It’s no surprise that Orlando, Florida, is one of the most frequented vacation spots in the USA. Attractions such as Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort draw travelers from near and far every year. In 2023, more than 48 million tourists visited Walt Disney World alone.
And who could blame them? There truly is something for everyone; age is just a number once you scan that MagicBand. At Disney, there is magic everywhere you turn–parades popping up, Mickey-shaped treats at food carts, balloon vendors on Main Street, and character sightings sprinkled throughout the parks.
Our Element Vacation Homes are just 10-12 minutes from Walt Disney World, making it an easy choice to book a stay! Here is everything you need to know about the best rides at the Magic Kingdom!
About the Walt Disney Experience
Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons via Google Images CCL
Walt Disney World has four incredible theme parks: Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, EPCOT, and Magic Kingdom Park. Although each park has a lot to offer, Magic Kingdom remains the most popular. Since its grand opening in 1971, it has continued to steal the hearts of its visitors with its undeniable charm.
What to Expect: Magic Kingdom
Although a day in Magic Kingdom will be packed with character meet-and-greets, dining experiences, electric shows, and more, one could argue that a Disney trip is not complete without the theme park rides. Magic Kingdom has more rides than any other park, which can make it overwhelming when it comes time to decide which ones to go on–especially if this is your first time in Walt Disney World.
As you’re selecting your favorite rides, keep in mind that your day will most likely be spaced out between the different sections of Magic Kingdom:
- Adventureland
- Frontierland
- Liberty Square
- Fantasyland
- Tomorrowland
- Main Street, USA.
The most popular park means the most trafficked park as well, so you may experience some wait times. (Check out Lightning Lane to cut down on long lines!) Therefore, it’s wise to create your own list of the best rides in Magic Kingdom before you travel!
Best Rides in Tomorrowland
1. Tron Lightcycle / Run
Photo Credit: Craig Russell
- Ride rules: Must be 48 inches or taller
- What to expect: Thrill ride, dark ride
- Approximate ride time: 2 minutes
This newer ride is definitely for the adventure-seekers. Celebrating Disney’s sci-fi film, Tron: Legacy, passengers will climb onto their Lightcycle and race on a 3,000 foot track as Team Blue against Team Orange. This electric attraction is one of the fastest rollercoasters at any Walt Disney World theme park.
Pro Tip: If anyone in your party is intimidated by the unique feeling of sitting in a cycling position on a rollercoaster, you can request to sit in a traditional car in the back row. This just provides more coverage around you during the ride. You may have to wait for an extra ride cycle, but this is a great option for those a little apprehensive!
2. Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
Photo Credit: Michael Kappel via Flickr CC 2.0
- Ride rules: Any height, all ages
- What to expect: Slow ride, spinning
- Approximate ride time: 4.5 minutes
It’s hard to beat the nostalgia of Toy Story. Immerse yourself in the Gamma Quadrant as you join forces with Buzz Lightyear to battle Emperor Zurg. Riders are fully engaged in the galactic animatronic experience as they have control during their “mission” to spin their spacecraft and shoot at targets. You can even challenge your family members to see who gets the highest scores!
3. Space Mountain
- Ride rules: Must be 44 inches or taller
- What to expect: Dark ride, flashing lights
- Approximate ride time: 3 minutes
The original Space Mountain opened at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom Park in 1975 and has been one of the most popular attractions ever since. As this rollercoaster blasts through space, passengers will experience a lot of flashing lights amidst the darkness.
Pro Tip: We love to hop on Space Mountain during the Christmas season when their “Holiday Run” lights flash red and green for an extra festive touch. For those wanting an extra thrill, try riding it during Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party for a lights-out version.
4. PeopleMover
- Ride rules: Any height, all ages
- What to expect: Slow ride
- Approximate ride time: 10 minutes
Hop on PeopleMover, also known as Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover, for a relaxing, winding lap around Tomorrowland. In this slow-moving ride on an elevated track, you’ll get special views of other Tomorrowland attractions, such as Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin and Space Mountain, along with one-of-a-kind views of the theme park. (This might be a welcomed break after Space Mountain and Tron!)
Best Rides in Fantasyland
Fantasyland contains the most rides in Magic Kingdom. So, don’t be surprised if you spend more time in this area of the theme park!
5. Peter Pan’s Flight
- Ride rules: Any height, all ages
- What to expect: Slow ride, small drops
- Approximate ride time: 3 minutes
Peter Pan’s Flight oozes magic. Guests of all ages can board a floating ship and enjoy a slow ride through the starry night sky as they fly to Neverland. The combination of animatronics and dreamy music will make you never want to grow up.
6. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
Photo Credit: Inside the Magic via Flickr CC 2.0
- Ride rules: 38 inches or taller
- What to expect: Thrill ride, small drops
- Approximate ride time: 2.5 minutes
At the heart of Fantasyland, the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is in the middle of all the action. Even passersby can enjoy hearing the exciting mix of screams and smiles as they watch the rollercoaster make its rounds.
This is one of the more popular rides in Magic Kingdom – and unsurprisingly, almost always has the longest wait in the park. Try to ride it when you first arrive or save it for the fireworks show to cut back on a longer wait time. Or, you can snag a Lightning Lane for this one–it will be a real timesaver!
7. Barnstormer
- Ride rules: 35 inches or taller
- What to expect: Small drops
- Approximate ride time: 2 minutes
Barnstormer is the best ride for young thrill seekers–especially if it’s your first time at Magic Kingdom!
This rollercoaster stars Goofy as The Great Goofini in a homemade airplane called the Reckless Rocketeer–sounds like Goofy if you ask us! You’ll hear that familiar “goofy” yelp as you begin soaring through the skies before returning to safety.
8. Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid
- Ride rules: Any height, all ages
- What to expect: Slow ride
- Approximate ride time: 7 minutes
Join Ariel and her friends under the sea on the Journey of the Little Mermaid and be transported back to this beloved classic film. The ride is just under 7 minutes long, which gives you time to settle in and truly enjoy the vibrant characters, the familiar scenes, and the iconic music. As Sebastian sings, “Life is the bubbles under the sea!”
9. It’s a Small World
- Ride rules: Any height, all ages
- What to expect: Slow ride
- Approximate ride time: 10 minutes
This 10-minute colorful voyage is classic Disney. The tune of the song alone is catchy and memorable. On this slow-going boat ride, you’ll explore all seven continents as people from all different cultures and backgrounds sing that it is a small world, after all.
10. Dumbo the Flying Elephant
Photo Credit: Wally Gobetz via Flickr CC 2.0
- Ride rules: Any height, all ages
- What to expect: Slow ride, spinning
- Approximate ride time: 1.5 minutes
Select the Dumbo of your choice and buckle in as you enjoy 90 seconds in the air. This short ride spins slowly in a circle as the passengers control how high or low they want to fly. Dumbo the Flying Elephant is sure to put a smile on your face!
Best Rides in Frontierland
11. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
- Ride rules: 40 inches or taller
- What to expect: Thrill ride, big drops
- Approximate ride time: 3 minutes
This is a must-do! Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is a newly reimagined version of Splash Mountain, which opened in the summer of 1989. It became a legendary ride, widely known for its steep drop into the water at the end, which leaves riders soaked and smiling.
Splash Mountain’s last run was on May 30, 2023, and it was closed a day later. Although the ride’s structure remains the same, the ‘Disney Imagineers’ did a full remodel of the theme and aesthetics. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure opened during the summer of 2024, exactly 35 years after Splash Mountain’s opening, and it continues to be a hit! Join Tiana and her New Orleans friends on the bayou for a good ‘ole time!
12. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Photo Credit: travelhyper via Flickr CC 2.0
- Ride rules: 40 inches or taller
- What to expect: Thrill ride, small drops
- Approximate ride time: 3.5 minutes
Enter this cursed cavern at your own risk! Climb aboard an old train on a shaky track to speed through tunnels, narrowly dodging obstacles along the way. Be prepared for a rickety ride, as this adventurous rollercoaster is speedy and shifty.
Best Rides in Adventureland
13. Pirates of the Caribbean
- Ride rules: Any height, all ages
- What to expect: Dark ride, slow ride, small drops
- Approximate ride time: 8.5 minutes
Yo ho, yo ho–is a pirate’s life for you? Step into an old boat and breathe in the seafaring scent as you sail back to the 17th century. The waters will take you on an entertainingly ominous journey.
Pro Tip: See if you can spot Jack Sparrow from the Pirates of the Caribbean movies!
14. Jungle Cruise
Photo Credit: Ken Lund via Flickr CC 2.0
- Ride rules: Any height, all ages
- What to expect: Slow ride
- Approximate ride time: 10 minutes
You’re sure to enjoy this humorous, interactive boat ride! Each vessel is captained by a cast member who serves as your quick-witted Jungle Cruise Skipper. They’ll narrate your scenic and surprising route through some of the world’s most famous rivers. Watch out for wildlife and “dad jokes!”
Best Rides in Liberty Square
15. Haunted Mansion
- Ride rules: Any height, all ages
- What to expect: Slow ride, dark ride
- Approximate ride time: 7.5 minutes
Bravely enter as you glide through the mansion with a ghost as your guide. Eerie music, flickering lights, slinky shadows, graveyards–the Haunted Mansion has it all. Although passengers can be of any height or age, there are some spooky and supernatural elements that may frighten young eyes.
Tips for Planning Your Rides
Now that you’ve done your research, which Magic Kingdom rides make the cut for you? Although it may be hard to pare down your list, we find it helpful to ask a few key questions.
- What are the age ranges of travelers in your group? \Is this your first time on a Disney vacation?
- Are you looking for thrill rides or leisure rides, or do you want a balance of both?
- What other activities do you have scheduled during your time?
- What do you want the pace of your day to feel like?
No matter which Disney rides you choose or what your day in Magic Kingdom looks like, I hope it ends Happily Ever After with the incredible Disney Park firework show over Cinderella’s Castle. It is always the cherry on top of a magical, memorable day!
Stay in Themed Homes Near the Magic Kingdom
Now that you’ve made your list of the best rides in Magic Kingdom, it’s time to book a stay! We’d be honored to host you at one of our resorts. Whether you’re looking for large group accommodations, themed rooms, on-site pools and spas, or kid-friendly spaces, Element Vacation Homes has got you covered!
