If you are planning your first Disney vacation ( or your 50th), you may want to make sure you know in advance which rides just may become your all-time favorites.
Get your FastPass plan ready and use this list as a guide to plan the Disney World rides you won’t want to miss during your stay at Walt Disney World.
Note: This list was compiled based on feedback given from members of my Disney Fans and Bloggers Unite Facebook group. If you are a Disney enthusiast, planning your Walt Disney World vacation or have a Disney related business, we’d love to have you join the community!
1. Avatar Flights of Passage
Located at Animal Kingdom, Avatar Flights of Passage is a fast-paced 3-D ride through the land of Pandora on the back of a mountain banshee. Guests must be 44” or taller…and you definitely want a FastPass.
2. Soarin'
Soarin’ Around the World ( Soarin’ for short works just fine) is a classic Epcot IMAX experience where you hang glide around the globe.
Kids must be 40” or taller, but if they meet the height requirement, the ride is a perfect attraction for the entire family.
The seating features long rows, allowing larger groups to sit together. Plus, the entire queue and ride is indoors in the event that Disney weather is not cooperating.
Depending on the time of year, you may get lucky with the wait time. That being said, this is a Tier 1 Fastpass option for Epcot and if you really want to get on it, I would highly suggest you reserve the spot in advance.
3. Splash Mountain
Splash Mountain is more than just a log flume ride. It’s a fun, zippy adventure through the Southern Bayou with Br’er Rabbit. The key moment is the large-ish drop, but there is a whole lot more happening in that mountain that you won’t want to miss.
Update as of June 25, 2020- Splash Mountain will be under renovation as it is being re-themed for Princess and the Frog.
4. Pirates of the Caribbean
One of the most classic and iconic Disney rides ( that inspired some blockbuster movies btw) is Pirates of the Caribbean. The entire family, regardless of height or age, can board a slow-moving boat through the 17th century pirate voyage following the adventure of Captain Jack Sparrow.
Parts of the ride are in the dark, so younger travelers may be wary. At the end, though, you’ll likely be humming “Yo Ho, Yo Ho (A Pirate’s Life for Me).
As an added bonus, you may be able to find decent stand-by wait times during off-peak seasons or later in the afternoons and evenings.
5. Kilimanjaro Safari
Take a ride on the wild side across the African savanna at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Giraffes and Rhinos are sometimes so close to the jeep you can almost touch them ( but don’t) and of course, you may be able to see Mufasa himself at Pride Rock… though he’s likely sleeping. The beauty of the safari is that it is never the same due to it’s ever changing “natural landscape.”
6. Space Mountain
Arguably one of the more “thrilling thrill rides” at WDW is Space Mountain. The irony, however, is that Space Mountain is also one of the slowest rides at Disney. You will soar through wormholes, past constellations at a roaring pace of…28 mph. The “thrill” is more of a psychological illusion, because the coaster runs entirely in the dark.
The classic ride is over 40 years old and is such an icon at the Magic Kingdom, that you really can’t miss it. Plan on using a FastPass, though!
Insider tip: Space Mountain actually has two tracks. The “Alpha” track is on the left and the “Omega” track is on the right. Depending on the crowds, it’s possible that only one will be open. Both are fun and incredibly similar…but to help you decide, consider that Alpha is about 10 feet longer…adding just a few extra seconds to your ride. But, many people feel like Omega has a bit of a steeper drop in the middle.
7. Thunder Mountain
Also on the list is Magic Kingdom’s ‘other’ mountain… Big Thunder Mountain. The attraction’s full name is the “ Big Thunder Mountain Railroad” because the narrative is that you are on an out of control train through a mine shaft in the wild west during the height of the Gold Rush.
8. Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster
Much like Space Mountain, the Rock ‘N” Roller Coaster at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is also entirely inside, though it goes much faster at 57mph
The queue is fun as you are made to feel like you are in the recording studio with Aerosmith, before dashing off with them to race to an event when they realize they are late.
For this reason, there is no slow uphill climb. It’s “3-2-1 go” and you the roller coaster thrills from the first second to the last. The soundtrack isn’t half bad either.
A FastPass would normally be required. If you are okay with splitting up your group, there is a single rider option which usually has a much shorter line and wait time.
9. Expedition Everest
Scale the heights of Everest and face the Yeti on Expedition Everest. The attraction is a thrilling roller coaster at Animal Kingdom that, quite literally, towers over the park. There are some dark areas and unexpected drops, but kids over 44” are able to ride if they like to seek thrills.
Everest is absolutely fastpass worthy. However, if you are willing to ride solo a single rider line is available and will usually cut your stand-by wait time down considerably.
10. The Haunted Mansion
Much like Space Mountain, the Rock ‘N” Roller Coaster at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is also entirely inside, though it goes much faster at 57mph
The queue is fun as you are made to feel like you are in the recording studio with Aerosmith, before dashing off with them to race to an event when they realize they are late.
Whoa...wait a minute!
What about Smuggler’s Run, Rise of the Resistance, Slinky Dog Dash or Toy Story Mania!?
Granted, all are fantastic rides and should be tried. However, when I asked the group, the top 10 above came out ahead. Perhaps because an “all-time favorite” means it has to have some staying power, and a little bit of nostalgia.
So, which attraction would you add if you had to pick an all-time favorite. Leave your comments below and share with your fellow Disney fans!
