Key Takeaways
- Disney World offers thrilling rides like Space Mountain and Tower of Terror, perfect for thrill seekers.
- Top rides for thrill seekers are found across Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom.
- Just a couple of examples of intense rides for fans to check out at Disney World include Space Mountain and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.
Walt Disney World isn’t just for fairytales and meeting characters—it’s a dream destination for thrill seekers, too. From traveling through space to braving a runaway train or stepping into The Twilight Zone, Disney’s parks are packed with rides that’ll get that adrenaline pumping.
With Disney World being home to over 50 rides spread across its four theme parks—Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom—it can seem a bit overwhelming trying to determine which attractions are best for thrill seekers compared to family-friendly experiences. This list highlights some of the top thrill rides at Disney World, diving into what makes each one an unforgettable adventure for adrenaline junkies.
Space Mountain (Magic Kingdom)
Space Mountain stands out as a top pick for thrill seekers, delivering the perfect mix of high-speed action and immersive storytelling. This iconic indoor coaster plunges riders into total darkness, where every sharp turn, sudden drop, and burst of acceleration feels entirely unpredictable, heightening the adrenaline rush with each twist.
The outer space theme adds to the adrenaline rush, with futuristic visuals, starry projections, and sound effects creating the illusion of rushing through the galaxy. Its single-rider configuration makes the experience feel even more personal, amplifying the sense of speed and motion. As a timeless Disney classic, Space Mountain combines nostalgia with edge-of-your-seat adventure, making it a favorite for those craving thrills.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (Magic Kingdom)
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad offers an exhilarating experience that ties into the legend of the Big Thunder Mining Company. Guests board a runaway mine train, embarking on a thrilling ride through a cursed cavern. The journey takes them careening around rickety tracks, dodging explosions of dynamite and falling boulders, while speeding through canyons and a ghost town known as Tumbleweed.
The eerie backstory of the ride, which suggests that the trains used to race through the tunnels on their own, adds to the sense of adventure and mystery. With sharp turns, drops, and unexpected surprises, the ride is a high-energy experience that proves the legend of Big Thunder Mountain might just be true.
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind (Epcot)
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind stands out as a groundbreaking attraction at EPCOT, offering a thrilling experience for guests. This family-thrill coaster introduces the first-ever reverse-launch on a Disney coaster, making it a unique and exciting ride. As one of the largest fully enclosed coasters in the world, it takes visitors on an unforgettable journey through space with a 360-degree rotating ride system that immerses them directly in the action.
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind doesn’t just bring an exhilarating roller-coaster experience—it amps up the fun with a rock ‘n’ roll soundtrack that sets the tone for the entire adventure. There are six different songs that can play during the ride, each one adding a unique take to the action-packed journey. These tracks, all chosen to match the fast-paced, high-energy nature of the ride, bring that signature Guardians of the Galaxy vibe to life, allowing each ride to feel fresh and exciting every time.
Test Track (Epcot)
Test Track is a must-ride for thrill seekers, offering a high-speed rush that’s hard to beat at Walt Disney World, but there are some changes coming to the fan-favorite attractions. Announced during Horizons: Disney Experiences Showcase at D23, Disney is teaming up with Chevrolet for an exciting reimagining of Test Track, set to launch in 2025.
The new ride will highlight the evolution of technology, with immersive show scenes that explore how advancements in mobility affect fans’ daily lives and connections. Riders will experience onboard tech, customization, and personalization in a way that immerses them in the story. Afterward, the high-speed adventure continues with an outdoor route that celebrates the simple joys of driving, offering stunning views and the thrill of spending quality time with friends and family.
Mission: SPACE Orange Team (Epcot)
Mission: SPACE Orange Team at EPCOT delivers a heart-pounding, high-adrenaline experience that’s perfect for thrill seekers. This version of the ride ramps up the intensity with powerful G-forces that simulate the feeling of being launched into space. Riders are strapped into a centrifuge-like capsule, enduring rapid acceleration, sharp turns, and weightlessness, replicating the physical challenges astronauts face during space travel. The immersive visuals and sound effects add to the sensation, making it an all-encompassing experience.
Unlike the milder Green Team version, the Orange Team offers a more extreme adventure, pushing the limits of what a motion simulator can do. For those seeking a truly intense ride, the Orange Team provides a thrilling journey into space, full of high-speed action and sensory overload.
Tower of Terror (Hollywood Studios)
Stepping inside the eerie Hollywood Tower Hotel, visitors are greeted by a dusty, forgotten lobby that seems frozen in time, with even the hotel staff exuding an unsettling air of being from another era. Out of nowhere, a vintage television flickers to life, and Rod Serling’s voice invites guests to step into the unknown—a journey into the Twilight Zone. He recounts the chilling tale of a stormy Halloween night in 1939, when an elevator full of guests disappeared without a trace. After that fateful evening, the hotel shut its doors, standing empty ever since.
The rickety, elevator-style lift jolts into motion, sending riders on an unpredictable journey through the darkest reaches of imagination. Suddenly, the lift plunges and rises without warning, accompanied by the sounds of snapping cables and clanging metal overhead, adding to the chaos and terror of the experience. As the ride accelerates through the abandoned shaft, the question remains: will riders return safely to reality, or will they become trapped as permanent residents in the Twilight Zone?
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith (Hollywood Studios)
Inside their Hollywood music studio, legendary rock band Aerosmith is finishing up a recording session when their manager informs them that they’re late for a concert across town. In a true rock ‘n’ roll fashion, the band invites riders to hop into their sleek limousine and join the ride. As Aerosmith’s signature hard-rock anthems blare through the speakers, the thrilling ride begins, with passengers zooming through the city streets. The rollercoaster takes guests past iconic Hollywood landmarks, weaving through traffic jams and flying into three intense inversions—two rollover loops and a corkscrew. The wind rushes through the ride, intensifying the excitement as riders race toward the concert. The ultimate question: will the group make it to the year’s biggest concert in time, or will the wild ride be the showstopper?
According to Disney, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith is set for a major retheme, replacing the rock legends with The Muppets. As The Muppets “move right along” to Sunset Boulevard from their previous home on Grand Avenue, this marks the first-ever Disney ride featuring these beloved characters. The new theme will see Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy teaming up with the iconic Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem for a “rockin’ music festival.”
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance (Hollywood Studios)
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is a groundbreaking attraction, combining multiple ride systems to create an experience unlike anything else in the galaxy—or at Walt Disney World Resort. As a recruit for the Resistance, guests are thrust into an epic battle to help fight the First Order. Starting in the forests of Black Spire Outpost, the mission takes a turn for the worse when a transport is captured by the First Order and brought aboard a massive Star Destroyer. Inside the Star Destroyer, stormtroopers are everywhere, and Kylo Ren himself makes an appearance, raising the stakes of the already dangerous mission.
Fortunately, Resistance fighters like Rey and BB-8 are there to help, guiding riders on a daring escape through an action-packed sequence full of unexpected twists and intense moments. Combining stunning set designs, immersive storytelling, and thrilling ride elements, Rise of the Resistance offers an experience that immerses guests in the Star Wars universe like never before, making it a must-ride for fans and thrill-seekers alike.
Expedition Everest (Animal Kingdom)
Expedition Everest at Disney’s Animal Kingdom offers a thrilling adventure through the mystique of the Himalayan mountains. Riders begin in a Tibetan village at the base of Mount Everest, where they board a train bound for the “top of the world.” However, the journey takes a terrifying turn when the train encounters an unexpected obstacle—an ancient, twisted track. As the ride accelerates, it plunges into darkness, only for riders to experience a heart-stopping backwards drop.
The ride’s story centers around the legend of the Yeti, the mythical snow monster said to dwell in the mountain. As the train races through the cavernous interior of the mountain, the Yeti’s shadow looms large, creating a pulse-pounding moment of suspense. With the beast hot on their trail, riders must race to escape the cursed mountain, adding a level of urgency and excitement that’s perfect for thrill seekers.
Avatar Flight of Passage (Animal Kingdom)
Avatar Flight of Passage at Disney’s Animal Kingdom immerses guests in a thrilling, otherworldly experience on Pandora. Riders board their own mountain banshee, entering the heart of the moon’s breathtaking landscape. This adventure allows guests to bond with their banshee, just as a Na’vi hunter would, creating a deep connection to the creature as they embark on a stunning, high-speed flight.
The journey offers a pulse-pounding ride through Pandora’s floating mountains, lush forests, and vibrant ecosystems, with a rush of wind and the exhilarating sensation of flight. As the banshee weaves through the skies, riders feel the adrenaline of soaring, making it feel like a true rite of passage, just as it is for the Na’vi.