20 Non-Negotiable Disney World Rides for 2024

There are several reasons to visit Disney World but, undoubtedly, the best reason can be all the fantastic rides!

Disney World

Here at AllEars, we do our best to help make your next Disney World vacation the best yet! While we love to give you some of our best tips and tricks, this tip may be the most fun — here are the Disney World rides you need to prioritize in 2024!

Disney World isn’t short on great rides and attractions, and choosing 20 non-negotiable rides was really difficult. With that said, we feel pretty confident that you should prioritize these rides during your next 2024 Disney World vacation — so without further ado, let’s jump into the list!

AVATAR FLIGHT OF PASSAGE — DISNEY’S ANIMAL KINGDOM

Flight of Passage

Avatar Flight of Passage at Disney’s Animal Kingdom is the premier attraction at the park and a MUST for guests visiting. This immersive 3D simulator attraction offers a totally unique queue and ride experience but can rack up quite the wait time. Still, the ride is worth the wait (even more so with a Lightning Lane pass) and should be prioritized.

Flight of Passage

Thrill ride, must be 44 inches or taller Long waits (2-3 hours) are the norm!

STAR WARS: RISE OF THE RESISTANCE — DISNEY’S HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS

Rise of the Resistance

Found in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is not only one of the most innovative attractions at Disney World, but in all of the world’s theme parks! Purposefully skipping this ride during your next trip to Hollywood Studios would be a crime against humanity.

TIANA’S BAYOU ADVENTURE — MAGIC KINGDOM

©20/20 via Hulu

Although this attraction has yet to open at Magic Kingdom or Disneyland, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is going to be the hottest Disney attraction in 2024, without question. The new ride, which is a complete retheming of Splash Mountain, is seemingly making very good progress and will be a must-try…if you’re lucky enough to secure a ride.

Tiana's Bayou Adventure

Audio-Animatronics and steep water drop

EXPEDITION EVEREST – THE LEGEND OF THE FORBIDDEN MOUNTAIN — DISNEY’S ANIMAL KINGDOM

Expedition Everest

As one of the best coasters Disney World offers, Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain at Animal Kingdom HAD to make this list. If you’re brave enough to journey forward (and backward) through the Himalayas while taking on the Disco Yeti, we think this could easily be one of your favorite Disney attractions if it isn’t already!

Expedition Everest

High Speed Roller Coaster, drops, also goes backwards

KILIMANJARO SAFARIS — DISNEY’S ANIMAL KINGDOM

Kilimanjaro Safaris ©AllEars.net

Staying at Animal Kingdom, Kilimanjaro Safaris is a must-ride attraction at the park. After all, Animal Kingdom is pretty much a giant zoo, and what better zoo-type ride than a truck that takes you through the African savanna, getting up close and personal with some of the coolest animals in the world?

Kilimanjaro Safaris

Bumpy Jeep ride into the African Savannah, lots of animals to see.

THE HAUNTED MANSION — MAGIC KINGDOM

Haunted Mansion in Magic Kingdom

Welcome, foolish mortals, to one of the most iconic Disney attractions of all time! Magic Kingdom’s Haunted Mansion is a brilliant balance of funny and scary, making it a total blast for kids and parents alike. It recently got a new upgrade as well, so be sure to check it out in 2024!

Haunted Mansion

999 Happy Haunts, an updated classic, with newer interative queue.

THE TWILIGHT ZONE TOWER OF TERROR — DISNEY’S HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

Speaking of scares, one of Disney World’s most thrilling attractions has to be the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This drop ride is the tallest attraction at the Disney World Resort and you can hear the screams and laughter from far away. If you’re a thrill-seeker, Tower of Terror should be a priority on your next trip!

Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

Drop 13 stories again and again into the murky Twilight Zone!

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY: COSMIC REWIND — EPCOT

Cosmic Rewind

Our first EPCOT entry, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is yet another newer attraction at Disney World that can’t be missed. This “storytelling coaster” has all of our favorite Guardians of the Galaxy characters (and some surprise cameos), a backward launch, and lots of fun Easter eggs in both the queue and ride. The randomization of songs that play during the ride also makes this a great repeat attraction!

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind

Innovative roller coaster featuring vehicles that turn to enhance storytelling

TEST TRACK — EPCOT

©Disney

Test Track is another EPCOT main attraction that provides unique customization, some thrills, and a look at the cars of the future! Definitely worth your time, riding this actually becomes non-negotiable due to another factor — it could close soon. It was announced in 2023 that the ride would undergo a retheming which generally takes a long time. We don’t know if that retheming will begin this year, but better to be safe than sorry and ride as soon as you can!

Test Track

High-speed car ride through an automobile testing lab, 4 minutes +preshow

“IT’S A SMALL WORLD” — MAGIC KINGDOM

it’s a small world

Back at Magic Kingdom, “it’s a small world” is a Fantasyland and Disney World staple. Is a Disney World trip really a Disney World trip if you didn’t ride “it’s a small world”? This classic Disney attraction is perfect for those seeking a relaxing journey around the world in the comfort of a small boat and song. Plus the line is usually manageable.

it's a small world

A Walt Original from the 1964 NY World's Fair.

LIVING WITH THE LAND — EPCOT

Living with the Land

Speaking of calming boat rides, Living with the Land at EPCOT is not only a great boat ride to relax on, but super educational. Living with the Land is one of our FAVORITE Disney World attractions and we think it’s very underrated. If you’re looking to appreciate Disney’s sustainability efforts while riding an attraction that really can’t be found anywhere else, definitely make Living with the Land a priority next time you find yourself at EPCOT.

Living with the Land

Gentle 14-minute boat ride through unique indoor plant growing areas.

SPACESHIP EARTH — EPCOT

Spaceship Earth

How can you not ride the attraction inside the EPCOT signature building? Spaceship Earth takes you through the story of communications throughout the ages with a voiceover from Dame Judy Dench. That’s reason enough to ride.

Spaceship Earth

The history of communications - gentle ride in slow moving vehicles, 16 minutes

TOMORROWLAND TRANSIT AUTHORITY PEOPLEMOVER — MAGIC KINGDOM

PeopleMover

The Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover at Magic Kingdom is a great way to view Tomorrowland and a throwback to some classic Disney attractions. This 10-minute journey will take you by some notable attractions, such as Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, Space Mountain, and Astro Orbiter.

Tomorrowland Transit Authority

Gentle sit-down ride tours high above Tomorrowland

JUNGLE CRUISE — MAGIC KINGDOM

Jungle Cruise

We could try to sell you the Jungle Cruise in Magic Kingdom by mentioning the vast array of animatronic animals, the uniqueness of each ride based on the skipper you get, or the plethora of Easter eggs. Instead, there’s one thing that makes this ride a top-tier, unforgettable experience, and the G.O.A.T. of boat attractions — the backside of water!

Jungle Cruise

Boat ride with corny jokes

SOARIN’ — EPCOT

Soarin’ Over California

Whether it’s Soarin’ Around the World or Soarin’ Over California, Soarin’ is a wonderful experience for guests wanting to get that feeling of flight while flying around picturesque destinations. Hop on Living with the Land before or after taking a flight on Soarin’!

Soarin' Around the World

Gently soar over California, feel the wind and smell the oranges, 5-6 minutes. NEW FILM coming in 2016 Soarin' Around the World

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN — MAGIC KINGDOM

Pirates of the Caribbean

Arrrrrrgh! Feelin’ adventurous and in search of the sea and plunder? Set sail on Pirates of the Caribbean! This classic Disney attraction may not have the same luster as its California counterpart, but that doesn’t take away how iconic and memorable the ride is. Singing pirates, CAPTAIN Jack Sparrow, going over a waterfall? Sign us up!

Pirates of the Caribbean

Gentle boat ride past pirate towns.

MICKEY AND MINNIE’S RUNAWAY RAILWAY — DISNEY’S HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS

Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway

Certified fun for the whole family, Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway is a cute adventure with some really fun elements. Another trackless ride on the list, this attraction makes good use of practical effects, animatronics, and screens for a very immersive experience. The only downside is the difficulty of getting “Nothing Can Stop Us Now” out of your head well after getting off the ride.

Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway

Trackless train ride through Mickey shorts/comics on a picnic gone wrong

DINOSAUR — DISNEY’S ANIMAL KINGDOM

DINOSAUR

While DINOSAUR at Animal Kingdom may be a bit divisive, there is one big reason this ride is a must-do in 2024. The ride may be going through a retheme soon so this could be your last chance to ride it as Disney’s Dinosaur-themed. We think this ride could eventually become Disney World’s version of the Indiana Jones ride which could mean a bittersweet end to this time travel attraction.

Dinosaur – DinoLand USA

Very rough jeep ride back to the Cretaceous period! Loud, dark, scary.

BIG THUNDER MOUNTAIN RAILROAD — MAGIC KINGDOM

Big Thunder Mountain

This here’s the wildest ride in the WILDERNESS! Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Magic Kingdom is a great mine train ride that will satisfy both thrill seekers and roller coaster newcomers alike. We definitely recommend hopping on during the fireworks show for especially beautiful sights.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

Roller Coaster, more turns than drops, with interactive queue.

REMY’S RATATOUILLE ADVENTURE — EPCOT

Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure

If you’re feeling hungry, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure in EPCOT likely make matters worse, but that doesn’t detract with how beautiful and charming this ride is. Turning riders into rats, this 3D trackless ride has us follow Remy from Ratatouille  around a French kitchen with some special 4D effects. You really can’t go wrong with this fantastic attraction!

There you have it! We LOVE all of these rides and recommend making an effort to ride them during your next 2024 Disney World vacation. In the meantime, be sure to stay tuned here at AllEars for all the latest Dinsey World news and tips!

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Did we get it wrong or leave any must-ride attractions off the list? Let us know in the comments!

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