The Top 10 Relaxing Rides at Walt Disney World

While I love most of the attractions at Walt Disney World, I have a great fondness for what we like to call "chill rides." Basically they're the exact opposite of the thrill rides we talked about last week. I will freely admit that I like the rides where I can sit back, relax, and not have to worry about my roller coaster car suddenly speeding backward down a steep incline. Yeah, chill rides.

What is your favorite 'relaxing' ride at Disney?What is your favorite 'relaxing' ride at Disney?

In trying to determine the top 10 "chill rides" I actually started out as a top 5 list which quickly grew to a top 8 list, and finally I said to heck with it and settled on 10 rides. Now we know there are more than 10 great rides and attractions where one can chill out at Disney World. But we're sticking with 10. Let us know your favorites in the comments!

And so, without further ado...sit back, keep your hands and arms inside the ride at all times, and by all means..RELAX!

10. The Gran Fiesta Tour Starring the Three Caballeros: This fun boat ride takes guests on a journey through Mexico as Jose Carioca and Panchito search for their pal Donald Duck. During the boat ride you'll sail past the San Angel Inn and then you're off on an adventure to find Donald. He shows up on in various scenes throughout the ride, including as a pinata during the Festival of the Children scene. One of the best things about this ride is that there is rarely a line and once it's done you can stop by La Cava del Tequila for a grownup beverage.

Enjoy a cruise through Mexico on The Gran Fiesta TourEnjoy a cruise through Mexico on The Gran Fiesta Tour

9. The Great Movie Ride: Sure, your ride vehicle is (spoiler alert!) taken over by either a gangster or a cowboy but for the most part this ride is quite relaxing. Even the updated queue with host Robert Osborne is relaxing! The ride itself takes guests past some classic movie scenes and then there's the exciting vehicle takeover which ends in pyramid scene. While I enjoyed the old script for the ride (less Robert Osborne, more cast member) I still enjoy hunting for Hidden Mickeys on this ride. And the final movie montage is rather awesome.

8. it's a small world: This attraction has always been one of my favorites for as long as I've been visiting the Magic Kingdom (hint: it's been a really, really long time). It's a combination of the boats, the song (which will be stuck in your head all day long), and the Mary Blair dolls that makes this ride so relaxing. Yes, I said the song was relaxing. ;) The older I get the more I actually appreciate the down time this ride provides. My feet thank me too. Oh and unless you're visiting on a top crowd day, don't waste a FastPass+ for this ride. Just stand in the standby queue. It goes quickly.

The song sticks with you for days! The song sticks with you for days!

7. Liberty Square Riverboat: Moment of truth: I never took a boat ride on the Liberty Belle until a few years ago, and now it's one of my favorites and always a must-do at the Magic Kingdom. It's really just a few moments of pure relaxation, standing at the rails watching the world go by. Wave to the guest on dry land (we always get a wave or two back from guests queued up for Haunted Mansion). This is a total chill ride.

6. Hall of Presidents: After your boat ride on the Liberty Belle you can take a short stroll across Liberty Square to the Hall of Presidents. This is another must-do whenever I'm at the Magic Kingdom. The attraction includes a film, We the People, which tells of the bond between presidents and the people. A highlight of the attraction is when President Abraham Lincoln recites the Gettysburg Address. The Audio-Animatronic figures are incredibly lifelike, and as their names are called each president acknowledges his name with a nod of the head or gesture. Sometimes the younger kids take a nap during this attraction but that's not always a bad thing.

Hall of Presidents: More educational than the political primariesHall of Presidents: More educational than the political primaries

5. Carousel of Progress: This is another one of my must-do attractions at the Magic Kingdom. And as an added bonus there is rarely a line. Sure it's a bit outdated and the song will get stuck in your head (until you ride it's a small world) but Carousel of Progress is a great attraction. Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress was created by Walt for the 1964-65 New York World's Fair. And, the song 'There's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow' was writing by the Sherman Brothers so this attraction is dripping with Disney history.

4. Walt Disney World Railroad:
Whether you're boarding a train on Main Street U.S.A., in Fantasyland, or Frontierland a ride on the Walt Disney World Railroad is a must. The train is a great way to get from one area of the Magic Kingdom to another, but I prefer to take the entire 20-minute trip all the way around, especially when it's HOT or when my feet are done. The trains are the Walter E. Disney, Lilly Belle, Roy O. Disney, and the Roger E. Broggie. You can expect a train to arrive in the station every four to 10 minutes, but be warned: if there's a thunderstorm they will make everyone get off the train and wait for it to pass.

All aboard The Walt Disney World Railroad!All aboard The Walt Disney World Railroad!

3. Spaceship Earth: This has always been one of my favorite Epcot attractions. Boarding that Omnimover time machine and traveling back through time to learn the history of communication is a perfect way to chill out at Epcot. Also, I love the smells of Rome and Alexandria burning. My favorite scene? The Renaissance. This ride is also great for finding Hidden Mickeys. And don't forget to thank the Phoenicians.

2. Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover:
Of course the PeopleMover had to be on a list of the top 10 chill rides, right? After all it is one of the most relaxing rides at all of Walt Disney World (except when it breaks down and you have to walk off the attraction. It happens). This relaxing 10-minute tour around Tomorrowland takes you past Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin, Space Mountain (where you can hear the screams of guests on the coaster), and more. You'll also get a glimpse of the early models of Progress city, a predecessor of Epcot. I love riding this at night as you'll get a great view of Cinderella Castle lit up for the evening.

The views from the PeopleMover can't be beat!The views from the PeopleMover can't be beat!

1. Living with the Land: And, my favorite "chill ride" at Walt Disney World is Living with the Land in The Land pavilion in Epcot's Future World. This nearly-15 minute boat ride takes guests on a relaxing, educational, and entertaining journey through three diverse ecosystems and the park's Living Laboratories. (When you dine at the Garden Grill, also in The Land pavilion, the restaurant rotates and you'll catch a glimpse of the ecosystems). My favorite part of this attraction is the tropics greenhouse. It's always fun to see the gardens!

See what's growing in the garden!See what's growing in the gardens!

Of course there are more than just these 10 great "chill rides" at Disney World. Some of our honorable mentions include the Friendship Boats at Epcot, the Monorail (when it isn't busy!), Ellen's Energy Adventure, and the Seas with Nemo and Friends.

We'd love to hear about your favorite relaxing attraction so be sure to leave us a comment.

FutureMrsHurst wrote on Mon, 03/21/2016 - 13:41:

100% the people mover. Got to love this ride. I have to go on it every time it is never crowded and you get to relax for a few minutes.

thomas chechile wrote on Mon, 03/21/2016 - 16:37:

thomas chechile's picture

All of the boat rides from the resorts to the Magic Kingdom. Such as Campgrounds, Grand Floridian, and Polynesian.

rubaru wrote on Mon, 03/21/2016 - 17:30:

rubaru's picture

I think Number 11 would have to be the Enchanted Tiki Room. Sit down for the show and sing along if you like. Also, it's another that is often with little wait.

Susy wrote on Mon, 03/21/2016 - 20:32:

Susy's picture

Impressions de France is a wonderful place to relax and watch the French countryside go by.

Nancy L Gessner wrote on Tue, 03/22/2016 - 00:49:

Nancy L Gessner's picture

Definitely any "ferry" or boat ride to or from resorts. The Epcot resorts have boats to Hollywood Studios and Epcot. The Magic Kingdom resorts have boats to the Magic Kingdom. Old Key West, Saratoga Springs and Port Orleans have boats to Disney Springs. Everyone is relaxing and enjoyable. The ones to Disney Springs are especially scenic. As they travel along the canals you can see many birds and waterfowl as well as golfers, and the Treehouses at Saratoga Springs.

Kristen K. wrote on Tue, 03/22/2016 - 01:31:

Kristen K.'s picture

People mover all the way! Not only is it relaxing, but you get the most beautiful breeze on a hot day.

Funhart56 wrote on Mon, 03/28/2016 - 16:11:

Funhart56's picture

People Mover! Very little wait time, and if no one is in line, we go again without getting off!

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