Divided into four parks — Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Epcot and Hollywood Studios — Disney World in Orlando, Florida, is one of the largest amusement park complexes in the world. People come from all over to experience the magic of the Disney universe.
Of course, the parks and their rides are specially geared toward children. But that doesn't mean adults can't find exciting attractions that (sort of) justify the Disney adult phenomenon.
These are the 10 most popular rides at Disney World, which you have to ride at least once in your life.
9. Jungle Cruise (Tie)
David Roark / Disney
Park: Magic Kingdom
Type of ride: Water ride
Score: 13.2
If you watched the 2021 "Jungle Cruise" movie based on this ride, don't fret! We promise the ride that inspired the absolute wreck of a film is actually good. You'll board a creaky steamer and navigate through the Amazon (in South America), the Congo (in Africa) and the Mekong (in Asia) rivers.
As you ride, you'll see animatronics of animals like gorillas and hippos. Expect some low drops and splashes in this attraction that's perfect for all ages.
Note: Rankings are based on a 2023 Magic Guides study that analyzed the rides' search volume, number of Instagram hashtags and Tripadvisor reviews to give them a popularity score.
9. Star Tours - The Adventures Continue (Tie)
Handout / Disney
Park: Hollywood Studios
Type of ride: 3-D simulator
Score: 13.2
Any "Star Wars" fan needs to head to Hollywood Studios and experience this thrilling ride with C-3PO, R2D2 and other characters. You'll engage in a 3D flight simulator across the universe as you try to avoid Imperial forces.
Even if you're not too into the saga, the ride is one of the most fun at Hollywood studios. Honestly, we're surprised it ranks in ninth place — we would have ranked it higher.
8. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Handout / Disney
Park: Magic Kingdom
Type of ride: Thrill ride
Score: 13.4
Magic Kingdom is mostly about spinning in tea cups and seeing characters. But if you want something that makes you feel like you're in an amusement park, head to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
Anyone over 40 inches tall can enjoy this ride, which goes through tunnels and canyons on a track that feels like it'll give way anytime. Hey, that's part of the fun!
6. Haunted Mansion (Tie)
Handout / Disney
Park: Magic Kingdom
Type of ride: Slow ride
Score: 13.7
Celebrate Halloween at any time of year with a ride into Magic Kingdom's Haunted Mansion. You'll go through a graveyard, an old home where ghouls lurk in corners and even a séance room.
Visiting with kids? No worries! The ghosts here are friendly, and the mansion is eery but never scary. Overall, this is perfectly on-brand with Disney.
6. Expedition Everest - Legend of the Forbidden Mountain (Tie)
Handout / Disney
Park: Animal Kingdom
Type of ride: Roller coaster
Score: 13.7
Though Animal Kingdom focuses mostly on real animals, you'll also have the chance to "meet" the abominable Yeti. Or rather, to escape from it as you go through the Himalaya on a fast moving train.
This is one of the best rides for adults at Disney World, since it has fast turns and unexpected drops.
5. Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
Steven Diaz / Disney
Park: Hollywood Studios
Type of ride: Thrill ride
Score: 14.9
That's right, "Star Wars" fans get yet another thrilling ride at Hollywood Studios. This one is more highly rated, probably because it offers even more exciting twists and turns. The premise of the ride is that you're in a resistance ship that is captured by the First Order. Those familiar with the movie will recognize important characters, including Kylo Ren (before he turns good).
Whereas before Hollywood Studios was the Disney Park you wanted to skip, these "Star Wars" rides have made it into a worthy destination.
4. It's a Small World
Handout / Disney
Park: Magic Kingdom
Type of ride: Slow ride
Score: 18
One of the most famous rides in Disney World, It's a Small World has been operating since 1971. The concept is simple: You float along a slow moving river while figurines of children from all over the world sing the well-known theme song. The ride is meant to be a celebration of cultures while highlighting the things that bring us together.
Does it deserve to be in fourth place? We don't think so. It's certainly cute. And you should definitely ride it at least once. But if you're a repeat Disney visitor, it's not interesting enough to warrant making the line twice.
3. Space Mountain
Matt Stroshane / Disney
Park: Magic Kingdom
Type of ride: Roller coaster
Score: 21.9
Adding music to a roller coaster is simply genius. Twists and turns are much more exciting when they perfectly coordinate with the futuristic song that plays from the ride's get-go. As the name suggests, this roller coaster takes you through space, so you'll spend most of the ride in darkness as you pass near comets, meteorites, shooting stars and a wormhole.
Our only complaint about this ride is that it goes by too quickly!
2. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
Handout / Disney
Park: Hollywood Studios
Type of ride: Fast drop
Score: 22.7
If you love the feeling of vertigo that a fast drop gives you, you can't skip the Tower of Terror. You'll go into the elevator at the abandoned Hollywood Tower Hotel, strap in and then scream at the top of your lungs while the elevator goes up and down at high speeds.
The ride is not for the faint of heart (or those scared of dying in an elevator accident). But if you're bored of the childish rides at Disney, this will be a welcome change of pace.
1. Splash Mountain
Handout / Disney
Park: Magic Kingdom
Type of ride: Roller coaster
Score: 26
If you're a true Disney aficionado, you probably know that Splash Mountain closed on May 2023. And yet, the ride continues to be the most popular ride at Disney World. Despite being beloved by pretty much everyone, it was tied to a highly problematic and racist 1946 Disney film named "The Song of the South."
The park made the decision to completely revamp the roller coaster, which is set to open up again as "Tiana's Bayou Adventure," inspired by "The Princess and the Frog." We, for one, welcome the change, which will give us the same thrills without the racist undertones.