Scary and Disney aren’t usually synonymous. Disney parks are the Happiest Places on Earth after all! The Nerds are going to walk through several Scary Rides at Disney. You might be surprised at what is on the list.
We break our scary rides at Disney list down into Coasters, Drop Zones, Haunted Mansions, Creepy and Crawly and Feeling in Flight. Let’s check them out.
Scary Rides at Disney: Coasters
Incredicoaster at Pixar Pier in Disneyland is the tallest ride at any Disney Park and the 8th longest roller coaster in the world. It travels at 55mph and has an inversion or a loop-de-loop as some people call it. The theme itself is not scary as it follows The Incredibles on a journey, but the fast pace (it travels from 0 to 55mph in 4 seconds!!!) and drops make it nerve wracking.
Goofys Sky School at Paradise Gardens Park in Disneyland is not a fast ride. However, there are quick turns, sudden drops and uncomfortable seating that often makes you feel like you may fall out. Making this a scary ride for any age.
TRON LightCycle in Disneyland Shanghai.
Tron Lightcycle Power Run is face paced fun at 60mph. Turns and swerves and lights aglow where you weave and veer in a Lightcycle race to the death. It is exhilarating but the speed may scare some.
Space Mountain can be found at 5 of the 6 parks around the world. Shanghai Disneyland is the only park who does not have this OG coaster. Jerky movements and the single seating can make you feel both alone and queezy.
In Disneyland Paris, Space Mountain is called Star Wars: Hyperspace Mountain and is unique in its inversions, sidewinder, corkscrew and a tongue…oh and you launch from a cannon to to 44 mph in 1.8 seconds. Making THIS Space Mountain the scariest one of all.
Scary Rides at Disney: Drop Zones
Guardians of the Galaxy in the Avengers Campus at Disneyland is a bit more fun loving, if you can call it that, than the other Tower of Terrors. It is filled with images from the movies and gives a big budget feel.
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror can be found in Hollywood Studios at WDW, Tokyo DisneySea and Disneyland Paris. These three parks lead with creepy. When you enter the line it immediately begins to feel like you are in an abandoned hotel, where Jack Nicholson might pop out with an axe. The cast members do an amazing job of acting as stalker like and creeptastic to add to the illusion.
Once you are on the ride, at Guardians or Tower of Terror, your stomach will drop just the same as you are bounced up and down without knowing when it’s coming. Truly a surprisingly, thrilling and scary ride.
Scary Rides at Disney: Haunted Mansions
The Haunted Mansion opened at Disneyland in Anaheim, California, in 1969. Disney World and Disneyland Tokyo were later built. Phantom Manor is the name of the Haunted Mansion ride at Disneyland Paris, while Mystic Manor is the name given to it in Hong Kong. While waiting in line, you’ll hear voices, paintings will move before your eyes, and a murder will be witnessed; it immerses you from start to end. You may sit inside an omni-wheeled “Doom Buggy” as it travels through the mansion while witnessing ghosts, ghouls, and goblins all around you.
Shanghai Disneyland is the only park without a Haunted Mansion type ride. Many speculate that this is because Chinese culture holds great reverence for ancestor spirits, and they believe in ghosts wholeheartedly.
Scary Rides at Disney: Creepy and Crawly
Mr. Toads Wild Ride in Disneyland is another dark ride that mimics the Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad. There are jolting movements and loud noises. You can expect to see a dragon, a demon, devils and after all that – the ride ends in Hell. Yikes.
Pinocchio’s Daring Journey is a dark ride found at Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, and Tokyo Disneyland. This ride is full of excitement and adventure. You will start by following Pinocchio as he is imprisoned by the evil puppeteer Strombolli. As you journey through the ride, you will visit a carnival with scary clowns and a joker. You will also see your friends turn into donkeys. Clowns are sure to give you a scare!
The Pirates of the Caribbean ride has been a favorite at Disneyland for decades. It’s 16 minutes long and can be found in 5 of the 6 Disney parks across the world. The Shanghai Disneyland Park is the only park that does not have a rethemed version of the ride. A new version of the show, inspired by audience opinion on
This ride takes you on the trip of a lifetime with Captain Jack Sparrow. It has disembodied voices, pirates shooting guns, loud noises and fighting. While not your typical scary ride, elements of it can surprise you.
Scary Rides at Disney: Feeling in Flight
Soarin’ in Epcot at Disney World and Disneyland; Soarin’ Over the Horizon in Shanghai Disney; Soarin’ Fantastic Flight in Tokyo Disneyland, can be extremely uncomfortable for those who are scared of heights or feeling like they have no control of where they are. While the content itself isn’t scary, it is beautiful to watch and be immersed in, if you struggle with heights, you should probably skip this ride.
Avatar Flight of passage in Animal Kingdom at Disney World is even more technologically advanced than Soarin’. You will feel like you are completely in flight and might feel disoriented when you get off the ride. If you have motion sickness, you may want to pass.
The Nerds Tips for Scary rides at Disney
1. If you know your fear, whether it’s darkness, jump scares, heights, water, high drops, you can make the choice to skip the ride. Be sure to research before you go so you are aware of the rides you might want to put at the end of your list or on the “I feel brave today” list.
2. Everyone is different, don’t pressure friends or family to ride something they are uncomfortable with.
3. Watch on YouTube if you are nervous about a specific ride.
4. You can also familiarize yourself with the characters and stories of the rides before you go. This might be helpful with younger children.
Overall, Disney is a happy place, filled with magic and surprises and gorgeous scenery. Yes, there are some scary rides at Disney and things to look out for, but isn’t that life? We Nerds love to be joyful and be scared so Disney is the perfect place for us.
What ride is the scariest for you in Disney?
