Walt Disney World offers a wide range of attractions that cater to all sorts of visitors—from families with toddlers to seasoned thrill seekers.
Drop rides, which feature sudden or dramatic drops as part of the ride experience, can be found throughout the four major parks at Disney World. These attractions create exhilarating emotions while providing memorable adventures for riders seeking an adrenaline rush.
In this article, we will provide a comprehensive list of all Walt Disney World rides with drops, along with their drop scare ratings out of 10.
This list aims to guide visitors in crafting their ideal Disney itinerary, especially the ones who enjoy thrilling, gravity-defying experiences.
Section 2: Walt Disney World Theme Parks
Walt Disney World consists of four major theme parks, each with its own unique rides featuring drops. In this section, we will explore the drop rides within each park and provide a drop scare rating out of 10.
Magic Kingdom
The Magic Kingdom is home to several exciting rides with drops. Notable attractions include:
- Splash Mountain: (soon to be renamed Tiana’s Bayou Adventure Ride) A 52.5-foot drop at about 40 mph. Drop scare rating: 9/10
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad: A rollercoaster with several small drops throughout the ride. Drop scare rating: 5/10
- Pirates of the Caribbean: A mild drop during the boat ride. Drop scare rating: 3/10
Epcot
Epcot offers a few rides with thrilling drops:
- Soarin’ Around the World: A simulated hang glider flight with a feeling of a drop rather than an actual drop. Drop scare rating: 4/10
- Test Track: A high-speed car ride with a few minor drops. Drop scare rating: 2/10
Hollywood Studios
Hollywood Studios features several exciting rides with drops:
- Tower of Terror: A 130-foot drop. Drop scare rating: 9/10
- Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster: A rollercoaster with a few small drops. but mainly twists and turns Oh yes it goes upside down also! Drop scare rating: 7/10
- Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance: An immersive dark ride with a small 20-foot drop track section. Drop scare rating: 2/10 Note: Do not avoid this ride because there is a drop, it’s super quick and super small. It is a truly phenomenal ride.
Animal Kingdom
Animal Kingdom offers a variety of thrilling drop rides:
- DINOSAUR: A time-traveling jeep ride with some small drops. Drop scare rating: 4/10
- Expedition Everest: A rollercoaster with a major 80-foot drop. Drop scare rating: 8/10
- Kali River Rapids: A river raft ride with a 20-foot drop. Drop scare rating: 6/10
| Ride | Park | Drop Height | Drop Scare Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Splash Mountain | Magic Kingdom | 52.5 feet | 9/10 |
| Tower of Terror | Hollywood Studios | 130 feet | 9/10 |
| Expedition Everest | Animal Kingdom | 80 feet | 8/10 |
| Rise of the Resistance | Hollywood Studios | 20 feet | 5/10 |
Drop Scare Rating System
As you will have already noticed I included The Drop Scare Rating System! (Just for fun)
The Drop Scare Rating system is my (unofficial) scale designed to distinguish how intense the drops are in Walt Disney World rides.
I can write this with certainty as I’ve ridden all these rides dozens if not hundreds of times!
This scale ranges from 1 to 10, with 1 being the least intense and 10 being the most intense.
It is important to note that personal experiences may vary as some individuals may find certain drops more intense than others. Nevertheless, this rating system aims to provide you with a general overview of what to expect on each ride.
Magic Kingdom Rides with Drops (Extra Details)
Let’s further explore some of the top attractions in the park featuring drops.
Splash Mountain
Splash Mountain is a classic log flume ride that features the famous drop towards the end of the attraction.
The drop measures a whopping 50 feet in height, providing a massive splashdown that is sure to get riders soaked. Drop scare rating: 9/10.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is a mine train roller coaster that takes guests on a wild ride through twisting tracks and rocky terrain. There are several drops in the ride, with the largest drop being around 41 feet. Drop scare rating: 5/10.
Space Mountain
Space Mountain is an indoor roller coaster set in outer space. The ride offers multiple dips and drops throughout the dark atmosphere, adding to the excitement and unpredictability. The largest drop measures about 26 feet. Drop scare rating: 7/10.
Pirates of the Caribbean
Pirates of the Caribbean is a boat ride that takes guests on an adventure through pirate-infested waters. The ride features a 14-foot drop early in the attraction, surprising riders as they drift into darkness. Drop scare rating: 3/10.
Below is a table summarizing the rides with drops in the Magic Kingdom, their drop heights, and drop scare ratings. Note that Rise of the Resistance, which is not located in the Magic Kingdom but in Hollywood Studios, has been included as it features a small drop during the escape pod sequence.
| Ride | Drop Height | Drop Scare Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Splash Mountain | 50 feet | 8/10 |
| Big Thunder Mountain Railroad | 41 feet | 6/10 |
| Space Mountain | 26 feet | 7/10 |
| Pirates of the Caribbean | 14 feet | 3/10 |
| Rise of the Resistance | Small drop | N/A (Not in Magic Kingdom) |
Epcot Rides with Drops
Epcot is home to a variety of attractions, ranging from educational exhibits to thrilling rides. In this section, we will highlight two popular Epcot rides that feature drops, Frozen Ever After and Test Track.
Frozen Ever After
Frozen Ever After is a boat ride that takes guests on a journey through the kingdom of Arendelle. The attraction is based on the hit Disney film, Frozen, and features many of your favorite characters from the movie.
As part of the experience, riders will encounter a mild drop in the form of a short waterfall descent. While the drop may not be too intense, it adds an exciting element to the ride.
Test Track
Test Track is an adrenaline-pumping attraction that puts guests in the driver’s seat, simulating a high-octane automotive testing ground. Riders will experience a thrilling outdoor section where the vehicle races around a track at speeds of up to 65 mph. The ride contains a few minor drops and elevation changes, but they are not the main focus of the attraction.
Here’s a brief table listing some of the Walt Disney World rides with drops and how far the drop is:
| Ride | Drop Height |
|---|---|
| Frozen Ever After (Epcot) | Short waterfall descent |
| Test Track (Epcot) | Minor drops and elevation changes |
| Splash Mountain (Magic Kingdom) | 52.5 feet |
| Twilight Zone Tower of Terror (Hollywood Studios) | 130 feet |
| Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance (Hollywood Studios) | 20 feet |
| Avatar Flight of Passage (Animal Kingdom) | Simulated drops |
Hollywood Studios Rides with Drops
Disney’s Hollywood Studios offers a variety of rides featuring exciting drops. In this section, we’ll discuss three popular attractions.
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is one of the scariest rides at Disney World, featuring sudden and unpredictable drops within a haunted hotel. With a height of 199 feet, this attraction has a scare rating of 10/10. Feel the adrenaline rush as you plummet multiple times in a randomized drop sequence.
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith is a high-speed indoor coaster that takes you on a wild ride through the world of rock music. Though the ride does not have a significant vertical drop, it features quick turns and inversions. With its thrilling elements and dark environment, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster has a scare rating of 8/10.
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is an immersive journey into the world of Star Wars. This attraction combines multiple ride systems and includes a brief, yet thrilling, drop as your vehicle escapes the First Order Star Destroyer. The scare rating for Rise of the Resistance drop is 2/10, making it suitable for both thrill-seekers and casual fans alike.
Table of Hollywood Studios Rides with Drops and Their Heights
| Ride | Drop Height |
|---|---|
| The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror | 199 feet |
| Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith | N/A (inversions and turns) |
| Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance | Brief drop |
Section 7: Animal Kingdom Rides with Drops
The Animal Kingdom park features numerous rides for thrill-seekers, with several of them having drops. In this section, we will discuss three popular rides at Animal Kingdom with drops and their respective drop scare ratings out of 10.
Expedition Everest
Expedition Everest is a roller coaster located in the Asia section of Animal Kingdom. It takes guests on a thrilling journey through the Himalayan mountains, with several exhilarating drops throughout the ride. The largest drop is 80 feet, providing a thrilling experience for riders. The drop scare rating for Expedition Everest is 8 out of 10.
Avatar Flight of Passage
Avatar Flight of Passage is a 3D flying simulator located in the Pandora – The World of Avatar section. Although it doesn’t have an actual physical drop, the ride simulates drops and dives that give riders a sensation of flying and swooping through the beautiful landscape of Pandora. The drop scare rating for Avatar Flight of Passage is 5 out of 10.
Kali River Rapids
Kali River Rapids is a water rafting ride located in the Asia section of Animal Kingdom. The ride takes guests on a thrilling and wet journey through the Chakranadi River. The most significant drop on Kali River Rapids is a 20-feet plunge, with a drop scare rating of 6 out of 10.
| Ride | Drop Distance | Drop Scare Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Expedition Everest | 80 feet | 8 |
| Avatar Flight of Passage | Simulated drops | 5 |
| Kali River Rapids | 20 feet | 6 |
| Rise of the Resistance | 20 feet | 7 |
These are just a few examples of the rides at Animal Kingdom with drops, providing excitement and thrill to park visitors. For those seeking an adrenaline rush, these rides are a must-try.
I hope this article helps you avoid the drops you may want to miss!
Have a magical day.
