Are you planning a trip to Disney World and curious of what you should spend your time on? If you’re like me and love everything Disney World has to offer, you’ve probably wondered how all the rides stack up against each other. Having experienced each one, from the classics to the latest additions, I decided to embark on the ultimate ranking adventure.
Join me as I take you through my personal journey of ranking all 54 rides at Disney World Resort. From attractions I can’t be bothered to even walk onto to rides that blow my mind, I’ll share my honest thoughts and memories. Whether you’re planning your next trip or just curious about my take, let’s dive into the wonderful world of Disney rides together!
Please Don’t Ask Me to Get On, Because I Won’t Unless I Need To Take A Nap
53. The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
52. Mission: SPACE
51. Muppet*Vision 3D
50. Prince Charming Regal Carousel
49. “it’s a small world”
48. It’s Tough to be a Bug!
47. Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress (I have only rode this once, and I slept the entire time)
46. Journey Into Imagination With Figment
I’ll Get On, But I’m Not Happy About It
45. Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid
44. Astro Orbiter (actually this ride is pretty fun, just a tight fit if you are tall)
43. Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room
42. The Barnstormer
41. The Sea with Nemo & Friends (if you use a flash camera on this ride…don’t)
40. Peter Pan’s Flight (a special hatred for this ride because it should never be more than a 20 minute wait…)
39. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
I Will Wait a Maximum of 15 Minutes
38. Na’vi River Journey (granted, that is a cool animatronic)
37. Jungle Cruise (Jingle Cruise is too long of a wait)
36. Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor (sometimes can be really funny though)
35. Alien Swirling Saucers
34. Mad Tea Party
33. Tomorrowland Speedway
32. Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros
31. Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
30. Kali River Rapids
I Enjoy These, These Are Nice
29. Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover
28. Dumbo the Flying Elephant
27. Spaceship Earth (great relaxing ride)
26. Dinosaur (I may have CTE everytime I ride this)
25. Mickey’s PhilarMagic
24. Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run (funny Story here, I rode this with my friends and it was their first time so I made sure they were pilots, a single rider man in his mid 40s yelled at them the entire time…)
23. Living with the Land (Christmas time easily a top 10 ride, super cool)
Always A Good Time on These Rides
22. Toy Story Mania!
21. Kilimanjaro Safaris
20. Start Tours: The Adventures Continue (I love that this ride is different every time you ride it)
29. Soarin’ Around the World (I like this version more than Over California)
18. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (this ride is way too short for an average hour wait time)
17. Test Track
16. Frozen Ever-After
I’ll Wait 30 Minutes for These Rides and That’s Saying A Lot
15. Pirates of the Caribbean (the smells are the vibes)
14. Haunted Mansion
13. Mickey’s and Minnie’s Runaway Railway
12. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
11. TRON Lightcycle / Run (amazing concept, just too short and falls flat, but being launched is awesome)
My Top 10 Favorite Rides at Walt Disney World Resort
10. Remi’s Ratatouille Adventure
I grew up loving Ratatouille, and this ride perfectly captures the magic of the film. This delightful 4D dark ride takes you on a whimsical journey through Gusteau’s restaurant from the perspective of a rat, along side Remy. The combination of stunning visuals, scents, and a unique trackless system makes you feel like you’re truly in the world of “Ratatouille.” The idea of being the size of a rat and navigating through Gusteau’s, experiencing the dishes and characters from the film, is incredibly immersive. It’s a charming experience that always leaves me smiling.
9. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
A classic that honestly makes me laugh, but one of the most enjoyable, and most thrilling ride at Hollywood Studios. I have plenty of funny stories on this ride, but it’s always enjoyable when I ride it with friends and family. This ride combines a thrilling drop sequence with a captivating storyline. The eerie atmosphere and attention to detail in the theming make the anticipation almost as exciting as the ride itself. Each drop sequence is randomized, adding an element of surprise every time I ride.
8. Space Mountain
I will never raise my hands on this ride because I like my fingers, but I have ridden this ride close to 50 times in my lifetime. It’s gotten to the point where I try to do new poses for a memorable PhotoPass experience. A classic, also feels like I have CTE every time I ride this ride. Pro Tip: If you are taller, do not sit in the first or fourth seat; they are smaller than seats two, three, five, and six. This iconic indoor roller coaster offers a thrilling journey through the darkness of outer space. The sharp turns and sudden drops, combined with the feeling of zooming through the cosmos, make this a must-ride for any thrill-seeker. The nostalgic charm and timeless appeal always draw me back.
7. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
This is my favorite ride at Magic Kingdom. I love this ride because it is actually faster than its counterpart, Space Mountain, and the— in my opinion—overrated Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. It is also a longer ride for a thrill ride at Disney World. All of this combined with typically a 20-30 minute wait time, I would rather ride this three times than most rides at Magic Kingdom. Pro Tip: If you don’t want to watch Happily Ever After, the evening show at Magic Kingdom, ride this during the show to enjoy a roller coaster with fireworks. Set in the Wild West, this runaway mine train coaster offers a perfect blend of thrills and scenery. The intricate rock formations and animatronics add to the immersive experience. It’s a fun and bumpy ride that’s great for the whole family, and I always enjoy the adventurous spirit of it.
6. Slinky Dog Dash
When Slinky Dog Dash first arrived at Hollywood Studios, I was in awe—not only by the ride itself, but by the design. Using common toys and board games for the queue and the track was just a nice touch to a franchise I loved growing up. Getting launched twice in this ride is just an enjoyable, smooth roller coaster experience. This family-friendly coaster in Toy Story Land offers smooth twists and turns, making it perfect for all ages. The playful theming, featuring Slinky Dog and other beloved Toy Story characters, adds a layer of joy and whimsy to the experience. The ride is always enjoyable and provides a nice mix of fun and excitement.
5. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster
This ride plays with my emotions too much, with it recently being closed every couple of months due to disputes with Aerosmith. But in the words of Ricky Bobby, “I wanna go fast,” and this ride allows that. Pretty much a faster, looping Space Mountain, I always enjoy this ride. This high-speed indoor coaster launches you from 0 to 60 mph in a matter of seconds, all while blasting Aerosmith tunes. The combination of loops, corkscrews, and rock music makes it an adrenaline-pumping experience. It’s a thrilling and exhilarating ride that I can’t get enough of.
4. Star Wars: Rise of Resistance
The first time I rode this ride, it actually broke down, which was okay since they gave me a Lightning Lane to use another time. This ride has the most amazing queue of any ride at the Walt Disney World Resort, opening up to being on a Star Destroyer with the First Order watching you as you move along. The trackless system and moving through the Destroyer while dodging Kylo Ren truly immerses me into the Star Wars universe. An epic and immersive attraction that puts you in the middle of a battle between the Resistance and the First Order. The ride combines multiple ride systems and incredible theming to create an unforgettable experience. It’s a must-ride for any Star Wars fan, offering an adventure like no other.
3. Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain
For a long time, this ride was my favorite roller coaster at Disney World. Pro Tip: Sitting in the back makes you go a lot faster. The speed, the track, going through it forwards and backwards with a great drop through Mount Everest—this ride will always have a special place in my heart. This thrilling coaster takes you on a daring expedition through the Himalayas, complete with a close encounter with the Yeti. The ride features a backward section and a series of high-speed drops and turns. The detailed theming and sense of adventure make it one of my absolute favorites.
2. Avatar Flight of Passage
This ride, wow. Being five years old now, this ride is still before its time. The smells, the breathing of the Banshee that you are sitting on—it’s, in my opinion, the most immersive ride at the resort. Words cannot describe the feelings that I had the first time I experienced Flight of Passage. This breathtaking ride simulates flying on the back of a banshee over the stunning landscapes of Pandora. The 3D visuals, coupled with the sensation of flight, create an awe-inspiring experience that feels incredibly real. It’s a ride that leaves me in awe every time.
1. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
This is my favorite ride I have ever been on. This ride took every element that Disney World had to offer and threw it into a pot, and it came out perfect. The speed, the screens, the soundtrack—I cannot get enough of this ride and it makes EPCOT my favorite park at Walt Disney World Resort. This innovative indoor coaster combines thrilling speed with stunning visual effects and a fantastic soundtrack. The ride features a unique rotating system that keeps you focused on the action, making it an exhilarating and immersive experience. It’s a perfect blend of excitement and storytelling, solidifying it as my top pick.
There you have it—my personal ranking of every ride at Disney World Resort. From the ones I can’t be bothered to even walk onto, to the thrilling experiences that blow my mind, each ride holds a special place in the vast tapestry of Disney memories. Whether it’s the nostalgia of classics like Space Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, the groundbreaking immersion of Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, or the sheer exhilaration of my all-time favorite, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Disney World continues to deliver magic and excitement at every turn.
I hope my rankings and personal insights give you a new perspective on these beloved attractions. Maybe you’ll find a new favorite, or rediscover the joy of an old classic. No matter what, Disney World has a way of making every visit special and memorable.
Thanks for joining me on this journey through the magic. I can’t wait to see what Disney has in store for the future, and I look forward to sharing more adventures with you. Until then, happy riding!
