When you think of Walt Disney World, you probably think, “will my tween or teen still like it when they are older?” I am here to say, there are Disney World Rides for Tweens and Teens – and we have compiled a list of The TOP 16 Rides for Teens and Tweens at Disney.
As much as I love It’s a Small World and Dumbo, no self-respecting tween or teen wants to be seen on those baby rides. And while there are parts of the Disney World that you will not even go near as your kids get older, there are still plenty of rides they will still enjoy and probably want to ride several times.
Top Sixteen Rides at Disney World for Tweens and Teens @DisneyWorld
1. Expedition Everest: Legend of the Forbidden Mountain – Animal Kingdom
Is the broken and twisted track, or the unexpected moment where you go back wards into a darkened mountain, the scary (ha! ha!) close encounter with the mysterious yeti, the twists and turns of a runaway train or the 80 foot drop? Whatever it is this is super popular, a must for every tween and teen roller coaster aficionado.
2. Kali River Rapids – Asia, Animal Kingdom
On a hot day, nothing is better than this river raft ride that takes you on a tour through a lush jungle landscape ravaged by illegal logging. And yes you will get wet and sometimes you will get drenched but this is a fun ride for kids of all ages.
3. Kilimanjaro Safaris – Animal Kingdom
4. Splash Mountain – Frontierland, Magic Kingdom
This has been a favorite ride from the first time my daughter rode Splash Mountain when she was 5 yeas old and still is favorite even today. I don’t think she cares about the Brer Rabbit portion of the ride or the very corny “zip-a-dee-doo-daa” song that plays during the ride. All that matters is the five story “splashdown” through the briar path and to see how we can get.
5. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad – Magic Kingdom
A speeding train that whips through desert caverns and a haunted mine amid rugged bedrock and desert cactus as riders go inside a 200-foot mountain to the Big Thunder Mining Company. This definitely has lots of twists and turns that tweens and teens love.
As huge fans of Disney, I have had the opportunity to stay at several of their hotels. Check out my reviews on the Disney Land Hotel Resort and Disney’s Contemporary Resort.
6. Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin- Magic Kingdom
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin is a shooting gallery game based on the Toy Story movie. Riders fire lasers to defeat Zurg. My daughter loves this game because she always wins.
7. Pirates of the Caribbean- Adventureland, Magic Kingdom
This is the simplest ride but something about it makes is worthy for teens. Riders board a small barge for a spellbinding high-seas adventure through a shadowy grotto past the ghostly catacombs of fallen pirates.
8. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train- Fantasyland, Magic Kingdom
Since it opened, this has been one of the most popular rides in Magic Kingdom. Riders ride the mine train through the diamond mine from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. This is a ride for kids of all ages and even though it’s the Seven Dwarfs which seem like it would be for little kids, it’s very popular with tweens and teens. This is a ride you need to make first on your Fast Pass rides. The wait is really long.
9. Space Mountain – Tomorrowland, Magic Kingdom
What makes Space Mountain a unique ride is that most of it takes place in the dark so you never know when all the twists and turns and drops will happen. This is big, big favorite of my daughter’s since her visit to Disney World.
10. Haunted Mansion – Liberty Square, Magic Kingdom
“GHOST” RELATIONS: The Haunted Mansion is another favorite. This is really not that scary for tweens and teens but just of lot fun plus the ride just has lots of surprises that entertain kids of all ages.
11. Tomorrowland Speedway – Magic Kingdom
Tomorrowland Speedway is pretty simple ride where riders get into their own gas powered racing cars and speed (very slowly) around a track that looks like the Indiana Motor Speedway. This ride is super popular with kids of all ages. I think tweens and teens like it because they actually get to drive a car without mom and dad.
12. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster starring Aerosmith – Hollywood Studios
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster® Starring Aerosmith is appealing because of the ride I think more than the music. Riders hop into a super-stretch limo and take off going 60 miles per hour into the Los Angeles night, pass by LA landmarks like the Hollywood sign, all the while listening Aerosmith’s big hits. The ride include 3 inversions—2 rollover loops and one corkscrew. This is real rollercoaster for those thrill seeking tweens and teens.
13. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror – Hollywood Studios
I am sure today’s tween or teen has ever heard of The Twilight Zone television show from which the Tower of Terror ride is based but they still will love this ride for it’s spookiness and 13 story drop. All you have to do is hear the screams coming Tower of Terror and get the idea. This is a pretty simple ride, you go up in a “haunted” elevator and drop down a few floors at time and then on the all the way down on last drop. My daughter loves it I think because of the last and final drop.
14. Mission: SPACE – Future World, Epcot
In Mission: SPACE, riders take a ride in a simulated space shuttle command module for a flight to Mars. This is not for the faint of heart in my opinion but my daughter loves. Riders are spun in a centrifuge (something akin to what actual astronauts use in training) creating up to 2.4 Gs of force on riders. There is an easy version of this ride, which if you are taking it for the first time, I would recommend before moving on.
15. Test Track – Future World, Epcot
The earlier part of the ride is pretty much twists and turns and takes place indoors. The best part of this ride is the last stretch which takes place outside, You come out of the darkened ride and hit the outside track where the car goes up 65 miles per hour on a 50 degree banked curve. It feels like you are being shot out of cannon. My daughter loves this ride. Personally, this is one of my favorite rides just to feel the rush of wind as you shoot around that last bank.
16. Soarin’ – The Land Pavilion, Epcot
Soarin’ provides the rider the sensation of flight as they “soar” across the U.S in a simulated hang glider. This simply a must ride attraction and every tween and teen will love it.
Remind your Tweens and Teens that Disney World is not just for younger kids and there are still lots of rides for them to take a spin on.
What is your tween or teen’s favorite Disney World ride?
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Disclosure: NYC Single Mom was provided with a one day pass to help facilitate the writing of this post. Opinions are 100% my own along with my very honest tween almost teenager daughter.
We have never been before! Our first time is going to be in 2017 I wanted to wait until my youngest was a bit older, I can’t wait to check out all the rides with my kiddos. My oldest will be 9 when we go so I can see quite a few of these rides being perfect for him.
9 is good age for some of of the rides of course it depends on how much of a daredevil they are. My daughter is fearless and went on expedition everest at 5 by herself. I refused to go, I am a baby on roller coasters.
I have two grand-tweens and the’ve not been to Disney World yet. Judging from their favorite rides at the state fair every year, they’d love all of these rides especially 16. Soarin’ – The Land Pavilion, Epcot.
If they are roller coasters fans there is a lot on the list they will like.
This is such a great list! We went to Disney a few years ago and in a few more, plan to go again. My kiddos will be much older and will be interested in a whole different set of rides, I’m sure!
I haven’t been to Disney for so long! Not since my kids were little. I would love to go with just my husband and I so we could really check it out and have some fun! I’ll have to remember all of these great rides!
You will not be alone as a couple. If its just the two of you, you can at least drink and not worry. Or try to go during the Food and Wine festival. There are tons of Disney fans who go without kids.
My daughter is 14 and we just went this past summer, all planned by her. She absolutely loves it and is already planning a Disney Cruise for next summer too! She loves everything about it!
A disney cruise wow, thats fantastic. I havent made the plunge on that one. That is trip I want to do with either lots of family or other families.
Buzz Lightyear is my favorite ride and it’s a big hit with my grandkids, too. We ride it every single time. There are many great rides for tweens and teens. You covered some favorites.
my tween loves the roller coasters best. He would go on the Aerosmith roller coaster over and over if he could!
All are great rides. I love the Zone of Terror and Space Mountain myself. Something about not really knowing what is coming make it so much more fun.
Pirates and Speedway need to be replaced on this list with Toy Story Mania and Star Tours. While Pirates is a classic that should not be passed over by any age most Tweens and teens are over the old animatronics. With the speedway it is just old and tends to attract those whom are younger. The track is not thrilling, the cars are jerky and hard to control. Not to mention there are a million cars on the track so you cannot have fun with speed.
With Toy Story Midway, well there is a reason it has one of the longest lines out of any rides in the park. While Buzz Lightyear is a blast, Toy Story makes it feel 20 years old.
With the new ride updates and different flights you cannot pass on Star Tours either. It easily offers more thrills than speedway ever could.
Overall though, one should never pass on a Disney ride because of the riders age or what age the rider feels it is designed for. That is half the fun of Disney.
Thanks for the comments. I will add those two to the list. I would agree that tweens and teens probably are over pIrates but I still see tons of them standing in line and I think they still like because of its either nostalgic when I was kid feeling or it cheesiness.
They will say they are over Pirates but of course we all know that is not true. While the classics should not be overlooked in the grand scheme of things, when push comes to shove there are other highlights for that age.
Personally I am interested to see the updates to Pirates when we head back in January.
I’ll have to remember this when I have a teen or tween! We are planning to take my daughter to Disneyworld for her 2nd birthday in April!
I’ve tried some of this rides and Disney does make it extra fun and they also do well with the effects. They would have a grand time in joining in the rides.
My teens would love all of these rides, but I think they’d pick Splash Mountain or the River Rapids ride first. They’ve never had a chance to go on water rides (besides water slides) and I know they really want to. We’re hoping to take them to an amusement park near us with very similar water rides to these ones.
I would really love to go to Disney World sometime. This proves that there is something for the whole family!
I’m long overdue a Disney World trip! I haven’t been in 8 years now!