Orlando is home to some of the best and most popular theme parks in the world. Seven of those are in Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando. The recent opening of Epic Universe, as well as a comment from Chris (our favorite list lover), got me thinking about my favorite rides in Orlando. You all know I love ranking attractions so why not take it city wide! In this post, I’ll rank my top 20 rides in both Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando.

There’s quite a bit to get to here so I’ll keep the prologue short. 20 is the number Chris mentioned in the comment and I stuck to that. Looking at the rankings, there’s a pretty clear top 15 for me and then 16-25 (maybe 26) were a tough choice. I’ll get to a few quick honorable mentions in a moment. In the end, 20 seemed right for 7 parks in consideration. Here’s the amount of rides each park got onto my list:

• Magic Kingdom: 6
• Epcot: 2
• Hollywood Studios: 2
• Animal Kingdom: 3
• Universal Studios: 0
• Islands of Adventure: 4
• Epic Universe: 3

It’s interesting to compare these to our park rankings. Obviously, it doesn’t tell anywhere near the whole story. Animal Kingdom has 3 incredible rides and then that’s almost all of the rides that are open. Meanwhile, Hollywood Studios and Epcot have quite a few good rides that just missed making the cut.

We kept to just rides and not stage shows or nighttime spectaculars. I did consider short and 3D films though. A few get shout outs in the list but here are a few others that just narrowly missed making the top 20.

Pirates of the Caribbean in Magic Kingdom is great but the worst of all the versions so I left it off. Small World is a sentimental favorite but not the best version of the iconic attraction either. The PeopleMover is a wonderful ride but gets a little overhyped at this point, in my opinion. I really do like the Test Track 3.0 remodel but that still misses the cut. Over at Universal, Epic’s Mine-Cart Madness was heavily considered but has just enough issues to where I didn’t put it on.

The biggest omissions to this top 20 are Universal’s Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts and Epcot’s Spaceship Earth. The latter is easy to explain away – I was going by the current state of the rides and Spaceship Earth desperately needs to be refurbished. As for Escape from Gringotts, there’s no doubting the incredible queue and setup. It’s a mind blowing experience. But I find the actual on-ride experience to be extremely clunky and not all that convincing.

These are all my opinion so I’m sure you’ll disagree with them plenty! That’s okay, just let me know your list in the comments. I did often go by what I consider best over my favorite but there is a mix in here. Let’s get to it!

20. Impressions de France (Epcot)

This one’s for all of the smaller attractions out there that don’t get enough respect. I’m talking about Living with the Land, Maharajah Jungle Trek, E.T. and more. Impressions de France is my favorite of those and if this list wasn’t trying to be at least somewhat objective, I’d move this short film about places in France into the top 10. Number 20 felt right though, as the movie can’t match the scale of the thrill and dark rides on the list. We love you anyway, Impressions de France!

19. Jurassic Park River Adventure (IoA)

If Impressions de France is a stand in for all of the smaller attractions that didn’t make the cut, Jurassic Park River Adventure represents all of the fallen T-Rexes out there. With Dinosaur on its last legs, the theme park representation of everyone’s favorite prehistoric animals is at an all time low. I’m no hero but am brave enough to say this: We need more dinosaurs on theme park rides. This Universal Islands of Adventure ride is far from perfect but the thrills and animatronics earn it a spot on the list.

18. Space Mountain (MK)

This version of Space has some major flaws but it’s still iconic enough to earn a spot on the list. Between the facade, setup and starting ramp of the ride, there’s enough reason to put up with the inevitable backpain. No Magic Kingdom day is complete without riding Space Mountain. I’d love to see an update to the ride in the future.

17. Stardust Racers (Epic)

There’s quite a few coasters on this list and Stardust Racers is among the most fun. It ranks lower because of a lack of theme. Instead, this is just a really great coaster with two tracks and very cool ride vehicles. If you care less about theme then this probably ranks a little higher for you.

16. Jurassic World VelociCoaster (IoA)

I rode this once and will never go on it again due to fear of dying. But there’s no doubting that VelociCoaster is great. Tying the rip roaring coaster into the Jurassic World theme is no small task but they do it pretty well here, all things considered. That’s why it ranks above Stardust Racers for us. If terrifying rides scare you then this is off the list, if you love them then this probably deserves to be moved up a few spots.

15. Peter Pan’s Flight (MK)

Orlando is very good when it comes to roller coasters but there’s not much in the way of dark rides. Peter Pan’s Flight makes the cut, as it’s still a beautiful ride that takes guests soaring above London and into Neverland. Every time I ride this (generally late at night once the line has died down) I’m reminded of why this is a classic. Peter Pan’s Flight is timeless.

14. Tron Lightcycle Run (MK)

Every time I go on this bike coaster, I like it a little more. Not only does it look great across Magic Kingdom’s skyline, the actual on-ride experience is underrated at this point. Everyone knows that it’s too short, including me. But the launch outside under the canopy is among the best moments of any ride at Disney World, everything that follows is a bonus.

13. Jungle Cruise (MK)

I’m a Jungle Cruise defender and this version gets bonus points for offering ‘Jingle Cruise’ during the holiday months. The experience will differ depending on the skipper but if you luck out and get the right one, then this is a tough ride to beat. The animatronics here look great and it’s a ride that I’m always happy to get on, regardless of time or weather.

12. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (MK)

Consider this a placeholder spot for now. I’m optimistic that Big Thunder will jump up this list when it reopens with updated effects this spring. For now, I’ve placed it based on the old ride. We know it looks beautiful and we know it’s a fun ride. Now, how can they plus the experience? We’ll find out soon enough.

11. Expedition Everest (AK)

It feels sacrilegious to put Everest above Big Thunder Mountain but I expect the Wildest Ride in the Wilderness to overtake the Animal Kingdom ride when it reopens. That’s not to say Everest isn’t great, it is! The looming mountain hovers over the park and has a presence whether you’re close to it or not. Once on the ride, it’s one of the better coasters in Orlando with a great story to boot. Yes, it would be better with a working Yeti.

10. Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment (Epic)

I wasn’t expecting to love this ride as much as I did. While I was excited that Epic Universe used Universal’s collection of monsters for a land, I get a little nervous when it comes to horror. Halloween Horror Nights leaves me absolutely terrified. Thankfully, Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment is more interested in telling a story than it is in scaring you. Sure, there are a few unnerving moments but the experience, from the moment guests step into the queue, is fantastic. There are a few faults but the attraction’s highs sneak this into the top ten.

9. Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry (Epic)

I had Battle at the Ministry just narrowly edging out Monsters Unchained in our Epic Universe Attraction Rankings but the margin was so close that they needed to stick by each other here. Battle at the Ministry’s scale is something else and ultimately why it lands above other rides from Epic. Both in the queue and on the ride, the size of it all is jaw-dropping. I’ll admit that the CGI on the ride, when looking at character’s faces, bugs me but I’m so amazed by everything else that this still ranks ninth.

8. Flight of Passage (AK)

We’re in the part of the list where the rides are based on franchises I don’t care about but the attractions transcend that. Flight of Passage is a beautiful experience whether you’re shouting “sivako!” at the top of your lungs or not. The beautiful queue, the hilarious and cringey preshow and then an absolutely gorgeous ride make for a great experience. I may not remember the plot of any of the Avatar movies but I do remember this!

7. Cosmic Rewind (Epcot)

These next few attractions are so close. I’ve debated 3-7 on this list for the last 2 days and will likely want to change the order 2 minutes after publishing. For now, Cosmic Rewind comes in 7th. I understand that this is criminally low for some of you and I do acknowledge that there’s a large gap between 7 and 8. Cosmic Rewind is an absolute blast and among the most fun attractions I’ve ever been on. Yeah, 7th already feels too low.

6. Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure (IoA)

Picking my favorite coaster in Orlando came down to this and Cosmic Rewind. For now, I give the slightest edge to Hagrid’s. This bike coaster is a blast from start to finish, featuring some fantastic animatronics, surprises and a great track. For being a coaster, the story is coherent and well told.

5. Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey (IoA)

I still just adore the original Harry Potter attraction. Walking through Hogwarts remains one of the best queues in the world. Once on the ride, the physical sets blend with the screens as well as any Universal ride. The tree scene remains one of the my favorite attraction moments ever. This is a near perfect ride that manages to still feel modern even though it’s 15 years old now.

4. Haunted Mansion (MK)

Enough with all these new rides, right? We need a classic! Haunted Mansion is just that. So much has been written about this attraction and rightfully so. When thinking about it compared to all of the 21st century rides that came right before it on the list (7 straight), I was struck by how Haunted Mansion feels more abstract. There’s more takeaways from the story, something new could catch your imagination every time. The story feels less spelled out here than in modern rides and Haunted Mansion is better for it.

3. Kilimanjaro Safaris (AK)

If Battle at the Ministry earns points for the scale, Kilimanjaro Safaris definitely does. They aren’t anywhere near the same attraction but both are monumental in their own setting. Kilimanjaro Safaris is massive and still somehow fits into a theme park. No two ride throughs are the same thanks to the animals and wonderful drivers. No ride sums up a theme park’s identity like one.

2. Rise of the Resistance (DHS)

I wonder if we’ll ever be able to top Rise of the Resistance in terms of modern rides. Yes, I still prefer Pirates of the Caribbean and what comes next on this list. But I don’t know if anything will beat the spectacle of Rise of the Resistance. The ride system is breath taking and the preshow and queue are integrated perfectly into the story. We’re 6 plus years removed from the ride opening and I don’t think another has come close to it in terms of technical achievement.

1. Tower of Terror (DHS)

Tower of Terror is the complete package. The ride’s facade has a presence from the moment you get off the bus/tram/boat/Skyliner and start walking toward the Hollywood Studios entrance. There’s plenty to explore in the queue and the preshow only adds to the spectacle. Once you’re finally on the ride, it’s more than a simple drop. There’s a show element that is still fantastic. And the ride system still blows my mind, even after understanding how it works. That all happens while telling a great, spooky story. I’ll probably move the Tower of Terror out of the top spot one day but when I do, we may have entered the Twilight Zone.

What are your favorite rides at Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando? Let us know, along with any questions you have, in the comments below. If you’re planning a trip to Florida, check out our Disney World Guide to help you along the way. Additionally, you can find discounted tickets to Walt Disney World or Universal Orlando by clicking on those links. 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!