We love Disney and we love rollercoasters so we certainly love Disney rollercoasters. The Matterhorn Bobsleds at Disneyland in Anaheim was the first roller coaster to open at a Disney park. This classic coaster opened in 1959 and still remains a focal point of the park. Since then, there have been many new coasters built at Disney parks, located all around the world.
While it is not thrill rides and roller coasters that have made the Disney Parks the world famous destinations they are today, this does not mean that the parks are not home to some brilliant coasters. In fact, it wasn’t until we started to rank our five favourite Disney coasters that we really realised just how many great coasters are located in Disney Parks. We will not be classing attractions like Test Track or Radiator Springs Racers as roller coasters. So, after much debate, here are our five favourite coasters.
5. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World
The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is located at Magic Kingdom and Shanghai Disneyland. In Florida, the coaster opened in 2014 as part of the new Fantasyland expansion. Out of all the Disney rollercoasters, this is the most family friendly to feature in our top five. Since it’s opening, the Mine Train has become one of the most popular attractions at Disney World. The coaster often has the longest waits out of all the rides in the Magic Kingdom and a FastPass for the Mine Train remains the hardest to get out of all of the park’s attractions. We love how this coaster seamlessly blends from coaster to dark ride scenes and then back to more coaster. The unique “tilting vehicle” system also allows for the coaster itself to be more unique than your normal family coaster.
4. Expedition Everest at Animal Kingdom, Walt Disney World
Expedition Everest is one of the most impressive looking rollercoasters in the world. The huge mountain structure is simply breath-taking and has become nearly as iconic as the tree of life itself. The coaster cost a whopping $100 million. In fact until 2019 it was the most expensive roller coaster ever built. This record is now held by Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure which cost Universal an eye-watering $300 million. The combination of theming, storyline and coaster layout make Expedition Everest one of the most enjoyable coasters in the world.
However, there is one negative, the infamous Yeti animatronic. This 25 foot tall animatronic is the largest ever built by Imagineering. Sadly, the Yeti broke only a few months after the attraction opened in 2006 and has never been fixed. Instead, the Yeti now remains still and strobe lighting is used to create the illusion of movement. It is the location of the animatronic which is the reason as to why the animatronic has never been fixed. Maybe, one day Disney will decide to close the ride for a few months for refurbishment allowing the Yeti to finally be fixed. Until that day, we must live in hope.
3. Space Mountain at Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World
When discussing Disney rollercoasters you can’t not talk about Space Mountain. This dark, indoor, space themed attraction has become a true Disney classic. Every Disney destination, apart from Shanghai, has a Space Mountain. The versions of the ride found in Tokyo, Hong Kong and Anaheim are very similar while the versions in Florida and Paris both differ. The version in Paris is the only Space Mountain to be launched and include inversions. From the outside, with its Jules Verne style design, it’s the best looking Space Mountain. However, this version of the coaster has a tendency to make us feel sick and bangs our heads a bit too much to make it our favourite Space Mountain.
Overall, it is the Space Mountain found in Florida which we enjoy the most. This was the first Space Mountain to ever be built, opening in 1975. Yes, this version is a little rough, but the classic look and feel of this coaster makes it our favourite. We love the soundtrack and the rather unique 1 by 1 seating arrangement of the coaster’s classic ride vehicles.
2. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Disneyland Paris
Similar to Space Mountain, ever since this coaster first opened in Anaheim in 1979, it has become a true Disney classic. Since 1979, three more versions of the coaster have been built in Florida, Tokyo and Paris. In our opinion, it is the version of the coaster in Paris that we believe to be the best. The Paris version is unique as it’s situated on its own island in the middle of the Rivers of the Far West. This is also the most thrilling version of the coaster and the only version of the coaster to be an opening day attraction. The only drawback with this attraction was reliability, but since its year long refurb between 2015 to 2016, the attraction no longer suffers from these issues.
1. Tron Lightcycle Power Run at Shanghai Disneyland Park
This semi-enclosed launched motorbike coaster opened with the rest of Shanghai Disneyland on June 16, 2016. Ever since the plans for this coaster were announced, both Disney and coaster fans became obsessed with this attraction. Anyone who has ever watched the Tron films has dreamt of being on the back of a Lightcycle and the opening of this coaster made these dreams a reality.
This coaster reaches speeds of nearly 60mph making it the fastest at any Disney park. The coaster’s vehicles create a very unique and individual ride experience. Riding this coaster at any time is great, but getting to ride at night is extra special as the attractions outdoor sections look even better with the lights on. When we visited the park in 2019 we were blown away by how good the attraction was and can’t wait to ride again, whether that be in Shanghai or the new version of the coaster being built in Florida, set to open this year.
What are your favourite Disney rollercoasters?
If you enjoyed this article then please check out our article on the top 5 coasters at Cedar Point.
