Disney ParksPlanningTips
Ranking the Disney Coasters
Walt Disney World is known for many great rides throughout the four Disney Parks. There are eight significant coasters that we are going to take time to rank for you. We will rank them from our least favorite coaster to our favorite. This will help you know which coasters should be on your must-do list or which ones your little ones might want to skip.
8. The Barnstormer
Barnstormer is the most kid-friendly coaster in all of Walt Disney World. This is a great first coaster for little ones or even bigger kids that are hesitant about coasters. With only a 35” height requirement, even little ones can enjoy it.
Lasting only around a minute, most of it is spent ascending the small lift hill; this is a super cute and fun roller coaster for younger Guests. Adults might find it less exciting as it is challenging to get into and out of the ride. Check out this roller coaster if you want to try a coaster while in Walt Disney World.
7. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
Also, a good first coaster in Magic Kingdom is Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, located in Fantasyland. This is one of the most popular coasters in Walt Disney World, even years after opening. What makes Seven Dwarfs Mine Train unique and fun is the fact that it is a combination of an outdoor coaster and an indoor coaster/dark ride.
The ride vehicle is super smooth as it rocks back and forth, and although the coaster has some fun slow hills and curves, overall, it isn’t too scary. Besides the long wait, we also don’t like how short this ride experience is overall. Being such a famous ride and one we typically invest a lot of time and energy to ride, we would like to have at least a little more.
6. Space Mountain
Space Mountain is the oldest coaster in Walt Disney World and is found in Tomorrowland. Although we love the concept of this ride as we are rocketed through space, the jerky track can sometimes make us regret our decision to ride. As a classic dark roller coaster, we enjoy having it in Magic Kingdom; however, we feel it could use some updates.
Some kids might be nervous, and with a 44” height requirement, sometimes younger ones can ride before they are ready. Know that in Walt Disney World, Guests are separate (front to back), so kids will be sitting on their own.
5. Roller ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
If you are a thrill-seeker, this roller coaster is the one for you! With a 48” height requirement, Rock n’ Roller Coaster is geared toward the older crowd. Guests board a super stretch limo and then are shot off on a high-speed adventure through the streets of Hollywood.
With multiple inversions in the dark as Aerosmith songs blast, Rock n’ Roller Coaster can get your adrenaline going. Lasting only less than 90 seconds, we wish our thrill could be a little longer. Check out the single rider line offered here to bypass standing in a long line.
4. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
We are back in the Magic Kingdom, but this time, heading over to Frontierland, we have the wildest ride in the wilderness. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is a fantastic coaster with various dips and turns. The best part is that these thrills aren’t overly scary, making it an excellent option for most kiddos that reach the 40” height requirement.
If your little one is unsure, request a seat in front of the train for a milder experience. We love that this ride lasts almost three full minutes giving us a fantastic thrill!
3. Expedition Everest- Legend of the Forbidden Mountain
Guests can enjoy another high-thrill coaster in Expedition Everest. The adventure starts with the queue itself being excellent and well-themed, setting the stage immediately.
The thrill continues as the track climbs the mountain giving fantastic views of Walt Disney World, but hang on tight as you are quickly sent backward through the dark. Lasting around three minutes, this is a more extended coaster giving us a fun, thrilling experience. This ride is super intense, so be aware of that if you have little ones that meet the height requirement of 44”. Please ensure they are ready, but try out some other coasters first.
Our top coaster can be found in Disney’s Hollywood Studios over Toy Story Land. As Walt Disney World’s newest coaster, we think it brings all the fun and excitement that a coaster needs! Slinky Dog Dash is a fantastic coaster for the whole family with two launches, an amazingly smooth track, and a few kid-friendly dips and turns.
Lasting around two minutes, Slinky Dog Dash brings the fun of being a kid to a coaster. Have fun with Andy’s toys as Slinky Dog takes you on a joyful ride around the backyard. With only a 38” height requirement, Slinky Dog Dash is a coaster everyone can enjoy together.
1. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
The top coaster at Walt Disney World is the new Cosmic Rewind found at EPCOT. This indoor coaster has it all. A reverse launch that blasts Guests into the fun as well as ride vehicles that rotate 360 degrees, keeping riders always in action.
Be warned that this coaster is causing some Guests issues with motion sickness. If this is a concern for you, consider it before enjoying it.
Those are our rankings of the Walt Disney World’s roller coasters in the four Disney Parks. From essential beginning coasters to top-notch thrills, Disney has something for everyone.
Do you agree without rankings, or would you have moved some of them around?
