Top 10 Disney World Rides

It’s officially #SpringBreak in my neck of the woods, which for some families means vacation. Though my clan is keeping put this year, I thought this would still be a good opportunity to write about the “Happiest Place on Earth” and what rides will make you happier than others … at least in my estimation. So, if you’re traveling to Orlando within the next few weeks or, really, at any time, consider prioritizing these attractions. Quick baseline about this list: thrill rides are my bag, particularly roller coasters. Additionally, I’m not much into the #Disney pomp and pageantry. Rides with only aesthetics but no adrenaline are rated lower in my book (if I want art I’ll go to a museum). Here now, in order, are the Top 10 Best Disney World Rides.

10. Splash Mountain

Still classic. And just a fun, narrative experience. A year ago, Splash Mountain likely wouldn’t have been on my list. But, after riding it a whopping four times (because my 7-year-old simply couldn’t get enough), I found myself appreciating it more; most notably due to the awesome plunge at the end. A nice mini-thrill, that final descent is a welcomed payoff for a ride that is otherwise uneventful when you’ve gone through the story a few times. Also, be prepared to get off soaking wet. Especially on back-to-back rides.

9. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

Another all-time ride with a great - even better - storyline, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, is a marvelous attraction. And while I don’t need the expensively-created, colorful look & feel of lesser rides, such as Animal Kingdom’s Na’vi River Journey (which you won’t find on this list), the decor and haunting ambiance built into Tower is not only stage-setting, but it adds to the terrifying fun. Plus, to ensure its true authenticity, Disney made certain Rod Serling, the nerve-racking narrator himself, is along for the ride. We’ve seen drop rides come to other parks over the years. None of them have the thrill or spectacle found in this masterpiece. Even after 28 years since its opening, it's still a Top 10 ride.

8. Space Mountain

At 10 years of age, this was my first experience on a “big boy” coaster. The fact it flourishes in the dark made it both cool and simultaneously scary. So, of course, I asked my mom to do it twice. Based on the thrill-seeker I’ve become, that’s no surprise. I loved it that much. It began my love of roller coasters. I’ve since been on dozens of roller coasters of more grandeur. But Space Mountain will always hold a special place in my heart. On my most recent trip last fall to Disney World, I took my own 10-year-old boys on it, multiple times. The symmetry wasn’t lost on me. Neither was the nostalgia. That aside, as a thrill-ride enthusiast, I must admit not having inversions is a big downer, one for which the in-the-dark dips & turns just can’t make up. Still, it’s worth a ride given it remains one of the five best attractions at Magic Kingdom.

7. Slinky Dog Dash

I’ve read other blogs critical of this ride; for the life of me I can’t understand having a negative sentiment for Slinky Dog Dash. It’s mostly for the very young, but still super fun for all members of the family. Easily the best ride in Toy Story Land — and it’s a coaster (bonus points because, you know, coasters are my thing) — it has some nice up-downs and a mid-ride reset that offers some additional excitement. Hearing my son say, “Oh no. Oh no.” was super cool, particularly as he sat there with this big Kool-Aid smile. That’s what you want from a ride … continuous fun. Further down in the What to Know section, I write about the new version of Fastpass. I bring that up only to suggest Slinky, as possibly the most popular family ride in all of Disney World, is very busy. Very, very busy. So, be sure to prioritize accordingly.

6. Test Track

I can do without the process of transitioning in-line riders from room-to-room as Test Track does, if only because, in a number of areas, the lines disappear and become group waiting. Not ideal for keeping kids and families together without a few eye-rolls to strangers trying to cut in front of you. Though, I do like the design chamber where you can build your car … everything from the paint to the hydraulics. But let’s cut to the chase (pun intended), what makes Test Track a near-Top 5 ride is the speed. 65 mph for a ride is no joke. With no top on your car, you feel the sensation. And sure, you're just doing laps around the track. It’s a lot of exhilarating fun nonetheless. If you’re all about rides that get the heart rate going, this is it.

5. Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway

There’s no ride (I repeat: “no ride”) at Hollywood Studios or any other Disney Park, for that matter, more stunning and gorgeously-designed than Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway. NO RIDE. Yes, I wrote in the Intro I can do without pretty aesthetics. I’m making an exception for this ride. The animation for this attraction adds to the overall wonderment like few other rides have done — and that’s just how it looks. The ride itself has technology I’ve not seen at other parks; tech that just two other Disney World rides (Rise of the Resistance and Remy's Ratatouille Adventure) use, as well. It features a trackless system to move riders around nonlinear (imagine a figure skater gliding around an ice rink) and video projection to tell a vividly beautiful animated story using classic Mickey Mouse stylings from the 1950's. If you're not a fan of this ride, you need to tap into your inner child more. It’s too joyous not to like.

4. Aerosmith’s Rock 'n' Roller Coaster

Surprise, surprise. A roller coaster is in my Final Four. Unlike Space Mountain or Slinky Dog Dash, Aerosmith Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster is a real deal roller coaster. Twists. Turns. Thrills. It’s all there. Disney loves to build a story into their rides. So, obviously, if you throw the name ‘Aerosmith’ in the title, the band has to be present, right? And indeed they are. The scene comes minutes before you reach the turnstile. But the plot, if you will, is weak. Never mind that. Only the ride matters. In fact, I get bothered by the Disney zealots who place a higher value on storyline than substance. Just give me a kick-ass coaster. And this is certainly one.

3. Expedition Everest

My fourth & final roller coaster on the list. It’s also easily the best. But first, here’s the sad reality: during its early beginnings, Expedition Everest was so much more. When the ride approaches the Yeti, he’d violently swipe at riders. Like so many others, I never got to experience the ride in this aforementioned fully operational state as it was conceived. This doesn’t change the fact it’s still a great coaster, with a really cool twist that I won’t spoil for you. Considering it’s one of the 10-12 best roller coasters I’ve been on at any park, Disney or otherwise, should inform you of how amazing a ride it is. And while I don’t typically care about the displays as you walk through the line, at least Everest has a few interesting things along the wait. You pass through a museum, you see some nice artifacts, and you embark upon true Nepalese culture. It’s the only ride I recall at times paying as much attention to the interior furnishings as I did the constant chatter of my kids.

2. Avatar Flight of Passage

A lot of lists have Avatar Flight of Passage as the best ride in Disney World. I won’t argue that opinion. I’ll even say it was hard for me to put this ride in second place. Feels more like a 1B. But, gun to my head, I have to position it as the runner-up. What’s incredible about this ride is, for the most part, it’s an unmatched attraction. Soarin’ at Epcot comes close, but no cigar. Honestly, there’s no other ride that offers this level of adventure in a flight design. The motion is rip-roaring; the scenery is immersive; the inclusion of water sensory adds the perfect touch for a more realistic experience. It delivers on the promise that is the world of James Cameron’s Avatar. And as much as I no longer desire returning to the theatrical world (that movie is way overrated on repeat viewings), I’m more than willing to return to this version of the world.

1. Rise of the Resistance

If you’re a Star Wars fan, this is the best ride at Disney World. If you’re not a Star Wars fan … well, this is still the best ride at Disney World. Bar none. Let’s pause for a second to briefly discuss the majesty that is the whole of Galaxy’s Edge, the Star Wars-themed section of Hollywood Studios. It’s everything you imagine. From the impressive Millennium Falcon replica at the center of Galaxy's Edge, to the refreshing Tatooine watering hole that is Oga’s Cantina (FYI: they flat out will refuse you entry if you don’t have a reservation … don’t even try to plea or bargain; they won't let you in). As for the ride: Rise of the Resistance features the same trackless technology as Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, only in a better ride. It helps to have the benefit of arguably the most revered pop culture IP in history. Makes the story within the ride simpler to tell and you already have a built-in fanbase. The other hot Star Wars attraction, Smuggler’s Run, is afforded the same benefit, yet it didn’t crack my Top 10. That’s because, aside from being headache and nausea inducing, it’s not as transcendent as Rise. When you enter the Star Destroyer launch bay with its dozens of Storm Troopers, you’ll be immediately blown away. It feels like being on set during an actual film production. Even during the ride, the animatronics and practical effects are dazzling. To write that this is a leap forward in amusement park attractions is an understatement. Also, more than any other ride, the cast members are as in character as ever. And that’s more a necessity for this ride than any other. You WANT to believe you’re in the Star Wars world. It only works if THEY believe they’re in the world of Star Wars. And, boy, do they ever focus on character. All in all, it’s a simply wondrous experience. I recommend getting on multiple times if you have the chance.

What to Know

If you haven’t been to Disney World in the past year, you might be shocked at the changes. The parks aren’t any different; they haven’t done much to the resort cosmetically, per se (other than the big 50th anniversary symbol adorning Cinderella’s castle in Magic Kingdom) — no, the updates I’m detailing involve the new process: out went the Fastpass … in comes Genie+ and Lightning Lanes. So, what does all that mean? For more than two decades [since 1999] visitors enjoyed shorter lines for ride times that they could reserve as early as 60 days prior to their trip. Now, every visitor - every visitor staying on-property, that is - is working from a level playing field. That sounds great on the surface. But if you’re not an early riser (or even if you typically are, but not when you’re on “vacation”), then the level playing field won’t matter much. Disney has it set up for reservations to open at each park every morning starting at 7am, on the dot. And the popular rides will see their respective reservation times go quickly. Here’s an example: at exactly 7am, you can reserve Big Thunder Mountain Railroad for within minutes of Magic Kingdom opening. Look again at, say 9am, and you’ll be lucky if you can find a spot before lunchtime. Try again at 11am, fat chance getting on at all (unless you want to stand in line and forego a reservation). I haven’t even brought up Individual Lightning Lanes. What’s that you say? It’s just the Mouse House finding a new revenue stream. With Individual Lightning Lanes, you can almost ensure yourself you’ll get on the ride you want because you pay an extra fee to reserve a spot. Here’s the catch: it’s not cheap — I believe we paid $80+ for our family of five to ride Rise of the Resistance — and prices fluctuate based on peak times. Also, they can sell out space for that given day. So, don’t want to wait too long into the day before reserving a spot. Is it worth it to pay for the Individual Lightning Lanes? That’s up to each family. For us, we considered two very key factors. First, time is money. We’d rather spend our time actually enjoying the parks and rides than standing in lines all day. Second, all of Disney World is expensive. If you’re already $6K in on your trip, what’s another $600? After all, it’s not the happiest place on Earth if the family isn’t happy. And no one is happy with long lines. Enjoy.