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Water Rides at Disney World – The Ultimate Guide 2023

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Wanting to know more about the water rides at Disney World? There’s nothing like a water ride to cool you off on a hot summer’s day and there are certainly plenty of great rides to choose from.

Here, we’re looking at all the water rides at the Walt Disney World theme parks and telling you all you need to know about them, including height requirement, thrill factor, and how wet you’ll get on each attraction.

Magic Kingdom Water Rides

A lot of the most popular water rides are here at Disney’s Magic Kingdom.

They range from the “you are potentially going to get absolutely soaked” to the “you aren’t going to get a drop of water on you!”

Water Rides at Disney World Splash Mountain

disneyworldsplashmountain
Disney World Splash Mountain

Board a log flume and take a journey with Brer Rabbit to The Laughin’ Place which ends in a climactic five-story plunge into the Briar Patch.

Disney announced way back in 2020 that the theme of the ride will be changed.

Long the subject of controversy, fortunately, this has now been addressed. The new theme will be centered around the Princess and the Frog and will feature Princess Tiana.

When people think “Disney World water ride,” this is probably the first that comes up first in their minds. It’s a Disney classic with catchy songs and thrilling drops.

Splash Mountain is now closed for the new theme makeover. There is no official date for when Splash Mountain will reopen, but it is generally thought to be some time late 2024. This is perhaps a little ambitious for such a huge undertaking. We will have to see whether 2024 will see the reopening of Splash Mountain, or whether the timetable will be pushed to 2025.

What You Should Know About Splash Mountain

Splash Mountain is located in Frontierland right next to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

There are a total of four drops. Two are pretty tame, while one is in the dark, and the last is 5 stories tall.

If you don’t want to get wet, request the back row.

There’s a chance you’ll get a little wet, but it’s really not too bad. In the front two rows, however, it’s likely you’ll get soaked.

The height requirement is 40 in. To ride this attraction, you have to transfer from a wheelchair/electric scooter.

These aspects of Splash Mountain are unlikely to change with the transformation to the Princess and the Frog theme. These are all structural things which most likely won’t be changed in any way by the new theme.

It’s A Small World

It’s A Small World

Even if you’ve never been to a Disney park you’ve probably heard of this ride, along with the incredibly catchy “It’s A Small World” theme song.

On this ride, you go on a slow, gentle boat ride around the globe, where dolls, each of which represents a different country, sing their anthem of peace.

You have to experience It’s a Small World at least once as it is classic Disney.

What You Should Know

It’s A Small World is located in Fantasyland right opposite Peter Pan’s Flight.

Anyone of any age can enjoy this. Again, it’s a gentle boat ride with no drops.

Besides a few drops of water, you won’t get wet on this water ride.

There is no height requirement.

Jungle Cruise – Water Rides at Disney World

Jungle Cruise - Magic Kingdom - Walt Disney World

Take a tour on a riverboat through the jungles of Africa, Asia, and South America and see all kinds of wildlife such as elephants, giraffes, and zebras.

Something I like about this attraction is you get a slightly different experience each time you ride it as each tour guide makes up their own jokes on the tour.

What You Need To Know

Jungle Cruise is located in Adventureland, near the Magic Carpets of Aladdin and the Enchanted Tiki Room.

This ride is for all ages. It’s just a slow boat ride. You might get a couple of drops of water on you, but you don’t get wet on this attraction.

No height requirement. You can remain in your wheelchair/electric scooter – no need to transfer.

Pirates Of The Caribbean

The Auction Scene

Journey to 17th century Caribbean when Pirates ruled the seas. Explore haunted caves, sail through an explosive battle between a fort and a pirate ship, then make your way through a town being pillaged by pirates.

Not only is this one of the best water attractions at Disney World, but it’s also one of the best theme park attractions in the world!

It completely immerses you into a different world with its detailed set design, jaw-dropping effects, and state-of-the-art animatronics.

What You Need To Know

Pirates Of The Caribbean is located in Adventureland next to the Enchanted Tiki Room and Jungle Cruise.

Anyone of any age can enjoy this attraction. There is one small drop at the beginning, but it’s nothing too intense.

You may get a little wet if you’re sitting in the front. It’s nothing too bad though, and if you don’t want to get wet at all, request the back.

There’s no height requirement. Must transfer to a wheelchair for this ride.

Epcot Water Rides at Disney World

There are three water rides in Epcot. Don’t worry, You aren’t going to need a Disney rain poncho for any of these – the chances of getting wet are slight!

Frozen Ever After

Disney World: Epcot - Norway Pavilion - Frozen ever after

Travel to Elsa’s ice palace on a gentle boat through the Kingdom of Arendelle where you’ll see all your favorite characters from Frozen, such as Anna, Sven, and Olaf.

Disney really outdid itself with Frozen Ever After – this attraction is amazing. The story is a little weak, but all the animatronics and effects are outstanding.

My jaw dropped when I saw the Olaf animatronic for the first time.

If you’re a fan of Frozen, this is definitely a must-do when you go to Walt Disney World.

What You Need To Know About Frozen Ever After

Frozen Ever After is located in the back of the Norway Pavillion.

If you want to ride this attraction, make sure you visit the park early as the wait times can get pretty crazy. Or use Lightning Lane and Genie+.

People of all ages can enjoy this ride. There are two small drops, one of which goes backward.

If you’ve been on Pirates Of The Caribbean, you can handle this one.

You may get a teensy bit wet. The worst you might get though is some slightly soggy clothes – it’s nothing bad.

No height requirement. You have to transfer from a wheelchair/electric scooter to ride this attraction.

Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros

Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros

The Three Caballeros are about to perform live on stage, but Donald Duck has gone missing. Now it’s up to the other two Caballeros, Panchito and José to find him.

On goes a slow, gentle boat ride that takes you to some famous landmarks and cities in Mexico as you try to find Donald Duck before the show.

What You Need To Know

Gran Fiesta Tour is located in the Mexico pavilion inside the Mesoamerican pyramid.

This is another ride that people of all ages can enjoy. There are no drops and there’s little to no chance you’ll get wet.

No height requirement. For this attraction, you must transfer to a wheelchair.

Related Article: Epcot Mexico Restaurants – Which is the Best?

Living With The Land

Epcot Living With The Land

A peaceful boat ride through Epcot’s greenhouses where you’ll see all kinds of fruits and vegetables from around the world.

You’ll also see dioramas of different landscapes, such as deserts and swamp lands.

Trust me, it is a lot more exciting than it sounds. This ride is very relaxing and it’s interesting finding out how they raise these plants, many of which are used in the Epcot Restaurants.

What You Need To Know

Living With The Land is located in the Land pavilion, very close to Soarin’ Around The World.

Anyone of any age can enjoy this (though children might find it a little boring). There are no drops and you will not get wet.

No height requirement. For this attraction, you must transfer to a wheelchair.

Water Rides at Disney World Animal Kingdom

Animal Kingdom has just two water rides, but they are both definitely worth experiencing.

Kali River Rapids

Kali River Rapids {Explored 3/15/16}

Splash your way through the jungles of Asia on this adrenaline-filled white water raft thrill ride.

The fun of this ride is you don’t know who’s going to get wet next! One minute, you think it’s the rider opposite you, then all of a sudden a huge gush comes out of nowhere and soaks you through and through.

Kali River Rapids is a perfect ride if you’re looking to cool yourself off in the Florida heat.

What You Need To Know

Kali River Rapids is in the Asia section of the park between Expedition Everest and the Maharajah Jungle Trek.

This ride includes a twenty-foot drop. I can almost guarantee you WILL get wet, no matter where you sit. It’s likely you’ll get soaked. Unfortunately, there’s no way of knowing which seat gets you soaked. You just have to hope you’ll get lucky.

The height requirement is 38 inches. You have to transfer from a wheelchair/scooter to ride this attraction.

Na’vi River Journey

A slow-moving boat ride that takes you through the mystical world of Pandora. Stare in awe at the beautiful bioluminescent rainforest glowing in under the night sky, then behold the Na’vi Shaman of Songs, one of the greatest Disney has created to date.

pandoraat animalkingdom

The Na’vi River Journey line is usually ridiculously long, but trust me it’s worth the wait. The set design is so amazing, and the animatronics are jaw-dropping.

Related Article Disney’s Animal Kingdom Height Requirements

What You Need To Know

Na’vi River Journey is located in Pandora – The World Of Avatar, close to Flight Of Passage.

This is another family-friendly attraction that everyone can enjoy. There are no drops and you won’t get wet.

There is no height requirement. To ride this attraction, you have to transfer from a wheelchair/scooter.

Which one is your favorite of the water rides at Disney World?