If you’re looking for a heart-pumping, adrenaline-fueled adventure at Disney World, then you’re in luck!
In this post, we’ll be taking a closer look at the fastest and most thrilling rides at the most magical place on Earth!
From the iconic Space Mountain to the newest addition, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, I’ll be counting down the fastest rides at Disney World, from slowest to fastest, using data from the Roller Coaster Database.
So, hold on tight and let’s get ready to ride!
Space Mountain
This classic indoor rollercoaster has been a fan favorite since its debut at Magic Kingdom in 1975.
And surprisingly, it is the slowest of the fastest rides at Disney World. So how fast does Space Mountain go?
Space Mountain reaches a top speed of 27 mph.
Are you surprised? Me too! I thought for sure this would be way faster! Maybe the drops and turns in complete darkness make it seem way faster than it actually is.
To learn more about this ride at Magic Kingdom, as well as at other Disney Parks, check out the post Is Space Mountain Scary?
Humunga Kowabunga
Located at Typhoon Lagoon, Humunga Kowabunga is an enclosed water slide that rockets you down at 30 mph.
And while it is amongst the fastest rides at Disney World overall, most water slides average 20-30 mph, so it’s not too scary in my opinion (source).
Here’s a quick POV video to see what I mean: Typhoon Lagoon Humunga Kowabunga water slide.
Storm Slides
Another fast ride at Typhoon Lagoon are the Storm Slides, which also swoop you down the slide at 30 mph.
This open-top water slide almost feels like a relaxing run despite being amongst the fastest rides at Disney World!
Here’s a quick POV video from Disney of the Storm Slides at Typhoon Lagoon.
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
Another speedy ride at Magic Kingdom is the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train roller coaster, which takes riders on a tour of the Seven Dwarfs’ mining operation from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train reaches a top speed of 34 mph.
The ride cars include a fun swing-like motion, which can add a little extra fun to the experience.
For more information about this roller coaster, check out my Seven Dwarfs Mine Train rider guide.
Slush Gusher
Blizzard Beach’s Slush Gusher water slide picks it up slightly from the average water slide at 35 mph.
This open-top slide is a bit more thrilling compared to similar open-top water slides at Disney World, thanks to the steep drop at the start.
Here’s a POV video of the Slush Gusher at Blizzard Beach so you can get a sense of what I mean.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Located in Frontierland at Magic Kingdom, this Wild West-themed roller coaster includes multiple drops and turns.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Magic Kingdom reaches a top speed of 36 mph.
Overall, it’s a fun ride for those who want a bit of excitement without being too intense.
It’s a bit old and bumpy compared to the more recent roller coasters, which ride very smoothly, though, which might make some people feel uneasy.
When my niece was about 8 years old, she finally decided she was ready for roller coasters and Big Thunder Mountain was her first one. She LOVED it, so we gladly lined up a few more times throughout our trip to ride again.
For more information, check out my rider guide for Big Thunder Mountain.
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
If you’re looking for a mix of thrills and spookiness, then this Hollywood Studios ride is for you.
With a 13-story drop at 39 mph, riders experience the feeling of free-fall and a variety of other unexpected surprises.
It also has a haunted house vibe, which has created a lot of fans of this ride and its lore.
For more information, check out my Tower of Terror rider guide.
Slinky Dog Dash
This adorable, family-friendly coaster, located in Toy Story Land at Hollywood Studios, is inspired by slinky dog from the Toy Story movies.
With a top speed of 40 mph and hills that mimic the slinky’s movement, this coaster is a fun ride for all ages.
To learn more about this ride, check out my Slinky Dog Dash rider guide.
Expedition Everest
Located in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, this coaster takes riders on a journey through the Himalayan Mountains, complete with a Yeti snow monster.
So how fast is Expedition Everest?
Expedition Everest tops out around 50 MPH, making it one of the fastest rides at Disney World.
Add in an 80 foot drop, and ::spoiler alert:: a section that goes backward, and you have one heck of a ride!
To learn more, check out my post about Expedition Everest.
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster
This coaster, located in Hollywood Studios, is a fan favorite for its launch that accelerates riders from 0 to 57 mph in just 2.8 seconds.
No matter how many times I’ve been on it, that quick start takes me by surprise every time.
On top of it’s lightning fast start, it is also the only roller coaster at Disney World that goes upside down!
Aside from its thrilling features, this ride features classic songs from the rock band Aerosmith.
For more information, check out my Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster rider guide.
TRON Lightcycle Power Run
This cutting-edge ride, inspired by the TRON franchise, originally made its debut at Shanghai Disneyland in 2016.
Just a year later, Disney announced that they had plans to recreate the popular coaster at Disney World’s Magic Kingdom.
With a top speed of just under 60 mph per D23’s blog, you’ll feel like you’re racing in a digital world inspired by the neon grid in the movies.
Like Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, TRON goes from 0 to 60 mph right from the start, adding to the thrill aspect of this ride.
After what seemed like forever, it finally opened to guests in Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland on April 4, 2023.
If you haven’t had a chance to ride TRON yet, check out this full ride POV video.
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
The newest roller coaster at Disney World, Cosmic Rewind, includes spinning cars and a corkscrew track.
So how fast is Cosmic Rewind?
With the speed topping out at 60 mph, it is double that of earlier coasters on this list, like Space Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain.
And just like the movies, there’s a killer soundtrack that includes half a dozen classic rock tracks from artists like Blondie, Earth, Wind & Fire, and The Trammps.
During its first holiday season, the soundtrack switched over to holiday tunes, which was met to mixed reviews. We’ll see if that seasonal change returns this year!
Summit Plummet
Ah, Summit Plummet. The water slide that makes even the bravest souls quiver!
Located at Blizzard Beach, this daring attraction has a height requirement of 48″ minimum.
With speeds reaching up to 60 mph, it is not only one of the fastest rides at Disney World, but also the fastest free-fall water slide in the world.
Riding it is like being shot out of the canon. To see what I mean, check out this POV video.
Test Track
Last, but not least, the fastest ride at Disney World goes to Test Track at Epcot.
Located in Epcot’s Future World, Test Track is a high-speed ride that lets riders design their own concept car before testing it on the track.
With speeds up to 65 mph, this ride is not for the faint of heart.
Another reason to love this ride? It has a single rider line!
Plus, on September 9, 2023, Disney announced, along with the ride’s sponsor, Chevrolet, that they are working on a complete revamp of this ride.
Cross your fingers that it will keep the speed element or even make it more thrilling!
To see the full experience of the current version, check out this POV video.
Which of the fastest rides at Disney World is your favorite?
Disney World is known for its family-friendly environment and fun rides for all ages, but for those seeking a bit more excitement, the park also offers some of the fastest and wildest rides in the world.
From the iconic Space Mountain to the newest addition, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, we hope this guide helps you plan your next heart-pumping adventure at the happiest place on earth.
Remember to hold on tight and enjoy the ride!
About the author
Meg Frost is the creator of The Park Pixie, where she covers Disney World, Disney+, and Disney fandom.
She holds an M.A. in Journalism from Northeastern University and B.S. in Communication & American Studies from University of Miami in Florida.
This post was originally published September 11, 2023. It was last updated October 15, 2023.
