Theme parks are full of classic and innovative attractions. There are Fantasyland rides dating back to 1955 and trackless rides that feel as if they were sent here from the future. Standing out from the rest are roller coasters, the go-to thrills for decades. Each Disney Park has roller coasters and here at Wandering in Disney, we love to rank things. In this post, I’ll rank (from worst to first) all of the active Disney roller coasters that I’ve been on.

For reference, Melissa and I have traveled to Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World, Disneyland Paris and Tokyo Disney Resort. We’ve been on all of the coasters in those parks aside from Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Disneyland Paris. Sadly, that was closed when we visited. With Tokyo Disneyland currently between Space Mountains, I’ve left that off the list. I’ve already ranked all of the coasters in Disney World and this post felt like a logical next step.

The ranking criteria is pretty straight forward. Could you boil it down to what roller coasters I like the most? Sure! Will I give a more detailed answer to try to hide my bias? Absolutely. Along with the thrill of the ride and how enjoyable it is once on the coaster, I’ve also taken into account how cool the facade or track looks. Aesthetic certainly isn’t everything, but it is a part of the whole package.

Before we begin, I’ll point out that most of these are good rides. The worst 5 or 6 are skippable but even those are fun enough. I’ll also say that I’m not the biggest thrill ride fan. I go on them, and typically enjoy them, but they might not rate as favorably for me as they do for others. When we get to those attractions in the rankings I’ll try to make note of them. Let’s get to it!

24. Chip n’ Dale’s GADGETcoaster (DL)

Somebody has to finish last. I’d be lying if I said that this Toontown coaster’s name didn’t play a role in the last place finish. Capitalizing half a word to emphasize wordplay that I don’t think exists is a choice. For its part, GADGETcoaster does what it sets out to do – offering kids a chance to ride a nice, small roller coaster.

23. Gadget’s Go Coaster (TDL)

Again, this only finished ahead of the Disneyland version because of the less egregious name. I can’t say I really have a preference between the two. They’re both fine Toontown coasters.

22. The Barnstormer (MK)

Another quick, kiddie coaster. This one is tucked away in the back of Magic Kingdom’s Fantasyland (are we still calling it New Fantasyland?) so there’s less foot traffic. That makes this one a fun and silly ride to go on late at night, when no one else is around.

21. Flounder’s Flying Fish Coaster (TDS)

I like this kid coaster more than the previous ones because there’s more to look at while riding. Sitting across from Arabian Coast and underneath the Mermaid Lagoon castle, we get a tame track with a view.

20. Goofy’s Sky School (DCA)

This is a death trap masquerading as a family roller coaster. Maybe that’s a little strong, but of the 24 attractions on this list, this is the one I’m most afraid of. Wild mouse style roller coasters do that to me. This does feel like a step above county fair rides that have a similar track, thanks in large part to the Goofy theme.

19. RC Racer (WDSP)

Speaking of county fair style rides, I’m not even sure RC Racer belongs on this list. It’s similar to the classic amusement park ride that sways up and down, usually looking like a ship of some kind. Instead, this is a halfpipe on a roller coaster track. RC Racer was way more fun and thrilling than I thought it’d be.

18. Raging Spirits (TDS)

This DisneySea coaster does not have a good track. There’s a loop in it, so bonus points for thrills, but I’m not sure how there’s enough speed to get through that loop. Where Raging Spirits does succeed is in the aesthetic. The track looks cool, which sets riders up for disappointment, and the entrance is magnificent.

17. Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril (DLP)

This is very similar to Raging Spirits but with a slightly better track. At least, I think it’s a slightly better track that seemed faster. I could be convinced that it’s a clone though. The ride is a little more open and has a few Indy tie-ins that are well done.

16. Crush’s Coaster (WDSP)

The Crush’s Coaster experience is a weird one. You board the ride, take a quick turn outside before coming into a dark ride scene. It’s an interesting setup that eventually just leads to a wild mouse coaster in the dark, which is supposed to act as the ‘underwater highway’. This is a good idea in theory but the setup is better than the actual ride.

15. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster (DHS)

For thrill seekers, this probably ends up a bit higher. When this is rethemed to the Muppets, it will inevitably move up my list. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster is a quick but electric ride with a tired theme. I will say that there’s a big jump from number 16 to 15 for me. From here on out, these are all coasters that I like and that guests shouldn’t miss!

14. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (MK)

This is the good version of Crush’s Coaster. Featuring an effective dark ride scene in the middle, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is a fun family coaster with a few tricks. It’s downfall is that the ride needs to be about 30 seconds longer.

13. Avengers Assemble: Flight Force (WDSP)

Avengers Assemble: Flight Force is a rethemed Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster. The story works well enough, with riders flying through the skies. There’s an Iron Man animatronic in the queue that is a highlight of the attraction.

12. Slinky Dog Dash (DHS)

As I said in our WDW Coaster Rankings, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is the more impressive ride but Slinky Dog Dash is just more fun. For being a family coaster, the track layout is fantastic and the ride vehicles add some personality to a land that really needs it.

11. Space Mountain (MK)

Magic Kingdom has my least favorite version of Space Mountain because of the lack of soundtrack and the ride being really jerky. Even with those quibbles, there’s still the amazing dome building and a great plot to the ride.

10. Tron Lightcycle / Run (MK)

File this one away as “if only this ride was a little longer…” If it was, Tron would easily be a top 5 finisher on this list. I love the design, look and thrill this coaster offers. Unfortunately, it is just a little too short to rank higher.

9. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (MK)

Big Thunder in Magic Kingdom is undergoing changes at the moment, so the jury is still out on if the new version will move up the list. I love the location, sitting right by the water, but the ride misses out on the special effects that the other versions have.

8. Hyperspace Mountain (DLP)

This will be way too low for some people, and I get it. This is the most thrilling classic Disney attraction. Hyperspace Mountain has a great outside launch and then several inversions. It’s really exciting! The Star Wars theme doesn’t fully work for me and I would have loved to experience it in the original form. Still, this is a really fun ride!

7. Incredicoaster (DCA)

The thrill seekers would likely move Hyperspace Mountain and Incredicoaster up the list a few spots. This California Adventure attraction is extremely fun, one of the best tracks on this entire list! I just prefer the theme and appearance of the ones above it.

6. Matterhorn Bobsleds (DL)

The Matterhorn is one of the hardest coasters to rank. A classic ride with an enduring theme and an iconic facade make me want to move it up the list. The track makes me think my spine might turn into pudding at any moment though. Settling at number 6 seems fair.

5. Space Mountain (DL)

Disneyland’s Space Mountain is probably the coaster I’ve been on the most in my life. Every time I sit down in the ride vehicle I’m swept away by the soundtrack, stars on the domed ceiling and a few sudden drops. There’s a lot of nostalgia in this ride but it still stands on its own!

4. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (TDL)

Tokyo’s Big Thunder lands somewhere between Magic Kingdom’s and Disneyland’s for me. The effects work well and everything looks great (as usual in that resort) but I don’t think the story is conveyed quite as well.

3. Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain (AK)

Maybe my most controversial pick. Expedition Everest is a looming presence throughout the whole park and no one other ride on this list can boast that, outside of the Matterhorn. In a lot of ways, the Matterhorn and Everest are related both in story and by the fantastic facade. Everest is able to improve on the older version though, working yeti or not.

2. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (DL)

No theme park coaster has as much depth to it than Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. If you don’t care about story then this is still a fantastic family coaster with some fun tricks like staring at the goat, caves that are about to explode and fossils. The story of spirits pulling your train around the track runs deep though, all while not suffocating the thrill.

1. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind (Epcot)

Frankly, I like Big Thunder more than Cosmic Rewind. But I can’t argue that it’s a better ride. Between the spinning, soundtrack and thrill, Cosmic Rewind is about as much fun as anyone can have on a coaster. On top of that, the track is incredibly smooth, making this more accessible for all guests. While I prefer the theme and story more on other rides, I can’t refute that this is the best Disney roller coaster I’ve been on.

What are your favorite Disney roller coasters? Let us know, along with any questions you have, in the comments below. Planning a Disney trip? Check out our Travel Guides to help get you there! Here’s a link to discount tickets at both Disneyland and Walt Disney World. If you enjoy what you’re reading here on Wandering in Disney please subscribe to the blog via email or WordPress and like our social media pages. You can find all of those things on the right side of this page. Thank you very much for reading, we appreciate it!