A trip to Walt Disney World isn’t complete without waiting in a line. Which rides at the park have the highest wait times at the park? Check out our full guide to the Disney World ride wait times, including how you can avoid that lengthy lide!
There are a few constants when you visit Walt Disney World: You’ll be sure to have a good time and most likely wait on at least one line. That’s right, Disney World is notoriously known for having attractions with high wait times. Even though there are certain times of the year when wait times seem to be less, some of the most popular attractions always have some wait.
What are these attractions, and how do you avoid waiting on the massive lines they produce? Keep reading as we break down all of this information by park, and offer some of our tips to minimize waiting and maximize fun. The wait times listed below are averages and can vary.
Disney World Ride Wait Times
We’re sharing the Disney World ride wait times broken down by park, with an average wait you can expect for each of the most popular rides in Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, as well as Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Want a skip ahead to a specific park? Click on the name below!
- Magic Kingdom Wait Times
- EPCOT Wait Times
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios Wait Times
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Wait Times
Magic Kingdom Wait Times
With a park as large as Magic Kingdom, it makes sense that it has the most amount of rides that are in popular demand.
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
Location: Fantasyland
Heigh-Ho! Head into the mines where the Seven Dwarfs are mining those glittering jewels and singing, “Whistle While You Work” of course! Despite being open for almost 10 years, Seven Dwarfs Mine Train still brings in the crowds. Wait times vary but usually range between 65-75 minutes, depending on the day and time.
Peter Pan’s Flight
Location: Fantasyland
Take a trip over Neverland on one of the most popular attractions at Magic Kingdom, Peter Pan’s Flight. This is one of those attractions that even if you visit during a party or After Hours Event, you’ll still be bound to see a line. Wait times average around 55-65 minutes, depending on the day and time.
Jungle Cruise
Location: Adventureland
Join a river cruise where you’ll get a scenic tour and maybe some funny jokes too! Whether operating as the Jungle Cruise (or the Jingle Cruise during the holidays), you’ll always expect to see some type of wait. Wait times vary between around 55-65 minutes, depending on the day and time.
Haunted Mansion
Location: Liberty Square
Hurry Back… Everyone gets that idea when visiting the Haunted Mansion. While you can find this attraction with a low wait time sometimes, hitting that 13 minute mark, when the park is busy, you can find a bit of a line. The Haunted Mansion often boasts wait times around 45-55 minutes, depending on the day and time.
Space Mountain
Location: Tomorrowland
A classic attraction at Walt Disney World, Space Mountain takes you through a dark indoor coaster of space. But, despite how long it’s been operating, it always has a wait time. Space Mountain often boasts wait times between 35-45 minutes, depending on the day and time.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Location: Frontierland
It’s “The Wildest Ride in the Wilderness!” as you chase some gold through the Mining Company. And it’s one that you can occasionally find a bit of a queue for. Wait times often vary between 30-40 minutes, depending on the day and time.
Honorable Mention: Pirates of the Caribbean
Location: Adventureland
What’s a list of rides without Pirates of the Caribbean? We listed it as an honorable mention since this attraction does have manageable wait times. But, this is one of those rides that can surge suddenly, so always check your My Disney Experience App. Wait times usually average around 15-25 minutes for Pirates, depending on the day and time.
EPCOT Wait Times
We love EPCOT! From eating and drinking around the world to exploring the different pavilions, there is tons to do! But that can include waiting since EPCOT has some of the newest and most popular attractions.
Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
Location: France Pavilion in World Showcase
Looking to see your favorite chef in action? Well, you might have to wait a little while to get into one of EPCOT’s newest attractions, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure. Lightning Lanes are hard to get sometimes and wait times vary between 75-85 minutes, depending on the day and time.
Frozen Ever After
Location: Norway Pavilion in World Showcase
Despite being around for around eight years, Frozen Ever After is one of those attractions that you can almost guarantee will have a wait. And rightly so! I mean who doesn’t want to belt out “Let It Go?” Frozen Ever After usually has wait times around 70-80 minutes, depending on the day and time.
Test Track
Location: World Discovery
With a refurbishment newly announced and on the horizon, guests will be flocking to get to ride Test Track before it closes in mid-June. Put a pedal to the metal while you become the crash test subject. Wait times average around 55-65 minutes for Test Track, depending on the day and time.
Soarin’ Around the World
Location: World Nature
“Soarin’ to tower, we’re clear for take-off.” Embark on a flight around the world as you ride Soarin’ Around the World. This popular attractions’ wait times do vary so sometimes you can get on pretty quickly, without a wait. With that said, the wait times for Soarin’ Around the World range between 40-50 minutes, depending on the day and time.
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind
Location: World Discovery
Another new attraction at EPCOT, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, takes you on a musical journey to becoming a Guardian of the Galaxy. Wait times aren’t too terrible for Cosmic Rewind, varying between 30-40 minutes, depending on the day and time.
Photo by Laurie Sapp
Honorable Mention: Mission: SPACE
Location: World Discovery
Wondering why Mission: SPACE made our honorable mention list? It’s one of those attractions that can have the longest line ever or no line at all. Wait times can vary between 30-40 minutes, depending on the day and time. With that said, this is one of those rides that you should keep an eye on the MyDisney Experience App and see if the times go down.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios Wait Times
Disney’s Hollywood Studios transports you to the golden age of Hollywood. Immerse yourself in your favorite movies. This park has some new, popular attractions that shouldn’t be missed, but that could carry some waits.
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
Location: Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
Will you join the “Resistance?” Head on a mission to help the Resistance escape the First Order. Previously, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance was a ride that required a virtual queue. Now, guests can wait in line and sometimes that wait can be quite steep. Average wait times vary depending on the day and time but around 80-90 minutes is a popular time.
Slinky Dog Dash
Location: Toy Story Land
Feel like riding Andy’s homemade roller coaster track? With a ride on Slinky Dog Dash, you’ll see what toys do for fun! While Slinky Dog Dash has been around a little while, this ride is still as popular as ever. Wait times average around 80-90 minutes, depending on the day and time.
Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway
Location: Hollywood Boulevard
A newer attraction on the scene at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, takes guests on a “perfect picnic,” or so they think. With a little help from Goofy, things go haywire in the best way possible. The average wait time for Mickey’s and Minnie’s Runaway Railway averages around 50-60 minutes but can be significantly more, depending on the day and time.
Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway is the first ride at any Disney park that stars Mickey Mouse and friends!
Millenium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run
Location: Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
Want to join the “Resistance” as a pilot? What about a gunner or engineer? Now is your chance to step into the co*ckpit of the famous Millenium Falcon as you are tasked on a daring mission around the galaxy. Wait times vary for Millenium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run, but average around 50-60 minutes, depending on the day and time.
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith (Currently Under Renovation)
Location: Sunset Boulevard
Ready to listen to Aerosmith in concert? You’ll have to hop into their limo and race to their last show with them in tow! That’s Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith. While it’s currently closed for refurbishment as of April 2024, this is a popular attraction. Wait times can change but are often between 50-60 minutes depending on the day and time, when the attraction is open.
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
Location: Sunset Boulevard
It’s time to enter the famous Hollywood Tower Hotel where everything has been frozen in time. Get ready for the dropping elevator that this attraction is known for. It’s a fan favorite and has been around for a while. Wait times for the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror can vary, with wait times varying between 50-60 minutes most days depending on day and time.
Honorable Mention: Toy Story Mania!
Location: Toy Story Land
Toy Story Mania! doesn’t just make you a toy, it lets you play with them too! This interactive ride has you play 5 fast-paced games to keep you on your toes. It’s a park favorite and has made it onto our honorable mention list. That’s because wait times can vary and be around 40 minutes some days. But, remember, sometimes this ride might have a shorter wait.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Wait Times
Immerse yourself in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, an homage to the animal kingdom itself. Whether dinos are your thing, you love Avatar or you’re looking for a real safari, Disney’s Animal Kingdom has it, with a wait sometimes.
Avatar Flight of Passage
Location: Pandora – The World of Avatar
Ever wonder what it would be like to hop on the back of a banshee and fly over Pandora? In Avatar Flight of Passage, you’ll get to do just that in 3D. In Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Avatar Flight of Passage is one of the most popular attractions, usually drawing an average of a 100-110 minute wait time daily, depending on the day and time.
Na’vi River Journey
Location: Pandora – The World of Avatar
Another popular attraction at Animal Kingdom is hidden in Pandora- The World of Avatar, the Na’vi River Journey. This attraction brings you through the bioluminescent rainforest to behold some beautiful sights. Average wait times for Na’vi River Journey are between 55-65 minutes depending on the day and time.
Kilimanjaro Safaris
Location: Africa
Do you love getting up close and personal to animals? Board a safari vehicle as you are driven around the Harambe Wildlife Reserve with sights of over 30 species. Given you are at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, this is often a fan-favorite attraction. Kilimanjaro Safaris often has an average of a 45-55 minute wait depending on the day and time.
Expedition Everest- Legend of the Forbidden Mountain
Location: Asia
Do you dare a peek at the Yeti? Hop aboard a train that takes you to a Tibetan village… and beyond. In a race against time, you’ll have the time of your lives. Expedition Everest- Legend of the Forbidden Mountain is a popular attraction for guests who love roller coasters. Wait times often vary between 35-45 minutes depending on the day and time.
Honorable Mention: Kali River Rapids
Location: Asia
Navigate erupting geysers, waterfalls and more water aboard the Kali River Rapids. Honorable mention went to this attraction since it can get busy depending on the weather, especially when it’s warm. Most days wait times vary between 20-30 minutes depending on the day and time.
How to Avoid Long Wait Times
Wondering how you canavoidthe long Disney World wait times? These are our best tips for skipping the lengthy Disney World ride wait times.
Head to the Back of the Park First
It’s common sense: most people will be distracted by the first thing they see so attractions closer to the front of the parks will tend to have longer wait times. The further back and into the park you head, wait times are usually a bit less. This is not a hard and fast rule, but it is something that often proves true.
Use Genie+
Gone are the days of the fantastic FastPass+. Now, guests are required to purchase Genie+ service if they want to skip the lines. And this is often a useful tool if you are looking to ride certain attractions that you know are more crowded at times. It does require you to utilize the service earlier in the day and to plan ahead most times. Want to learn more about what makes Genie+ different than FastPass+? Click here.
Visit During a Slow Season
If it’s possible, a great way to avoid those long wait times is to just visit during down season. While it’s hard to say when Disney is really empty, the end of August and September tend to be the least crowded times to visit. That means you’ll experience less wait times and crowds, which sounds nice, doesn’t it? Read more about the most (and least) crowded times in Disney World.
Utilize Early Entrance
Early Theme Park Entry at Disney World is available to guests staying at select Walt Disney World Resort Hotels. During this time, most attractions, merchandise and food locations will be available. Since this is a perk exclusively for DIsney Resort guests, you’ll have less people at the park which means you’ll have more time to enjoy the fun.
Looking for some more tips to save some time and skip long attraction wait times? Visit our guide to saving time at Walt Disney World and Disneyland!
