10 Best Thrills at Walt Disney World

We all know Walt Disney World as a place for wonder, magic, and happiness. But what about thrills? While it may have more of a reputation for whimsy, Disney is actually the place to be when it comes to exhilarating roller coasters, action-packed water rides, and fast-paced fun! Read on for the eight best thrills to be found at the most magical place on Earth, and add them to your to-do list!

Splash Mountain

This watery log ride is a favorite among many Disney visitors—and for good reason! The first several minutes of the ride allow you to relax and take in a pleasant display of musical numbers and animatronics, all while you’re floating down a lazy river with your companions. However, the ride takes a dark turn, and you’ll soon find yourself getting goosebumps in anticipation as you ascend up a particularly steep incline—one that leads straight to a fast, splash-heavy drop!

If you’ve ever been in the Magic Kingdom’s Frontierland, you have almost certainly heard periodical screams; it’s a safe bet that they’re from this ride! Splash Mountain is thrilling without being too scary, and while it may be the kind of ride that gets your clothing soaked, it’s always fun. Give this ride a try at night, too, for a sweeping view of the park just before you plummet! 

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

If the screams you’ve been hearing as you explore the Magic Kingdom aren’t from Splash Mountain, they could also be from the roller coaster right next door. This ride, known as ‘Thunder Mountain’, takes you on a speedy ride through an arid desert landscape, complete with mining tunnels, swift turns, and bats! As usual, Disney has put incredible detail into everything, from the smallest sandstone to the rickety mining track. Whether you choose to enjoy this roller coaster during the day or at night—or both!—you’re in for an exhilarating time!

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster

There are roller coasters that go fast...and then there are ones that go very fast. Whether you’re a fan of the band Aerosmith or not, this ride (in which you’re accompanying the musical group on their ‘limo drive’) goes from 0 to 57 miles in less than three seconds! Experience a whirlwind of speed, sharp turns, and upside down loop-the-loops—all in the dark, with only the occasional fluorescent ‘city lights’ nearby. You may already know that you enjoy high-speed, gravity-defying rides…but you’ll absolutely love one in the dark! And if you’re a Disney-goer who typically balks at the heights involved with roller coasters, then that same darkness might also make the ride less scary for you and a lot more fun!