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10 Absolutely Worst Rides at Disney World

Disney World offers an incredible selection of attractions, from rides and shows to character meet-and-greets and more. But with so much available, how do you know which ones are worth your time?

While many visitors rank all Disney World rides as phenomenal experiences, there are certainly some that don’t quite measure up in my opinion.

In this article, I’ll share my opinion on the 10 worst rides at Disney World, so you can decide whether to skip or take a chance when planning your itinerary.

This attraction is supposed to be about progress and advancements, but it’s decades dated, so there is no progress discussed – just past achievements.

Really the only good thing about this ride is it’s a chance for some sweet air conditioning and to rest your feet from running around Tomorrowland.

Honestly, I recommend skipping this unless you need some air conditioning and there isn’t a short enough line at one of the other attractions nearby, like Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, Monsters Inc Laugh Floor, or Space Mountain.

Important information

Location: Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom
Height Requirement: All heights welcome.
Genie+ or Lightning Lane: This ride is not available as part of Genie+ or individual Lightning Lane selection.
Duration: Approximately 21 minutes too long

Casey Jr. Splash ‘n’ Soak Station

Photo of two kids playing in the water at the Casey Jr. Splash n Soak Station at Magic Kingdom.
Matt Stroshane / Disney

Listen – I have no business hating on this attraction since I’m a childless millennial, but I’m going to do it anyway.

I get water rides where you’ll get splashed a bit, but this is a full on sopping wet, definitely have to change your clothes immediate afterward, kind of water attraction.

I guess it’s ok for letting your tots run through before you head back to your hotel for nap time or for the rest of the day.

But if that’s the case, why not just head back to your resort for pool time so everyone can cool off, not just the kids?

Parents, please enlighten me. What is so great about this compared to the resort pool?

Would more misting fans be sufficient for cooling off in the parks so you could cool off too?

I feel like that’d also help conserve water and thus, money. But then again, I’m not an imagineer nor am I an expert in financials when it comes to running an amusement park.

Important information

Location: Storybook Circus at Magic Kingdom
Height Requirement: All heights welcome.
Genie+ or Lightning Lane: No – there’s no line. You can just walk up and start splashing around.
Duration: However long you can tolerate.

Country Bear Jamboree

Photo of a scene from the Country Bears Jamboree Show at Magic Kingdom
Photo by Meg Frost, All rights reserved.

I feel like this entire article is about to get me banned by the Disney adult community because this attraction has so many fans – especially adults who grew up with it.

But I think Country Bear Jamboree is absolutely boring, not to mention racist and misogynistic.

The dopey bears are charming, but the terrible songs and dated animatronic technology are what do it in for me.

Thankfully Disney announced at 2023’s Destination D23 that they’ll be launching a brand new Country Bear Jamboree show in 2024.

Supposedly it will use popular songs that already exist, but we’ll see.

It would be kind of nice to see a Princess & the Frog jam thrown in there, in honor of Princess Tiana getting her own ride in 2024, as well.

But, Disney has a habit of ditching the best elements of upgrades that they announce, so who knows!

Important information

Location: Frontierland at Magic Kingdom
Genie+ or Lightning Lane: This ride is not available as part of Genie+ or individual Lightning Lane selection.
Duration: You’ll be stuck for approximately 16 minutes.

DINOSAUR

Photo of the entrance of Dinosaur at Animal Kingdom, with a large dinosaur statue out front.
Photo by Meg Frost, All rights reserved.

I’m going to get a lot of flack for this one. But I’ll say it – I think DINOSAUR is an awful ride.

Not only is it not up to Disney’s technological and creative standards, it’ll give you 20 kinds of whiplash.

Perhaps that is why Disney recently announced that it is working on plans to completely wipe out DinoLand USA and replace it with a “tropical Americas” section with nods to Encanto and Indiana Jones.

I’m crossing my fingers there will also be something to represent The Emperor’s New Groove, one of my favorite Disney movies.

Based on the fact that Dinosaur’s track is much like the Indiana Jones ride at Disneyland, we’ll probably end up getting a dupe of that ride.

But I’m still holding onto hope that we’ll get something unique, like Yzma and Kronk’s Wrong Lever Escapades, or something along those lines.

Important information

Location: DinoLand U.S.A.
Height Requirement: 40 inches or taller
Genie+ or Lightning Lane: Yes, this ride is available as part of Genie+.
Duration: Approximately 3 minutes of back breaking chances

Gran Fiesta Tour

Photo by Meg Frost, All rights reserved.

There’s nothing better than enjoying a delicious margarita from Choza Margarita or La Cava del Tequila and then hopping on this ride. Because honestly, it’s super dated and boring without it.

I feel nostalgic for this ride from time to time, but not enough to dream of it being replaced with something Coco related or at least getting a fancy-schmancy upgrade.

Important information

Location: Mexico pavilion in World Showcase at Epcot
Height Requirement: All heights welcome.
Genie+ or Lightning Lane: This ride is not available as part of Genie+ or individual Lightning Lane selection.
Duration: Approximately 7 minutes, but might seem longer if you chug a margarita first.

Hall of Presidents

Photo of the entrance to the Hall of Presidents show at Magic Kingdom.
Gene Duncan / Disney

Considering how disgusting the political environment has become in the US in the past decade or so, I’ve come to absolutely loathe this attraction.

I used to waltz in, ready for a nap and to rest my feet if the line for Haunted Mansion was too long, but now I just get irritated.

Sure, it was already a bit boring, but I like doing a few edutainment-type attractions when I visit.

Disney’s Imagineering team does a great job of making attractions like this entertaining and engaging (as long as they’re able to maintain and update them).

But my reasons for loathing this attraction really have to do with things beyond Disney’s control, which maybe isn’t fair.

Anyway, regardless of where you stand politically, you’ll probably find something you don’t like about this, so probably just walk on by and head somewhere else.

Important information

Location: Liberty Square in Magic Kingdom
Genie+ or Lightning Lane: This ride is not available as part of Genie+ or individual Lightning Lane selection.
Duration: Approximately 25 minutes more than necessary.

Mission: SPACE – Orange

Photo of the entrance of Mission: Space at Epcot.
Photo by Meg Frost, All rights reserved.

This ride is meant to simulate what it’s like to go in space. And all I have to say is thank goodness I never wanted to be an astronaut! One time on this ride was one time too many – for me.

This particular mission spins up to 35 mph, which isn’t so bad, but it also simulates a g-force of up to 2.5.

It was so terrifying (again, for me) that I won’t even go on the more mild green mission because I worry that it will still be too intense. I’ll try it one of these days, for the research, but yeah…not in a rush to do so!

That brings me to my next point – there are 2 versions of this ride: orange (original) and green.

The Green mission is supposedly less intense, so if you’re thinking of going on this ride, maybe try the Green mission first to see how you fare if you’re feeling anxious like me.

Important information

Location: World Discovery in Epcot
Height Requirement: 40 inches or taller
Genie+ or Lightning Lane: Yes, this ride is available as part of Genie+.
Duration: Approximately 6 minutes of terror

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

Photo of the trackless portion of the Rise of the Resistance ride at Disney World's Hollywood Studios.
Photo by Meg Frost, All rights reserved.

I have a love-hate relationship with this ride. So much so that it makes both the worse and best rides at Disney World lists.

The reason I hate this ride is that it breaks down ALL the time.

I have yet to visit Hollywood Studios and not run into the ride either breaking down entirely, causing massive delays or inability to ride at all.

The worst is when it doesn’t open at rope drop because something isn’t working.

And as one of the longest lines at Hollywood Studios, it’s a ride you’d want to get out of bed early for, so it sucks when you get there and it’s just not even working.

This just happened to me on a recent visit. I tried to overlook it by speed walking over to Slinky Dog Dash, but that was down too.

Not even a black caf cold brew coffee could ease the disappointment I felt that day.

Important information

Location: Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Hollywood Studios
Height Requirement: 40 inches or taller
Genie+ or Lightning Lane: Yes, you can purchase an individual Lightning Lane pass for this ride.
Duration: If it doesn’t break down part of the way through? Approximately 18 minutes.

Spaceship Earth

Photo of Spaceship Earth at night, reflecting in nearby water.
Photo by Meg Frost, All rights reserved.

Listen, Epcot wouldn’t be Epcot without this ride. The building itself is iconic – especially at night.

But the ride inside is painfully dated and boring. It needs a massive refurbishment and upgrade to make it more interesting, as well as to discuss more modern forms of communication.

Are you listening, Disney? Stop announcing refurbs for this ride and then quietly canceling them!

Important information

Location: World Celebration in Epcot
Height Requirement: All heights welcome.
Genie+ or Lightning Lane: Yes, this ride is available as part of Genie+.
Duration: Approximately 15 minutes of air conditioning.

The Enchanted Tiki Room

This is an original attraction that I’m sure at one point was considered technologically advanced and entertaining.

However, I just find it annoying. Plus, the bird animatronics are laughable (upgrades, people, upgrades!).

I don’t know that Disney will ever rid of this show, but it could certainly use a massive refresh.

For now, it’s a last-minute air conditioning or quick nap spot for me when I’m in Adventureland.

Important information

Location: Adventureland in Magic Kingdom
Genie+ or Lightning Lane: This ride is not available as part of Genie+ or individual Lightning Lane selection.
Duration: Approximately 10 minutes of your life that you’ll never get back.

What do you think are the worst rides at Disney World?

In conclusion, all these rides proved to be the most uncomfortable and least worthwhile experiences that I have had at Disney World.

One can only hope that Disney will refurbish or replace many of these lackluster rides, much like they’ve done for Stitch’s Great Escape, Primeval Whirl, and Splash Mountain, in the past.

My advice for anyone visiting Disney World would be to take the time to read reviews, such as my blog posts, to decide whether a ride will be worth a try for you.

At the end of the day, the thing that makes Disney World so magical is that there are so many different things to do and see that you can design the perfect itinerary to suit your needs.

What do you think are the worst rides at Disney World? Share your experiences in the comments section below!


About the author

Photo of Meg Frost on Buzz Lightyear: Space Ranger Blast at Disney World's Magic Kingdom.
Photo by Meg Frost, All rights reserved.

Meg Frost is the creator of The Park Pixie, where she covers Disney World, Disney+, and Disney fandom.

She holds an M.A. in Journalism from Northeastern University and B.S. in Communication & American Studies from University of Miami in Florida.

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Lindsey Dahle

Monday 1st of April 2024

Ok, I came here ready to be like, BUT THE NOSTALGIA! And instead, I scrolled and said "yep" to every single one. I would absolutely LOVE an Emporer's New Groove makeover for DINOSAUR, count me in! :) -Lindsey https://resortrat.com/

Meg Frost

Monday 1st of April 2024

Honestly, I will take Emperor's New Groove anything at Disney World!!