Most popular Disney rides from the 1970s to Today

Fans of Disney will attest with varying degrees of delight and disappointment that the Parks have indeed changed with the times. Even the most classic rides and attractions are subject to the combined power of the Imagineer and the bulldozer, and anyone who tells you otherwise is caught in a deeper slumber than Snow White or Sleeping Beauty. Luckily for us fans, there are still a handful of attractions that have remained immune to the sands of time. It’s no surprise that these rides are among the most beloved in the Parks’ 50+ year history. Here, we’re looking at twelve of the most popular rides at Disney World and Disney Land, including a ride less than three years old.

#1: Space Mountain (Opened: 1975 at Walt Disney World, 1977 at Disneyland)

One of the first-ever indoor roller coasters in the world, Space Mountain first opened at Disney World and later in Disneyland to rave reviews from park guests. It’s cutting-edge (at the time) technology made for a thrilling experience that still translates to riders today who get a thrill out of the futuristic theme and all-dark setting.

#3: Pirates of the Caribbean (Opened: 1967 at Disneyland, 1973 at Walt Disney World)

Longtime fans will remember this ride BEFORE Johnny Depp’s character Captain Jack Sparrow was added to the animatronix mix. Blending immersive scenery and an unsavory pirate takeover, this themed indoor boat ride attraction remains one of the park’s most beloved rides, complete with its “Yo Ho, Yo Ho, a Pirate’s Life for Me” soundtrack.

#4: Haunted Mansion (Opened: 1969 at Disneyland, 1971 at Walt Disney World)

Everybody loves a little harmless spooky fun, which is exactly what the ever-popular Haunted Mansion possesses (get it?) in spades! Everything about this ride has become iconic, from the graveyard outside the house, to the crystal ball witch (a former Imagineer), to the ghostly ballroom dancers and hitchhiking ghosts!

#6: Splash Mountain (Opened: 1989 at Disneyland, 1992 at Walt Disney World)

Splash Mountain has infamously been undergoing a refurbishment project after park execs and fans alike decided it was time for a more accurate and respectful depiction of the people of the South. Still, this ride was considered one of the most popular log flume rides in the history of amusement parks. The thrilling drop and soaking finale will likely be preserved when the ride reopens as Tiana’s Bayou Adventure.

#7: Spaceship Earth (Opened: 1982 at EPCOT)

Spaceship Earth was considered the pièce de résistance of EPCOT Center’s 1982 opening, as its impressive globular structure remains the landmark of the park itself. People who are out of the Disney loop may not be aware that hidden within its structure is a slow-moving ride about the history of humankind, complete with immersive environments and eerily (someone had to say it) lifelike animatronics from each period of civilization. Currently, Judi Dench’s pensive voice narrates the entire historical adventure.

#9: Test Track (Opened: 1999 at EPCOT)

For many years, Test Track stood atop the podium as the fastest ride at Disney World, reaching speeds of up to 65 mph. Its 1999 debut replaced World of Motion at EPCOT, and it can rarely be ridden without waiting for at least an hour in line. Fans of speed and cars in general will enjoy the technicalities of this playful, thrill-seeking ride with its high-speed, outdoor finale.

#10: Avatar Flight of Passage (Opened: 2017 at Disney’s Animal Kingdom)

Earning its contentious badge for boasting some of the longest wait times in Disney history, it can be tempting to ask yourself, “Is Avatar Flight of Passage really worth it?” Fans say YES! Blending state-of-the-art flight simulation technology, incredible visuals, and on-brand, immersive storytelling, the Avatar ride, as it’s colloquially referred to, opened in 2017 to what are still considered rave reviews.

#12: Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance (Opened: First in 2019 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and in 2020 at Disneyland)

Considered one of Disney’s most ambitious attractions to date, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance takes place in a massive, multi-part attraction. Setting new standards for immersive storytelling as only Disney could do, the ride features trackless vehicles, animatronics, live actors, and massive sets. Requiring the largest concrete pour in the history of the parks, Rise of the Resistance contains more than five million lines of code to control the various aspects of the ride.