🎢 Disney Rides So Amazing They Are Worth the Wait

There’s something magical about walking through those park gates. The music, the smells, the excitement in the air. No matter how many times we visit Disney, it always feels like the first time. Over the years, our family has found a few rides that we have to do every single trip, no matter how long the lines or how tired our feet are. These are our tried-and-true favorites, the ones that make us laugh, scream, and hold hands a little tighter. Here is my list, starting Where it all began… with Mickey and Friends.

🎩✨🚂 1. Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway – Hollywood Studios

This ride is one of my absolute favorites because it truly captures the heart of Disney — the magic of going on an adventure with Mickey, Minnie, and Friends. From the moment you step in, it feels like you’ve been pulled into a lively Colorful cartoon world. You follow Mickey and Minnie as they cook up a surprise for a picnic, but of course, things don’t go exactly as planned. 🍳🎨 Trains zoom, kitchen appliances spring to life, and the scenery spins and stretches in that wonderfully whimsical, cartoonish way. My kids are completely captivated from start to finish, and I love seeing Ava light up, remembering the days when she used to watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. By the end, all three of them are singing that song, and I can’t help but smile right along with them. It’s pure Disney joy in every sense.

🚀🪐🎶 2. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind – EPCOT

If you want to feel like a superhero, this ride is it. You join the Guardians as they chase down a cosmic object, traveling through a jumphole that sends you back in time and racing through different galaxies filled with dazzling colors and thrilling twists. 🌌💫🪐 The ride features a reverse launch that catches you completely by surprise and a 360-degree rotating ride vehicle that makes every spin, twist, and turn feel totally immersive. The soundtrack makes the adventure even more epic, featuring classics like “I Want You Back,” “September,” and “Disco Inferno” that perfectly match the ride’s energy. Oliver couldn’t stop talking about this ride for the rest of our trip — he ranked all the rides we rode throughout the week, and this one was always either number one or two, depending on the moment. It’s exhilarating, fun, and completely unforgettable.

🐸🎷💦 3. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure – Magic Kingdom

This ride instantly became a new family favorite. The music, the colors, the vibes — it’s all so joyful. I actually look forward to that big drop every time, and it never disappoints. The kids were laughing nonstop and already talking about getting back in line to do it all over again before we even stepped off the ride. And Aiden, in true Aiden fashion, spent the entire ride pointing out every beignet he saw and saying how much he wanted one. 🍩💚🎶 It’s the perfect mix of fun, laughter, and celebration all rolled into one magical bayou adventure.

🦕🌿💨 4. Flight of Passage – Animal Kingdom

This ride is nothing short of magical and completely immersive. You soar through Pandora on the back of a banshee, feeling its powerful breath and sensing every twist, turn, and dive as you glide over floating mountains, rushing rivers, and cascading waterfalls. 🐉✨🌌 The sights are breathtaking… glowing plants, floating mountains, and colorful landscapes stretch as far as the eye can see. and the smells of Pandora make the experience feel startlingly real. You can feel the banshee’s wings shift beneath you as it banks and dives, and the rush of wind adds an almost tangible sense of flight.

Every time I ride, I find myself turning to Chris and saying that I want to move here, and this time, Ava looked at me with wide eyes and screamed “Let’s mover there!!”😂 This ride quickly took the number one spot on our list… it leaves our whole family in awe and wanting more.

⚡🏍️🌃 5. TRON Lightcycle / Run – Magic Kingdom

TRON feels like stepping straight into a real live video game. You hop onto a sleek lightcycle, leaning forward as if you’re truly riding your own futuristic motorcycle. 🌐💨🎵 The track twists and turns, and you race along neon-lit pathways. you feel completely in control of your bike as you lean into each curve, fully immersed in the competition to beat the orange team. You soar over other riders and the people below, every twist and launch making it feel like you’re really part of the race. While waiting in line, the video challenges you with the question, “In life there are winners and there are losers, who are you?” — a line that Ava is still repeating weeks later.

🐀🍴🎨 6. Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure – EPCOT

This ride is just delightful from start to finish. You shrink down to the size of a rat and scurry through Gusteau’s bustling kitchen, navigating a chaotic, oversized world. 🐭🍝👩‍🍳 Giant ingredients fly past you, hot ovens puff steam, and every twist and turn makes it feel like you’re truly racing through the kitchen. The smells are incredible — baking bread, simmering sauces, and fresh herbs fill the air — and Aiden kept sniffing and saying, “MMM, what’s that smell?” The 3D, trackless ride system makes every movement unpredictable and exciting, and you can feel yourself dodging the chaos as Remy guides you through a culinary adventure that’s as immersive as it is fun. The ride captures the magic of being in a Pixar movie, making it full of humor, excitement, and sensory wonder.

🎸🚗💥 7. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith – Hollywood Studios

This ride is the definition of Disney rock ‘n’ roll fun. From the moment you’re launched from 0 to 60 mph in seconds, you’re racing through the dark streets of Los Angeles, trying to make it to an Aerosmith concert on time. 🎶🎢💨 The twists, turns, and corkscrews are perfectly timed to the music. The ride blasts you through loops, drops, and inversions, with flashing lights and neon accents adding to the exhilaration. I would not say i felt like i was trying to get to an aerosmith concert. however, it made the rollercoaster all about Rock and Roll. I have to admit, I’m a little sad about Disney changing this ride from Aerosmith to the Muppets. I don’t know if i am the only one, but I’m an Aerosmith fan, and their music makes the ride exciting and thrilling. For now, though, it remains one of the most adrenaline packed rides in all of Disney.

🏔️❄️🧗 8. Expedition Everest – Animal Kingdom

This ride is pure adrenaline and adventure. You climb aboard a train that winds through the towering Himalayan mountains, facing sudden drops, backward sections, and the looming presence of the legendary Yeti. 🐾⛰️😱 The mountain itself is massive — as you climb higher and higher, you can look out and see sweeping views of the park, even spotting the Epcot ball in the distance. Every twist, turn, and steep climb makes my stomach flip into knots, keeping you on edge while still loving every second of it. We visited this ride toward the end of the day when crowds were low, and we were lucky enough to ride it about five times in a row with virtually no wait. Each run felt as thrilling as the first, and the combination of speed, surprises, incredible theming, and breathtaking height makes Expedition Everest a must-do adventure for any Disney fan.

🌟⛏️💎 9. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train – Magic Kingdom

This is a classic Disney ride that never gets old. You glide through the dwarfs’ diamond-filled mine, twisting and turning along gentle hills while passing through beautifully detailed scenes of the Seven Dwarfs singing and working in their tunnels. 🎶💎🏞️ The ride perfectly balances fun and charm with just enough thrill to make it exciting for all ages. The sparkling gems in the mine tunnels and along the ride make the experience feel truly magical. This ride is always incredibly popular and always has long wait times, so visiting it at rope drop is a must-do — it’s the perfect way to experience this Disney classic before the lines get impossibly long.

💫 The Magic of the Rides

For me, Disney rides are more than just rides. They’re little memory-makers, snapshots of moments that stick with you long after the trip is over. Over the years, I’ve held my kids’ hands through dark tunnels, felt their laughter echo down the queue lines, and watched their eyes widen with pure wonder on each new adventure. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦✨ Every ride has its own story — the first time they saw Pandora, the thrill of racing TRON, or the delight in Remy’s chaotic kitchen — and every single one reminds me why Disney has such a timeless magic. These rides aren’t just about thrills or fun; they’re about creating memories, sharing experiences, and laughing together through every twist, turn, and drop.

So whether you’re flying on a banshee, racing through the Grid, or enjoying Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, Disney gives you these perfect little moments that linger in your heart. Moments that remind you how magical childhood feels, how exciting family adventures can be, and how, year after year, you can still find the wonder that makes Disney feel like home. It’s not just the rides themselves — it’s the memories, the laughter, and the joy that build up over time that make each trip unforgettable.

✨ Next time you’re at Disney, try out our family’s favorite rides! From Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind to Expedition Everest, TRON, and Flight of Passage, each one brings its own magic, thrills, and memories that will make your visit unforgettable.