I'm a thrill rides kinda gal. Make me go fast, turn me upside down, spin me around, drop me 50 feet ... I'm good with all that.
I've been on all the roller coasters at Disney World, most of them more than once, and thought it would be fun to give my personal ranking of all of them.
7. Primeval Whirl
I almost forgot to include this in the list; not just because it barely seems to qualify as a roller coaster, but because it's such a strange ride I tend to forget it even exists at all.
Primeval Whirl is located in Animal Kingdom's DinoLand U.S.A, which to me is a bizarre, ill-conceived section of the park that not only doesn't seem to fit in Animal Kingdom, but doesn't seem to fit in Disney World, period. (Excepting the indoor ride Dinosaur, which IMO is an underrated ride with a fairly short line.)
Anyway, Primeval Whirl is a coaster with short dips and turns that has sudden, jarring stops that might possibly have you yelling, "Ow! @#@@!" throughout the entire ride.
I'd skip this one unless you a) feel the need to ride everything; and b) have a good chiropractor back home.
6. The Barnstormer
The Barnstormer is a kiddie coaster located in Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom, and your opinion of it will depend greatly on your expectations and understanding of what it is and isn't.
Honestly, this ride isn't good for much of anything except for giving a preschooler an early taste of a roller coaster. Which, to be fair, is exactly what it's purpose is. But be aware that is a very short ride -- in fact, after subtracting, loading, unloading, and ascending the initial hill, the riding time is less than 3o minutes.
If you have a young child that wants to ride it and the line is long, then sure, go it a go. Otherwise, this is definitely one to skip.
Related Post: Going to Disney World with Toddlers
5. Space Mountain
It feels wrong to rate Space Mountain so low on the list when it's such an iconic ride and the first-ever indoor roller coaster. But this is a subjective list, and I just don't care for it as much as the others. For one, it's so jerky that it's almost painful, and two, the whole "roller coaster in the dark" thing just feels unsettling to me. I like to know where I'm going, thank you very much.
Interestingly, I have heard that the Space Mountain in California's Disneyland is much smoother and an overall better attraction.
Related Post: Space Mountain Trivia and Fun Facts
4. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
This is another ride that you may need to adjust your expectations for -- not because it's bad, but because if you're expecting a wildly thrilling roller coaster that makes you shriek at the top of your lungs, you'll probably be disappointed. Likewise, if you've been standing in line for two hours and are expecting something that will absolutely blow you away, you might end up disappointed.
But on its own merits, this is a really great ride. The queue is beautiful and interactive and the inside of the mine in the middle of the ride and the visuals at the end are both well-done. And the coaster aspects are fun, just not terribly intense.
3. Rock n Roller Coaster
I almost put this at number two because I like it so much, but it definitely isn't for everyone and in a way doesn't seem like it "fits" in Disney World, which made me take it down a notch.
This is perhaps the most intense roller coaster in all of Disney World. It goes upside down and has corkscrews, not to mention the fact that the initial launch accelerates from 0 to 57 miles per hour in 2.8 seconds.
Couple that intensity with the Aerosmith music that is piped in, and let's just say that certain people who are married to me would hate this ride. But I love it.
Related Post: Rock n Roller Coaster Speed, Songs, G Force, and More
2. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
This is such a great ride that has good memories for our family. It was the ride that made my oldest daughter discover that she loved roller coasters and started calling herself "Roller Coaster Girl." It doesn't make my husband motion sick. It isn't a ride that the kids lost interest in when they became teenagers. I just love it.
1. Expedition Everest
Expedition Everest, located in the Asia section of Animal Kingdom, is not only my favorite coaster, but probably my favorite ride in all of Disney World. The queue is interesting and informative, the scenery from the top is amazing, and I love when it goes backward. Plus they have a single rider line to make your wait a little shorter.
I hope this article has helped you make the best decisions of which coasters to get Fastpasses reservations for and which ones to possibly skip on your next Disney vacation!
Jen Blaske
Disney Blogger and Atlanta Pianist for Weddings and Parties
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