On a recent road trip we were chatting about the attractions at Walt Disney World and I asked her if she could narrow down her favorite rides to three.
“No way!” I quickly heard.
“Okay, what about a top five?”
“Hmm, nope.”
“Top 10?”
Silence. “I think I can do that.”
So for more than an hour in the car, we talked about what makes each of her rides so great, why teens would love it, and why it’s one of her favorites.
After hours of deliberating and weighing the benefits, I give you The Kid’s Top 10 Teen Approved Rides at Walt Disney World.
10. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
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| Photo Credit: flickr.com/Sam Howzit |
I’m pretty sure BTMRR in Frontierland in Magic Kingdom makes the top Walt Disney World thrill ride list for just about everyone that loves coasters. We’ve never not ridden the ride on every visit because The Kid loves “The Wildest ride in the Wilderness!” and considers it the first thrill ride she ever rode at Walt Disney World.
What makes it so great for teens? The interactive queue, the Wild West theme, mist that emanates throughout the ride (great for those hot, Central Florida days!), and the ride’s length- a whopping three minutes!
Tip from a Teen: the queue splits into two lines. If the ride is using both, take the left side. It tends to be quicker.
9. Mission Space
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| Photo Credit: flickr.com/Sam Howzit |
Mission Space is an out of this world attraction in Future World at Epcot.
Sorry, I just had to add a space pun.
With Disney’s special pixie dust, it’s not surprising how the ride makes you feel like you’re weightless on your way to Mars. The ride offers two thrill levels, green and orange, and if you like intense rides, go for the orange.
Why is it teen approved? It’s perfect for space-loving teens, the feel of the ride is intense enough to not be boring, and according to The Kid, there’s never a dull moment. Don’t like to wait in line? The Green level generally has shorter wait times.
Tip from a Teen: If you tend to get motion sickness, stick with the Green experience and close your eyes if it gets to be too much.
8. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
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| Photo Credit: flickr/com/Jennifer Lynn |
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is the latest coaster ride at Magic Kingdom. With top notch animatronics and special effects and a smooth swaying motion, there’s no guessing why this ride is THE ride to score a Fastpass+ selection for.
The Kid digs this one compliments of the Snow White theme, the swaying mine carts, and the interactive queue if you do have to wait in line. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself whistling Hi Ho!
Tip from a Teen: hit this ride at rope drop or try to score a Fastpass+ selection to avoid the lengthy line. The front seat is the best seat in the house, too!
7. Soarin’
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| Photo Credit: flickr.com/rickpilot_2000 |
Soarin’ is an awesome simulator ride in Future World at Epcot and is always on the top two list of rides at the park, popularity wise. The simulation makes guests feel as if they’re gliding over popular California landmarks including Disneyland. Scents, including orange and pine, are pumped in to add to the overall look and feel of the ride. Soarin’ will receive a freshened-up movie in the near future that will feature locations from around the world and I’m certain it will still be on her top 10 list.
Teen approved for the following: The scents, the feeling of flight, and the hidden Mickey at the end.
Did she forget anything? Oh yeah, have a great flight.
Tip from a Teen: the middle seats provide the best view.
6. Expedition Everest
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| Photo Credit: flickr.com/Joe Shlabotnik |
This one The Kid calls The Yeti ride. Passengers are whisked away to Mount Everest and have to avoid the elusive Yeti- the mythical creature of the Himalaya Mountains. This beauty can be seen from many locations in Animal Kingdom and always makes a great backdrop for a family photo.
Here’s why teens will love it: The ride moves quickly both forward and backward, the view from the high peaks offers gorgeous park scenery, and the thrill of the Yeti adds to the overall fun.
Tip from a Teen: Head to Expedition Everest at rope drop for the opportunity to ride several times in a row with little wait.
5. Toy Story Midway Mania
A trip to Disney’s Hollywood Studios is not complete without a spin on Toy Story Midway Mania for my teen! The 3-D effects, combined with the spinning carts, make for a super fun, shooting-style ride. Yep, there’s usually a long standby queue for this attraction, but there are times when we don’t mind at all: on super hot days and times we just want to mosey.
4. Test Track
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| Photo Credit: flickr.com/Ross Davidson |
The perfect ride for teens that love high speeds, Test Track at Epcot allows riders to create their own virtual custom car and then put its abilities like capability, responsiveness, fuel efficiency, and power to the test. After the spin on the test track circuit, you’ll burst through the doors and onto a high speed test track going up to 65 MPH. She loves it compliments of the computer-esque atmosphere, high speeds, and the ability to make a different car at each visit.
Tip from a Teen: Single rider option is available for teens that don’t mind riding by themselves. It also skips some pretty lengthy wait times in the regular queue.
3. Haunted Mansion
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| Photo Credit: flickr.com/Rian Castillo |
Welcome, Foolish Mortals, to The Kid’s number three ride- The Haunted Mansion in Liberty Square at Magic Kingdom. Board a Doom Buggy and watch 999 grim grinning ghosts come out to socialize. You’ll pass through a stretching room, pass by the endless hallway, and finally see all of the ghosts in their element- the graveyard! The ride, although created in 1971, has special effects are still amazing to look at and the ghosts haven’t changed a bit! I have to admit, this one’s my favorite and she loves it for the walk through, interactive queue, the climate control on hot days, and her favorite area- The Attic.
Tip from a Teen: There’s quite a few Nightmare Before Christmas touches in The Attic, so keep your eyes peeled for them.
2. Space Mountain
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| Photo Credit: flickr.com/Jimmy Snell |
I remember the first time The Kid went on this ride. She walked off with her knees knocking together and in tears. Fast forward to many years later when it’s become her favorite ride at Magic Kingdom. She’s fallen in love with the space theme, the inability to know what’s coming (it’s pretty much in the pitch black), the sounds, and the music.
Tip from a Teen: try and find which side the camera will be on and make funny faces to check out once the ride’s over.
1. Aerosmith’s Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster
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| Photo Credit: flickr.com/MeduimHero6 |
Aerosmith’s Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster at Disney’s Hollywood Studios made it to the top of The Kid’s list for quite a few reasons including the high speed (0 to 60 in only a few seconds!) , fab music (she’s an Aerosmith fan now compliments of the great soundtrack!), and the indoor location- perfect for hot, humid days at Walt Disney World.
Tips from a Teen: The coaster takes off like a shot and looks like it’s going a lot faster than it really is. Once up to speed, the ride is roller coaster perfection!
Okay, I’m definitely sold on her list and reasons why these rides are sure to bring a smile to the faces of your teens. Did we leave out any of your teen’s favorites? Please let me know in the comment section below!
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