The Absolute Best Rides At Disney World
There are so many rides at Walt Disney World in Orlando. Truly just an absurd number, really, and we love it.
Where do you even start at the most magical place on Earth? We’ve rounded up the rides you absolutely cannot miss, from immersive attractions to rollercoasters in the dark.
Whatever you do, arrive early and have a game plan for your lord and saviour, FastPast+. The free service lets you skip (most of) the queues, but you only get a certain number so save them for the most popular rides. We’ve got some suggestions for that, too!
Here are the 10 best rides at Walt Disney World:
1. Avatar Flight of Passage
Sit on a stationary bike, throw on high-tech 3D glasses and the massive screen in front of you comes to life with a panoramic view of Pandora. Your Banshee takes flight, the bike moves with it, while water and wind blows in your face, so it really does feel like you’re flying.
Where is it? Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Should you FastPast+ it? Yes
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2. Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
The new ride opened at the start of December and it’s definitely not a traditional theme park experience. The 10-minute-plus epic mixes a whole heap of different rides and thrills, gorgeous set pieces, costumes and 50 animatronic Stormtroopers.
Where is it? Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Hollywood Studios
Should you FastPast+ it? You can’t FastPass+ inside Galaxy’s Edge, but you can get a Boarding Pass through the My Disney app that will let you join the queue without physically lining up.
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3. Space Mountain
This rollercoaster plunges you into near-total darkness. All you can see as you race around the track is stars glittering around you. You never know what twist or turn is coming next, but they’re all exhilarating.
Where is it? Magic Kingdom
Should you FastPast+ it? Yes
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4. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Space Mountain’s western-themed cousin is extremely yee haw. It doesn’t have the biggest drops but it’s consistently thrilling with hairpin bends and just enough dips to keep you rootin’ and tootin’.
Where is it? Magic Kingdom
Should you FastPast+ it? No
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5. Splash Mountain
And this is pretty much the waterpark version. You float through some singing and dancing animatronics of classic Disney characters, before plunging into the pool at the foot of the mountain. Bring a poncho or be prepared to get wet!
Where is it? Magic Kingdom
Should you FastPast+ it? No
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6. Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain
The coaster that truly has it all. A yeti chasing up Everest, a section where you go backwards and a big, huge drop all the way down the mountain.
Where is it? Animal Kingdom
Should you FastPast+ it? No
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7. Slinky Dog Dash
Toy Story Land might be for kids, but even the most die-hard rollercoaster stan should take a ride aboard the Slinky Dog Dash. It’s peak Toy Story fun, teamed with some truly fun bends and drops.
Where is it? Hollywood Studios
Should you FastPast+ it? Yes
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8. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
Ride the elevator all the way up this haunted hotel and enjoy some stunning views of the park, before dropping at stomach-churning speeds again and again.
Where is it? Hollywood Studios
Should you FastPast+ it? Yes
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9. Test Track
Build your dream car and see how it performs on hairpin bends, hectic acceleration tracks and quick stops. Then do one final lap at speeds over 100kmp and see if your car was the best of the day.
Where is it? Epcot
Should you FastPast+ it? Yes
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10. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
Is it strange that this coaster is themed around Aerosmith? Look, yes. That doesn’t stop it from going from 0 to 92kmh in under 3 seconds and going upside down almost immediately.
Where is it? Hollywood Studios
Should you FastPast+ it? Yes
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Our writer was a guest of Walt Disney World and flew with Delta.
(Lead image: Cody Board / Unsplash)