Even though Disney is known for family-friendly experiences, thrill seekers will find some exhilarating options at the theme parks in Walt Disney World.

If you’re an adrenaline fanatic, you’ll find plenty of steep drops and fast speeds to keep your heart pounding (or stomach dropping)! Of course, there are also surprises that just might take your breath away.

Yes, Disney World has a variety of thrill rides with varying levels of intensity.

Before your next Disney vacation, check out this list to see which attractions you won’t want to miss.

Magic Kingdom

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

“This here’s the WILDEST ride in the WIIIIIILDERNESS!” (Sorry, it had to be done.)

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is a haunted gold mine train coaster located in Frontierland. Now, when we say “haunted,” we’re not talking Haunted Mansion levels of haunted. These tracks wind their way through a ghost town (and a couple of caves, too)!

There aren’t any super-steep drops or unexpected loopty-loops on this coaster, so as long as you’re 40 inches or taller, this coaster is a fun high-speed ride with small drops and sharp turns galore.

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure

Don’t forget about this thrill ride that is being built — Tiana’s Bayou Adventure replaces Splash Mountain.

Disney announced that the new ride will open THIS SUMMER (instead of “late 2024”), plus we got a first look at the new Tiana animatronic that will be featured in the ride.

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

Hi ho, hi ho, it’s off to work YOU go on Seven Dwarfs Mine Train! Join Grumpy, Dopey, Doc, Happy, Bashful, Sneezy, and Sleepy as they dig-dig-dig their way through a diamond mine in Fantasyland.

The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train usually racks up long wait times because it’s so family-friendly (available for riders 38 inches or taller). It’s got some fun audio-animatronics. PLUS, the mine cart you’re riding in rocks back-and-forth as you weave your way around the track.

(Say hi to the Evil Queen for us, k?)

Space Mountain

Are you one of those riders who experiences all the roller coasters with your eyes closed? Well, on Space Mountain there’s no need to close your eyes!

Space Mountain, located in Tomorrowland, is a steel indoor coaster through space. And by space we mean almost complete darkness — except for a few light tunnels here-and-there. Riders who are 44 inches or taller will feel like they’re zooming down the tracks, but — in reality — you’re only going a whopping 27 mph.

Darkness, man. It really plays mind tricks on ya.

Tron Lightcycle / Run

So who’s ready to ride TRON Lightcycle / Run in Disney World?

This ride is one of Magic Kingdom’s most thrilling, with a super fast launch, a race through the Grid, and fun TRON details that make you feel immersed in the world of the Tron movies! Wondering how fast it goes? The top speed is 59-miles per hour.

The ride starts with an epic launch system and that’s probably the most thrilling part of the ride. It’s smooth like Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, but it feels more like an updated version of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster. The effects are also SO cool.

Space Mountain in Disneyland vs. Disney World

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Expedition Everest — Legend of the Forbidden Mountain

We’re just taking a teensy-weensy expedition through the Himalayans. What’s the worst that could happen…?

Expedition Everest — Legend of the Forbidden Mountain is located in the Asia section of Animal Kingdom and is available for riders 44 inches or taller who want to duke it out with a yeti.

That’s right — a yeti.

Just as soon as you reach the top portion of the mountain, your track has been *mysteriously* ripped off the tracks by an *unknown* creature. Guess you’re going to have to shoot backward down the tracks to meet the very beast you’ve angered.

Expedition Everest is the TALLEST ride at Disney World. Yep, at 199.5 feet, it’s slightly taller than the Tower of Terror And it has a top speed of 50 miles per hour!

Kali River Rapids

When that Floridian sun is beating down on you, cool off on Kali River Rapids!

Kali River Rapids is Disney World’s only river raft ride on property. It’s another attraction located in Asia — which seems appropriate since the raft rushes you down the rapids of an Asian jungle.

If you’re 38 inches or taller, this will be is a great thrill ride for you if you’re absolutely BURNING UP in Animal Kingdom.

Avatar — Flight of Passage

Pandora – The World of Avatar is an entirely immersive land in Disney’s Animal Kingdom featuring Avatar Flight of Passage. This ride has remained one of the most in-demand attractions in all of Disney World.

Avatar — Flight of Passage is a 3D aerial adventure through Pandora: World of Avatar. Riders who are 44 inches or taller get to ride a banshee.

Let’s say that again: You. Get. To. Ride. A. Banshee.

The whole experience is extremely picturesque and has moved many to tears (but we’re not admitting anything). And the queue is heavily themed — we’re talking a full-sized Avatar in an incubation tank, located in the laboratory portion of the line. Wowza!

DINOSAUR

“Let’s go get that dino!” Dr. Seeker needs an Iguanadon — and he needs YOUR help to bring that Iguanadon from the past into the present. Guess you’re going to have to board a time rover to get the job done.

DINOSAUR is located in (can you guess?) Dinoland U.S.A.. It’s an intense rover adventure (with so many dinos!) for guests 40 inches or taller. Along your journey, you’ll come face-to-face with many animatronic dinosaurs, including (but not limited to) a Pterodactyl, Velociraptor, and Carnotaurus (who may or may not want to eat your face).

Oh, word of advice — watch out for that meteor shower. It looks mighty sketchy… .

Find out more about PANDORA in Disney’s Animal Kingdom HERE!

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run

It’s every Star Wars fan’s dream come true — your very own space adventure in a hunk-of-junk.

(AKA: The Millenium Falcon)

Upon boarding Millenium Falcon: Smugglers Run in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, you’ll be assigned one of three roles: Pilot, Gunner, or Engineer. Depending on which role you’ve been assigned is how you’re going to experience this interactive flight simulator.

Engineers need to be prepared to fix any systems that break down and keep the Falcon up and running. Gunners will have to shoot bad guys (a lot of bad guys). And Pilots will…probably be getting yelled at by the other riders on their team. (Only sort of kidding — being a pilot’s a great honor and a lot of pressure! Especially when you’re in charge of NOT CRASHING.)

Guests who are 38 inches or taller will be able to help Hondo Ohnaka deliver contraband cargo to aid the Resistance. Just remember — your role is important and impacts the results of the ride.

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

Immersive. Trackless. Dark. Thrilling. Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance has it all.

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is home to not just one, but TWO thrill rides. Guests 40 inches and taller will be able to join the Resistance on a state-of-the-art ride that starts immersing you in the storytelling as soon as you step into the queue.

In the pre-show of this ride, you get to meet BB-8, Rey, Lieutenant Bek, and… *GASP* Have you been captured by The First Order??? (Even the Cast Members play a role in this attraction. When we said this experience has it all, we *meant* it.)

Don’t worry. As long as you don’t run into an EPIC animatronic of Kylo Ren, I think you’ll be okay… 😉

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith — closed for refurbishment

“How ’bout some backstage passes?” You don’t have to ask us twice!

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster is a high-speed indoor roller coaster located on Sunset Boulevard that launches riders (who are 48 inches or older) 0-to-60 miles per hour in 3 seconds flat. (Hey, you gotta get to that Aerosmith concert on time SOMEHOW — right?)

Your super-stretch limo will go upside down and take on sudden drops in a setting that’s almost as pitch-black as Space Mountain’s (but not quite).

The Hollywood traffic signs help light your way just a bit, but — we’re not gonna lie — that camera flash at the beginning? SUPER blinding. So brace yourself.

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

The setting: A decrepit hotel, Halloween Night, 1939. The situation: You’re about to be dropped into…The Twilight Zone.

Here’s another thrill ride on Sunset Boulevard for ya! Victims (er…guests) who are 40 inches or taller will be invited (if they dare) to step into The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror‘s rickety (and super haunted) service elevator. (Why you agree to do this? No clue. But, hey, we won’t judge.)

After being taken up 13 stories, this drop tower experience will do as all good drop towers do and, uh, drop.

The best part? The drop sequences are completely random! Your fate is completely decided by the Tower of Terror! ……Wee?

Slinky Dog Dash

Once you step foot into Toy Story Land, you become one of Andy’s toys. I know that sounds kinda scary, but it’s actually a ton of fun. Just ask Slinky Dog!

Slinky Dog Dash might be a junior coaster, but it’s a thrilling one! Guests 38 inches or taller will be able to jump on the back of Slinky Dog and ride around Andy’s backyard.

There’s a mini-launch in the middle of the ride that gives this junior coaster a fun little “oomph” of energy. (Don’t worry — there are no 0-to-60 launches over here!)

Sad that the ride’s over? Don’t be! Wheezy the squeaky toy is there to greet you at the end! And he’s got a song to sing!

How To Get On Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance — Tips and Tricks

EPCOT

Mission: SPACE

That’s one small step for man…One giant SPINNING THRILL RIDE for mankind. (Only if you want it to be, though.)

Mission: SPACE — located in Future World — is a NASA flight training simulator to Mars. Guests can choose one of two missions — The Green Mission (40 inches or taller) or the Orange Mission (44 inches or taller).

The Green Mission provides more mild thrills with light movement in your training cabin, while the Orange Mission has SUPER INTENSE G-FORCE SPINS THAT MAKE YOU FEEL LIKE YOU’RE BLASTING OFF INTO SPACE. (Sorry, we screamed that. We just really wanted to emphasize how intense the Orange Side can get for people prone to motion sickness.)

Similar to Smugglers Run, you are assigned a role: commander, pilot, navigator, or engineer. Unlike Smugglers Run, your actions really don’t impact the course of this ride. So you don’t have to worry about messing something up. (But you may have to worry about up-chucking your churro. Good thing there are barf bags available!)

Test Track — Will Be Reimagined

You ready for the race of your life?! (Sorry — that’s the adrenaline talking.)

Test Track gives guests 40 inches or taller the ability to create their own vehicle while waiting in the queue, then testing it out on the Tron-themed track.

There are four different tests your car will have to be put through to see if it’s gonna come out on top: capability, efficiency, responsiveness, and power.

Our favorite test? POWER! That’s when your vehicle can reach up to 65 miles per hour! And we’ve got the need for speed, baby!!!

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind opened May 27, 2022.

Guests will get to learn more about Xandarian culture in the Wonders of Xandar Pavilion, EPCOT’s newest pavilion. From there, things go a little awry (but let’s face it, it wouldn’t be the Guardians of the Galaxy if things didn’t go a little awry), and visitors must help the Guardians on their mission!

Guests must be 42″ or taller to ride. The ride features an on-ride photo as well as tons of hidden Easter eggs! Oh, and we almost forgot the best part, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is the first Disney roller coaster to feature a reverse launch and is one of the largest (and longest!) indoor roller coasters in the world!

The ride utilizes a virtual queue and it is available for purchase as an Individual Lightning Lane selection.

Click here for our SPOILER-FREE Review of Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind!

Honorable Mention

The Barnstormer

We felt this li’l guy deserved to be on here somewhere!

The Barnstormer is a junior coaster located in Magic Kingdom’s Fantasyland, available for riders 35 inches or taller.

It’s a super-duper short ride, themed around Goofy and his homemade airplane antics.

It’s a great starter coaster for those little riders preparing for the big thrills (once they’re tall enough)!

(One final note: Remember to read up about these rides before you go! Some of these rides might be too intense for certain health conditions or more nervous riders.)

These rides might be thrilling, but you should CLICK HERE to find out which rides will freak kids out in the most unexpected ways!

Which thrill rides do you still need to mark off your to-do list? Let us know in the comments below!