The Ultimate Disney World Roller Coaster Guide (Ranked!)

I was once told my secret superpower is memorizing rides. Every time I came back from Disney World, I would tell my coworkers all about each twist and turn on my favorite rides. They all made fun of me when I excitedly explained that you can feel the banshee breathing on Flight of Passage, but I am still amazed at that detail every time I ride. 

Rides and attractions are one of the main reasons I visit Disney World. They are unlike any other theme park because Disney always puts 110% into everything they do (like having the ride vehicle mimic breathing!!).

I love and appreciate all the rides but I do prefer fast ones. I could talk about each ride all day long but to save you the headache, I created the Ultimate Disney World Roller Coaster Guide!

Disney World Roller Coaster Overview

There are 10 roller coasters at Walt Disney World Resort. Walt Disney created the parks for parents and kids to have fun together, so most rides and attractions are family-friendly. But there are a few roller coasters and non-roller coaster rides with height requirements.

The tallest minimum height requirement is 48”, which is the height of an average 12-year-old.

For this list, I am referring specifically to the 10 roller coasters spread throughout the four parks: Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom.

I left out virtual rides and boat rides and stuck to fast rides with a track. You know, what you typically think of when you hear roller coaster.

The Ultimate Disney World Roller Coasters Ranked

I wanted to rank the roller coasters by my favorites, but what I love may not be the same as what you love, and since I write more for families, I am listing them by height requirement.

This way, you can easily find what rides your child is tall enough for and determine if this ride should be a priority on your trip! I will still point out which rides are my favorites and my “must-do’s” on every trip. 

I will also note which roller coasters are Single Pass Lightning Lanes. All have Lightning Lane available, but some are only Single Pass. Lightning Lanes are passes you can purchase to wait in a shorter line to get on the ride. There are three different types of Lightning Lanes- Premier Pass, Multi Pass, and Single Pass.

1. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets

Minimum height: 48in
Park: Hollywood Studios
Seats: 2 to a row

This high-speed roller coaster is for older kids and adults who love intense rides. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring the Muppets, formerly starring Aerosmith, is an indoor launch roller coaster that reaches 57mph.

Don’t let the fact that this ride is indoors fool you! It still has all the ups, drops, and loop-de-loops, you just can’t see them coming.

I think the darkness adds to the intensity since you can’t see the track. Don’t worry, it’s not total darkness, there are lights and neon signs. It’s meant to replicate driving at night because you are speeding to get to the concert.

2. Tron Lightcycle/Run

Minimum height: 48in
Park: Magic Kingdom
Seats: 2 to a row
Single Pass Lightning Lane

Another high-speed ride that is also for experienced roller coaster riders. The ride vehicles are like motorcycles, which gives it an extra element of fun.

This ride is fast, 59 mph, but the downside is it’s over quickly. This ride always has a long line and if you want a Lightning Lane, you need to purchase a Single Pass. In my opinion, the wait times and Single Pass Lightning Lane are not worth it.

3. Space Mountain

Minimum height: 44in
Park: Magic Kingdom 
Seats: 1 to a row

Space Mountain is a classic at Disneyland and Walt Disney World. This is also an indoor rollercoaster where you can’t see the track. It only reaches 27mph but the darkness makes it feel much faster. It is meant to feel like you are flying through space, so it is dark with small “stars” all around. 

My first time on this ride was with my dad when I was maybe 6 or 7 years old. I was a little nervous in the front by myself with my dad was behind me and another passenger we didn’t know behind him.

I screamed the whole ride! When we got off the ride, the guy behind my dad asked if I was ok. With a big smile I said, “I wanna go again!”

This ride is still a “must-do” on every trip!

4. Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain

Minimum height: 44in
Park: Animal Kingdom 
Seats: 2 to a row

I think this is one of the most fun rides at Walt Disney World, and a “must-do” for us. We will never forget the time we rode it in the rain making it extra exciting.

I don’t recommend this ride for younger kids or as your child’s first roller coaster. There can be some scary moments and surprising twists and turns.

This roller coaster goes in, out, and around “Mount Everest” at about 50mph. Don’t get caught by the yeti! 

5. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind

Minimum height: 42in
Park: EPCOT
Seats: 2 to a row
Single Pass Lightning Lane

This is maybe the most intense ride at Walt Disney World and is another indoor rollercoaster. Just like Space Mountain, you are blasting through space, only this time, your mission is to save the Galaxy. Oh, and your ride vehicle can spin freely on the track.

The extra fun element to this ride is you will hear one of 6 songs from Starlord’s playlist. 

This ride always has a long wait time, but the wait or the Single Pass Lightning Lane are absolutely worth it! 

6. Test Track

Minimum height: 40in
Park: EPCOT
Seats: 3 to a row

Test track is not really a true roller coaster. It’s pretty much how it sounds, design a car and then test drive it as a dummy. Your car will drive through all types of terrain and weather while testing speed and breaks. It might be a little scary for younger kids but I bet your teens will have a blast.

7. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

Minimum height: 38in
Park: Magic Kingdom
Seats: 2 to a row

This runaway train reaches up to 36mph rushing around a canyon and through rainbow caverns. Big Thunder is a great ride for parents and kids, even for your young ones’ first roller coaster. This was my favorite when I was about 6 years old. 

8. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

Minimum Height: 38in
Park: Magic Kingdom
Seats: 2 to a row
Single Pass Lightning Lane

This extremely popular attraction is a fun way to join the Seven Dwarfs for a day at work in the mines!

A cool feature on this roller coaster, is the ride vehicles are meant to be wooden barrels on their sides so as you zoom around the mine, the barrels swing with the turns.

My unpopular opinion about this ride is that it’s only fun if you have kids or are a kid. When it first opened in 2014, I was in college and after waiting 1hr and 45min at rope drop, it didn’t seem worth it to ever do again.

Now that my daughter is tall enough, we all recently went on it and loved it. It may even be worth the Single Pass Lightning Lane on our next trip!

9. Slinky Dog Dash

Minimum Height: 38in
Park: Hollywood Studios
Seats: 2 to a row

Dash around Andy’s backyard on Slinky’s back! Another ride that’s great for kids and maybe even for your little one’s first roller coaster.

This ride is very popular and always seems to have over an hour wait time. Similar to Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, unless you have young kids, you can skip this ride. As an adult, it’s slower-paced and not intense, which makes it perfect for kids and families to ride together. 

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10. The Barnstormer

Minimum height: 35in
Park: Magic Kingdom
Seats: 2 to a row

This junior roller coaster is made for little kids and is a perfect first roller coaster for your kiddo. It reaches a top speed of 25mph and has small drops but nothing too scary. You are just flying around a circus with Goofy, what could go wrong?

Where To Stay

Staying on Disney property is the most beneficial when visiting Disney World. You get early park admission, option of adding a dining plan to your package, book dining reservations for your entire stay 60 days in advance, ability to book Lightning Lanes 7 days in advance, and free parking or transportation throughout the Walt Disney World Resort. 

Not to mention the obvious of “staying in the magic”. It’s Disney’s catchphrase for a reason. When you stay on property you feel fully immersed in all things Disney and magic, from your hotel room to the parks. 

There are three levels of hotels on Disney Property: Value, Moderate, and Deluxe. Each category has many options. Below I named a few of my favorites. 

Value Option

📍All-Star Resorts

Value resorts offer clean and comfortable rooms. The resort will have a basic pool and cafeteria-style dining. We love value resorts for short, quick trips because we spend most of the time at the parks and are only in the room to sleep. 

If you are a budget shopper and looking for the cheapest option, the All-Star resorts are where to look. There are three, All-Star Sports, All-Star Music, and All-Star Movies.

If you’re looking for a step up but still want a budget option, Art of Animation is great because you can take the Skyliner to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios.

Moderate Option

📍Caribbean Beach Resort

Moderate resorts have themed pools and more dining options. Some might even have a club level.

Caribbean Beach Resort is a great one because you can take the Skyliner to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. Added bonus, you can now get Mickey Churro Waffles at the Spyglass Grill for breakfast!

With deals, I have booked moderate resorts for less than a value resort. As a travel agent, I keep an eye on deals and apply them to my clients’ bookings. If you want me to plan your trip, just reach out! 

Deluxe Option

📍The Contemporary

Deluxe resorts have bigger pools that usually include a slide or something extra fun. There are more dining options, and the possibility of better views, like the savannah or park views. Some deluxe resorts have club levels, bigger suite options, and villas that can sleep up to 12 adults. Villas are a great option for multi-generational family trips!

I love the Animal Kingdom Lodge for the savannah views and the Animal Kingdom Theme. But logistically, I like the Contemporary resort for the walking path to Magic Kingdom and the Monorail to EPCOT.

The monorail also goes to Magic Kingdom, but the walking path is so easy and quick and it has it’s own security so you bypass the crowds. This is great if you plan on spending multiple days at Magic Kingdom or have young kids and plan to go back to the hotel for a mid-day break.

FAQs

Here are a few frequently asked questions regarding the roller coasters at Disney World.

What is the most intense roller coaster at Disney World?

Guardians of the Galaxy or Rock “n” Roller Coaster. Both are very fast and in the dark upping the intensity. 

How many roller coasters are there in Disney World?

Walt Disney World Resort has 10 “traditional” track-based roller coasters. There are many other rides and attractions that can also be intense and insanely fun. If you love roller coasters, you won’t want to miss Avatar Flight of Passage, Mission: SPACE, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, and Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. 

What is the largest roller coaster at Disney World? 

Expedition Everest is almost 200ft tall, with the height of the track reaching 112 ft tall and an 80 ft drop. The track is about 4,000 ft long and gets up to 50mph.

What is Rider Swap?

Rider swap can be used when both parents want to ride the ride but one or more kids are too short. Just visit a cast member at the front of the ride you want to ride and ask about rider swap. They will set you up and tell you exactly what to do!

Rent a stroller that is delivered right to your hotel that you can take between your room and the parks
BabyQuip

What is Memory Maker?

Memory Maker is Disney’s photo pass system. You can add it on to your package or purchase on the app. Ride photos can also come with your Lightning Lane Purchase!

Let’s Recap

As Walt Disney intended, Disney World is a place for parents and kids to have fun together and cater to every age. The height requirements keep things fun and entertaining for as you and your kids grow up. 

If you come back year after year, it’s fun to experience a ride with your kiddo who is now tall enough to ride when they couldn’t before. I’m finding this true as my little one gets taller and we get to experience more and more rides together, I get to relive the magic through her eyes.

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