Here are the top 10 roller coasters at Disney theme parks, as rated by Theme Park Insider readers. To maximize variety, for coasters that Disney's copied at multiple parks, we've listed the top-rated version.
10. Matterhorn Bobsleds
Disneyland
Disney's first roller coaster hangs on in the number 10 spot, though it'd probably have rated higher if not for the new trains installed during the 2012 refurbishment. Many fans have complained about the smaller seats, as well as the new 42-inch minimum height requirement that keeps the Matterhorn from being the "first coaster" that it was for generations of future coaster enthusiasts.
9. Raging Spirits
Tokyo DisneySea
Themed to a South American archeological dig, the Intamin looping coaster packs a punch in its relatively small footprint. You'll also find this coaster at Disneyland Paris as Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril.
8. Space Mountain: Mission 2
Disneyland Paris
Okay, we've got two "Space Mountains" on this list. But Paris' Jules Verne-themed version is so unlike the other Space Mountains around the world that it deserves a separate entry. This Vekoma launch coaster offers sidewinder, corkscrew, and tongue inversions, a top speed of 44 miles per hour, and headaches galore for people expecting the tamer, traditional Space Mountain ride. But for riders who know what they're getting into, SMM2 offers the most extreme thrills legally available at a Disney theme park.
7. Crush's Coaster
Walt Disney Studios Paris
Star with a Maurer Söhne spinning coaster and surrounding it with a Finding Nemo-themed dark ride and you'll have what was (until Remy arrived) the most popular ride at the Walt Disney Studios Park at Disneyland Paris Resort. With no Fastpass, though, the hours-long waits depress many readers' enthusiasm for the ride.
6. California Screamin'
Disney California Adventure
A modern steel coaster decorated to look like an old-fashioned beach-side woodie, this Intamin looping coaster couldn't be more different than Raging Spirits in look and feel. Enhanced with on-ride audio and a high-speed launch, Screamin' is a great ride for young fans looking to make the first step up to "big kid" coasters.
5. Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
Disney's Hollywood Studios
The ultimate in blending high-speed thrills with a high-volume soundtrack, this Vekoma launch coaster is Disney's most popular "upside down" coaster, and the wildest ride to a concert you'll ever (again, legally) experience.
4. Expedition Everest
Disney's Animal Kingdom
Pour one out for the still-broken "Disco Yeti," but then just allow yourself to enjoy the highest-rated roller coaster at Walt Disney World. Wonderfully decorated, with a blend of speed, thrills, and excitement that appeals across generations, Everest truly is a "can't miss" experience for first-time visitors to the Walt Disney World Resort.
3. Space Mountain
Disneyland
Among the traditional Space Mountains, Disneyland's version gets the nod from readers for its on-board soundtrack and smooth-riding track, thanks to a 2005 rebuild. And if you visit in the fall, you can experience the "Ghost Galaxy" overlay, when Disney changes up the music and the visual effects for Halloween.
2. Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars
Hong Kong Disneyland
Perhaps overshadowed by the wildly popular Mystic Manor, Big Grizzly Mountain also helped transform Hong Kong Disneyland from an afterthought to a park that's now high on many Disney's fans "I wish I could visit there" bucket lists.
1. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Disneyland Paris
.jpg)
The "wildest ride in the wilderness" is our readers' favorite ride on a coaster in a Disney theme park. Paris' version wins over the other Thunders, thanks to its length and unique tunnels under the Rivers of America at the beginning and end of the ride, keeping it ahead of a late challenge from Anaheim's new "explosive" finish.
What is you favorite thrill ride at a Disney theme park?
Tweet
In a world where the Yeti does not work on Everest, I would swap around Matterhorn and Everest because at least Matterhorn's Yeti works.
I would bump Aerosmith up a spot or two. If they re-theme it to the Hannah Montana Rock'n Roller Coaster, I would delete it from the list.
I would also trade out Matterhorn with either Disneyland's or Magic Kingdom's Big Thunder Mountain. According to others they may not be as good as their foreign cousins, but in my book they are pretty solid rides.
I think if Disney could remove Aerosmith, and simply make it "Rockin Roller Coaster", it could be higher. Get a couple of modern bands in there, and randomly rotate who you see in the waiting room, as well as the music options in the ride itself.
I feel like Paris is a mixed bag. Sounds like it needs work, overall, but it has some real standout attractions that you don't find elsewhere. I hope to check it out.
As for Hong Kong Disney, I'm expecting to visit in December.
In fact, if things work out, it may be my new local park. Not holding my breath on a move. But I hope to review the park and the Grizzly coaster all the same.
This article has been archived and is no longer accepting comments.
