Planning a visit to Walt Disney World near Orlando, Florida? There are so many incredible thrill rides and attractions to experience at this vast resort. However, are you looking for a definitive guide for the only the attractions that invert you upside down? Our Walt Disney World Upside Down Ride Guide gives you the information you need as you’re planning your trip to Orlando.
Orlando, Florida is the theme park capital of the world. From all of the 25,000-plus acres of Walt Disney World, to the themed high speed runs through the galaxy in Epcot and the Magic Kingdom, there are incredible thrill rides, roller coasters, and immersive experiences that will turn you upside down and back and forth like no other attractions on the planet.
For thrill seekers, we have the information on inverted and high-speed – including family-friendly – attractions at Walt Disney World that will help you determine which attractions are best for you on your next visit to the Vacation Kingdom!
Walt Disney World Basics
What to See and Do: There are four themed, gated parks: Magic Kingdom; Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. In addition to the water parks, there are two water parks: Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon.
If you’re looking for places to stay, dine, and shop, Walt Disney World has you covered. There are more than 25 Disney owned and operated resorts and hotels on property. If shopping is on your itinerary, then check out the Disney Springs shopping district boasting stores, restaurants, movie theaters, and nighttime activities for everyone in your group.
If you plan to arrive at Disney World in you RV, then you definitely want to check out Disney’s own campground, Fort Wilderness. Though close to the Magic Kingdom, it feels far away tucked into the woods of Central Florida.
Helpful Tip: Download the Walt Disney World Resort app to find up to date wait times on all of the rides you’re interested in.
Security: Every Guest will be required to go through a security checkpoint to enter the theme parks or water parks. The security checkpoints vary by location, but they will be situated prior to the main ticket booths and entry gates to the parks.
Best Time To Visit Walt Disney World
The time of year, season weather conditions, and federal and school holidays factor into when is the best time to visit Walt Disney World.
Weather
The best time to visit and the best weather is going to be from November to March. This is when temperatures in Orlando are mild, generally around 70-80 degrees. Rain is not as common during this time frame. Humidity levels are lower, making the ambient air temperature feel cooler than normal in Central Florida.
There have been days and weeks with unseasonably cold winter weather, as temperatures dip towards freezing overnight. Intense thunderstorms and tornado warnings are becoming more prevalent. Summers in Central Florida bring about 90+ degree temperature and high humidity. In recent years, summer temperatures have been reaching a sustained 100+ degrees for several days and weeks.
Still, the weather is going to be much better in the winter and early Spring, compared to any other time of the year in Orlando.
June through November is hurricane season in the Southeast. Hurricanes can form, along with tropical storms and pretty bad thunderstorms.
See Walt Disney World’s Rain Policy for more information on how weather can impact your visit.
When are Peak Crowds / Peak Seasons at Walt Disney World?
Central Florida and more specifically Orlando is a year-round vacation destination for Americans and for visitors from around the world. When school is on a break, that is when you will find the most visitors to Orlando.
New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, Spring Break, Easter, July 4th, Summer, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and any official holiday (even Labor Day) are going to be peak times in the theme parks. Anticipate heavy crowds and potential early park closures (due to park capacity restrictions) on the actual major U.S. holidays including one week before and one week after the holiday.
Magic Kingdom
Walt Disney World’s original theme park, the Magic Kingdom, is located at the northern most portion of the Walt Disney World Resort. The park is situated on the Disney-created Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake.
For years, the Magic Kingdom has been the most popular theme park in the world boasting on average over 20-million Guest each year. To put that into perspective, that is more Guests visiting this one theme park than all of the annual guests visiting all of Universal Orlando Resorts theme parks and water parks combined.
The Magic Kingdom, and the surrounding themed resorts and hotels, comprise the entire Magic Kingdom Resort area of Walt Disney World. The resorts include, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, the Fort Wilderness Campground, the Polynesian themed resort, and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. All are easily accessible to the Magic Kingdom via Disney’s Monorail system, ferry boats and water taxis, or via walking paths that connect the Polynesian Village and Grand Floridian resorts to the Magic Kingdom.
Additional WDW bus and monorail transportation connect guests to all other major destinations across the 25,000 acres comprising Disney World including the three other theme parks, water parks, resorts, and Disney Springs.
Epcot
The second theme park at Walt Disney World is Epcot (originally named EPCOT Center). This park features various theme lands – or Worlds – with a focus towards Discovering new cultures in World Showcase, new innovations, science and technology in World Discovery, immersing into the planet in World Nature, and connect with your global community in World Celebration.
You can easily access Epcot from Interstate 4 or other Walt Disney World locations in your personal vehicle. Or you can hop in-between Epcot and the Magic Kingdom via the Walt Disney World Monorail system, Walt Disney World Bus Transportation. In between Disney’s Hollywood Studios Guests can visit both parks either via the Disney Skyliner, WDW Bus system, or the ferry boats.
Note, the water taxis or ferry boats and the Disney Skyliner connect to the rear of Epcot in World Showcase between France and the UK pavilions. The WDW Bus transportation and Monorail System will take Guests to the front of Epcot.
Epcot Themed Lands
Currently, Epcot is re-imagining and updating the parks focus and themed areas. Now, there are four distinct themed ‘lands’ or Worlds as the Disney Imagineers have designated to the park. Epcot is big, nearly twice as big as the Magic Kingdom with the park’s main guiding theme being ‘Discovery’.
Pro Tip: Throughout several days in the year, World Showcase – at the rear of the park – does not open first thing in the morning. Often, World Showcase opens later in the morning – often after 10 AM. Confirm World Showcase’s opening hours prior to your visit and plan your day in the park accordingly.
The current lands and themed areas at Epcot are new due to this park’s current re-imagining. Previously, the park only had two areas, Future World and World Showcase. Today, the new lands include:
- World Discovery
- World Celebration
- World Nature
- World Showcase
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
The third theme park at Walt Disney World, is Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This park has been transformed over the past few years. Originally, it opened as a theme park that put its Guests into the heart of movie and television production. Giving them backstage access to how movies, both new and from old Hollywood, are made.
Today, the park has been re-imagined into immersing visitors into the magic of some of your favorite movies to come out of Hollywood, rather than how they are made. Guests are transported to old the streets of old Hollywood, during the Golden Era of movie making, they can visit Andy’s backyard in Toy Story Land, and they are whisked away to galaxy’s far, far away into the world of Star Wars to the planet Batuu.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios Themed Lands
There are specific lands inside the theme park. However, they are not as clearly defined as the themed lands are in Walt Disney World. So if you’re not sure where you are, you are probably not alone! The lands include:
- Hollywood Boulevard
- Sunset Boulevard
- Echo Lake
- Commissary Lane
- Grand Avenue
- Animation Courtyard
- Pixar Place
- Toy Stor Land
- Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
The fourth theme park at Walt Disney World is Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Opened on Earth Day in 1998, the Animal Kingdom is Walt Disney World’s largest theme park by area celebrating the magic of nature and the world through real and fantastical lands and cultures.
Some of the most popular attractions at the Animal Kingdom are Expedition Everest, Avatar Flight of Passage, the DINOSAUR attraction, and the Festival of the Lion King show.
The Animal Kingdom has truly become a full-day theme park with attractions and shows for everyone in your group or family. And a nighttime show that is truly one of a kind and befitting specifically to the world of nature.
Animal Kingdom Themed Lands
Disney’s Animal Kingdom has six unique lands that transport visitors to incredible world’s of nature, both real – like the African Savana – or mythical when you experience your journey to Pandora in the world of Avatar.
- Oasis
- Discovery Island
- Pandora – World of Avatar
- DinoLand U.S.A.
- Africa
- Asia
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does Slinky Dog Dash at Disney’s Hollywood Studios go upside down?
A: No, Slinky Dog Dash does not go upside down. While it offers a fun and fast ride through Andy’s backyard, it does not have any inversions.
Q: What are the height requirements for Slinky Dog Dash?
A: The minimum height requirement for Slinky Dog Dash is 38 inches, making it a family-friendly roller coaster suitable for kids, tweens, teens, and adults.
Q: What other attractions at Walt Disney World invert you upside down?
A: If you’re looking for attractions that go upside down, you can head to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and experience Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith. This thrilling roller coaster features inversions and high-speed turns.
Q: Are there any inverted attractions in Epcot or Disney’s Animal Kingdom?
A: No, Epcot and Disney’s Animal Kingdom do not have any attractions that invert you upside down. These parks offer a different kind of immersive experience focused on culture, innovation, and nature.
Q: How can I check wait times for rides at Walt Disney World?
A: You can download the Walt Disney World Resort app, which provides up-to-date wait times for all rides and attractions. This can help you plan your day and make the most of your visit.
Conclusion
While there are many thrilling attractions at Walt Disney World, including those that go upside down, Slinky Dog Dash at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is not one of them. However, it offers a fun and exciting experience for the whole family. Whether you’re exploring the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, or Disney’s Animal Kingdom, there are plenty of rides and attractions to enjoy. Remember to check the height requirements and plan your visit accordingly. Have a magical time at Walt Disney World!