Walt Disney World Thrill Rides
You watch the Disney commercials and there’s the castle, there’s the carousel, there’s the spinning elephants and there’s Mickey. YAWN! You’re thinking you’ll be in a sea of preschoolers and bored out of your mind if you head to Disney World. If twirling in a tea cup isn’t “your cup of tea,” fear not, there are plenty of great attractions that will send your pulse racing.
Starting at the Magic Kingdom, think “mountains.” There are three of them to conquer including Tomorrowland’s iconic Disney ride “Space Mountain.” Picture a roller coaster in the dark and you get the idea. In the light, it’s really not much more than an oversized Wild Mouse rides that you'd find at carnivals, but turn off the lights, add some stars, planets and a soundtrack and it’s a whole other experience.
Next, head over to Frontierland and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. This one takes you on a runaway train as it careens through mines and canyons. The clicking and clacking sounds make it seem as if your rickety train is out of control. This one is outdoors and takes on an extra dimension of the thrill factor when you ride it at night.
The original Splash Mountain closed in 2023 and will reopen in 2024 as Tiana's Bayou Adventure. With Princess Tiana at the helm, this new attraction “digs a little deeper” into her story after the events of the Walt Disney Animation Studios film The Princess and the Frog. The attraction itself will be different, but the big drop will still be there!
It’s time to take the monorail to EPCOT. First stop, Test Track. Guests get to design a virtual concept car then put it to the test on this thrilling, high-octane attraction that reaches speeds up to 65 MPH!
Head to Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. This family-thrill attraction features a reverse-launch and is one of the largest fully-enclosed coasters in the world. It also rotates 360 degrees so you can focus on the action, but beware of motion sickness as many guests complain of this after experiencing this ride.
Closeby is Mission Space which takes you to Mars via the use of simulators and a centrifuge. This attraction has more than it’s share of controversy. There have been numerous calls for paramedics to assist the riders. Most of the time, guests have existing medical conditions that worsen on this attraction. These conditions are often “hidden” and it’s not until you’re on the ride that you realize that you should have skipped this one. Take the numerous warnings seriously. Motion sickness is the biggest complaint, so much so that they provide “barf bags.” Still, many people ride it and love it. You know yourself the best. If you’re not sure how you will be able to handle the centrifuge, they now offer two versions of Space, one with the centrifuge and one without.
Not quite fitting the usual description of a “thrill ride” is “Soarin” over in the Land Pavilion. It’s not a roller coaster, you don’t flip upside down, but it’s a very popular attraction in Disney World, deservedly so. There are rows of seats. You put on your seat belt and next thing you know, you’re hang gliding over the popular tourist destinations around the world. Will you scream and clutch the hand of the person next to you? No you won’t, but you’ll have experienced one of the most incredible rides that Disney offers.
As you exit, to your right is Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith. Think they could have come up with a longer name? This is an indoor roller coaster and the only one at Disney World that loops upside down. You get in your stretch limo and within seconds you’re zooming at 60mph. The soundtrack is blasting, you’re racing through the darkness and you’re having a screaming great time.
Another attraction that gives you some action is Star Tours. Granted it’s not in the same league as the other rides and could use some updating (Pee Wee Herman is the voice of the main character). Still, it’s a fun simulator, especially for Star Wars fans.
There’s one park left, Disney's Animal Kingdom. On Expedition Everest, you’re in pursuit of the mysterious Yeti. What starts out as a nice, gentle coaster ride suddenly changes. You’re going forward, you’re going backwards, and you’re going forward again with the Yeti getting closer. This roller coaster has the absolute best surprises.
Are you hot? Want to cool off? Climb in the raft and head down Kali River Rapids. The raft spins as you head down a series of waterfalls. You’ll probably get drenched so be prepared.
Finally, there’s DINOSAUR. Here, you’re sent back to prehistoric times in pursuit of a mild mannered iguanodon. Trouble is, the other dinosaurs don’t have the same temperament. DINOSAUR really jerks you around. It’s very loud, very dark and there’s a very scary surprise towards the end.
That’s it; you’ve done the Disney thrill rides. Are they the fastest, tallest, loudest, and scariest? No, they’re not. What sets the Disney rides apart from the others is the theming. All of the rides follow a great story. You’re rocketing through the galaxy, caught on a runaway train, being pursued by ravenous creatures, or heading to a rock concert in the world’s fastest limo. You’ll go on the attraction for the thrill factor and leave with a tale to tell. There are plenty of attractions and shows that may not meet the “thrill” criteria but are still a lot of fun for all ages. That’s what Disney's all about.
