11 Fastest Rides at Disney World 2024: Speed Demons
Are you ready for the wildest and most thrilling rides at Disney World?
Hold on tight, because we are about to plunge into the world of dizzyingly fast thrills!
Think you know the fastest rides at Disney World?
Key Takeaways:
Think again, because as an annual pass holder who’s been to the park many times over the years, I’ve ridden them all—multiple times! Read on to find out which rides will truly make your heart race!
Fastest Rides at Disney World
1. Test Track – 65 mph
This high-speed ride takes guests through a series of curves, bumps and banked turns reaching speeds up to 65 mph!
If you’re looking for a thrill ride at Epcot, Test Track is a good option.
Start by ‘customizing your own car’. Then, board your convertible car with a few other groups.
Your car’s customizations are put through various testing scenarios culminating in the speed test at the end of the ride.
Here, your car’s speed is put to the max as you take a lap reaching up to 65 mph around the speedway.
I’m not going to lie – my stomach does cartwheels as we’re approaching the high speed. Highly suggest not eating before going on this attraction.
Height Requirement: 40″
Theme Park: Epcot
Genie+ attraction: Yes
Individual Lightning Lane: No
Single Rider Line: Yes
2. Guardians of the Galaxy – Cosmic Rewind – 60 mph
The Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind ride is one of the newest and most popular rides at Epcot.
The ride is a spin on the classic teacup ride, but with a galactic twist.
Riders are spun around while they watch scenes from the movie Guardians of the Galaxy on screens surrounding them. This exciting ride reaches speeds up to 60 miles per hour and is one of the fastest rides at Epcot.
Height Requirement: 42″
Theme Park: Epcot
Genie+ attraction: No
Individual Lightning Lane: Yes (plus a virtual queue)
Single Rider Line: No
3. Tron Lightcycle Power Run – 59 mph
Hop onto a sleek, motorcycle-like seat and grab onto the handlebars!
Riding Tron Lightcycle is like being thrust into a high-speed chase in a digital world.
The coaster blends the excitement of a physical roller coaster with the mind-bending visuals of a video game.
The loops, turns, and drops are perfectly synchronized with bursts of lights and sound. It’s a sensory overload but in the best way possible!
Disney World’s newest roller coaster speeds through the galaxy at speeds of 59 mph. But, it is smooth!
My daughter was so nervous before her first ride but came off it saying it was like nothing she’d experienced before. She was breathless and smiling and all the great things you want to be at Disney World!
Tron has the tallest height requirement of any Disney World ride at 48″. Prone to motion sickness? Maybe you better sit this one out.
➡️ Tip: Nighttime is amazing on this ride due to the neon lights coming alive in a whole different way. The ride is transformed into a glowing wonderland that you simply can’t experience during the daylight hours. The LED-lit tracks and tunnels become even more mesmerizing, as the darkness of the night intensifies the color contrasts. Definitely try to do Tron at night, if you can.
Height Requirement: 48″
Theme Park: Magic Kingdom
Genie+ attraction: No
Individual Lightning Lane: Yes (plus a virtual queue)
Single Rider Line: No
4. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith – 57 mph
The Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith at Hollywood Studios is an exhilarating thrill ride that will have you screaming for more!
This iconic coaster launches guests from 0 to 57 mph in less than three seconds, creating a powerful G-force as you twist and turn through the dark streets of Los Angeles.
Ride with Aerosmith to a rockin’ soundtrack, featuring some of the band’s most popular songs. Come sing along at one of Hollywood Studio’s fastest attractions.
Height Requirement: 48″
Theme Park: Hollywood Studios
Genie+ attraction: Yes
Individual Lightning Lane: No
Single Rider Line: Yes
5. Expedition Everest – 50 mph
Next on the list is Expedition Everest at Animal Kingdom.
This thrilling coaster takes riders up an icy mountain in search of the legendary Yeti.
The 50 mph ride features several sharp turns and sudden drops, creating an exciting experience for thrill seekers.
In addition, once you reach the top of the ‘mountain’, the track suddenly ends!
You then plunge backwards down the hill in complete darkness while winding down the mountainside.
This is not for the faint of heart. Best ready for one of the wildest rides. My daughter conned me into going on this with her by saying that Space Mountain is worse. So, I rode it. Once.
Height Requirement: 44″
Theme Park: Animal Kingdom
Genie+ attraction: Yes
Individual Lightning Lane: No
Single Rider Line: Yes
6. Splash Mountain – 40 mph
Splash Mountain is one of the most popular attractions at Disney World and one of the most iconic Disney World rides.
It’s a log flume ride that takes you on a journey through the Briar Patch, where you encounter Br’er Rabbit and his friends. The attraction is based on the 1946 animated film Song of the South.
As you make your way through the ride, you’ll be treated to some of the film’s most beloved songs, such as “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah.”
At the end of the journey, you’ll take a five-story plunge racing at almost 40 mph in your log flume and splash into a pool at the bottom.
Come take a plunge and make some memories at Splash Mountain!
➡️ Note: Splash Mountain at Disney World closed for refurbishment on January 23rd, 2023. It will be reconfigured into Tiana’s Bayou but is not expected to open until the end of 2024.
Height Requirement: 40″
Theme Park: Magic Kingdom – Adventureland
Genie+ attraction: Yes
Individual Lightning Lane: No
Single Rider Line: No
7. Slinky Dog Dash – 40 mph
One of the most popular attractions and the best use of your 7 am Genie+ selection at Hollywood Studios is Slinky Dog Dash.
Slinky Dog Dash is a 40 mph roller coaster that goes through Andy’s backyard from Toy Story. The ride is thrilling for all ages and has been a favorite since it opened in 2018.
Do not let the looks of this ride convince you this is a children’s roller coaster. Trust me, adults will get quite a thrill out of this ride as well.
Slinky Dog Dash consistently has long lines that wrap around outside the coaster.
Height Requirement: 38″
Theme Park: Hollywood Studios – Toy Story Land
Genie+ attraction: Yes
Individual Lightning Lane: No
Single Rider Line: No
8. Twilight Zone Tower of Terror – 39 mph
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is a thrill ride at Disney’s Hollywood Studios based on the popular television series The Twilight Zone.
Riders board a haunted elevator and are taken to the top of a tower, only to plummet 13 stories down at 39 mph. Along the way, experience unexpected drops and twists, as well as eerie special effects.
The ride is a favorite among thrill seekers and fans of The Twilight Zone alike.
Tower of Terror offers an unforgettable experience that every visitor to Disney’s Hollywood Studios should try (at least once)!
Height Requirement: 40″
Theme Park: Hollywood Studios
Genie+ attraction: Yes
Individual Lightning Lane: No
Single Rider Line: No
9. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad – 36 mph
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is a mine train roller coaster located in Frontierland at the Magic Kingdom theme park.
The attraction simulates a runaway mine train at 36 mph on a track with wild twists and turns, while passing through scenes of the old American Southwest.
The ride is one of Disney’s most popular attractions, usually having wait times in excess of an hour during peak hours.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is one of Disney’s most popular attractions for families with young children. The ride has been praised for its theming, use of special effects, and thrilling yet family-friendly ride experience.
Although the ride is not as fast or intense as some of the other roller coasters at Disney parks, it still offers a unique and enjoyable experience for all ages.
In fact, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is one of my favorite rides throughout all the Disney World Resort. Using Genie+ is definitely worth it on this ride – if you choose to purchase this add-on.
Height Requirement: 40″
Theme Park: Magic Kingdom – Adventureland
Genie+ attraction: Yes
Individual Lightning Lane: No
Single Rider Line: No
10. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train – 34 mph
The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is a smooth ride, family-friendly coaster taking riders through the cartoonish gem mine, filled with sparkling gems and playful critters.
As the train moves along its track, you can hear the chipper songs of the seven dwarfs as they echo throughout the caverns.
This thrilling adventure is sure to be a hit among all ages, as it’s filled with unexpected thrills and turns along the way. So get ready to scream, laugh, and sing along with the dwarfs.
At 34 mph, the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is one of the smoothest roller coasters at Disney World. Younger children will love this ride as one of their first big coasters.
Height Requirement: 38″
Theme Park: Magic Kingdom – Fantasyland
Genie+ attraction: No
Individual Lightning Lane: Yes
Single Rider Line: No
11. Space Mountain – 27 mph
This indoor, space-themed coaster takes guests through a series of small drops, curves and turns that are accompanied by a classic soundtrack and complete darkness.
People often ask if Space Mountain is scary. At 27 mph, this is the slowest of the intense rides at Disney World. However, don’t let that deter you from this ride.
Because of the intense darkness and fans blowing wind in your face, you definitely feel like you are traveling in your rocket faster than you are. Know that the ride is jerky and has quick turns, but there are no really big drops.
- Height Requirement: 44″
- Theme Park: Magic Kingdom – Tomorrowland
- Genie+ attraction: Yes
- Individual Lightning Lane: No
- Single Rider Line: Technically, no. However, once inside there is a sign telling you to inform the cast member you are by yourself and then they will take you to a different part of the line, up by the rocket boarding area.
Fastest rides at Disney World FAQs
The fastest ride at Disney World is technically Test Track at Epcot. It accelerates to a speed of 65 mph but does not hold that speed for long. Guardians of the Galaxy – Cosmic Rewind, however, is a full-on roller coaster with speeds of 60 mph. In addition, Tron Lightcycle Power Run opened in the spring of 2023 – also with speeds of almost 60 mph, making it tied for the fastest roller coaster.
Epcot has the two fastest rides at the Walt Disney World theme parks. They are Test Track and Guardians of the Galaxy -Cosmic Rewind with a top speed of 65 mph and 60 mph, respectively.
Expedition Everest is the fastest ride at Animal Kingdom. It reaches speeds of 50 mph and plunges you into complete darkness as you descend down the mountain backward.
Fastest ride at Disney World Summary
And there you have it, the 11 fastest rides at Disney World! If you’re looking for Disney thrill rides and want to get your heart pumping, be sure to check out these attractions next time you visit the happiest place on earth.
Are you a fan of the fast rides at the Walt Disney World Resort? Let us know in the comments below!
*Please note that all speeds are approximate and may vary depending on weather conditions, weight restrictions, etc. Safety is always our top priority so please follow all instructions given by cast members. Enjoy your ride!*
