As far as Disney parks go, Magic Kingdom is known to house some of the tamer rides. This doesn't mean that all of the attractions there are exclusively for little kids, however. Some rides are an intense experience that will have even adults wanting to get back in line to go on again.
Then, of course, there are a handful of thrill rides at Magic Kingdom that definitely aren't just child's play! Whether it's super cool effects or dramatic drops, there are plenty of intense rides and attractions at the Magic Kingdom. Here are the top ten, ranked from least to most intense.
10 Jungle Cruise
Jungle Cruise isn't that scary, but will certainly keep you on the edge of your seat! The ride has you board a steam boat and go on a "river cruise." You'll sail past some waterfalls and come across a variety of freakishly realistic animatronic wildlife. The noises coming from them can actually be kind of startling.
This pleasant tour doesn't go off without a hitch, however -- you'll come across several close calls on your journey, including a tribe of headhunters who are willing to attack you. Your tour guide will have to help your group escape danger time and time again. It's a really immersive experience that feels thrilling no matter how many times you ride it.
9 Mickey's PhilharMagic
Speaking of immersive, Mickey's PhilharMagic is super underrated. As it seems like just a 3-D show, you may be tempted to skip it. Those who do are missing out! It tells a silly little story where Donald Duck messes up Mickey's plans and ends up transporting the audience throughout scenes from your favorite Disney movies. It's not just a cute little attraction, however -- not only do the movement of your chairs contribute to the intensely fun experience, but theatre effects such as certain scents wafting through the air or splashes of water sprinkling the audience only adds to the immersion.
8 Pirates Of The Caribbean
Floating past pirates pillaging villages sounds kind of intense, right? The Pirates of the Caribbean ride fully sets the scene as you float in a dark cave past scenes of rowdy pirates. Not only will you enter the haunted Dead Man's Cove, you might have to dodge some cannon fire.
Eventually, you'll see the pirates set an entire village on fire and revel in their bounty. The stellar special effects, intriguing atmosphere, and dark storyline make for an intense attraction! As you listen to the pirates sing “Yo Ho, Yo Ho (A Pirate’s Life for Me)," you may really feel as if you have been sent back in time.
7 Haunted Mansion
The Haunted Mansion has some of the most eerie and impressive special effects throughout the whole park. You'll board a "Doom Buggy" and ride past several spooky scenes -- most of which involve floating, transparent, freaky ghosts. Even the waiting area is eerie, with an entire graveyard to observe while you're in line. While you eventually manage to escape the Haunted Mansion, the ride ends on a chilling note that shows how ghosts will be leaving the mansion with you. While not physically intense, it's immersive with a creepy storyline and haunting effects.
6 Astro Orbiter
The premise of the Astro Orbiter isn't too out-of-this-world. You board a little rocket and spin in a circle over and over again. Take into account that you'll be lifted over 25 feet in the air, however, and the ride starts sounding a little more intense!
Those who are afraid of heights will for sure be triggered, but those who aren't will get to witness some incredible views. Ride the Astro Orbiter at night during the fireworks, and you'll never be able to forget the scene before you. You can also control how high your rocket flies using a lever, which is always fun.
5 Mad Tea Party
We know what you're thinking -- isn't this a Disney classic for little ones? But if you've ridden this before -- at any age -- you know how intense it can actually be. Not only do the giant teacups you sit in automatically swirl around each other, you can also spin your individual teacup by controlling the wheel in the middle.
This ride can vary in intensity, as those with sensitive stomachs might keep the spin slow or not spin their teacup at all. But if you try and spin it as fast as you possibly can? You're in for a dizzying and overwhelming ride!
4 Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Finally, we get to the roller coasters! This speeding train takes you for sharp turns and drops you in dark caverns. The premise of this roller coaster is that you're a miner during the era of the American Gold Rush, and the mining train has seemingly taken off by itself through all of the mining caves.
You'll have to barely escape explosions as well as boulders that threaten to topple onto you. Boarding a haunted speed train, rushing through dark areas, and dodging obstacles left and right makes for an intense and thrilling ride!
3 Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
The Seven Dwarfs from Snow White seem all charming, cute, and innocent -- but if Big Thunder Railroad has taught us anything, it's that mining is no joke! The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train will put you through some steep drops, hair pin turns, and dark areas -- all while your cart is also rocking back and forth! If a regular roller coaster weren't intense enough, the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train ups the thrills by incorporating the cart itself as part of the ride. The visuals are also pretty stunning and awesome -- there's a lot to take in at once!
2 Space Mountain
A roller coaster that takes place indoors and in the dark? INTENSE. The ride would be entirely pitch black if not for the neon comets, stars, meteors, and other space scenes. This ride goes super fast, so like the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, there's a lot you need to take in at once!
The ride ends by plunging you into darkness and sucking you into a wormhole. There are also plenty of big drops to send your heart into your throat! Space is already a pretty intense theme, but the ride takes the concept to an entirely new level of thrills.
1 Splash Mountain
Splash Mountain is unarguably the most intense ride in the Magic Kingdom! First, there's the build-up -- you float through water and observe an animatronic story about Br’er Rabbit, Br'er Fox, and Br'er Bear. The cheery music and scenery seems suspicious and extra eerie since you know what's to come! Then, the ride teases you with three fake-out mini drops, raising your heart rate and bracing yourself multiple times! Finally, you'll hit the big drop, which plunges you fifty feet down at forty miles per hour. This ride is an iconic classic.