Thrills and Magic: The Ultimate Guide to Walt Disney World’s Roller Coasters

Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida is the most visited destination in Florida and for the resort to drawn millions of visitors each year, it has to have a wide variety of rides and attractions that will need to appeal to all types of theme park guests.

While being primarily known as a “family-friendly” destination that offers character meet & greets, amazing shows and attractions that are suitable for all ages, Walt Disney World has a number of roller coasters that will satisfy any “thrill ride” aficionado. 

In this article we are going to list all the roller coasters at the Walt Disney World theme parks as of early 2023.  These will include the coasters suitable for first-time riders (like the Barnstormer) as well as those that literally turn riders upside down (Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith).

Additionally, we will give a preview of two new roller coasters that will be opening soon.

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith

One of the most thrilling rides currently at Walt Disney World is the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith.  Riders board a roller coaster train themed as a super stretch limo for a trek through Hollywood, California to see an Aerosmith concert.

This fully indoor launch coaster sends riders from 0 to 57 miles per hour in less than three seconds.  Riders listen to Aerosmith hits while pulling up to 5 G’s, progressing through three inversions which include a sea serpent roll and a corkscrew.   At this time Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster is the only ride that has inversions at Walt Disney World.

Riders must be at least 48 inches or taller and wait times can get lengthy.  Typical wait times exceed 60 minutes on the average summer day.

Slinky Dog Dash

Slinky Dog Dash is a family-friendly roller coaster than is perfect for first time roller coaster riders and younger children.  Located in the Toy Story Land section of Disney’s Hollywood Studios, this attraction is themed to the Toy Story movie franchise as it is set within Andy’s back yard.

The ride is fairly mild with small drops, twists and turns.  Top speed does not exceed 40 miles per hour and the attraction is only available to guests 38 inches in height or taller.  

Wait times for this attraction can get lengthy and are typically more than 60 minutes on the average summer day.

Expedition Everest

Expedition Everest is our favorite ride at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and among our top rides throughout the Walt Disney World Resort.  Due to it’s shear size, guests can’t miss it as it is one of the park icons and one of its most popular attractions.

Originally opened in 2006, the attraction takes riders to a height of almost 200 feet before plummeting down an 80 foot drop at speeds of approximately 50 miles per hour.  And in the middle of the ride you get to see the silhouette of the yeti.

Riders must be at least 44 inches or taller and wait times can get lengthy.   

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is one of the fairly newer attractions at the Magic Kingdom theme park and based on wait times, one of the most popular.  This family-friendly roller coaster is offers an exciting ride for first timer coaster riders and thrill seekers alike.

Traveling both indoors and outdoors, the three minute ride takes guests on a number of small drops, twists and turns at speeds up to 34 miles per hour. During the ride, guests will come across the Dwarfs digging for jewels in the mines.

The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is limited to guests 38 inches and taller – wait times are typically more than 60 minutes on most days. 

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

One of the Disney classic rides is Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and this attraction is among our favorites at the Magic Kingdom.  At this time (until TRON opens), Big Thunder Mountain Railroad roller coaster is the most intense thrill ride at this park.

Set in an mid-1800’s gold mine, riders take a three minute train ride through a number of twists and turns at speeds of up to 35 miles per hour.  This attraction is limited to guests 40 inches in height or more.

Wait times for Big Thunder Mountain can get quite lengthy and are typically more than 45 o 60 minutes on the average summer day.

Space Mountain

The original “thrill ride” at the Walt Disney World Resort is Space Mountain.  Located in the Tomorrowland section of the Magic Kingdom, this roller coaster should be at the top of any visitors list.

On this fully indoor “dark ride”, riders fly through the galaxy passing stars and planets on a trip through space.  There are two tracks (Alpha and Omega) that take guests on a two and one-half minute ride at speeds of up to 27 miles per hour.  

Wait times for this attraction can get lengthy and are typically more than 60 minutes on the average summer day. 

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is one of the best roller coasters to ever be designed. At a rumored cost of $500 million, this full indoor “Dark Ride” is highly themed after the Guardians of the Galaxy movies right down to the 51-foot tall Nova Corps Starblaster ship out front.

Located in Epcot, this ride is notable for being one of the longest enclosed roller coasters in the world and Disney’s first reverse-launch coaster. Rider travel at speeds of up to 39 miles per hour which is faster than Space Mountain (approximately 27 miles per hour) but slower than Expedition Everest (up to 50 miles per hour).

There is a minimum height requirement for riders of 42 inches.  Any child below the age of 7 must be accompanied by a supervising companion of ages 14 or higher.

Barnstormer Starring the Great Goofini

Located in the Fantasyland section of the Magic Kingdom, the Barnstormer Starring the Great Goofini is a family-friendly roller coaster that is perfect for first time coaster riders.  

There is a small drop and some twists but otherwise, the ride is fairly mild and not scary for young children.  It’s also a very quick ride at less than one mile start to finish.

Wait times for this the Barnstormer are not terrible for Disney standards and we find that they are typically less than 30 to 45 minutes.

TRON Lightcycle / Run

The newest ride at the Magic Kingdom is by far the best ride.  Opened in April 2023, TRON Lightcycle Run is a high speed roller coaster that is themed to the cyber-fi world from TRON. Originally intended to open in 2021 for the 50th anniversary celebration of Walt Disney World, TRON is one of most exciting “thrill rides” not only at the Magic Kingdom, but also throughout all the Walt Disney World theme parks.

Guests board the theme motorcycle ride vehicles then after a short trek to the starting point, riders will experience a fast launch that takes you almost immediate outside underneath the canopy.  Riders travel on the 3,100+ foot track at speeds approaching 60 miles per hour for a “high-speed launch competition again Team Orange”.  

TRON is located in the Tomorrowland section of the Magic Kingdom just adjacent to Space Mountain.