looking at it, I thought it was a kiddie coaster. After looking at the how the coaster is, I wouldn’t say I was wrong. It has some quick turns here and there and is definitely a delight but I wouldn’t say it’s a thrill…maybe a thrill for the kids.
I’d give it a 2 out of 5.
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
This was another ride I was excited to get on. When it was my first time, I was terrified. Even though I loved coasters, I wasn’t a fan of just free-falling. In Six Flags Over Georgia we have ride call Acrophobia that I’ve ridden a few times but I always try to avoid it. I was scared to get on this one in eighth grade especially because it was called Tower of Terror.
The chaperone at the time convinced me to go on and I had the best time! There are few times where you have a weightless feeling and that’s the most thrilling part to me. For this attraction, I’d definitely rate it a 5 out of 5.
Magic Kingdom
Lastly, we have Magic Kingdom. The iconic park everyone sees in their head when the think of Disney World. This park probably has the most rides overall. A lot of those rides are geared towards families and kids but Magic Kingdom has a few thrill rides and with their newest ride, it looks like they’re trying to step it up.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Now this a ride I didn’t get to go on while in Disney World but I did ride it in Disneyland in California. Thunder Mountain Railroad feels like a step up from the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.
It’s got the speed and bit more hills but honestly comparing the two there isn’t a big difference to me. I’ll talk more about the Seven Dwarfs ride under it’s section but for Big Thunder Mountain, I’ll give it a 3 out of 5. I do enjoy the scenery it provides as you ride among the “canyons” but those aren’t exactly thrilling.
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
This was the ride my friend Elise said she always attempted to get on but something prevented her each time. So, I was determined to make sure this was the first ride we got on the day we went to Magic Kingdom.
It’s a fun, cute, little coaster. Not literally little but you know what I mean. I said in the Magic Kingdom post, but it’s a great beginner coaster for the kids who are ready for a little more than the Dumbo ride.
I’d give it a 2.5 out of 5.
Space Mountain
I consider this a classic thrill ride. It’s an indoor coaster where you are in complete darkness. It’s made to feel like you’re among the stars in space. What I love about this coaster is its speed and that fact that you can’t quite see everything adds to the excitement. It’s one ride I’d always make sure I’d go on when going to Magic Kingdom. It, of course, gets a 5 out of 5 rating from me.
Last but most definitely not least, we have Magic Kingdom’s and Disney World’s in general newest ride, TRON Lightcycle/Run. It based off the one that’s in Disneyland Shanghai and it looks lit! I did spoil myself a little and saw a clip of the ride and it just looks so exciting! I loved the fact that the coaster seats/cars look like motorcycles (although I’ve heard people who’ve been on the ride felt it was a little uncomfortable).
Again, because I haven’t ridden this one yet, the rating may be skewed but I’m going to go ahead and give a 5 out of 5.
There we have it. All the the thrill rides in the main four parks rated by me. If you’re thinking of going on some of these, please still be sure to read the warning on Disney’s site and/or in the parks themselves (a few of them said expectant mothers are not recommended to ride).
What are some of your favorite thrill rides to go on at Disney World? Do you agree with the ratings? Which ones would you change? Let me know below!
