If you’re planning a Florida vacation, you can’t do much better than visiting Walt Disney World in Orlando. If you’re already a fan of Disneyland, Walt Disney World is four times the fun and excitement. The best option is to get a park hopper pass so you can visit all four parks in a single vacation. Best of all, if you’re spending more than four days in Orlando, you can hop from one park to the next within the same day if you like.
With so many attractions and rides available, it can seem overwhelming to know what to do. While the “best” ride is subjective for each person, we’ve compiled a list of our picks for the five best rides across all four parks. So, whether you’re only visiting one park or hitting them all, you know which ride to prioritize over the rest.
A Brief Overview of Walt Disney World
If you haven’t been to Walt Disney World before, the experience is nothing like what you would expect from Disneyland. While the Magic Kingdom is almost a replica of the park in Anaheim, it has different rides and a much different vibe. So, here’s a quick overview of each park so you can plan your vacation accordingly.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
It’s safe to say that Hollywood Studios is most similar to Disney’s California Adventure theme park in Anaheim. Many of the rides, attractions, and characters are the same. The main Disney properties on display here include Toy Story, Star Wars, and Marvel, so you can take photos with all your favorite characters and enjoy rides based on these movies and TV shows.
Hollywood Studios is also the best option for thrill seekers since it has the most roller coasters. While there are still tons of less-intense rides and attractions, those who like their adrenaline pumping will appreciate this park more than the rest.
Animal Kingdom
The Animal Kingdom is part zoo and part theme park. Because of all the animals on display, this park works best for families that aren’t necessarily going to ride a lot of roller coasters. In fact, you could spend the entire day at the Animal Kingdom and never ride anything too intense, all without feeling like you’re missing out on something. The safari tour and 3D shows are more than enough to keep everyone entertained.
One small disadvantage of this park is that it closes earlier than the others at Disney World (for the sake of the animals). So, if you’re planning your visit around the Animal Kingdom, be sure to plan accordingly.
Magic Kingdom
If you’re a die-hard Disneyland fan and want to capture the experience of being at the OG park, you must visit the Magic Kingdom. This park is a nearly identical replica, complete with different sections like Adventureland and Tomorrowland. However, there are enough unique rides and attractions here to make it feel like a unique theme park and not just a rehash of what you can find in Anaheim.
What we’ve noticed is that the rides have more decorations and set dressings here than at Disneyland. Also, many of the rides are not as comfortable, especially if you’re on the larger or taller side. So, keep that in mind when planning out which rides you want to enjoy. For example, the Seven Dwarves Mine Train can feel particularly cramped for those over 5′ 10″.
EPCOT
One of the main highlights of this park is the World Showcase. The showcase features 11 permanent sections, each one designed after a particular country (e.g., France, China, Italy, and others). The great thing about this portion of the park is that you can sample cuisine from each country, as well as buy souvenirs from themed gift shops.
Because this park is the “Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow,” it features more science-based attractions and rides. It’s a great place to see how Walt Disney envisioned the future, and there are enough rides to justify paying for a full-price ticket.
If you’re traveling to Walt Disney World with little children, EPCOT may struggle to hold their attention. This park doesn’t have as many rides and attractions that cater to toddlers and younger kids.
The Five Best Rides at Walt Disney World (Across All Parks)
Again, claiming a ride to the “best” is very subjective, and it depends on who is in your party. For this article, we’re looking at rides that offer thrills and excitement. Since you’ll have to wait in line for the top rides at each park, we’re focusing on those that are worth the wait. In most cases, you can spend an hour or more waiting for these attractions, so you need to make sure it satisfies your expectations.
Twilight Zone Tower of Terror: Best Ride From Hollywood Studios
- Location: Sunset Boulevard
- Average Wait Time: 65+ min
In 2017, the Tower of Terror attraction at Disney’s California Adventure was torn down and remodeled to be a Guardians of the Galaxy ride instead. So, if you want to capture the magic of the original, you have to make a pilgrimage to Walt Disney World.
What we like about this ride is the setup and story behind it. You go through a vintage, Art Deco style hotel on your way to the ride itself, and it’s very reminiscent of the preamble to the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland.
The ride itself is also super intense, so we don’t recommend it for those who don’t like sudden drops. When the doors open, and you see out over the park, your heart will literally jump into your throat as the elevator comes “crashing” down. There are multiple drops on this ride, so you definitely get your wait time’s worth.
Kali River Rapids: Best Ride From Animal Kingdom
- Location: Asia
- Average Wait Time: 30+ min
Disney’s Animal Kingdom is broken up into different sections, including Asia, Africa, Dino World, and Pandora (from the world of Avatar). Kali River Rapids is in the heart of Asia (next to Expedition Everest) and is a relatively family-friendly ride.
We should warn you that you will get wet on this ride, so you must plan accordingly. Don’t wear clothing that will feel heavy when soaked (i.e., jeans), and take advantage of the waterproof holding pod in the center of the raft.
What we like about this ride is that it’s both beautiful and exciting. You’re sitting in a massive raft with other people, and it feels a bit like being on the Jungle Cruise in Disneyland, but minus the jokes and animatronics. There are a few drops, but the biggest one is where you’ll get the most wet.
Also, because the raft seats so many people (and not everyone likes getting wet), it has one of the shortest wait times. So, you can ride it multiple times during the day.
Space Mountain: Best Ride From Magic Kingdom
- Location: Tomorrow Land
- Average Wait Time: 60+ min
One of the best reasons to visit the Magic Kingdom is to experience some of the magic of Old Disneyland. This park has some of the attractions that are no longer at the California location, such as the People Mover, the Carousel of Progress, and the Country Bear Jamboree. So, if you have fond memories of those rides from Disneyland, you’ll have to come to Orlando.
As far as new rides, the Magic Kingdom doesn’t have anything too spectacular. Some of the unique options include the Seven Dwarves Mine Train and Tron Lightcycle, but neither of those are quite as enjoyable as Space Mountain. Speaking of ways that Disney World is like an older version of Disneyland, the ride is still called Space Mountain here, not Hyperspace Mountain as it is in California.
The main reason we like Space Mountain is that it’s a dark ride, so it’s impossible to tell what’s coming next. Each drop, dip, and turn is unexpected, so you’re always on the edge of your seat (metaphorically speaking).
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind: Best Ride From EPCOT
- Location: World Discovery
- Average Wait Time: 30+ min
These days, modern roller coasters are often a blend of virtual and real elements. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is one example, but it leans more toward Space Mountain than something like Avatar Flight of Passage.
According to Disney, this ride is the largest enclosed ride in the world, and it offers a unique experience—a reverse launch. As the name suggests, you’re rewinding through time, so instead of bolting forward at the beginning of the ride, you’re pulled back at incredible speeds.
The visual elements of this ride are spectacular, and you don’t have to be a fan of Guardians of the Galaxy to appreciate the thrills. Also, despite this being a newer ride, the wait time is nothing compared to similar rides at Magic Kingdom or Hollywood Studios. Presumably, because most of the people visiting EPCOT are not there for the rides but instead for the World Showcase and educational attractions.
Bonus: Expedition Everest: Our Favorite Ride at Walt Disney World
- Location: Asia in Disney’s Animal Kingdom
- Average Wait Time: 60+ min
For our money, we prefer old-fashioned roller coasters. Rides where you strap in and fly on a fixed track, making loops, turns, dips, and twists. Disney World is somewhat light on intense roller coasters, but Expedition Everest is one of the best we’ve experienced at any theme park. While it’s not the most intense, it has incredible visuals and a unique take on the roller coaster experience.
In some sections, you’ll go backward and forward as you navigate broken tracks and other obstacles along the way. Older kids and adults can have a ton of fun on this ride, and it’s worth waiting an hour or so to get on. It’s kind of like a mixture of Big Thunder Mountain and the Matterhorn at Disneyland.
Tips for Riding the Most Rides at Disney World
One of the main drawbacks to visiting Walt Disney World is waiting in line for a ride. While long lines have always been a problem, they’re even more of an issue in modern times. Fortunately, if you’re trying to squeeze in as many rides and attractions across all four parks, you don’t have to cross your fingers and hope for the best. Here are some pro tips for getting the most rides into your trip as possible.
- Stay at a Disney World Resort – Disney likes to reward its resort guests with extra perks, one of them being early access to the parks. Typically, you can get in 30 minutes before the general public, making it easier to get in line for the most popular rides. Another benefit of staying at the resort is that you can take the tram or shuttle to the park, meaning you don’t have to walk through a massive parking lot to get to the front gate (or pay a parking fee).
- Show Up for Rope Drop – Rope drop is when the park officially opens, and the rides are available to guests. Typically, guests are allowed 30 minutes before rope drop, so even if you’re not a resort guest, you can still make your way inside and get to the front of the line. Rope drop is highly popular, though, so make sure to position yourself to get to your first ride as quickly as possible.
- Map Out Your Top Rides – Before setting foot in the park, you should know which rides you must go on. It also helps to map everything out so you can navigate through the park quickly and not meander through crowds. For example, you can start at the back of the park and work your way forward or make an entire loop. Try to avoid too much zig-zagging, as that will cost more time.
- Utilize the Genie+ System – Disney World and Disneyland have both stopped the FastPass system in favor of a paid system called Genie+. This app-based network costs $25 per rider per day, but it can be worth it to cut down on wait times. You simply book your time through the Disney World app and show up through the Genie+ (or Lightning) lane.
Book Your Next Disney World Vacation With Boardwalk Travel Agency
Is Disney World calling your name yet? If so, now is the perfect time to become a certified travel agent with Boardwalk Travel Agency. For a one-time membership fee, you can start booking Disney vacations for yourself, your friends, and your family. Now, it’s easier than ever to travel to Orlando and Disney World, all with behind-the-scenes access to the best rates, discounts, and perks.
Becoming a travel agent allows you to indulge in your travel habits while making money! Plus, Boardwalk offers lifetime support and access to the best resorts in the world, including Disney, Universal Studios, and Marriott.
Sign up today and start making money in no time!
