It is always fun to have a good debate over favorites at Disney, especially when the topic is Disney World rides! Our families love a good spirited conversation over which thrill ride we prefer, which dark ride we most enjoy, or which ride we want to experience over and over again. Not only are these fun talks to have, but they are also super informative! While our opinions on rides might give you some idea on what to expect, we think hearing from kids will actually be the most beneficial to you as you begin to plan for your own families. So let's get right to it!
MAGIC KINGDOM
Ethan- age 8, Adventurous, Thrill Seeker | Anna- age 7, Adventurous, Thrill Seeker, but prone to motion sickness | Allen- age 5, nervous rider | Nathan- age 5, Adventurous, Thrill Seeker | Sadie- age 3, does not like drops or heights |
Space Mountain or Thunder Mountain | Space Mountain or Thunder Mountain | Neither! | Space Mountain or Thunder Mountain | Not tall enough |
Dumbo or Flying Carpets | Dumbo or Flying Carpets | Dumbo or Flying Carpets | Dumbo or Flying Carpets | Dumbo or Flying Carpets |
Teacups or Carousel | Teacups or Carousel | Teacups or Carousel | Teacups or Carousel | Teacups or Carousel |
Peter Pan or Winnie the Pooh | Peter Pan or Winnie the Pooh | Peter Pan or Winnie the Pooh | Peter Pan or Winnie the Pooh | Peter Pan or Winnie the Pooh |
Splash Mountain or 7 Dwarfs Mine Train | Splash Mountain or 7 Dwarfs Mine Train | Neither! | Splash Mountain or 7 Dwarfs Mine Train | Not tall enough |
One of our favorite things about Magic Kingdom (we have many) is that there is something for everyone! Your more adventurous thrill seekers have several options like Space Mountain and 7 Dwarfs Mine Train, but there is still plenty for those that enjoy a more tame ride.
HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS
Ethan- age 8, Adventurous, Thrill Seeker | Anna- age 7, Adventurous, Thrill Seeker, but prone to motion sickness | Allen- age 5, nervous rider | Nathan- age 5, Adventurous, Thrill Seeker | Sadie- age 3, does not like drops or heights |
Star Tours or Smugglers Run | Star Tours or Smugglers Run | Star Tours or Smugglers Run | Star Tours or Smugglers Run | Neither! |
Toy Story Mania or M&M Railway | Toy Story Mania or M&M Railway | Toy Story Mania or M&M Railway | Toy Story Mania or M&M Railway | Toy Story Mania or M&M Railway |
Rise of Resistance or Rockin Rollercoaster | Rise of Resistance or Rockin Rollercaoster | Rise of Resistance or Rockin Rollercaoster | Rise of Resistance or Rockin Rollercaoster | Neither! |
Tower of Terror or Slinky Dog | Tower of Terror or Slinky Dog | Tower of Terror or Slinky Dog | Tower of Terror or Slinky Dog | Neither! |
Frozen sing-a-long or Disney Jr. Dance | Frozen sing-a-long or Disney Jr. Dance | Frozen sing-a-long or Disney Jr. Dance | Frozen sing-a-long or Disney Jr. Dance | Frozen sing-a-long or Disney Jr. Dance |
It is worth noting here that our very nervous rider, Allen, loves Slinky Dog. It is his favorite ride of all the theme parks. So even if your kids are not thrill seekers, there is a good chance they will enjoy Slinky Dog. Toy Story Mania is a huge hit with kids of all ages and should not be passed over. Our kids love Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway as well, just not as much as Toy Story Mania.
EPCOT
Ethan- age 8, Adventurous, Thrill Seeker | Anna- age 7, Adventurous, Thrill Seeker, but prone to motion sickness | Allen- age 5, nervous rider | Nathan- age 5, Adventurous, Thrill Seeker | Sadie- age 3, does not like drops or heights |
Frozen or Remy's Adventure | Frozen or Remy's Adventure | Frozen or Remy's Adventure | Frozen or Remy's Adventure | Frozen or Remy's Adventure |
Soarin or Test Track | Soarin or Test Track | Soarin or Test Track | Soarin or Test Track | Not tall enough |
MISSION Space or Guardians | Neither! | Neither! | MISSION Space or Guardians | Not tall enough |
Nemo or Journey with Figment | Nemo or Journey with Figment | Nemo or Journey with Figment | Nemo or Journey with Figment | Nemo or Journey with Figment |
Living with the Land or Three Caballeros | Living with the Land or Three Caballeros | Living with the Land or Three Caballeros | Living with the Land or Three Caballeros | Living with the Land or Three Caballeros |
These were some hard ones for our kids to answer! All the kids really enjoy Frozen, Remy's, Soarin, AND Test Track. If riding Frozen with a nervous rider or child that does not like drops then warn them ahead of time about the surprise backward drop, it is small, but our now adventurous 7 year old was terrified when the drop occurred the first time she rode it when she was 3. Soarin' is a wonderful ride and favorite of many, but you will be suspended high in the air. It's not scary at all, but if you have a child that does not like heights you may want to reconsider this one. Always pay attention to motion sickness warnings for rides, both Guardians and MISSION Space (and perhaps even Remy if especially sensitive) can cause a reaction. Guardians is an incredibly smooth ride, but there is spinning, so consider this before riding. For MISSION Space there is also spinning, but you have the choice of riding the more intense version (orange) or more tame (green).
ANIMAL KINGDOM
Ethan- age 8, adventurous, thrill seeker | Anna- age 7, adventurous, thrill seeker but prone to motion sickness | Allen- age 5 nervous rider | Nathan- age 5, adventurous, thrill seeker | Sade- age 3, does not like drops or heights |
Kilimanjaro Safaris or Na'vi RIver Journey | Kilimanjaro Safaris or Na'vi RIver Journey | Kilimanjaro Safaris or Na'vi RIver Journey | Kilimanjaro Safaris or Na'vi RIver Journey | Kilimanjaro Safaris or Na'vi RIver Journey |
Kali River Rapids or DINOSAUR | Kali River Rapids or DINOSAUR | would never ride DINOSAUR | Kali River Rapids or DINOSAUR | Too young for DINOSAUR |
Flight of Passage or Expedition Everest | Flight of Passage or Expedition Everest | nope | Flight of Passage or Expedition Everest | Too young and not tall enough |
Tough to be a Bug or Triceratops Spin | Tough to be a Bug or Triceratops Spin | Tough to be a Bug or Triceratops Spin | Tough to be a Bug or Triceratops Spin | Tough to be a Bug or Triceratops Spin |
Fesetival of Lion King or Nemo Big Blue Beyond | Fesetival of Lion King or Nemo Big Blue Beyond | Fesetival of Lion King or Nemo Big Blue Beyond | Fesetival of Lion King or Nemo Big Blue Beyond | Fesetival of Lion King or Nemo Big Blue Beyond |
We make no secret that as moms, Animal Kingdom is definitely not in the running for our favorite park, but our kids do seem to like it. Of the four theme parks, it would probably be their least favorite, but that is mostly because they love the other three so much. The Safaris is always a good time, and if you are heading to Animal Kingdom then it should not be missed. Try and ride it first thing in the morning or late in the evening for the best animal activity. Beware of DINOSAUR. Just because your kids are tall enough does not mean they should ride. It is dark and giant, realistic looking dinosaurs jump out at you. Thrill seekers like Nathan love it, but pretty sure this ride would scar nervous rider, Allen, for life. Expedition Everest and Flight of Passage are both excellent fun for kids that can handle fast and motion. Triceratops Spin is basically a dinosaur version of Dumbo, and young ones always enjoy. Both the Festival of the Lion King and the newly re-opened Big Blue Beyond are probably our personal favorites of the park. Our kids enjoy them as well, and they make for a nice break from the heat and walking at this more spread out theme park.
And there we have it! Our This or That ride edition is complete! Do you agree with us and our panel of kid judges?? Let us know in the comments!
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