12 attractions not to be missed at Walt Disney World Resort

Strap in for an epic adventure across Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. Disney fans seek out the ultimate high within these walls: thrills laced with iconic stories, all supercharged. Wondering which attractions top the charts? Eager to challenge gravity or experience the ultimate excitement sprinkled with Disney enchantment? Both adrenaline-seekers and families embark on their quest for unrivaled fun here. Prepare to navigate the attractions not to be missed at Walt Disney World Resort, from the frosty peaks of Expedition Everest—Legend of the Forbidden Mountain to the digital realm on TRON Lightcycle / Run. It’s time to conquer Disney’s roller coaster empire.

1. Expedition Everest—Legend of the Forbidden Mountain

Park: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park

Best for: Thrill-seekers

Need to know: Beat the crowds at Expedition Everest—Legend of the Forbidden Mountain by hitting the ride early in the morning or just before park closure to snag shorter wait times.

Climbing a breathtaking 199.5-foot mountain, the roller coaster is the king of the hill at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. The adventure begins at a Tibetan-style base camp, winding through a museum filled with Himalayan history and Yeti myths before you board a train to the “top of the world.” Careen through the icy Himalayan peaks on a speeding train while avoiding the clutches of the mythic Yeti.

2. TRON Lightcycle / Run

Park: Magic Kingdom Park

Best for: Big thrills, families, tech enthusiasts

Need to know: With no standby line available, guests must use the My Disney Experience app (downloadable once in the resort) to join this futuristic race, and you can request to enter the virtual line once per day.

Dive headfirst into the electrifying world of TRON, where you’re more than just a bystander — you’re racing on Team Blue, dodging and weaving through a neon battlefield against Team Orange. Launched in April 2023, TRON Lightcycle / Run has quickly become the battleground for those hungry for high-octane thrills and cutting-edge adventures.

3. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

Park: Magic Kingdom Park

Best for: Families

Need to know: Ideal for families and first-time riders looking to dip their toes into the world of coasters, this attraction marries the magic of Disney storytelling with just enough excitement that won’t turn stomachs, making it one of the most exciting Magic Kingdom Park attractions for all ages.

Fairy tales meet mild thrills, perfect for the coaster-curious of all ages. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is a rolling dive into a storybook adventure, where every swerve brings a new burst of laughter, and every dip unveils a gem-studded spectacle. With a ride system that sways you through every twist and turn in the Dwarfs’ legendary mine, surrounded by sparkling jewels and the cheeriest crew.

4. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind

Park: EPCOT

Best for: Thrill-seekers, families, Marvel fans

Need to know: Without loops or inversions, this coaster can be less intimidating.

Families and MARVEL buffs unite for this out-of-this-world experience featuring Disney’s first-ever reverse-launch roller coaster. This new attraction at EPCOT opened in 2022 and is one of the world’s largest fully enclosed roller coasters in the world. It’s a star-studded chase through the galaxy, where rotating vehicles put you smack in the middle of the action alongside your favorite Guardians of the Galaxy — a surefire hit for anyone seeking a dose of heart-racing fun.

5. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™

Park: Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Best for: Thrill-seekers

Need to know: Each ride experience differs from the last, thanks to a random drop sequence.

Dare to enter The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™, the ultimate thrill ride at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, where each plummet reshapes reality, and the only constant is your echoing scream. Wander warily through a wild garden and a haunted lobby and crank up the suspense in the sinister boiler room. Here, you’re at the mercy of an elevator with a mind of its own, ready to spring the next plot twist when you least expect it.

6. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

Park: Magic Kingdom Park

Best for: Thrill-seekers, families

Need to know: Thrill ride with small drops. Ride at night for a completely different experience.

Plunged into a landscape ripped straight from Monument Valley, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad stands tall at 197 feet, a thrilling tribute to the wild, wild west. This ride hurls you into the gold rush frenzy of Tumbleweed, a town booming then bust, now haunted by Audio-Animatronic critters and the eccentric Professor Cumulus Isobar. Beyond the robotic inhabitants, the ride is steeped in authenticity, with vintage mining relics scattered about and the ominous whiff of sulfur signaling the perils ahead.

7. Space Mountain

Park: Magic Kingdom Park

Best for: Thrill-seekers

Need to know: Space Mountain is an architectural marvel, standing over 180 feet tall and stretching more than 300 feet in diameter.

Space Mountain, a trailblazer in cosmic adventure for over 40 years, may not break records for speed, but its immersive space theme rockets it into a league of its own. As you ascend in your rocket ship, the suspenseful “clack” heightens, launching you into the stellar abyss where stars twinkle and cosmic sounds envelop you in an interstellar symphony of whooshes and zips. It’s an orbiting roller coaster journey that leaves your hair wild and your heart racing to go again.

8. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith

Temporarily closed for refurbishment

Park: Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Best for: Thrill-seekers, music lovers,

Need to know: Your super-stretch limo is decked out with a 125-speaker, 24-subwoofer, 32,000-watt audio system. It’s Disney’s first ride to marry breakneck speed with rock ‘n’ roll swagger.

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith sends you on a high-octane trip with the legends of rock themselves, packing a punch with its electrifying blend of music and speed. Positioned near The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™, this ride is an adrenaline-fueled journey that offers a glimpse into the fictional G-Force Records, where guests stumble upon Aerosmith. Invited by the band to their concert, riders board a 24-passenger “stretch limo” and dive into the Hollywood night — catapulted from 0 to 60 mph in a mere 2.8 seconds.

9. Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

Park: Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Best for: Star Wars™ fans, thrill-seekers, adventure-seekers

Need to know: Part of the attraction includes walking and a trackless ride system, making it a unique experience.

From the moment you’re caught in the tractor beam of a Star Destroyer to your daring escape from Kylo Ren, every second is an immersive leap into the Star Wars™ epic. With tech so advanced you’ll swear you’re lightyears from Earth, and a set so immersive you can almost feel the Force, Disney’s not playing around. This massive adventure packs full-sized AT-ATs, a Star Destroyer hangar, and a fleet of Stormtroopers into one of the most ambitious rides ever.

10. Avatar Flight of Passage

Park: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park

Best for: Fans of Avatar, thrill-seekers, adventure-seekers

Need to know: The sensation of flying is incredibly realistic, making it a top pick for immersive ride experiences.

Ready to saddle up on a banshee and conquer Pandora’s skies? Avatar Flight of Passage sends you swooping over vibrant landscapes, flying past towering floating mountains, and skimming over roaring oceans. The journey unfolds as you meander through an enchanted root maze, past waterfalls, and into a realm where the majestic Great Leonopteryx rules the air.

11. Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run

Park: Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Best for: Star Wars™ fans, thrill-seekers, lovers of interactive experiences

Need to know: Guests take on roles to pilot the Millennium Falcon, adding a unique interactive element.

Your adventure starts as you enter the Millennium Falcon, mingling in the lounge by the Dejarik table before diving into the action. Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run turns you into a crucial pilot, gunner, or engineer whose performance directly impacts your result — success is paid in “galactic credits.” But beware, returning the spacecraft in less than pristine condition might land you on a bounty hunter’s list.

12. Slinky Dog Dash

Park: Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Best for: Families, Toy Story fans

Need to know: This coaster offers a smoother ride, perfect for younger guests and those looking for milder thrills.

This ride captures the whimsical world of Toy Story with a family-friendly coaster experience. A double-launch coaster — a Disney first — sends you through a crayon-sketched maze of creativity, complete with glue bottles and toy box debris marking Andy’s creative process. And just when you think it’s over, Wheezy serenades your return with an endearing rendition of the film’s iconic song “You’ve Got a Friend in Me.”

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