Beware! These Disney World parks and rides are great for extreme thrill-seekers. So, side effects may include, adrenaline, crazy drops and – if you venture onto The Tower of Terror – a lot of screaming!
People usually think of Universal as more thrilling than Disney World. I’m here to play devil’s advocate, because there are some intense Disney World rides too!
This post is the ultimate guide to Disney World parks and rides for extreme thrill-seekers!
Disney World Parks and Rides for Thrill-Seekers
@caffeinebythecastle Disney World may not be known for having crazy roller coasters – like Universal is. But that doesn’t mean they don’t have any thrilling rides! What is your favourite thrill ride at Disney World? 💕 The full post is at caffeinebythecastle.com 💕 #disneyworldride #disneyworldrides
Disney World Parks and Rides List:
- Magic Kingdom
- Epcot
- Hollywood Studios
- Animal Kingdom
We won’t be talking about the water parks (Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach) in today’s post.
Now, let’s get onto the individual parks and rides!
Magic Kingdom Rides for Thrill-Seekers
1. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Height Restriction: 40in (102cm) +
Highlights: Moderate speed, small drops
Location: Frontierland
Hold onto your cowboy hats, put down the lap bar, and get ready for ‘the wildest ride in the Wilderness!’
Nestled within the rustic and picturesque landscape of Frontierland, this iconic attraction brings the spirit of the Old West to life like never before.
Board a speeding train and venture into the heart of a legendary gold-mining town, where excitement and adventure await at every turn.
This isn’t overly scary – or as fast as Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, but you shouldn’t miss it. Even if it’s just for the exquisite views of the castle and fireworks in the evening.
2. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
Height Restriction: 38in (97cm) +
Highlights: Quite fast, small drops, storytelling
Location: Fantasyland
Step into the classic and enchanting world of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs on this Mine Train.
This whimsical and family-friendly roller coaster invites you to join the lovable dwarfs as they work tirelessly in their glittering gem-filled mine.
As you wind through the beautifully crafted scenes, be prepared to meet Snow White and the Dwarfs. And yes, you can expect to find the dwarfs singing “Heigh-Ho” as you pass by!
The only downside is that the queue is usually very long and the ride is very short. It might be worth going to rope drop at Magic Kingdom or purchasing an Individual Lightning Lane for this attraction.
Alternatively, if you’re attending Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party or Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, this is a great ride to prioritise, due to fewer crowds.
RELATED POST: Your Ultimate Guide on What To Expect At Disney World Christmas Parties: Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party & Disney Jollywood Nights
3. Space Mountain
Height Restriction: 44in (112cm) +
Highlights: Roller coaster in the dark, moderate to large drops, neck pain (and perhaps pain in general)
Location: Tomorrowland
Embark on a 1970s intergalactic adventure unlike any other on Space Mountain.
Blast off into the darkness and outer Space on a thrilling roller coaster.
If you have severe neck or back pain, this attraction may irritate that, as it isn’t exactly the smoothest roller coaster ever.
But, if this isn’t an issue for you, buckle up, prepare for liftoff, and an extremely fast ride!
4. TRON Lightcycle / Run
Height Restriction: 48in (122cm) +
Highlights: Fast, thrilling, dark with drops
Location: Tomorrowland
Located in Tomorrowland, TRON offers a one-of-a-kind experience that merges advanced technology, immersive theming, and heart-pounding speed.
After opening in Shanghai Disneyland, it has finally made its way to Disney World – after LITERALLY YEARS.
I’m riding it for the first time this month, and I couldn’t be more excited!
I’ve heard it’s futuristic, fast and best at night, so I’ll update you on this, once I’ve experienced it myself.
Epcot Rides for Thrill-Seekers
1. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
Height Restriction: 42in (107cm) +
Highlights: Dark, thrilling, pretty amazing music
Location: World Discovery
Since opening in 2022, this is the newest (and arguably only) real roller coaster in Epcot.
It’s innovative, loud and exciting – even if you’re not a Marvel fan. I don’t really like Marvel, and this is my favourite roller coaster of all time!
You could even argue that it makes most of the other Disney World fast rides seem slow and boring!
RELATED POST: The Ultimate Thrill Seeker’s Guide To The Best Disney Epcot Attractions
2. Mission: SPACE
Height Restriction: 40in (102cm) + for Green Mission & 44in (112cm) for Orange Mission
Highlights: Thrilling, spinning, motion-sickness and dizziness
Location: World Discovery
Mission: SPACE can’t always be considered a thrill ride.
It depends on whether you choose the Green or Orange Mission.
The Green Mission is a (pretty boring) simulator attraction, where you orbit the Earth. It sounds better than it is; almost nothing happens.
However, if you go on the Orange Mission, you go on a VERY INTENSE ride to Mars. If you suffer from dizziness or motion sickness at all, I wouldn’t recommend the Orange Mission.
After feeling very dizzy on the Orange Mission, I definitely won’t become an astronaut (or go on the Orange Mission again!).
3. Soarin’ Around the World
Height Restriction: 40in (102cm) +
Highlights: Slow ride with small drops as you explore the world
Location: World Nature
Soarin’ Around the World isn’t a roller coaster, but that doesn’t mean it’s not exciting.
As the name suggests, you fly around the world – and see impressive landmarks from the Great Pyramids of Egypt to the Great Wall of China.
4. Test Track – Presented by Chevrolet®
Height Restriction: 40in (102cm) +
Highlights: High speed, designing a car
Location: World Discovery
On Test Track, you design your vehicle, race it, and if you’re like me, win (most of the time 😂).
This car reaches speeds of up to 65mph, so it’s nothing like Tomorrowland Speedway!
Hollywood Studios Rides for Thrill-Seekers
1. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
Height Restriction: 48in (122cm) +
Highlights: Loops, “limo” roller coaster in the dark, Aerosmith music
Location: Sunset Boulevard
There’s nothing better than blasting Aerosmith songs – whilst being whisked away on a wild limo ride to their concert!
You may want to hold on tight as you launch from 0 to 57 mph in just 2.8 seconds! There are 3 loops (1 corkscrew and 2 rollover loops).
2. Slinky Dog Dash
Height Restriction: 38in (97cm) +
Highlights: Thrill rides, a step above a junior coaster, one of the best Disney World rides at night, small drops
Location: Toy Story Land
There is a slight caveat to this one: you have to ride it at night!
In the day, it’s okay, but nothing special.
However, at night – when Toy Story Land is lit up – it’s truly special. Whizzing through the iconic land and seeing all the lights is so much fun. And for some reason, Slinky Dog Dash feels faster at night (or maybe I’m just crazy).
3. Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
Height Restriction: 40in (102cm) +
Highlights: Thrill rides, small drops, immersive, extremely unique
Location: Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
This is probably the most unique of all the Disney World rides.
It has more than one ride system, it’s not a traditional roller coaster or slow ride, but it has a strange combination of both elements.
You really have to ride this one to understand – and even then, you might still be a little perplexed. I definitely still am! But perhaps that’s because I’m not a Star Wars fan.
4. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
Height Restriction: 40in (102cm) +
Highlights: Thrill ride with HUGE drops
Location: Sunset Boulevard
If you don’t like rides with colossal drops, beware of The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.
This is no regular hotel. And, it’s no regular elevator. You might even wish you’d cancelled your reservation after stepping into this haunted hotel.
And that is why this is so epically thrilling.
RELATED POST: Your Complete Guide To All The Hollywood Studios Rides and Attractions at Disney World
Animal Kingdom Rides for Thrill-Seekers
1. Avatar Flight of Passage
Height Restriction: 44in (112cm) +
Highlights: 3D flying simulator
Location: Pandora
This is arguably the most popular ride at Animal Kingdom ride, and for good reason: it’s unique.
I know, simulator rides aren’t exactly a new concept in Disney parks. But Avatar has taken the concept and modernised it, so you really feel like you’re flying through Pandora on a banshee.
This isn’t a scary ride, but it may be an issue if you suffer from motion sickness.
2. DINOSAUR
Height Restriction: 40in (102cm) +
Highlights: Thrill rides, small drops, dark, DINOSAURS!
Location: DinoLand U.S.A.
This isn’t the fastest ride, but it’s still thrilling because there are some pretty dangerous dinosaurs on this attraction (if you hadn’t guessed by the name).
On this time-travel attraction, you are in a crucial race to rescue a dinosaur, before the approaching meteor strikes.
3. Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain
Height Restriction: 44in (112cm) or taller
Highlights: Thrill ride, small drops, big, mythic Yeti!
Location: Asia
This is the only “traditional” roller coaster in Animal Kingdom. But that doesn’t mean it’s just another Big Thunder Mountain or Slinky Dog Dash.
There’s a huge surprise element of this roller coaster (I won’t spoil the surprise for you, in case you don’t already know), that differentiates it from the majority of roller coasters at Walt Disney World.
But just be careful, the Yeti won’t be happy to see you …
RELATED POST: The Top 10 Exhilarating Disney World Thrill Rides You Can’t Miss
4. Kilimanjaro Safaris
Height Restriction: Any height
Highlights: Slow ride around a savanna with over 30 species of real animals (this isn’t like Jungle Cruise!)
Location: Africa
Okay, hear me out on this one! I know it isn’t a fast ride; it doesn’t even have a height requirement.
But, on this safari, you see REAL crocodiles and lions. If that’s not thrilling (and at least a little scary), I don’t know what is!
Ta Ta For Now
You might not have realised it, but there is quite a wide selection of thrilling Disney World rides in the four main parks.
If you’re a thrill-seeker, which is your favourite park and attraction?
This post was the ultimate guide to Disney World parks and rides for extreme thrill-seekers!
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Hi there! I'm an English 🏴 Disney fan who drinks a lot of iced green tea ☕️ with lemon 🍋 and spends most of my time missing the Disney parks! ✨