Ever wondered which Disney coaster is the fastest? Maybe you’re a newbie to the whole roller coaster thing and you want to start small? Lucky for you, I’ve ranked every single coaster in Disney World by their top speeds so you know exactly what to expect before pulling down that lap bar.
Ready? Let’s dive into the specifics.
10 – The Barnstormer
The Barnstormer is a quick “kiddie coaster” featuring one of our favorite pals, Goofy. It has a height requirement of only 35 inches, making it a great choice for kids who want to try their first coaster. It’s a solid 3 inches lower than any other thrill ride in the parks, so it could remain an option for the youngest guests in your party.
How Fast is The Barnstormer
Compared to the many dark rides and other attractions in Disney World, The Barnstormer does go a bit fast. However, with a top speed of only 25 mph, it’s still a great option for those new to roller coasters or who want to test out their thrill ride tolerance on something small.
How Does The Barnstormer Compare to other Disney Coaster Top Speeds?
While still technically a coaster, the Barnstormer is still about 10 mph slower than the least intense “real” coaster in the parks, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. In fact, it’s even far outranked by many non-coaster rides like Splash Mountain or Tower of Terror.
For more specifics on The Barnstormer, 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 Magical Quest Adventures:
9 – Space Mountain
Space Mountain has been a Magic Kingdom classic for decades now, thrilling park-goers with its amazing theming and dark indoor track.
How Fast is Space Mountain?
Space Mountain is still fairly tame by roller coaster standards as it only reaches a top speed of 28.7 mph and has no loops or upside down portions whatsoever.
How Does Space Mountain Compare to other Disney Coaster Top Speeds?
Could you have guessed that big bad Space Mountain is less than 4 mph faster than Disney’s only kiddie coaster? While technically not all that fast, it’s important to note that this attraction’s age and dark setting still make it a much more thrilling ride than many coasters in the parks. In fact, I’d rank it much lower on this list in terms of intensity – but as for speed itself, it’s surprisingly slow.
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:
8 – Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train has been a wonderful addition to the parks – bringing guests the excitement of a roller coaster but also a smooth, tame, and family-friendly attraction. With a height restriction of only 38 inches, kids that couldn’t quite ride Space Mountain, Thunder Mountain, or Splash Mountain, might want to give this one a try.
How Fast is Seven Dwarfs Mine Train?
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train has a top speed of 34 mph – almost exactly what you’d experience on Big Thunder Mountain, right across the park.
How Does Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Compare to other Disney Coaster Top Speeds?
Even though it’s significantly faster than Space Mountain (by about 6 mph), I would still call this attraction much less intense overall. In fact, it’s really only one step above The Barnstormer in my opinion, making it a great starter-coaster for many people.
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.
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!” With a height restriction of 40 inches, it’s a fairly standard roller coaster with lifts, turns, and drops.
How Fast is Big Thunder Mountain Railroad?
While definitely a bit more turbulent and overall more intense than Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, this attraction has a top speed of only 35 mph and is pretty tame by roller coaster standards.
How Does Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Compare to other Disney Coaster Top Speeds?
This ride’s age is the main contributor to it’s bumpy ride experience, but it does make it a bit more intense than its speed might suggest. While certainly less wild than Space Mountain, I would still call it a “real” coaster and would suggest starting out with something a bit milder if you’re new to thrill rides.
For more specifics on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, 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 – Splash Mountain
Splash Mountain is a water-based log flume ride based on the old Disney film, Song of the South. While not technically a coaster, this attraction has been offering wet and wild thrills for decades – making it a crowd favorite for many.
How Fast is Splash Mountain?
Aside from it’s trademark dive, the boats move at a very slow pace throughout the entire attraction. However, the ride vehicles do reach a top speed of 39 mph during the plunge, making it one of the faster rides in Disney World.
How Does Splash Mountain Compare to other Disney Coaster Top Speeds?
While the thrill factor might not contend with other coasters in the parks, it’s no secret that Splash Mountain is technically faster than many of them. The dive is pretty speedy but brief, making it a good choice for the new thrill seekers among us, as well as long-time fans.
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.
5 – Tower of Terror
Tower of Terror is a randomized freefall ride exquisitely themed to The Twilight Zone. While the first half of the ride – lasting approximately 2 minutes – consists of a spooky, dark ride section, the terrifying drop sequences take up the remainder of the run time.
How Fast is Tower of Terror?
Riders will plummet up and down at a top speed of 39 mph. Many don’t know that this ride actually pulls the elevators up and down at a speed faster than gravity could take it. This makes for a much more thrilling ride than a traditional free-fall.
How Does Tower of Terror Compare to other Disney Coaster Top Speeds?
While clearly not an actual coaster, this attraction still lands firmly in thrill-ride territory. In my opinion, it’s one of the most intense rides in all of Disney World and that’s certainly due, in part, to its speed.
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.
4 – Slinky Dog Dash
Slinky Dog Dash is a lively family coaster that takes you on a whimsical ride through Andy’s backyard. With a height requirement of 38 inches, this makes it a great option for kids that weren’t tall enough for larger coasters like Space Mountain.
How Fast is Slinky Dog Dash?
This coaster reaches a top speed of 40 mph with its launch, making it technically faster than all of the coasters in Magic Kingdom. However, due to its whimsical track and decidedly family-friendly theming- I would rank it somewhere between Thunder Mountain and Space Mountain in intensity.
How Does Slinky Dog Dash Compare to other Disney Coaster Top Speeds?
As I just mentioned, this coaster isn’t all that intense despite its speed. It does have a mid-ride launch that allows it to hit that acceleration, but in my opinion, it’s still a family-friendly coaster that could be a good fit for almost anyone.
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.
3 – Expedition Everest
Expedition Everest is a one-of-a-kind thrill ride that brings you deep into the mountains and face to face with the fabled Yeti. What makes this attraction unique is the backwards section, requiring the track to shift at times to change direction.
How Fast is Expedition Everest?
With a max forward speed of 50 mph, this coaster is only 7 mph slower than Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster. In addition, there is a significant backwards section of the track – hurtling riders backwards at 30 miles per hour for about 20 seconds. For reference, that’s faster than Space Mountain‘s top speed going forward. It’s thrilling, without a doubt.
How Does Expedition Everest Compare to other Disney Coaster Top Speeds?
While it might come as a surprise, I don’t find Everest‘s coaster elements much more intense than other attractions like Space Mountain. Even though it certainly is more intimidating on paper, its smooth track and immersive theming make for a undeniably fun ride, rather than an overly intense one. However, as far as speed is concerned, it’s definitely one of the fastest coasters in Disney World.
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.
2 – Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster
Rock n Roller Coaster is a thrilling indoor launch coaster featuring a classic soundtrack by Aerosmith. Furthermore, it’s the only ride in Walt Disney World to feature inversions. In other words, this bad boy goes upside down. You’ll experience both loops and corkscrews, making it one of the more intense and thrilling coasters on property.
How Fast is Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster?
With its initial launch taking you from 0 to 57 mph in 2.8 seconds, this coaster definitely packs some speed. In fact, you experience 4 to 5 G-forces during the course of the ride – similar to what an astronaut experiences – yowza!
How Does Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Compare to other Disney Coaster Top Speeds?
There’s no denying that this is one of the most intense rides in all of Disney World. With it’s initial launch taking you up to 57 mph and its crazy turbulence due to its age, this attraction is certainly not one for the faint of heart. Because of this, I would really only recommend this coaster to thrill seekers or old fans of the ride.
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.
1 – Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is an innovative indoor coaster that truly takes you out of this world. It works like a standard roller coaster, but has rotating cars that swivel you towards the intended show scenes. While the track itself is not all that unique (save for the reverse launch, of course) the dynamic motion in the revolving cars – as well as the massive screens and great sound design – make for a much more immersive experience.
How Fast is Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind?
Cosmic Rewind is currently the fastest coaster in Disney World with a top speed of 60 mph. This ride is just a bit faster than Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster in Hollywood Studios – but doesn’t involve any inversions or loops. While this is a speedy coaster in its own right, the swiveling ride vehicles and darkness definitely heighten the speed factor.
How Does Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind Compare to other Disney Coaster Top Speeds?
While completely lacking inversions or the turbulence you’ll find on Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, I personally feel that this ride was just as intense as any other coaster in the park – though many people find it less thrilling. What do you think?
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.
What do you think? Do you agree with my 10 Top Speeds for Every Coaster in Disney World? Don’t forget to leave a comment and let me know!
