WHEEEE! When you think about Walt Disney World, the first attractions that come to mind are probably dark rides like Pirates of the Caribbean or family attractions like “it’s a Small World” or Peter Pan’s Flight. But as someone who’s worked at Disney and experienced them all, I can tell you some of the best experiences at Disney are the rollercoasters!
What Makes a Disney Rollercoaster?
Before we dive into the rankings, let’s clarify what we’re talking about. For this article, a “rollercoaster” is an attraction that has a load/unload area and “releases” the ride vehicle on a set of tracks made of tubular steel.
Is Disney World the best destination for thrill-seekers? Not if you’re just counting coasters. With nine roller coasters across four parks, Disney offers fewer coasters than many amusement parks. However, what Disney lacks in quantity, it makes up for in quality, storytelling, and overall experience.
Now that we’ve got that out of the way… let’s talk about some awesome stuff!
Magic Kingdom Rollercoasters Ranked
Magic Kingdom boasts five of Disney World’s nine roller coasters, making it the park with the most coaster options for thrill-seekers.
- TRON Lightcycle Run
- Space Mountain
- Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
- The Barnstormer
TRON Lightcycle Run
The newest addition to Magic Kingdom’s thrill lineup has quickly become a fan favorite! This lightcycle-inspired coaster lets you feel like you’re racing through the Grid on your own light cycle, with a unique forward-leaning ride position that adds to the immersion.
Opening in 2022, TRON Lightcycle Run brings the digital world to life with breathtaking lighting effects and a launch that sends riders from 0 to 60 mph in seconds. The nighttime experience is particularly spectacular when the canopy comes alive with synchronized light patterns.
Numbers:
- 7 vehicles per train with 2 rows each (14 riders per train)
- Launch speed: 96 kilometers per hour (60 mph)
- Track length: 914 meters (3,000 feet)
- Ride duration: 2 minutes
- Virtual queue and Lightning Lane available
Space Mountain
When you think about coasters at Disney, Space Mountain is the iconic answer. What else is there to say, as it’s a coaster that takes you through space… so in complete darkness… on a track that’s as rough as a landing on the moon would be. 😉 Not bad for a ride that opened January 15th, 1975!
Even in 2025, this classic thrill ride continues to delight guests with its retro space vibes and the sensation of flying through the cosmos.
Numbers:
- 6 riders per train (1 seat per row, 3 rows per car and two cars per train)
- Two sides (Alpha and Omega – Omega is 10 ft longer)
- Top speed is 56.3 kilometers per hour (35 mph)
- 2:30 Minute ride length
- One of the original Magic Kingdom “mountains”
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is a perfect mix between a thrill ride and dark ride, with thematic elements from both classifications.
Officially opened May 28th, 2014, the Mine Train elevates the family coaster concept with unique swinging cars and detailed theming. You get a couple of drops that bring your adrenaline up, and it also has a fairly advanced on-ride photo & video package that’s still impressive in 2025.
Numbers:
- 20 Seats per Train
- Drop is 39 ft or 12m
- Total track is 2000 ft or 610 meters
- Top speed is 55 kilometers per hour (34 mph)
- 2:50 Minute ride length
- Unique swinging motion in the cars
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Keeping with the mining theme, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in Frontierland features one of the more historically-savvy backstories in Walt Disney World. Big Thunder can actually be found in Disney Parks around the globe – from Tokyo to Paris, Orlando to Anaheim!
By far and away this is one of my favorite coasters on property, but it still has one of the absolute worst queue lines in 2025! You either want to get there early in the morning, use Lightning Lane OR wait until the sun goes down, because during the day… it’s a mess of switchbacks and a really poor merge line.
Numbers:
- 45 Seats per Train (9 guests per car, 5 cars per vehicle)
- 3 Drops (one outside, two inside)
- Top speed is 56 kilometers per hour (35 mph)
- 3:00 Minute ride length
- The “wildest ride in the wilderness”
The Barnstormer
Wait, you thought that I’d start with a high-thrill high-speed coaster? Nope!
The Great Goofini’s Barnstormer is a family coaster that received a story update when New Fantasyland was unveiled in 2014. Seen as the best first coaster for kids, this Storybook Circus mainstay is actually a really fun ride despite being the tamest coaster at Disney World.
Numbers:
- 16 Seats per Train
- Lift Hill is 9.1 meters high
- Total track is 207 meters (679 feet)
- Top speed is 40.2 kilometers per hour (25.0 mph)
- 1 Minute ride length
- Perfect “first coaster” experience
EPCOT Rollercoasters Ranked
- Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
- Journey Into Imagination with Figment
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
The most thrilling rollercoaster in EPCOT is widely considered one of the best coasters in all of Walt Disney World. Opened in 2022, Cosmic Rewind features the first-ever reverse launch on a Disney coaster and introduces storytelling elements with rotating cars that direct your attention to specific show scenes.
With its randomized soundtrack featuring one of six classic pop/rock songs, no two rides are exactly the same! The indoor “storytelling coaster” combines thrilling elements with next-generation technology, creating what many Disney fans call the perfect mix of Big Bang intensity and 70s/80s music fun.
Numbers:
- 20 riders per train (2 riders per row, 2 rows per car, 5 cars per train)
- First reverse launch on a Disney coaster
- 360-degree rotating vehicles
- Indoor, dark ride experience with show scenes
- One of the longest enclosed coasters in the world
- Top speed around 96 kilometers per hour (60 mph)
- 3:30 minute ride duration
- Virtual queue and Lightning Lane available
- 42-inch height requirement
Journey Into Imagination with Figment
While “technically” using a coaster track system, Journey Into Imagination with Figment is themed as a dark ride rather than a traditional coaster. This whimsical attraction takes guests through the Imagination Institute with the purple dragon Figment as your guide, using the same fundamental ride system as many coasters but at a much slower pace and without the typical thrills.
Let’s be honest – I’m just a huge fan of Figment and the ride doesn’t get the attention it deserves!
Numbers:
- Omnimover-style ride vehicles on a track system
- No height requirement
- Focus on storytelling rather than thrills
- Indoor, dark ride experience
- Approximately 6 minutes in duration
- Perfect for guests of all ages
Disney’s Hollywood Studios Rollercoasters Ranked
- Slinky Dog Dash
- Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
Slinky Dog Dash
Added as part of the Toy Story Land expansion that opened June 30th, 2018, Slinky Dog Dash continues to charm guests with its playful theming and moderate thrills.
This family attraction is a hit with fans of all ages, as it brings a level of excitement that works for folks looking for a Toy Story-themed adventure. Plus, it gives you a performance by Wheezy the Penguin at the conclusion!
Numbers:
- 18 riders per train (2 riders per row, 1.5 rows per car with 5 cars per train)
- Top speed is 64 kilometers per hour (40mph)
- 2:00 Minute ride length
- Double launch elements
- Fun “stretching” section mid-ride
- 38-inch height requirement
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster is an enclosed linear electromagnetically launched coaster themed to a backstage storyline involving Aerosmith.
This is by far one of the best coasters at Disney and will be a highlight for any thrill seeker on vacation. With Lightning Lane, standby, and single rider lines available, you’re going to have the chance to get into the Super Stretch Limo if you play your cards right.
Opened on July 29, 1999, the experience at Disney’s Hollywood Studios remains a perennial favorite for its pre-show and post-show highlights even in 2025. It’s the most intense of the Walt Disney World roller coasters and the only one that goes upside down. Like Space Mountain, this ride takes place mostly in the dark, but the integration of Aerosmith music and blacklight into the ride make it one of the most intense experiences on property.
Numbers:
- 3 inversions (the only Disney World coaster to go upside down)
- 24 riders per train (2 riders per row, 2 rows per car, 6 cars per train)
- Top speed is 92 kilometers per hour (57mph) – fastest coaster at Disney World
- 1:22 Minute ride length
- 0-60 mph in 2.8 seconds
- Single Rider line available
- 48-inch height requirement
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Disney’s Animal Kingdom Rollercoasters Ranked
- Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain
Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain
This steel coaster (by Vekoma) is arguably the icon of the park, right behind the Tree of Life. It’s that good! In fact, Expedition Everest is the holder of the Guinness World Record for the most expensive coaster in the world, with costs reportedly hitting $100 million when it opened in 2006.
Not only is it the tallest mountain in all of the Disney World parks, but it’s also the 18th Disney mountain-themed experience. Many Disney enthusiasts consider it to have the best queue on property, immersing you in the story of both the expedition and the Forbidden Mountain.
The reason why it’s so awesome is because of the storytelling. You know that you’re going to be heading on an adventure to try to find the Yeti… but little do you know that you have to go BACKWARDS in order to do it. With powerful turns, stunning resort-wide views, thrilling drops, and surprising twists, it’s widely considered the scariest roller coaster at Disney World and a must-do for sure!
Numbers:
- 34 riders per train (2 riders per row, 3 rows per car and 6 cars per train)
- 80ft drop (24 meters)
- Top speed is 80 kilometers per hour (50 mph)
- 2:50 Minute ride length
- Single Rider line available
- Tallest artificial mountain in Florida
- Still home to the famous (but rarely functioning) Yeti animatronic
- 44-inch height requirement
Disney World Coaster Comparisons
Let’s break down some key comparisons between all of Disney World’s roller coasters:
Height Requirements (From Tallest to Shortest)
- 48 inches (122 cm): TRON Lightcycle Run, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster
- 44 inches (112 cm): Space Mountain, Expedition Everest
- 42 inches (107 cm): Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
- 40 inches (102 cm): Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
- 38 inches (97 cm): Slinky Dog Dash, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
- 35 inches (89 cm): The Barnstormer
Speed Rankings
- Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster: 92 km/h (57 mph) with 0-60 mph in under 3 seconds
- TRON Lightcycle Run: 96 km/h (60 mph)
- Expedition Everest: 80 km/h (50 mph)
- Slinky Dog Dash: 64 km/h (40 mph)
- Space Mountain & Big Thunder Mountain Railroad: 56 km/h (35 mph)
- Seven Dwarfs Mine Train: 55 km/h (34 mph)
- The Barnstormer: 40 km/h (25 mph)
Ride Length
- Longest (3+ minutes): Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Expedition Everest
- Medium (2-3 minutes): Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Space Mountain, Slinky Dog Dash
- Short (Under 2 minutes): TRON Lightcycle Run, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, The Barnstormer
The Ultimate Disney Coaster Experience
If you’re really looking for the definitive ranking of any coaster, you’ve gotta try all of them and then let me know! There are different experiences with daytime & nighttime rides, so maybe that’s a hint for a future article? 😉
Having worked at Disney, I recommend trying to experience TRON and Expedition Everest at night for truly magical experiences, while Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is incredible any time of day (being indoors and all). Also note that Slinky Dog Dash becomes an entirely different experience at night, with the already stunning views becoming even more vibrant.
What’s your favorite Disney World rollercoaster? Drop a comment below or share your own rankings!