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Discover the Thrills: Top Roller Coasters at Disney

Walt Disney World is known as a vacation destination for the whole family, but thrill-seekers can also find plenty of heart-pounding experiences. While iconic attractions like Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean are fun, Disney also delivers top-tier roller coasters that offer exhilarating drops, fast turns, and high-speed launches.
Get ready to strap in as we explore the best roller coasters across all four parks at Walt Disney World!
Magic Kingdom: Classic Thrills and High-Speed Excitement
Magic Kingdom, often associated with family-friendly attractions like Peter Pan’s Flight and It’s a Small World, also offers a variety of roller coasters ranging from mild to extreme.
The Barnstormer (Storybook Circus)
- Height Requirement: 35″
- Thrill Level: Beginner
This junior coaster is the perfect introduction for little ones just getting started with thrill rides. Featuring Goofy as the Great Goofini, this short and smooth coaster provides just enough excitement to prepare young riders for bigger adventures.
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (Fantasyland)
- Height Requirement: 38″
- Thrill Level: Family-Friendly
A step up in intensity, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train takes guests on a swaying ride through the mines where the dwarfs work. It balances fun and thrills with gentle drops, smooth banking turns, and an immersive dark-ride section.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (Frontierland)
- Height Requirement: 40″
- Thrill Level: Moderate
Buckle up for the “wildest ride in the wilderness!” This classic coaster features sharp turns, sudden drops, and a ride system allowing plenty of sliding around in your seat—adding to the thrill factor. Riding at night makes the experience even more exhilarating!
Space Mountain (Tomorrowland)
- Height Requirement: 44″
- Thrill Level: High
One of Disney’s most iconic roller coasters, Space Mountain, propels guests into the dark void of space. With rapid, unexpected drops and sharp turns in complete darkness, this indoor coaster remains a must-do for thrill-seekers.
TRON Lightcycle / Run (Tomorrowland)
- Height Requirement: 48″
- Thrill Level: Extreme
One of the most high-tech roller coasters at Walt Disney World, TRON Lightcycle / Run launches riders at high speed aboard sleek light cycles, replicating the action-packed experience from Disney’s TRON franchise. This smooth, adrenaline-pumping ride is among the most intense at Magic Kingdom. To experience TRON, guests must either join a virtual queue via the My Disney Experience app or purchase an Individual Lightning Lane.
EPCOT: An Out-of-This-World Adventure
While EPCOT is known for its global pavilions and technological innovations, it also offers one of Disney’s most exhilarating coasters.
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind (World Discovery)
- Height Requirement: 42″
- Thrill Level: Extreme
Cosmic Rewind is a groundbreaking indoor coaster featuring Disney’s first-ever reverse launch and a ride vehicle that rotates to direct riders’ attention to key story moments. The thrilling mix of motion and music makes it a standout experience. Like TRON, this ride requires guests to join a virtual queue or purchase an Individual Lightning Lane.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios: High-Speed Action
Disney’s Hollywood Studios is packed with E-Ticket attractions, including some of the most intense coasters in the park.
Slinky Dog Dash (Toy Story Land)
- Height Requirement: 38″
- Thrill Level: Family-Friendly
Don’t be fooled by its playful appearance—Slinky Dog Dash is more than just a kiddie coaster! This family-friendly ride features multiple launches, airtime hills, and sweeping turns, making it a surprising thrill for all ages.

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith (Sunset Boulevard)
- Height Requirement: 48″
- Thrill Level: Extreme
This indoor coaster launches guests from 0 to 57 mph in under 3 seconds, sending them through inversions and corkscrews as they race through the neon-lit streets of Los Angeles. Currently, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster is undergoing refurbishment and is expected to reopen later in 2025.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Expedition Into the Unknown
Disney’s Animal Kingdom features a must-ride coaster for those looking for high-speed thrills and surprises.
Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain (Asia)
- Height Requirement: 44″
- Thrill Level: Extreme
Expedition Everest is one of the most intense coasters at Walt Disney World. Riders journey through the Himalayas, encountering sudden reversals, unexpected high-speed turns, and a terrifying encounter with the legendary Yeti. This ride remains a fan favorite for its combination of storytelling and thrills.
Which Coaster Is Right for You?
From Barnstormer and Slinky Dog Dash for younger riders to the high-speed thrills of TRON Lightcycle / Run and Expedition Everest, Disney offers a roller coaster for every level of thrill-seeker. Whether you’re looking for smooth family fun or an extreme adrenaline rush, you’ll find it at Walt Disney World!
Final Tips:
- Check height requirements before heading to the parks.
- Use Lightning Lane or a virtual queue for popular rides like TRON and Guardians of the Galaxy.
- Ride at night for extra excitement on outdoor coasters like Big Thunder Mountain and Expedition Everest.
- Plan to experience all the best thrills in one visit!
Which roller coaster at Walt Disney World is your favorite? Let us know in the comments!