Walt Disney World is not known for being the place with the most thrilling rides on the planet. There are gigacoasters and dizzying carnival rides elsewhere if you need the extreme. But that’s not to say Disney World is shabby when it comes to rides that make teenagers and teenagers-at-heart yell “wahooooo!” Now that Cosmic Rewind is here, we thought it would be a great chance to rank the thrill rides of Disney World in one place. Though don’t get your hopes up if you’re expecting to see things like Rise of the Resistance or Pirates of the Caribbean — we’re only doing speedy thrill rides like roller coasters, big drops and rides that make you want to raise your hands in the air!
9. Goofy’s Barnstormer
If you’re a five-year old, you may disagree with this placement with quite the strong opinion. For all others, however, Goofy’s Barnstormer is a great introduction to thrills and spills for little ones.
8. Test Track
Keep in mind that none of the rides on our list are necessarily bad. In fact, you’d be hard-pressed to find any attraction at Walt Disney World that is less than stellar. However, for our time and money, Test Track is not worth more than a single ride. The attraction is down far too often, the thrill part of it is simply riding in a car quickly, and the rest of the attraction is a bit of a snore.
7. Space Mountain
Built in the seventies, this is one roller coaster that certainly shows its age. Yes, the queue is interesting and anticipating is definitely built up, but once you’re on the ride, let’s just say that having the lights off is an important factor in this being worthwhile. It’s jarring, it’s dizzying, it’s fun. But if you could see the structure around you, there’s a solid chance you might not be willing to get on.
6. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
People will often rank Space Mountain head of BTMRR, but that’s because it’s a bit milder in intensity. When it comes to smoothness and theming, however, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is in an entirely different category. This is also one of those attractions you just need to ride at night — the purples, yellow and blues on the red man-made rocks with geysers flowing… it’s really beautiful. You’ll have a magic experience if you can time it so that the fireworks are going off at the same time.
5. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
It’s big, it’s smooth, it’s a little nauseating. It might be one of the most impressive roller coasters in the world, but this is one ride that you want to wait until after to eat that spicy Mexican churro. Let’s just say that spiraling downward sideways while looking at a screen is enough to get people feeling a little queezy, even if that’s not something they’ve done before. As far as thrill rides go, however, this one is a “can’t miss.”
4. Slinky Dog Dash
When they were first building Slinky Dog Dash, many people thought this was just a cheap filler attraction for Toy Story Land. When you look at things like Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and then Slinky Dog, it’s easy to poo poo the visibility of roller coaster parts. After all, Disney is known for theming their thrill rides so you can’t tell they’re even a traditional roller coaster! But all of that belies the fact that Slinky Dog Dash is one of the smoothest, funnest roller coasters you’ll ever get on. The second launch hill is just magic!
3. Rock’n Roller Coaster
There’s absolutely nothing like a blazing launch through a tunnel into a loop-de-loops with the entire roller coaster lit with blacklight and surround sound rock music pumping through your body. The only thing we don’t love about Rock’n Roller Coaster is the ride length. But maybe wanting more time on the coaster is a sign of just how well it works!
2. Splash Mountain
It is an iconic ride that is nearly perfect when everything is working as it should be. Don’t hold us to that statement once the attraction is transformed into a Princess and the Frog homage — we don’t know how it will stack up then. Several smaller drops and themed areas that are the very best Disney has ever done lead to a story climax that throws guests and Bre’r Rabbit into the brier patch. It is the very best of Disney storytelling and thrilling fun.
1. Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
If there’s only one thrill ride opportunity for you at Walt Disney World, this is still the top-of-the-top. The artistry, the storytelling, the technical marvels… Tower of Terror has it all. Unlike versions in other Disney Parks, they spent the budget and more on this one. Not only is the ride the epitome of theming, but they go so far as to have your elevator leave its shaft and go through a journey in other dimensions. It all culminates with an unpredictable and intense drop sequence that takes the old free fall carnival concept to a level you’ll experience absolutely no where else.
So now we wonder where will Tron land in this list? We basically know based off of its twin in Shanghai, but we’ll wait until it’s available at Magic Kingdom to see if there are any subtle differences. But for now, let us know what we got right and where we went wrong. What are your favorite thrill rides at the happiest place on Earth? Let us know in the comments below… and as always, keep reading That Park Place for all the latest news, reviews, and leaks that should be fun!
