Scariest Rides at Disney World: A Parent’s Guide for Riding with a Shorty
Walt Disney World is, mostly, a toddler’s paradise. The vast majority of rides have no prohibitive height requirement, so the whole family can pile in together. But are there scary rides at Disney World? Hard yes. The Imagineers have made some questionable decisions over the years, like the still-defunct Stitch’s Great Escape, which has sat dark since 2020 with no announced replacement. Just because you can put a small child on a ride does not mean you should. These are the scariest rides at Disney World Orlando, ranked, so you can decide what your kid (and your nerves) can handle.
Quick verdict: If your child loses it in the dark, at loud noises, or on big drops, the rides to skip with a shorty are Tower of Terror, Expedition Everest, Mission SPACE (Orange), Space Mountain, and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster. A 40″ height stick is roughly the cutoff for the genuinely intense stuff. A few things have changed since this list first went up: Splash Mountain is now Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster swapped Aerosmith for the Muppets, and the old #1, DINOSAUR, closed for good in February 2026. Details below.
What Are The Scariest Rides at Disney World?
20. Astro Orbiter Ride
19. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh Magic Kingdom
18. Slinky Dog Dash in Disney World
17. Kali River Rapids Animal Kingdom
16. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train in Disney World
15. Pirates of the Caribbean Disney World Ride
14. Test Track Disney World
13. Soarin’ at Disney
12. Avatar Flight of Passage Orlando
11. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure (formerly Splash Mountain) Disney World
10. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Disney World
9. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets Walt Disney World
8. It’s Tough to be a Bug (now Zootopia: Better Zoogether!) Animal Kingdom
7. Mission SPACE Disney World Orlando (Orange Mission)
6. Space Mountain in Disney World
5. Expedition Everest Animal Kingdom Walt Disney World
4. Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance Hollywood Studios
3. Haunted Mansion at Disney World
2. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror Disney World
1. DINOSAUR by Disney (Now Closed)
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The Twenty Top Scariest Rides at Disney World
20. Astro Orbiter Disney World
Astro Orbiter in Magic Kingdom looks like a stereotypical kiddie ride that just spins in a circle. It made this list because, unlike most kiddie rides, it moves about as fast as a group of middle-aged women fighting for the last crab leg. It also sits way up in the air, reached by a hot, cramped elevator ride to the spaceship vehicles. The ride got a full six-month refurbishment and reopened in mid-2025, so the mechanics feel fresh, but it spins and tilts exactly as much as it always did. If you’ve got a very small child, this one might be too much.
Astro Orbiter Walt Disney World Location: Magic Kingdom
Disney World Orlando Height Requirement: None
Why is the Astro Orbiter at Disney World scary?:
A. Height
B. Speed
19. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh Disney World Ride
Winnie the Pooh at Disney World is a ride in a honey pot through the Hundred Acre Wood. There are cute animatronics throughout. It is a Disney ride without height requirements. There is even a play area for children to use while waiting to ride. It does not seem like a scary ride at Magic Kingdom Orlando.
However, this Winnie the Pooh Disney ride has darkness, thunder and lightning, and some jerking motions within the vehicle. At some point during the ride, Winnie the Pooh seemingly tries LSD. There are warnings to beware and a lot of non-specific neon creatures popping up overhead.
It is mild when it comes to scary rides in Disney World, but it may be more disconcerting than one would expect from a ride clearly geared toward young children.
Winnie the Pooh Disney Orlando Location: Magic Kingdom
Minimum Height Disney Orlando: None
Why is it the Winnie the Pooh ride in Disney World scary?:
A. Darkness
B. Jerking Motions
C. Scary Elements
18. Slinky Dog Dash Ride at Disney World
Slinky Dog Dash Disney World is a roller coaster in the fairly new Toy Story Land section of Hollywood Studios. One would assume a kid’s roller coaster with a dog’s head on the front would not fall into the category of scary rides at Hollywood Studios.
The Slinky Dog Dash speed is faster than you’d expect from a coaster with a dog’s head on the front. The ride itself isn’t scary, but the cute theming and the low 38″ height requirement trick you into thinking it’s more toddler-friendly than it really is. For which Hollywood Studios rides actually fit which kid, our Hollywood Studios rides by age guide breaks it down.
Slinky Dog Dash Roller Coaster Location: Hollywood Studios
Disney Height Slinky Dog Requirement: 38″
Why is Slinky Dog Dash Hollywood Studios scary?:
A. Drops
B. Speed
17. Kali River Rapids Disney World
Kali River Rapids in Animal Kingdom is a water ride in a circular raft, the kind you’ll find at most big theme parks. If you’re sorting the soakers by how wet they actually get, see our ranking of the water rides in Disney World from worst to first.
Kali River Rapids Walt Disney World is a scary ride at Animal Kingdom because there are several sections with shooting water and some drops. If you don’t like the sound of whining, save this one for a warm day. You will most definitely get wet. The ride is mild, but if your child doesn’t like the anticipation of waiting to be shot by cold water or soaked after a drop, skip this one or pack a poncho.
Kali River Rapids Ride Location: Animal Kingdom
Disney Animal Kingdom Height Requirement: 38″
Why is Kali River Rapids Disney Animal Kingdom scary?:
A. Drops
B. Shooting Water
16. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Walt Disney World
The Seven Dwarfs train ride is a fast roller coaster mixed with slow moving sections featuring animatronics. Parts of the ride are dark, and there is an animatronic wicked stepmother in her old lady form that is less than pretty right in the area where you wait (sometimes for an extended period) to exit the vehicle.
If your kids don’t mind the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train speed and that creepster, they will probably be able to tolerate this scary ride in Magic Kingdom.
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Orlando Florida Location: Magic Kingdom
Disney World Magic Kingdom Height Requirement: 38″
Why is the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Florida scary?:
A. Darkness
B. Scary Elements
C. Speed
15. Pirates of the Caribbean at Disney World
The Pirates of the Caribbean Disney ride is a classic attraction and the perfect place to teach your children to make bad decisions. There is alcohol. There are weapons. Lots of men pillage and loot villages. People chase each other in a circle branding brooms. It has darkness, loud noises, and skeletons. Water shoots into the air unexpectedly.
Putting all of that aside, Pirates of the Caribbean Disney Magic Kingdom is awesome. Most kids will be fine (although mine hated it when he was younger).
Pirates of the Caribbean Attraction Disney World Location: Magic Kingdom
Height for Disney Ride Florida Requirement: None
Why is Pirates of the Caribbean in Disney World scary?:
A. Darkness
B. Loud Noises
C. Scary Elements
14. Test Track EPCOT
Test Track at EPCOT is all about racing. Heads up if you rode it years ago: the ride was reimagined as “Test Track 3.0” and reopened in July 2025, so the old design-your-own-car preshow is gone, replaced with a new retro-futuristic theme and score. The thing that matters for small kids — the ride itself — is basically unchanged.
You board a six-passenger car for a cruise that runs through dark indoor scenes. At one point you get the distinct impression you’re about to T-bone another car. Then it ends with a high-speed lap around the outdoor track at roughly 65 miles per hour. People always scream during this part (somewhat unnecessarily).
Test Track is awesome, but the darkness and that final speed run make it one of the scariest rides at EPCOT for small children. The height requirement is 40″, so true toddlers are sitting this one out anyway.
Test Track at Disney Location: EPCOT
Disney Test Track Height Requirement: 40″
Why is Test Track in EPCOT scary?:
A. Darkness
B. Jerking Motion
C. Scary Elements
D. Speed
13. Soarin’ Around the World EPCOT
Soarin’ in EPCOT lifts you high up into the air, then shows you a video that gives you the illusion you are flying over several different countries. It is fun, it is smooth, and the scenes are beautiful.
However, if your kid doesn’t like heights and/or loud noises, the Soarin’ Disney World ride is not for you. My then four year old tried to jump out of his seat (thankfully unsuccessfully because he would have been severely injured at best) when fireworks were shot off over Disney World at the end of the ride video.
Soarin’ the Ride Location: EPCOT
Disney Soarin’ Height Requirement: 40″
Why is Soarin’ at EPCOT scary?:
A. Height
B. Loud Noises
12. Avatar Flight of Passage Disney
Avatar Flight of Passage Animal Kingdom Orlando is a relatively new ride, so the technology is good. You sit on a car reminiscent of a motorcycle and go for a motion simulated ride on a Banshee through Pandora. The ride requires 3D glasses.
It is one of the scary rides in Animal Kingdom because there are jerking motions, darkness, and the sense you are about to be eaten or fall. People scream, which seems to just be part of the fun for some people. Overall, the ride is mild, but if your kid hates loud noises or darkness, this may not be the best choice.
Flight of Passage at Disney Location: Animal Kingdom
Disney Avatar Height Requirement: 44″
Why is the Flight of Passage ride Orlando scary?:
A. Darkness
B. Jerking Motion
C. Loud Noises
D. Scary Elements
11. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure (formerly Splash Mountain)
If you’re looking for Splash Mountain, it’s gone. It closed and reopened in June 2024 as Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, themed to The Princess and the Frog — same flume, same big drop, brand-new story and animatronics (and, mercifully, none of the Song of the South baggage the old ride carried). At first blush a Princess and the Frog boat ride doesn’t sound like it belongs on a scariest-rides list. Do not be fooled.
Portions are dark, and it builds to a steep five-story drop that ends in a big splash. You will get wet. The lift hill and that final plunge are the whole reason it’s here.
With that said, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure at Magic Kingdom is fun. If your kids can handle the sensation of free falling, they’ll be fine. The height requirement is 40″.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Location: Magic Kingdom
Height Disney World Orlando Requirement: 40″
Why is the Splash Mountain Ride Disney World scary?:
A. Darkness
B. Scary Elements
C. Steep Drops
10. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Disney World
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Magic Kingdom is a roller coaster with both indoor and outdoor portions. It moves quite fast for a ride being pulled by an antique steam engine. It enters dark areas several times. There are some loud noises and drops. It is fun, but this is not to be confused with a kiddie coaster like LEGOLAND Express.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Orlando Location: Magic Kingdom
Disney Magic Kingdom Height Requirement: 40″
Why is the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad Ride Disney World scary?:
A. Darkness
B. Loud Noises
C. Speed
D. Steep Drops
9. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets, Hollywood Studios
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster at Disney World is an indoor roller coaster, and it earns its spot the hard way: it launches you from a standstill to highway speed in a couple of seconds, flips you upside down, and does most of it in the dark. The ride layout has not changed — but the theme has. The long-running Aerosmith version closed in spring 2026, and it reopened in May 2026 as Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets.
So the “who is that grandpa with the highlights?” problem is solved — now it’s Kermit and the gang. The launch, inversions, speed, and pitch-black tunnels are exactly as intense as before, which is the part that scares small kids regardless of who’s on the soundtrack.
It’s a blast, but it will likely be scary for younger children. The height requirement is 48″, the tallest on this entire list, so most shorties are out by the entrance.
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring The Muppets Location: Hollywood Studios
Disney Attraction Height Requirement: 48″
Why is the Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Ride Disney World Florida scary?:
A. Darkness
B. Speed
C. Upside Down Motion
8. It’s Tough to be a Bug (Now Zootopia: Better Zoogether!)
I’m leaving this one on the list as a public service announcement, because for years It’s Tough to be a Bug inside the Tree of Life was the show that quietly traumatized more toddlers than any roller coaster. It closed in March 2025, and a new 3D show, Zootopia: Better Zoogether!, opened in the same theater in November 2025.
Why the old one earned its reputation: a 4D cartoon doesn’t sound scary, but there were angry bugs flying at your face, smoke, the sensation of critters running near your feet, and — the dealbreaker — a hidden poke in your back while the theater went pitch black. Kids left crying on the regular. I haven’t seen the new Zootopia show in person, so I can’t tell you whether it keeps the in-seat startle effects, but it’s a dark, immersive theater experience either way. If your kid hates surprises in the dark, scope it out before you commit the whole family.
Location (now Zootopia: Better Zoogether!): Animal Kingdom, Tree of Life
Disney Orlando Height Requirement: None
Why is It’s Tough to be a Bug in Disney World scary?:
A. Darkness
B. Loud Noises
C. Scary Elements
7. Mission SPACE at Disney World (Orange Mission)
Mission SPACE is a motion simulator ride that takes you to Mars. It has a family friendly Green Mission, and the we’re all going to vomit intense Orange Mission. The Mission Space Disney Orange ride involves tons of spinning, so much so that it is difficult to lift your arms. When a ride comes with barf bags, you know it is going to be good.
The Orange Mission also spends about half of the ride jerking you around because your space shuttle is about to get hit by a meteor. Space is dark, so the ride is too. This is easily one of the scariest rides in EPCOT.
I would absolutely skip the Orange Mission with young kids and hit the Green Mission instead — it’s the same storyline without the spinning, and it’ll save both your sanity and your stomach. For the rest of the park sorted by who can handle what, see our EPCOT rides by age guide.
Location: EPCOT
Disney World Mission SPACE Height Requirement: 44″ for the Orange Mission Space Disney Orlando, 40″ for the Green Mission to Space Disney
Why is it scary?
A. Darkness
B. Jerking Motions
C. Loud Noises
D. Scary Elements (including watching your parents vomit)
6. Space Mountain at Disney World
Space Mountain Magic Kingdom is one of the best rides in all of Disney World. It’s unique, it’s original, and it’s blessedly in air conditioning. Back in the day you could grab a free FastPass for it without much trouble; that whole system is gone now, replaced by the paid Lightning Lane passes, so a line-skip costs money these days. Is Space Mountain scary? Kind of. A young child will love it, right? Wrong.
Space Mountain Disney World is a roller coaster through space in pitch darkness. It has sharp turns and quick drops that you do not see coming. You also sit single file in cars that hold three, so you cannot sit next to your child. I spend the majority of the ride wondering if my son has fallen out, making it a scary ride at Disney World Orlando for me.
I dragged my son onto the Space Mountain roller coaster against his will in a moment of bad parenting with the best intentions when he was a tall four year old. Just as he was hating it the most, the ride broke down. We got stuck in the ride car for an extended period of time. This was karma at its finest for me, because he spent the entire breakdown informing me loudly that he wanted to exit the vehicle. Now.
Location: Magic Kingdom
Height Requirement for Space Mountain Ride Disney World: 44″
Why is it scary?:
A. Darkness
B. Jerking Motions
C. Loud Noises
D. Space Mountain Speed
5. Expedition Everest Disney World
Where to begin? The Expedition Everest ride makes the Walt Disney World Resort scary rides list for several reasons.
Expedition Everest is an awesome ride built for older kids. This is a full-sized roller coaster, not a kiddie coaster like the Barnstormer — don’t let the cute yeti theming fool you. For everything else in this park sorted by age, our Animal Kingdom rides by age guide lays it out.
This ride is one of the scariest rides at Animal Kingdom because it moves fast, has steep drops, and goes backward. Some of the ride is inside a mountain in the dark. At one point, you get the impression that the track is broken, and for good measure, an Expedition Everest yeti threatens your safety.
I can best describe this ride as a cross between the Matterhorn at Disneyland and Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure at Universal Islands of Adventure.
Location: Animal Kingdom
Disney Everest Height Requirement: 44″
Why is it scary?:
A. Backward Movement
B. Darkness
C. Loud Noises
D. Scary Elements
E. Speed
F. Steep Drops
4. Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance Galaxy’s Edge
Rise of the Resistance is regularly called one of the best rides Disney has ever built. The first scare is just getting on it — it has used a high-demand virtual queue and a Lightning Lane option, so the rope-drop rat race to secure a spot is half the adventure.
Rise of the Resistance Orlando is one of the scariest rides in Hollywood Studios because it has jerking motions, spinning, loud noises, darkness, and a general sense of doom as you move through rooms. Stormtroopers shoot at you. Sirens sound. At one point, you enter a motion simulator for extra shaking and shooting. It will be a lot for young children.
Rise of the Resistance Disney World Location: Hollywood Studios
Disney Height Requirement for Ride: 40″
Why is the Rise of the Resistance Ride Disney World scary?:
A. Darkness
B. Jerking Motions
C. Loud Noises
D. Scary Elements
3. The Haunted Mansion Disney World
Haunted Mansion is the scariest ride at Magic Kingdom. It is a slow moving ride through very dark rooms. There are lots of ghosts, but most of them are more silly than scary. However, there are a few sections that are over the top for small children.
Before you even get on the Haunted Mansion Walt Disney World ride, they stick everyone in a stretching room wherein a man with a creepy voice laughs like he is in the Thriller video. That stretching room ends with darkness, lightning, and a glimpse of someone hanging above your head who is clearly not having a good day.
Pro tip: You can ask an employee to skip the Haunted Mansion stretching room, an option I exercised liberally when my son was younger.
On the ride, there are lots of creepy voices, and a couple of things that pop out at you. Most small children will be fine, but you should consider whether your child is ready.
The Haunted Mansion Ride Location: Magic Kingdom
Disney Minimum Height for Ride: None
Why is Haunted Mansion in Disney World scary?:
A. Darkness
B. Loud Noises
C. Scary Elements
2. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Disney World
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror Hollywood Studios is one of the scariest rides in Disney World Orlando, Florida on all kinds of levels. This ride seems to have been inspired by The Shining.
The Tower of Terror in Disney World begins with a stroll through a haunted building and a ride through darkness. Some ghosts wave at you, you go through more darkness and lightning, then you are taken to an elevator where you are dropped up and down a bunch of times. You are guaranteed to have a few screamers in your car. If you’re looking for a creepy ride at Disney World, this is it.
Disneyland’s Guardians of the Galaxy has the same ride format as the Tower of Terror in Orlando, but instead of giving you the impression you are about to die, you get bounced up and down to Jackson 5 music with clips of fun videos mixed in. Big improvement over Tower of Terror, one of the scariest Disney rides ever.
Tower of Terror Twilight Zone Location: Hollywood Studios
Disney World Height Ride Requirement: 40″
Why is the Tower of Terror Ride Orlando scary?:
A. Darkness
B. Drops
C. Loud Noises
D. Scary Elements
1. DINOSAUR, Animal Kingdom (Now Closed)
For 28 years this held the crown, so it stays at #1 out of respect. DINOSAUR closed permanently in February 2026. If you’re reading an old list and going looking for it, save yourself the walk — it’s gone, and DinoLand U.S.A. is being rebuilt into a new land called Tropical Americas, with an Indiana Jones attraction reportedly reusing the same ride system slated to open in 2027.
Why it earned the top spot: what. the. fudge. were they thinking. This was as close to a horror ride as Disney World ever got — straight-up terrifying for everyone, adults included. It was a ride through near-total darkness with only flashes of light to show you the dinosaur that was about to eat you, while a narrator screamed to make sure you knew you were going to die. Children cried on it as a matter of routine.
So what’s the scariest ride at Disney World now? With DINOSAUR retired, the practical crown goes to the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, followed by Expedition Everest. If the new Indiana Jones ride keeps the old jump-scare DNA when it opens, this slot may get a sequel. We’ll see.
If you still want a prehistoric fix without the terror, the T-Rex Cafe over at Disney Springs has animatronic dinosaurs and zero chance of a meltdown mid-ride.
Location: Animal Kingdom
Status: Closed permanently in February 2026 (height was 40″ while it operated)
Why is it scary?:
A. Darkness
B. Jerking Motions
C. Loud Noises
D. Scary Elements
E. Steep Drop
The Scariest Rides at Disney World – Final Thoughts
Does Disney World have scary rides? Yes. Should this stop you from visiting? No.
The vast majority of the rides can be enjoyed by the whole family. Even if you skip every scary ride on this list, you can easily fill days at the parks and have a great time. Your small child may be perfectly fine on these — but proceed with caution, because odds are you make better parenting decisions than I do.
Visit Disney World with little kids. You will not regret it. For more on which attractions actually suit the smallest travelers, see our guide to the best rides at Magic Kingdom to wear the kids out.
Scariest Rides at Disney World: FAQ
What is the scariest ride at Disney World?
For years the answer was DINOSAUR in Animal Kingdom, a near-total-darkness ride built around jump scares. It closed permanently in February 2026. With it gone, the scariest survivor is the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror in Hollywood Studios — a haunted free-fall drop tower — followed closely by Expedition Everest.
Which scary rides have height requirements?
Most of the intense ones do, and 40″ to 48″ is the usual range. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster is the tallest at 48″. Space Mountain, Expedition Everest, Avatar Flight of Passage, and Mission SPACE Orange require 44″. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, Test Track, Big Thunder Mountain, Tower of Terror, and Rise of the Resistance require 40″. Always confirm current requirements on the official Disney World site before you build your day, since they can change.
What happened to Splash Mountain?
It was rethemed. Splash Mountain reopened in June 2024 as Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, based on The Princess and the Frog. It’s the same log-flume track with the same big drop, so it still belongs on a scary-for-shorties list — just under a new name. The height requirement is 40″.
Can you skip the scary parts of milder rides?
Sometimes. On the Haunted Mansion, you can ask a cast member to bypass the stretching room, which is the part that spooks little kids most. For dark rides like the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, sitting your child on the inside and narrating what’s coming helps. There’s no skipping the drops on the coasters and flumes, so use the height requirement as your guide.
Are Disney World rides too scary for toddlers overall?
No. The handful on this list are the exceptions. The overwhelming majority of attractions have no height requirement and are gentle enough for the whole family, so you can fill days at the parks while steering around the dark, loud, and drop-heavy ones.
Great post! The only ride at Disney that I can’t ride is Mission Space. I just don’t like the G force feeling. I rode it again the last time we were there and I just didn’t like how I felt on it. Everything else I love!
We love Disney and have been on all these rides. The kids absolutely love them. Fun times for sure. My 3 year old is scared of all the characters walking around.
Very informative. The daily photos were a nice touch. I really liked ur thoughtfulness in explaining each ride.
Great list! I like how you mention why each ride is actually scary and I agree with each of those. Well done!
I like the way you describe the scary elements of each ride. I don’t like things with steep drops, so this is helpful to know what to avoid. Good job!
LOL this list! Some of the names I am like, come on that doesn’t sound scary, but then when you read them it’s like WHAT! lol. But Test Drive one is so up my street I would admit. I do hope one day I can get our family to Disney. With my oldest being 21 now, the clock is ticking. I would love to talk my 14 yr old to go on a ride called Seven Dwarfs train and seeing the end result! Thank you for the info!
Great info! There are a lot of rides that seem scary to kids, and some questionable choices by Imagineers!
Yes! I remember being terrified at Pirates of the Caribbean as a kid. I was also way too scared to go on Space Mountain.
What?! Winnie the Pooh tries LSD? Oh, my goodness!
Thank you so much for literally bringing the magic of Disney World through your words. So happy for those kids.
Great list! I agree that Tower of Terror and the Dinosaur ride should be at the top of the list. 🙂