So we all know that Disney World has oodles of dark rides, but are any of them scary? While most are just a gentle boat ride and not much else, some of them certainly pack a punch in their own unique ways. Let’s dive into the specifics – ranking each one by intensity, drops, scariness, and more.
9 – Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway
As one of the three trackless rides in Disney World, Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway is definitely the least intense of all of them. Following our favorite couple through some unforeseen date night shenanigans, we encounter a few perilous circumstances- earning it a place on this list.
How Intense is Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway?
While not nearly as scary as some other dark rides in the parks, there are a few dicey situations and simulated thrill elements that make it somewhat intense in its own right. Most notably, riders will find themselves plummeting down a waterfall in one scene – but it is entirely simulated with a large screen and a slight tilt of your ride vehicle. Otherwise, there are some flashing lights, loud music, and some brief smoke effects in the pre-show – but all of this is presented in a playful and whimsical tone.
Overall, I would consider this attraction suitable for young children and even the most sensitive of riders – but those especially prone to sensory sensitivity may find some of the show scenes chaotic.
How Does Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway Compare to other Dark Rides?
Compared to the other two trackless rides at Disney World, this one is decidedly the most gentle and lighthearted. However, next to rides like Peter Pan’s Flight that have no thrill elements at all – Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway has its own kind of intensity. That being said, it’s an undeniably fun ride and one that could be an absolute blast for the whole family.
For more specifics on Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, 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 – Pirates of the Caribbean
As a nostalgic, classic staple at Disney World, Pirates of the Caribbean may not seem intense whatsoever to many riders. However, there are a couple of things that earn this attraction a spot on my list – so let’s dive right in.
How Intense is Pirates of the Caribbean?
While most of its run time is a gentle, water-based dark ride, Pirates sets itself apart with its spooky theming and unexpected drop. While it certainly doesn’t hold a candle to Splash Mountain or any roller coaster in the park (for reference, its only 14 feet compared to Splash Mountain’s 53 feet), it does take place entirely in the dark – which could be unsettling to some riders.
In addition, as a pirate-centered dark ride, some of the theming and show scenes could be a bit scary to some. Those who don’t like spooky imagery or loud noises might want to take a moment to consider this one as there are a few creepy skeletons at the beginning of the ride as well as cannon blasts booming and splashing around the ride vehicles.
How Does Pirates of the Caribbean Compare to other Dark Rides?
With its unexpected drop and scary theming, Pirates of the Caribbean definitely sets itself apart among some of the more gentle Disney dark rides around Magic Kingdom. While lacking some of the more intense thrill elements you’ll find elsewhere, this attraction certainly earns its place on this list among Disney World’s scariest dark rides.
For more specifics on Pirates of the Caribbean, 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 – Journey Into Imagination with Figment
Journey Into Imagination with Figment is a unique ride in the sense that it’s very lighthearted and family-friendly on paper. However, this little attraction packs quite a punch in the sensory department – making it an iffy choice for those sensitive to that sort of thing.
How Intense is Journey Into Imagination with Figment?
While definitely whimsical and playful at its core, Journey into imagination bombards its riders with various sights, smells, sounds, and some jarring practical effects. As guests follow along in Figment’s imaginative shenanigans, we encounter show scenes that blast you in every sense that you’ve got. There is even a loud explosion at one point – making for an overall uncomfortable experience for a lot of riders.
How Does Journey Into Imagination with Figment Compare to other Dark Rides?
Because of its lack of intentionally scary theming or dramatic thrill elements, Journey into Imagination could be considered fairly mild to some guests. However, because of its massive potential for sensory overload, this attraction really sets itself apart as one of the scariest dark rides in the park, in my opinion. Do you agree? Let me know in the comments!
For more specifics on Journey Into Imagination with Figment, 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 – The Haunted Mansion
It probably comes as no surprise that the Haunted Mansion makes this list, as it’s one of the few Disney rides to be intentionally scary. Filled to the brim with ghoulish theming and spooky show scenes, this attraction certainly earns its place among the scariest dark rides in Disney World.
How Intense is the Haunted Mansion?
Unlike most rides at Disney that may have a few spooky elements here or there, this ride purposefully attempts to frighten its guests – albeit in a fun and campy way. Filled with loud ghostly noises, screams, “haunted-house” theming, eerie illusions, scary characters, and a morbid focus on death, this ride pulls out all the stops to spook its guests. While there are no intense thrill elements of any kind, I felt that the Haunted Mansion‘s spookiness was enough to make it one of the most intense dark rides in the parks.
How Does the Haunted Mansion Compare to other Dark Rides?
If you’re looking for twists, turns, or drops, you certainly won’t find them here. However, despite its less than thrilling track, the overall experience of this attraction make it a frightening – and arguably intense – ride for many. It doesn’t blast you with sensory overload or contain any hidden drops, but the spooky narrative of the Haunted Mansion sets it apart all the same.
For more specifics on the Haunted Mansion, 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 – Frozen Ever After
Despite its magical and family-friendly theming, Frozen Ever After actually packs a punch compared to some other gentle dark rides in the parks. With its significant drop and backwards segment, this is certainly one of the more thrilling attractions on this list.
How Intense is Frozen Ever After?
Aside from a few scary encounters (notably with a huge snow beast) you’ll plummet down a 28 foot drop in the dark. For reference, this is almost twice as long as Pirates of the Caribbean‘s 14 foot drop – and is made perhaps even more jarring by the lighthearted theming surrounding it. In addition, Elsa will send you down another (smaller) drop backwards – giving this attraction more thrill elements than you would typically find on a Disney dark ride.
How Does Frozen Ever After Compare to other Dark Rides?
Compared to other rides on this list, Frozen Ever After has a very light and magical tone – perfectly suited to most younger riders and Frozen fans. However, its substantial drop and backwards segment make it a lot more intense than any other princess-centered attraction and definitely earns it a place among the scariest dark rides in Disney World.
For more specifics on Frozen Ever After, 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.
4 – Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
As the second of the three trackless rides on this list, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure turns up the heat with many perilous moments and simulated thrills. Despite the fact that there are no actual drops or thrill elements, this attraction really makes you feel like you’re scampering around Paris, evading several dicey encounters.
How Intense is Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure?
Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure contains some brief scenes of peril, loud noises, 4D effects (like spraying water), and some simulated thrill elements that may feel intense to some. While certainly labeled as a family-friendly attraction, those prone to sensory sensitivity will find that this one is not the gentlest.
Riders will find themselves “falling” from a great height, scampering through a chaotic kitchen – dodging huge feet and veggies, being swatted with a mop, having to escape from under a flaming oven, and finally evading a manic Chef Skinner wielding a meat-cleaver. This last chase in particular involves a lot of shouting, chaos, and even a handful of jump scares as the chef lunges and grasps for you under furniture.
How Does Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure Compare to other Dark Rides?
Similar to Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, this attraction involves some zany antics that set it apart from the casual Disney dark ride. The many moments of peril and chaotic chase scenes turn up the intensity and truly make it one of the scariest dark rides in the parks – despite its family-friendly packaging.
For more specifics on Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, 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 – Test Track
While Test Track is arguably not a dark ride at all – I felt that it shares many of the same elements and theming that you would find elsewhere on this list. In addition, most of the ride takes place on an indoor track and doesn’t reach high speeds until the finale – making it a Disney dark ride at its core, albeit an intense one.
How Intense is Test Track?
While Test Track is not intentionally scary, it certainly is a fairly thrilling ride. There are a few moments of mild peril – as you’re essentially playing the role of a crash dummy. The ride makes you believe that the car will crash on a couple of occasions by sending you through tight maneuvers, creating a “near-miss” simulation with an 18-wheeler, and finally hurtling you towards a wall – only for it to open up at the last minute.
For years, Test Track was also the fastest attraction in Disney World – reaching a top speed of 60 miles an hour during its “speed test” finale. In addition to the other somewhat intense ride elements, this attraction earns its place on this list mostly due to the high speeds its riders experience.
How Does Test Track Compare to other Dark Rides?
While similar to most other dark rides at its core, Test Track certainly errs on the side of thrilling with its perilous encounters and high speeds. It’s overall a very unique riding experience is undeniably fun, but may be too intense for some riders.
For more specifics on Test Track, 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 – Rise of the Resistance
The multi-faceted Rise of the Resistance is another entry that is arguably not a dark ride at all. However, with most of its sequences taking place around themed show scenes in ride vehicles – I felt that this attraction is a dark ride at its core.
How Intense is Rise of the Resistance?
Rise of the Resistance includes a strong sense of peril that follows you throughout the ride. Aside from the several interactions with villainous characters, this attraction also involves loud noises, flashing lights, gunfire, explosions, and even lightsabers which might make it a tough ride for those prone to sensory sensitivity.
In addition, there are many moments of mild acceleration and 2 notable thrills – the sudden elevator lift upwards and the 23 foot “freefall” drop in the escape pod. While this drop is still shorter than the one you’ll find earlier on this list in Frozen Ever After, it definitely amps up the thrill-factor in this attraction.
How Does Rise of the Resistance Compare to other Dark Rides?
Compared to other Disney dark rides, Rise of the Resistance is truly one of a kind – making use of several ride mechanics and sequences. Its perilous show scenes, substantial thrills, and sensory overload make for a genuinely intense ride and more than worthy of the #2 spot on our list.
For more specifics on Rise of the Resistance, 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 – Dinosaur
Finally, the creme de la creme of scary dark rides has to be Dinosaur in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. As an older attraction, some may find this pick pretty unassuming. However, due to its extreme sensory intensity, scary animatronic dinosaurs, and thrilling ride elements, this attraction is genuinely loud, dark, and scary.
How Intense is Dinosaur?
Throughout the 3 and a half minute run time, you’ll encounter huge menacing beasts, deafening roars, and intentionally scary theming throughout the attraction. As a result of this, I can’t recommend this ride to anyone prone to sensory sensitivity or those who are easily frightened. Aside from the impending doom of an approaching meteor, there are many terrifying sequences. There’s one, for example, involving the Carnotaurus “running” full-speed towards your rover – his huge footsteps rumbling close behind you as you speed away.
How Does Dinosaur Compare to other Dark Rides?
While certainly not as fast or intensely thrilling as some other rides, I felt that the extreme scariness, peril, and sensory overload found on Dinosaur was more than enough to earn it our top spot on this list. This ride is loud, dark, and undeniably terrifying – making it an absolute blast for some, but a nightmare for others.
For more specifics on Dinosaur, 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.
What do you think? Do you agree with my Top 9 Scary Dark Rides in Disney World? Don’t forget to leave a comment and let me know!
