Roller Coasters at Walt Disney World

Written by Jerry Joyce in Disney Rides and Attractions,Walt Disney World Resort

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.

Roller Coasters at Walt Disney World

  • Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
  • Slinky Dog Dash
  • Expedition Everest
  • Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
  • Big Thunder Mountain Roller Coaster
  • Space Mountain
  • Barnstormer Starring The Great Goofini
  • Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind (Coming Soon)
  • Tron Lightcycle Run

Click here to learn more about on-site hotels at Walt Disney World

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 and a Genie+ Lightning Lane is offered for Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster.

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. Genie+ Lightning Lanes are offered which could save time instead of waiting in a queue.

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.  Typical wait times exceed 60 minutes on the average summer day and a Genie+ Lightning Lane is offered for Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster.

 

Important note: Expedition Everest is undergoing an extensive refurbishment with a planned reopening date of April 30, 2022.

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.  Disney Genie+ Lightning Lanes and individual Lightning Lanes are available.  

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. Disney Genie+ Lightning Lanes are available.

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.  Disney Disney Genie+ Lightning Lakes are offered and highly recommended.

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.  However if you don’t want to wait, Disney Genie+ Lightning Lanes are available.

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.

Click here to learn more about Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.

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. There is a virtual queue similar to the one used for Guardians of the Galaxy at Epcot so guests need to be ready to make a reservation as soon as they come available at either 7:00 AM or at 1:00 PM.

Click here to learn more about TRON Lightcycle Power Run at the Magic Kingdom.

Learn More about the Walt Disney World Resort with our Theme Park Guides

 Where Should We Stay When Visiting the Walt Disney World Resort?

The Walt Disney World Resort has a number of great on-site hotels and each and every one of them have their own benefits, characteristics and price points.

There are multiple “categories” of hotels which are as follows:

  • Deluxe Resort Hotels
  • Deluxe Resort Villas
  • Moderate Resort Hotels
  • Disney’s Campgrounds
  • Value Resort Hotels

Deluxe resort hotels include the Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Disney’s Boardwalk Inn, Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, Disney’s Beach Club Resort and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.  These resort hotels are all located adjacent to a Walt Disney World theme park (Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT and Disney’s Animal Kingdom) and offer easy access to that park as well as superior amenities and accommodations. 

In addition Disney’s hotels and resorts, there are a number of other hotel options including the hotels in the Disney Springs Resort Area and those within the Bonnet Creek Resort.

Click here to learn more about hotels at the Walt Disney World Resort

Jerry Joyce

Jerry Joyce has been a Florida resident since 1988 and has lived in a variety of places in the South Florida area. Jerry is an avid boater & water sports enthusiast, beach aficionado, a lover of great food, muscle car fan and a theme park annual passholder for many years. Some of his favorite places in Florida include the Florida Keys, Walt Disney World, Cedar Key, the Loxahatchee River, St. Augustine and Ten Thousand islands.

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