An Upgraded Points study, conducted in March 2021 across U.S. residents of various ages (18 and older) and genders, determined which Disney World rides were most popular. The survey participants were asked to name their favorite ride overall from Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom, as well as their favorite ride in each specific park.
Overall, the favorite was the Magic Kingdom when participants were asked to rate their most favorite Walt Disney World ride regardless of park location. Of the Top 10 most popular rides overall, all but one was located in the Magic Kingdom.
The Top 5 rides overall were:
- Space Mountain
- Haunted Mansion
- Big Thunder Mountain
- It’s a Small World
- Pirates of the Caribbean
At Magic Kingdom, classic rides dominate. The only ride in the Magic Kingdom-specific Top 10 built in the last 30 years was Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, opened in 1998. Space Mountain and Haunted Mansion ranked No. 1 and 2, respectively.
The Top 5 most popular rides at EPCOT placed Mission: SPACE at No. 1, by almost double that of the runner up.
The Top 5 rides at EPCOT:
- Mission: SPACE
- Spaceship Earth
- Soarin’
- Test Track
- Frozen Ever After
At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, thrill rides led the pack:
- Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster
- Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
- Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run
- Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
Lastly, the top 5 rides at Animal Kingdom ranked as:
- Avatar Flight of Passage
- Expedition Everest
- DINOSAUR
- Kilimanjaro Safaris
- Kali River Rapids
For the full survey detail
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