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There’s something about Walt Disney World that truly makes it one of the most magical places on earth. Maybe it’s the faces that are always smiling, or maybe it’s the warm Florida sunshine, or maybe it’s the feeling you get when you are surrounded by your favorite childhood characters while watching your own children beam with excitement at the first sight of Mickey Mouse. Whatever it is, the feeling it gives you is definitely magical.
With all the magic Disney encompasses, it can be a bit overwhelming, especially for a first timer. There are SO MANY things to do there and you definitely don’t want to miss out on the best rides at Disney World!
If you’re like us, you will spend a full day at each park. However, they do have a Park Hopper option where you can skip back and forth between the parks as many times per day as you’d like. This is a great option for some, and we have done this before too where we would hang out in Magic Kingdom all day but go have dinner in Epcot. However, having to go through the process of waiting for the bus to the next park and going through the entry process it can take away a considerable amount of your day.
In order to alleviate some stress of what to do, I have compiled the ultimate Disney World attraction checklist of the best rides and attractions in each theme park!
Oh, and one more thing … I highly recommend you look into getting the Disney Genie+ for the top attractions, otherwise you will spend hours waiting in line for some of the most desirable rides. Nothing magical about that!
Genie+ will start around $15 per day per person. You can also purchase an individual Lightening Lane pass for certain rides at around $15 per ride.
At the end of this post, you can download and print this compete Disney World attraction checklist.
Let’s get started on what rides and attractions you can’t miss on your trip to Disney World!
Animal Kingdom
I absolutely love Animal Kingdom. The park is composed of 6 different “lands”: Africa, Asia, Dinoland U.S.A, The Oasis, Discovery Island and Pandora The World of Avatar.
- Avatar Flight of Passage
Located in Pandora: The World of Avatar. This is an incredible 3D ride over Pandora on the back of a winged banshee. Perfect for both kids and adults! Fast Pass is definitely needed for this one, wait times can be hours!
- Na’vi River Journey
Located in Pandora: The World of Avatar. This is a slow boat ride through the bioluminescent rainforest of Pandora. You will float past several different Avatar’s and other creatures in the world of Pandora.
- Dinosaur
Located in DinoLand U.S.A. This is loud and dark thrilling adventure that may be scary for some smaller children. But if you love an adrenaline rush, this one is for you! Your mission is to beat a giant meteor and avoid the dinosaurs.
- Expedition Everest
Located in Asia. This is a thrilling roller coaster ride through the Himalayas. Watch out, you just may see the Yeti!
- It’s Tough to be a Bug!
Located in Discovery Island. This is a full sensory experience! In this interactive 3D show you’ll see your favorite characters from A Bug’s Life. This attraction is perfect for families! Prepare yourself for a creepy crawly surprise at the end, that is sure to leave you laughing!
- Kali River Rapids
Located in Asia. This is a white water adventure ride through the jungle of Asia. You will experience spins and some small drops but nothing too crazy. Disclaimer: You WILL get wet!
- Kilimanjaro Safaris
Located in Africa. This was by far my favorite attraction in Animal Kingdom. I love anything that has to do with the wildlife found on the African savannah. On this guided tour you will ride across the African savanna in an open air vehicle where you get to see live animals roaming. There are 34 species that can be found across 110 acres! This is an attraction perfect for all ages! How many animals can you find?
- Maharajah Jungle Trek
Located in Asia. This is a self-guided walk where you can explore the Asian jungle and see tigers, komodo dragons, water buffalos and many other species. This is a perfect activity for families and a great option to check out if you are looking for something to do while waiting for your next Fast-Pass attraction.
- Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail
Located in Africa. This is another self-guided walk great for families or while you are waiting for your next Fast-Pass time slot. Here you will walk through the lush tropical forest inhabited by hippos, meerkats and, yep, you guessed it, Gorillas! As well as many other species.
- Festival of the Lion King
This is a fun and interactive 30 minute stage show featuring songs from the movie. You do not need a Fast-Pass. There is plenty of room in the theater.
Bonus: If you’re still in the park when the sun goes down, check out the Tree of Life Awakening – a magical light show where the animals carved into the tree’s trunk are “awakened”.
Hollywood Studios
Disney’s Hollywood Studios is composed of 7 different sections: Toy Story Land, Hollywood Boulevard, Echo Lake, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, Grand Avenue, Animation Courtyard and Sunset Boulevard. Hollywood Studios doesn’t have as many attractions as some of the other parks do, but they still have some pretty cool ones just the same!
- Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith
Located in Sunset Boulevard. You start off by joining Aerosmith in their studio for a recording session. Suddenly, they realize that they are late for a concert and they have to speed across town to get there in time .. and you get to go with them! This thrilling ride is loud, dark and features big drops which may be scary for some smaller children.
- Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
Located in Hollywood Boulevard. This attraction is brand new for 2020! Here you get to save the day with Mickey, Minnie and their friends!
- Toy Story Mania
Located in Toy Story Land. This is a fun interactive ride for the whole family. Team up to shoot at moving targets in 3D!
- Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
Located in StarWars: Galaxy’s Edge. Here you get to be a pilot, gunner or an engineer in the cockpit! This experience is dark and loud, so it may be scarier for some smaller children.
- Alien Swirling Saucers
Located in Toy Story Land. This is a ride great for all ages where you get to fly through the sky with the Toy Story aliens!
- Lightening McQueen’s Racing Academy
Located in Sunset Boulevard. This is a state of the art racing simulator great for all ages. Here you get to learn all about racing from the best, Lightening McQueen!
- The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
Located in Sunset Boulevard. Probably one of the best known Disney attractions. Take the service elevator up through the hotel, but be prepared to see some pretty weird stuff along the way! Prepare yourself for a thrilling drop at the end. I definitely would recommend having a Fast-Pass for this one!
- Slinky Dog Dash
Located in Toy Story Land. This is a fun roller coaster for all ages where you ride on Slinky Dog’s coils up and down hills and around bends.
- Star Wars Rise of the Resistance
Located in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. This is a battle between the First Order and the Resistance. Opened in 2019. It is dark and loud with some small drops. They say this is unlike anything else you have experienced at Disney before.
- Muppet Vision 3D
Located in Grand Avenue. This is a funny, live-action film with special effects that all ages will love.
Bonus: When it gets dark, make sure to see the Fantasmic! Show. The entire Disney cast will be there!
Magic Kingdom
When you think of Disney, you think Magic Kingdom. Princesses everywhere, parade down Main Street and, of course, Cinderella’s Castle! It also has the most attractions out of the 4 parks. Magic Kingdom is divided into 6 different “lands” that all come together at Cinderella’s Castle. The 6 are Tomorrowland, Frontierland, Adventureland, Fantasyland, Main Street U.S.A and Liberty Square.
Sadly, one of the most iconic Disney rides, Splash Mountain, has officially closed down as of January 23, 2023. It will be completely reimagined into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure but an opening date has not been set as of this time.
- Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
Located in Fantasyland. Go inside the mountain with the Seven Dwarfs and whistle while you work. This is a heavily sought after attraction so definitely reserve your Fast-Pass well in advance!
- Space Mountain
Located in Tomorrowland. You get to soar through the galaxy like a shooting star! This Ride is indoor, dark, and you sit alone in the seat. My daughter was a little afraid at first because she had to sit by herself, but absolutely loved it and wanted to ride it about 10 more times after!
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Located in Frontierland. One of the most well known and loved rides in all of Disney. You get to board a train in a mining town where strange things happen. What’s cool about this ride is that as you wait in line there are a variety of interactive things to do while pretending you are a miner!
- TRON Lightcycle Run
Located in Tomorrowland. This BRAND NEW ride opens on April 4, 2023 and I could not be more excited to check this out!! It is one of the fastest coasters at any of Disney’s theme parks with drops, stops, quick turns and speeds up to 60mph!!
- Pirates of the Caribbean
Located in Adventureland. How many times can you spot Jack Sparrow?
- It’s A Small World
Located in Fantasyland. Take an easy boat ride around the world. I feel like you cannot come to Disney and not do this!
- Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
Located in Tomorrowland. This ride is slow moving and interactive – perfect for the whole family. Here you get to fire lasers with Buzz in a space battle while spinning 360 degrees!
- Jungle Cruise
Located in Adventureland. Take a boat toar across Asia, Africa and South America. Where else can you go 10,000 miles in 10 minutes?
- Mad Tea Party
Located in Fantasyland. You can’t not take a spin in the tea cups – it’s a classic!
- The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Located in Fantasyland. Ride in one of Pooh’s honeypots through the Hundred Acre Wood and see all your favorite characters. Great for the whole family.
Bonus: Watch the parade down Main Street U.S.A!
Epcot
When I went to Disney as a kid, Epcot was my least favorite. Now that I am an adult I think it’s pretty darn great! Now that I have developed a passion for travel it’s really cool seeing all of the different countries in the World Showcase. Plus the food is to die for! (more on that here). Epcot is split into two main sections: Future World and World Showcase.
- Soarin’ Around the World
Located in Future World. Hands down this is my favorite ride in all of the Disney parks. You get to fly above the world’s top destinations – the Swiss Alps, the pyramids, Fiji, the Great Wall of China, Mt. Kilimanjaro and more – in your personal hang glider. Soarin’ offers the complete sensory experience where you will feel the cool air over the Arctic and smell the orange fields.
- Mission: SPACE
Located in Future World. If you ever wanted to be an astronaut here’s your chance! They have two missions you can choose from: the Orange Mission where you will journey to Mars or the Green Mission where you will orbit the Earth. The orange mission is more intense and may be a little scary for smaller children.
- Frozen Ever After
Located in World Showcase. Here on this musical tour you get to go aboard a Nordic ship and experience the wintery world of Arendele. This is a highly sought after attraction, so book Fast-Pass!
- Awesome Planet
Located in Future World. One thing that’s great about Epcot (from a parent’s perspective) is that it offers several attractions that are not only fun but informative as well. During this attraction you get to watch a 10 minute film with stunning images from across the world.
- Test Track
Located in Future World. If you have split off from your boyfriends/husbands you can most likely find them here. This attraction allows you to design your own car and then test it out on the track. Fast Pass is definitely needed.
- Gran Fiesta Tour starring the Three Caballeros
Located in World Showcase. Take a boat ride down the Rio Grande and help find Donald Duck.
- Spaceship Earth
Located in Future World. Again, another fun yet informative attraction. Here you get to travel through time in this 16 minute attraction.
- The Seas with Nemo and Friends
Located in Future World. Take an easy ride under the sea. Can you help find Nemo?
** Note: They also have a self guided scavenger hunt booklet that you can pick up to help Dory find her friends throughout the aquarium.
- Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival
Located in Future World. Here you get to watch popular short films in 4D. The show lasts about 20 minutes and you do not need a Fast Pass, there is plenty of room.
- Journey into Imagination with Figment
Located in Future World. The silly dragon, Figment, will be your guide here where you get to learn about all 5 senses in his sensory lab. Great for all ages.
I hope you enjoy this ultimate list of the top 10 rides and attractions in each Disney World theme park! Click here for my list of top 10 places to eat in each park!
Also, check out Disney’s website for full ride descriptions and to register for Genie+
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