The 14 best Disney World rides for adults and teens

If you think Disney World is all rides for little kids, think again. Between the exhilarating speeds of TRON Lightcycle/Run at Magic Kingdom, thrilling drops of the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and even the feeling of flight on Avatar Flight of Passage at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, there are plenty of attractions geared specifically toward big kids, teenagers, and those of us who are trying our hardest to never grow up.

In fact, beyond the slow-moving attractions and classic dark rides, a majority of Disney’s attractions at its Orlando theme park resort are geared towards older kids to adults. And it’s not just because of the height requirements. On trips to Walt Disney World, here are the best thrill rides that adults and older kids shouldn’t miss across all four of Disney’s Orlando theme parks.

Best Magic Kingdom rides for adults, big kids, and teens

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure

One of the newest attractions at Magic Kingdom is Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, which replaced the now-defunct Splash Mountain. The same log flume-style attraction exists, along with the iconic 50-foot drop from the very top of the ride. The ride features an all-new story where Tiana and her bayou pals are trying to get to a Mardi Gras party. Along the way, you’ll sing along to a new song, “Special Spice,” which is a total earworm. The ride has a 40-inch height requirement, so you may need to use Disney’s rider switch program if you’re traveling with littles.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

With a top speed of 35 miles per hour, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad lands squarely in the middle of Magic Kingdom’s three mountains when it comes to speed. The “Wildest Ride in the Wilderness” takes passengers on a high-speed race through an abandoned gold mine. The dark tunnels and bumpy train cars are well-suited for older kids and adults who want a few thrills. There is a 40-inch height requirement to ride this.

PLAN YOUR TRIP: When Is the Best Time to Visit Disney World and Disneyland?

Currently, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is closed while it gets a makeover, complete with a new additions to the cave scenes. The attraction will reopen in 2026.

Space Mountain

Magic Kingdom’s famous Space Mountain only reaches 28 miles per hour, but there’s something about this indoor coaster’s practically-pitch-black setting that makes it feel at least twice that. It’s impossible to anticipate the drops, twists, and turns in Space Mountain’s out-and-out, star-dotted darkness, making this one of the most exciting Disney World rides for adults and older kids alike. The attraction has a 44-inch height requirement. If your kids are barely tall enough, consider riding first thing in the morning when they are more likely to stand up super straight to be measured.

WHERE TO STAY: 12 Best Disney World Hotels for Every Age Group and Interest

Pro tip: Space Mountain has two tracks, Alpha and Omega, and the ride is a bit different depending on which track you choose. Try them both and see which one you like best.

TRON Lightcycle/Run

Based on the TRON film series and a similar attraction at Shanghai Disneyland, TRON Lightcycle/Run is one of the fastest rides at Disney World, topping out around 60 miles per hour. It puts you inside a unique motorcycle-like ride vehicle called a Lightcycle and zips you both indoors and out along the Grid, passing through eight “Energy Gates” before concluding. Riders must be at least 48 inches tall to ride.

WATER WORLDS: The Best Water Parks in Orlando for Every Age Group

The indoor-outdoor roller coaster is a quick ride, but the experience is quite different based on whether you take the ride during the day or after dark. Our recommendation? Make a point of going once during the day and again at night for the full experience.

Best EPCOT rides for adults, big kids, and teens

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind takes riders on an adventure with Peter Quill and the rest of the Guardians crew. With vehicles that rotate 360 degrees, this spectacular “storytelling” coaster features the first reverse launch for a roller coaster at Walt Disney World. It’s also one of the largest fully enclosed coasters in the world.

MAKE MEMORIES: 25 best family vacation spots in the U.S. for all ages

The best part of the attraction is that there is a rotating set of six songs that you can hear while riding, including Disco Inferno, Conga, and September. Guests must be 42 inches tall to ride, but you should also be wary if anyone in your group gets motion sickness because of the reverse launch.

Mission: SPACE

The motion simulator Mission: SPACE does not even leave the ground, yet it’s still one of the most intense Disney World rides at EPCOT, so riders need to be 40 inches tall to ride. During the attraction, you experience g-forces that mimic a real rocket liftoff and the weightlessness astronauts encounter in outer space.

BEST TRIP EVER: 101 fresh new family vacation ideas for every age and budget

If this is making your palms sweat, choose the gentler “Green Mission” over the more intense “Orange Mission.” You should also know that no matter which mission you choose, the ride vehicles are quite small, so those with claustrophobia may want to opt out.

Test Track

EPCOT’s Test Track recently reopened from an extensive refurbishment. Gone are the days when you could design your own car before hopping on board the test vehicle. Now the attraction’s pre-show showcases the advancement of technology through cars and transportation. Additionally, much of the interior of the attraction is new and highlights how technology and transportation work together today, and how transportation may look in the future (hello, flying cars). Near the end of the ride, you get to open up the throttle and feel the wind in your hair as you top out at 65 miles per hour on a heart-pounding speed test. 

TRAVEL WITH TEENS: 10 All-Inclusive Family Resorts Even Teenagers Will Love

The ride does have a 40-inch height requirement. If you’re traveling with younger kids, the exit area is a nice place to wait, complete with benches, a few model cars, and the all-important air conditioning.

Soarin’ Around the World

Soarin’ Around the World at EPCOT is the only way to see Earth’s most impressive monuments and natural wonders in one day. In fact, you glide past the Great Wall of China, the Eiffel Tower, the Taj Mahal, and other famous landmarks in just about five minutes.

BRING THE WHOLE FAMILY: How to Plan a Multigenerational Disney World Vacation That Makes Everyone Happy

The 80-foot-tall, 180-degree IMAX screen, suspended theater seating (yes, your feet are dangling in the air), and scents that coordinate with what you see on the screen make this immersive motion simulator feel almost real. Guests must be at least 40 inches tall to ride.

Best Animal Kingdom rides for adults, big kids, and teens

DINOSAUR

Even though it’s closing on February 2, 2026, there’s still some time to ride one of Disney’s scariest attractions, DINOSAUR. You’ll start by going through a museum exhibit about the history and extinction of dinos on Earth. Then, after a short pre-show and safety spiel, you’ll hop on board a time rover to save a dinosaur from extinction. The ride is a little jerky, loud, and scary, so it’s really not suitable for younger kids, but adults and teens will love it. You must be 40 inches tall to ride.

KID-FRIENDLY: 25 best family resorts and hotels in the U.S.

If you’re sad about DINOSAUR closing, you may be happy to know that the ride is just getting a makeover into an Indiana Jones-themed attraction. It will be similar in style to the Indiana Jones ride at Disneyland Park. Both attractions use the same ride technology and vehicle styles.

Expedition Everest

Featuring the tallest drop of any coaster at Disney World, Expedition Everest should be the first stop for thrill seekers visiting Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. It’s the only Disney World ride to switch tracks, which makes the reverse fall even more exciting.

BIG FAMILIES: 11 Best Disney World Hotels for Families of 5 or More

The dark tunnels and shadowy figure of the Yeti stalking you around every corner may be too scary for young kids, but will please adults, teens, and big kids without such wild imaginations. Riders must be 44 inches tall to get on the train bound for the top of the mountain.

Avatar Flight of Passage

The Avatar Flight of Passage ride is located inside the ethereal land Pandora – The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. It helps to be familiar with the Avatar movie universe, but it isn’t necessary to enjoy this 3D simulated flight on the back of a banshee. It’s one of the smoothest and most realistic motion simulators you’ll ever ride. Even better, the rousing score, use of water effects, and pumped-in smells bring the world of Pandora to life right in front of you. Everyone must be 44 inches tall to ride.

Best Hollywood Studios rides for adults, big kids, and teens

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster

Hollywood Studios’ Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith might just be Disney World’s most thrilling roller coaster. It’s the park’s only launch coaster with a top speed of nearly 60 miles per hour. There is a 48-inch height requirement to board one of the super stretch limos that takes you to the Aerosmith concert.

PACK LIKE A PRO: What to Pack for Disney World (and What to Leave at Home)

If you’re planning your next trip to Walt Disney World, you will want to keep in mind that this ride will close sometime next year for a complete makeover. While the rollercoaster portion of the ride isn’t going anywhere, Aerosmith will be taking their final bow, and The Muppets will be taking over the attraction. No closing date for the current version has been announced. The new iteration of the ride will be called Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets and will open sometime in 2026.

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

Unlike Magic Kingdom’s Haunted Mansion, there are no friendly singing ghosts on Hollywood Studios’ The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. The decrepit hotel setting and backstory of hotel guests who disappeared into another dimension give this drop tower attraction a much more menacing feel that’s better suited for older riders. Guests who want to check in at the hotel will need to be 40 inches tall.

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

This Disney World ride is full of surprises we don’t want to spoil, but if your group is well-versed in the Skywalker Saga, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is a must-do at Disney’s Star Wars land in Orlando. Riders board a droid-driven transport and join the Resistance in a battle against Kylo Ren and the First Order. Along the way, you’ll encounter many familiar characters from the films—even a few you may not be so happy to see because they are definitely out to get you. All riders, whether they align themselves with the Resistance or the First Order, must be at least 40 inches tall.

More from FamilyVacationist: