Walt Disney World
Walt Disney World Florida is not just a collection of theme parks. It’s not even just a resort. It is a city! Disney World covers an area bigger than San Francisco, with its four theme parks, two waterparks and numerous onsite hotels. There are even championship golf courses and a shopping/entertainment/eating centre called Disney Springs. If you’re a fan of all things Disney, or have younger children, then this quite simply is a must-do. However, we don’t generally spend more than a few days at Disney World as the large majority of the rides are aimed squarely at the family market and most don't contain enough thrill to keep us entertained for long. We’ve found that it is possible to do the best bits from all four theme parks in two days with Park Hopper tickets, so long as it’s not too busy and you’re prepared to come away exhausted! But this does mean that our reviews of the Disney parks are based on the bigger rides, and there are many attractions which we have not reviewed (because we haven’t been on them).
In recent years Disney have begun investing heavily in new rides. This is really welcome and has seen the introduction of the brilliant Star Wars: Rise of the Residence, as well as other excellent rides themed on Star Wars and Avatar.
This review covers rides within the four theme parks. These are Disney's Animal Kingdom (DAK), Magic Kingdom (MK), EPCOT (EPC) and Disney's Hollywood Studios (DHS). Our favourite two parks are Disney's Animal Kingdom and Disney's Hollywood Studios. This is mainly because they both have some excellent rides and really well themed areas.
There are a massive number of rides and experiences at Walt Disney World; the majority of these are aimed at small children. Our views focus on those at the more thrilling end of the spectrum.
Last visited January 2022
INVESTMENT
9
THRILL FACTOR
5
FUN &
LAUGHTER
8
STAFF &
FACILITIES
10
UNIQUNESS
8
VALUE
5
THEMEING &
IMMERSION
9
THOMPSONS'
RATING
8
Hayley with the iconic Disney World castle in Magic Kingdom
BEST BITS
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The theming of the parks is excellent and you feel very immersed in the atmosphere. This is especially true in the Star Wars and Avatar areas.
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Nobody does kid’s entertainment quite like Disney. The little ones will love it. There are constant shows/parades and chances to meet Disney characters.
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Transportation to and from Disney World is really easy, even by public transport. Once at Disney World there are free buses, boats, monorail and a sky ride. Or, alternatively, it is very easy to drive between the theme parks. Once you have paid to park at one you don’t need to pay at the others on that day (keep your receipt!)
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Our favourite ride is Rise of the Resistance (at Disney’s Hollywood Studios), set in the amazingly themed Star Wars area.
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Disney are the only park to include sales tax in their prices. So the price they advertise is the price you pay.
DOWN-SIDES
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It is very expensive.
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Disney World is the most visited resort in the world. And Magic Kingdom is the most visited theme park in the world. As such, even on quieter days you should expect it to be more busy than other theme parks in the Orlando area.
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Almost all the rides require that you take your bag on with you, which detracts your attention from the ride. It can make them a bit cramped for legroom.
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Disney seem to close rides for days/weeks/months at a time for maintenance. It is worth checking their website for planned closures or you might find some rides are all closed when you visit.
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Magic Kingdom in particular is very much aimed at smaller children with less focus on big thrills.
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Disney stopped offering free Fast Track and introduced the Disney Genie Plus App, which you pay extra for and is not very user-friendly. It makes the experience feel very admin-heavy, rather than spontaneous.
TOP TIPS
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You don’t have to pay for water if you ask for ‘iced water’ at any kiosk selling soda on tap.
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We generally try and fit two Disney parks into one or two days, but this is because we ruthlessly target only the main rides in each park. If you are going to Disney mainly for the rides then half a day in each park is sufficient. If you want the full Disney experience you will need more.
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You will need to invest time in using the Disney Experience App before the day you go, as it is not very user-friendly.
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We get cheaper tickets and more options (like two-day tickets and Park Hopper options) if we book on the USA Disney website once we arrive, rather than booking from the UK.
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If you want to go to Disney Restaurants in Disney Springs, reservations open up 60 days in advance and they get booked quickly, so we recommend booking.
Expedition Everest - Legend of the Forbidden Mountain (DAK)
Thompsons' overall rating 6
Thrill
Fun
Themeing
Immersion
Smoothness
6
7
7
4
6
Star Wars - Rise of the Resistence (DHS)
Thompsons' overall rating 10
Thrill
Fun
Themeing
Immersion
Smoothness
6
10
10
10
10
Millennium Falcon - Smuggler's Run (DHS)
Thompsons' overall rating 7
Thrill
Fun
Themeing
Immersion
Smoothness
5
7
10
7
N/A
Avatar - Flight of Passage (DAK)
Thompsons' overall rating 9
Thrill
Fun
Themeing
Immersion
Smoothness
6
9
9
8
10
Avatat - Na'vi River Journey (DAK)
Thompsons' overall rating 3
Thrill
Fun
Themeing
Immersion
Smoothness
2
4
8
4
N/A
Dinosaur (DAK)
Thompsons' overall rating 5
Thrill
Fun
Themeing
Immersion
Smoothness
5
6
4
5
7
Rapids (DAK)
Thompsons' overall rating 5
Thrill
Fun
Themeing
Immersion
Smoothness
5
6
4
4
N/A
Saffari Tour (DAK)
Thompsons' overall rating 6
Thrill
Fun
Themeing
Immersion
Smoothness
NA
9
9
5
N/A
It's Tough to be a Bug (DAK)
Thompsons' overall rating 4
Thrill
Fun
Themeing
Immersion
Smoothness
3
7
6
4
N/A
Space Mountain (MK)
Thompsons' overall rating 4
Thrill
Fun
Themeing
Immersion
Smoothness
6
4
5
3
2
Splash Mountain (MK)
Thompsons' overall rating 5
Thrill
Fun
Themeing
Immersion
Smoothness
5
6
5
4
N/A
Pirates of the Caribbean (MK)
Thompsons' overall rating 3
Thrill
Fun
Themeing
Immersion
Smoothness
2
4
7
3
N/A
Mission Space (EPC)
Thompsons' overall rating 6
Thrill
Fun
Themeing
Immersion
Smoothness
4
6
7
7
N/A
Test Track (EPC)
Thompsons' overall rating 6
Thrill
Fun
Themeing
Immersion
Smoothness
7
6
6
4
7
Journey into Imagination, with Figment (EPC)
Thompsons' overall rating 1
Thrill
Fun
Themeing
Immersion
Smoothness
1
1
1
4
N/A
Soarin' (EPC)
Thompsons' overall rating 4
Thrill
Fun
Themeing
Immersion
Smoothness
2
2
2
5
10
Rock n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith (DHS)
Thompsons' overall rating 6
Thrill
Fun
Themeing
Immersion
Smoothness
7
7
7
6
6
Star Tours (DHS)
Thompsons' overall rating 5
Thrill
Fun
Themeing
Immersion
Smoothness
3
6
6
4
N/A
Remy's Ratatouille Adventure (EPC)
Thompsons' overall rating 7
Thrill
Fun
Themeing
Immersion
Smoothness
3
7
7
9
8
The Millennium Falcon
The Avatar area
The main drop on Expedition Everest
Star Wars - Rise of the Resistence (DHS)
A combined simulator, walk-through and dark ride experience. From beginning to end it lasts around 15 minutes, in which riders take on the role of rebels attempting to flee the First Order. Using multiple different technologies, and actors, the ride recreates a capture by a First Order battleship and a daring escape riding a small vehicle which takes you through full-sized recreations of various parts of the battle ship during a full-scale space battle.
Our view: When asked, we would usually say we rate the ride designers at Universal much more highly than those at Disney. But in Rise of the Resistence, Disney have absolutely nailed it. We were completely blown away by the whole experience. The initial simulator ride in a rebel transport is quite tame, but that really is just a precursor to the main ride experience after being 'captured' by the First Order.
What is most impressive is the level of theming detail inside the battleship. You are confronted by armies of stormtroopers, and during the main ride you come across multiple different scenes and characters from the recent Star Wars films.
As with most Disney rides, it is clearly intended to be suitable for most people. Nothing in the ride goes particularly fast, and it doesn't involve particularly dramatic movements. In that sense, it's not 'thrilling'. But it is simply one of the most immersive experiences imaginable.
Tips:
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After you first arrive on the First Order battleship, the ride attendents (acting as First Order soldiers) will try and hurry you along. But it's worth taking a bit of time to look around and appreciate just how well themed everything is.
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It doesn't matter when you go to this ride; it is so popular you should expect to queue for a while. Luckily the queue moves pretty quickly.
Millennium Falcon - Smuggler's Run (DHS)
The other ride in the Star Wars area of Hollywood Studios, Smuggler's Run is a simulator which puts riders in control of the Millennium Falcon as it attempts to steal an important piece of cargo from the First Order. Riders are assigned roles (pilot, gunner or engineer) and are given tasks to perform during the mission.
Our view: This is a really enjoyable simulator, and is a must for Star Wars fans and anyone who has ever fancied sitting in the cockpit of the Millennium Falcon. As there are only six seats the simulator experience feels more authentic than others, and the story is fun and engaging. The fact that the success of the mission depends (to some extent) on how well riders perform their roles adds an extra fun element.
The only negative is that some roles are MUCH more fun than others. Being a pilot not only means you get to sit in the first row, but you also at times get to control the Falcon and pull the lever to make the famous 'jump to light speed'. The gunners' role is also enjoyable shooting bad guys. However, engineers draw the short straw as their seats are at the back and their role is limited to pressing a few buttons. There is no way to control which role you get. Ride attendents assign them based purely on where you are in the queue.
Tips:
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There is a single rider queue which we found can massively reduce your waiting time. The only downside is that you will almost certainly be given the role of engineer because you will be the last one in the group of six.
Expedition Everest - Legend of the Forbidden Mountain (DAK)
Themed on a journey up and around the Himalayas, this is a large mine train-style coaster. The ride has steep drops and includes some backwards motion and elements in the dark. There are no inversions but there are some high speed banked turns.
Our view: This is probably the best mine train-type coaster which we have been on. It is much higher and faster than others, but is also smoother. There are some unusual features which add interest, such as the backwards section. Both the queue area and the ride itself are very well themed, with the track going through replica mountains.
Tips:
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We found it more enjoyable to sit towards the front, as you get better sight of the visual effects and theming.
Kali River Rapids (DAK)
A water rapids ride with circular rafts which travel down fast-moving water. Unlike most rides of its kind, this ride features a drop towards the beginning, similar to that found on a boat ride. The ride has detailed theming with lots of water features.
Our view: The combination of different elements makes this one of the best rapids rides we have been on. It is more thrilling than most because of the drop which creates speed.
Tips:
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This ride is much wetter than most rapids rides. You will get wet and may get completely soaked.
The view after your 'capture' by the First Order
Avatar - Flight of Passage (DAK)
A 3D simulator experience where riders sit on the back of a large winged animal, flying through the fictional world of the Avatar movies. The seats replicate a kind of saddle rather than a traditional seat.
Our view: This is the main ride in the Avatar area of Animal Kingdom. The whole area is incredibly well themed and the ride provides a very immersive experience. There are fanastic, beuatiful 3-D graphics and the motion of the seat gives a truly realistic experience.
Joe at the end of Rise of the Resistence
Dinosaur (DAK)
A dark ride themed around a journey back in time to the era of dinosaurs. Riders board jeep-style vehicles. The ride features many sharp turns and changes of speed as the vehicles encounter various animatronic dinosaurs.
Our view: The theming and effects make this an enjoyable ride
Avatat - Na'vi River Journey (DAK)
A slow boat ride themed on the Avatar movies. The ride goes through highly themed caves.
Our view: Although well-themed, the ride is slow and not particularly exciting. It's worth doing if you have fast pass, or the queue is small, but not otherwise.
It's Tough to be a Bug (DAK)
A 3D cinema experience based on the film 'A bug's life'.
Our view: An enjoyable experience, but nothing exceptional.
The entrance to Animal Kingdom
Space Mountain (MK)
An indoor rollercoaster, themed around a space rocket mission. All of the ride takes place indoors in the dark and it features high speed drops and turns. Riders sit in a line, one in front of the other, similar to a log-flume.
Our view: This is a disappointing ride, especially after going on Space Mountain: Mission 2 at EuroDisney which is much better. Although the queue is themed around space there are no effects during the ride and it is just an old, jerky coaster in the dark. The seating gives very little legroom for tall people (like Joe).
Tips:
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Fast track is available and is useful as the queues can become long.
Space Mountain (at about 9pm)
Ratatouille: The Adventure (EPC)
A modern, single car dark ride, which uses both big screens and live sets to take you through a story based on the film.
Our view: Although a bit more gentle than the Star Wars rides (because it’s aimed at a younger audience), it is still a very enjoyable experience. The level of detail in the theming is excellent. The story is told in both French and English, making it easy to follow.
Tips:
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The cars seat 6 people in two rows of 3. The single rider queue is, therefore, very quick, and there is a good chance you will still be sat in the same car as somebody else in your party. The alternative is the very long queue.
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Try to avoid sitting directly behind a tall person as they will obscure your view.
The entrance to EPCOT
Journey into Imagination, with Figment (EPC)
A slow mine train ride in which riders go through an ‘imagination’ laboratory, guided by a cartoon dragon (Figment) and the lab director (Eric Idol). Different scenes are intended to represent sight, sound and smell.
Our view: Boring, incoherent, one of the most underwhelming experiences of our lives. Joe in particular finds it quite shocking that a great such as Eric Idol would be involved in something as terrible as this. Yes, Eric Idol, one of the men behind Monty Python!!! We accept that we are not exactly the target market – it is aimed at children – but we do not think that children are likely to find it any more enjoyable or even comprehensible than we did.
Tips:
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Don’t; just don’t.
Mission Space (EPC)
A simulator unlike any other, in this ride you board a capsule of a space shuttle in a row of four. You take on the roles of commander, navigator, pilot and engineer and are given simple instructions to complete during the ride. The ride uses centrifuge to create the strong gravitational effects during the ‘launch’ and then it continues to take you on a journey to Mars. It is possible to do a less intense version of this ride with less effects, but we haven’t tried that.
Our view: The effects used on this ride are very realistic, making this an enjoyable ride. In particular, the high gravitational forces used make this feel very authentic and therefore immerse you in the ride. For space lovers this is a must-do ride.
Tips:
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Even the less intense version of this ride will still hold riders in a very enclosed space, which may not be suitable for those with claustrophobia.
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The strong gravitational forces can easily cause motion sickness and we recommend having travel sickness tablets beforehand.
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You do not have to worry about the tasks you are given in your role; if you miss an instruction then the ride continues the same way regardless.
The entrance to Soarin'
Splash Mountain (MK)
A water ride where you sit in rows of two in a boat. The ride is quite long, taking you through themed areas with small drops before the bigger drop at the end.
Our view: This is an enjoyable water ride. The final drop in particular is fun and we did not get too wet, just splashed, and generally others did not seem to be as wet coming off this as on other water rides. We found the story of the ride quite hard to follow, but that may be because we are not familiar with the film on which it is based.
Pirates of the Caribbean (MK)
A slow boat ride which tells a story of pirates trying to keep their gold away from Captain Jack Sparrow, and battles between the boats. The ride uses animatronics and sound effects to tell the story on which the films were later based.
Our view: Hayley liked this more than Joe, though both of us found it fairly dull. Hayley liked some of the effects, particularly the battle between the boats which you sail through. But it is a no-thrill ride.
Test Track (EPC)
A car ride themed around the design and testing of a prototype automobile. The ride features a number of simulated tests of the vehicles performance, including braking, responsiveness, and slippery conditions. The final test is power, which involves a launch and a 64.9mph run around a circuit with banked turns. Before the ride you get five minutes to design your own car. As you progress through the various tests, rankings are shown of the cars designed by all the people in that ride vehicle.
Our view: We both really enjoyed the launch and high speed track run at the end of the ride. Joe found the other tests more fun than Hayley did, in particular enjoying the tests which simulated swerving out of the way of ongoing vehicles. Having the opportunity to design your own vehicle enhanced the ride experience as you become invested in knowing how your car compared to others. The software used in the ‘design studio’ is very simple and easy to use.
Tips:
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This is a good ride to use the single rider queue as the vehicles have rows of three people (and most groups at theme parks are even numbers, meaning there are lots of spare seats). But this does mean that you will ride separately from the rest of your party. We also do not know if single riders get to design their own cars first.
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The actual ride is the same regardless of what car you design. Don’t expect designing a high power sports car to mean that the ride itself goes any faster.
The entrance to Mission Space
Soarin’ around the world (EPC)
This is a simulator ride where you sit in rows in front of a large screen, as if you are riding a hang glider. The effects include smells, noises and visual effects as if you are flying above different geographic scenes including fields and mountains. There are also additional features that simulate flying, such as changes in the air flow.
Our view: When we went on this ride it only simulated flying over different areas of California, whereas now this has been upgraded to include other areas of the world. In our experience of the ride it was very disappointing. We have come to expect a much more immersive experience from a modern simulator, but this still felt like we were sitting on a bench in front of a large screen. This was exaggerated by the quick changing of scenery, which does not take you through a journey but just cuts between different (unconnected) scenes. That said, the smells used during the ride were the best feature and were very authentic.
Tips:
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Don’t prioritise this ride over others if there is a queue, it is not worth it.
Rock n' Rollercoaster featuring Aerosmith (DHS)
A launch coaster entirely in the dark. The ride is themed around a limo journey taking the band (and riders) from their studio to an event, through the streets of LA. There is loud music and several inversions.
Our view: Although this is said to be the same layout as the ride at EuroDisney, we found this version to be more enjoyable. The launch is good as it takes you quickly into the first loop and it then maintains a high speed. There are also good visual effects during the ride which enhances the feel of it. It is quite jerky in places, and has old-fashioned, over the head, uncomfortable harnesses.
Tips:
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The back of this ride is much better, smoother and feels quicker
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There is fast track available which is useful as the queues can get big.
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If you haven’t got fast-track and you don’t mind being separated from the rest of your party, the single-rider queue is a good option on this ride as it tends to be much quicker.
The entrance to Disney's Hollywood Studios
Star Tours (DHS)
A very old simulator ride, with some of the characters from Star Wars. R2D2 and CPO introduce you to the ride which takes you through a Star Wars themed journey.
Our view: Simulator technology has moved on substantially since this ride was built. As a result, it seems very dated and is nowhere near the immersive experience which modern simulators provide. But it is quite good fun, as long as you don’t go in expecting too much.
Tips:
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Aim to sit in the middle of a row, towards the front.
Star Tours