The Best Disney Rides Around the World
What makes the best Disney rides truly unforgettable? For me, it’s that perfect mix of immersive theming, compelling storytelling, and cutting-edge technology — that special magic Disney Imagineers have been nailing at Disney parks around the world for decades. Whether it’s flying through a galaxy far, far away or floating gently through a dreamy fairytale scene, the best rides make you feel something, and that’s no accident.
As someone who proudly wears the Disney Adult badge and has checked every Disney park off the global bucket list (yes, even Shanghai and Hong Kong), I’ve narrowed this list down to one must-ride at each of the six Disney parks that share the classic Magic Kingdom layout. Why just the Magic Kingdom? For a fair comparison, because while Avengers Campus and Pandora are incredible, not every park has them. This list is totally subjective, based on personal experience, jet lag, and maybe a Mickey-shaped snack or two — but hey, that’s part of the magic, right? So buckle up and get ready for a magical journey through the best Disney rides around the world.
Disneyland
Right off the bat, we have a tie!
In the opinion of this Disney Adult, Indiana Jones Adventure is hands-down the best ride at the OG Disneyland Magic Kingdom park — and trust me, that’s saying something. From the moment you step into the temple queue, you're immersed in a richly detailed world straight out of the movies, complete with a lush jungle canopy, flickering torches, ancient relics, and that eerie Indy soundtrack humming in the background.
Photo courtesy of Christian Thompson/Disneyland Resort
On the ride itself, you'll experience a wild, high-speed journey through cursed ruins aboard a rugged troop transport vehicle that somehow feels both totally out of control and incredibly precise. Thanks to groundbreaking ride tech, a jaw-dropping mix of special and practical effects, and nonstop thrills, it’s pure Disney magic — with a side of snakes.
While I'm personally not a huge Star Wars fan, I have to give props to Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. Ever since its debut in late 2019, this attraction has won the acclaim of fans and critics alike, even earning international awards for its ingenuity.
This cinematic experience literally drops you into the Star Wars universe. From the Resistance base to a First Order Star Destroyer, every step of the journey is packed with over-the-top sets blended with real actors and seamless ride technology. You’re captured, interrogated, then rescued in a daring escape that combines trackless vehicles, screens, animatronics, and even a drop sequence. It’s thrilling, immersive, and ridiculously detailed. For pure storytelling and wow factor, Rise of the Resistance definitely earns a top spot among the best Disney rides.
Walt Disney World
Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando is packed with classic rides, from It's a Small World to The Haunted Mansion. While we love the legacy rides, it's the newer attractions that really stand out from the crowd. Case in point: Tron Lightcycle / Run.
Tron Lightcycle / Run isn’t just a ride — it’s a full-body experience. The moment you step into the queue, you’re pulled into the futuristic world of Tron, with glowing blue circuitry and pulsing synth music that set the scene for the thrill ahead. Then it’s time to mount your lightcycle. Thanks to an innovative ride system, you actually sit in a motorcycle-style position, leaning forward and gripping handlebars.
The launch is intense: zero to whoa as you blast through a neon tunnel and into the open air, flying under a canopy of light. The tech behind it (track design, rider position, and visual effects) makes this coaster feel faster, sleeker, and more immersive than any other thrill ride at Disney World's Magic Kingdom. It’s short, yes, but unforgettable.
Disneyland Paris
By far the most beautiful of the Disney parks, Disneyland Paris is as aestetic as it is enchaning. Case in point: The steampunk-inspired Discoveryland — Paris' answer to the typically futuristic Magic Kingdom Tomorrowland. Within this unqiue land, you'll find what is in my opinion, one of the best Disney rides.
Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain is the best iteration of Space Mountain I've found on my Disney travels. It's a totally unique beast, and one of the best Disney rides anywhere. Unlike other Space Mountains, this version launches you from a cannon straight into a twisting, looping battle through space. The track is smoother and more intense (spoiler alert: there's an inversion in the dark), and the Star Wars overlay adds heart-pounding music, X-wings, and TIE fighter projections that make you feel like you're in the middle of an intergalactic dogfight. It's certainly not for the faint of heart, but for those who crave a bit more thrill in their Disney rides, this one ticks all the right boxes.
Tokyo Disneyland
Enchanted Tale of Beauty and the Beast at Tokyo Disneyland is pure Disney magic and easily one of the best Disney rides on the planet. It all starts with that imposing yet beautiful Beast’s Castle towering above Fantasyland that's just as stunning in real life as it is on Instagram. Inside, the queue winds through enchanted corridors until you reach a pre-show that feels like a Broadway moment, complete with high-tech magic.
Then you board a trackless teacup and glide through beautifully animated scenes with next-level audo-animatronics (Belle actually blinks), swirling ballroom dances, and a jaw-dropping Beast transformation (no judgement if you shed a few tears). It’s a dreamy and immersive must-ride at Tokyo Disneyland.
Hong Kong Disneyland
Hong Kong Disneyland is everything a Disney Park should be. While it's noticeably smaller than its international siblings, the Hong Kong Magic Kingdom park is packed with unqiue lands and rides that set it apart from the crowd. Among those one-of-kind offerings is Mystic Manor, an innovative twist on Disney's classic Haunted Mansion.
Instead of ghosts and doom buggies, this original story transports you through the collection of explorer Lord Henry Mystic, whose mischievous monkey, Albert, has unwittingly opened a magic music box that brings all of the artifacts to life. The trackless ride system glides you through stunning rooms filled with dazzling practical effects, projections, and audio-animatronics that feel like real magic. From flying instruments to an enchanted jade statue, every scene blends tech and storytelling flawlessly. It’s the perfect blend of whimsical and thrilling.
Shanghai Disneyland
Get excited Disney fans — I've saved the best for last. The newest of Disney's global parks, Shanghai Disneyland is home to some of the most innovative rides on Disney's roster. But the creme de la creme has to be Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure.
The only Pirates of the Caribbean attraction to be themed after the blockbuster franchise rather than the original 1967 ride, Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle of the Sunken Treasure blends movie magic with cutting-edge ride technology to elevate this fan favorite to new heights (or, rather depths). Larger-than-life set pieces blend with crystal-clear digital effects to transport you under the sea for a dramatic stand-off between beloved ruffian Captain Jack Sparrow and the cursed Davy Jones. The result is nothing short of magical, cementing Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle of the Sunken Treasure's legacy as one of the world's best Disney rides.
