Water Rides at Disney World That Can’t Be Missed

A trip to the Walt Disney World in Florida is only complete with some water fun. So these rides are a must, especially during those hot Floridan days. And water rides aren’t limited to the two water parks, as some of the best ones are in the theme parks.

This article is your one-stop guide to finding the best water rides at Disney World that just can’t be missed. I’ll list rides appropriate for both adults and kids.

Best Water Rides at Disney World

If you love water parks, Disney World offers two: Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach. In addition, the theme parks, including Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom, also have several popular water rides. So basically, there’s something for everyone!

I’m listing the top 10 water rides at Disney World that you should include on your bucket list for the most magical place on Earth!

1. Kali River Rapids

Where? Animal Kingdom

Height Restriction? 38 inches or taller

Of course, the most popular ride at Animal Kingdom had to be at the top of the list. With water jets, geysers, and splashdowns, this is the wettest water ride you’ll get on. So make sure to wear a rain poncho or bring a t-shirt to change into later, as you’re bound to get wet. But, since it’s a rapid ride, it really is quick.

Sadly, it’s not for kids, as there’s a height limit. Also, it’s pretty busy, so you may want to get it done early in the morning or get a Lightning Lane pass.

2. Crush ‘n’ Gusher

Where? Typhoon Lagoon

Height Restriction? 48 inches or taller

Crush ‘n’ Gusher is a water roller coaster that differs from your average water slide. This combines the thrill of roller coasters with the messy fun of water. There are three fruit chutes (Pineapple Plunger, Banana Blaster, and Coconut Crusher), of which only one is for single riders. There are a lot of ups and downs as you ride in the tube and end at Hideaway Bay.

It’s a 400 feet long slide, so pretty long. This is a must if you visit Typhoon Lagoon on your Disney World vacation.

3. Na’vi River Journey

Where? Animal Kingdom

Height Restriction? No

Take a dark, mystical ride through the world of Pandora with a bioluminescent forest and strange creatures. This 4.5-minute ride isn’t that adventurous, but one that will leave you in awe, whether you’re an Avatar fan or not.

Again, it’s one of the popular rides at Animal Kingdom, so wait times can be long.

4. Summit Plummet

Where? Blizzard Beach

Height Restriction? 48 inches or taller

Summit Plummet is the answer if you’re after a thrilling, heartbeat-raising, and adrenaline-pumping water ride. It’s a 360 feet-long ride with an impressive 120 feet vertical drop and a dark tunnel. This one isn’t for the faint of heart, so try it if you love extreme water rides.

5. Frozen Ever After

Where? Epcot (Norway Pavillion)

Height Restriction? No

Epcot doesn’t really have any water rides per se, but the Frozen Ever After attraction can be considered one. It’s a dark boat ride that takes you through Elsa’s Ice Palace. Although there’s a little drop towards the end, you won’t get wet. So this is one of the calmer boat rides at Disney World that’s all about taking in the displays.

Of course, this one is great for the kids, so if you’re visiting Epcot with little ones, do try this one. Epcot doesn’t have many kid-friendly rides anyway, so this should be on your radar should you include this park in your plan.

6. Jungle Cruise

Where? Magic Kingdom

Height Restriction? No

Water rides don’t always have to be adventurous. And if your idea of a good water ride is a journey down the river with spectacular views, the Jungle Cruise in Adventureland is for you. It’s an exotic boat ride past displays of elephants, lions, and hippos. You’ll have a lot of fun listening to the humorous banter of Jungle Cruise Skippers.

7. Pirates of the Caribbean

Where? Magic Kingdom

Height Restriction? No

Take a journey through the 17th century and experience the world of Pirates of the Caribbean, listening to pirate songs (Yo Ho!). This 9-minute journey on the boat is one the whole family can enjoy. Of course, you might also see Jack Sparrow!

8. Bay Slides

Where? Typhoon Lagoon

Height Restriction? 60 inches or shorter

The Bay Slides in Typhoon Lagoon offers a safe and fun water slide for toddlers and young kids. These two slides gently curve downhill, with water splashing here and there. It ends at a shallow corner of the Surf Pool that’s safe for the little ones.

Children under 10 have to be accompanied by an adult.

9. Downhill Double Dipper

Where? Blizzard Beach

Height Restriction? 48 inches or taller

The Downhill Double Dipper is a fun water slide you can go on with your friend or family member. It’s a side-by-side slide with dark tunnels and a 50 feet drop that ends with a big splash in the pool. It can also be a fun competing ride to see who reaches the bay first!

Honorary Mentions

There are so many fun-filled water rides at Disney World that it’s hard to select just 10, so I’m going to list a few more. You can try these if you like, especially if you stay long.

• Gangplank Falls: This is a water ride at Typhoon Lagoon, where four people can ride in a tube down a 300 feet long path. It’s perfect for the whole party, as you spin and go from one side to another, splashing in the water.
• It’s a Small World: This is a classic slow boat ride in Magic Kingdom that kids, particularly, will enjoy. The best part is that this ride doesn’t have long wait times.
• Lazy River: There is a Lazy River at each water park that is best for families with kids, especially toddlers. It’s a calm, safe, yet fun ride. The Typhoon Lagoon one is better, with a rainforest landscape in the surrounding.

Conclusion

Disney World has many fun water rides, including at three of its theme parks. The more adventurous water rides are located at water parks, but some of the most popular ones are at Animal Kingdom.

The best water ride is the famous Kali River Rapids. At Typhoon Lagoon, the best ride is Crush n Gusher, and at Blizzard Beach, you must try Summit Planet.

At the water parks, you should wear swimwear because you will get wet. You can wear a rain poncho at the parks during rides that create quite a splash, like Kali River Rapids.