Last Updated on July 3, 2026
Roller coasters may seem like a modern type of entertainment – constantly getting bigger, faster and scarier thanks to advances in technology, but it’s the age-old thrill and sensation of speed, intensity and the psychological aspect of overcoming fear that leads roller coaster aficionados to find their newest adventure.
Disney World has its share of roller coasters – nine to be specific, divided between four of its theme parks, each offering a unique twist on the classic attraction. Add in some Disney magic in theming the ride, sometimes with a storyline, and you have a special coaster experience.
Coming from a family of rollercoaster fanatics, I’ve ridden them all and rated them according to their thrills and themes.
For readers planning where each coaster fits into the day, Deep Arrival’s Walt Disney World planning guides cover park hours, wait times, height requirements, and timing context before you go.
1. Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Re-wind
Maxing out at speeds of 60 mph, this is Disney World’s fastest roller coaster ride. Located in Epcot, the indoor Omnicoaster thriller is the largest indoor roller coaster in the world. Based on the Marvel Cinematic Universe “Guardians of the Galaxy” films, it is the first attraction at Walt Disney World to feature characters from the Marvel Universe.
Opened in 2022, Cosmic Rewind is Epcot’s first roller coaster and Disney’s first backwards-launched roller coaster, providing 360-degree views with a myriad of spins and unique maneuvers and one heck of a fast, smooth ride.
It’s spectacular, but intense and I would definitely not recommend this ride for those with a tendency for motion sickness.
2. TRON Lightcycle/RUN
Based on the Disney sci-fi film “TRON Legacy,” this thrill ride in Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland starts when you board your very own Lightcycle and take off on a high-speed adventure, racing against the Grid’s most menacing programs.
TRON Lightcycle / Run is the newest Disney World coaster and one of the fastest at any Disney theme park in the world. It’s highly unique in that riders sit in a forward crouched position. The top speed on this coaster (60 mph) is reached right at the beginning when you are launched and it only takes a couple of seconds to hit that speed.
Though the ride consisting a string of side-by-side cycles lasts only two minutes, it’s definitely two minutes of high-banking exhilarating adventure. Most of the time, you’ll feel as though you are flying. Again, those prone to motion sickness should consider whether to ride.
3. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
You’ll want to hold on tight as you roll in the dark on this fast and furious limousine ride through Los Angeles and past iconic Hollywood landmarks rockin’ to the tunes of Aerosmith at Disney Studios Theme Park.
The most intense part of the ride is the launch. “3-2-1” and riders are propelled from 0 to almost 60 mph in 2.8 seconds. The coaster also includes three thrilling inversions—two rollover loops and one corkscrew—as the wind literally rushes across your face.
If you’re a fan of thrill rides (like us), you will love this one.
4. Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain
In Disney Animal Kingdom’s Asia, guests wander into a Tibetan village at the base of Mount Everest and board a train to the “top of the world” where a legendary Yeti (Abominable Snowman) reportedly lives deep within the mountain.
After a slow, but steep ascent, the train picks up speed and races into the darkness. Without warning, a broken and twisted track appears in front of you. This is where riders will want to hold on tight as the ride now plummets backward into total darkness, leading into a sharp 250-degree turn at high speed. Expedition Everest tops out at 50 mph and its biggest drop is 80-feet, all done to perfection.
Though I ranked this one fourth, theming alone could place it higher on the list.
Do riders ever encounter the Yeti? You’ll have to ride the coaster to find out!
5. Space Mountain
The original indoor Space Mountain opened in Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland in 1975 becoming the first indoor tubular steel roller coaster envisioning a rocket ride set in outer space.
Completely refurbished in 2009, the still-incredibly popular roller coaster takes place in outer space darkness that gets inkier and scarier as the ride goes on. Though the coaster only attains a maximum speed of 28 mph, the twists, turns and drops make it feel so much faster. Special universal touches include asteroids, shooting stars and great sound effects, all adding to the amazing experience.
Although this is one of the oldest of Disney coasters, this one never grows old.
6. Big Thunder Mountain
Dubbed the “wildest ride in the wilderness,” Big Thunder Mountain is the longest length coaster ride in the Disney World Parks running 3.5 minutes.
The runaway mine train inspired by Utah’s Monument Valley is set in an abandoned mining village in the old Wild West. The theming is “classic Disney” and the level of detail in the stonework, artifacts, and other western elements are second to none.
Even though it’s not an incredibly thrilling roller coaster in the traditional sense of the word, it creates dramatic suspense and build-up that makes it seem like you are going much faster and higher than you really are. It can be a bit bumpy so hold on tight, but it’s a great family ride and highly popular at night.
7. Slinky Dog Dash
Take off on a family-friendly coaster that twists and turns past giant toys and springs across Andy’s oversized backyard on a zippy trip through Toy Story Land.
Located in Disney Studios Park, this extremely popular family-friendly ride is tamer and smoother than the park’s Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster yet it still offers big thrills, dramatic drops and bouncy hops.
As a coaster, it doesn’t have a high thrill factor, but it’s more intense than it seems from the ground. There are no inversions, but it hits a top speed of 40 mph and I love the long stretch of track where you bounce up and down and get some real air time.
8. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
Guaranteed this Magic Kingdom Fantasyland attraction will have a line as it is one of the most popular family roller coaster rides in the parks.
The delightful rustic coaster transports guests on a happy musical journey through the workplace of the seven dwarfs– a glittering diamond mine.
Mine cars climb until they reach a mountain summit providing incredible views of Fantasyland. The ride navigates hairpin turns before heading deep into the mineshaft as the creaky cart teeters back and forth. Soon, the dark sparkles with colorful translucent jewels and you encounter the Seven Dwarfs, whistling and singing merrily as they work.
9. The Barnstormer
Thrills come in small packages with this junior miniature roller coaster attraction for the kids located in Magic Kingdom’s Fantasyland Storybook Circus.
Adults won’t find this Goofy-inspired aerial stunt show attraction very exciting, but they’ll love watching the looks on the faces of the little ones likely experiencing a roller coaster for the very first time.
