Top Attractions That Can’t Be Missed in Walt Disney World

One of the main things that Guests love to do while at the Walt Disney World Resort is enjoy the many different attractions that can be found in each Disney Park that offer up everything from big thrills to family-friendly fun. With so many options to choose from, each featuring its own unique storyline and theming, Guests might find themselves overwhelmed trying to prioritize which attractions absolutely cannot be missed. If you’re short on time or simply want to enjoy the best attractions possible, be sure to check out these top attractions that can’t be missed at the Walt Disney World Resort!

Haunted Mansion

Liberty Square in the Magic Kingdom is home to the iconic Haunted Mansion, which welcomes Guests into a stately manor home inhabited by 999 happy haunts who have mastered the perfect balance of eerie and humorous. After enjoying the Stretching Room, Guests board Doom Buggies and set off on a tour of the Haunted Mansion, where they encounter favorite characters, like Madame Leota and the Hitchhiking Ghosts, and the classic song “Grim Grinning Ghosts.” The entire experience is an unforgettable adventure where Guests will not only find themselves chilled to the bone, but chuckling at silly effects and antics.

Pirates of the Caribbean

Another top attraction that Guests cannot miss in the Magic Kingdom is Pirates of the Caribbean, found in the heart of Adventureland near the Jungle Cruise. The attraction offers Guests the chance to set sail and find themselves in the middle of a charming seaside village that is being pillaged by raucous pirates on the hunt for gold and rum. While humming along to “Yo Ho (A Pirate’s Life for Me),” Guests can spot Captain Jack Sparrow sneakily working his way towards a massive treasure, as well as other iconic characters like the Auctioneer and Redd the Pirate.

“it’s a small world”

There is no attraction as quintessential at the Walt Disney World Resort as “it’s a small world” in the Magic Kingdom’s Fantasyland located across from Peter Pan’s Flight. This charming attraction has Guests board cheerful boats and set off on a world tour of different countries and cultures brought to life by the iconic singing dolls dressed in traditional garb. With bright colors, memorable scenes, and the favorite Sherman Brothers song of the same name, “it’s a small world” is an absolute must-do for any Guest in the Magic Kingdom.

Space Mountain

Thrill-seekers can find several mountain-based attractions in the Magic Kingdom, including Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, and Space Mountain in Tomorrowland, which is housed inside a large, futuristic building. Guests who are brave enough enter Starport Seven Five, an intergalactic travel hub where they can board rockets and blast off into the darkness of space for a thrilling adventure filled with unexpected twists, turns, and drops. With immersive theming and the element of surprise, thanks to the dark setting, Space Mountain is a top attraction in the Magic Kingdom!

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

The final attraction that Guests should not miss out on in the Magic Kingdom is the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, which can be found in the heart of Fantasyland. The fun attraction features unique mine trains where each cart independently swings as the vehicle whips around a mountain, offering scenic views. Guests are also treated to a glimpse of the Dwarfs hard at work in their mine, as well as in their cottage playing music and dancing happily with Snow White.

Spaceship Earth

EPCOT is home to plenty of amazing attractions, but there is none as iconic as Spaceship Earth, which can be found in the very front of the Disney Park in World Celebration, inside a structure of the same name. Spaceship Earth features a narration by Dame Judi Dench who helps Guests learn about the history of communication from the beginning of time in an entertaining, yet educational, way. Guests can slowly move past memorable scenes including the Renaissance and the invention of the personal computer before an interactive finale where they can choose their own future to explore. Don’t forget to take in the scent of Rome burning!

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind

One of the newest additions to EPCOT is also one of the Park’s most thrilling experiences. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind invites Guests to join the Guardians and help save the galaxy from a new villain by traveling through time using innovative new technology. Feature several unique songs that perfectly enhance the experience, the attraction combines smooth rotations, a backward launch, and incredibly clear screens to bring the story to life and make Guests feel like they are in the middle of the action.

Soarin’ Around the World

Over in EPCOT’s World Nature, Guests can enjoy The Land Pavilion, where several attractions celebrate the beauty and diversity of Earth, including Soarin’ Around the World. This innovative attraction takes Guests to the sky for an adventure that feels like hang gliding, offering the chance to dangle feet over some of the most stunning locations on the planet. With a beautiful score and scenes including Sydney Harbor, the Great Wall of China, Mount Kilimanjaro, the Eiffel Tower, and more, Soarin’ Around the World is a top attraction at the Walt Disney World Resort.

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

Disney’s Hollywood Studios is home to some of the most thrilling attractions at the Walt Disney World Resort, including The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror which dominates the skies over Sunset Boulevard, beckoning Guests in with the chilling sound of screams. The attraction offers Guests the chance to experience their very own episode of The Twilight Zone by boarding a service elevator that soon takes control and has them plunging and rising again and again for some huge thrills.

Toy Story Mania

Disney’s Hollywood Studios is also home to Toy Story Land, where Guests can play in Andy’s backyard and enjoy several attractions, including Slinky Dog Dash, which features the beloved character from the film series. Toy Story Mania is a fun-filled and competitive game where Guests don 3D glasses and take part in a series of midway games hosted by Woody, Buzz, and more. Each game features different targets to aim at and surprises along the way, and Guests love seeing who can score the highest on each visit!

Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway

One of the newest additions to Disney’s Hollywood Studios is Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, which can be found in a replica of the famous Grauman’s Chinese Theater on the end of Hollywood Boulevard. The attraction uses amazing technology that allows Guests the chance to literally step into the cartoon and embark on a runaway adventure with Mickey and Minnie, filled with immersive sets and amazing technology.

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is hands down the most popular and advanced attraction at the Walt Disney World Resort and cannot be missed. This incredible attraction can be found in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Disney’s Hollywood Studios and uses several pre-shows and an incredible experience to put Guests in the middle of the action as they try to escape from the First Order while protecting the location of a Resistance base. With beloved characters, amazing technology, and an unforgettable and immersive story, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is one of the top attractions at the Walt Disney World Resort.

Kilimanjaro Safaris

Disney’s Animal Kingdom celebrates the beauty of nature through many popular attractions, including Kilimanjaro Safaris, which can be found in the village of Harambe in the Africa area of the Disney Park. This wonderful experience brings Guests into the Harambe Reserve, where they board authentic safari vehicles and set out into the forests and savannas to encounter amazing animals including elephants, giraffes, cheetahs, lions, rhinos, hippos, and more. Each experience on Kilimanjaro Safaris is completely unique thanks to the free-roaming animals, and the theming is so incredible that Guests truly feel as though they are on a savanna in the middle of Africa.

Avatar Flight of Passage

Pandora – The World of Avatar in Disney’s Animal Kingdom brings the Valley of Mo’ara from the popular film to life with otherworldly plants and creatures, floating mountains, and the rich culture of the Na’vi. The area is also home to Avatar Flight of Passage, an incredible top attraction that uses innovative technology to link Guests to Avatars and offer them the chance to soar over Pandora on the back of a banshee. With thrilling moments of action, a brief pause in a bioluminescent forest, and some of the most immersive technology out there, Guests absolutely cannot miss out on Avatar Flight of Passage.

Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain

The final top attraction that Guests shouldn’t miss at the Walt Disney World Resort is Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain in the Asia area of Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The attraction has Guests board a steam train for a shortcut to Everest base camp through the Forbidden Mountain, but things soon take a thrilling turn when the Yeti steps in. Protecting the mountain, the Yeti rips up the track, chases Guests, and even tries to scoop them up as the train barrels backward through darkness, through turns, and a steep drop on this unforgettable and thrilling adventure on Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain.