Magic Kingdom is the most classic theme park at the Walt Disney World Resort, but what are the best rides at Magic Kingdom? As a massive Disney fan who has been covering the parks for over 15 years, I have ridden all the rides and visited all the parks multiple times. But not everyone has this luxury and those with limited time will want to prioritize the best of the best.
I put together this guide to the best rides at Magic Kingdom to help families make the most of their day at the park and really enjoy all the highlights. This guide basically ranks all the rides and gives you important information such as height requirements, ride description, sand Lightening Lane information.
If you only have one day at the park, I definitely recommend arriving at rope drop (when the park opens) and purchasing the Disney Genie Plus service on the WDW app which will give you the opportunity to reserve spots in the Lightening Lanes (formerly known as FastPass Lanes).
Important note: Unlike the other Disney World parks, no rides at Magic Kingdom have Single Rider.
20 Best Rides at Magic Kingdom
1. TRON Lightcycle/Run
Location: Tomorrowland
Minimum Height Requirement: 48 inches
Lightning Lane Enabled: This ride has an Individual Lightning Lane which is available for purchase via Disney Genie+ for about $20. Price varies due to demand. Check out our guide to Disney Genie+ and Lightning Lanes for more info. There is also a Virtual Queue option. Make sure you areon the app at 7am to secure your spot!
Some of the best rides at Magic Kingdom are also the newest, because they utilize state-of-the-art technology to create incredible ride experiences. The newest ride in the park, TRON Lightcycle/Run, is no exception.
TRON Lightcycle / Run is a semi-enclosed, launched steel motorbike roller coaster that takes riders on a race through the Grid. Riders sit on individual lightcycles, which are essentially motorbikes that have been digitized. The seats are similar to those on Avatar Flight of Passage at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The lightcycles are launched from a starting position and riders race through a series of loops, turns, and jumps.
The ride is one of the fastest coasters at any Disney theme park in the world, reaching speeds of up to 67 miles per hour. It is also one of the most technologically advanced, with state-of-the-art lighting and special effects. Yep- it’s pretty epic!
Regarding the virtual queue for this ride- the first virtual queue option is at 7am the day of your visit. You don’t need to be in the park for this one but you better be on the app and ready to click right at 7am. The next is at 1pm and you must be in the park to join that virtual queue.
There is also an opportunity to join the virtual queue at 6pm on dates where Magic Kingdom has extended hours. You don’t need ot be in the park to join the queue and it is only an option for those staying at a Disney Deluxe Resort, Disney Deluxe Villa Resort or other select hotels.
2. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
Location: Fantasyland
Minimum Height Requirement: 38 inches
Lightning Lane Enabled: This ride is not included in the Disney Genie+ Lightning Lane program but can be purchased as an Individual Lightning Lane for an additional cost of about $10-$12.
The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train has been one of the most popular rides in the park since it opened back in 2014. This ride makes for a great “first coaster” because the smooth track and not-too-high drops are really good for kids that want to test drive thrill rides. It makes for a great “first coaster”.
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train combines storytelling, animatronics, and mild roller coaster thrills. The ride vehicles are designed to resemble mine carts which are mounted on a pivoting mechanism, allowing them to sway from side to side as they navigate the track.
The ride takes guests on a journey through the Enchanted Forest, passing by familiar scenes and characters from the film. The highlight of the experience is the visit to the dwarfs’ diamond mine, where guests encounter animatronic figures of the seven dwarfs as they work and sing the iconic “Heigh-Ho” song.
Since it is a popular ride, I suggest making it the first or second ride you head to if you are staying on Walt Disney World property and have access to Extra Magic Hours. If not, try to visit on a day that doesn’t have Extra Magic Hours so you won’t be joining a queue already filled with people and make a beeline for this ride at Rope Drop.
The other option is to pay for the Individual Lightening Lane so you won’t be standing in line for hours and limiting your ability to ride other rides.
3. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Location: Frontierland
Minimum Height Requirement: 40 inches
Lightning Lane Enabled: Yes, it has a Disney Genie+ Lightning Lane.
“Hang on to your hats and glasses, because this here is the most wild ride in the wilderness!”
One of my all-time favorite rides takes riders on a journey through Big Thunder Mountain aboard a runaway mine train. It is a Western-themed ride with plenty of red rock formations, desert landscapes, abandoned mine structures, and critters like goats and rattlesnakes hanging out around the mine which is about to blasted with TNT.
The roller coaster itself combines drops, twists, turns, and special effects like dynamite blasts and simulated rockslides, to create a not-too-scary adventure. There are a few moments of darkness on this ride but overall, it is a great option for kids that are new to coasters.
As a bonus, a few years ago, Disney amped up the standby queue with interactive pieces so time in line is much more enjoyable. Take advantage of the Lightening Lane if you can but otherwise, a wait 45 minutes or less is worth your time.
4. Haunted Mansion
Location: Liberty Square
Minimum Height Requirement: None
Lightning Lane Enabled: Yes, it has a Disney Genie+ Lightning Lane.
A Magic Kingdom Opening Day original, Haunted Mansion is definitely one of the best rides at Magic Kingdom.
Enter a haunted elevator before it lets you out to board a “doom buggy” and take a cruise through the darker side of the Magic Kingdom. This attraction is part walk-through experience and part slow ride, so it is suitable for all ages. It isn’t really scary, other then when the lights go out for a moment in elevator. It is more of a “happy haunt”.
If you have experienced the Disneyland version of the Haunted Mansion you will notice it is actually different in a few different ways. At Magic Kingdom, the walking portion is shorter and the “doom buggy” portion is longer. Plus the exterior of the mansion is drastically different.
If you have little ones who might be intimidated by the haunted concept, try this ride during the Halloween and Christmas season when it has been made over to become Haunted Mansion Holiday.
Jack Skellington and his pals take over the ride and it becomes less creepy and more fun. My family actually enjoys this seasonal version more than the original attraction, but both versions are great.
5. Space Mountain
Location: Tomorrowland
Minimum Height Requirement: 44 inches
Lightning Lane Enabled: Yes, it has a Disney Genie+ Lightning Lane but in can also sometimes move to become a ride with an Individual Lightning Lane for purchase. Check the My Disney Experience App before your visit for the current status.
Space Mountain is the oldest operating roller coaster in Florida and definitely one of the best rides at Magic Kingdom. There are no loops or big drops, but the speedy turns as the ride whips through “outer space” have made this ride a park favorite for decades. No matter how many new attractions open, this ride is still ranks among our favorites.
Over the years, the ride has taken on special themes from time to time like Hyperspace Mountain in honor of Star Wars and Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy during select Halloween seasons, but the original is still something to get excited about.
There is a camera that flashes as the coaster enters the tunnel at the end of the ride, so be sure to make a funny face!
6. Pirates of the Caribbean
Location: Adventureland
Minimum Height Requirement: None
Lightning Lane Enabled: Yes, it has a Disney Genie+ Lightning Lane.
I don’t think there is a ride that I have been on more than Pirates of the Caribbean. It is an absolute “must ride” every time we visit. While it isn’t one of the original 15 rides at Magic Kingdom when the park opened in 1971, “Pirates” debuted in 1973, it is still very much a classic.
Riders board slow-moving boats boats in a misty, moonlit swamp scene. Then they enter a dark cavern and enter the world of the pirates, with several scenes showcasing the lives of these rowdy folks up to various shenanigans.
Keep your eye out for Jack Sparrow as you ride. The first time you will spot him is just after passing by Carlos, who clearly did something to upset the pirates because he is being dunked in a well. It won’t take long before you are singing along – “Yo Ho, A Pirate’s Life for Me!”
The animals of Pirates of the Caribbean are some of my favorite characters- from the jovial pigs to the key wielding mutt to the screeching cats. “Here kitty, kitty, kitty!”.
The queue for this ride tends to move faster than others because so many people board a boat at once. The Lightening Lane is always a great option but if the standby queue is at 30 minutes or less, jump on in and save your Lightening Lane reservation for another attraction.
7. Jungle Cruise
Location: Adventureland
Minimum Height Requirement: None
Lightning Lane Enabled: Yes, it has a Disney Genie+ Lightning Lane.
One of the best rides at Magic Kingdom is also one of the original Disney attractions from the 1955 opening of Disneyland. It was also one of the original 15 rides inside this Florida park. Yes, the Jungle Cruise is cheesy, but that is part of the fun!
Whether you are gazing at mischievous, animatronic animals or the back half of Schweitzer Falls, boat skippers will keep you entertained with jokes so bad, you can’t help but laugh. Each boat captain’s dialogue is different from the next, so you never know what you are going to get.
This ride is is slow moving and not scary, so everyone can enjoy it. The queue for this ride can get long, so it is a great Lightening Lane reservation option.
Fun Fact: Did you know that some famous folks once worked as Jungle Cruise boat skippers? John Lasseter, Kevin Costner, and Steve Martin have all had the honor of perfecting their public personas while working the ride.
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8. Peter Pan’s Flight
Location: Fantasyland
Minimum Height Requirement: None
Lightning Lane Enabled: Yes, it has a Disney Genie+ Lightning Lane.
Peter Pan’s Flight caters to lovers of classic Disney rides and animation. This beloved attraction has one of the slowest queues in the entire park thanks to its slow boarding system, so we always take advantage of the Lightning Lane when we want to ride it.
Once you board your “ship”, you’re whisked off to London and Neverland and appearancse are made by all your Peter Pan favorites, including Captain Hook and his crocodile nemisis.
The interactive queue, when the line is not too long, is worth the walk with its interactive experiences. This ride is great for all ages because it is slow moving and not scary. It is definitely one of the best rides at Magic Kingdom for toddlers and especially skittish kids.
9. Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
Location: Tomorrowland
Minimum Height Requirement: None
Lightning Lane Enabled: Yes, it has a Disney Genie+ Lightning Lane.
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin is located in Tommorland and it appeals to all ages thanks to its interactive nature. It is based on Toy Story franchise’s iconic character, Buzz Lightyear.
Riders board a two-person space cruiser equipped with a laser cannon and a joystick to help Buzz defeat the evil Emperor Zurg by shooting laser beams at various targets throughout the ride. Ride vehicles rotate to face different directions, allowing riders to aim and shoot at targets in any direction.
Targets include aliens, robots, and other objects, which have different point values that are displayed on the targets themselves, so aim for the bigger point values to get a higher score. At the end of the ride, your score is displayed on the vehicle’s control panel so if your family is as compettive as mine, you are going to want to win!
10. “It’s a Small World”
Location: Fantasyland
Minimum Height Requirement: None
Lightning Lane Enabled: Yes. This ride has a Disney Genie+ Lightning Lane Entrance
There are few rides more iconic than “it’s a Small World”. While the exterior of the ride at Magic Kingdom doesn’t have the grandeur of the ride at Disneyland, the attraction itself is still the same.
Yes, the song will get stuck in your head for days (and probably already is as you are reading this), but this is one of the few rides that everyone can ride and iIt is fun to spot Disney characters throughout the ride hangin out with those singing dolls from around the world are awfully cute!
Fun fact: The ride first debuted at the 1964 New York World’s Fair before becoming an iconic attraction at Disney parks.
The ride experience lasts around 10 minutes, making it nice spot to relax and enjoy the air conditioning while enjoying the flotilla of colorful animated dolls representing different cultures, all singing and dancing together. My favorite dolls are the Tahitian dancers shaking their little hips and hyper speed.
11. Dumbo
Location: Fantasyland
Minimum Height Requirement: None
Lightning Lane Enabled: There is no Genie+ Lightning Lane.
We have all wanted to fly atop an elephant holding at feather ever since we first saw the classic Disney movie, right? Then it is no surprise that Dumbo is another classic Fantasyland ride that we can’t get enough of.
This ride is especially popular with infants, toddlers, and skittish children because they can see exactly what the ride is about before they get on. Riders (or pairs) board their own Dumbo vehicle, and they can control the elevation of their ride by using a lever inside the vehicle.
There is no Lightening Lane for Dumbo so opt to ride early, during the parades, or after fireworks to avoid the longest lines. The queue is a circus-themed with colorful tents and whimsical decorations.
If it is warm out (and it usually is in Orlando) make time for the kids to play at Casey Jr. Splash ‘N’ Soak Station, which inspired by the train from Dumbo and located next to the ride. There are severral interactive water features to enjoy, so you might consider packing a change of clothes.
Dumbo the Flying Elephant has become an iconic symbol of the Magic Kingdom and is considered a must-do attraction for many guests. Its charming storyline, whimsical theming, and interactive elements make it a timeless favorite that captures the imagination and joy of Disney fans of all ages.
12. Tomorrowland Speedway
Location: Tomorrowland
Minimum Height Requirement: 32 inches
Lightning Lane Enabled: Yes, it has a Disney Genie+ Lightning Lane.
Tomorrowland Speedway is a favorite among young kids who get a chance to drive their own gas-powered race cars on a winding track. It is designed to resemble a classic racetrack from the 1950s, with its retro-futuristic aesthetics and colorful signage. The cars are guided by a center rail to help maintain a steady path and prevent collisions.
This attraction has a slow onboarding system so if the line gets long, I would suggest booking a Lightening Lane reservation. Older kids and adults won’t be as impressed by this classic ride but younger kids can’t get enough of it.
13. Barnstormer
Location: Fantasyland
Minimum Height Requirement: 35 inches
Lightning Lane Enabled: Yes, it has a Disney Genie+ Lightning Lane.
The Barnstormer is a family-friendly roller coaster located in Fantasyland that is themed around a barnstorming stunt plane show starring Goofy, a daredevil pilot that is putting on an air show.
The queue area features props and signs reminiscent of an old-timey airfield and riders board individual two-seater planes. This is technically a coaster, but it really is a kiddie coaster that is best suited for kids under 10. Of course, anyone over 35 inches is welcome to ride.
This ride is pretty short- just a minute long, so it is only worth your time if the lineis short or you caneasily grab a Lightening Lane reservation.
14. Walt Disney World Railroad
Location: Main Street USA, Fantasyland, Frontierland
Minimum Height Requirement: None
Lightning Lane Enabled: No
The Walt Disney World Railroad is a classic steam-powered train that encircles the Magic Kingdom. It serves as both a mode of transportation and an attraction, offering guests a scenic journey through the park’s various lands with stops at Main Street USA, Fantasyland, and Frontierland.
The four vintage-style trains that use this track are named the Lilly Belle, the Walter E. Disney, the Roger E. Broggie, and the Roy O. Disney. Train rides are accompanied by narration, providing interesting facts and anecdotes about the park, its history, and the surrounding areas.
If you stay on the train the whole time, the ride will last 20 minutes. Best of all, you can just stay on the train and keep riding if your kiddo decides to take a nap.
15. Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Location: Fantasyland
Minimum Height Requirement: None
Lightning Lane Enabled: Yes, it has a Disney Genie+ Lightning Lane.
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh is one of the classic Disney dark ride’s that have been mainstays of Fantasyland for generations. It is based on the beloved characters and stories from A.A. Milne’s Winnie the Pooh books.
The attraction takes guests on a whimsical journey through the Hundred Acre Wood, where they join Winnie the Pooh and his friends on various adventures. As guests enter the ride, they are immersed in the charm of Pooh’s world through vibrant colors, detailed set designs, and familiar music.
Riders board honey pot-shaped ride vehicles, and take a whimsical journey through the Hundred Acre Wood. Scenes include beloved characters like Tigger, Eeyore, Piglet, Owl, Rabbit, and Pooh which are brought to life with a combination of animatronic figures, music, and special effects.
This ride targets the park’s youngest guests but anyone who great up with Winnie the Pooh will find it adorable.
16. Under the Sea- Journey of the Little Mermaid
Location: Fantasyland
Minimum Height Requirement: None
Lightning Lane Enabled: Yes, it has a Disney Genie+ Lightning Lane.
Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid is another Fantasyland dark ride. The exterior of the queue entrance is designed to look like Prince Eric’s castle and the queue itself is themed to look like an underwater grotto, complete with interactive elements for guests to enjoy while waiting.
The ride itself is a slow-moving, clamshell-shaped vehicle, which takes riders to different scenes in the movie that come to life with animatronics, special effects, and classic music from the film.
After the ride, youngsters will want to head to Ariel’s Grotto, a meet-and-greet area where they can interact with Ariel herself and take photos with the iconic Disney princess. Overall, this ride is suitable for all ages and will appeal to anyone who loves The Little Mermaid.
17. Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress
Location: Tomorrowland
Minimum Height Requirement: None
Lightning Lane Enabled: No
I have a love affair with The Carousel of Progress, a cheesy but beloved attraction that was was originally created for the 1964-1965 New York World’s Fair. It was developed by Walt Disney himself, reflecting his fascination with technological advancements and his optimistic view of the future.
The attraction is basically a theater-in-the-round presentation that takes guests on a journey through the progress of technology and daily life over the course of the 20th century. Guests sit in a circular theater and are moved around to different stages, allowing them to experience the show from different vantage points. The stages represent different time periods, starting from the early 20th century and progressing to the present day.
The show follows the story of an American family, the “Progress family,” and highlights how technology has improved their everyday lives. Each act showcases a different era, featuring animatronic figures representing family members and their interactions with the latest innovations of the time.
They do update the ride from time to time to reflect the new innovations in present day society. The catchy theme song, “There’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow”, is quite catchy. There is rarely a line for this attraction so if you feel like sitting for a while and enjoying a show, head here!
18. Astro Orbitor
Location: Tomorrowland
Minimum Height Requirement: None
Lightning Lane Enabled: No
Astro Orbiter is basically “space Dumbo”. Instead of flying elephant, riders hop aboard rocket ships which utlizae the same ride mechanism as Dumbo.
As riders ascend and descend, they can take in panoramic vistas of the surrounding area, including iconic attractions like Cinderella Castle, Space Mountain, and the Tomorrowland Speedway. The swirling lights and futuristic music further are best experienced at night, when the dark skies help set the mood.
The queue for this ride can move rather slow, so try to hit it up when crowds tend to be lower such as during parades or early in the day.
19. Magic Carpets of Aladdin
Location: Adventureland
Minimum Height Requirement: None
Lightning Lane Enabled: Yes, it has a Disney Genie+ Lightning Lane.
Want more flying around in large circles a la Dumbo? Then check out the Magic Carpets of Aladdin. The main differences are that this ride is themed after the magic carpet from the movie, Aladdin, and four people fit inside each magic carpet vehicle, as opposed to two at Dumbo. Other than that, it basically the same.
The attraction’s queue is themed to resemble a colorful Arabian marketplace, but I suggest using a LIghtening Lane reservation if you can get one without waiting very long.
20. Mad Tea Party
Location: Fantasyland
Minimum Height Requirement: None
Lightning Lane Enabled: Yes, it has a Disney Genie+ Lightning Lane.
The Mad Tea Party is a classic spinning teacup ride that you are either going to love or hate. I fall into the “hate” category because those spinning cups are sure to make me lose my lunch whenever I ride. My daughter, who has a steel stomach, loves it.
The theme of the ride is very cute. It is based on the whimsical “Unbirthday Party” scene in Alice in Wonderland. Riders can use the wheel inside their teacup to rotate it as much or as little as they desire. The teacups also spin independently because they are set on a larger rotating platform.
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