ORLANDO, Fla. — A new study has identified the most popular rides at Walt Disney World, highlighting the attractions that have captured the most attention both online and among theme park visitors.
The analysis, conducted by the ticket comparison site SeatPick, evaluated rides across all four Disney World parks—Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. It utilized a combination of Instagram hashtag counts, Tripadvisor ratings, and average monthly Google search volumes. These metrics were combined into an index to determine the current popularity of the rides.
Topping the list is The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This haunted hotel-themed drop ride scored highest overall, with 465,274 Instagram hashtags, a 4.5-star rating on Tripadvisor, and nearly 76,000 average monthly searches.
In second place is Space Mountain, the iconic indoor roller coaster at Magic Kingdom. As Florida’s oldest operating coaster, Space Mountain remains a fan favorite, generating over 128,000 monthly Google searches and 128,593 Instagram hashtags.
Taking third place is It’s a Small World, a family-friendly boat ride that showcases global cultures. This ride continues to charm guests, with over 49,000 monthly searches and more than 350,000 Instagram hashtags.
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, a centerpiece of Disney’s Galaxy’s Edge, ranks fourth. This immersive experience garners more than 84,000 monthly searches and over 130,000 Instagram hashtags, making it the most popular recent addition to the park.
Rounding out the top five is Expedition Everest at Animal Kingdom. This nearly 200-foot roller coaster is the only top-10 ride with a perfect 5-star rating on Tripadvisor.
Other rides that made the top 10 include Haunted Mansion (6th), Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (7th), Star Tours (8th), Jungle Cruise (9th), and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith (10th), which is set to be rethemed to The Muppets.
According to the data, Magic Kingdom boasts the highest number of top-ranking rides, with five of the top 10 attractions located in the park.
Gilad Zilberman, CEO of SeatPick, stated that the findings underscore the importance of digital engagement metrics when planning theme park visits. “With over 58 million annual visitors, Walt Disney World is the most ticketed vacation resort globally,” Zilberman said. “This research illustrates how online interest can help families better plan their trips and make the most of their time in the parks.”
| Rank | Ride | Monthly Searches | Instagram IHashtags | Trip Advisor Rating | Total Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Twilight Zone Tower of Terror | 75,943 | 465,274 | 4.5 | 22.7 |
| 2 | Space Mountain | 128,593 | 310,235 | 4.5 | 21.9 |
| 3 | It’s a Small World | 49,558 | 352,796 | 4 | 18.0 |
| 4 | Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance | 84,218 | 130,677 | 4 | 14.9 |
| 5 | Expedition Everest | 26,949 | 113,036 | 5 | 13.7 |
| 6 | Haunted Mansion | 50,643 | 102,617 | 4.5 | 13.7 |
| 7 | Big Thunder Mountain | 31,870 | 134,382 | 4.5 | 13.4 |
| 8 | Star Tours | 15,546 | 160,684 | 4 | 13.2 |
| 9 | Jungle Cruise | 15,893 | 204,546 | 4 | 13.2 |
| 10 | Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith | 41,480 | 49,677 | 5 | 13.1 |
