When you think of the Magic Kingdom, you may be picturing the classic attractions that the park is known for – things like it’s a small world, the Haunted Mansion, and Pirates of the Caribbean. But, families planning a vacation to the Magic Kingdom at the Walt Disney World Resort should know that there are some thrilling rides among the classic ones.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Magic Kingdom roller coasters.
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Everything to Know about the Magic Kingdom Roller Coasters
TRON Lightcycle / Run
Walt Disney World’s newest ride (and the newest of the roller coasters at Disney World) is arguably the most thrilling ride at the Magic Kingdom. Based on the TRON: Legacy movie and the same ride as the popular one at Shanghai Disneyland, TRON is located just behind Space Mountain and the Tomorrowland Speedway in Tomorrowland.
It’s partially indoors and partially outdoors and utilizes a motorcycle-style ride vehicle. It’s a high-speed ride, although a bit short.
On my second ride, I was in the front row, which I found especially thrilling. If you are afraid of coasters, you’ll probably want to skip this one—although it is a lot of fun.
The ride requires a minimum height of 48 inches. If you have any concerns about the ride vehicle, you can test a sample one outside the building.
Disney World states that “The seating and restraints on this attraction may prohibit Guests of certain body shapes or sizes from riding.” There’s also an accessible bench on the ride with a lap bar that doesn’t use the motorcycle vehicle.
At this time, the ride offers an attraction photo as well as an attraction video.
While Disney World has previously utilized a virtual queue for TRON, that is no longer the case. Now, you can either wait in the standby line or purchase an individual lightning lane. These are limited, so you’ll want to purchase one as early as possible to ensure availability and get the most convenient time for you.
Space Mountain
Space Mountain is also located in Tomorrowland in the Magic Kingdom. It feels like a classic ride but is also a thrilling coaster. Offering an outer space theme, Space Mountain is a completely enclosed indoor coaster and an iconic Magic Kingdom ride.
There are slightly different versions of this dark ride at the various Disney parks worldwide. The version at the Magic Kingdom features a ride vehicle with a single seat in a row (one behind the other). So, if you’ve got a younger child that you need to sit next to, this is probably not the best ride.
Space Mountain offers attraction photography, as well as a lightning lane multi pass. There is a standby queue, so if you don’t purchase lightning lane multi-pass or can’t get a return time, you can always wait in the regular line.
It does typically get longer in the afternoon, so it’s a good idea to get in the queue early in the day to avoid waiting in a long line. In general, arriving at rope drop can be a great way to get some rides in before the crowds arrive.
Guests must be at least 44 inches to ride. Space Mountain isn’t really a scary roller coaster ride – it doesn’t go backward or upside down.
However, it is very dark there. So if you or your kids are afraid of the dark, you may want to avoid this attraction.
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
Since its opening in 2014, the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, located in Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom, has been one of my favorite attractions. Part family coaster, part dark ride, this attraction is great for families.
The height minimum is 38 inches. There’s another version of this attraction at Shanghai Disneyland.
In this ride, you’ll board a mine train and ride through a diamond mine, where you’ll see the Seven Dwarfs singing their iconic song while working. Then, as you depart the mine, you’ll start the coaster part of the attraction.
The ride vehicle provides a smooth ride, with some swaying. It isn’t a scary ride at all and has a lower height minimum than most other roller coasters at Disney World.
Although it’s been open for a while, the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is still extremely popular. Therefore, expect the lines to be pretty long.
It doesn’t offer the individual lightning lane multi-pass, so you’ll need to purchase an individual lightning lane if you want to skip the standby line. Like other popular attractions, it’s best to ride early if you are going to use the standby line.
This ride offers attraction photography, and like TRON, there’s also a video. In the end, you’ll see Snow White in her cottage along with the Seven Dwarfs.
The Barnstormer Featuring the Great Goofini
When New Fantasyland opened in the Magic Kingdom about a decade ago, the popular Barnstormer was moved to Storybook Circus. I was glad it was saved from the closing of Mickey’s Toontown Fair because it’s such a beloved family attraction.
My kids loved the Barnstormer when they were younger because it was a great first roller coaster. It’s very mild, with a minimum height requirement of 35 inches.
If you aren’t sure if your kids will like riding a roller coaster, this is the perfect ride to start with. I wouldn’t quite consider it a kiddie coaster, but it is definitely a slower ride.
The Barnstormer does offer multi-pass, although the standby lines aren’t always very long. Check wait times before you use one of your precious lightning lane multi-pass allocations. There’s no attraction photo for this ride.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
I fondly remember first riding Big Thunder Mountain Railroad as a kid. This outdoor coaster is still thrilling but is relatively mild. It doesn’t go backward or upside down, so it’s more of a fun, traditional mild roller coaster.
As you enter the queue into the building, the line splits two sides. The ride is the same on either side. The ride storyline takes place in an abandoned mine shaft, and you’ll ride through a ghost town as the car travels past boulders, caves, and more.
There are versions of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Disneyland in California, Tokyo Disneyland, and Disneyland Park in Paris. While I prefer the Disneyland Paris ride (Big Thunder Mountain), the Magic Kingdom version is also very fun. It’s definitely worth riding.
I think Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is more thrilling than the Barnstormer and the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, but less thrilling than TRON and Space Mountain. It has a minimum height requirement of 40 inches.
Like other popular rides at the Magic Kingdom, the queue for this line can get long. Much of it is outdoors before you reach the indoor area. Lightning Lane multi-pass is offered and I’d recommend it if you have this on your must-ride list.
Other Magic Kingdom Rides
In the past, guests referred to the three mountains at the Magic Kingdom – Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Space Mountain, and Splash Mountain. However, Splash Mountain closed in early 2023 and reopened in 2024 as Tiana’s Bayou Adventure (with a storyline based on the movie The Princess and the Frog). Virtual queue is currently offered for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, or you can also use one of your lightning lane multi-pass allocations.
During your day(s) at the Magic Kingdom, you’ll probably have time for some other attractions in addition to these. Here are some ideas for the best Magic Kingdom rides. Note that this isn’t the only ride worth experiencing.
If you are looking for classic rides with (very mild) thrills, options include the Haunted Mansion, the Pirates of the Caribbean, the Astro Orbiter, the Tomorrowland Speedway, and Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin.
Other popular classic rides (but not thrill rides) at the Magic Kingdom include the Magic Carpets of Aladdin, it’s a small world, Peter Pan’s Flight, the Many adventures of Winnie the Pooh, the Tomorrowland Transit Authority Peoplemover, The Magic Carpets of Aladdin, the Mad Tea Party, the Jungle Cruise, Under the Sea – Journey of The Little Mermaid, and Dumbo the Flying Elephant.
Other Coasters at Walt Disney World
If you are a roller coaster fan, there are other options for thrill rides across the other three Disney parks in Florida. These are some of the Disney rides. These other coasters include:
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
This dark ride in EPCOT is one of the newest rides at Disney World and is more thrilling than TRON in my opinion. It’s an exciting ride and includes a backward launch at the beginning.
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind feels like so much more than a roller coaster – it’s now one of my favorite fun rides at Disney World.
Slinky Dog Dash
Located in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, this Toy Story-themed roller coaster is outdoors and relatively mild. While Slinky Dog Dash isn’t a thrill ride, it’s still lots of fun.
Rock N Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
This Hollywood Studios thrilling dark ride is the only ride at Walt Disney World that goes upside down. If you want a thrilling ride, this is one of my favorites.
Expedition Everest
Located in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, this outdoor thrilling roller coaster goes backward and is a must-do.
