With four theme parks and two water parks, thrill seekers are sure to find their happy place at Walt Disney World. Let’s take a look at 10 of the resort’s top extreme rides.
MAGIC KINGDOM:
Space Mountain—This classic Magic Kingdom coaster is an all-time fan favorite. Climb the 180-foot mountain then blast off into deep, dark space through twists and turns and past shooting stars and black holes. Two separate tracks, the Alpha and the Omega, mirror each other as they hurl rocket ships through the cosmos at 28 miles per hour. *Height requirement: 44 inches*
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad—Big Thunder Mountain Railroad was originally designed to be The Western River Expedition, a boat ride through the American West with hiking trails and pack mules featuring a runaway mine train and housed in a large complex called Thunder Mesa. Though Walt Disney World did receive its own attraction in 1980, Big Thunder Mountain was installed at Disneyland first in 1979. The “wildest ride in the wilderness” reaches speeds of 25-30 mph, matching that of the monorail, as it rumbles past actual gold mining tools on two-and-a-half acres of desert canyons and caverns. *Height reqirement: 40 inches*
ANIMAL KINGDOM:
Expedition Everest—Expedition Everest—Legend of the Forbidden Mountain adds a second “wienie” to Animal Kingdom Park with its 199-foot “snow”-covered mountain. A runaway tea train careens forward and backward around and through this breathtaking Himalayan Mountain peak in effort to escape the mountain’s guardian: the Yeti. The phenomenal Audio-animatronic beast stands more than 18 feet tall and has an arm thrust equivalent to the force of a 747 jumbo jet. *Height requirement: 44 inches*
Dinosaur!—Dinosaur! is housed inside the Dino Institute, a large building toward the rear of DinoLand, USA. Dino Sue, a 40-foot long, 20-foot high exact replica of the largest, most complete Tyrannosaurus rex fossil ever unearthed, stands charge by the entrance. Once you eek past her, proceed through the ride queue, strap into your Time Rover and hang on as you travel back in time to fetch a dinosaur before it and you become extinct. *Height requirement: 40 inches*
EPCOT:
Mission Space—Designed in consultation with 25 NASA experts and five astronauts, Mission Space is a flight training simulator that allows passengers to experience space travel without ever leaving Earth. Each team member has a specific role in commandeering the cosmic vessel. Passengers may choose their intensity level: Green for a milder ride and Orange for full throttle. *Height requirement: 44 inches*
Test Track—Ever wonder how a car is tested before it reaches your driveway? Epcot’s Test Track takes six Guests per vehicle through a series of quality tests that cars undergo before being released for sale to the public. Test braking systems, environmental factors and crash through barriers…er, um, maybe stop before you collide. Take a lap around the track outside at 65 mph, the fastest ride at Walt Disney World, before exiting to a showroom floor. *Height requirement: 40 inches*
DISNEY’S HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS:
Twilight Zone Tower of Terror—According to legend, the once glamorous Hollywood Hotel hosted stars of the silver screen during Hollywood’s Golden Age. But then on Halloween night, 1939, a violent storm struck the building, whisking 5 unfortunate souls “beyond the fifth dimension.” The hotel was left untouched after that disastrous eve. Guests board the “fright elevator,” which goes up, then down, then maybe up again…or down. Random drops depart the 13th floor and are determined by the Tower itself. Now if that doesn’t spook you, I don’t know what will! *Height requirement: 40 inches*
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith—A tour of G-Force Record Studio is cut short when the band Aerosmith takes off for a show. They take Guests with them, though, in a super stretch limo. Each “car” pumps 32,000 watts of onboard audio through a 125 speaker, 24 sub-woofer sound system and accelerates from a zero to 60 mph in 2.8 seconds with the force of a supersonic F-14. Three inversions offer a unique view of Los Angeles: upside-down! *Height requirement: 48 inches*
TYPHOON LAGOON:
Crush ‘n’ Gusher—The theme parks aren’t the only place to find thrill rides at Walt Disney World Resort. Head on over to Typhoon Lagoon for the white knuckle excitement of Crush ‘n’ Gusher. This water coaster defies gravity as its powerful jets pump water at 1,350 gallons per minute, propelling Guests down and up 420 feet of slide. Hold tight to your inflatable raft as you twist and turn through the chutes at speeds reaching 30 feet per second. *Height requirement: 48 inches*
BLIZZARD BEACH:
Summit Plummet—Take the plunge! The 12-story, high-speed drop from the top of Mount Gushmore, that is. The ride towers 30 feet above its mountain base and is built to resemble a ski jump. Riders do not really fly off the jump, though they do catch some air. The 8-second zoom down the 360-foot flume sends riders slightly over vertical then straight down and through a short tunnel under the jump at 50-60 miles per hour. It’s so exhilarating many “skiers” jump right up, adjust their wedgies and take the chair lift right back to the top. *Height requirement: 48 inches*
Whew! Now that ought to get your blood pumping.
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Cool fact, Kimberly! Thanks for the tip!
Did you know Dinosaur! is on the same track as the Indiana Jones ride at Disneyland?