Water Rides in Disney World: From Worst to First
Disney World has a whole bunch of rides, but only a few involve boats. Some won’t get you wet at all, while others will ruin your day if you don’t like squishy shoes. Thrill levels vary greatly. What are the water rides in Disney World?
What Are the Best Water Rides in Disney World?
12. Non-Water Attractions That Can Get You Wet
11. Liberty Square Riverboat
10. Tom Sawyer Island Raft
9. Living with the Land
8. Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros
7. Kali River Rapids
6. Na’vi River Journey
5. “it’s a small world”
4. Jungle Cruise
3. Pirates of the Caribbean
2. Frozen Ever After
1. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
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Water Rides in Disney World
Pro tip: Be sure your sunscreen is waterproof.
Bonus pro tip: Pack ponchos and/or waterproof cell phone cases.
12. Attractions That Are Sort of Like Water Rides
There are several attractions in Disney World that aren’t technically water rides, but can still get you wet. These include:
A. Avatar Flight of Passage – An Avatar-themed motion simulator in Animal Kingdom (Pandora) that sprays a mist
B. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad – A roller coaster in Magic Kingdom (Frontierland) that sprays a mist
C. Casey Jr. Splash ‘N Soak Station – A Dumbo-themed splash pad in Magic Kingdom (Fantasyland)
D. The Magic Carpets of Aladdin – An Aladdin-themed kids’ ride in Magic Kingdom (Adventureland) with spitting camels
E. Muppet Vision 3D – A Muppets-themed movie in Hollywood Studios (Grand Avenue) that sprays a mist
F. Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure – A Ratatouille-themed ride in EPCOT (France) that sprays a mist
11. Liberty Square Riverboat
Liberty Square Riverboat is a giant boat that has been at Disney World since 1971. The entire experience takes around 17 minutes. There is never a wait beyond waiting for the next boat to arrive. It is nothing about which to write home, but it is somewhere to sit down and kill time in the afternoon.
Height requirement: None
Location: Magic Kingdom (Liberty Square)
Genie+ accepted: No
Lightning Lane attraction: No
Indoor or outdoor: Outdoor
Will you get wet?: No
10. Tom Sawyer Island Raft
Tom Sawyer Island is an outdoor section with structures to explore and places for kids to climb. You access it via raft (enter the water ride).
There is a TMZ video of an alligator attempting to jump on the ride platform. Assuming there are no hitchhikers, the ride is extremely mild.
Height requirement: None
Location: Magic Kingdom (Frontierland)
Genie+ accepted: No
Lightning Lane attraction: No
Indoor or outdoor: Outdoor
Will you get wet?: No
9. Living with the Land
Living with the Land is a slow-moving boat ride through a greenhouse. You see the inner workings of how the park grows its food. It isn’t exciting, but it is a relaxing cruise in air conditioning. There is never much of a wait. Save this for the afternoon and don’t waste a Genie+ reservation on it if there are better options.
Height requirement: None
Location: EPCOT (World Nature)
Genie+ accepted: Yes
Lightning Lane attraction: No
Indoor or outdoor: Indoor
Will you get wet?: No
8. Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros
Gran Fiesta Tour is a slow-moving boat ride with an angry Donald Duck wearing a sombrero. It never has much of a line and is a great place to sit down and soak up some air conditioning.
Height requirement: None
Location: EPCOT (Mexico)
Genie+ accepted: No
EPCOT Lightning Lane attraction: No
Indoor or outdoor: Indoor
Will you get wet?: No
7. Kali River Rapids
Kali River Rapids is a ride on a circular raft. You can find a similar attraction at a lot of other theme parks. The wait is usually reasonable, largely because you will get very wet. Bring a poncho.
Pro tip: If the adults want to ride and a short kid doesn’t, use Disney’s rider switch program to only wait once.
Bonus pro tip: This ride has lockers.
Height requirement: 38″
Location: Animal Kingdom (Asia)
Genie+ accepted: Yes
Lightning Lane attraction: No
Indoor or outdoor: Outdoor
Will you get wet?: Yes, so, so, wet. Be prepared for wet shoes. Try to keep your feet off the floor to minimize the sloshing.
6. Na’vi River Journey
Na’vi River Journey is a slow-moving boat ride through a bioluminescent rainforest. It ends with a lifelike Shaman dancing. It tends to have a short line first thing in the morning.
Height requirement: None
Location: Animal Kingdom (Pandora)
Genie+ accepted: Yes
Lightning Lane attraction: No
Indoor or outdoor: Indoor
Will you get wet?: No
5. “it’s a small world”
“it’s a small world” is a slow-moving boat ride that has been at Magic Kingdom since opening day. It shows. Despite the weird lack of capitalization and its subtly racist undertones, it is worth a visit.
This ride clocks in at 14 minutes. You travel through several air-conditioned rooms representing different cultures (as of 1971 with some updates to incorporate intellectual property). There is a ton to see, the music is catchy to young kids, and there is no shortage of color and dancing dolls.
Height requirement: None
Location: Magic Kingdom (Fantasyland)
Genie+ accepted: Yes
Lightning Lane attraction: No
Indoor or outdoor: Indoor
Will you get wet?: Not at all
4. Jungle Cruise
Jungle Cruise has been at Magic Kingdom since opening day. It routinely has a long line in the sun.
Fresh off an update to make it more politically correct, this slow-moving, 10-minute boat ride has animatronic animals throughout. There is a live skipper telling jokes, some funnier than others.
Height requirement: None
Location: Magic Kingdom (Adventureland)
Genie+ accepted: Yes
Lightning Lane attraction: No
Indoor or outdoor: Outdoor
Will you get wet?: You might feel a mist at most.
3. Pirates of the Caribbean
Pirates of the Caribbean has been at Disney World since the 1970s. This indoor, slow-moving boat ride has a lot to appreciate. It also has crime, guns, loud noises, darkness, and alcohol consumption.
The ride is seven minutes of air-conditioned bliss. The wait times are usually reasonable. If your kids can tolerate it, it is a must-do.
Height requirement: None
Location: Magic Kingdom (Adventureland)
Genie+ accepted: Yes
Lightning Lane attraction: No
Indoor or outdoor: Indoor
Will you get wet?: Not really. There is a cannon blast at the beginning of the ride that causes a splash. You may also get sprayed by a mist, and the seats of the boat are sometimes wet upon entry.
2. Frozen Ever After
Frozen Ever After is a boat ride through the story of Frozen. The animatronic Olaf’s movements are impressively natural. At one point, the boat goes backward. Even if Frozen isn’t your thing, it is worth a stop.
Height requirement: None
Location: EPCOT (Norway)
Genie+ accepted: Yes
Lightning Lane attraction: No
Indoor or outdoor: Indoor
Will you get wet?: Probably a little
1. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure (Not Yet Open)
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, formerly known as Splash Mountain, will be a water ride in a flume with a Princess and the Frog theme. It will be great in the summer, and miserable when it’s cold outside. You will get wet. Bring a poncho.
If it has the same format as its predecessor, the ride will be slow-moving for the most part but with substantial drops that may be too much for younger children.
Pro tip: If the adults want to ride and a short kid doesn’t, use Disney’s rider switch program to only wait once.
Bonus pro tip: The people in the front tend to get wetter. Try to sit behind someone bigger than you and lift your feet during the big drop.
Height requirement: 40″
Location: Magic Kingdom (Frontierland)
Genie+ accepted: Unknown
Lightning Lane attraction: Unknown (but very likely yes)
Indoor or outdoor: Both
Will you get wet?: Yes, possibly very wet.
Final Thoughts – Water Rides in Disney World
The majority of the attractions are dryland, but there are water rides in Disney World. Be sure to know which ones will get you wet so you can prepare accordingly. Grab a poncho and enjoy the rides.
Great post