The fastest rides at Disney World

Craving the fastest rides at Disney World? If you are brave enough to ride a runaway mine train or come face-to-face with one of the tallest freefall towers in the world, then dare to read on! From gravity-defying drops to virtual reality trips, these white-knuckle rides will satisfy even the most hardened thrill-seekers. 

The top fastest rides at Disney World

1. Test Track in Epcot
2. Rock n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
3. Expedition Everest in Animal Kingdom
4. Slinky Dog Dash in Toy Story Land

What is the fastest ride at Disney World?

Currently, the fastest ride at Disney World is Test Track, which can reach an eye-watering speed of 65 mph!

Test Track – 65 mph

• Location: Epcot, Future World
• Min height: 40in (102cm)
• Thrill level: Thrill ride, small drops

If you have a need for speed then head to Epcot’s Text Track – it’s the fastest ride in all of Disney World. You design your own virtual vehicle at the gleaming Chevrolet-themed showroom then put the real-life version to the test along a winding outdoor circuit. Your car reaches speeds of up to 65 mph as you whiz through straightaways, zig zag through a lightning storm, hug high banked curves and scale over hills that are 3 stories high.

Our favourite of the fastest rides at Disney World

Expedition Everest – 50 MPH

• Location: Animal Kingdom, Asia
• Min height: 44 in (112cm)
• Thrill level: Thrill ride, big drops, dark
• Tallest ride at Disney World

The tallest ride at Disney World, this high-speed coaster takes you on a journey from base camp to the top of the 200-foot ‘Forbidden Mountain’. It starts innocently enough with a gentle pass through a quaint Himalayan village. The coaster then climbs to the peak where you come face-to-face with the Abominable Snowman. From here the train plunges down a steep drop and speeds backwards and forwards through treacherous canyons and dark caverns at speeds of up to 50 mph.

The monorails – 55 MPH

• Location: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney hotels
• Min height: None
• Thrill level: Speeds of up to 55 mph

Okay, so they’re not exactly rides, but Disney’s iconic monorails are a fast and easy way to get around the resort. Simply wait at one of the convenient pickup points throughout Walt Disney World. Your train will then arrive (usually within minutes) ready to transport you to a variety of locations. Even if you don’t need the transport, riding the monorail is a great experience and should definitely be on your to-do list.

Space Mountain – 27 MPH

• Location: Magic Kingdom, Tomorrowland
• Min height: 44in (112cm)
• Thrill level: Thrill ride, dark, small drops

Totally enclosed in a sprawling futuristic structure, Space Mountain is one of Magic Kingdom’s biggest and fastest rides. The theme is based on a flight through the darkest reaches of outer space. You board a sleek, rocket-shaped vehicle and when all systems are ‘go’ the coaster ascends a 180-foot mountain and drops into remote blackness. Shooting stars and galactic music fill the void as you dip and careen around in the dark.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad – 35 MPH

• Location: Magic Kingdom, Frontierland
• Min height: 40in (102cm)
• Thrill level: Thrill ride, small drops

This ride invites you to travel on a runaway train through an Old West-themed mine. Expect to encounter plenty of sudden turns and drops along the mountain before descending into an abandoned mine shaft that’s ‘rumored’ to be haunted. Keep your eyes peeled for ghosts as you journey though the darkness, and look out for various mountain critters including bats, goats and swinging opossums.

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith – 57 MPH

• Location: Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Sunset Boulevard
• Min height: 48 in (122cm)
• Thrill level: Thrill ride, loud, big drops
• Fastest launch

Boasting a high-speed launch of 0-60 mph in just 2.8 seconds, this indoor coaster is one of the fastest and most exhilarating rides at Disney World. The idea is that you’re on your way to an Aerosmith concert having been invited as a VIP by the band. You start by touring the famed music studios of ‘G Force Records’ before hopping inside your limousine-theme coaster car. Three inversions, rock-concert lighting and a blasting Aerosmith soundtrack all add to the thrills.

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train – 34 MPH

• Location: Magic Kingdom, Fantasyland
• Min height: 38in (97cm)
• Thrill level: Thrill ride, small drops

You can relive the magic from the classic Disney film on this speeding and swaying family coaster. Riders go on a journey into the dwarf’s diamond mine on a train with a special ride system – cars that rock back and forth just like real mine cars. The attraction features high climbs and steep drops, with great views of Fantasyland at the summit. When the train reaches the top it plummets at a speed of 34 mph into the mine shaft, past a scene of the Seven Dwarfs working in the mine.

Twilight Zone Tower of Terror – 39MPH

• Location: Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Sunset Boulevard
• Min height: 40in (102cm)
• Thrill level: Thrill ride, dark, scary, big drops

Hurtle up and down in this spooky elevator-themed ride that takes you into another dimension of sight and sound. To start, you launch upwards into total darkness, then the creaky elevator doors open to expose the ghostly goings-on of the 13th-floor hallway. The elevator suddenly drops down the lift shaft and plummets up and down over and over again with the sound of cables snapping and metal clanging overhead. Disney advises guests to be aware that this ride includes sudden drops within a dark enclosed space and may be too frightening for some guests.

Fastest rides by land at Disney World:

Other useful resources

• A Disney World Fastpass+ guide
• How to save money at Disney World
• What’s new at Disney World

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