Walt Disney World is home to dozens of innovative and exciting rides. Modern masterpieces like Rise of the Resistance are combined with classics like Peter Pan’s Flight and Tower of Terror. And since these are theme parks there have to be roller coasters. Like the rides I just mentioned, there are classic options met with some state-of the-art coasters. In this post, we’ll rank all of Walt Disney World’s roller coasters from worst to first.

I can’t take full credit for the idea behind this post. Reader, and lover of rankings, Chris asked for this and I was surprised that I hadn’t done it before. Like Chris, I also love ranking things so shout out to him!

There aren’t many imposed rules here. Essentially if the attraction is considered a roller coaster at Walt Disney World then it’s on the list. I didn’t include Crush n’ Gusher, the water coaster at Typhoon Lagoon, because that seemed outside our realm. Fun water slide though!

That brings the total coasters at WDW to 9. Big Thunder Mountain is undergoing a large refurbishment right now but I’ve decided to keep it in the rankings based on what it was. This probably goes without saying but the rankings are based off of my taste more than anything. I do factor in ride time, storytelling, thrill, etc. But at the end of the day, my favorites are probably different than your favorites. I will say that none of these are bad rides. The last place finisher is the only one we’d say is fine to skip for first timers, the rest are must-do’s! For being a resort that isn’t overly focused on thrill rides, these parks have some good ones. Let’s get to it!

9. The Barnstormer (MK)

The Barnstormer is a kid coaster tucked away in the back of Fantasyland. It takes about as much time to load onto the ride as it does to zip through this Goofy themed track. It’s not really The Barnstormer’s fault that it ranks in last place. The attraction just does not have the scale the others on this list do. Fortunately, this is still a good amount of fun and a nice intro to coasters for the kids!

8. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith (DHS)

Nearly the fastest coaster in Disney World (0 to 57 MPH in less than 3 seconds), this was an easy 8th place choice for me. The ride is dated and could use a big update, which is coming in the way of the Muppets! Along with that, the ride time is short. This is the part of the post where I tell you that I like but don’t love big thrill rides. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster is near my limit of how much I can take, so it will definitely be higher for others than it is for me. In the end, this is a fun coaster that shows it’s age.

7. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (MK)

My 4-7 in these rankings are so close that I had to ask Melissa for help. We’ll call it the “Coasters I Like Despite Their Flaws” category. A wordy title. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train kicks things off and is very ambitious. The dark ride section of this Fantasyland coaster is unlike anything else on this list and is executed well. I just don’t find the rest of Mine Train all that compelling, with a short track and less memorable ride.

6. Slinky Dog Dash (DHS)

I do think Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is a more impressive ride than Slinky Dog Dash. But the Toy Story themed coaster is just more fun. The track layout is as good as I’ve encountered for a family coaster and the ride vehicles were really well designed. A second launch also boosts Slinky above the Mine Train. For the constraints this attraction was working within, Slinky Dog Dash works extremely well.

5. Space Mountain (MK)

Magic Kingdom’s version of this iconic attraction is my least favorite of the bunch. The track could really use a refurbishment (at least my back thinks so) and I prefer the Disneyland soundtrack. But I can only move this down the list so much because of:

• The iconic facade – All of these years later, still one of the best buildings Disney has ever created.
• Plot – There’s both no plot devices and you still know the exact stakes based on the attraction title and a few context clues.
• Riding coasters in the dark is fun!

Those three facets will always make Space Mountain a standout ride, even if this version could use an update.

4. Tron Lightcycle / Run

I definitely like Tron more than some but understand the complaints. If the attraction was another 30 seconds long then it would have a chance at being a top 5 ride in all of Disney World for me. Sadly, it doesn’t have another 30 seconds! What it does have is the coolest aesthetic of anything on this list, augmenting the futuristic Tomorrowland skyline. Not to mention, riding the coaster is really fun! Blasting off outside is a very memorable moment. I could have been talked into 3rd place here but we’ll leave it in 4th for now.

3. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (MK)

Everything I said about Space Mountain applies to Big Thunder, except this has an even broader backstory mixed with some classic coaster fun. The updated effects will surely help the ride when it comes back from refurbishment. I also love the placement of Magic Kingdom’s Big Thunder, pressed up against the river. Time will tell if that beautiful spot will persist but for now it’s second prettiest mountain in Disney World, right behind…

2. Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain

The only coaster on this list that has a presence to it from multiple lands in the park. Guests can see Everest from Animal Kingdom’s Africa, Discovery Island, the ghost of Dinoland and, of course, Asia. It’s imposing and beautiful, a true second icon in a theme park. The actual ride lives up to that billing too, being a fun race through Everest and away from the Yeti. Yes, we want that monster to come back to life but that doesn’t stop me from loving the coaster as is. The queue sets up the story perfectly and the facade makes this one of the best rides in Disney World.

1. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind

This hurts my heart a little bit, especially ranking the perfectly themed Big Thunder and Everest behind my number 1 choice. But if I take off my theme park purist glasses then it’s pretty clear that Cosmic Rewind is the best coaster in Disney World, theme and fit be damned. The track is just about perfect, the queue and pre shows are fun and the ride is extremely smooth. This isn’t just the best coaster at Disney World, it’s one of the best in the world.

What are your Walt Disney World coaster rankings? Let us know, along with any questions you might have, in the comments below! If you are planning a trip to Disney World, then check out our planning guide. This site has discount tickets to Walt Disney World. If you enjoy what you are reading here on Wandering in Disney please share this post with your friends, as well as like our social media pages. You can also subscribe to the blog via WordPress or email. You can do all of that on the right side of this page. Thank you for reading, we really appreciate it!