Does Disney World have scary roller coasters? While many would call Disney’s thrill rides relatively tame, they all certainly pack a punch in their own unique ways. Let’s dive into the specifics – ranking each one by intensity, drops, speed, and more.
9 – Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
While still technically a roller coaster, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is the place to be for mild, family-friendly thrills. Straddling the line between a kiddie coaster and more heavy-duty thrill rides, Mine Train is the perfect “starter coaster” for many new thrill seekers.
How Intense is Seven Dwarfs Mine?
With a top speed of 34 miles per hour, Mine Train is almost exactly as fast as Big Thunder Mountain, right across the park. While it does have its fair share of twists, turns, and small drops, each of its thrill elements are light, whimsical, and very fun. It certainly gets your adrenalin pumping a bit, but it’s still gentle enough for most kids and beginners, in my opinion.
How Does Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Compare to other Scary Roller Coasters?
Compared to the other coasters in the park, Mine Train is decidedly the least intense – providing lighthearted thrills for the whole family. I would rank it above most kiddie coasters, but below any other scary roller coasters in the parks.
For more specifics on Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, go check out my in-depth ride review here! Also, if you’re looking for a visual of the ride and queue, be sure to check out this video from 4K WDW.
8 – Splash Mountain
While Splash Mountain is not technically a roller coaster (one of two on this list), it’s still decidedly a thrill ride in my opinion. With a heavy emphasis on drops – most notably the giant log flume at the end – I felt that it definitely had a place in our rankings among the scary roller coasters in Disney World.
How Intense is Splash Mountain?
Without any significant speed, twists, turns, or inversions, Splash Mountain‘s thrill-factor relies solely on its trademark plunge. The drop itself is 53 feet tall and is the third largest in all of Walt Disney World. It’s intense, thrilling, and is made even more scary by its long, ominous climb to the top of the lift – leaving you staring down half of Magic Kingdom from way up there. In addition, this attraction has 3 smaller drops – but they all pale in comparison to the ride’s finale.
How Does Splash Mountain Compare to other Scary Roller Coasters?
Splash Mountain sets itself apart with the majority of its 11 minute runtime being a slow, gentle dark ride. While still mild by many thrill ride standards, its substantial log flume certainly sets it a step above Seven Dwarfs Mine Train or any kiddie coasters, in my opinion.
For more specifics on Splash Mountain, go check out my in-depth ride review here! Also, if you’re looking for a visual of the ride and queue, be sure to check out this video from 4K WDW.
7 – Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is a playful Western-themed coaster known to many as the “Wildest Ride in the Wilderness!” While still arguably one of the milder rides in Disney World, its undeniably fun track and theming make for a thrilling ride for the whole family.
How Intense is Thunder Mountain?
With a top speed of 35 miles per hour, Thunder Mountain has a similar momentum to its less-intense cousin, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. What makes this ride more intense are the considerably heftier drops, twists, and turns throughout the ride. In addition, its old age makes for a much bumpier, more turbulent experience – setting it apart as a bit rougher than some others on this list.
How Does Thunder Mountain Compare to other Scary Roller Coasters?
While its drops are nowhere near as tall or intense as Splash Mountain‘s 53 foot trademark plunge, the overall ride experience is faster, rougher, and overall more intense than Mine Train or Splash Mountain. This runaway train moves just 1 mile per hour faster than Mine Train, but heightens the thrill-factor with heftier coaster elements overall. Because of this, it definitely earns its place among the scary roller coasters in Disney World.
For more specifics on Thunder Mountain, go check out my in-depth ride review here! Also, if you’re looking for a visual of the ride and queue, be sure to check out this video from 4K WDW.
6 – Slinky Dog Dash
Slinky Dog Dash’s ranking among the scary roller coasters of Disney World may come as a surprise to some of you. While it’s an undeniably fun, whimsical little coaster marketed towards the whole family, I felt that it was actually more intense than our previous contenders on this list.
How Intense is Slinky Dog Dash?
With a top speed of 40 miles per hour, Slinky Dog Dash is actually faster than both Thunder Mountain and Mine Train. On top of that, its more unique track elements – like a mid-ride launch and repeated “slinky” hills – set it apart as a more dynamic and thrilling coaster. That being said, it’s still fairly mild and suitable for many kids and other sensitive riders. If you’re up for it, I’d definitely recommend giving it a try!
How Does Slinky Dog Dash Compare to other Scary Roller Coasters?
Slinky Dog Dash ranks as slightly more intense than the previous coasters on this list due to its increased speed and more dynamic track. It’s a bit higher off the ground than Mine Train and Thunder Mountain and includes some more substantial drops. While arguably a bit more intense, it’s still an absolute blast and a fun, whimsical ride for the whole family.
For more specifics on Slinky Dog Dash, go check out my in-depth ride review here! Also, if you’re looking for a visual of the ride and queue, be sure to check out this video from 4K WDW.
5 – Space Mountain
Space Mountain is a space-themed indoor coaster that has been wowing guests for decades with its classic thrills and completely dark setting. Despite its slower speed and lack of very intense coaster elements, Space Mountain is still an intense ride by all accounts and definitely sits among the scary roller coasters in Disney World.
How Intense is Space Mountain?
With a top speed of only 28.7 miles per hour, its markedly slower than even our most mild coaster on this list, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. It has no loops or upside-down portions whatsoever – and the twists, turns, and drops could even be called tame by many riders.
What does make this ride intense, however, is the fact that it takes place almost entirely in the dark. Not being able to see the track in front of you can heighten the sensation of drops and turns and can be disorienting (or even anxiety-inducing) for some. Not to mention that old rides like this one tend to be quite bumpy and turbulent just due to their age.
How Does Space Mountain Compare to other Scary Roller Coasters?
Due to its turbulent and disorienting nature, Space Mountain feels much more thrilling than some others on this list. Sure, it has a significantly slower speed and tame track orientation, but overall, it’s a fairly intense coaster that definitely holds its own among other scary roller coasters the parks.
For more specifics on Space Mountain, go check out my in-depth ride review here! Also, if you’re looking for a visual of the ride and queue, be sure to check out this video from JohnYChen.
4 – Expedition Everest
If Space Mountain looked tame on paper and felt intense on-ride, Expedition Everest is the opposite of that. While certainly an intense coaster in its own right, there are several things that make this ride less thrilling than some others on this list.
How Intense is Expedition Everest?
With its top speed of 50 miles per hour, its 80 foot drop (second only to Tower of Terror), and its significant backwards segment, many would rank this coaster among the most scary roller coasters in Disney World.
However, I don’t find Everest‘s coaster elements much more intense than other attractions due to its smooth track and immersive theming. It’s an undeniably fun ride, rather than an overly intense one. Do you agree? Let me know in the comments below!
How Does Expedition Everest Compare to other Scary Roller Coasters?
Compared to the other coasters on this list, Expedition Everest technically is one of the fastest, most dynamic, and intense rides in Disney World. Its top speed is only 7 miles per hour slower than the most intense ride on our list, and its drop is the second tallest behind Tower of Terror. So why rank it just behind Space Mountain?
As I stated before, Expedition Everest has many elements that make it less intense than other rides. However, it’s absolutely still a thrilling coaster in its own right and is great choice for thrill seekers of all ages.
For more specifics on Expedition Everest, go check out my in-depth ride review here! Also, if you’re looking for a visual of the ride and queue, be sure to check out this video from 4K WDW.
3 – Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
As the newest addition to Disney’s thrill ride family, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind packs quite a punch. Like Space Mountain, this attraction lacks many of the technical thrill elements found on other rides, but is made significantly more intense by the dark setting as well as the amazing visual and practical effects present on this attraction.
How Intense is Cosmic Rewind?
With a top speed of 60 miles per hour, Cosmic Rewind is currently the fastest coaster in Disney World. Otherwise, however, it’s actually a fairly “tame” indoor coaster made much more intense by darkness. Its drops, turns, and sudden movements are absolutely heightened by the dark, and not being able to see where you’re going can be both disorienting and frightening to some.
In addition, the swiveling ride vehicles and definitely heighten the thrill factor – making it feel much faster and more dynamic than it is on paper. Personally, I felt that this ride was just as intense as any other coaster in the park – though many people find it less thrilling. Do you agree? Let me know in the comments if you would rank Cosmic Rewind at the top of Disney’s scary roller coasters!
How Does Cosmic Rewind Compare to other Scary Roller Coasters?
I would compare Cosmic Rewind to Space Mountain in many ways, but it’s decidedly more intense in my opinion. It’s faster than any other coaster in the parks and is dark and disorienting – making for a satisfying ride for even the most seasoned thrill seekers. However, because it has no inversions or extreme track elements, it could feel relatively tame to some – and may be a great fit for everyone in your party. It all depends on the rider.
For more specifics on Cosmic Rewind, go check out my in-depth ride review here! Also, if you’re looking for a visual of the ride and queue, be sure to check out this video from 4K WDW.
2 – The Twilight Zone: Tower of Terror
While Tower of Terror is not technically a coaster, it ranks second on my list due to its very intense ride experience and scary theming. As a randomized freefall ride, you not only get a hair-raising series of drops, but at no point will you ever know what’s coming next.
How Intense is Tower of Terror?
With its 13 story drop (that’s 131 feet, if you’re wondering), Tower of Terror takes the cake for the tallest, most intense drop in Disney World. It’s almost twice as long as the drop on its runner up, Expedition Everest. And get this – you’re actually being dropped faster than gravity could technically carry you. That’s 39 miles per hour, to be exact.
How Does Tower of Terror Compare to other Scary Roller Coasters?
Non-coaster, as it may be, Tower of Terror certainly earns its place on my list due to its extreme and high speed drops as well as its scary theming. While it may lack traditional coaster elements of any kind, it’s nonetheless an undeniably thrilling experience and one of the most intense rides in all of Disney World and earns its place among the many scary roller coasters on this list,.
For more specifics on Tower of Terror, go check out my in-depth ride review here! Also, if you’re looking for a visual of the ride and queue, be sure to check out this video from 4K WDW.
1 – Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster
Did you know that Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster is the only ride at Disney World to go upside-down? That’s right. This bad boy features loops, inversions, and corkscrews – not to mention an initial launch that takes you 0 to 57 miles per hour in a couple of seconds.
How Intense is Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster?
With a top speed of 57 miles per hour, the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster definitely packs some momentum. In fact, you experience 4 to 5 G-forces during the initial launch, which is similar to what an astronaut experiences – yowza! As mentioned earlier, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster also involves being thrown upside-down in a series of loops and corkscrews. Like Space Mountain and Cosmic Rewind, the dark setting only heightens every sensation – and this coaster actually has some serious thrill elements throughout its track.
In addition, this coaster is extremely turbulent due to its age. In fact, my dad got an actual concussion on this coaster due to his head banging against the overhead harness – so you’re definitely in for a bumpy ride.
How Does Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Compare to other Scary Roller Coasters?
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster ranks at the top of my list due to its dynamic coaster elements, turbulent track, high speeds, and overall very intense ride experience. In my opinion, it’s the most thrilling attraction in the parks and definitely the king of scary roller coasters – at least at Walt Disney World.
For more specifics on Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, go check out my in-depth ride review here! Also, if you’re looking for a visual of the ride and queue, be sure to check out this video from Attractions360.
What do you think? Do you agree with my top 9 scary roller coasters in Disney World? Don’t forget to leave a comment and let me know!
