FEATURE: We did 35 attractions at Walt Disney World in 48 hours (here’s how)
Photo by John Soltes.
ORLANDO, FLA. — For many people, Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, is the place of magical dreams, the best vacation spot for the young and young at heart. But figuring out how to manage the great number of rides, reservations, resorts and dining options can be a challenge. Add to that the new Lighting Lane passes, after-hours holiday parties and extended hours for those in deluxe resorts, and the choices can be downright dizzying.
On a recent trip to all four parks in Walt Disney World — Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and EPCOT — my family was on a mission to experience as much as possible, without reducing enjoyment and ruining the vacation. In 48 hours, we were able to enjoy 35 attractions at the parks, have a character breakfast at Tusker House Restaurant in Animal Kingdom, chow down on some burgers at the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant at Hollywood Studios and grab some quick bites in other places. Fireworks were enjoyed, a holiday parade was experienced, and the main mode of transportation were the free Disney shuttles that took us back and forth to our resort, Port Orleans Riverside, a moderately-priced accommodation.
A few overall tips before getting into ranking these 35 attractions … First off, wake up early. The early worm definitely catches the worm at Walt Disney World. If staying on property (a Disney resort), you’ll be able to gain access to the parks 30 minutes prior to those staying off property. Check the opening times, and plan to be at the park of your choice a half hour prior, if not earlier. For us, on day one, that meant being at Animal Kingdom by 7:30 a.m. On day two, that meant being at Hollywood Studios by 8:30 a.m.
Once you gain early entry, enjoy some “rope dropping,” a term that essentially means you speed-walk to the top attraction on your list. There usually is minimal line in the first few minutes of a park’s opening. For us, this meant Avatar Flight of Passage, a simulation ride at Animal Kingdom. We hoofed it over to Pandora — The World of Avatar, where the ride is located, and still were met with a long-ish wait, but it paled in comparison to later in the day.
At Hollywood Studios, we pod-raced our way to Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. Again, there was a wait, but nothing like the primetime afternoon hours. All in all, rope dropping was a success.
We also purchased park-hopper passes, which allowed us to change parks halfway through the day. So, after Animal Kingdom on day one, we headed to EPCOT in the early afternoon and stayed until the park closed at 9:30 p.m. Day two began with Hollywood Studios, and then we took advantage of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at Magic Kingdom (a separately ticketed event). This allowed access to the rides, plus free cookies and unique character meets, from the early evening until 12:30 a.m.
It should be noted that we enjoyed Walt Disney World in the days following Thanksgiving, a busy time period, but nothing like the Christmas to New Year’s break. Also, we were assisted by Lightning Lane passes, which are kind of like paid skip-the-line tickets. Getting used to these can take some time, and whether to even buy them or not is up to individual visitors, but our family found them to be helpful and saved us long lines on in-demand rides.
At Animal Kingdom, we were already planning on rope dropping Avatar Flight of Passage, so we used our Lightning Lane multi pass (three reservations that can be renewed once you experience your first ride) on Expedition Everest — Legend of the Forbidden Mountain, Dinosaur and Kilimanjaro Safaris. Then, after checking in for one of these, we took advantage of some EPCOT reservations for later in the day.
On day two, we were rope dropping Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, so no reservation was necessary. Instead, we LL’d Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, Toy Story Mania and The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. After that, we reserved Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, Muppet-Vision 3D and Star Tours — The Adventure Continues. Then, we booked Pirates of the Caribbean at Magic Kingdom (more reservations were not needed because we had access to the park during the Christmas party, when capacity is much reduced and wait times are not too bad).
The most in-demand rides also had single Lightning Lane passes, which essentially means you pay one price for one ride. We only did this for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, and we did not regret the expense.
If there’s a special nighttime event at any of the parks, definitely try to take advantage of those extra hours without the huge crowds. They can be pricey, so it’s up to individual budgets, but our family found the Christmas party an excellent time to roam a crowded, but definitely manageable, Magic Kingdom.
Here is a ranking of the top 35 attractions that we experienced. It should be noted that we didn’t ride everything because there were waits and limited time. Also, there were some seasonal closures and ride refurbishments. Sorry to Test Track, Slinky Dog Dash, Frozen Ever After and Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular, among a few others. Still, 35 attractions — encompassing rides and shows — in less than 48 hours is quite awesome.
#35 Mission: SPACE at EPCOT
This ride simulates an adventurous and nauseating trip to Mars. I did the Orange Mission, which is the more intense of the two options. You definitely feel those G-forces, and I found the claustrophobic interior a bit harrowing for a tall person. This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime ride, meaning one ride and that should be good for life. Once entering EPCOT, turn left and head toward Mission: SPACE, which is located right next to the new Guardians of the Galaxy roller coaster.
Insider Tip: Lines for this decades-old attraction are typically minimal. I walked on during the final hour of operations. For a less intense space experience, try the nearby Space 220 restaurant. My family said it was awesome.
#34 Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana at EPCOT
This walk-through attraction actually had the family laughing and enjoying themselves more than most rides at Walt Disney World, so definitely don’t miss it. Essentially you walk through a series of interactive water fountains that allow visitors to control the flow of the liquid. It was great fun commanding the waterfalls and making music as if we were Mickey in Fantasia!
Insider Tip: There is no wait typically for this experience, even with Moana 2 dominating the box office. It’ll take all of 10 minutes. You may get a little wet.
#33 It’s Tough to Be a Bug! at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Fans of A Bug’s Life, the second-ever Pixar film, should head over to Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World to bid farewell to this cute theater show that uses animatronics and 4D effects to introduce the crowd to some lovable and no-so-lovable insects. I’m going to miss this attraction, which can be found under the Tree of Life. Word on Main Street USA is that a new Zootopia attraction will kick the bugs out for good.
Insider Tip: This attraction has been around for more than 25 years. Long waits are almost nonexistent, and it’s a nice, cool respite from the warm Florida sun.
#32 “it’s a small world” at Magic Kingdom
There’s nothing more classic than “it’s a small world” at Magic Kingdom. It’s right up there with Mickey Mouse and Cinderella’s Castle. The nostalgia factor is what wins over riders so many decades after it first premiered. There are so many childhood memories wrapped up in this infectious, albeit repetitive, water-based ride.
Insider Tip: There’s something about this nonstop song that lulls one to sleep, so if you’re looking for a quick nap, you can find no better place (except maybe the Hall of Presidents).
#31 The Seas With Nemo & Friends at EPCOT
EPCOT is about education, which sounds boring, but the theme park still has a lot of fun when they teach visitors about communication, agriculture, space and the ocean. Take, for instance, The Seas attraction starring none other than Nemo, Dory and their friends. It’s cute and a bit cheesy, but also creatively designed. Nothing like riding in a clamshell for a few minutes.
Insider Tip: Some of these dark rides and water-based rides double as points of rest during an otherwise busy day. Take advantage of the opportunities when they present themselves.
#30 Tomorrowland Speedway at Magic Kingdom
Magic Kingdom still has the classic Tomorrowland Speedway, which I enjoyed as a kid. This tamer version of Test Track allows drivers to get behind the wheel and head around a course like a race car. Speeds are slow, but the joy is real.
Insider Tip: Let everyone in your party take their own vehicle. Kids can drive, too!
#29 Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
This is probably the first “hot take” of this Top 35 list because most people would rank this intense inverted roller coaster much higher. I get it. It’s arguably the most adult ride Walt Disney World has ever created, but as far as coasters go, it’s showing its age. A recent ride banged my family’s heads and knees to the point of discomfort. Still, it was fun listening to Aerosmith and barreling through the dark, but this WDW fan cannot wait for the pending Muppets overlay (with hopeful upgrades to the track).
Insider Tip: Although my family didn’t take advantage of it, this is one of those rare rides with a single rider lane.
#28 Kali River Rapids at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
What makes this ride enjoyable are not the thrills, which are in short supply. What wins over fans is the theming. Take a look around the surroundings in the queue area, while boarding the circular tubes and throughout the ride. This theming will be of more interest than the ride itself, which has one decent plunge (which oddly doesn’t come at the end of the ride).
Insider Tip: Weather will dictate how long you wait. Colder days will see these river rapids with no wait at all. In fact, Disney is gearing up for a refurbishment closure in the winter months.
#27 The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh at Magic Kingdom
This delightful dark ride takes visitors into the heart of Winnie the Pooh’s world. The images are colorful and exuberant, almost to the point that you forget about the predecessor of this ride: the classic Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride. As my brother-in-law taught me, look for a few clues of Mr. Toad still hanging around.
Insider Tip: Winnie the Pooh can have long waits, but the queue area is as delightful as the ride itself. It’s best to hit this one early or late in the day.
#26 Muppet-Vision 3D at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Sadly this 3D attraction will soon be coming to an end. Muppet-Vision 3D will be replaced by a Monsters, Inc. show, and no disrespect to Mike and Sully, but it’ll be sad to say goodbye to Kermit and company. Luckily for us, the Muppets will only be moving to the other side of the park. That’s right, they will be taking over Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, kicking out Aerosmith (see above).
Insider Tip: Even with the closing announcement, walking up to the Muppets is easy to do. One should be able to snag a seat for the next show.
#25 Spaceship Earth at EPCOT
Many first-timers to Walt Disney World don’t know that the iconic globe-like structure at EPCOT is actually a ride called Spaceship Earth. This dark ride takes visitors on a journey through humankind’s legacy of communication and technology. Steve Jobs even makes an appearance.
Insider Tip: This can either be the first or last ride of your EPCOT vacation because it’s right at the front entrance (unless you enter in the back by the Skyliner).
#24 Toy Story Mania! at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
This shooting game is a must for competitive families. We had a blast with these blasters as we attempted to rack up as many points as possible. Disney keeps score of who wins in each vehicle and who has the highest score of all time and highest score for the entire day. This one definitely plays to your inner-gamer. Essentially it’s a 4-D ride that requires you to wear glasses and use a shooting device to take out a bunch of targets, each of which has different point values. What great fun! BTW: I lost miserably.
Insider Tip: Sharing memories with strangers is fine at Disney, and that’s exactly what you’ll have to do if you’re flying solo or in an odd-number group.
#23 Space Mountain at Magic Kingdom
What a thrilling classic ride at Magic Kingdom! This one would be much higher on the list if not for two things: the ride is quite bumpy, especially for tall people, and the coaster is a bit overshadowed by the new Tron ride next door. That said, this is a must for the memories. Don’t put up your arms!
Insider Tip: Try to ride Space Mountain during those ultra-rare times when they put on the lights. We experienced the coaster with a holiday overlay.
#22 Na’vi River Journey at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Na’vi River Journey may not be the best water-based ride at Walt Disney World, but it features perhaps the best animatronic. The Pandora shaman at the end of the journey is something to behold. Wow, one wonders how the imagineers pulled that one off.
Insider Tip: The two main attractions of Pandora — The World of Avatar often have long wait times, but somehow during my most recent trip with my family, the advertised wait times were never as bad as promised. For this one, it was billed as 50 minutes, and I was through the queue in 30.
#21 Kilimanjaro Safaris at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Now that the list is dwindling down, we are at the point of tough decisions. One of the best attractions at Animal Kingdom is the experience that is the heart of the nature-filled park. Some of the sights on the safari are wondrous, and the drivers typically get quite close to the herd animals that can graze right by the vehicle. Definitely a must-do.
Insider Tip: Just like a zoo, try not to visit at the height of a hot day. The animals will likely be resting.
#20 Dinosaur at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Hurry up because Dinosaur the ride will soon go extinct at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. This adventurous and bumpy ride into prehistoric times is Dino-tastic, featuring a thrilling storyline, top-notch animatronics and a few surprises around every turn. Visitors have all of 2025 to say goodbye, and then the ride will apparently be jettisoned for a new Indiana Jones experience.
Insider Tip: Ride multiple times so you can figure out where they take your picture.
#19 TRON Lightcycle / Run at Magic Kingdom
This new launch coaster at Magic Kingdom is perhaps the most popular ride at that park, and for good reason. Riders assume a motorcycle position that is utterly unique, and the visuals of bouncing around the TRON-verse are awesome to behold. The only reason the coaster isn’t higher on this list is because the ride is relatively short, and the theming, which is what Disney is all about, is a bit sparse. That said, it’s one of the best coasters on property.
Insider Tip: Rope drop this one, otherwise you may end up waiting for more than an hour. Rope dropping means walking right to your favorite ride as soon as the park opens, as my sister taught me.
#18 Soarin’ Around the World at EPCOT
There are a couple rides at Walt Disney World that use the Soarin’ technology. Essentially visitors glide in front of a massive IMAX-style screen, simulating flight through the air. It’s quite thrilling, especially when Soarin’ brings riders around the major sights of the world. This one is pure majestic beauty.
Insider Tip: After enjoying Soarin’, head over to the other ride in the same pavilion. There you can experience Living With the Land.
#17 Jungle Cruise at Magic Kingdom
There are only a few rides left that Walt Disney himself had a personal hand in creating. Jungle Cruise is one of them. The attraction, which takes visitors on a boat tour through the jungles of the world, first opened in Disneyland and then Walt Disney World. The animatronics and storylines are still classic Disney, but the great fun of the ride can be found in the corny jokes told by the skipper.
Insider Tip: This is a classic ride that usually commands a long wait time. Budget some extra minutes, for sure. Also, during the holidays Jungle Cruise becomes Jingle Cruise with a holiday overlay.
#16 Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at Magic Kingdom
This is not the best coaster at Walt Disney World. There are more thrilling options and longer rides, but the theming of this attraction is what bumps it up a few spots. After whipping through the silver mine, there is a slowdown part that allows you to enjoy the story of Snow White with animatronics. Not many coasters tell a story like this one. Also, each individual car sways left and right by itself.
Insider Tip: This ride often has a loooong wait, one of the longest at WDW. Consider purchasing the single ride Lightning Lane pass.
#15 Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Magic Kingdom
Count me a fan of the new Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, which is a redesigned and reimagined ride after the necessary shuttering of Splash Mountain. The thrills of the log flume are still present, but now Tiana and her fellow characters are featured amongst the animatronics. What wins me over is how long the ride is and how full the narrative feels. There’s even a scene (the best one) after the big drop.
Insider Tip: At the present moment, one cannot walk up to Tiana’s and expect to join the line. A virtual queue spot or Lightning Lane pass is needed. It’s that popular. Also, bring a poncho.
#14 Star Tours — The Adventure Continues at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
I’ve been riding Star Tours with my family for my entire life. This immersive escape into the world of Star Wars captures the imagination and makes visitors believe they are assisting C-3PO on an intergalactic mission. This simulation ride is not to be missed and should never be removed from the park — never.
Insider Tip: On days when the park isn’t busy, Star Tours can still be a walk-on ride. It’s overshadowed a bit by the new offerings in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
#13 Peter Pan’s Flight at Magic Kingdom
I’m a nostalgia hound, so it should be no surprise that this opening-day attraction makes it so high on the list. This is a magical dark ride where visitors view the action from above, which is quite unique. The artistry of the scenes is top-notch, and everything feels like a fairytale book come to life, as if Walt Disney himself were turning the pages.
Insider Tip: Peter Pan’s Flight is notorious for its long wait. If it’s busy in the park, expect to kill an hour or more here. That makes this attraction a prime candidate for Lightning Lane (if you’re lucky) or rope dropping (if you’re early).
#12 Festival of the Lion King at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Festival of the Lion King may be the best live show at any Walt Disney World park. Running nearly 30 minutes, the acrobatic and visual spectacle packs in the highlights of The Lion King with all of the movie’s beloved songs. Hakuna Matata, indeed!
Insider Tip: Festival of the Lion King is right next to one of WDW’s best character meals: Tusker House Restaurant.
#11 Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure at EPCOT
This ride uses new trackless technology to send visitors around an adventurous journey with everyone’s favorite rat, Remy. Pixar’s Ratatouille is one of my favorite animated films of all time, so to step into this world was a total dream.
Insider Tip: There are not too many rides in EPCOT, which means the popular ones are super-popular. This one traditionally has a long wait, so take advantage of the single rider line and bypass the madness.
#10 Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Magic Kingdom
There’s no denying the thrill factor of this iconic Disney roller coaster. The cars are whipped around a sidewinding track that is themed like a desert canyon in Arizona. The ride has a solid length and seems to improbably double back on itself. It’s actually dizzying because riders cannot quite see the full lay of the land from the queue area. This makes for an unexpected, fun journey. One of the best.
Insider Tip: The ride is planned to go down for a refurbishment for 2025.
#9 Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
This trackless dark ride is a controversial choice for this high on the list, especially because it replaced the beloved Great Movie Ride. But this one checks so many boxes: an adventure with the two main celebrities of Walt Disney World, smooth sailing on new tech cars, an infectious theme song and plenty of theming to go around. I’m firmly in the MMRR camp. Plus, if you think about it, there’s actually not much with Mickey and Minnie at WDW.
Insider Tip: This is a popular ride, so it’s a worthy candidate for rope dropping, especially since it’s right at the front of the park.
#8 Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
A childhood dream came true when I walked through Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge for the first time. This Star Wars land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is so immersive and well-themed that it’s hard to leave. There are a couple rides in Galaxy’s Edge, including Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, which allows visitors the chance the pilot the famous Han Solo ship. This feels like an improved version of Star Tours, but on a more intimate and intense level. Relive your dreams!
Insider Tip: Groups of six are favored on this simulation ride, otherwise there’s a good chance you’ll be paired with strangers. My family ride was much better than when I (han) soloed with another family.
#7 Pirates of the Caribbean at Magic Kingdom
There’s good, and then there’s Pirates of the Caribbean good. This classic dark ride utilizes its water setting to tell a comprehensive narrative about a bunch of pirates wreaking havoc and imbibing plenty of alcohol. The ride has been updated to include Jack Sparrow and become more suitable for a 2025 audience. The storytelling and animatronics are pure fun; it’s easy to get lost in this world of banditry.
Insider Tip: Apparently in 2025 there’s a new Pirates-themed bar coming to Magic Kingdom. Also, this ride does have a drop, but most visitors will find it fun and not too scary.
#6 Expedition Everest — Legend of the Forbidden Mountain at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
If ride technology had not progressed as much as it has, this one would be right near the top. It only falls behind because rides developed today have upped the ante. Expedition Everest is a fun, fun ride that tells a complete story of a runaway train being sabotaged by a Yeti on a forbidden mountain. The roller coaster starts out slow and leisurely, with panoramic views of snowy slopes and Tibetan prayer flags blowing in the wind. Then the abominable snowman attacks, causing a break in the tracks and sending riders backward through the mountain of their nightmares. This is when the coaster whips around and tries to escape the big man, culminating in a close encounter of the cryptid kind. This one is a beauty and wondrous to behold for lovers of mythical (real) creatures. Also, isn’t it refreshing to have a non-IP ride at Walt Disney World.
Insider Tip: For little or no wait, take advantage of the single rider lane. That said, this shortcut skips the intricate theming in the queue area. Try to do both if time allows. Also, sadly, as of this posting the Yeti remains immovable in the coaster’s final scene, which means that the imagineers are still flashing strobes to mimic movement.
#5 Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at EPCOT
And the award for best roller coaster at Walt Disney World goes to Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. There’s nothing like this wild trip to the stars set to a danceable soundtrack of tunes. The song we enjoyed was “Conga” by Gloria Estefan, which had us dancing in our seats. It’s difficult to describe the movement of this cutting-edge coaster. You move forward, backward and spin, all in the dark while bopping around a star system. It’s like Space Mountain without the headache. Simply the best.
Insider Tip: Demand for GotG is outrageous. There’s no standby line currently, which means visitors must attempt to reserve a spot via virtual queue at either 7 a.m. or 1 p.m. Virtual queue reservations are free and accomplished via the WDW app. You can also purchase a single pass Lightning Lane for a specific time window. Be forewarned: This ride tends to be temporarily unavailable. We were lined up and almost got on, until it was halted. We had to return hours later.
#4 Avatar Flight of Passage at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
What happens when you pump steroids into Soarin’ Around the World? You get Avatar Flight of Passage, the best simulation ride at Walt Disney World. Pandora — The World of Avatar at Animal Kingdom is one of the best themed areas Disney has ever created, and the queue for FoP may be the best of any ride. There are waterfalls, science stations and even a Na’vi in a tank. The “flight” itself, where visitors get to ride a Banshee, is stunning. You can feel the creature breathing as you sit atop its winged body. You then fly through Pandora on a death-defying, spectacular journey. When you barely escape a crashing wave — that just may be the highlight of this exquisite attraction.
Insider Tip: You can buy single pass Lightning Lane for this in-demand ride, and it may be worth it.
#3 The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
The Tower of Terror has become the instantly recognizable symbol of Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and for good reason. This landmark ride has a little bit of everything and is wholly original. It’s an ode to Rod Serling’s TV creation. It’s a dark ride. It’s a thrill ride with a drop. It’s a haunted house. In one word, it’s perfect. I hope they never change it like they did in Disneyland. Keep those Guardians of the Galaxy out, and always honor The Twilight Zone.
Insider Tip: Tower of Terror is near Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster and can be accomplished one right after the other. It’s best to start your day on this side of the park or end it here.
#2 Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Although this one lands at #2 on my list, make no mistake about it, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is probably the best ride in the world. Now it just needs to withstand the test of time to see if it takes the top spot. This is an experience like no other. The queue area, theming, pre-show and ride itself are a technical marvel. The entire journey takes nearly 30 minutes, and there are so many twists, turns and surprises along the way that I was never not smiling. Wow, wow, wow.
Insider Tip: This is one ride that I don’t recommend the single rider line. It didn’t move that much faster, and you skip some of the pre-show. Engage with the full experience.
#1 The Haunted Mansion at Magic Kingdom
I’m not sure if anything will ever beat this classic ride. The views of the mansion, the pre-show in the room that stretches, the doom buggies, how the buggies move directions, the ghostly sights, the family-friendly scares, the infectious theme song, the tons of atmosphere and theming, the grand finale in a cemetery — all of this packaged together is unbeatable (although Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance make overtake it one day). The Haunted Mansion is the best ride at WDW; its’ a year-round Halloween haunt for the entire family.
Insider Tip: As I learned from my family, when the ride shows a wait time of 13 minutes, that means there’s no wait at all.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
