Five must-ride attractions at Walt Disney World for thrill seekers

Prepare to enter the Grid: Riders approach the inside portion of TRON Lightcycle/Run during a
Prepare to enter the Grid: Riders approach the inside portion of TRON Lightcycle/Run during a | Britt Kennerly / USA TODAY NETWORK
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Grand Opening Of Expedition Everest In Walt Disney World
Grand Opening Of Expedition Everest In Walt Disney World | Gustavo Caballero/GettyImages

Expedition Everest

Folks may focus on the non-working Yeti, but that ignores how great this attraction is. It’s like the bigger, meaner brother of Big Thunder Mountain, starting off slowly by taking guests up this massive mountain and into some sharp drops. The big turn comes when guests see what appears to be a torn-up track together and then flow down backward.

That’s where it gets wilder with other amazing twists, passing that infamous Yeti and launching guests out at 50 mph but it feels much faster. It truly feels like you're exploring a strange mountain on a runaway train that can go flying off the tracks at any moment. It’s a truly amazing ride to ignore the Yeti’s limitations and just enjoy the scenery racing by you at high speeds. 

Rock 'n' Roller Coaster

When this coaster premiered in 1999, it was a stunner for fans. That Disney was providing a ride akin to something at the new Universal Islands of Adventure was an impressive achievement. Even though there’s talk of redoing the Aerosmith theme, there’s no way Disney can change how this ride works. Like Space Mountain, it takes place indoors, in the dark, and thus enhances the effect.

Where it differs is rocketing you out from zero to 60 mph in 2 seconds through several inversions. That you can’t see what turns are coming makes it even more thrilling, and the rock songs playing add to one of the best indoor coasters in the world. About to hit its 25th anniversary, it's going to keep rocking fans for a long time to come.

Tron Lightcycle Run

WDW’s newest ride is also one of their best. Based on the cult classic sci-fi film, guests board recreations of the famous Light Cycles and are sent through a rollicking ride that makes Space Mountain feel like Dumbo. The effects are great to add to the experience as guests twist and turn, including a long stint outside the facility. 

The way riders are set, it feels like they’re able to control the bikes, and that unique position adds to the racing feel that sets it apart from other coasters. From start to finish, it’s one of the best rides Disney has ever created and one of the wildest thrill rides in all of Florida.