Prior to our first trip to Disney World some time ago, we did wonder if our then smaller children would be able to enjoy some of the attractions without getting too scared. They certainly wanted to experience pretty much everything at Walt Disney World but it was always in the back of our minds if they would be OK on some of the bigger rides. We were discussing this again recently and wondered if other parents or even adults were a little uncertain of some of the rides at Disney parks so I have decided to rank the scariest rides at Disney World.
What Makes Certain Rides at Disney World Scary?
Well this all depends on the rider and their own fears. There are several things that can scare people such as:
- Enclosed spaces
- Height
- Speed
- Movement that can cause dizziness
- The dark
- Jump scares
Of course, all the above can scare adults and children alike. Children especially if they are younger can get scared by many things. Prior going to Disney World when my Son was very small, he didn’t like meeting characters where as my daughter loved it. Fortunately, over time and following the lead from their mum and dad both our children will now pretty much ride any attraction and I have to admit are braver than me.
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- Rock n Roller Coaster at Hollywood Studios
So How Will I Rank Scariest Rides at Disney World?
I am going to base the scariness of an attraction on my own experience and reactions. Some Disney World Rides you can get quite comfortable with after a few goes and certain other ones still have an element of surprise to them but I will go into that later on in the article. I will also try my best to consider the suitability for younger riders who may react differently to adults.
My 14 Scariest Rides at Disney World!
So here are my scariest rides at Disney World of which I will pick one as the Next Stop WDW scariest Walt Disney World Ride. Lets dive into the Scary Rides at Disney World.
14. Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run (Hollywood Studios)
Smuggler’s Run isn’t too scary but during the ride you do get thrown around in the cockpit quite a bit. For most Disney World Guests they should be fine but if you don’t like fairly dark enclosed spaces the ride may not be for you. For that reason Millennium Falcon Smugglers Run makes number 12 on my list.
13. Star Tours (Hollywood Studios)
Star Tours is a simulator ride and although you are strapped into your seat you do feel like you are getting thrown around quite a bit (similar to Smuggler’s Run but more). There is a lot going on during the ride to probably distract anyone who might be a little bit fearful of the attraction but the movement and if the child riding is unfamiliar with the Star Wars Universe (shocking parenting if this is the case) they might find it scary. Star Tours can affect you too if you do suffer from motion sickness. The scariest thing about the ride though is probably the movement and simulated motion.
12. Splash Mountain (Magic Kingdom)
Splash Mountain is a really fun and entertaining water ride. There are a few small drops throughout the ride however the biggest drop comes towards the end of the ride. There is a slow build up to the drop and it is high and steep. If anyone in your party doesn’t like heights then they might struggle with final big drop. Having said that it is a fast drop that is over very quickly so you can close your eyes and basically it is over. Of course you could be a lot wetter though.
11. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (Magic Kingdom)
As an adult Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is a really fun roller coaster. Possibly for younger children it maybe a little scary if they haven’t been on a similar ride before. I think this all really depends on what kind of attractions the adult or child in question has experienced before. Big Thunder Mountain isn’t too intimidating and I would say most children tall enough for the ride should be fine. There are a few moments where you feel like you are coming out of your seat which you could find scary.
10. The Haunted Mansion (Magic Kingdom)
The Haunted Mansion is when it comes down to it a Ghost Train (a very good one too). There are of course super natural elements and the whole purpose of the ride is to be spooky. Some of the ghosts banging on doors and the general theming and narration though could easily scare a young child or anyone who might be a little nervous. It can be dark at times to as you would expect.
9. Pirates of the Caribbean (Magic Kingdom)
Similar to the haunted Mansion the general theme of the ride especially early on with the low light, spooky atmosphere and skeletons could upset a younger and more sensitive guests. There is also a small drop too which may catch you by surprise if you have never been on the ride before. Once you get into the ride though and past the early elements most guests should be fine.
8. Soarin’ (Epcot)
The actual ride experience might scare younger children as you really do get a sensation of flight as you are lifted up in your glider. This is especially the case if you are seated higher up during the ride. Although you are very secure in the ride it doesn’t exactly feel that way which I think is more to do with having your feet dangling free and the sensation the attraction creates, which of course is what it is trying to do as you are Soarin’ around the world.
7. Avatar Flight of Passage (Animal Kingdom)
Flight of Passage makes it this high on my list because the feel of flight on this ride is more intense than any of the previous simulation rides I have mention. This is a modern ride using the latest technology so you do get more of an immersive experience than you do in Soarin’. If you do suffer from motion sickness Flight of Passage might make you feel a little disorientated when you come off as it does that to me. It is a fantastic ride though.
6. Mission: SPACE (Epcot)
I suffer from motion sickness, not extremely bad but some rides get me more than others and if I ride a lot of rides of a certain type I can suffer a bit. The worst I have suffered has been at Universal Studios where there are so many screen based rides and I have to admit the Simpsons Ride there pushed me over the edge and made me feel really bad. Long before this it was the Epcot ride Mission: SPACE and specifically the Orange (more intense version of the ride) mission.
If you suffer from motion sickness then this may not be the ride for you. But another aspect that can make this ride intimidating and scary is the very enclosed ride vehicle. If you do not like enclosed spaces then this ride is definitely intimidating. The ride vehicle is a simulator and you are strapped in with nowhere to go whilst you take your shuttle to space with your party. The vehicle is very enclosed so do be aware of this if you haven’t been on it before. Mission: SPACE makes the list for the enclosed dark ride vehicle and the way it can make some feel afterwards especially the orange mission. You do experience some G force with the orange mission in comparison to the green mission where I have never had any problems at all.
With regards to kids then Mission Space could be quite scary depending on their temperament. If they are ok with small enclosed dark spaces then the thrill of piloting a space shuttle will probably be distracting enough for them. My advice would be to try the green mission first and see how you fare.
If you want some more information on Mission: SPACE and all the other Epcot rides try this article.
5. Space Mountain (Magic Kingdom)
Space Mountain is a roller coaster. It is in the dark, it is fast, a bit bumpy and lots of twist and turns as well as drops. You really don’t know where you are going which can be fun but can also be scary. At times you feel like the ride vehicle has come of the tracks briefly which again is a thrill but might scare any less experienced roller coaster riders and the fact it is in the dark really does create a sense of anticipation. Space Mountain is probably the scariest ride in Magic Kingdom as well as one of the most popular rides and that is why it makes my list.
For children that are tall enough to get on the ride do be aware that they will be sat on their own in the ride vehicle. Space Mountain ride vehicles consists of three seats in a row so you won’t be able to sit next to your little ones to offer any reassurances. During the ride you can’t see anything so it is just a case of either holding on or waving your arms around in enjoyment so you won’t know how your other riders are doing until the end of the ride.
You find out more about all the ride restrictions at Walt Disney World here.
4. Expedition Everest (Animal Kingdom)
Now I must admit Expedition Everest is one of my favourite Disney World Rides, it is fantastic. The ride to the top of the mountain can be a bit daunting if you don’t like heights (although the views are great), part of the ride you go backwards in the dark and the big drop towards the end is steep. This is a proper thrill ride, it is fast and can be scary hurtling backwards in the dark before you get to the Yeti. The beginning of the ride isn’t too bad but it does build up the intensity whilst you ascend and then descend the famous mountain.
I have to admit Expedition Everest really scared our daughter the first time she rode it. The wait time wasn’t very long and we had fast passes also coming up for it so when we used them we went in pairs and our son rode twice using the our daughters magic band the second time so he actually got to ride it three times. This one can really be scary for children.
3. Dinosaur (Animal Kingdom)
Dinosaur is a dark ride using the lighting to great effect to make the animatronic dinosaurs that bit more intimidating. The time rover vehicle really does throw you around as you explore the landscape looking to rescue the Iguanodon. The Carnotaurus dinosaurs are scary and I would say especially so for younger children. I would say that Dinosaur is the scariest Dark Ride at Walt Disney World.
You can ride together as a party of four which can be reassuring for younger children. Again if any child or other party member gets anxious in the dark though do be prepared. As I mentioned above the Carnotaurus dinosaurs are quite scary including the one towards the end of the ride. I wouldn’t recommend this attraction if you do have more sensitive children.
2. Rock n Roller Coaster (Hollywood Studios)
Rock n Roller Coaster is fast from the get go, it has inversions and it is a genuine thrill ride. If you aren’t fond of Roller Coasters but enjoy the more family friendly versions such as Seven Dwarfs Mine Train don’t expect an easy ride on this attraction. This is a launch coaster which before you know it you are off and most probably upside down. Like most of the other rides on this list the ride is dark with glow in the dark signs to give you some idea of what is going on.
If you have children that are just tall enough to ride the attraction make sure they know what to expect. Again my daughter was not a fan of this attraction and even now rides it with her eyes closed. If you are unsure try Big Thunder Mountain or even Space Mountain first before Rock n Roller Coaster.
You can find out my best Disney World Roller Coasters in this article.
1. Twilight Zone Tower of Terror (Hollywood Studios)
I don’t like drop rides and the only reason I am happy to ride this attraction is because you are enclosed in the ride vehicle. The backstory to Tower of Terror is told very well from the introduction video after the lobby right up to during the ride itself. Yes it is spooky and the last part of the ride experience is dark and you never know how many drops and rises you are going to get which can make the ride quite scary.
I have found that Tower of Terror is one of the few rides that really gets you on your first ride during your Disney World vacation. You have been away for probably a year or so (maybe more) and during that first Tower of Terror ride of your vacation the anticipation, theme and the ride itself can scare you. The great thing about Tower of Terror is that you think you have conquered it and it gets you again with a really long spell in the lift shaft!
Twilight Zone Tower of Terror Tops My Scariest Rides at Disney World List
You never quite know what you are going to get with this ride. Sometimes the ride seems to go on for ages with lots of drops and rises. You don’t know if you are going to drop again or shoot up and drop again which is a thrill if you enjoy the ride. other times the ride can seem to be over quickly (I’m not sure if this is when it is busier in the park) so you really never know what you are going to experience.
The theming of the attraction is very good and the last part of the line in the plant room works really well along with the better cast members who really get into character when loading you into the elevator ride vehicle. This works really well in creating an atmosphere and building on the back story of the ride.
When you put these elements together with the height of the ride and the brief views you can get of Hollywood Studios this in my opinion is the scariest ride at Walt Disney World. You really do get the most thrills from this ride as you never know from ride to ride quite what your experience will be like.
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Please don’t be too concerned about the scariest rides at Disney World. I can ensure you that you will enjoy pretty much all of them. There is only one attraction I won’t ride and that is the Orange Mission which is the more intense version of Mission: SPACE at Epcot and that is because it makes me feel a little ill because I suffer from motion sickness. You will have so much fun throughout all the Disney World Parks but if you are a little sensitive or don’t like particular styles of rides then do be aware of the attractions I have highlighted above. Most importantly have lots of fun (you will anyway).
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Thanks for stopping by.
Darren
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