The Ultimate Guide to Disney World Rides for Visitors of All Ages

March 23, 2023

Discover the most exciting and memorable rides for your family, no matter what age group they fall into. From classic attractions to thrilling roller coasters, our ultimate guide to Disney World rides will help you navigate the park and make the most of your visit.

Some of the factors that we’ll take into consideration include:

Ride intensity: We’ll highlight the rides that are the least intense and most appropriate for younger visitors, as well as those that offer more thrills for older visitors.
Height restrictions: We’ll note which rides have height restrictions and what they are, so you can plan your visit accordingly.
Popularity: We’ll take into account which rides are the most popular and likely to have long wait times, so you can plan ahead and make the most of your time at the park.

Our guide will also provide helpful tips for each age group, such as the best time of day to ride, or how to get the most out of each experience. We’ll also consider any specific considerations or factors that you would like us to keep in mind when suggesting rides for each age group, such as accessibility or safety concerns.

So whether you’re traveling with young children or teenagers, you’ll find plenty of rides to enjoy at Disney World. And with our guide, you’ll be able to plan your visit with confidence, knowing that you’ll be making the most of your time at the park.

Best Rides for Toddlers (Ages 1-3)

If you’re traveling to Disney World with young children, you’ll want to make sure that they have a fun and memorable experience, without getting overwhelmed by intense rides. Here are the top 5 rides for toddlers:

It’s a Small World: This classic attraction takes visitors on a gentle boat ride through different regions of the world, featuring colorful animatronic dolls and the iconic “It’s a Small World” song. This ride has no height restrictions and is perfect for toddlers.
Dumbo the Flying Elephant: This ride allows visitors to ride in Dumbo’s famous flying elephant vehicle and go up and down while spinning around. This ride has a height requirement of 36 inches or taller, so it may not be suitable for very young toddlers.
Prince Charming Regal Carrousel: This classic carousel ride features ornately decorated horses and other animals, and is a must-visit for young children. This ride has no height restrictions and is perfect for toddlers.
Peter Pan’s Flight: This ride takes visitors on a gentle boat ride through scenes from the classic Peter Pan story, featuring colorful animatronic characters and special effects. This ride has a height requirement of 35 inches or taller.
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh: This ride takes visitors on a gentle journey through the Hundred Acre Wood, featuring colorful scenes and characters from the beloved Winnie the Pooh stories. This ride has no height restrictions and is perfect for toddlers.

When visiting Disney World with toddlers, it’s important to take breaks and let them rest and recharge throughout the day. You may also want to consider renting a stroller to help them navigate the park.

Let’s continue with our Ultimate Guide to Disney World Rides. Next up, let’s look at the best rides for young children (ages 4-8).

Best Rides for Young Children (Ages 4-8)

If you’re visiting Disney World with young children, you’ll want to make sure that they have plenty of fun and excitement without being overwhelmed by intense rides. Here are the top 5 rides for young children:

Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin: This ride takes visitors on a space adventure with Buzz Lightyear, where they use laser guns to shoot at targets and earn points. This ride has no height restrictions and is perfect for young children.
The Magic Carpets of Aladdin: This ride allows visitors to ride on a flying carpet and go up and down while spinning around. This ride has a height requirement of 35 inches or taller.
Jungle Cruise: This ride takes visitors on a boat tour through different regions of the world, featuring animatronic animals and humorous commentary from the tour guide. This ride has no height restrictions and is perfect for young children.
Pirates of the Caribbean: This classic ride takes visitors on a boat tour through pirate-infested waters, featuring colorful scenes and characters from the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. This ride has no height restrictions and is perfect for young children.
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train: This roller coaster ride takes visitors on a journey through the Seven Dwarfs’ mine, featuring twists, turns, and interactive scenes from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. This ride has a height requirement of 38 inches or taller.

When visiting Disney World with young children, it’s important to take frequent breaks and let them rest and recharge throughout the day. You may also want to consider bringing snacks and water to keep them fueled and hydrated.

Next up, let’s look at the best rides for tweens (ages 9-12).

Best Rides for Tweens (Ages 9-12)

Tweens are at an age where they’re ready for more thrilling rides and experiences, but may not be quite ready for the most intense attractions. Here are the top 5 rides for tweens:

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. This roller coaster ride takes visitors on a wild ride through a gold-mining town, featuring twists, turns, and drops. This ride has a height requirement of 40 inches or taller.
Haunted Mansion. This classic ride takes visitors on a spooky tour of a haunted mansion, featuring creepy scenes and special effects. This ride has no height restrictions and is perfect for tweens.
Space Mountain. This indoor roller coaster takes visitors on a thrilling journey through space, featuring high speeds and sharp turns. This ride has a height requirement of 44 inches or taller.
Splash Mountain (Soon to be Tiana’s Bayou Adventure). This log flume ride takes visitors on a journey through the Briar Patch, featuring drops and splashes. This ride has a height requirement of 40 inches or taller.
Soarin’. This simulator ride takes visitors on a virtual hang gliding tour of different regions of the world, featuring stunning views and special effects. This ride has a height requirement of 40 inches or taller.

When visiting Disney World with tweens, it’s important to take breaks and let them rest and recharge throughout the day. You may also want to consider using Genie+ to skip the lines for popular rides. Let’s move on to our next age group for the Ultimate Guide to Disney World Rides

Next up, let’s look at the best rides for teenagers (ages 13-17).

Best Rides for Teenagers (Ages 13-17)

Teenagers are looking for more intense and thrilling rides and experiences, and Disney World has plenty of options to choose from. Here are the top 5 rides for teenagers:

Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain. This roller coaster ride takes visitors on a journey through the Himalayas, featuring twists, turns, and drops. This ride has a height requirement of 44 inches or taller.
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith. This indoor roller coaster takes visitors on a high-speed ride through Los Angeles, featuring inversions and rock music. This ride has a height requirement of 48 inches or taller.
Tower of Terror. This drop tower ride takes visitors on a journey through the Twilight Zone, featuring drops and special effects. This ride has a height requirement of 40 inches or taller.
Avatar Flight of Passage. This simulator ride takes visitors on a virtual ride through the world of Pandora, featuring stunning 3D visuals and immersive effects. This ride has a height requirement of 44 inches or taller.
Test Track. This ride takes visitors on a journey through the world of automotive design, featuring speed tests and special effects. This ride has a height requirement of 40 inches or taller.

When visiting Disney World with teenagers, it’s important to let them have some independence and make their own choices about which rides they want to experience. You may also want to consider using the single rider line for some rides to cut down on wait times.

Next up, let’s look at the best rides for adults (ages 18+).

Best Rides for Adults (Ages 18+)

Disney World isn’t just for kids! There are plenty of attractions that are perfect for adults looking for a fun and exciting experience. Here are the top 5 rides for adults:

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. This immersive ride takes visitors on a journey through the world of Star Wars, featuring stunning visuals and special effects. This ride has a height requirement of 40 inches or taller.
Slinky Dog Dash. This roller coaster ride takes visitors on a journey through Andy’s backyard, featuring twists, turns, and drops. This ride has a height requirement of 38 inches or taller.
Soarin’ Around the World. This simulator ride takes visitors on a virtual hang gliding tour of different regions of the world, featuring stunning views and special effects. This ride has a height requirement of 40 inches or taller.
Avatar Flight of Passage. This simulator ride takes visitors on a virtual ride through the world of Pandora, featuring stunning 3D visuals and immersive effects. This ride has a height requirement of 44 inches or taller.
Spaceship Earth. This classic ride takes visitors on a journey through the history of human communication, featuring interactive scenes and special effects. This ride has no height restrictions and is perfect for adults.

When visiting Disney World as an adult, it’s important to take breaks and rest and recharge throughout the day. You may also want to explore some of the park’s restaurants and bars for a more adult-friendly experience.

That concludes our guide to the best rides for different age groups at Disney World. With this information in hand, you can plan your visit with confidence. Know that everyone in your group will have a fun and memorable experience. We hope you enjoyed our Ultimate Guide to Disney World Rides.

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