5 Scariest Rides at EPCOT for Thrill Seekers (2025)

Knowing the scariest rides at EPCOT can help you prepare for your day at the park, whether you want to experience the rides or avoid them!

When people think of EPCOT at Walt Disney World, the first things that come to mind are futuristic innovations, world cultures, and relaxing boat rides. But hiding among the peaceful pavilions and space-age showcases are a few adrenaline-pumping attractions that can surprise even seasoned theme park fans.

Whether it’s G-forces that rival astronaut training, or free-falling visuals through outer space, EPCOT packs more thrill than most people expect.

Scariest Rides at EPCOT

1. Mission: SPACE (Orange Mission)

Mission: SPACE (Orange) is arguably the scariest ride at EPCOT, and one of the most intense across all Disney parks; often referred to as one of the scariest rides at Disney World. Riders are recruited for a simulated mission to Mars inside a small cockpit capsule with 4 individual seats, each with its own joystick, screen, and console.

The ride uses a centrifuge to simulate the extreme G-forces astronauts feel during launch. As the ride spins, guests experience up to 2.5 Gs, pressing them back into their seats. This sensation alone is what makes this ride infamous—even having caused numerous motion sickness incidents. In fact, barf bags are provided in the capsule just in case.

The experience includes a bumpy Mars landing, dodging asteroids, and a “manual” flight component where each rider is assigned a role (pilot, navigator, etc.), adding to the stress and pressure of the mission.

• Type: Motion simulator (centrifuge-based)
• Height Requirement: 44 inches (112 cm)
• Location: World Discovery
• Thrill Rating: 9/10
• Scary Elements: Intense G-forces, confined spaces, motion sickness potential

Who should avoid it?

Those prone to motion sickness, claustrophobia, or anxiety. There is a Green Mission version with no spinning, designed as a milder alternative.

Scariest aspects:

• Claustrophobia-inducing small capsule
• Intense G-force and spinning
• Motion sickness and disorientation
• Simulated crisis scenarios mid-mission

2. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind

Cosmic Rewind is the newest thrill ride at EPCOT, and it brings coaster-level intensity to the park. Unlike traditional coasters, this is a fully indoor ride that combines a reverse launch, controlled spinning cars, and a dark space setting with massive screens and music.

Riders are seated in two-by-two cars that rotate to face show scenes, making this a “story coaster”. At moments, the ride vehicle spins to direct your view, but this also leads to sudden disorientation, particularly in darker segments.

There are no upside-down inversions, but the speed and motion are significant. It also features a launch sequence backward, which takes guests by surprise and disorients even experienced coaster fans.

• Type: Enclosed roller coaster (story coaster with reverse launch)
• Height Requirement: 42 inches (107 cm)
• Location: World Discovery
• Thrill Rating: 8.5/10
• Scary Elements: Fast launch, spinning cars, sudden drops, pitch-black sequences

Who should avoid it?

Guests with motion sensitivity, vertigo, or those uncomfortable with darkness and disorienting movement. It’s one of Disney’s most intense coasters, disguised behind fun music and Marvel storytelling.

Scariest aspects:

• Reverse launch into darkness
• Swooping turns with synchronized spinning
• Sudden changes in motion
• Loud soundtrack and space visuals add to sensory overload

3. Test Track

Test Track is a thrill ride themed around automotive design and is often referred to as one of the scariest rides at Epcot. This is where riders simulate vehicle testing including brake performance, maneuverability, handling, and high-speed acceleration.

The ride begins with a series of indoor tests where the car simulates slick roads, tight turns, and braking under pressure. But the real adrenaline hits in the final portion when the vehicle bursts outside onto a curved track and hits speeds of up to 65 mph (104 km/h); the fastest ride in all of Disney World.

Although there are no loops or steep drops, the sheer speed and wide outdoor turn can be terrifying for some, especially at night.

• Type: Slot-car-style high-speed ride
• Height Requirement: 40 inches (102 cm)
• Location: World Discovery
• Thrill Rating: 7.5/10
• Scary Elements: High speeds, sharp turns, sudden braking, exposed outdoor finale

Who should avoid it?

Those afraid of high-speed vehicles, sudden turns, or outdoor exposure. Riders sit in a seat-belted car and can feel like they’re in a real vehicle test—because they kind of are!

Scariest aspects:

• Sudden stops and skidding
• Simulated collision effects
• Open-air high-speed finale
• Loud engine noises and acceleration

4. Soarin’ Around the World

While not as intense as the others, Soarin’ earns a place on this list for people with a fear of heights or flying. The ride simulates hang-gliding across global landmarks using a gigantic curved screen, suspended seats, and gentle motion to create the illusion of flying.

Guests are lifted high into the air in rows of seats with feet dangling, and then gently moved in sync with the sweeping visuals. Though the motion is smooth, the sensation of soaring over cliffs, waterfalls, and mountains can be nerve-wracking for some.

Certain segments, like diving off the Taj Mahal or swooping past elephants in Africa, feel like you’re plummeting.

• Type: Suspended motion simulator
• Height Requirement: 40 inches (102 cm)
• Location: World Nature (The Land Pavilion)
• Thrill Rating: 6/10
• Scary Elements: Heights, dangling feet, realistic flight sensation, virtual dips

Who should avoid it?
Those with acrophobia (fear of heights), or who get motion-sick from screen-based simulators. However, many find it soothing rather than scary.

Scariest aspects:

• Suspended seating and dangling feet
• Heights and realistic flying sensation
• Sudden dips and near-miss visuals
• Fear of falling from high elevation

5. Spaceship Earth (for the unexpected)

Though not traditionally considered one of the scariest rides at Epcot, Spaceship Earth can feel creepy for younger guests or those sensitive to darkness.

As riders slowly ascend through the giant EPCOT globe, they pass through history—from ancient Egypt to the Renaissance—through dimly lit scenes with animatronics.

What makes it unnerving is the low lighting, deep narration, and long, quiet descent backward in near-total darkness.

• Type: Omnimover dark ride
• Height Requirement: None
• Location: World Celebration (Inside the EPCOT ball)
• Thrill Rating: 2/10 (but eerie elements)
• Scary Elements: Darkness, eerie atmosphere, slow-moving scenes

Who should avoid it?
It’s generally safe for all, but some may find the atmosphere and darkness unsettling, especially small children.

Scariest aspects:

• Long stretches of darkness
• Echoey soundscape and dramatic lighting
• Eerie animatronic movements
• Slightly claustrophobic seating

Summary: EPCOT’s Scariest Rides by Category

Ride	Ride Type	Height Requirement	Location	Thrill Rating	Best for…
Mission: SPACE (Orange)	Centrifuge motion simulator	44 inches	World Discovery	9/10	Thrill-seekers, space fans
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind	Enclosed coaster (spinning)	42 inches	World Discovery	8.5/10	Roller coaster lovers, Marvel fans
Test Track	High-speed vehicle simulator	40 inches	World Discovery	7.5/10	Car lovers, speed fans
Soarin’ Around the World	Motion flight simulator	40 inches	World Nature	6/10	Scenic fans, mild thrill-seekers
Spaceship Earth	Dark Omnimover ride	None	World Celebration	2/10	History lovers, calm riders
Journey Into Imagination	Dark ride with effects	None	World Celebration	3/10	Kids, Figment fans, sensory play

If you’re looking for pure physical intensity, Mission: SPACE (Orange) wins hands down. It’s the only ride at EPCOT that includes real G-forces, and Disney even warns guests aggressively before boarding.

If you’re after a modern thrill, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind is equally powerful—especially with its synchronization of coaster movement and storytelling, which can be both exhilarating and overwhelming.

But fear is subjective. For many, Soarin’ might feel terrifying because of the perceived height. For others, Test Trackfeels real enough to trigger a fear of high speeds or car crashes.

EPCOT Scary Ride Tips

• Motion sickness prone? Stick to Green Mission for Mission: SPACE, or avoid Cosmic Rewind.
• Traveling with kids? We often question what is the best age for Disney World? No matter how old your child is, make sure to check height limits and start with Soarin’ or Test Track before moving up to the more intense rides.
• Scared of the dark? Avoid Spaceship Earth and Journey Into Imagination at night.
• Need a break? EPCOT has lots of relaxing rides and shows (The Seas with Nemo, Living with the Land, American Adventure).