Disney World isn’t just princesses and meeting up with your favourite characters. For the thrill seekers in the family, there are also a few roller coasters at Magic Kingdom dotted around the parks that are guaranteed to get your adrenaline pumping.
If you’ve ever been to Disney before, then you’ll understand what I mean when I say that the parks are immaculately themed, and Disney have really paid close attention to detail when creating each and every ride, food kiosk, and even their toilets. This theming, of course, includes the coasters.
So, if you and your family are heading to Magic Kingdom and are looking for a bit more excitement than It’s a Small World, then you’ll be happy to know that the park has five coasters that even some of the smaller members of your party can enjoy.
This article is going to cover all five coasters in Magic Kingdom, including their height requirements, their wait times, and whereabouts they’re located in the park. I’ve also included the rides throughout the other three Disney World Parks, but as Magic Kingdom has the largest amount of coasters, it honestly comes out on top.
Magic Kingdom Roller Coasters
As I mentioned before, there are five coasters in Magic Kingdom, with some more suitable for younger children and others reserved for only the bravest little ones.
In all of the Disney parks, the roller coasters are popular; they are fun rides with great theming so wait times can be longer depending on the time of the day. Do look into Disney Genie+ and/or Individual Lightning Lanes. Both options allow you to skip queues, but you can find out more about these services on the Walt Disney World website here.
Big Thunder Mountain
The first of the big coasters in Magic Kingdom is Big Thunder Mountain in Frontierland. Frontierland is to the left-hand side of Cinderella’s Castle and is also home to one of the park’s other coasters, Splash Mountain.
Children 40 inches and over can hop on the rickety Big Thunder Mountain mine train and race through the haunted gold mine, all while dodging falling boulders and exploding dynamite.
Some parts of the ride do take place in the dark, and there are a few twists, turns and drops, so keep that in mind if you’re debating whether or not it is a suitable ride for your little one.
- Land: Frontierland
- Height requirement: 40 inches or taller
- Average wait time: 60 minutes
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
Sticking on the mine train theme is the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train in Fantasyland, and don’t worry, even though they’re both mine trains, they’re extremely different experiences.
The rustic mine train takes you up a steep incline, and as you head further into the mine shaft, you’ll greet Snow White’s seven little dwarf friends as they whistle and sing while they work. At the very top of the ride, you’ll also witness one of the best views of Fantasyland, and you’ll even catch a glimpse of the back side of Cinderella’s castle from a different perspective.
- Land: Fantasyland
- Height requirement: 38 inches or taller
- Average wait time: 50 minutes
Space Mountain
Space Mountain is one of the biggest coasters in Magic Kingdom, and if you’ve never experienced a roller coaster in the dark, then it is an absolute must.
Space Mountain is slightly more exhilarating than other coasters in the park, and because of this, only children over 44 inches will be able to blast off in a rocket to explore the depths of outer space.
Traditional roller coasters, including the other four remaining Magic Kingdom coasters, have you sit in pairs, but Space Mountain, however, actually has you sit one behind the other, so if your children like to hold your hand during the ride then this may not be the one for them.
- Land: Tomorrowland
- Height requirement: 44 inches or taller
- Average wait time: 70 minutes
Splash Mountain
It’s no secret that the sunshine state of Florida is hot and sticky, and if you’ve been walking around the park praying for a nice cold shower, then look no further than Splash Mountain.
If you’re visiting the parks in the late months of 2024, then you’ll be able to ride the water coaster, which will have a whole new theme, feel, and name, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.
It’s unknown what changes will actually be made to the ride itself, but you can probably still expect the ride’s 5-story drop, three dips, and 950,000 gallons of water. Trust me when I say that you’re guaranteed to get wet, especially if you sit in the front carriages.
- Land: Frontierland
- Height requirement: 40 inches or taller
- Average wait time: 60 minutes
The Barnstormer
The final coaster in Magic Kingdom is the smallest of the bunch, and you can find it to the right-hand side of Seven Dwarfs Mine Train in Fantasyland. The Barnstormer featuring the Great Goofini is a tamer roller coaster that is suitable for children over 35 inches.
When boarding the ride, you take flight over a Storybook Circus while twisting and swooping through the barnyard before safely landing during the grande finale.
- Land: Fantasyland
- Height requirement: 35 inches or taller
- Average wait time: 20 minutes
Roller Coasters in the Other Disney World Parks
Although Magic Kingdom has the greatest amount of roller coasters, there are, in fact, a few other mentionable coasters in Epcot, Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios.
Animal Kingdom – Expedition Everest
Animal Kingdom is one of my favourite parks, not only for the wildlife but also because of Expedition Everest. Expedition Everest, which is the park’s only coaster, is located in the Asia section of Animal Kingdom to the right-hand side of the Tree of Life.
As you wander through a Tibetan village at the base of Mount Everest, you’ll board a train and embark on a steep ascent to the very top. But, it isn’t all smooth sailing, and without warning, the track will break, twist, and you’ll plummet backwards into total darkness.
Expedition Everest is one of the scarier rides in Disney, with loud noises, fast speeds, sudden drops, and darkness, so it may not be suitable for young children unless they’re really feeling brave.
- Park area: Asia
- Height requirement: 44 inches or taller
- Average wait time: 30 minutes
Epcot – Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
One of the newest rides in the parks is Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind in Epcot’s World Discovery section. If you have any Guardians of the Galaxy fans who are over 42 inches tall, then join the Guardians on an intergalactic chase through space on a coaster that rotates 360 degrees and after a short ride changes direction and zooms backwards around the galaxy through planets and stars whilst listening to tunes – we had Gloria Estefan with the Miami Sound Machine and ‘Conga’.
- Park area: World Discovery
- Height requirement: 42 inches or taller
- Average wait time: Currently virtual queue only
Hollywood Studios – Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster
Another of my favourite rides is the Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster down Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood Studios.
Hop in Aerosmith’s gleaming limousine and speed off through the town to get the band to their concert on time. The ride will zip you past Hollywood’s most iconic landmarks, and you’ll manoeuvre your way through traffic jams with the aid of rollover loops and corkscrews. The best part? Well, that would be that the limousine is decked out with 125 speakers that blast Aerosmith classics throughout the entire ride.
As the ride does have loops and corkscrews, only children over 48 inches can ride the Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster.
- Park area: Sunset Boulevard
- Height requirement: 48 inches or taller
- Average wait time: 60 minutes
Hollywood Studios – Slinky Dog Dash
The final roller coaster throughout the Disney parks is the Slinky Dog Dash in Hollywood Studio’s Toy Story Land.
Slinky Dog’s spring coils have been stretched to the limit as he zooms up hills and speeds around bends on Andy’s assembled Mega Coaster Play Kit. There are a few small drops on Slinky Dog Dash, but if your little ones are over 38 inches, then it shouldn’t be too scary for them.
- Park area: Toy Story Land
- Height requirement: 38 inches or taller
- Average wait time: 75 minutes
FAQs About Roller Coasters at Magic Kingdom
Are There Any Roller Coasters at Disney World?
Disney World may be known for its character meet and greets, Disney princesses and Cinderella’s Castle, but it is actually home to nine roller coasters with incredible theming and backstories. These roller coasters include the following:
- Magic Kingdom – Big Thunder Mountain
- Magic Kingdom – Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
- Magic Kingdom – Space Mountain
- Magic Kingdom – Splash Mountain
- Magic Kingdom – The Barnstormer
- Animal Kingdom – Expedition Everest
- Epcot – Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
- Hollywood Studios – Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster
- Hollywood Studios – Slinky Dog Dash
How Many Roller Coasters Are at Disney World Magic Kingdom?
Throughout the four Disney World parks, there are nine roller coasters in total. Magic Kingdom is home to five of them, Hollywood Studios two, Epcot one and the final in Animal Kingdom.
Which Park at Disney World Has the Most Roller Coasters?
If you’re after thrills in the Disney World parks, then you’ll want to head to Magic Kingdom. Magic Kingdom is home to five of the nine coasters throughout Disney World, including Big Thunder Mountain, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, and The Barnstormer.
If you have enjoyed this post and found it useful, here are some ways you can say thanks and support Visiting Orlando With Kids
1. Follow Visiting Orlando With Kids on the following platforms for exclusive content:
2. JOIN our friendly Visiting Orlando With Kids Facebook Group which includes lots of ideas & tips for things to do and helpful advice about your holiday or vacation to Orlando and surrounding areas – with input from members who live or visit these places regularly.
3. Share this post with your friends.
Thank you for your support as always.