I took a quick trip to Walt Disney World with my two sisters and our mom — a family getaway we’d been planning for nearly a year. Our last visit was almost ten years ago, so it felt long overdue. We picked dates when the kids were taken care of and made the drive from North Carolina to Florida for a compact, four-day escape full of shopping, great food, fireworks, and plenty of time in the Disney parks.
On Monday we bought park hopper tickets and went all in. We arrived at the Magic Kingdom before rope drop and were lucky enough to catch the opening show. As someone who grew up in Florida and spent many days at the parks, I didn’t realize the opening performance existed until adulthood. Now I try to see it whenever I can — a fun countdown that sets the tone for the day.
I’ll share more about other parts of our visit in separate posts, but today I want to highlight one of my favorite—and sometimes overlooked—rides: Astro Orbiter.
Why I love Astro Orbiter
Perched high above Tomorrowland, Astro Orbiter always felt to me like “Dumbo on top of a building.” After riding it again, I’d describe it more accurately as “Dumbo on a turbo boost.” The ride is quicker than it appears and the centrifugal motion gives a surprising lift that really makes you feel like you’re soaring.
My sister Amy joined me based on that earlier description. She was a bit nervous about the height and the subtle movement of the platform, but as we watched the rockets glide, it seemed manageable and we decided to board. I planned to take park photos from that elevated perspective, so I buckled in and started snapping pictures as soon as we lifted off.
The higher we climbed the more the rockets tilted, and the faster we went the more I realized how much this ride packs into a short time. My sister’s laughter from the seat behind me made the moment even better. I flipped the camera for a quick selfie—just a joyful, candid shot of us mid-flight.
Astro Orbiter exceeded my memories. It’s a thrilling, breezy little adventure with one of the best vantage points in the park. Definitely one of the highlights of our day.
From up there you can see Tomorrowland and Cinderella Castle from a fresh angle — a view that makes the ride worth the wait. Astro Orbiter doesn’t use the FastPass or Lightning Lane systems, and waits often start around 20 minutes because you ride elevators up to the launch platform.
As we spun above the park I remembered why this attraction was a favorite when I was growing up. I’m glad we made time for it on this trip.
What is your favorite Walt Disney World ride?
Everyone has a different memory or go-to attraction at Disney. For me, Astro Orbiter blends nostalgia with a lively surprise, and it reminded me why I love returning to the parks. What ride brings back your favorite Disney memories?