Disney Magic Ranked: Top 25 Must-Try Rides and Attractions at Walt Disney World

The World Disney World Resort is the most visited vacation destination not only in Florida but also throughout the entire world. Consisting of four world renowned theme parks, two water parks, dozens of resort hotels and a massive shopping / dining / entertainment venue (Disney Springs), the resort hosts more than 50-million visitors each year.

There are more than 160 rides and attractions in the four theme parks which range from highly themed kiddie rides to thrill rides, character meet and greets, shows and experiences. With all that is offered at Walt Disney World, guests can be sure that there are rides & attractions suitable for every age group and thrill level.

While everyone has different favorites for their rides & attractions, following is our “Top 25” list the best rides & attractions at The Walt Disney World  theme parks.

25. DINOSAUR

Located in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, DINOSAUR is a fun adventure type attraction where riders board a “Time Rover” to travel back to the prehistoric area in an effort to save a Iguanodon dinosaur from deadly meteor strikes.  One of the challenges during the adventure is not getting eaten alive by other dinosaurs.

This “dark ride” is loud and a bit scary but we do consider this to be a family-friendly ride and suitable for most kids.

Riders must be a minimum of 40 inches to ride the DINOSAUR.  Individual Lightning Lanes are available as wait times can exceed 30 to 45 minutes on a typical summer day.

24. Kali River Rapids

Also located in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Kali River Rapids is a great attraction to visit during a hot summer day.  Guests board a 12-person raft and sail through white-water rapids, waterfalls and a fast-moving current.

One of the most exciting parts of the ride is the 20-foot drop where water is bound to get into your boat.  Plan on getting wet during this ride.

Riders must be 38 inches or taller to ride the Kali River Rapids. 

23. Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure

Located in the France Pavilion of the World Showcase of EPCOT, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure is a fun ride and is one of the newer attractions at the park.  The ride is a 4D motion-simulator attractions where guests ride along with Remy as he scurry’s through the kitchen and dining room of Gusteau’s restaurant in Paris, France.

There are no height restriction for Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and the attraction is a good fit for guests of all ages.  Wait times typically exceed 60 minutes on a typical summer day but a Lightning Lane is available.

22. The Haunted Mansion

Board your Doom Buggy for one of the most fun and “scary” times of your life.  The Haunted Mansion is a fully indoor “dark rid” that takes less than 10 minutes from start to finish.  You will see Madame Leota’s séance room and a number of other ghosts and ghouls throughout this timeless Disney classic. 

The Haunted Mansion has one of the best queues of any attraction in the Magic Kingdom.  You will take a stroll through a graveyard and experience a leaky tomb, musical crypt as well as other amazing haunts.

Since this is a very popular ride, wait times range can easily exceed 60 minutes, especially during busy periods like summertime and holidays. A Disney Genie+ Lightning Lane Entrance is available.

21. Mission: Space

Guests will blast off into space on Mission: Space at EPCOT, choosing from one of two exciting missions into space.  The Green mission is an orbit of earth  (and is a mild ride) and the Orange mission is a more intense mission on a journey to Mars.

The attraction is a motion-simulator where riders get the sensation of actually flying a rocket ship into space.  The ride vehicle is a little tight so those who are sensitive to closed in spaces or a high degree of motion may want to pass.

There is a 44-inch minimum height restriction for the Orange mission and a 40-inch minimum height restriction for the Green mission. The wait times Mission: Space can easily exceed 30 to 45 minutes on a typical day.

20. Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

Located at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is the parks icon and can be seen from miles away.  Guests enjoy a terrifying ride, plummeting from the 13+ story tower, then speeding upward, then back downward (again and again).

The Hollywood Tower Hotel is also the backdrop for “Beacons of Magic” projection show which was part of the 50th Anniversary Celebration of Walt Disney World.

Wait times for the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror can also get very lengthy.  We have seen wait times exceed 60 minutes on a busy day but a Lightning Lane Entrance is available.

19. Frozen: Ever After

Located in the Norway pavilion in the World Showcase of EPCOT, Frozen Ever After is arguably the one of the most in demand attractions at the park due to the popularity of the movie franchise.  This attraction will take you on a ride through Arendelle along with Anna, Elsa, Olaf, Kristoff and even Sven. 

Riders will enjoying hearing “Let it Go” and “For the First Time in Forever” original Frozen movie.

Due to limited ride capacity and the popularity of this ride, wait times can get extraordinarily lengthy, exceeding 120 minutes (two hours). 

18. Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin

Located in Tomorrowland at the Magic Kingdom, rider battle the evil Zurg to become a Junior Space Ranger on Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin.  Guests board the two-person ride vehicle and file a laser cannon at Zurg’s robot army targets that are marked by a “Z”. 

The more accurate your shot, the more points you get so do your best and try to become a “Space Ranger” like Buzz.

This attraction is one of the most fun rides throughout the perfect and is considered to be a good fit for guests of all ages.  Wait times at this attraction can easily exceed 30 to 45 minutes on a typical day and a Lightning Lane Entrance is available.

17. Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular

One of our favorite live action shows at Walt Disney World is The Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular.  Located at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, guests watch Indy and Marion steal precious artifacts and fight off bad guys in this 25-minute show.

This exciting stunt show takes place multiple times per day so check the Disney Genie app when visiting the park.  If you are not using a Lightning Lane, be sure to get on line early as the good seats near the center of the theater fill up quickly.

16. Festival of the Lion King

Located at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, the Festival of the Lion King is one of the best shows in all of Walt Disney World and is not to be missed with visiting this park.  Guests will enjoy music and theming from the movie The Lion King, with a number of the songs including “Circle of Life”, “Hakuna Matata” and “Can You Feel the Love Tonight?” 

Similar to a true show, The Festival of the Lion King features dancers, puppets, acrobatics and stilt-walkers. It is similar to what would you expect to see if you were watching it on Broadway.  

Since it’s one of the more popular shows at Animal Kingdom, it fills up quickly so make sure you check the daily times guide to get in line at least 30 minutes prior to the show opening.  Individual Lightning Lanes are also available for purchase.

15. Toy Story Mania!

One of the most fun rides at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is Toy Story Mania!.  Located in Toy Story Land, this 4D ride is a midway-style shooting attraction where guests play along with all the characters from the Toy Story movie franchise. 

There is an extensive queue so when you are in line, make sure you say hello to Mr. Potato Head.

Wait times can get lengthy and exceed 60 minutes on a typical day. If the wait time is less than 30 minutes, we recommended getting in line but otherwise, a Lightning Lane Entrance is available.

14. Slinky Dog Dash

Another popular ride Disney’s Hollywood Studios is Slinky Dog Dash.  Also located in Toy Story Land, this family-friendly roller coaster provides just the right amount of “thrill” to go along excellent theming.  

Wait times for are always typically fairly high and will easily exceed 60 minutes on the typically summer day. 

13. Kilimanjaro Safaris

If you are visiting Disney’s Animal Kingdom for the first time then Kilimanjaro Safaris then be the first ride of the day.  Guests enjoy 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.  

Each 18-minute tour is unique as there is no telling what animals will be active on that particular day (or at that particular time).  

There are no height restrictions to ride Kilimanjaro Safaris and wait times vary depending on the time of year but are typically more than 30 minutes.  An Individual Lightning Lane is available for this attraction.