Everything You Need to Know About the Scariest Rides at Walt Disney World
Time to put on a brave face! What are the scariest rides at Disney World? We’ve compiled the most thrilling attractions that our favourite park has to offer! Buckle up!
Walt Disney World is often associated with magic, wonder, and enchantment… but hidden within its gates lie some heart-pounding, spine-tingling attractions that are sure to leave even the bravest souls trembling. While the parks are renowned for their family-friendly entertainment, there are a handful of rides that cater to those seeking a bit more adrenaline-pumping adventure. So, if you’re ready to embrace the thrills and face your fears, join us as we delve into the most intense rides that Walt Disney World has to offer.
What Are the Scariest Rides at Disney World?
Are you a self-certified thrilled seeker? We’ve compiled the most exhilarating rides that WDW has to offer, and sectioned them off by park. Enjoy!
The Scariest Rides at Magic Kingdom
Tron (48 inches or taller)
The Tron Lightcycle Run ride originated at Shanghai Disneyland in China and is one of the newest ride at the Magic kingdom in Orlando.
It is an electrifying and immersive roller coaster experience that brings the futuristic world of Disney’s Tron franchise to life. The ride vehicles, modelled after the iconic lightcycles from the movies, are sleek and futuristic. The seats can be uncomfortable because you are seated forward – and while they accommodate most body shapes, they can be limiting for some people. There are some props for guests to try at the beginning of the queue, so that they can familiarize themselves with the vehicles.
Once aboard, riders are enveloped by the pulsating beats of an adrenaline-pumping soundtrack as they embark on a high-speed adventure through the cyber landscape. The ride reaches speeds of 59 miles (95 km) per hour.
The ride features cutting-edge technology, including innovative track designs and special effects that simulate the sensation of racing through the Grid. There are sharp turns, and the ride starts very fast and goes quite high. Guests are surrounded by stunning visual effects, including vibrant neon lights, but it can get disorienting for guests with motion sickness and/or dizziness. The ride is quite short though and lasts a little under 2 minutes.
One member of our team was brave enough to experience it in September 2023 – I will admit that I wasn’t. The ride can get very impressive from up close, it’s pretty high!
Space Mountain (44 inches or taller)
Space Mountain is a legendary indoor roller coaster attraction found at several Disney theme parks around the world, known for its futuristic theme and thrilling experience. It opened in Florida in 1975, so it has been around for a while. Riders board sleek, rocket-shaped vehicles (in Orlando, people are seated one behind the other). The ride takes place entirely indoors, in near darkness, enhancing the sensation of hurtling through space at high speeds. Twists, turns, drops, and sudden accelerations provide an exhilarating experience for guests.
Though the ride could be mild by today’s standards (28-30 miles per hour or 45-48 km per hour), the fact that it is in a pitch black environment definitely adds to the thrill. But other than that, it could be considered a “typical” roller coaster.
We have done it often, and we all lived. My kids also loved it (10 & 6 years old).
The Scariest Rides at Epcot
Guardians of the Galaxy, Cosmic rewind (42 inches or taller)
This is a storytelling coaster, which means it combines a traditional roller coaster experience with innovative storytelling elements. The ride features an original storyline that ties into the broader Marvel Cinematic Universe and the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise. Guests will embark on an adventure with Star-Lord, Gamora, Rocket Raccoon, Groot, and other characters from the films.
One of the key features of the ride is its rotating ride vehicles, which can turn to face different scenes throughout the experience. As cool as this sounds, people with motion sickness be warned: it can get pretty rocky. If you think you might get dizzy, we definitely recommend taking Bonine or Gravol ahead of time. Fair warning: we have heard of many guests claiming to feel queasy for the rest of the day after getting off the ride – but other guests swear by it/absolutely love it.
The ride can reach speeds of 60 miles (97 km) per hour.
I experienced this ride back in March 2024, when I was dragged against my will by my 6 year old son. I took about two Gravol and two Bonine pills about half an hour beforehand, and I do not regret taking them. The feeling is extremely difficult to put into words, but disorientation doesn’t even begin to describe it. The positive thing was that it was over quick, and I was proud of myself for doing it. The medication also helped me a lot in not feeling the effects too long afterwards, and being so mentally prepared made the ride a little more bearable. I did give a child Gravol to my son too, which also helped. Although I thought we were both going to die, he loved every minute of it.
Test track (40 inches or taller)
Test Track is themed around automotive design and testing, giving guests the experience of designing their own virtual concept car and then testing it on a simulated test track.
Once guests have designed their car, they board a six-passenger “SimCar” vehicle and begin the test phase. The ride takes guests through a series of tests, including handling, responsiveness, efficiency, and speed. Guests experience elements such as sharp turns, high-speed straightaways, and braking tests.
Test Track reaches speeds of up to 65 miles (approx. 105 km) per hour uring the outdoor portion of the ride, making it one of the fastest attractions at Walt Disney World Resort. But most people can get through it without a hitch.
Test Track is undergoing a revamp and is set to reopen in 2025, to a theme that will be a tribute to World of Motion, an opening day attraction at EPCOT Center in 1982 that was at the same location.
Hollywood Studios
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror (40 inches or taller)
So this is Lisa’s favourite ride of all times. I, myself, have done it only once and haven’t done it since. I swore to myself I would never again. So you can see that it always depends!
The attraction is themed around an abandoned Hollywood hotel called the Hollywood Tower Hotel, which mysteriously vanished one stormy night in 1939. Guests board “service elevators” that transport them to the mysterious Twilight Zone. The elevator ascends to the top of the hotel’s tower before plummeting down multiple randomized drop sequences. Each ride experience is different, adding an element of unpredictability and suspense.
A little known fact is that the ride vehicle is pulled downward by cables attached to a hoist mechanism, providing the sensation of acceleration and weightlessness as it descends rapidly, as opposed to just descending in free fall.
The ride is done beautifully, and guests will be impressed. But if you didn’t like the first drop, the few minutes it takes to get over the other, unpredictable ones can be verrrrrrrry long.
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster (48 inches or taller)
Though the attraction is set for a refurbishment in a near future, right now the ride is themed around the rock band Aerosmith, and guests are invited to join the band on a high-speed limousine ride to their next concert. The ride combines elements of rock music, Hollywood glamour, and adrenaline-pumping thrills.
The ride features high-speed launches, inversions, twists, and turns, all synchronized to a soundtrack of Aerosmith hits blaring from onboard speakers. The highlight of the ride is the launch from 0 to 60 (97 km) miles per hour in just a few seconds, giving riders an intense burst of acceleration.
This is the only roller coaster in all of Walt Disney World that goes upside down. It is very short though and lasts less than 2 minutes. I personally do not do the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, but I love this one.
Animal Kingdom
Expedition Everest (44 inches or taller)
Expedition Everest officially opened to the public on April 7, 2006. Interestingly, this is the last ride that Disney built based on a completely original concept, not based on a movie or franchise.
The attraction draws inspiration from the real-world adventure of exploring the Himalayan mountains, particularly Mount Everest, and incorporates elements of folklore and mythology surrounding the legendary Yeti creature.
Once aboard the ride vehicles, guests begin their ascent up the Forbidden Mountain. The coaster features a thrilling ride experience with twists, turns, drops, and encounters with the Yeti. One of the most thrilling moments of the ride occurs when the coaster train encounters a broken track, leading to a thrilling backward segment through darkened mountain caverns.
I was dragged on the ride by my two sons last holiday season, and I survived. I would even do it again! It is, however, very intense, and I admit I closed my eyes not to see the Yeti at the end. Both of my kids absolutely loved it.
The ride reaches 50 miles (80 km) per hour.
Dinosaur (40 inches or taller)
DINOSAUR is set in the fictional Dino Institute, a research facility dedicated to studying dinosaurs. Guests embark on a thrilling time-travel adventure to the Late Cretaceous period in search of a specific dinosaur specimen, the Iguanodon. The ride’s storyline is inspired by the Disney animated film “Dinosaur” (2000).
DINOSAUR utilizes a combination of ride vehicles, animatronics, practical effects, and projection technology to bring the prehistoric world to life. The attraction’s immersive environments and lifelike dinosaurs contribute to the sense of realism and excitement.
The ride system is the same as the ones being used for Indiana Jones Adventure in Disneyland California. There are some jerk movements but the scary aspect of this ride are how real the Dinosaurs look like, and how loud they are.
This is another ride that I personally have done once, and haven’t done again. It was so well done I genuinely thought they were out to get me! This ride is rumoured to be set for closing in the next year or so, so better hurry if you want the chance to ride it!
While Walt Disney World is primarily known for its family-friendly attractions, these spine-tingling rides prove that there’s something for everyone, including those seeking an adrenaline rush. So whether you’re plummeting into the Twilight Zone, racing through the Himalayas, or blasting off into space, be prepared to scream, laugh, and make memories that will last a lifetime. Just remember to hold on tight and enjoy the ride!
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