Whether you’re a roller coaster pro chasing your next thrill or a rookie looking for the perfect introductory ride, Walt Disney World has something for everyone. From the gentle family-friendly rides to hair-raising screams and big drops, Disney’s coasters are, in our opinion, the perfect balance of storytelling, immersive theming, and thrills.
There is a lot to consider, especially if you’re newer to the parks or aren’t as familiar with the rides. Think of this post as a quick and easy guide to the best coasters at Disney World, ranked and assigned our own personal thrill scale.
Note: These are NOT ranked – we love them all, and each one brings something unique to the table. Consider this list a guide, not gospel – your mileage may vary!
Let’s dive in!
Slinky Dog Dash (38”) – Hollywood Studios
Thrill Level: 5/10
Tucked back in Hollywood Studios, shrink down to toy-level and hop on Slinky, the roller coaster adorably themed with everyone’s favorite toys from Toy Story. We’d say this roller coaster is on the milder side, but exciting enough to toe the line between thrilling and family-friendly. Don’t underestimate it from the looks of it! It ends up being a favorite of little ones and adults.
This one can draw long waits, so we strongly recommend prioritizing (and prebooking) it as your Tier 1 Lightning Lane if you plan to ride!
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster (48”) – Hollywood Studios
Thrill Level: 10/10
Ranking high on the list for thrill attractions at Disney World, and one of the classic headliners at Hollywood Studios, this one is an oldie but a goodie. Soon starring the Muppets, this track will take you on a wild spin through tight corkscrews and inversions, but set to a rockin’ soundtrack that earns its name.
TRON Lightcycle Run (48”) – Magic Kingdom
Thrill Level: 8/10
From the impressively immersive queue to the loading dock and beyond, TRON is an experience. With a butter-smooth track and a launch that takes your breath away, we find it’s worth the hype – and the headache of paying for a Lightning Lane Single Pass.
The only downside? We enjoy it so much, we wish it lasted longer!
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (38”) – Magic Kingdom
Thrill Level: 4/10
Despite how long it’s been around, SDMT is still a mega-popular pick – especially for families. With its interactive queue, fantastic theming, familiar characters, and a moderate-level track that is both smooth and exciting, this coaster is perfect for the kiddos who are ready to try an attraction on the bigger side.
Pro Tip: We like to save this one as an option to ride at the end of the night, or ride during the fireworks.
Space Mountain (44”) – Magic Kingdom
Thrill level: 6/10
When we’re ready for a little excitement in our day, we like to squeeze ourselves into bobsled-style ride vehicles and ride roller coasters through the dark. Space Mountain is another classic, and one that ranks highly on our personal favorites list despite not being able to see a thing!
Note: The “wild mouse” track itself errs on the milder side as far as coasters go, but the drops, swoops, and turns can translate to be a little more intense in the dark – especially for coaster newbies.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (40”) – Magic Kingdom
Thrill level: 5/10
Famous for its at times jarring track and Western theming, BTMR is a cult classic that is widely loved as a rootin’-tootin’ good time. While it may not be very fast or intense, this is the perfect ride for those of all ages who are just beginning to try out roller coasters. Warning: We have never made it through this ride without laughing ourselves silly.
The Barnstormer
Thrill level: 3/10
This is Disney World’s entry coaster for young (and daring) riders. It’s a quick coaster that goes up a reasonable hill, and then does the whole fun twists and turns thing. The purpose of the coaster is to entertain the lil’ guys! And most kiddos do okay with it, usually in the form of “CAN WE GO AGAIN?”. Too cute. You’ll want to do Seven Dwarfs Mine Train or Big Thunder Mountain Railroad as the next step if they love Barnstormer!
Expedition Everest (44”) – Animal Kingdom
Thrill level: 9/10
If you’ve ever wanted to take a careening ride around the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayan mountains, now is your chance. You’ll be hanging onto your lap bar as your journey takes you on twists, turns, and stomach-plunging drops to escape the infamous Yeti. Yes, it’s intense, but we just about guarantee that even with post-adrenaline jelly legs, you’ll want to say, “let’s go again!”
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind (42”) – EPCOT
Thrill level: 8/10
We’ve gotta admit that this ride is our favorite at Disney World (and likely will be yours, too). We don’t love spoilers on our blog, but trust us that this is a high-tech, intergalactic adventure that kinda feels like riding dancing on a couch through space but set to your favorite Guardians of the Galaxy soundtrack. Hands down, it’s a “don’t miss” attraction!
Note: Some people do complain of motion sickness after riding, but we actually recommend riding again later if you can swing it! You’ll know what to expect and can enjoy the effects better as a result. We did much better and enjoyed it more the second time around when we first experienced it, too.
Buckle Up!
We hope this breakdown helps you plan and prioritize your coaster picks, whether you’re chasing big thrills or easing down your first hill. Disney World’s lineup has a broad array, and we’re sure you’ll find a new favorite to add to your must-ride list.
Happy riding!
Looking for more Disney World tips? We’ve got guides for everything from the best foods at EPCOT to the top attractions at Magic Kingdom to whether or not you need a MagicBand at the parks.