Credit: DisneyThe Walt Disney World Resort is full of exciting rides and thrilling attractions, but only a few truly leave guests’ heads spinning. We’ve compiled a list of what we think are some of Disney World’s most intense and adrenaline-pumping rides so that you can know what to look out for next time you’re visiting “The Most Magical Place on Earth.”
Expedition Everest
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Expedition Everest opened in 2006 and has remained one of Disney World’s most popular attractions since. Taking guests through the fictional Forbidden Mountain, Expedition Everest is a hair-raising, spine-tingling adventure that is sure to leave guests’ hearts pumping. The coaster is unique for multiple reasons, as it’s one of Disney’s longest rides and one of its most expensive.
While exact numbers remain a mystery, it’s estimated Disney spent a whopping $100 million designing and constructing Expedition Everest. One of the only roller coasters to exceed this budget at Walt Disney World is Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, which is estimated to have cost around $500 million.
Expedition Everest reaches top speeds of 50 miles per hour and makes guests endure a total of 3 g forces, making it one of the most visceral and intense experiences at Walt Disney World.
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
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Cosmic Rewind is an incredibly exciting attraction to talk about, as it not only features several firsts for the Disney parks but may very well be one of the world’s best coasters. Despite opening just a few years ago, guests are mostly in agreement that Cosmic Rewind is one of Disney’s best rides to date. The coaster blends immersive show scenes with a riveting on-ride experience complete with a randomly selected soundtrack.
The ride’s soundtrack features a total of six different songs, giving guests yet another reason to come back for more, and now that Cosmic Rewind is officially off of Disney’s Virtual Queue system, guests have all the opportunity in the world to enjoy it, as long as they are ok with waiting in line of course.
Rock’ n’ Roller Coaster
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While not as intense thematically as the rides previously mentioned on this list, Rock’ n’ Roller Coaster has something no other ride at Walt Disney World has: inversions. While it may be hard to believe, Rock’ n’ Roller Coaster is still the only attraction at Walt Disney World to go upside down, giving it an edge over other coasters like Space Mountain and Slinky Dog Dash.
Rock’ n’ Roller Coaster’s theme also separates it from other attractions at Disney World, as it’s headlined by the real-life rock band Aerosmith. Riders can enjoy a variety of Aerosmith tunes during their trip, which change based on which ride vehicle guests enter.
However, Aerosmith will not be serving as the head of this attraction for much longer, as Disney announced in 2024 that Rock’ n’ Roller Coaster will be getting rethemed. Who will be the new band to lead this attraction? Dr. Teeth and the Electric Mayhem, everyone’s favorite colorful and psychedelic band from The Muppets.
The exact details of the project are unknown, though guests can expect to say goodbye to Aerosmith soon.
Flight of Passage
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While certainly not in the same category as the previous attractions on this list, Avatar Flight of Passage deserves its own spot simply for how immersive and breathtaking it is. Part of what makes this ride, in particular, so special is how captivating the experience is from end to end, with the attraction beginning as soon as guests step in line.
This is the true mark of a great Disney attraction, with Haunted Mansion being another great example. Flight of Passage not only seeks to immerse guests in the world of James Cameron’s Avatar franchise but builds on the series, taking riders to stunning new areas. The attraction is definitely one of the most wholly immersive at Walt Disney World, and as such, there are several moments that will leave guests out of breath.
One scene, in particular, has guests come face to face with an enemy banshee who tries to attack them. Riders make a narrow escape, but not before taking an unexpected plunge through the fictional Hallelujah Mountain range.
While Flight of Passage and the rest of Disney’s Avatar Land opened nearly a decade ago, this section of Disney’s Animal Kingdom remains one of the park’s most popular. Many rank the ride among other Disney classics like Pirates of the Caribbean and Haunted Mansion.
Several new rides and attractions are set to open over the next decade, not just at Walt Disney World but also at Disneyland and Disney’s international theme parks. However, Walt Disney World will receive several exciting attractions and other additions, including the mentioned Cars expansion and a brand-new roller coaster themed to Pixar’s Monsters Inc.
Plenty more is in store as 2025 appears to be one of Disney’s most exciting and transformational years yet.
What is your favorite ride at Walt Disney World?