Top 10 Disney World Attractions
It’s difficult to rank Walt Disney World’s 10 greatest rides and other attractions. Across Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios, there are literally hundred of potential picks. At their best, Disney attractions are timeless classics with multi-generational appeal. At their worst, they’re decorated, off-the-shelf amusement park fare.
A few notes about the list before we get started. Even though there’s an element of subjectivity, I’m attempting to be objective here. These are not my personal favorites (I’ll be back with that list over the weekend); they are the attractions that I think are the greatest. The ones that represent the best of Imagineering and offer the most impressive, well-crafted experience. I don’t have specific scoring criteria—it’s basically just a mix of my gut reaction and analysis. Additionally, only attractions that are currently operational are eligible.
I also want to note that I don’t think this is in any way definitive. I just thought it would be interesting to put together a list of what I consider to be Walt Disney World’s 10 best attractions. Some great ones are bound to be snubbed; even if I had a list with 30 honorable mentions, I’d be leaving off some popular attractions. And in fairness, it’s not like this top 10 actually “matters” anyway…
You’re going to ride more than 10 attractions (hopefully!) on your trip to Walt Disney World. It really makes no difference what some dude on the internet thinks is best…this list is more geared at being a fun conversation piece for Walt Disney World fans.
In each description below, I’ll make my case for the attraction being among the best, and I welcome reasoned counterpoints in the comments with those who disagree. (Emphasis on reasoned counterpoints.) With that said, here are the rankings…
10. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
I debated between including this or Country Bear Jamboree, and I’m still not sure I made the correct decision. I know this is the more crowd-pleasing choice, and I think thrill rides are deserving of representation when they’re done right, as I don’t think that’s an easy task (and it is easy for them to be done lazily, since they’re likely to be popular regardless).
Big Thunder Mountain does a lot right. It manages to establish a coherent story, much of which can be gleaned from the queue and visuals throughout the attraction. It offers family-friendly thrills with beautiful scenery to enjoy along the way. Finally, it manages to pack a lot in the way of gags and details despite the fact that guests pass them so quickly.
As far as roller coasters go, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad has a ton of depth, and the main reason to re-ride it isn’t to get another thrill fix, but to see everything you missed on the first pass on the wildest ride in the wilderness. There’s a lot to Big Thunder that makes it endearing to Disney fans, and I think that makes it worthy of inclusion on this list.
9. Kilimanjaro Safaris
Often overlooked because it’s not “Imagineered” in an overt sense, Kilimanjaro Safaris makes this list for a few reasons. First, its range of animals and habitats is impressive, and gives the attraction a lot of re-rideability. Second, even if you cannot see the Imagineering work, it’s there–it’s meant to fade into the background, as if this were one sprawling landscape.
Third, even with minimal story, it’s effective at suspending disbelief and making the rider feel like they are embarking upon a two-week safari. Finally, it’s arguably the culmination of Animal Kingdom’s thesis as a park. Even if Disney would like to think Animal Kingdom is not a zoo, this is the best possible intersection of theme park and zoo “attractions.”
It’s a safari with fantastic presentation and production value, and dammit, there’s nothing wrong with that. Sometimes “just” a well-done safari without a convoluted backstory is good enough. (People pay ~$50 to visit the San Diego Safari Park pretty much just for a weaker version of this.)
8. Spaceship Earth
Spaceship Earth scores serious points with me for being housed inside of a beautiful, engineering marvel, but that’s not the reason it makes this list. Rather, it’s the way it puts guests in a time machine to travel back and weave through the history of communication.
The attraction presents this history in an interesting way, and effectively transitions from one ‘moment’ to another to effectively tell this story. Spaceship Earth goes downhill (figuratively and literally) after these vignettes reach the information age, but it’s still an excellent attraction.
You feel as if you actually witnessed reenactments of significant moments in history, and have a greater sense of how communication has shaped so many aspects of humanity. In that regard, Spaceship Earth retains the original aim of EPCOT Center, and proves edutainment is viable in a theme park.
7. Expedition Everest
Expedition Everest is like the modern, more high-tech, and more realistic take on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Often lauded for its incredibly dense and detail-rich queue, Expedition Everest should also score points for the way this queue builds to the ride that follows. It sets up the experience in a way that’s better than Big Thunder, and arguably on par with Tower of Terror.
There’s also a sense of realism to the attraction that is fascinating. There are ways the queue and ascent up Everest make you feel like you’re actually on an expedition up the mountains of Nepal. Even as you know you’re in a theme park and are chasing an abominable snowman, you have the vague feeling that this could be real. Maybe it’s just me, but I find some of the best Disney attractions are the ones that facilitate ‘playing pretend’, even for adults.
Then there are the visuals and effects along the way. Sure, it stinks that the main Audio Animatronics is now a cross between Bumble and Disco Stu, but it’s still cool, and there are a lot of other neat effects and details along the way that make Expedition Everest come across as a roller coaster with culture.
6. Avatar Flight of Passage
Walt Disney World’s newest attraction is also likely to be the most controversial entry onto this list. Even I grappled with where, or if at all, to place Avatar Flight of Passage on this list. As you might’ve noticed, I used the words greatest and timeless above. My concern is that Flight of Passage may be lacking in these characteristics. This is not due to its use of Avatar, but rather the heavy reliance upon technology and visual effects that can become dated.
After giving it serious thought, I think Flight of Passage has enough in terms of the whole experience to make it worthy of a place on this list. The queue is fantastic–among the top 3 at Walt Disney World–and the layers of detail before you even arrive at the ride experience set the stage very well for what’s to come. Yeah, the pre-show is a complete mess, but it’s forgivable.
Then there’s the ride experience itself. It’s not compelling solely or even primarily due to the visuals. It’s a mix of an excellent ride system and sensory effects that blend together to immerse you into a film-based experience. Then there’s the film itself, which is beautiful, vivid, and well-paced. Perhaps that component won’t age well (I happen to think it will), but there’s an awe and majesty to the overall experience that, I think, will enable Flight of Passage to stand the test of time.
5. Pirates of the Caribbean
Someone is sure to object to Pirates of the Caribbean making this list with the argument, “it’s not as good as the Disneyland version!” Well, The Godfather: Part II is not as good as The Godfather, but that doesn’t mean it’s still not one of the greatest films of all-time. Same goes for Pirates of the Caribbean.
Regardless of its truncated duration, Magic Kingdom’s Pirates of the Caribbean is an all-time classic. The attraction transports guests to an era when pirates pillaged the Caribbean, putting guests in the midst of the action and misadventures.
Along the way, guests encounter gags and now-iconic depictions of caricatured pirates in a way that neither really glorifies or demonizes pirates. This has led to controversy and changes over the years, most recently today…
4. American Adventure
A lot of readers are probably going to be surprised to see this attraction on the list, and disagree with its high rank. American Adventure is an only-of-its-kind achievement that represents the best of the incredible Imagineering that went into bringing EPCOT Center to fruition, as such, it deserves a spot on the list.
Powered by an impressive “war wagon,” from the perspective of the sets alone, the American Adventure is basically the most complex Broadway-style show you’ve ever seen. Now add to that the fact that it utilizes Audio Animatronics rather than human actors to deliver its stage show of key moments in American history.
Then there’s the show itself, tactfully presenting moments from our American adventure that are poignant and engaging. American Adventure manages to do this in a way that churns through many ‘great moments’ in a logical and cohesive manner, and the culmination of this is a show that is, in the sage words of Sam the Eagle, Distinctly Patrioic. (And incredibly moving.) Alright, things get serious on Page 2, as we share the best of the best. The upper echelon, any of which could arguably claim the #1 slot in my opinion…
No to space mtn and American adventures.
i agrree live land yes
Disney figured it out. They give you an opportunity to hit up your favorite stuff without having to commit too much. If you set it up early enough you can probably hit 3 rides within 2 hours. And then after you use them then you can try to fast pass other stuff. Being organized is the key! Good luck,
Very good list!! Obviously, it’s all opinions, but I really like it!
I continually find that few lists include Star Tours, which puzzles me. Yes, the exterior could use a little work on some of the versions. The queue however, is incredibly detailed, exciting, and engaging with audio animatronics, mechanical systems, and other effects. I’d argue that the queue is almost on par with Tower of Terror. The ride itself is incredibly fun and unpredictable with variations. It has a great story and it engages people with the rebel spy as well.
Could someone explain why people don’t enjoy the attraction? Perhaps people don’t view motion simulators as good rides? Or perhaps because some people get sick?
For me , it’s what you said about motion simulators. I don’t value them as much as “physical” rides. Flight of Passage gets discounted for the same reason for me. It’s as good as a simulator can be (at this point), but if I could only do one I’d still rather ride Tower of Terror.
My top ten:
1. Splash Mountain
2. Pirates of the Caribbean
3. Tower of Terror
4. Expedition Everest
5. Flight of passage
6. Kilimanjaro Safari
7. Haunted Mansion
8. Finding Nemo the musical
9. Country bear jamboree
10. Big thunder Mountain
I think you need a list for thrill rides/roller coaster folks and a list for those who don’t like them, as I won’t or wouldn’t want to ride many on this list. My non-roller coaster top 10 is:
10. Astro Orbiter (pictures of the castle and nearby areas in and outisde the park are the best ever!)
9. People Mover (allows you to get great views of the park, a peek inside Space Mountain, and an overview of several other rides)
8. Carousel of Progress (while it could use diversity and an update, it’s an informative but fun way to learn some history and relax off your feet in the A/C).
7. Peter Pan (while short, the sensation of flying and the details telling the story are quite good)
6. Lion King show (it’s not a ride, but a feel good show, but so is American Adventure)
5. Living With the Land (constantly new plants and seasonal decorations)
4. Toy Story Midway Mania (theme plus competition & inter-activeness)
3. Soarin’ (though I liked the first film more than the second)
2. Spaceship Earth (though I wish they’d add more to it on the downhill side, it’s an amazing history lesson and feels very engaging)
1. Kilimanjaro Safaris (unbelievably feels like a real African safari)
No love for Soarin’ around here? 🙂
My Top 10, in no particular order. My guidelines are “If you didn’t go on these, you wasted a trip to WDW.” 😉
Expedition Everest
Haunted Mansion
Space Mountain
Flight of Passage
Splash Mountain
Soarin’
Spaceship Earth
Kilimanjaro Safari
Toy Story Midway Mania
Big Thunder Railroad
My top10 list
Expedition Everest
Haunted Mansion
Space Mounain
Avatar Flight of Passage
Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin
Soarin
Test Track
Kilamanjaro Safari
Toy Story Midway Mania
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
10. Haunted Mansion
9. Toy Story
8. 7D
7. Test Track
6. Big ThunderRailroad
5. Rockin’ rollercoaster
4. Expedition Everest
3. Splash Mountain
2. Space Mountain
1. Tower of Terror
Great list!!!
My top10 list
Expedition Everest
Haunted Mansion
Space Mounain
Avatar Flight of Passage
Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin
Soarin
Test Track
Kilamanjaro Safari
Toy Story Midway Mania
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Great list but it should be Buzz lightyear space ranger spin instead of splash mountain
Good choice for number one, Michelly!
Reading this, specifically about the details in the queues, raised an interesting question – how has Fastpass affected some of these rides. We went on our first trip in 8 years last year (first with kids too – little ones) and, for me, it was 15 years before that prior trip, so some memories of details of some rides were fuzzy at best before last year.
Since our children will be 5 and 3 at our upcoming August trip, Fastpass is particularly important in our planning for rides (plus I hate waiting in line – when I was a kid and lived in South Florida, we’d do day trips because my grandfather lived in Orlando, and would go in the fall when the parks used to be empty). Our last trip, we pretty much just made our goal to hit our Fastpass rides, and try to survive with them after that (4 & 2 years old at the time), adding in the 3-4 hour break to bus back to Caribbean each day for naps.
That was a long-winded way of saying that we’re primarily riding the major rides with Fastpass and not going through the same queue in some instances that everyone else is. It’s interesting to think about how this might affect a ride. For example, I have absolutely no idea what the main queue for 7 Dwarfs is like and how much detail it does or doesn’t have, since I went on it 3 times last year, but only through the Fastpass entrance. It’s been 9 years since I rode Everest, and I don’t remember the queue, but will we lose something going through Fastpass?
I don’t know if there’s enough difference in enough of the rides to justify an entire post on rides that are essentially changed through Fastpass, but it’s at least an intriguing thought – do we lose the essence of a ride by utilizing Fastpass and thus potentially missing much of the detail and story written into the ride?
I would love to know this as well – it’s been a few years for my family and I, who are visiting mid-August. By using the fast-pass option, what are we missing in the line-ups? Are there rides you wouldn’t recommend the fast pass on for that reason? I love the lead up to the ride as well, and would hate to miss something wonderful.
We rode Seven Dwarfs through the standby entrance for the first time this fall. It was during the Extra Extra Magic Hours, and we only waited 15 min, but the queue was GREAT. All the kids (14, 7, and 4) loved it–and it added a lot to the ride in my opinion. I wouldn’t wait 90 min to see it, but I’m really glad we had the chance to see it.
I’ll be in WDW Sept 17-21 – Will Splash Mountain be closed for maintenance? Do you have a page that shows what attractions will be open in Sept?
I love your site btw, thanks for all the great tips!
https://www.disneytouristblog.com/disney-world-refurbishments/
These are our (Martin and Jan Horning’s) top attractions and shows:
Top Three Attractions and Rides
3. Test Track
2. Toy Story Mania
1. Avatar – Flight of Passage
Top Three Shows – (We like music)
3. Frozen Sing-A-Long
2. Festival of the Lion King
1. Magic Kingdom’s New Fireworks – ‘Happily Every After’
I rode Splash Mountain (at Disneyland) for the first time and I just don’t get why people like it so much. Yeah it is a long ride and there is the novelty of a water based thrill ride, but I could not figure out what was going on. It was like an Audio-Animatronic filled hallucination.
I am taking my granddaughter (10yr) son and wife to Disney world in Oct…..although I am fairly mobile, is there any ride you would not recommend for a senior with walking limitations. Want to enjoy as much as possible just to enjoy her face will be a treat. Thanks for your response.
Hi Mary. I just wanted to give my feedback. My in-laws recently traveled with us to Walt Disney World to spend time with their granddaughter, who is 11. My father in law is missing a leg, so I wanted to speak to your comment about the walking limitations. There were only a few attractions that he skipped, but he was able to ride most things. I’ll list out what he missed and why, and you can make the choices for yourself. 🙂
1. Kali River Rapids (Animal Kingdom) & Splash Mountain (Magic Kingdom) – Very wet and he didn’t feel safe getting in and out of the raft/log.
2. Gorilla Falls & Pangani Trails (Animal Kingdom) – long walk with no quick ways back. Not a ride, just trails for animal viewing.
3. Tom Sawyer’s Island – uneven ground, rocky, swinging rope bridges
4. Swiss Family Robinson Tree House – LOTS of stairs.
I think that’s it! He was able to ride and experience everything else. I’m sure you’ll have a great time.
Hi Tom! Great list!! I was wondering are you going to do a list of top 10 rides at Disneyland resort, Tokyo Disney resort, and Disneyland Paris resort? Love these top tens and I hope you might do more soon! love you and Sarah’s blog by the way
In Tokyo Disney Sea, don’t miss a big Band Beat. It’s the best show of any Disney Park.
I would also say not to miss Journey to the Center of 5he Earth.
The Sinbad ride is great and never has a line.
Do spend time just soaking up the ambience, especially the Arabian area.
Splash Mountain is my #1 for all the reasons you’ve stated and the sheer joy it brings me each time I ride it. The WDW version is so much better than Disneyland’s (which can’t be said for many rides). Glad it made your top 3.
KCmike