The 50 Best Orlando Theme Park Rides & Attractions

The Orlando area theme parks include Walt Disney World, the Universal Orlando Resort & SeaWorld Orlando who attract millions of visitors each and every year.  One of the main reason for all the visitors is the tremendous amount of rides and attractions, with new attractions being constructed every year.

There are hundreds of rides and attractions at all three Orlando area theme parks which range from classic rides for toddlers to state-of-the-art indoor themed roller coasters.

As multi-year passholders for each of three theme parks as well as being Florida residents that are fairly local to Orlando, we’ve had the opportunity to ride pretty much everything that’s out there.  So for 2025, there is our list of the Top 50.

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is one of the newest attractions at Walt Disney World.  Recently opened in the spring of 2022 and located at Future World in EPCOT, this coaster was rumored to have cost $500 million and is one of the finest rides “across the galaxy”.

Jurassic World VelociCoaster

If you love thrill rides than the Jurassic World VelociCoaster should be at the top of your list.  Located at Universal’s Island of Adventure, this amazing coaster takes riders through a “raptor paddock” at speeds of up to 70 miles per hour and more than 150 feet up in the air.

Ice Breaker

One of the newest attractions at SeaWorld Orlando is Ice Breaker. Ice Breaker is a multi-directional launch, vertical drop roller coaster that features a 100 degree vertical spike, four launches, a 93 foot tall top hat and several air time events. 

Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure

Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure is a highly themed roller coaster that takes riders through the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.  Guests board a two person motorbike (with a sidecar) that travels at speeds of up to 50 miles per hour.  Riders go forward, background and even free-fall without ever leaving your motorbike.

Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit

Located at Universal Studios Florida, the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit roller coaster can’t be missed from anywhere within The Universal Orlando Resort.  Riders climb 17 stories before a 90 degree drop at speeds of up to 65 miles per hour.

Test Track

Test Track opened in 1999 and is one of the classic thrill rides in EPCOT at Walt Disney World.  This high-speed attraction takes six riders riders through a series of “tests” include the Performance Test where the ride vehicle goes up to 65 miles per hour on a banked high speed turn.

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

This state-of-the-art attraction is a complete 15-minute experience, where guests are part of the action.  Located in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is a combination of a walk-through attraction, trackless dark ride and motion simulator.

Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain

Fresh off a refurbishment in early 2022, Expedition Everest takes riders up to a height of 200 feet through the Himalaya mountains to the base of Mount Everest before dropping backwards at speeds of up to 55 miles per hour.  There is an 80 foot drop but this attraction does not include any inversions.

Keep an eye out for the Yeti which protects the Forbidden Mountain.

Mako

Mako is one of the most extreme roller coasters at any of the Orlando theme parks.  Originally opened in 2016, this attraction is the tallest and fastest roller coaster in Orlando.  Themed after ship wreck reef, riders will climb 200 feet before a near vertical drop, racing at speeds of up to 73 miles per hour.  

Avatar Flight of Passage

One of the most popular attractions at Disney’s Animal Kingdom is Avatar: Flight of Passage. This attraction is a 3D motion simulator that allows guests to ride a banshee just like the Na’vi hunters in the Avatar movies.

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is the ride that started it all at Universal’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Islands of Adventure. This is one the most highly themed rides of any of the Orlando theme parks that takes place within the Hogwarts Castle. 

In this motion simulator you will fly along with Harry on a broomstick for an amazing adventure while dodging dragons, spiders and Dementors. 

Manta

Located at SeaWorld Orlando, Manta is a short one and one-half minute roller coaster ride features four inversions and travels at speeds of up to 56 miles per hour.  Riders are in a “prone” position to simulate what is like to be a manta ray.

There a fun twist near the end where the coaster appears to make a dive into the water, churning up a bit of spray.

Kraken

Located at SeaWorld Orlando, Kraken is one of the most intense roller coasters of any Orlando theme park.  Features include of seven inversions and two vertical loops as well as a corkscrew, cobra roll and a spiraling zero-g roll at speeds of up to 65 miles per hour. 

Soarin’ Around the World

Located at EPCOT in Walt Disney World, Soarin’ Around the World is a motion simulator ride which features a 180-degree, 80-foot IMAX screen where in-theater effects give guests a real life experience of hang gliding across a number of famous places around the world. 

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run

One of the most fun rides at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run is an adventure which takes guests on a “mission” to steal coaxium from the First Order to provide to the resistance.

There are multiple roles for the crew of the Millennium Falcon which include: two pilots, two engineers and two gunners.   

Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts™

Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts is one of the main reasons guests come to visit Universal Studios Orlando.  This “multi-dimensional thrill ride” encompasses it all.  Its a combined roller coaster and 3D motion simulator all themed to the storyline of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.

The ride is located in Diagon Alley and as you pass through the walls, you transform from muggle to witch & wizard.  

The Incredible Hulk Coaster

The Incredible Hulk is one of the most intense roller coasters at Universal’s Islands of Adventure and perfect for anyone who loves thrill rides. 

Riders are launched with a roar and reach speeds of up to 67 miles per hour on this 2+ minute ride.  There are 7 inversions where you will experience up to 4 G’s.

Space Mountain

Space Mountain is the original Disney thrill ride and our top ride at the Magic Kingdom. This amazing indoor roller coaster will  takes riders on a rocket ship to outer space flying past stars, planets and meteors.

Originally opened back in 1975, Space Mountain is still one of the most popular rides in the Magic Kingdom to this day.  

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is one of the newer rides at the Magic Kingdom and based on wait times, one of the most popular attractions in the entire park.   Riders board your mine train and go on a easy but thrilling rides into the mine itself. 

Keep your eyes open for Snow White herself at the end of the ride.

The Orca Encounter

The Orca Encounter is the premier show at at SeaWorld Orlando.  This fairly new version of the “Shamu Show” commenced on January 1, 2020 and is structured as 30-minute educational presentation about the Orca’s as the ocean’s most powerful predator.  

Happily Ever After

Happily Ever After is a wonderful way to cap off the day when visiting the Magic Kingdom.  Typically held just before the park closes, this amazing projection & fireworks show takes place not only on Cinderella’s Castle but also up and down Main Street USA. 

It’s worth fighting the crowds to get a great spot in front of the castle.

Kilimanjaro Safaris

Kilimanjaro Safaris takes guests on a ride through the 100-acre Harambe Wildlife Reserve where they will encounter more than 30 living animal species including lions, rhino, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, zebras and exotic birds. 

This 18-minute tour gives you the feel of being in the heart of Africa without ever having to leave central Florida.

Infinity Falls

Perfect for a hot Florida day, guests will get extremely wet on Infinity Falls.  Located at SeaWorld Orlando, this river raft ride features a number of white water rapids before an elevator takes you up for a 40 foot drop to the water below.

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster® Starring Aerosmith

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster® Starring Aerosmith is one of the most popular thrill rides at any of the Disney parks.  Located at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, riders jump in a super stretch limo for an exciting 57-mile per hour ride through Hollywood before attending a concert with Aerosmith.

At this time Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster is the only ride at Walt Disney World that features inversions.

Revenge of the Mummy

Revenge of the Mummy is located in the New York section of the Universal Studios Florida and is a “dark ride” fully indoor roller coaster themed after the movies. The ride itself is a journey through Imhotep’s tomb as you ride up to 45 miles per hour twisting around fire and locusts to avoid having the Mummy steal your soul.

EPCOT Harmonious Spectacular

Located in the World Showcase Lagoon at EPCOT, Harmonious is one of the largest nighttime spectaculars ever created for a Disney theme park.  This 20-minute show is centered on a six-story floating circular structure that is surrounded by four 25-foot LED screens that are more than 80 feet in length.