As what many would call a Disney Adult, I can attest that Disney World isn’t just for kids – it’s a playground for adults too! Beyond the whimsical castles and character meet-and-greets, there’s a world of thrilling attractions designed to get your adrenaline pumping. From high-speed roller coasters to immersive experiences that transport to another world or time, Disney offers rides that cater to the grown-up crowd seeking excitement and adventure. Let’s dive into the top adult-friendly rides that prove Disney magic knows no age limit.
Magic Kingdom
The Magic Kingdom has the most attractions at Walt Disney World by a wide margin and has it’s fair share of attractions for the adult guest. Typically consider more a kids park, I find the Magic Kingdom has plenty of attractions that appeal to both the thrill seeker and inner child in all of us.
- Big Thunder Mountain – “The Wildest Ride in the Wilderness!” Big Thunder is my personal favorite coaster at the Magic Kingdom and maybe all of Walt Disney World. While not the fastest or most hair-raising attraction, it is a rip-roaring good time!
- Tron Lightcycle Run – The newest roller coaster at the Magic Kingdom is also objectively the most thrilling. The first 30 seconds or so of this coaster is sure to take your breath away. The problem is that the ride is quickly over after that. Still, this ride is sure to please the adults in your party.
- Space Mountain – There is a duality that exists with Space Mountain and the adult guest. This almost pitch black coaster appeals to the adult thrill seeker. It also can absolutely destroy the adult back, neck, and other body parts. This is one ride where you really want to head those warnings about injuries and ailments!
- Tiana’s Bayou Adventure – A 50 foot drop is the thrilling culmination of this iconic boat ride. Well Splash Mountain was certainly iconic, it remains to be seen if Tiana’s hits the same chord with fans. Regardless, this ride is known to get the blood pumping for even the most grizzled adrenaline junkie. Couple that a long experience that tells a story like only Disney Imagineering can and you have an attraction that most adults will love.
- Haunted Mansion – It’s not only the attractions that place ones stomach firmly in their throat that appeals to adults. The Haunted Mansion remains a favorite among adults despite have no real “thrill” aspect to it. What it does have is an excellent soundtrack, incredible effects and animatronics, and a spooky vibe that allows for just enough suspension of disbelief to bring out the kid inside all of us. My favorite ride in all of Walt Disney World.
EPCOT
- Guardians of the Galaxy – Guardians has been firmly at the top of the list of most thrilling rides at Walt Disney World since it opened in Spring of 2022. This coaster is almost impossibly smooth and incredibly engineered to give guests a full 360 degree experience. The ride cards rotate while moving to keep riders guessing what’s next. Throw in a great 1980’s throwback soundtrack and this attraction gives the elder guest everything they could ask for. A word of caution. If you’re prone to motion sickness this may ruin your day for a few hours. Dramamine is your friend!
- Soarin’ – A fan favorite since it was first installed, this attraction continues to impress nearly 25 years later – thought not without some complaints. Despite clear room for improvement with the visual effects the ride still wows by instilling a feeling of gliding through the air that rivals the real thing. Take a look at the faces of folks walking out and you’ll many a Grandfather with childish grins on their face. A can’t miss for most guests.
- Spaceship Earth – There are no thrills to be had on this attraction, but this is a must do for me. Probably too slow paced and educational for younger guests, those are the exactly the things that appeal to the adults in the party. This is popular ride to grab a quick few minutes of air conditioned shut eye for return guests!
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
- Tower of Terror – This is attraction is responsible for the more children meltdowns than any other in Walt Disney World. The look of betrayal on the faces of babes after their parents made them ride this is something that cannot be described. It’s spooky, scary, and unnerving for most guests, not just children, making it perhaps the most adult of any ride on property.
- Rise of the Resistance – The Star Wars universe is known to every generation X and elder millennial in the park to begin with. This attractions transports guests into the Star Wars universe and then throws guests into a top tier ride at the end and you’ve got something that transports adults back to that feeling of watching the movies as a kid. A must do ride.
- Slinky Dog Dash – What? The starter coaster themed after a toy as a ride for adults? That’s right. I challenge every adult reading this to experience this ride and try to refrain from thinking, or yelling, “wheeeee” as you cruise through the air above Toy Story Land. It’s the most popular attraction in the park for a reason. Just a great coaster for all ages.
- Rockin’ Roller Coaster – This is definitely the most thrilling coaster in the park and potentially in all of Walt Disney World. The 0 – 60 mph launch at the beginning sets the tone and the rest of the coaster doesn’t disappoint either. A thrilling coaster from start to finish and the only one that inverts riders.
Animal Kingdom
- Expedition Everest – In my opinion, every bit as thrilling as Rockin’ Roller Coaster. It offers a great view of the park as the coaster climbs upward over track exposed to the Florida air. After reaching the top there is no where to go but back the way you came and since coasters can’t turn around that means you’re going backwards. You don’t invert on this ride but it sure feels like you do. This is a can’t miss ride every time I’m in Animal Kingdom. I would caution against riding it 5 times in a row for all but the most impervious to motion sickness though! (We found it with any line at the end of one sparsely attended day at Animal Kingdom and found our limit.)
- Flight of Passage – For a long time this was my favorite thrill ride on property. I still love it, but it’s sorely in need of a refresh as the screen is getting blurry and some of the Banshee vehicles aren’t always fully operational. That said, it’s still a fantastic attraction that reminds guests that Disney Imagineering is in a class by itself when it comes to immersive attractions.
- Kilimanjaro Safaris – Who doesn’t love animals and wild animals at that? It’s so incredible to hop on a ride vehicle in Orlando, Florida and see Lions, Cheetahs, Giraffes, Elephants, Rhinoceros’, Hippopotamus’, and more in a 20 minute cruise. No two rides are the same and you never know what you’ll see on this ride. Well worth almost any wait and equally as fun in the pouring rain as in perfect weather .
Walt Disney World is as much a playground for adults as is it is for kids. While perhaps short on the most thrilling coasters, there are no shortage of attractions that appeal to adults. Frankly, there are really only a couple rides that I personally feel are not worth it as an adult – Tomorrowland Speedway I’m looking at you! Disney Imagineering is the best there is at creating experiences that make you forget your age and make you feel like a kid again. As Guardians shows they still now how to make the heart race too!
