As someone who loves to visit Disney World, this list is a great guide to follow. Of Disney’s two hundred and eighty-eight total attractions sprawled throughout six parks, and occurring throughout the entire year, these are some of the best. Hopefully this guide will let you create some wonderful memories of your own. Disney World is constantly changing and evolving, make sure you can visit these attractions sometime soon! On your trip don't forget to pay attention to "Extra Magic Hours," these are nights where the parks are open extra late! With extra magic hours, and the right determination, all four major parks can be visited on the same day. Yes, it is possible!
1. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (Magic Kingdom)
Opened: 09/23/1980
Duration of Ride: 3 min, 23 sec
Height Requirement: 40”
Thunder Mountain Railroad; the perfect family roller coaster. On this ride everyone loads in to a mine cart styled coaster seat and enters into the mountainside. As you are taken through a mine shaft of the old west, you are able to enjoy not only the sights of the park around you, but Disney's masterful recreation of what mines looked like in the old frontier. This ride will have you laughing and yelling on its track of twists, turns, and drops. Oh, and don't forget to watch out for bats!
2. Expedition Everest (Animal Kingdom)
Opened: 08/07/2006
Duration of Ride: 2 min, 50 sec
Height Requirement: 44”
Everyone has heard of the Yeti, but has anyone ever experienced a ride dedicated to him? Well, by riding Expedition Everest you are about to. Easily one of Disney’s most thrilling rides, you first enter into a museum full of artifacts about the Yeti and where he can be found. As you climb the Himalayan modeled mountainside you are able to see an aerial view of Disney’s four major parks, and all seems fine. However, as the ride progresses and the tracks lead to a dead end, there is nowhere to go besides backwards of course. Let’s not forget not only does the coaster bring you backwards, it brings you backwards through twists, turns, and a even an encounter with the Yeti himself!
3. Kali River Rapids (Animal Kingdom)
Opened: 03/18/1999
Duration of Ride: 3 min, 30 sec
Height Requirement: 38”
White water rafting on a hot day, yes please! Loaded up in a twelve-person raft you are taking through a calm ride through the water. Be careful to watch out for the fire and don’t get too close! Oh, and about the rapids …you might want to remember a change of clothes!
4. Mission: Space (Epcot)
Opened: 08/15/2003
Duration of Ride: 8 min
Height Requirement: 44”
Have I chickened out of Mission Space before? Yes, I’m not afraid to admit it. The line itself seems intense. However, being the oldest of four kids, and all my younger siblings being boys, you can put all your money on the fact that they dove right into this ride. As you sit in your space shuttle cabin you get to control all functions of your shuttle. Moving through time and space at fast speeds, prepare to be taken back by the G-Force. As far as how good the ride is, my fifteen-year-old brother would say it’s his favorite and perfect for a thrill-seeker.
5. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith (Hollywood Studios)
Opened: 07/30/1999
Duration of Ride: 1 min, 22 sec
If you didn’t love Aerosmith before, you certainly will when you leave this ride. The Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster is more than a ride; it’s an experience that you definitely don’t want to miss. First you get to experience a mock-studio session with Aerosmith, and then you get to join them at their concert. But first, you need to hop in your limo and head to the show. Moving 0-60 mph in 2.8 seconds, the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster whips you in and out of different Los Angeles locations. The track is fully illuminated with neon signs and Aerosmith songs blast through the speakers of your seat. This is a ride that standing in a long line is totally worth it.
6. Soarin’ (Epcot)
Opened: 05/05/2005
Duration of Ride: 5 min
Height Requirement: 40”
Have you ever wondered what it would feel like to be able to fly? Maybe you’d fly over the Golden Gate Bridge, maybe over a fireworks display at the Magic Kingdom. With Soarin’, this dream becomes reality. As you board your seats, you are raised forty feet into the air. Tilted back and forth and leaning right to left, you truly get the sensation that you are flying. This has to be one of the coolest rides Disney has to offer.
7. Space Mountain (Magic Kingdom)
Opened: 01/15/1975
Duration of Ride: 2 min, 30 sec
Height Requirement: 44”
Space Mountain: A classic ride that never gets old. Opened in 1975, Space Mountain is one of Disney’s oldest rides. As you climb in your cart and head in to darkness, the ride seems very calming. However, you soon enter into a tunnel of flashing neon and bright lights and enter into a galaxy. Above you you see carts of other riders that appear as shooting stars through the dark sky above you. Space Mountain is definitely an oldie but a goodie.
8. Splash Mountain (Magic Kingdom)
Opened: 10/02/1992
Duration of Ride: 12 min
Height Requirement: 40”
While Splash Mountain has to be one of Disney’s longest rides, if not the longest, it does not disappoint. As you enter in to the mountain and ride through different country scenes with blue grass music playing you might wonder to yourself what’s all the fuss about? Well, get to the other side of the mountain and you will find out! All of a sudden daylight comes through and you are looking over all of Frontier Land, when all of a sudden … drop! This water ride is sure to get you soaked! Don’t forget your towel! (Trust me: bring a towel, you definitely do not want to be the person walking around with soaked pants.)
9. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror (Hollywood Studios)
Opened: 06/22/1994
Duration of Ride: 5 min
Height Requirement: 40”
The Tower of Terror: something that is surely feared by many. The Tower of Terror has to be one of the coolest designed rides in Disney. The line alone feels like a ride. As you enter in to the Tower, you walk into a closed room. An old episode of the "Twilight Zone" begins to play, and this time … you are in the episode. When the door reopens and you are able to exit, there is no way out except for in to the boiler room. In the boiler room you realize everyone is dressed differently, the bellhops appear as though you have left the 2000s and entered back into the 1940s. If you want to leave, your only option for exit is to take the elevator up to the main floor. Or so you thought. Loaded into your elevator shaft be prepared for a whirlwind of drops and turns. This thirteen-story tower will have you kissing the ground when you can finally get back to present day. You will get back just in time to hop back in line and try it all over again!
10. Toy Story Mania (Hollywood Studios)
Opened: 05/31/2008
Duration of Ride: 8 min
Fairly new to Disney World, Toy Story Mania is an interactive game for people of all ages. As you ride through the carnival-inspired ride you are surely to have fun. Not only is this ride a game, but 3-D glasses are required as you need them in order to dodge the balloons, darts, and milk bottles you will be shooting at. This ride has the best carnival I have ever been too.
11. Nightly Fireworks Display at the Magic Kingdom
Grab an ice cream and a seat and enjoy the show! Each night around 9:00 p.m., Tinker Bell flies through the air to begin the show. As the night darkens and Cinderella’s Castle begins to glow, fireworks illuminate the sky. The “oohs” and “ahhs” of the crowd echo through Main Street bringing a perfect end to a perfect day spent at the parks.
12. Kilimanjaro Safaris and Maharajah Jungle Trek (Animal Kingdom)
Throughout Animal Kingdom Disney has opened many different paths both for walking and riding. Either walk your way through the Maharajah Jungle Trek and view the beautiful and exotic animals Disney houses, or board a safari truck and go throughout Animal Kingdom’s savannah to see the giraffes, elephants, and more.
13. Epcot
Visiting Epcot allows you to travel Europe, Asia, Northwest Africa, and North America in just one day! Visit different pavilions from all over the world. Taste food, different drinks, and experience a taste of the culture. Countries featured in Epcot include: Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Morocco, Norway, and the United Kingdom. But don’t worry, there is much more to see! Also, when you are visiting do not, I repeat do not let anyone trick you in to tasting Beverly (a soda offered in Italy’s Pavilion), it is 100 percent terrible! While at Epcot don’t forget to admire the Fountain of Nations, not only is it beautiful, it was also featured in "Boy Meets World."
