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Thrill Seeker’s Guide to Walt Disney World

Mission: SPACE
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The Walt Disney World Resort is one of the top family travel destinations in the world thanks to the countless experiences that the entire family can enjoy together. While there are plenty of family-friendly attractions and experiences to enjoy including “it’s a small world”, Peter Pan’s Flight, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, and Kilimanjaro Safaris, there are also plenty of bit thrills. From roller coasters with multiple inversions and runaway mine trains to rocking through space and traveling back in time, let’s check out the biggest thrills found at the Walt Disney World Resort.

Splash Mountain

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Splash Mountain

The Magic Kingdom might be considered just for little kids, but there are still some great thrills to be found including Splash Mountain in Frontierland. This water-based attraction has Guests board logs and set off with Br’er Rabbit who is in search of some adventure. While being chased by Br’er Fox and Br’er Bear and flung into the Briar Patch Guests get soaked and will find themselves singing along to the classic “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah.”

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Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

Found right next to Splash Mountain in Frontierland is Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, the “wildest ride in the wilderness!” This runaway train whisks Guests through abandoned mines and the town of Tumbleweed, offering up beautiful views of the Rivers of America and intricately carved rockwork along the way. With plenty of twists and turns and eerie moments in bat-filled caves, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is a great thrill option in the Magic Kingdom.

Exterior

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Space Mountain

The final thrilling mountain in the Magic Kingdom is Space Mountain in Tomorrowland which welcomes Guests into Starport 75, an intergalactic spaceport, where they have the opportunity to embark on an out-of-this-world adventure. Sitting single file in futuristic rockets, Guests blast off into the inky darkness of space to enjoy surprising twists, turns, and drops amongst the stars!

Haunted Mansion

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Haunted Mansion

One more attraction in the Magic Kingdom can be considered thrilling not because of high speeds or drops, but rather eerie theming. The Haunted Mansion in Liberty Square is home to 999 happy haunts who reside inside of an eerie mansion, filled with memorable moments like Madame Leota’s séance and the swinging party in the graveyard. With the classic song “Grim Grinning Ghosts” playing and the Ghost Host leading the way, the Haunted Mansion is a thrilling and creepy attraction that Guests absolutely love!

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Mission: SPACE

World Discovery in EPCOT is home to several thrilling attractions beginning with Mission: SPACE which invites Guests to join the International Space Training Center (ISTC) to rocket off into space on two separate missions. The Green Team embarks on a scenic orbit of Earth with beautiful views below and the Orange Team is a much more intense experience with higher G forces that slingshot Guests around the moon to Mars. Both experiences are thrilling in nature and Mission: SPACE is one of the most realistic astronaut experiences that anyone can have.

Guardians of the Galaxy Comic Rewind

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Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind

The newest addition to EPCOT’s World Discovery is Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, which uses an impressive blend of technology to bring Guests on a thrilling mission across the galaxy and time with the loveable characters. The unique train of cars features smooth motion and rotating capabilities which points Guests to screens throughout the experience that showcase the action. The ride also features Disney’s first reverse-launch roller coaster. With six unique songs to blast along to and the important mission of saving the galaxy, Guests cannot miss out on this innovative thrill ride.

Outdoor Track

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Test Track Presented by Chevrolet

Automotive fans will love Test Track Presented by Chevrolet also found in EPCOT’s World Showcase, which invites them to be part of the design experience. Guests can create their own unique SIM cars with control over everything from color and aerodynamics before testing out their design on the track through a series of scenarios. With the final test featuring a high-speed loop outside of the attraction, Test Track Presented by Chevrolet is not only one of the fastest attractions at the Walt Disney World Resort, but also one of the most thrilling.

Soarin Around the World

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Soarin’ Around the World

Across EPCOT in World Nature Guests can find Soarin’ Around the World on the lower level of The Land Pavilion. This innovative attraction straps Guests in and lifts them off on an unforgettable adventure that creates the sense of hang gliding over some of the world’s most beautiful locations. With the breeze blowing through their hair, Guests can dangle their feet over Monument Valley, Mount Kilimanjaro, the Eiffel Tower, Taj Mahal, Great Wall of China, and more!

Tower of Terror

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The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

Thrills and eerie details can be found during every moment on The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The attraction brings Guests into the Hollywood Tower Hotel, where five other Guests mysteriously disappeared years ago. Guests soon find themselves aboard a service elevator and not only free-falling but moving forward into The Twilight Zone on this chilling and thrilling experience!

Super Stretch Limo

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Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith

Found next to The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror on Sunset Boulevard in Disney’s Hollywood Studios is the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, a thrilling attraction that is the only one to feature inversions at the Walt Disney World Resort. After a chance encounter with Aerosmith while touring G Force Records, Guests find themselves zipping through the neon lights of downtown to make it backstage to a concert on time. With several inversions and a high-speed launch, Guests will find themselves rocking out and screaming along to this thrilling and fun attraction.

Track of Slinky Dog Dash

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Slinky Dog Dash

Toy Story Land in Disney’s Hollywood Studios brings Guests into the magic of the Toy Story films and offers them the chance to shrink down to the size of toys and enjoy Slinky Dog Dash. This thrilling attraction features a unique track built by Andy that weaves and twists through his backyard. With two separate launches, fun camelback humps, and the lovable Slinky Dog leading the way, Slinky Dog Dash is a thrilling attraction that offers some beautiful views of the Disney Park.

Star Tours

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Star Tours: The Adventures Continue

Star Wars fans have several unique experiences to enjoy in Disney’s Hollywood Studios including Star Tours: The Adventures Continue in the Grand Avenue area of the Park. This attraction should be a smooth passenger flight that soon runs amok when it is discovered that a Rebel Spy is on board. Guests then don 3D glasses and embark on a series of randomized scenes that showcase different locations and characters from the films that keep Guests returning time and time again!

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Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is the ultimate Star Wars destination in Disney’s Hollywood Studios that completely immerses Guests in the Black Spire Outpost on Batuu where they have the opportunity to jump behind the controls on the most infamous ship in the galaxy on a smuggling mission. Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run offers Guests the chance to pilot the iconic ship and offers unique outcomes depending on their level of interaction. With thrilling moments of chase and the unforgettable opportunity to punch it into hyper drive, this attraction is truly amazing.

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Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

While Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run is thrilling, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance takes it to a whole new level with a completely immersive experience that includes Guests being captured by the First Order and trying to escape with the help of the Resistance. Featuring several preshows and trackless ride vehicles, Guests move quickly through a Star Destroyer to escape from Kylo Ren and preserve the location of the secret base. Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance not only features thrills, but amazing technology and moments that will make Guests’ jaws drop.

Avatar Flight of Passage

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Avatar Flight of Passage

Moving over to Disney’s Animal Kingdom, a completely unique thrill can be found in Pandora – The World of Avatar where Guests can experience the stunning Valley of Mo’ara from above. Avatar Flight of Passage uses incredible technology to link Guests to Avatars and climb onto the back of a banshee for a thrilling adventure through the skies of Pandora. With a moment of panic when a predator attacks and a peaceful breath in a bioluminescent cave, Avatar Flight of Passage is an unforgettable thrill that truly makes Guests believe that they are flying.

Raft & Splash

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Kali River Rapids

A great way to cool off in Disney’s Animal Kingdom is to take a ride on Kali River Rapids in the Asia area of the Disney Park. Guests board family-style rafts and set off down the Chakranadi River for an experience that begins peacefully but takes a thrilling and daring turn after the discovery of illegal deforestation. With one massive drop that will leave Guests soaked and choppy rapids that create some big thrills, Kali River Rapids is a fun adventure Guests won’t want to miss out on.

Expedition Everest

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Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain

Also found in the Asia area of Disney’s Animal Kingdom is Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain, which begins as a quiet transport through a shortcut that connects the loading area to Everest’s base camp. Unfortunately, the shortcut goes right through the Forbidden Mountain where the Yeti is the protector of all things and Guests soon find themselves racing backward, zooming down steep hills, and whipping around curves to escape his clutches!

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Dinosaur

The final thrilling attraction that Guests can’t miss out on at the Walt Disney World Resort is Dinosaur in the Dinoland area of Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Using innovative technology, Guests are invited to board Time Rovers and set off on a secret mission back in time to find one particular dinosaur and return with him. Unfortunately, the adventure happens a little too close to the massive asteroid impact leading to chaos and some thrilling moments in total darkness that Guests love!

About Caitlin Kane

Caitlin Kane has been visiting Walt Disney World since she was a child and has developed a deep love and appreciation of the Disney Parks with a particular interest in the small details and history that can be found all around. Visiting every chance she gets, Caitlin loves to enjoy the ambiance of the Disney Parks and try something new every time. She can often be found eating and drinking her way through the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, riding the Haunted Mansion, sipping on a Lapu Lapu, pretending Illuminations: Reflections of Earth was still in existence, and enjoying seeing the magic through the eyes of her children. When not in WDW, Caitlin can be found at home in New York dreaming of a ride on Living with the Land and counting down the days until her next trip.