A Disney expert shares the best Disney World tween rides, when you want to show off a few of the thrills of Walt Disney World Resort.
As a parent to a toddler and a baby, I’ll admit I have it pretty easy when it comes to impressing my kids with rides at Disney World. One whirl around “it’s a small world” will put a smile on my daughter’s face, no thrills required. Things get a bit trickier with the older kids – especially with tweens.
At that age, it’s hit or miss whether Disney World is really considered “cool,” and instead, they’re typically looking for thrilling attractions that go above your typical omnimover or boat ride. But, if you’re hoping to impress your tween (or win a little cool-parent/cool-aunt/cool-adult credibility), there are a handful of rides that deliver the perfect mix of speed, story, and spectacle.
Best Disney World Tween Rides
Looking to impress your tween? These are the best Disney World rides for tweens, with some immersive thrills that will have them wanting to ride again and again.
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
If you want a slam-dunk tween favorite, Cosmic Rewind is it. This indoor coaster launches you backwards, spins you through the galaxy, and pairs the whole adventure with a rotating playlist of pop bangers. It’s smooth, fast, and totally unlike any other Disney ride, which makes it a perfect choice when you want to prove that EPCOT isn’t just for adults.
The ride is also sure to be a hit with Marvel fans, as it’s the only Marvel Cinematic Universe-inspired attraction you’ll find at Walt Disney World!
Tower of Terror
Photo by WDW Magazine Photography Team
This one’s a rite of passage. The eerie queue, the creepy story, the unpredictable drop sequence; Tower of Terror has all the elements tweens love. It’s dramatic, it’s thrilling, and it’s just scary enough to feel brag-worthy without crossing the line. The biggest task will be finding an adult who will dare to take the plunge – I know for my family, this is a ride my husband has refused to try for himself.
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
Even if your tween isn’t a diehard Star Wars fan, Rise of the Resistance is sure to be a hit. It’s one of the most out-of-this-world attractions you’ll find at the resort (no pun intended), with twists and turns inside a Star Destroyer that uses some of Disney’s most impressive effects. While it may not have the same adrenaline factor as a roller coaster, it more than makes up for it with the immersion and thrill.
TRON Lightcycle / Run
Photo by Judd Helms
No ride at Disney World looks cooler than TRON, especially at night. Riding on a motorcycle-style lightcycle, leaning forward like you’re part of a video game, and racing through glowing neon tracks hits right at the tween aesthetic sweet spot. It’s fast, sleek, and futuristic, a guaranteed photo-worthy moment. Your tween doesn’t need to be familiar with the movie series to love this coaster. The outdoor launch will be enough to make this the most talked-about ride of their Magic Kingdom experience.
Avatar Flight of Passage
If your tween loves screens, video games, or anything hyper-immersive, Flight of Passage will blow them away. This simulated flight on a banshee is unbelievably smooth and incredibly detailed; it’s the kind of ride tweens talk about for the rest of the trip. Even the queue feels like an attraction.
Expedition Everest
Photo by Marisa Alvarado
Expedition Everest mixes classic coaster thrills with an impressive story and a legendary section that sends riders screaming backward in the dark. Tweens love the speed, the near-vertical ascent, and of course, the Yeti. It’s an ideal introduction to more intense coasters without going overboard.
