15 Legendary Rides at Disney World You Have to Try at Least Once

A trip to Disney World means watching a few shows, interacting with characters walking around the park, and snacking on some delicious treats.

But for many, the experience is all about the rides. As you navigate through all four major parks at Disney World, don’t overlook the following 15 legendary rides you simply must experience.

Grab one of the best rewards credit cards, book a trip and let the fun begin.

Expedition Everest is a true roller coaster, one that takes you up to the peak of Mount Everest, where a frightening surprise awaits you.

The theming throughout is fantastic, and the hills are enough to offer a thrill every time you ride it. There are some pretty significant drops and some dark portions that help bring just enough fear to the ride.

For anyone who loves Jack Sparrow’s story, the Pirates of the Caribbean ride is a must. This ride spurred the creation of the wildly popular movie series.

Pirates of the Caribbean takes you deep into a cool, dark underground, which you’ll appreciate on a hot summer day. You’ll sit in a small floating boat and navigate some great scenes with animatronics, a lot of sound, and a few surprise appearances along the way.

It’s a fun attraction without any really scary portions.

Although it just opened in 2022, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is unlike anything else in the parks. It’s a smooth roller coaster with some incredible visuals, lots of music, and some intense movement.

The ride’s design makes it one of the best newer-style roller coasters. There are no sudden movements or jerky or uneven areas. What you will get is a lot of back-and-forth, spinning, and intense flying through space.

Tucked into Toy Story Land is one of the best options for those who want to engage with their ride.

Toy Story Mania! takes you through Andy’s room. Just waiting in line is fun, as this section is full of oversized toys and games — it’s easy to get distracted here.

The ride itself is set up in an arcade-style format. There, you’ll challenge the person in the seat next to you to see who can perform better at various games of chance.

Long before you step into the line for Avatar Flight of Passage, you’ll find yourself navigating the world of Pandora impressively recreated by Disney Imagineering.

The experience is unique thanks to the way you’re positioned as you move through the ride. It’s breathtakingly beautiful.

If you love “Star Wars,” Hollywood Studios' newer development of Galaxy’s Edge is impressive, including a large Millennium Falcon on display.

“Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance” is tech-focused, with some outstanding details that help you feel as though you’re a part of the “Star Wars” adventure. It’s also interactive, and although it’s not a roller coaster, you’ll still feel the intensity throughout the ride.

Haunted Mansion isn’t very scary, but it is dark and super entertaining.

It’s easy to fall in love with the theme here. As you ride along in your own car, you will move through a haunted mansion with ghostly sightings around every corner and fun illusions.

For a very different experience, get on board a journey through a safari and see all of the animals that give this park its name.

Every experience on this ride is unique, and it’s not impossible for elephants, giraffes, and even a lion or two to get pretty close to the Jeep along your ride.

This is an incredible way to see Africa’s animals up close without feeling like you are at a zoo.

Tucked behind Cinderella Castle in Fantasyland is Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, which could easily be one of the first roller coasters your children enjoy.

This smooth ride is fun, with a lot of animatronics throughout that tell the story of Snow White.

Soarin’ Around the World is another unique ride worthy of exploring on every trip to Disney.

This ride is located within the Living with the Land Pavilion, tucked into the back corner. Once you get inside, you’ll sit in a roller coaster-like contraption — but unlike a roller coaster, you’ll glide through the air without really moving too much.

Although you’re elevated in this ride, it’s the imaging that changes around you. It’s breathtaking in every way.

Back in Toy Story Land, be sure to get in line for Slinky Dog Dash, a lighthearted roller coaster that’s not too scary.

This brightly colored ride — you’ll be in a car that looks like Slinky Dog from the “Toy Story” movies — zips you around the tracks for a few minutes, with a few moderate hills. It’s a pretty smooth experience.

Epcot is the future-forward portion of Disney World, but Spaceship Earth takes you back in time through the massive ball at the front of the park.

The ride is easy, as you’ll be in a slow-moving car that travels up and around that ball’s interior. It’s educational, and a must for those who want authentic Walt Disney inspired fun.

Pro tip: Travel can be costly, but using one of the best travel credit cards can earn you rewards for vacation expenditures.

In Tomorrowland, you’ll find Space Mountain, a dark, indoor roller coaster.

It’s intense and more like a traditional roller coaster in how it jolts you around in the car, but it’s a breathtaking journey through space. Riders on this incredible coaster fly through the galaxy on a thrilling trip.

Another traditional roller coaster, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in Frontierland is an exciting ride through and around a mountain.

The line is rather interactive to keep everyone smiling while they wait. There are some thrills and some jolts on this ride, but it’s not too scary and makes for a fun first roller coater for many kids.

On a hot day, there’s nothing quite like cooling down on Kali River Rapids. The ride involves following the white water rapids. You may get wet, but every trip is different.

Riders sit in a raft with about 11 other people, moving through waterfalls and around an Asian jungle. It’s beautiful, although many love this ride purely for the water adventure.

Disney World offers a huge number of rides across all of its parks. Don’t forget some of the more classic experiences, too, like It’s a Small World, Peter Pan’s Flight, and Living with the Land.

With a strong combination of high-speed and slow-moving rides, there is plenty to fill your day no matter what type of rider you are. Exploring these rides will give you endless thrills and help you avoid wasting money on your next Disney vacation.