Report: These Are the Most Popular Rides at Disney

The competition between Disney attractions is fierce, with four Parks and two Water Parks sprawling over 27,520 acres of land. Fan favorites aren’t always the fastest and most thrilling—some die-hard Disney enthusiasts will brave sprawling queues for nostalgia.

Walt Disney World attractions like Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Jungle Cruise have gripped Disney fans since the early 70s. At the same time, more recent hits like Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind and Avatar Flight of Passage have earned high marks from any fans tall enough to ride them.

With ever-evolving Parks to meet today’s audiences while retaining the loyal fans from Disney’s beginnings, narrowing down the top rides is nearly impossible, but a recent study did just that. According to MagicGuides, as reported by WFTV, these are the most popular rides at Disney—and one of them isn’t even around anymore.

9. Star Tours

Built with the momentum of the artisan movie branch Star Wars peaking in popularity, the simulator ride Star Tours opened at the then MGM Studios in 1987. Holding firm in 2023, the classic Disney Park attraction still attracts droves of Disney Guests.

8. Big Thunder Mountain

Even older than Star Tours, Big Thunder Mountain chugged into Magic Kingdom Park in 1980. The iconic mountain is an emblem of Disney, and the zippy track makes it a perfect ride for the whole family. Maybe the sulfur smell ignites nostalgia, but this one is a classic for Disney fans.

7. Haunted Mansion

Inspiring two feature films—one headed to theaters July 28—Haunted Mansion is a ride to the other side that has spooked Disney Guests since 1971. One of the original Walt Disney World attractions, the spirited Doom Buggy ride that plants Easter eggs and iconic characters throughout it stands firm in Disney fans’ hearts.

6. Expedition Everest

Nearly 20 years old but more recently built than the previous attractions comparatively, Expedition Everest is a symbolic mountain in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Standing tall over Walt Disney World’s largest Park, the heart-pounding pursuit of the Yeti is a roaring favorite among fans.

5. Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

The newest ride on the list, Rise of the Resistance, landed in Hollywood Studios in 2019. With one of the most competitive queues at Walt Disney World, it’s hard for fans to resist the immersive experience in the middle of a battle between the Resistance and the First Order.

4. It’s a Small World

Who knew a leisurely boat ride with multicultural dolls would be a smash hit? This ride is quintessential Walt Disney, and fans have been flocking to it since its opening-day launch in 1971. The feel-good experience allows all family members to hop on board, and it continues cruising to the top of Disney fans’ lists.

3. Space Mountain

The oldest operating rollercoaster in Florida, Space Mountain’s hard launch happened in 1975. Another iconic marker of Walt Disney World and emblem of Tomorrowland in Magic Kingdom, the fan-favorite coaster still takes off as a certified Disney classic.

2. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

The creepiest elevator ride in history happens to be the Disney ride with the most mentions on Instagram, with 465,274 hashtags. Notably ridden by NFL superstar Tom Brady among other famous folks, the Hollywood Studios staple built in 1994 continues to spook Guests.

1. Splash Mountain

Speaking of spooky, a ghost ride topped the list conducted in the study. Despite vanishing from Walt Disney World on January 23, 2023, the log flume ride holds a top spot for Disney fans. The controversial attraction is being transformed into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, a continuation of the story from The Princess and the Frog (2009), which is set to open in 2024. In the meantime, Disney fans are clearly missing the old Mountain.

From Happy Haunts to the Ghost of a log flume ride, fans have spoken, and these are the top Disney rides in 2023.