Top 15 rides in Orlando
Disclaimer: We are not paid to promote any restaurant, hotel, activity, product, or attraction. All opinions are subjective and based on our personal experience. Your experience may be different.
6. Expedition Everest
- Location: Disney’s Animal Kingdom
- Why it’s great: The most thrilling ending drop and cool special effects!
Expedition Everest is an amazing Himalayan/yeti themed coaster at Animal Kingdom theme park. While this park is limited in the rides department, the few that do exist are pretty cool. The best-of-the-best is Expedition Everest, one of the most underrated rides in all of Orlando. Most of the ride travels through the dark with lots of exciting drops, twists, and turns. The ending 80 foot drop is beyond thrilling, especially with the unexpected surprise (which I won’t reveal!).
The special effects are really cool and the overall Himalayan mountain theme aesthetically pleasing. In 2011, the Guinness Book of World Records recorded it as the most expensive coaster in the world (100 million)!
7. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
- Location: Disney’s Magic Kingdom
- Why it’s great: Relatively tame roller coaster choice for scaredy cats!
Big Thunder will always be one of my favorite Disney rides. The re-creation of a desert ghost town is really cute and makes it stand out from all others in my opinion. The design was actually based on beautiful Monument Valley in Arizona. If you do have the chance, this is a gorgeous natural vacation destination just a few hours north of Phoenix!
While it is not the fastest nor smoothest coaster, it is one of the most iconic. You cannot help but have a great time on this bumpy old-fashioned coaster. While newer, more tech enhanced rides continue to be added to the Orlando ride lineup each year, the old favorites continue to offer that predictable nostalgic factor each time we visit the parks. I go on Thunder Mountain at least 3 times on any Magic Kingdom trip! I absolutely love the small, yet still thrilling drops on this one!
8. Kilimanjaro Safari
- Location: Disney’s Animal Kingdom
- Why it’s great: Similar to a real safari ride, minus the crazy price tag!
Kick back, relax and enjoy a scenic ride aboard an open air safari. On this relaxing 18 minute ride, you will enjoy watching animals roam on the 110 acre Harambe Wildlife Reserve. Your safari guide will point out all the exotic wildlife including lions, zebras, cheetahs, rhinos, and crocodiles. The natural scenery is gorgeous and diverse, varying from woody areas, to serene open plains, to lush wetlands.
Pair a trip to the Animal Kingdom with a stay at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. This is a gorgeous African themed resort surrounded by lush savannahs which house hundreds of exotic species. Also, Sanaa is one of the best restaurants in Orlando! Their Indian Bread service is the best app I’ve ever tasted in a restaurant and their Kheer (rice pudding) for dessert is also amazing!
9. Jurassic Park River Adventure
- Location: Islands of Adventure
- Why it’s great: A true nostalgia classic that will take you back to the 90’s!
Jurassic Park is one of the older Islands of Adventures classics which never disappoints. I go on this ride every time without fail no matter how many new attractions I want to check out. As one of the few water rides, this ride serves as an amazing cool down on a hot and humid afternoon. As you slowly float around Isla Nublar seeing all the animatronic dinosaurs, you really feel as if you are right in the movies. The tech may not be as advanced as the newer rides, but the nostalgic factor is there. The giant drop at the end is so unexpected and exhilarating. And, if you are lucky, you will get totally soaked!
10. Tower of Terror
- Location: Disney’s Hollywood Studios
- Why it’s great: Gorgeous architecture, crazy drops
Walking into Hollywood Studios, the first thing you notice is the extravagant 1930’s era Art Decor Hollywood Terror hotel. The massive 199 foot tall building is viewable outside the park. If you are at all queasy over drops, you will definitely want to sit this one out. During the course of the ride, you will experience the stomach churning sensation of free falling many times. Because the level of the drop is different each time, you never know what to expect which makes it all the more scary & exciting! Let’s just say, a few people in our party were very upset not knowing what to expect on this one!
