Are you a thrill-ride seeking Disney fan looking for information on the coaster options for your next trip?
We can help! Here are the best roller coasters at Walt Disney World, with rankings from least to most intense.
Disney World Roller Coasters Ranked by Intensity
- Goofy’s Barnstormer (least intense)
- Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
- Slinky Dog Dash
- Big Thunder Mountain
- Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
- TRON Lightcycle / Run
- Space Mountain
- Expedition Everest
- Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith (most intense)
When ranking the roller coasters at Walt Disney World from least to most intense, we considered several things, including the overall speed, height, and steepness of drops, presence of inversions (like Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster’s loops), and uniquely thrilling ride elements such as backward sections (Expedition Everest) or rotating cars (Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind).
Plus, we also factored in the theming and target audience, with family-friendly rides like Goofy’s Barnstormer and Seven Dwarfs Mine Train being less intense, while rides with high-speed launches and sharp turns, like TRON Lightcycle / Run and Space Mountain, ranked higher.
Ultimately, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster topped our list for its inversions and its high-speed launch that literally can take your breath away.
BUT – this is all truly subjective. We know what may be intense for US may not be the same for you. That’s why we offer full descriptions of the rides and what makes them intense and thrilling down below.
Magic Kingdom Roller Coasters
Although many people consider Magic Kingdom to be the place to go with young kids, it also has 4 (soon to be 5!) roller coasters for thrill seekers of all ages to enjoy. That’s the most coasters in any of the 4 Walt Disney World theme parks.
Here’s what you will find there:
Barnstormer Starring The Great Goofini (least intense)
Min. height required: 35″ (89 cm) or taller
- Early Theme Park Entry? Yes
- Lightning Lane Multi Pass or Single Pass? Lightning Lane Multi Pass
- Best time(s) to ride with the lowest waits: Early Theme Park Entry, anytime standby, or anytime with Lightning Lane Multi Pass
Goofy’s Barnstormer is a great entry-level coaster for little ones who feel ready to give a bigger attraction a try.
Located back in Storybook Circus, this coaster has a couple of smaller hills, but nothing too sharp or steep. And, the entire thing is outdoors, which makes it easy for curious little ones to check it out before they commit to riding it.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (roller coaster)
Min. height required: 40″ (102 cm) or taller
- Early Theme Park Entry? No
- Lightning Lane Multi Pass or Single Pass? Lightning Lane Multi Pass
- Best time(s) to ride with the lowest waits: First hour or last hour of the day (standby line), or anytime with Lightning Lane Multi Pass
They don’t call this one “the wildest ride in the wilderness” for nothing.
Expect some sharp turns, but no super high drops on this coaster. It’s a bit bumpy at times, but not as bad as its super rough mountain cousin, Space Mountain.
Space Mountain (roller coaster)
Min. height required: 44″ (113 cm) or taller
- Early Theme Park Entry? Yes
- Lightning Lane Multi Pass or Single Pass? Lightning Lane Multi Pass
- Best time(s) to ride with the lowest waits: Early Theme Park Entry, first or last hour of the day (standby line), anytime with Lightning Lane Multi Pass
Get ready to blast off into space on this classic indoor coaster.
Adding to the thrills of this nearly totally in-the-dark ride are the glimpses of the tracks you’ll catch as you whiz by. Seriously – it would probably be less scary if you couldn’t see the track at all.
This coaster is known to be a bit rough. So, make sure the fillings in your teeth are secure before climbing aboard.
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (roller coaster)
Min. height required: 38″ (97 cm) or taller
- Early Theme Park Entry? Yes
- Lightning Lane Multi Pass or Single Pass? Lightning Lane Single Pass
- Best time(s) to ride with the lowest waits: Early Theme Park Entry, first or last hour of the day (standby line), or anytime with Lightning Lane Single Pass
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is as smooth of a ride as Space Mountain is rough.
And, like Splash Mountain, this is another thriller that tries to calm your fears with animatronics.
Again, no super-high drops here, just some mild drops, tight turns, and classic Disney character fun.
Plus, if you have a hesitant rider, this attraction is very, very short, which is unfortunate because the lines here can be very, very long.
Tron Lightcycle /Run (roller coaster)
- Early Theme Park Entry? No
- Lightning Lane Multi Pass or Single Pass? Lightning Lane Singe Pass and Virtual Queue
- Best time(s) to ride with the lowest waits: With Lightning Lane Single Pass or with a boarding group in the virtual queue
TRON Lightcycle / Run is as fast and as exciting as it looks. Even though there aren’t any inversions or spinning ride vehicles, the roller coaster is intense.
The coaster gets up to speeds of 60 mph, and trust us when we say it definitely feels like you’re going that fast. Plus, it’s one of the fastest coasters at any Disney theme park in the world.
This new coaster is semi-enclosed, and kind of like the ride vehicles used for Flight of Passage, guests ride the cycle instead of sitting like on a traditional coaster.
While the cycles aren’t the most comfortable (both your back and calves are strapped in, while your chest lays flat), they definitely add to the intensity of the ride and make it super thrilling.
Overall, it’s pretty smooth. You could compare it to the thrill-level of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.
Epcot Roller Coasters
Epcot will get its very first coaster in May 2022 when the brand-new Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind opens up.
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind (roller coaster)
Min height required: 42″ (107 cm) or taller
- Early Theme Park Entry? No. But it is available during Extended Evening Theme Park Hours
- Lightning Lane Multi Pass or Single Pass? Individual Lightning Lane OR Virtual Queue only
- Best time(s) to ride with the lowest waits: With Lightning Lane Single Pass or with a boarding group in the virtual queue
Epcot is home to the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, which is an indoor roller coaster themed after Marvel’s popular Guardians of the Galaxy franchise.
The roller coaster features the first-ever reverse launch for a Disney coaster and is one of the longest enclosed coasters in the world.
If that isn’t enough, the ride vehicles rotate 360 degrees!
This coaster is pretty intense, but a lot more smooth than Space Mountain.
Adding to the intensity, is a propensity for motion sickness. Not everyone will get sick on this ride, but it does seem like the ones who do, get really sick.
Hollywood Studios Roller Coasters
Hollywood Studios has a ton of thrill rides, including 2 of the most popular coasters in all of Walt Disney World: Slinky Dog Dash and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster.
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith (roller coaster)
Min. height required: 48″ (122 cm) or taller
- Early Theme Park Entry? Yes
- Lightning Lane Multi Pass or Single Pass? Lightning Lane Multi Pass
- Best time(s) to ride with the lowest waits: Early Theme Park Entry, first or last hour of the day (standby line), anytime with the Single Rider Line, or anytime with Lightning Lane Multi Pass
Picture Steven Tyler and Aerosmith singing loudly into your ears.
Now, picture Steven Tyler and Aerosmith singing loudly into your ears while you are upside down.
If that sounds like an awesome time to you, then this is something you’ll definitely want to check out.
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster is totally indoors, has a killer launch that will take your breath away, and pairs the loud rock sounds of Aerosmith with a silky smooth coaster-ride.
Oh, and did we mention it goes upside down?!
Slinky Dog Dash (roller coaster)
Min. height required: 38″ (97 cm) or taller
- Early Theme Park Entry? Yes
- Lightning Lane Multi Pass or Single Pass? Lightning Lane Multi Pass
- Best time(s) to ride with the lowest waits: Early Theme Park Entry, first or last hour of the day (standby line), or anytime with Lightning Lane Multi Pass
The other roller coaster at Hollywood Studios is Slinky Dog Dash, which is just about as cute as Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster is loud.
But, this adorable coaster is as fun as it looks.
With a couple of launches way milder than those of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster and dips a bit more intense than those of Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, this coaster is a good “in-between” option for people working their way up to the bigger thrills.
Animal Kingdom Roller Coasters
Animal Kingdom is where you can find Expedition Everest, which is one of the best themed of all the roller coasters (as well as one of the most intense!).
Expedition Everest (roller coaster)
Min. height required: 44″ (113 cm) or taller
- Early Theme Park Entry? Yes
- Lightning Lane Multi Pass or Single Pass? Lightning Lane Multi Pass
- Best time(s) to ride with the lowest waits: Early Theme Park Entry, first 2 or last 2 hours of the day (standby line), anytime with the Single Rider Line, anytime with Lightning Lane Multi Pass
This coaster is insanely unique and even though there are no inversions, the portions where you go backward almost feel as if you’re upside-down.
Everything about this attraction screams THRILL.
Well, everything except for the Disco Yeti (but rumors are always swirling that he’s going to be fixed soon. We’ll believe it when we see it).
If adrenaline is what you run on, you can definitely fuel up here.
Disney World Coaster FAQs
How many roller coasters does Disney World have?
Disney World has 9 roller coasters, with at least 1 in every park.
Are there height restrictions for the roller coasters at Disney World?
Yes! All roller coasters at Walt Disney World have height requirements:
- 48″ (122 cm) or taller: Tron Lightcycle / Run
- 48″ (122 cm) or taller: Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster
- 44″ (113 cm) or taller: Space Mountain
- 44″ (113 cm) or taller: Expedition Everest
- 42″ (107 cm) or taller: Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
- 40″ (102 cm) or taller: Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
- 38″ (97 cm) or taller: Slinky Dog Dash
- 38″ (97 cm) or taller: Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
- 35″ (89 cm) or taller: Barnstomer
Can I take my bag with me on the roller coasters?
Yes, you can! You can either store your bag at your feet or in the seat back pocket in front of you.
Do any of the roller coasters at Disney World go upside down?
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster is the only coaster at Walt Disney World goes upside down. There is a segment of Expedition Everest (where you are going backwards) that some report feels as if you are going upside down, however, you really aren’t.