10 Exhilarating Disney World Thrill Rides You Can’t Miss 2024

Do you want to know the top 10 exhilarating Disney World thrill rides? Today, I will be sharing the best Disney World thrill rides ranked.

Going to Disney World is extremely exciting – especially for thrill seekers (like you and me). 

But, with over 260 Disney World rides and attractions (including over 25 Disney World thrill rides, according to their website), it can be overwhelming. I will be breaking this down, so you can prioritise the best Disney World thrill rides on your vacation!

After seeing this list of Disney World rides ranked by scariness, you will be prepared for your adrenaline high on the best roller coasters the parks have to offer!

This post is all about the top 10 Disney World thrill rides you should check out on your next Disney trip!

Exhilirating Disney World Thrill Rides

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Disney World is best known for castles, characters and magic. But they also have plenty of awesome, thrilling rollercoasters! 🎢 To read the full post, visit caffeinebythecastle.com/disney-world-thrill-rides/ #disneyworldrides

♬ Disney-style glitter BGM Pine of Rome – Yuumi Iida

10. Test Track – Epcot

Height Restriction: 40in / 102cm +

Category: Fast ride (with no loops or spinning)

Test Track officially opened on March 17th 1999, and in my opinion, was the only thrill ride in Epcot. Until the opening of Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind (more on this later). After designing your car in the queue, you get to test it out. At speeds of up to 65 miles per hour! Test Track lasts for approximately five minutes.

9. Big Thunder Mountain – Magic Kingdom

Height Restriction: 40in / 102cm +

Category: Fast coaster (without loops & spinning)

Big Thunder Mountain is a relatively fast Disney World ride – catering for kids and adults. Big Thunder Mountain is faster than the Barnstormer (can we even call that a “roller coaster”?!) but slower than Space Mountain. 

This is one of Disney’s most famous rides, as it can also be enjoyed by guests in California, Tokyo and Paris. Although the concept may be the same, not all Big Thunder Mountains are made equal. I’ve been on Paris’ and Orlando’s versions, and Paris wins hands down. It’s notably faster and more thrilling. 

But Disney World’s is still good and worth the time – even just for breathtaking fireworks views!

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8. Avatar Flight of Passage – Animal Kingdom

Height Restriction: 44in (112cm) +

Category: 3D flight simulator

Arguably the most unique on our list of Disney World thrill rides is Avatar Flight of Passage. When it opened on May 27th, 2017, it became the first simulator ride in Animal Kingdom. 

The longest recorded wait time for Avatar was six and a half hours, so if this doesn’t tell you how amazing this Disney ride is, I don’t know what will!

I’ve been on numerous simulator Disney World rides before. Some as impressive as Star Tours. Others as missable as Mission Space (don’t hate me, but I don’t think it’s out of this world – excuse the dad-joke-worthy pun). But I’ve never been on one remotely similar to Flight of Passage. 

Out of these Disney World thrill rides ranked, this is undoubtedly the most innovative (well done, Imagineers).

7. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train – Magic Kingdom

Height Restriction: 44in (112cm) +

Category: 3D flight simulator 

On May 28th 2014, the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train ride opened to finish off the expansions to “New” Fantasyland (is it still considered “new” in 2023?). 

Although the ride uses some of the same animatronics as the former Disney World ride, Snow White’s Scary Adventures (you might recognise some of the dwarfs and crows), it is now a roller coaster. Its focus has switched to more speed than storytelling (though there are definitely still elements of storytelling in this ride). And I’m not kidding about the speed (by that, I mean, the ride is over VERY quickly and is not leisurely). 

This could be one of the Disney World thrill rides for kids, as the height restriction is quite low. Especially compared to the other Disney World thrill rides ranked today. 

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6. Slinky Dog Dash – Hollywood Studios

Height Restriction: 38in (97cm) +

Category: Rollercoaster

As a Toy Story megafan myself, I will try to stay as unbiased as possible as I rave about the magnificent masterpiece that is this ride. 

Even though I love Toy Story, I wasn’t expecting this ride to be as impressive as it is. I think it was the low height restriction and the “junior coaster” label that kept my hopes and expectation low. 

But when I actually went on it, I was almost caught off guard by how fast it is! Now, this is no Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster, but for a junior coaster, it is much faster than you’d think. If your kid is utterly unimpressed by The Barnstormer, this might be the perfect upgrade for them. It is one of the few Disney World thrill rides, which isn’t too scary for younger guests or too boring for older ones. 

Slinky Dog is one of the best rides at Disney World for pleasing everyone in a diverse party. Especially if you ride it at night for a much more thrilling experience! 

5. Space Mountain – Magic Kingdom

Height Restriction: 38in (97cm)

Category: Rollercoaster

The oldest ride on these Disney World thrill rides ranked is Space Mountain, which opened just a few years after the Magic Kingdom on January 15th, 1975. These days, it can be found in various Disney Parks around the globe (though none compares to this one). 

This roller coaster in the dark combines speeds and drops (much smaller than the Tower of Terror, but potentially big enough for you to lose that Mickey Pretzel you ate for lunch …). Although this Disney World ride doesn’t have loops, it’s still pretty thrilling. 

Unfortunately, this is the most likely of all the Magic Kingdom rides to give you an injury. Now, I am totally being dramatic. But, the last time or two I’ve been on Space Mountain (in November 2022), my neck ached slightly. Numerous other Disney World fans have said the same thing, so I think it might be time for Space Mountain to get a little TLC. 

4. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror – Hollywood Studios

Height restriction: 40in (102cm) +

Category: Thrilling dark ride with – VERY – large drops

Although the Tower of Terror might have opened in Orlando on July 22nd, 1993, this elevator transports you back to Hollywood on October 31st, 1939. Just to be clear, this Disney World ride isn’t about cutely carved pumpkins and Halloween candy. Instead, it’s about getting stuck in a broken elevator that drops you thirteen stories. I told you it wasn’t a treat … 

This may be scary to little ones (due to the spooky storyline and insane drops. There’s a reason why it’s high on our list of Disney World rides ranked by scariness. 

As I’m sure you already guessed, this is one of the most intense Disney World rides.

3. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster – Hollywood Studios

Height restriction: 48in (122cm)

Category: Roller Coaster with loops

Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster has arguably been Disney World’s most unique attraction (which could be disputed by our number 1 and 2 rides). When it opened on July 29th, 1999, it became the first roller coaster with loops in Disney World – and still is in 2023. 

Although it goes upside down, it is not too intense, which makes sense as Disney tries to appeal to all ages. 

There are many good rides with loops in Orlando (many people think of Universal for “scarier rides”), but what really makes this stand out is the theming. The story of the limousine and Aerosmith showcases Disney’s signature storytelling – in a way that many might think is reserved for slower Disney World rides.

2. Expedition Everest – Animal Kingdom

Height restriction: 44in (112cm) +

Category: Thrill ride with drops (& other surprises!)

Even though Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster might be a unique Disney World ride for having loops, Expedition Everest could be viewed as even more quirky for … a reason I’m not going to spoil! 

Let’s just say you might meet a Yeti who doesn’t want to see you. And something else that might resemble the ride breaking. That’s all you’re getting! Just trust me when I say it’s one of the best and most memorable Disney World thrill rides. 

1. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind – Epcot

Height restriction: 42in (107cm) +

Category: Thrill ride without loops but with a tendency to be unpredictable

If you had asked me prior to 2022, I would have never said Epcot would be home to one of the most intense Disney World rides. But since this Disney roller coaster opened, it has provided Epcot with the thrilling attraction it was patently lacking. 

This high-speed ride clearly utilises innovative technology in a way that older rides (like Space Mountain) don’t. Even though I am the furthest thing from a Marvel fan, the impressive features of this ride (that I won’t spoil for you) have made this the best of the Disney World thrill rides ranked today. 

Disney World Thrill Rides Honorable Mention

Tron – Magic Kingdom

I have been watching the construction of Tron since 2019, and had been extremely excited to go on it!

Since I’ve been on it, I don’t think it lives up to expectations. It’s one of the least comfortable rides I’ve ever been on, and feels a little less secure than traditional seats (though I’m sure it’s just as safe). 

It is fast, sure. And, it’s a decent ride. But, it isn’t one of the best roller coasters at Walt Disney World (in my humble opinion). 

Ta Ta For Now

So, there we have it: ten of the best thrill rides at Disney World. For a theme park destination that is better for magic than thrills, Disney sure has some great rides if you want something a bit more exciting than the carousel. 

This post was dedicated to informing you about the top 10 exhilarating Disney World thrill rides that you need to check out on your next Disney trip! 

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