This listing ranks the perfect curler coasters at Walt Disney World, a number of of that are big-budget new additions which have opened inside the final decade. Because the high thrill rides are additionally the preferred sights in Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, and Hollywood Studios (and one of many highest wait occasions in Animal Kingdom), this could enable you decide the coasters to prioritize.
Truly, this isn’t only a listing of the highest rollercoasters at Walt Disney World. Since there aren’t 10 nice coasters at Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, DHS, and DAK mixed, we’ve expanded it to the perfect Disney Parks coasters in the whole world. Most of these (8 out of 10) are at Walt Disney World, in order that’s the place this listing is most helpful–however it additionally works at Disneyland (4 out of 10) and past.
There not being 10 nice curler coasters at Walt Disney World is perhaps a crimson flag, and that’s a worthwhile start line. We’ll be blunt: Walt Disney World is just not the place for thrill seekers. Don’t get us flawed–Walt Disney World is house to a couple world-class curler coasters and a few iconic, historically-significant ones. Nevertheless, you completely shouldn’t search out WDW–or any of the Disney Parks–as curler coaster locations.
Truthfully, it all the time surprises us once we hear from guests (typically in response to our rankings of all rides at Walt Disney World) who listing largely curler coasters as their favourite sights at Walt Disney World. There are a few causes for this. The primary is that, as talked about, Disney simply doesn’t excel at thrill rides. Its curler coasters are totally on the brief aspect and pretty tame by thrill-seeking requirements. You’re higher off at numerous different theme parks, together with Common Orlando!
Second, Walt Disney World fees premium pricing for its immersive themed design and extraordinary world-building. Of its sights, thrill rides are sometimes the least spectacular and what’s carried out higher by its rivals. Once more, there are some exceptions, however by and enormous, Disney doesn’t greatest the competitors in terms of curler coasters in the identical approach it does with darkish rides and different lavishly-designed sights.
To place it in blunt phrases: you’re much better off heading to a regional amusement park, like Six Flags or Cedar Level or Busch Gardens, in the event you’re excited by curler coasters. They do huge thrills higher than Disney, and often at a a lot decrease value!
This isn’t to say that Walt Disney World isn’t enjoyable for teenagers or adults who take pleasure in thrill rides. It positively may be! However thrill rides are merely one providing on the veritable buffet that’s Walt Disney World. In the event you’re a thrill-seeker who solely needs the curler coaster “dish,” then you must search out a kind of parks that prepares that greatest.
To that time, there are additionally quite a lot of different more-highly Imagineered sights that provide thrills. Rides like Avatar Flight of Passage, Soarin’ Across the World, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, DINOSAUR/Indiana Jones Journey, Tower of Terror/Mission Breakout, and Radiator Springs Racers all supply thrills as one part of highly-immersive sights that aren’t curler coasters. (And thus, additionally not ranked right here.)
One closing word on methodology earlier than we get going. This listing ranks the curler coasters primarily based totally on their high quality as curler coasters versus sights. Which is to say that commonplace standards are largely what’s thought-about: depth (and pleasure thereof–it can not simply punish riders), journey smoothness, number of components, originality, move and pacing, length/monitor size, and extra.
Accordingly, don’t be stunned to see divergence between this listing rating the curler coasters and our different attraction rankings. With that mentioned, we do take into consideration subjective elements to the extent that they add to or detract from the journey expertise. Thematics do come into play as a tiebreaker in a number of instances the place it’s too powerful to decide on which rides rank increased or decrease as coasters.
Let’s dig into the perfect curler coasters at Walt Disney World and past…
BONUS. Seven Dwarfs Mine Prepare — As an attraction, Seven Dwarfs Mine Prepare is top-tier. Its strengths are gorgeous present scenes, cool Audio-Animatronics, themed design, music, and novelty stage. There’s quite a bit to like in regards to the attraction, particularly when seen as a darkish journey with some gentle thrills and massive views of Fantasyland and Magic Kingdom as a complete.
Seven Dwarfs Mine Prepare might be probably the most “Disney” curler coaster in existence, which is to say it focuses on what Imagineering does greatest and the thrills take a backseat. Regardless of its recognition among the many common public, we’d argue that Seven Dwarfs Mine Prepare is underrated amongst Walt Disney World followers–it’s destined to turn into a contemporary basic.
All of because of this Seven Dwarfs Mine Prepare doesn’t actually ship as a curler coaster. The novelty of the swinging seats doesn’t do a lot and, if something, eases depth because the trains wind round turns. There’s one respectable drop, however many of the journey is about absorbing the surroundings.
Nevertheless, Seven Dwarfs Mine Prepare is a superb rite-of-passage curler coaster for babies (or thrill-averse adults) that runs circles round Barnstormer, and an attraction that I really like. I’d be remiss if I didn’t embody it, even when thrill seekers ought to look elsewhere–you’ll in all probability come away underwhelmed given the upper wait occasions.
10. Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster Starring Aerosmith — That is probably the most intense curler coaster at Walt Disney World, with a quick launch and the one one with an inversion. The thrills are all at midnight, there are backlight prop items, and the coaster is about to music by Aerosmith (for now), which provides to the enjoyable. It’s brief however satisfying, and a few would possibly say it helps ship a “Candy Emotion.”
Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster additionally has a enjoyable pre-show, queue, and loading space that assist make the expertise extra attention-grabbing and never merely a “fundamental” curler coaster. It straddles the road between an Imagineered attraction (scoring decrease on the general listing in consequence) and the type of curler coaster you can discover an amusement park.
Frankly, I believe that Rock ‘n’ Curler Coaster is overrated. This was Walt Disney World’s first actually intense curler coaster and followers have shaped nostalgia in consequence. Loop apart, there’s nothing all that novel about it, and the format is pretty middling. If RnRC opened in the present day, it wouldn’t be practically as beloved as it’s–followers would complain of its simplicity and brief length. To every their very own, however I don’t suppose it stands the take a look at of time like a number of the even older coasters increased up this listing.
9. Matterhorn Bobsleds – No Disney curler coaster is extra iconic than the Matterhorn Bobsleds. With two bobsled tracks (one on the Fantasyland aspect of the mountain and the opposite on the Tomorrowland aspect), this was the primary curler coaster in-built Disneyland and the primary tubular metal coaster anyplace on the earth.
It’s additionally the one entry on this listing with a connection to Walt Disney. Whereas visiting the set of Third Man on the Mountain in Zermatt, Switzerland in 1958, Walt turned fascinated with the height which towered over the ski village within the Swiss Alps. The alpine summit captivated Walt’s creativeness and impressed him to create his personal model, a scale mannequin in Disneyland. There are even archival images of Walt Disney using it throughout testing, and crashing into hay bales to decelerate the attraction. Hey, it was a unique time!
Hay bales have been ultimately changed with water, and the enduring “bobsled splashdown” is without doubt one of the most memorable moments of the Matterhorn Bobsleds. Earlier than that, the coaster twists and turns across the mountain, dashing via darkish caves, darting beneath icy precipices and previous waterfalls, and climbing 80 toes up into the mountain on a six-person bobsled. The nice monitor format, gorgeous views, and funky present scenes punctuated by temporary yeti encounters are all highlights of the Matterhorn.
The one drawback with this over 65 12 months previous attraction is that, as you possibly can think about, it’s now not clean. Each time I journey Matterhorn, it’s a painful expertise as a result of vibrating of the bobsleds on the monitor. The rickety ‘ole curler coaster makes me really feel like a rickety ‘ole geezer after I get off. But I preserve getting again on to relive nostalgia for bygone days. And so goes my love-hate relationship with Matterhorn, which I’ll by no means cease using, despite the fact that my physique is pleading with me to provide it up!
8. Slinky Canine Sprint — The crown jewel of Toy Story Land, which isn’t actually saying a ton. Slinky Canine Sprint delivers nice thrills, a pleasant monitor format, and scattered particulars. Despite the fact that unambitious, it’s enjoyable.
When judged as an attraction, Slinky Canine Sprint underwhelms. It has a relative lack of Imagineering, with a boring queue (that’s typically fairly lengthy), and little to see throughout the journey itself, and no present scenes—albeit a cute ending. It’s arguably probably the most simple curler coaster at any Disney park, with a threadbare story excuse for the uncovered monitor.
When judged as a curler coaster, opinions are certain to be extra combined on Slinky Canine Sprint. All of it depends upon expectations and acknowledging its standing as a rite-of-passage curler coaster. Personally, I believe it’s fairly good. There’s a gentle launch, gradual mini-top hat, and enjoyable bunny hills. Slinky Canine Sprint is extremely clean, providing nearly no airtime and solely the mildest of thrills. For the goal demographic of youngsters and non-coaster individuals, it’s a winner.
7. Expedition Everest — As an attraction, Expedition Everest takes a web page out of Massive Thunder Mountain Railroad’s playbook and improves upon it in nearly each conceivable approach. Expedition Everest incorporates a foreboding queue, unbelievable particulars, a believable plot, attention-grabbing journey automobiles, awe-inspiring ascent, and on-ride encounters with a (disco) yeti. Even with so many damaged results, Expedition Everest excels.
Expedition Everest is impressively enjoyable and was Walt Disney World’s most bold curler coaster till the previous couple of years. It’s pretty intense, that includes a brief drop adopted by banked turns earlier than reaching (spoiler alert) a dead-end that climaxes with an intense backwards 540 diploma helix, 80 foot drop into one other banked flip, earlier than one other 540 diploma helix–this time forwards.
Expedition Everest ranks excessive as each a curler coaster and an attraction from goal views. Subjectively, I’ve to confess that helixes aren’t my private jam, and I discover these sections to skew a bit an excessive amount of in direction of uncomfortable somewhat than thrilling. To every their very own, although. I felt in another way in my twenties!
5. Incredicoaster — Previously California Screamin, this curler coaster has been rebranded because the Incredicoaster, and props from the Incredibles have been scattered round its monitor. None of that is an improve in any approach in any way. If something, all of the Pixar junk alongside the way in which makes for a worse attraction and extra distracting curler coaster expertise.
The wonderful thing about Californian Screamin’ was that it didn’t have any pretenses about being something apart from a extremely enjoyable and satisfying curler coaster. It was a vibe, as the youngsters say, and felt distinctly Californian (albeit not distinctly Disney). Incredicoaster provides in storytelling pretenses, however does a horrible job with them.
As a curler coaster, it’s nonetheless unbelievable. There’s stable airtime over the hills, the drops are really-for-real thrilling (not simply “Disney thrills”), and the bunny hills are unbelievable. The loop can be an important, and the coaster’s house stretch is basically good. When judged solely as a thrill journey, this is without doubt one of the most satisfying curler coasters Disney has ever carried out. On a very good day, I really like doing Incredicoaster many times through the Single Rider line!
5. House Mountain – The place this curler coaster ranks in all probability varies primarily based on the model and your individual private preferences. Fairly frankly, I don’t see a lot daylight between the 3-7 entries on this listing (the case could possibly be made for any of them at #3, or at #7), so I’m simply placing the entire House Mountains at #5. My unpopular opinion is that Magic Kingdom’s House Mountain is best than Disneyland’s.
House Mountain at Walt Disney World options two tracks (with slight variations between Alpha and Omega) and single file seating–a bit just like the Matterhorn! In the meantime, House Mountain at Disneyland gives one monitor and practice automobiles that seat two riders side-by-side per row. That model is smoother, having been rebuilt within the final couple many years, and options with on-vehicle audio system blasting an unique synthesized sci-fi rating by Michael Giacchino.
Each variations are curler coasters at midnight of area with cool particulars, twists and turns, and drops. It’s a enjoyable and mildly thrilling journey, with the component of shock being House Mountain’s greatest asset. Like different entries on this listing, it additionally scores factors for historic significance. Tokyo Disneyland is within the technique of rebuilding its House Mountain, to open in 2027, and that curler coaster might be completely totally different. Maybe considerably much like the #1 entry on this listing.
4. TRON Lightcycle Run – The last word “want achievement” curler coaster. It doesn’t matter in the event you’re a fan of the movies, straddling the lightcycle and racing via the Grid is an expertise that might be etched in your reminiscence lengthy after the specifics of TRON Lightcycle Run–and most different rides you probably did on trip at Walt Disney World–fades away.
The punchy launch, music, visuals, pacing, and thrills are all high notch. Then launch is exhilarating, the indoor sequence is a ton of enjoyable with a ‘problem’ that makes the graceful curves really feel extra thrilling. The outside sequence beneath the cover–particularly at evening–coupled with the novelty of the lightcycle eating places is what makes the journey, each as a curler coaster and an Imagineered attraction.
TRON Lightcycle Run is just not intense or punishing as a curler coaster, however it’s immensely satisfying–to a level that it’s tough to correctly articulate. The most important draw back is length–you’re left wanting extra, and maybe not in a great way. Even one other 15 to twenty seconds would’ve carried out wonders (particularly when in comparison with #1 on this listing, which opened just one 12 months earlier).
TRON Lightcycle Run additionally provides a ton to Magic Kingdom. Merely standing beneath the Add Conduit cover gazing up and round at evening is an expertise that’s glorious for anybody who can’t journey. The distinctive nature of the journey plus the kinetic vitality of the cover and vibe it provides to Tomorrowland makes TRON Lightcycle Run a robust addition to the Walt Disney World journey roster and Magic Kingdom’s ambiance.
3. Massive Thunder Mountain Railroad – A visitor favourite to the purpose that Massive Thunder Mountain Railroad exists in 4 parks: Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Tokyo Disneyland, and Disneyland Paris. For these conserving rating at house, the one in France is much and away the perfect model, and probably the most distinctive of the bunch.
The commonality amongst all of them is that this rollercoaster is themed as a runaway mine practice on a journey via the barren panorama of the Outdated West, with enjoyable visible gags and storytelling alongside the way in which. Cling onto your hats and glasses, as a result of Massive Thunder Mountain Railroad is “the wildest journey within the wilderness!” It has chaotic twists and turns, hills, and could be very satisfying in each incarnation.
Massive Thunder Mountain Railroad could be very satisfying as each an attraction and a curler coaster. It additionally will get out of its personal approach from a storytelling perspective, with no exposition or a prolonged pre-show, and backstory that’s there to take or depart. Not as intense or progressive because the newer entries on this listing, Massive Thunder Mountain Railroad nonetheless holds up–it’s iconic and historically-significant for a motive.
2. Massive Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Automobiles – That is arguably and quietly Disney’s greatest curler coaster on the earth or high 2. Whereas all the things else on this listing has excessive hype in varied fan circles, Massive Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Automobiles stays a relative unknown. Consider it as Massive Thunder Mountain Railroad meets Expedition Everest with a slight sprint of Nation Bear Jamboree.
As a curler coaster, followers appear combined on Massive Grizzly. I can perceive why, because it’s smoother and fewer chaotic than Massive Thunder (it doesn’t whip you round because it’s “runaway” another way), however the reasonably robust launch, together with the (spoiler alert) backwards part that comes out of nowhere, and respectable pressure within the turns delivers precisely what I’m in search of.
That is one among my private favourite Disney’s sights for me anyplace on the earth, because of thrills, particulars, and lovable bears. It’s actually an instance of perfecting the little issues, from the outside facade (and surrounding gulch) to the queue to the monitor format. These endearing bears peppered within the journey are the icing on the cake. That is one other exemplar of an Imagineered curler coaster, combining thrills with theme.
Massive Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Automobiles would declare the #1 spot for me, however I’m unsure I’m being fully goal about it. The subsequent entry is unquestionably the #1 curler coaster at Walt Disney World, and possibly Disney’s objective-best curler coaster anyplace, so I’m giving it the nod.
1. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind – An extremely satisfying attraction from begin to end, with a queue and pre-shows that present depth, a few wow-moment results, hilarity & hijinks, and a compelling story set-up. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is the proper intersection of Imagineered attraction and thrilling curler coaster.
The curler coaster itself is satisfying in length and has unbelievable move and fluidity–because of the combo of the music and the movement, it feels a bit like dancing. The monitor gives super selection, from a memorable (spoiler alert) reverse launch to twists & turns, good hills, and temporary bits of airtime. It’s additionally ridiculously clean and that plus the managed spinning actually does make it really feel such as you’re dancing via area.
Above all else, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is simply flat-out, unbelievable enjoyable. It’s one among probably the most enjoyable sights in all of Walt Disney World and much and away the perfect curler coaster on steadiness. It hits the entire proper notes, and is only a continuous hoot from begin to end. Largely, that is owing to the Marvel characters, humor, and use of music. That is the #1 curler coaster at Walt Disney World, and by a reasonably huge margin.
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YOUR THOUGHTS
Which curler coasters at Walt Disney World are your favorites? Which do you suppose are overrated and skippable? What about underrated and to not be skipped? Suppose there are any old skool thrill rides which are superior to the shiny new ones? Do you agree or disagree with our listing? Any questions we might help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even while you disagree with us–is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!
