A vacation at Walt Disney World Resort does not have to be all about Dumbo and Tea Cups (although it can be). Disney also houses many wilder attractions for those seeking a rush. Here is a list of the more daring attractions in all four Theme Parks. Please note that some attractions not listed might be scary for younger Guests because of loud noises or dark parts; this list is for those seeking a more physical type of thrill.
The Mountain Trio: Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Splash Mountain
Space Mountain
- Ride Type: dark roller coaster
- Biggest drop: 26ft
- Height: 60ft
- Max Speed 27mph
- Height Requirement 44”
- The most thrilling aspect is that it is completely in the dark!
- Thrill factor: Medium-high
- FastPass+: YES

Outside view of Space Mountain
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
- Ride Type: roller coaster
- Max Speed 30mph
- Height Requirement 40”
- No serious drops
- Probably one of the most “tame” thrill rides on this list
- Thrill Factor: Low-Medium
- FastPass+: YES

Thunder Mountain by Justin Connors, Photographer
Splash Mountain
- Ride Type: log-flume dark ride with a big drop at the end
- Height Requirement 40”
- Drop 50ft at a 47 degree angle
- Max Speed 40mph
- The majority of this ride is slow and calm, but it is on this list because of the big drop at the end!
- Thrill Factor: Medium-High
- FastPass+: YES

Splash Mountain
Honorable Mention: Astro Orbiter
- Height Requirement: None
- Similar to Dumbo the Flying Elephant, but it is 80ft up. Riders also have to go up an elevator. Guests with a fear of heights or enclosed spaces will want to skip this attraction.
- Thrill Factor: Low
- FastPass+: NO
- Ride Type: rocket spinner

Astro Orbiter
Test Track
- Ride Type: slot car (car follows a slot in the track) in a vehicle test facility
- Height Requirement: 40”
- Drops: none
- Max Speed: culminates in a high speed drive of up to 65mph
- The biggest thrill is the high speed race around the track at the end!
- Thrill Factor: Medium
- FastPass+: YES
Soarin’
- Ride-type: flight simulator
- Height Requirement: 40”
- Attraction Height: 80ft (but riders are staggered over the screen so some are not that high)
- Max Speed: Although you do not actually move forward, the simulator makes you feel that you are going quite quickly at times)
- Thrill Factor: Medium-High
- FastPass+: YES

Soarin – Photo by Disney
Mission: SPACE (Orange)
- Ride Type: motion simulator into space
- Height Requirement: 44”
- G-force: 2.5g sustained (centrifugal spinning)
- There is a less intense green option that does not spin if the centrifugal spinning is not for you.
- Although the g-force is the most thrilling aspect of this attraction, those who suffer from a fear of enclosed dark spaces should reconsider riding this attraction.
- Thrill Factor: High
- FastPass+: YES

Mission: Space at Epcot
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
- Ride Type: accelerated drop tower dark ride
- Height Requirement: 40”
- Attraction Height: 199ft
- Drop Height: 13 story drop
- Max Speed: 30.7mph
- Each drop sequence is different! You never have the same ride twice!
- Thrill Factor: High
- FastPass+: YES

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
Star Tours
- Ride Type : motion simulator
- Height Requirement: 40”
- Because this is a motion simulator ride, there are no “real” drops or speeds, but it is quite the thrill! Like being in a high speed space chase (in 3D!)
- Thrill Factor: Medium
- FastPass+: YES

Star Tours Photo by Disney Parks
Rock-n-Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
- Ride Type: dark roller coaster
- Height Requirement: 48”
- Attraction Height: 80ft
- Drop Height: no significant drops, but it does have 3 inversions including a rollover and a corkscrew
- Max Speed: accelerates from 0 to 57 mph in 2.8 seconds
- Thrill Factor: High-Very High
- Fastpass+:YES
DINOSAUR
- Ride Type: dark ride enhanced motion vehicle
- Height Requirement: 40”
- Drop Height: no drops or inversions, but the ride is fast and bumpy and has a few animatronic dinosaur surprises!
- Thrill Factor: medium
- FastPass+: YES
Expedition Everest
- Ride Type: roller coaster (part dark ride)
- Height Requirement: 44”
- Attraction Height: 112ft
- Max speed: 50mph
- Drop Height: 80ft
- This attraction goes inside the mountain to a dark, loud yeti scene and also carries Guests backwards!
- Thrill Factor: high
- FastPass+: YES
Primeval Whirl
- Ride Type: spinning coaster
- Height Requirement: 48”
- Attraction Height: 43ft
- Max speed: 29mph
- Drop Height: some small dips and a lot of spins
- Thrill Factor: low-medium
- FastPass+: YES

Photo by Disney
Honorable Mention: Kali River Rapids
- Ride Type: family river raft ride
- Height Requirement: 38”
- Attraction Height: 43ft
- Drop Height: 30ft drop at the end
- Thrill Factor: low-medium
- FastPass+: YES

Photo by Disney
DIStracted Tip: If you are travelling with younger Guests who are not tall enough to ride the attraction, make sure to use the Rider Switch Service.
Happy riding!
Do you have any tips on how to convince a timid adult rider onto some of these scarier rides? That would be very helpful for my next Disney trip 🙂
Hi Nick,
Going through some of the video “ride-throughs” online can give a timid rider (adult or child) an idea of what to expect which may reduce anxiety. However, if a Guest does not wish to ride some of the more thrilling attractions, there are plenty of other options, which are just as fun! Many of the thrilling attractions have quicker “single rider” lines if you are the only daring one in your party! Have a magical vacation!