Disney World Top 10 Rides

Here is our list of the Top 10 rides at Disney World that you definitely do not want to miss! My 6 and 8-year old kids helped me to come up with this list! If you remember reading our Disney World Tips and Tricks 2013 post, then you will recall we visited Disney World quite recently! We couldn’t agree fully on which order the rides should be in, as we all had our very own favorites. We did agree on a top 10 though. So, here we go…….in no particular order.

1. Expedition Everest (this one is my favorite)

This ride can be found at the Animal Kingdom park in Disney World. The wait time for this ride is usually around 40 min at peak time. It’s a great ride to get the Fast Pass for if you want to get on quicker. Our plan of attack was to grab the Fast Pass at the Kilimanjaro Safaris ride first, and then wait in line for Expedition Everest. We waited about 40 minutes for the ride and then walked straight on the Kilimanjaro Safaris which had been a 55 minute wait. Remember, you can check wait times with the app mentioned in the Tips and Tricks post.

Type of ride: Roller Coaster (you need to be 44in (113cm) or taller to ride; my 6-year old rode it)

What we loved about this ride: fast, smooth, went backwards and forwards, was inside and outside the mountain

My son said, “I was scared to see the Abominable Snowman, but he ended up not being scary at all.”

2. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith (my 8-year old daughter’s favorite ride)

This ride can be found at Hollywood Studios in Disney World. The wait time usually seemed to average around an hour, so again the Fast Pass here is a great option. I will say we lucked out with a little rainstorm that rolled in and we were able to get on this ride in 10 minutes without a pass! My daughter rode it multiple times. My 6-year old son was very bummed because they would not let him on this ride. He was just a bit too short! It does go upside down about three times, so definitely safer for him not to ride if he’s not big enough. This gives us yet another reason to go back to Disney World!

Type of ride: Roller Coaster (you need to be 48in (122cm) or taller to ride; my 8-year old rode it many times)

What we loved about this ride: very fast, fairly smooth, was an inside roller coaster, music (it does get loud)

My daughter convincing me to ride with her, “Mom it’s so fast that it will be over before you know it. The scariest part is watching others take off  at the beginning!” It truly goes like 0-60 mph in 2 seconds.

3. Twilight Zone Tower of Terror (my son’s favorite ride)

This ride can be found at Hollywood Studios in Disney World as well. The wait time usually seemed to average around 45 minutes, so again the Fast Pass here is a good option. Rides like Toy Story Mania at Hollywood Studios can be a 120 minute wait, so really 45 minutes is not that bad. My son of course had to ride this one with my husband since he was not tall enough for the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster. My daughter and I chickened out, but my husband said my son truly loved it. He was laughed the entire time and having a blast. 

Type of ride: Thrill Ride/Elevator (you need to be 40in (102cm) or taller to ride; my 6-year old rode it)

What we loved about this ride: it was dark, scary, fun and has big drops (from my hubby and son)

“My favorite part was when my tummy kept dropping over and over!” exclaimed my son.

4. Splash Mountain (my daughter’s second favorite ride)

This ride can be found in the Magic Kingdom. It is right near the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad ride in Frontierland, so it’s great to grab a Fast Pass for one of these rides while you wait for the other one. Times on both rides are usually about 50 minutes. Another fun thing about this ride is to go and watch others coming down the mountain after you are done. You may just get splashed on the observation deck! My kids also liked checking out our photos at the end of the ride because our faces always looked funny from all the screaming.

Type of ride: Water Ride with a Big Drop (you need to be 40in (102cm) or taller to ride)

What we loved about this ride: slower, told a story, cute creatures, had small drops to scare you, we got wet with the big drop (it depends where you sit as to how wet you will get ~ front gets the most soaked)

“Sit in the front! Sit in the front!” chants my kids before the ride.

We got the Fast Pass for Splash Mountain and waited to ride the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

5. Space Mountain (hubby’s favorite)

This ride can be found in the Magic Kingdom. It’s a great one to make a run for when the park opens! It’s in Tomorrowland to the right of the castle. The wait time can be almost an hour. The Fast Pass is an option here. We went on it super quick (5 min wait) when we got to the park early. In the later morning/early afternoon the line picks up. This was my favorite ride growing up! It’s also the first ride we went on the Disney this trip. It’s so fast and fun!!! The line actually has things to play with as you wait too!

Type of ride: Roller Coaster in the Dark (you need to be 44in (113cm) or taller to ride)

What we loved about this ride: fast, dark, scary, goes around and around a lot, you feel like you’re in space

“Awesome choice for our first ride!” said my kids.

6. Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid

This ride can be found in the Magic Kingdom. The wait time seemed to vary, and was not as bad as others. Usually about 30 minutes. There is Fast Pass service here if you need it. This ride is a slow ride. You sit in a shell and are taken throughout the story of The Little Mermaid from the beginning until the end when Ariel is with her prince. My kids found it very entertaining. The music was fun and the characters were lively. This is a ride for anyone.

Type of ride: Slow and entertaining. No height requirement.

What we loved about this ride: fun, entertaining, great music, cute characters

7. Test Track

This ride can be found in Epcot. We got the Fast Pass for this one and then waited in line for Soarin’ (another great ride that you may need a Fast Pass for at Epcot). We loved Test Track! You get to go in and design your own car on a computer screen. You choose everything about it! Then, you get to test your creation against other people in the group. It tests your car in different road conditions and on performance. You get ratings along the way and even see how your car stacks up to others at the end. It is very fast at one point and goes outdoors. A very cool ride you won’t want to miss.

Type of ride: Almost roller coaster like. Has a few jerky spots and drops. Speeds up at the end. (you need to be 40in (102cm) or taller to ride)

What we loved about this ride: fun, fast, educational, competitive, entertaining

“My car is better. No my car is better……..,” argued the kids.

8. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

This ride can be found in the Magic Kingdom. It is a slower ride similar to the Journey of The Little Mermaid. It is very cute, colorful, and fun! The area where you wait in line is fun too! Many entertaining things to keep the kids busy. My kids loved the part of the ride (you ride in a honey pot) when we bounced around like Tigger! Wait time on this one is average too!

Type of ride: Slow and entertaining. No height requirement.

What we loved about this ride: fun, entertaining, great music, cute characters

“Winnie the Pooh is so cute!” my daughter exclaimed.

9. Peter Pan’s Flight

This ride is found in the Magic Kingdom. It is a very popular ride, so get there early or get the Fast Pass! We went here first one morning so we walked right on! The night before we got the Fast Pass at 5pm and we were not able to get on until 8:30pm. We did not wait. The next morning was much better. This ride is a bit dark, but it is very cool because you fly above London and go through the Peter Pan story! You fly right over the alligators and near Captain Hook and Peter Pan’s battle. It was a lot of fun! It’s a slow ride so everyone can enjoy this! You can find the ride in Fantasyland!

Type of ride: Slow and entertaining. Has a few dips. No height requirement.

What we loved about this ride: fun, entertaining, felt like you were flying

“I’m flying, Mom!” shouted my son.

Fantasyland at Disney World

10. Dumbo the Flying Elephant

This ride can be found in the Magic Kingdom. We had to add this as number 10 because it is a classic. When you think of Disney World you think of Dumbo. Adults and kids can ride this ride. It is not fast or a thrill ride, but it is fun for all. It goes around and up and down! My hubby and kids could ride it, but I know my limits. Roller coasters I can do, but with my motion sickness I can not spin around and around. Too bad because this ride looked fun!

Type of ride: Slow and spins. No height requirement.

What we loved about this ride: felt like you were flying, classic ride, spins around, fun ride

“You’re right mom, this was a fun ride,” said my kids.

Our other favorite rides you won’t want to miss:

• Soarin’ at Epcot (feels like you’re flying)!
• Kali River Rapids at Animal Kingdom (you WILL get wet)!
• Toy Story Mania at Hollywood Studios (the wait was too long and Fast Passes were out, but hear it’s great ~ we are going back so we can ride this ride)!
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Magic Kingdom (roller coaster)
• Dinosaur at Animal Kingdom (a bit scary and jerky ride)

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