As A Former Disney World Employee Who Knows The Parks Inside And Out, Here's Your Ultimate Ride Guide For Magic Kingdom
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Hello! My name is Raven, and I'm a born-and-raised Flordian who loves Disney.
I also used to work as a PhotoPass Photographer at Magic Kingdom for nearly a year, and I was lucky to live about 30 minutes away and go to Walt Disney World for the majority of my life before moving to NYC.
In honor of Walt Disney's World 50th Anniversary this year and millions of families will be heading to Orlando to celebrate, I wanted to provide a complete guide about the rides you most likely can forgo and the ones you absolutely can't miss.
A little bit ago, I ranked Hollywood Studios rides from worst to best, and next up, I'm going to rank Magic Kingdom's attractions!
Inheritance of Hope / Via giphy.com
THE MAGIC KINGDOM RIDES:
Visit Orlando / Via giphy.com
First and foremost, I want to emphasize that I'll be ranking the rides only. While there are some spectacular shows at this park (it's Magic Kingdom, after all, and the park's firework shows are popular for a reason), I figured it would be best to only judge the attractions, since those have the longest wait times anyway. See the full list below:
Rides (21 Total):
• Astro Orbiter
• The Barnstormer
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
• Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
• Dumbo the Flying Elephant
• Haunted Mansion
• It’s a Small World
• Jungle Cruise
• Mad Tea Party
• The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
• Peter Pan’s Flight
• Pirates of the Caribbean
• Prince Charming Regal Carrousel
• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
• Space Mountain
• Splash Mountain
• Tomorrowland Speedway
• Tomorrowland Transit Authority People Mover
• Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid
• Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress
THE RANKING SYSTEM:
Disney Parks / Via giphy.com
Similar to the ranking system of Hollywood Studios, I'll be considering a few factors when judging what are the best and worst rides at Magic Kingdom.
Here are some of the questions I'll be asking and answering for each category.
1. Wait time/the queue: Is the wait time worth the ride? Is the queue interactive or at least visually entertaining to look at? Does the ride always have a long wait time?
2. The visuals: Does the ride feel visually immersive? Was there a lot of thought put behind the ride design, or did it feel like it was put together at the last minute? (You can't fool us, Imagineers.)
3. The story: Does the story feel true to the Disney movie (if it's based on an IP)? Is the story original, or does it "make sense" as to why it's happening right now in its universe?
4. Thrill factor: Does the attraction make you feel excited/nervous to ride? Would you ride it more than once?
5. Mechanics/technology/controls (for certain interactive rides): Are the mechanics of the ride easy to navigate? Do the instructions make sense, and are they easy to follow? Does the ride do exactly what it's supposed to do, or does a technical upgrade need to occur?
However, while the above components are important, I believe it's also vital to factor in how a ride makes you feel — you know, just to get deep and emotional about amusement park attractions. Essentially, a ride will get extra brownie points for emotional impact — because at the end of the day, that's all that really matters, right? Right.
ABC / Via giphy.com
And to just preface: This is a super-subjective list. I am a person who identifies as a woman, and I don't have children.
However, the ranking will be done completely objectively: I won't compare the new rides to the old ones and will keep everyone, from families to single riders, in mind.
So without further ado, here is my definitive list of Magic Kingdom's rides, from worst to best.
Pixar/Disney / Via giphy.com
OK, just kidding. Now we can start!
21. Prince Charming Regal Carrousel
One of the major reasons why this attraction is last is because it's a standard merry-go-round, which can be found in most major cities across the world — but just because it's a typical merry-go-round doesn't mean this one is like the rest. There's actually a lot of history behind this attraction.
The truth is, without a merry-go-round, there would be no Disney Parks. It's rumored that Walt Disney got the idea for Disneyland when he took his daughters to ride a merry-go-round. Now this hand-painted carrousel (which was originally built in 1917) is located in the middle of Fantasyland after being discovered by Walt Disney himself a few decades later. It was then refurbished to showcase Cinderella's story.
Since this is a typical merry-go-round, the wait times are nearly nonexistent (usually around five minutes), which means you can ride this attraction a lot.
But when you do wait in line, make sure to admire the 18 hand-painted Cinderella scenes that are on top of the carrousel and the 90 individually painted horses. No two horses are the same.
Overall, this is a great attraction for people with small children or for those who need to get out of the sun to cool down. However, it's completely OK (and recommended) to skip if you want to explore more exciting options — because honestly, you're not missing much.
20. The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
While this attraction sounds amazing on paper (riding on the magic carpet from the movie Aladdin? Who wouldn't love this idea?), it just doesn't cut it. Yes, it is very pretty to look at; however, it's really not that much different from the popular Dumbo ride that most people love. Essentially, it's a Pimp My Ride version of Dumbo with hydraulics.
Just like what happens in the film, guests can have full control of Aladdin's magic carpet, whether they sit in the front or back row. This is because each row has its own designated controls. If you're sitting in the front, you can fully control how high (or low) the ride goes. And if you're sitting in the back, you can press a small button that looks like a scarab beetle, and it will make the attraction tip forward and backward.
But even though there are these slight adjustments in the controls compared to the Dumbo attraction, it doesn't quite make the attraction super exciting to ride.
Sure, the camels can spit water at you if you're flying in their "splash zone," and it might be even more fun to ride at night because there's no canopy blocking your view from this side of the park, but when compared to the more exciting and interactive rides that Magic Kingdom has to offer, it's, unfortunately, second to last on this list.
19. It’s a Small World
Please don't hate me for putting this ride near last. Look, I get it: It's a classic attraction that should never be replaced or destroyed. However, if we're being completely honest here, there's nothing more to this ride other than the nostalgia it brings.
Of course, the ride should be praised for the awareness it brings to the different cultures and communities from around the world. But aside from that, it's basically a moving museum you can ride in just a few minutes (there's barely ever a line for this ride unless it's pouring rain outside — which does happen quite a lot in Florida). And whether you love it or hate it, the song will get stuck in your head. So don't say I didn't warn you.
Since this ride was originally made for the New York World's Fair in 1964 (well, the Disneyland version was, and this is a replica), we can keep this short and sweet and just say it's a great ride for kids because it's a slow water attraction that is visually beautiful, but it's also an above-ground time capsule that is sweet in nature with no genuine thrill or excitement attached.
18. Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress
Look, I'll be honest. I really love this ride. But I also grew up watching and falling in love with old movies, so I understand why I might be a little biased toward this old-school attraction.
The truth is, though, I know this ride isn't for everyone because it's more of a show about technology advancement rather than an attraction, even though the Walt Disney Company considers it a "slow ride" because the audience spins around the stage, and the show can be reaaalllyyy boring for some kids (and, honestly, adults) to watch.
However, there are a few reasons why I put it in this spot above the other attractions.
One of the main reasons is because even though the ride was created in 1964 for the New York World's Fair, the mechanics for this attraction are still pretty innovative (because of the aforementioned audience's seats moving around the stage). Aside from that, the original story that was created for this ride (which is broken into four acts to highlight how electricity and technology improve the lives of a family throughout the 20th century), is pretty entertaining to watch, especially if you're into history, technology, or simply family drama.
Not only that, but the song "There's a Great Big Beautiful World Tomorrow" — which was written by the Sherman Brothers (you know, the guys who wrote the songs for Mary Poppins) — is way better than "It's a Small World." While it can get stuck in your head, it's catchy and has a better tune to dance to. I'm just saying.
Of course, the major downside to this ride is that, just like It's a Small World, it's an above-ground time capsule that may evoke emotion but doesn't really thrill you (again, unless you love technology). Plus, there's really nothing to the queue.
The ride is simply perfect if you need a break from roller coaster rides, Florida's heat (since the ride is indoors), and/or to save yourself from thunderstorms.
Essentially, don't be upset if you miss this ride, but I do recommend going on it at least once if you ever plan on coming back to the park.
17. Under the Sea Journey of the Little Mermaid
Disney Parks / Via giphy.com
This breaks my heart to write, but when this ride was first announced to be built years ago, I had such high hopes for it — and it, unfortunately, didn't deliver on its promise.
While the animatronics were a complete upgrade to what park visitors were used to seeing at this time, and it was an attraction a lot of people were waiting for — because, before this, Ariel only had a meet-and-greet experience and a musical-like attraction (which, BTW, was amazing, and I'm so sad they got rid of it at Hollywood Studios) — for some reason, not a lot of visitors wait in line for this ride. It's usually a 25- to 40-minute wait max.
While the Imagineers took such amazing care with creating this ride (the details are next level), it lacks emotion and heart. I think it has to do with the facial expressions of the newer animatronics — and for such a beloved character like Ariel, this might make visitors disconnect with the attraction.
I have to say, though, there are so many positives about this ride: The ride truly makes you feel like you're under the water, the queue is just straight-up gorgeous with its shore-like details, and how they blend the physical and digital elements of the attraction are kind of genius.
But the minute you see Ariel's face, it's really hard not to be pulled out of the ride experience. It's really similar to when you notice an actor in a TV show or movie just talking to their co-star and blatantly not looking at the road while they drive. I mean...come on now.
The other reason why this ride is ranked lower on the list is because it more often feels like the visitors are just spectators to the movie-centric ride rather than being pulled into it.
The style of the vehicles mimics the Doom Buggies that are found in the Haunted Mansion ride (except they're shaped like seashells) — but what makes the Haunted Mansion better is that the ride is happening around you and not just in front of you (minus the "ghost dance" scene), which truly makes you feel like you're inside a haunted mansion.
I mean, can you imagine riding through the "Under the Sea" sequence with the fish dancing around you and not just in front of you? This is such a huge missed opportunity, especially for a ride where you're meant to feel like you're underwater.
I do believe this ride is great for little ones who maybe just watched the movie for the first time or if they're obsessed with Ariel; but other than that, you won't be missing too much if you're not able to make this attraction during your trip.
16. Dumbo the Flying Elephant
Even if you haven't seen Dumbo for quite some time, it's hard not to be nostalgic when talking about this ride. If someone is a Disney Park fan, they probably have a story that involves this ride. However, just because the emotional factor is high, the ride itself is pretty straightforward and lackluster.
Now, I don't want this attraction to go anywhere — it's a classic after all. However, when compared to other rides, it's low on the list because it's a slow ride at best. Oh, and the ride is extremely short (it clocks in at two minutes max) — this might be because the Imagineers wanted to reduce the wait time, which tends to run on the longer side during busy season.
I will say this attraction is great to ride with the whole family, and the details are beautiful with a capital B (even the circus-themed queue is fun). And when they updated Fantasyland around 2012, they added a second Dumbo ride to reduce the wait time (which was VERY much needed).
So, essentially, if the wait is below 20 minutes and you want to ride Dumbo for the first time — go for it! However, if you're more of a thrill-seeker and want to put your focus on those kinds of rides, then I say skip it.
15. Tomorrowland Speedway
There is nothing like being underage and having the ability to "drive" a car with your family or friends. Once named Grand Prix Raceway, visitors are given the opportunity to "drive" around a race track against other race cars.
Before you jump on this attraction, it's important to know that the "race cars" don't go fast (around 7.5 mph). However, you pretty much have complete control of the car, which means that you can (and most likely will) bump into the race car ahead of you. But that's kind of the point of this attraction. Just think of it as bumper cars on a race track.
Although this attraction can be fun (since it's one of the few rides where you have complete control of the vehicle), it lacks story and style — and the mechanics need a complete upgrade. Even when you're in control of the car, it sometimes feels like the wheel and the tires aren't connected at all, which can make your vehicle "turn" left or right in a very rocky motion.
On top of that, the attraction doesn't quite fit into the theme of "tomorrow" or "future" anymore. Maybe if they were designed as "flying" cars or something similar, but an attraction that uses gas-powdered vehicles when areas like Tomorrowland and EPCOT often discuss and encourage eco-living just doesn't make sense anymore.
If you have a young child who wants to know what driving can feel like, absolutely take them on this ride for them to lock in a core memory. Or if you come with your whole family or group of friends and you want to compete against them — go for it. However, for anyone else, I'd recommend completely skipping.
14. Mad Tea Party
Let's be honest: People either absolutely love this ride or hate it because it simply makes them nauseous (which is completely understandable since each individual teacup has the option to spin incredibly fast).
But even though this ride has the potential to make you sick, that doesn't mean you should nix it completely.
This attraction is one for the books for a myriad of reasons. While it lacks an interactive queue and one-of-a-kind visuals, it greatly makes up in the mechanics, story, and emotion of a ride.
Basically, if you ever wanted to know what it would be like to party with the Mad Hatter, March Hare, and the Dormouse during an un-birthday party, then you're going to love how a section of the floor not only moves with a handful of teacups and saucers attached but also how the cups themselves spin at a rate that your strength allows because there's a wheel in the center of the cup that lets you completely control how fast it goes (which works WAY better than the wheel from Tomorrowland Speedway).
Essentially, the faster you turn the wheel and the more people you have in the cup (up to three people can fit), the faster the cup spins.
But if you prefer to keep things slow and steady, you can just chill in the teacup and watch as the Dormouse pops his little head from the big tea kettle in the center of the ride.
Compared to the Disneyland version, the Mad Tea Party ride at Magic Kingdom is covered by a canopy (because it rains so often in Florida), so keep this is mind when you're planning on riding this attraction, because the minute rain hits the ground, the wait time can be one of the longest in the park. And frankly, I don't think it's worth a wait that's longer than 20 minutes because the attraction is only a minute and a half long.
Other than that, if you want to mix things up, ride this attraction at night for a completely different experience, especially since the lanterns above light up. And just make sure not to eat right before the ride for a less nauseous experience for the whole family.
13. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
When you think of a traditional indoor-themed kid attraction, "boring" or "slow" might come to mind; however, when it comes to The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, that's far from the truth.
Even though this is still considered a kiddie ride, it's a kiddie ride on acid. During the attraction, you follow Pooh and his Hundred Acre Wood friends through a storybook adventure. Not only is the ride visually stunning, but unlike other indoor attractions, the vehicle itself mimics what's happening in the story by either bouncing up and down like Tigger or swaying from side to side during a flash flood.
And even before you get on the attraction, you can expect the queue to hold the same kind of magic and innovation with fun interactive pages "ripped" right out of the book.
The truth is, while there aren't many negatives when it comes to this attraction, the thrill factor is low compared to the other rides, and the wait time can be incredibly long and might not be worth the wait when it goes above a certain point (honestly, anything above 50 minutes I would skip).
However, if the wait time is around 30 or 40 minutes and you want to ride one more ride right before the park closes (which is a great time to get on this attraction BTW), get on it ASAP to be able to see how visually stimulating this attraction is, because these images don't do this ride justice.
12. Astro Orbiter
Do you like the Dumbo ride but wish it was 50 feet higher in the air that goes around 11 rotations per minute? Cue in: Astro Orbiter.
While the theme of this attraction is pretty simplistic (and could honestly use an upgrade) — you're basically the captain of your own spaceship — it beats both the magic carpet and Dumbo ride out of the park (pun intended) because of its thrill factor alone.
The ride is positioned on top of the PeopleMover attraction, which means you have to take an elevator up two stories to actually get on the ride. And then, once you're inside the ride, just like the Magic Carpet attraction, you can go as high or as low as you want by moving a tiny lever within your rocket ship.
But even though the mechanics of the ride are similar to the Dumbo and Magic Carpet rides, the rocket ships slant at an angle the higher you go.
Not only that, but this ride is also great to ride twice: once during the day and once at night. Trust me when I say you'll get two completely different ride experiences. (TBH, I prefer going at night, but that's just because you can see everything lit up in the park.)
My only issue with the ride is that it's not really friendly for people with disabilities, which makes it lower on the list. It's an incredibly hard vehicle to get in and out of and can sometimes feel uncomfortable to sit in for the 90-second ride duration. However, if you and a loved one want to share a rocket ship together at night for some major romantic or fun vibes, I highly suggest this ride.
11. The Barnstormer
While the Barnstormer looks like a kiddie ride, trust me when I say it doesn't feel like one. Just like the very beloved Slinky Dog ride at Hollywood Studios, it's a mini coaster that will rock your socks off when you least expect it. Plus, with Goofy — ahem, I mean the Great Goofini — at the helm of the ride, you know things are bound to get...goofy.
To be completely honest, I think this is one of the most underrated rides at Magic Kingdom for a few reasons: One, it goes incredibly fast for a mini coaster that clocks in at just above a minute. Next, the wait-time-to-ride comparison is pretty solid. It usually averages around 30 minutes, which means you can knock out this ride a few times if you want. And finally, the overall story and theme of the attraction are really cute. When they renovated it in 2012, they updated Goofy to be the Great Goofini who — even as a stunt pilot — has issues controlling his airplane at the circus (case in point: the broken buildboard.)
But even though the overall story is really solid, the ride itself could use more "visual stimulation." Aside from the queue, there are very minimal indications that this is a Disney ride when you're actually on it.
Yes, you can see Goofy's outline in certain parts of the ride, but it's missing the magic that the Slinky Dog (from Hollywood Studios) and the Incredicoaster (from California Adventure) have with either flashing lights or character markers that clue into the overall story of the ride.
The one positive thing about this? When you ride this attraction at night, you can expect even more intensity similar to Space Mountain because you'll barely be able to see anything in front of your face for the majority of the ride.
Overall, if you're looking for a quick roller coaster fix with a minimal wait time, definitely go on this ride, especially at night if you're looking for a more intense version of this attraction.
10. Pirates of the Caribbean
Look, I know a lot of people are obsessed with this ride, whether it's because of the movie franchise or because they have a strong connection to the park attraction itself — but for me, there are a few reasons why I placed this ride directly in the middle of the list. (Also, please don't come for me!!)
Let's start with the positives, shall we? It's a classic. Just like It's a Small World, this attraction's nostalgia vibes are high — but unlike the aforementioned ride, I wouldn't suggest completely skipping this water ride (even if the wait time is high) because I actually feel like it's worth waiting around for.
First of all, the queue is nearly perfect when it comes to the overall theme. There are so many things that instantly pull you into the story.
Also, I will applaud how they incorporated the movie characters into the ride without completely overhauling the elements that make this attraction so special.
And finally, just like the queue, you can tell the Imagineers put a lot of thought and care into this ride because not only does the story feel cohesive, but the overall composition of the interior of the ride feels completely immersive (so much so that you want to jump out of the boat and explore).
But even though the inclusion of the movie characters is seamless, I do wish the Magic Kingdom version of this ride had some of the Disneyland elements that makes that attraction so special. The Magic Kingdom runtime is nearly half of what Disneyland's is, and the Disneyland version has *spoiler* two drops compared to one in Orlando.
But when compared to the other Magic Kingdom attractions, I would say this is an absolute must-ride for the whole family.
Just be mindful that you might get a little wet (especially your bottoms) and that the wait time can lean on the longer side, especially if it's extremely hot or rainy outside.
9. Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
To Infinity and Beyond — this Toy Story-inspired point-and-shooter is an attraction that will make you question any loyalty you may have to loved ones.
When this attraction first opened in 1998, it was all the rage and the technology/mechanics of this ride were something visitors had never seen before.
However, now that advanced technology has been created for newer rides such as Toy Story Mania at Hollywood Studios, it's hard not to feel less enthusiastic about this ride — but let me try to convince you otherwise.
For one thing, the story is really solid: Evil Emperor Zurg is trying to steal "crystallic fusion cells" (aka batteries), and Junior Space Rangers (aka Disney Park visitors) are helping Buzz Lightyear to stop Zurg by using blaster guns to shoot at the enemies. As for the attraction itself, you can expect it to ride like any other "omnimover" ride (think: like a conveyor belt) — which means even though the wait time might seem long, the constant moving vehicles will make the line go really quickly.
As for the wait time itself, it kind of varies: Some days it will be 30 minutes, while other days, it will be over 50 minutes; it just depends on what's going on in Magic Kingdom that day. However, just know that when you do wait in line, the Imagineers made sure not to make the queue boring.
The minute you enter the building, you'll be met with eye-catching cartoon wall art that replicates a command center. Look up front, and you'll find a full-scale Buzz Lightyear who is giving instructions via a View-Master toy. Yes, his face is a little funny looking, but don't mind Buzz, because that's only one part of the ride.
Besides that, what makes this ride an absolute blast — sorry, I had to — is the actual mechanics. Just like the movie, you'll feel like you're in an arcade as you point and shoot your blaster guns at giant "Z's" that are placed on different aliens, robots, or random objects in space. The goal is to rack up as many points as possible to get the highest ranking in the galaxy: Galactic Hero.
As for the downsides, they need to refine the accuracy of the laser shooters themselves. While I wouldn't say they're terrible, it does sometimes feel like you have to hit the Z's perfectly in the center to rack up points.
The other negative? The vehicles only hold two people at once, which can make it hard to compete with others who may be a part of your group.
Other than that, this is a ride I guarantee you'll have a blast on, no matter what age you are.
8. Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover
There's something about this attraction that makes it feel like a Disney-kept secret when, in fact, it's one of the most visible rides in Tomorrowland. So even though I would love to keep this ride all to myself, it's important to acknowledge just how amazing it is.
Although this is a slow omnimover ride that's propelled by linear induction motors around Tomorrowland (aka it's eco-friendly), it's the perfect attraction for when you need a break from being on your feet all day. And with nearly no wait times, you can easily get on and off as many times as you want (and, honestly, I say take advantage of it since this 1-mile tour clocks in at 10 minutes).
However, what makes this attraction sit in the number eight spot compared to other slow rides is due to the fact that you get a fantastic view of not only Tomorrowland and all its rides but also of Cinderella's Castle. This is also the kind of attraction I HIGHLY recommend riding once during the day and once at night to have a completely different experience.
Plus, unlike Tomorrowland Speedway, the PeopleMover is environmentally safe, which better matches the "future of tomorrow" theme. What makes this attraction even better is that you get a sneak peek of almost all of Tomorrowland rides from a unique angle, whether it's Space Mountain or Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin.
Even though there are so many positives about this ride, there are some things I wish could be upgraded, such as bringing a little humor back with the announcer from the OG times — "paging Mr. Tom Morrow" — and updating some of the indoor visuals since they weirdly feel like the "past" version of the future.
Other than that, this is a must-ride for the whole family, so close your eyes and enjoy the breeze as you relax on a Disney World ride of tomorrow.
7. Splash Mountain
To be completely honest, this is an attraction I have ridden the least out of all the rides (this is because the line is usually really long), but it's a great attraction to try at least once, especially if it's an extremely hot day in Florida.
Of course, this attraction is outdated and problematic with the story and theme (and luckily, it's being updated with scenes from Disney's Princess and the Frog). But since this new attraction won't open until 2024, I'm putting this slightly lower on the list because there's currently just no real connection to these characters and the story — and we don't have time for that.
Aside from the lackluster story, though, you can still expect to have an absolute blast on this 11-minute ride — because not only is there a five-story drop, but there are also three smaller dips within the attraction. Also, don't underestimate how wet you'll get — because you will get wet! If you prefer to stay on the drier side of things, wear a poncho or sit in the very back of the log. But if you don't mind getting completely soaked, sit in the front because you will drop 45 mph toward the end of the ride. Don't say I didn't warn you.
As previously mentioned, the wait time for this ride can get incredibly long (65 minutes minimum) — so if you're absolutely dying to go on this attraction, I would opt for an early morning ride or purchase Lighting Lane to wait for way, way less.
Also, it's one of the few (if only) attractions where you get a free Ziploc souvenir to keep your phone from getting soaked. So it's a win-win, if you were to ask me.
6. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
Who knew a roller coaster about work could be so fun? Apparently, the Imagineers did when they created this coaster that tells a small part of the Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs movie.
But while there are a few things that will blow you away about this ride, I wish some things were different or even better.
Let's talk about the positives first: This ride is gorgeous and incredibly smooth. The Seven Dwarfs animatronics look like they directly popped out of the movie, and the ride vehicles are perfectly designed. Also, I love the left-to-right sway feature each mine car has, which makes the twist and turns feel even more intense. This is an original design system that was developed by the Imagineers, by the way.
On top of that, the queue has not one but three interactive features that will keep you from feeling bored in the incredibly long line (expect 70-plus minutes easily). And while they're all considered "work," they are fun to do with the whole family.
Aside from that, this coaster is in the sixth spot because while the wait can be incredibly long, I don't believe it's worth the wait. Let me explain...
The truth is while I will say this is one of the most beautiful coasters ever created at Disney, its ride time of two and a half minutes feels incredibly short when Thunder Mountain locks in at a whole extra minute. And even though they put a lot of love into this ride, it feels like they were trying to squeeze it into Fantasyland during the 2012 upgrade of this park area.
The other part I wish they would expand on is the story itself. I love how it's solely focused on the mining part of the movie (which, honestly, makes the most sense), but it feels like a huge missed opportunity not to incorporate more of the characters or to simply have more of the coaster be incorporated indoors (it's a MINE RIDE after all).
But even though I might be grumpy (had to) about this part, the innovation, technology, and thrill factor of this attraction put it higher on the list when compared to other rides — but just make sure you get a Lighting Lane pass for this.
5. Peter Pan’s Flight
Take a turn toward the second star to the right, and you'll find an indoor slow attraction that helps you fly alongside Peter and the Darling siblings in a pixie-dust-enhanced pirate ship.
Even though this might be considered a kiddie ride to some, I highly suggest getting on this attraction the minute the park opens because the wait time is usually one of the highest (if not the highest) in the entire park — but don't worry, it's really worth it.
The reason why the wait is always so long is because unlike traditional ride vehicles, which move on floor tracks, the pirate ship on Peter Pan's Flight actually "fly" because the vehicle's track is above it versus below it. But the attention to detail doesn't stop there. The vehicle's lap bar will drop down on its own because of Tinker Bell's pixie dust, parts of Neverland and London are made on a smaller scale to make it look more realistic as you look down, and almost every part of the attraction is painted with black-light-like paint to make the scenes pop in the dark. Essentially, the ride is a visual escape straight from the movie.
Another reason why this slower attraction is higher on the list is because of the interactive queue, where you're guided through an interactive tour of the Darlings' nursery so you can help track Peter Pan's "lost" shadow and Tinker Bell herself.
But even though the innovation of the ride and technology-advanced queue makes this attraction an absolute must-ride, it's still old-school when it comes to the animatronics, and the track could be upgraded to feel smoother, especially since pixie dust is involved — but those are just some minor reasons why this attraction is in the fifth spot.
4. Jungle Cruise
Just like the PeopleMover ride, the Jungle Cruise attraction was a best-kept secret at Disney for years with a usual wait time of 5–20 minutes max. Then the Jungle Cruise movie came out in 2021, and, well, now the wait time for this attraction is one of the longest in the park. I'm not bitter — you're bitter.
But even though you may have to wait 75 minutes plus for this attraction now (I know), it's still worth the wait.
Yes, the animatronics look a little prehistoric, but what makes this 10-minute attraction so special is the skipper and the never-the-same interactions they have with the guests.
Once you're aboard the canopied tramp steamer, you'll explore the waters of the four famous rivers of the world: the Amazon in South America, the Nile and the Congo in Africa, and the Mekong River in Southeast Asia.
During this journey, you can expect to be educated about the many continents, rivers, and animals you'll come across as well as hear the corniest but funniest jokes ever. And even when you think you can only ride this attraction once because the jokes will always be the same, the skippers are known to ad-lib and change between jokes depending on the day — so you're essentially never getting the same ride twice.
While the ride and the skipper are the stars of the show, the queue is pretty entertaining as well and — you guessed it — full of puns. Between the old-school-looking maps and pictures to the land skippers telling jokes and puns over the speakers, you 100% will not be bored during your wait.
Overall, this attraction won't disappoint because it's perfect for the whole family, will actually make you laugh at loud, and is really different than any other attraction in Magic Kingdom (aside from the Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor, which also interacts with the audience).
Even though there could be some animatronic and visual upgrades, the lack of technological advancement won't deter from the main focus of the ride: the skippers' senses of humor.
3. Haunted Mansion
If there's one ride that has a devoted fan following, it's the Haunted Mansion. And can you blame people? It's one of the most unique, story-driven rides at Walt Disney World, and it's so good that it's almost in every Disney Park across the world.
What makes this ride so different is the actual structure and "magic" that is incorporated into every sequence. Imagineers were inspired by actual magicians and incorporated a lot of their old tricks into the ride (i.e., stretching room and the ballroom dance room.)
Not only that, but in 2011, the queue was redesigned to be interactive. You can play instruments on someone's tomb or watch headstones come to "life." While the queue can be lengthy, most of the time it sits around the 30- to 45-minute mark, which is a perfect wait time for an attraction that is around seven and a half minutes.
But the thing that makes the Haunted Mansion ride one of the best (if not the best) slow rides at Disney is its story and theme. A haunted mansion that invites you to be the thousandth ghost that somehow mixes horror with a musical theme all in one? You honestly can't beat that.
Even the Cast Members are in on the story as they lead you into the mansion with a frown on their face.
2. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
If there's any ride that should take the number two spot, it's Big Thunder Mountain. Why do you ask? Let me explain. Aside from the Haunted Mansion, this is one of the best themed rides at Magic Kingdom. The minute you head toward this little corner of Adventure Land, you're immediately transported into the Wild Wild West. Not only is the queue surrounded by giant cacti and big red boulders, but when you get closer to the ride, you'll also find yourself looking directly into the eyes of billy goats (don't worry, they're not real).
The secret sauce when it comes to this ride is when you decide to ride it. While going on it during the day is fun because you get a clear view of Magic Kingdom, I *HIGHLY* recommend going on this attraction either at night or when the fireworks show happens.
Not only will the ride itself feel more extreme (similar to what happens in Space Mountain), but it will also give you stellar views of the firework show (without having to be cramped next to people) — which is rare from a ride (unless you're on the PeopleMover on the other side of the park). Plus, the boulders are decked out with beautiful lighting to enhance the ride experience.
Even though the major downsides to this ride are not being able to ride it when it's thundering outside and the queue can be incredibly long, it's worth the wait because of the one-of-a-kind experience of being in a runaway train and flying by the boulders. Also, the majority of the family can ride this attraction because it doesn't go as fast or have as many large drops as Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain at Animal Kingdom.
Does the story connect with any Disney IPs? No, but Walt Disney was fascinated with the Old West, so if there's any other reason to ride it, it's to celebrate the history and love of this time.
1. Space Mountain
Space Mountain is one of the best rides at Walt Disney World. Period. Yes, it's clunky with a capital C and you shouldn't ride if you have back problems (no, seriously), but if you meet the height requirement, this is a must if you're ever at Magic Kingdom — even if the wait is long AF.
One of the things that makes this ride so much fun (aside from pretending to fly through space) is that it has two tracks. While back in the day, you got to choose which track you wanted to go on (the right side is better in my opinion), now you can only explore the right side using Lighting Lane.
Yes, the queue can be incredibly long (and with the Florida heat, it's even worse to endure), but once you're inside, you can view the futuristic space interior — which was updated in 2009 to reflect a more modern space adventure with fewer Chips Ahoy!-looking asteroids and more satellites flying across the ceiling — so you won't be bored, I promise.
Aside from the interior, the ride itself is great. The attraction is meant to be ridden nearly 100% in the dark (however, if you're lucky to ride Space Mountain with the lights on, then that's pretty cool, too). And even though this ride was created in 1975 (!!), it doesn't go upside down, its speed maxes at 27 mph, and the twists and turns and rocket-like vehicles will make you feel like you're soaring at the speed of light. (Just to compare, Big Thunder Mountain goes 36 mph.)
And since the tracks are positioned pretty close to your head and body, it actually kind of feels dangerous to ride, so try to keep your hands inside the vehicle like the Cast Members recommend.
Either way, you'll want to ride this ride over and over again — and that's why it's in the number one spot.
If you have feelings about this ranking, I would love to hear them! Make sure to tell me below what you love (and/or hate) about this ranking, and what you would have listed differently!
Disclaimer: This article was written to provide travel recommendations or suggestions; however, it’s important to keep in mind your own health, community health, and COVID-19 exposure risk.
