Here’s one of our favorite Disney World tips: You can request to ride in a specific row on Disney World’s rides. Think all ride seats were created equal? Think again. Picking the right place to sit at Disney World can make a great ride even better, so this guide lets you know exactly which row to request. You can also choose a more intense or less intense experience depending on where you sit on each ride.
From the mountains of the Magic Kingdom to the thrill rides of Sunset Boulevard, here are the best places to sit on Disney World’s best rides.
Be sure to read to the end to find out a really simple tip in order to get these coveted seats.
Update 05-04-2023: We just made a brand new video version of this article for your viewing pleasure. We’ve also updated our list with tips for where to sit on Tron Lightcycle Run at Magic Kingdom and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind at EPCOT. Splash Mountain is also now closed, so we’ve updated this guide to reflect that.
Video – Where to Sit on Disney World’s Best Rides
Be sure to subscribe to the Guide2WDW YouTube Channel for more Disney World tips, tricks, and advice.
Best Seats for Magic Kingdom Rides
Tron Lightcycle Run: Where should you sit on Tron Lightcycle Run? Guide2WDW recommends the back row. While Tron is Disney World’s fastest roller coaster, the back row provides an even more intense experience due to the movement dynamics of the rollercoaster. You will whip through the dips and turns at a higher speed compared to the front row. However, the front row provides an amazing unobstructed view, which adds in its own element of mental thrill. You can read more about the best seats on Tron Lightcycle Run here.
Seven Dwarfs Mine Train: There are two good options for the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. The front row feels the slowest, but gives the best views of Fantasyland. Also, the timing of the dark ride mine scene seems to work best for the front row, and front row riders get the most time to look at the surprise cameo at the end of the ride. The back row feels the fastest, so Seven Dwarfs Mine Train’s mild thrills get kicked up a notch. Either of these rows are the best way to ride Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.
Space Mountain: I haven’t noticed much difference of ride intensity from the back seat to the front seat, but there is a big difference in immersion. Since there are no people sitting directly in front of you, the front most seat is the darkest, most surprising ride.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad: Want the wildest ride in the wilderness? Sit in the back row. It is considerably faster on the drops than the front row, making it a much more intense experience. For a bonus sense of speed, ride it at night. Through a completely scientific process, I’ve determined that Big Thunder goes faster at night (aka I’ve ridden it a bunch and it feels faster and scarier in the dark to me, even if the speed is probably the same. #science).
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure (Opening in 2024): Splash Mountain has closed, but the ride system will remain the same for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure when it opens in 2024. So our recommendation remains the same for the Princess and the Frog log flume ride. In terms of ride intensity, pretty much every spot in the log feels the same. However, dryness is another story. If you want to stay as dry as possible on Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, sit in the back left of the log. The front of the log will absorb most of the water from the big splash down, and you’ll avoid the extra water from the waterfalls and water effects that tend to hit the right-hand side of the vehicle. Want the best view of the drop? Sit in the front row.
Best Seats for Epcot Rides
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind: For the most intense experience on EPCOT’s Marvel roller coaster, request the back row – rows 9 or 10. Many people love row 9 because there are no guests directly in front of you in your car, which gives you a slightly better view of the visuals as you zoom by.
For a tamer sensation, request the front car, rows 1 and 2. If you’re worried about motion sickness on Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, request the middle car, rows 5 or 6, and try to sit on the left side of the vehicle. We also found that rows 2 or 3 tend to be good for motion sickness.
Soarin: Be sure to sit in the middle section on the top row – Gate B, Row 1. If you’re on the top row, you’ll avoid seeing other people’s feet dangling in front of you as you glide over the world. Also, the giant Soarin’ screen curves at the edges, so the middle section will get the least amount of distortion.
I’ve also gotten a lot of feedback from Disney World guests who like Gate B, Row 2, as they consider the dangling feet to be part of the experience. This is also the middle row of the middle section, so you’ll be closest to the center of the screen.
Best Seats for Hollywood Studios Rides
Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run: Each seat has a different role (Pilot, Gunner, Engineer), which gives a pretty different experience of flying the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy. In my opinion, pilot is the best experience, as you have the most control over the ride. Engineer is the most frantic, as you have to take your eyes off the screen every now and then to press buttons. Gunner is a good middle ground between the two. If you can, ask for pilot, and be sure to check out our tips for having a successful mission of Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run.
Slinky Dog Dash: Even though this is a family-style coaster, it can pack in some thrills in the right row. As with other launch coasters, the best seats are either the front (best views and launch intensity) or the back row (best overall intensity).
Tower of Terror: The randomized drops feel the same from every part of the elevator. However, I personally love the view I get of the park by sitting in the front row. Those with a fear of heights might feel better sitting in the back (or skipping the ride altogether).
Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster: For me, this ride is all about the front seat. The exhilarating 0-60 mph launch feels the most intense from the front row of the super-stretch limo, and you’ll get the best view of the giant neon sights of the indoor coaster.
Star Tours: Have trouble with motion sickness? Try sitting the closest to the middle of the vehicle as possible, around the middle of row 3. Want a more intense ride? Sit in the first or last row, away from the middle.
Best Seats for Animal Kingdom Rides
Flight of Passage: Even though the ride system is very similar to Soarin, the curved screen effect is much less pronounced on Animal Kingdom’s flagship Avatar ride. Also, there are no dangling feet. So while it’s not as important, if you want the purest ride experience go for seats 7 or 8 on the middle row. Seats 1 and 16 are on the end of each row and will have the most warped view, especially on the top and bottom rows as you’ll be in the corners of the screen.
Expedition Everest: Like Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster, this ride is all about the front seat for me. Thanks to the dual-directional nature of this ride, it provides both the best views (especially at the peak) and the best thrills (especially right after the peak). Wave hi to the yeti as you zip by.
Kilimanjaro Safaris: Nothing beats the window seats on Kilimanjaro Safaris, especially if you’re taking pictures. You’ll have an unobstructed view of the safari by sitting next to the window. As far as which side, it really depends on the day and which animals are out when you get on the ride. Sometimes I’ve had great luck with the right hand side, and sometimes I wish I was sitting on the left.
Tip: How to get these seats
So, now that you know which seats are the best, how do you get them?
Well, it’s as simple as asking.
Look for the cast member loading the ride: that’s usually the Disney employee right before the ride vehicle that asks you how many people are in your party. Politely ask them if you can ride in your requested seat. i.e. If you’re going on Expedition Everest, just ask them for the front row. You may have to wait an extra minute or two (a few of these even have mini-queues for people who have requested the most popular row), but Disney employees will almost always honor your request.
We want to hear from you!
That’s it for the best places to sit on Disney World rides. Let me know in the comments below: Is there another ride that you have a seat preference for at Disney World?
More from Guide2WDW
