We’re in Disney World every day of the year, so we’ve come to know the parks very well.
That’s why we’re always sharing the latest Disney World secrets with you, as well as our best tips and tricks. We also like to keep you updated on new food, plus any cool new facts we learn about the parks. Well, although we’ve been to Disney World HUNDREDS of times, we’re still learning something new every day. We just recently learned something about a Magic Kingdom ride that blew our minds, so we had to share it with you!
Okay, so we’ve all been on Space Mountain, right? It’s a classic Disney attraction that is a MUST, even though we know it’s going to shake every bone in our body loose from the joints (seriously, our poor backs). So let’s talk about Space Mountain. It feels kinda’ fast, right? Well, Space Mountain is going under 30 mph. That’s it. It just feels more thrilling in the dark, we guess.
Okay, let’s talk about The Barnstormer over in Storybook Circus. So The Barnstormer is considered a “kiddie coaster,” because it mostly appeals to kids (although, we won’t lie — we love Barnstormer and think it’s way underrated). However, did you know that Barnstormer and Space Mountain go about the same speed? No, really, there’s only about a 2mph difference between the two.
In comparison, one of Magic Kingdom’s other roller coasters, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, goes around 36 mph. So it’s not MUCH faster, but it’s enough to make a difference and to sling you into whoever you’re riding with when you take those sharp turns.
However, if you want something a LOT faster, Magic Kingdom’s newest ride, Tron Lightcycle / Run, offers speeds up to nearly 60mph. Now THAT’S fast.
So why is The Barnstormer considered a kiddie coaster? Well, it’s certainly marketed that way because most of Storybook Circus is very kid-friendly. But the truth is that it offers a very similar experience, at least when it comes to speed, as you get on Space Mountain. The only difference is location and theme. How wild is that?
We would also argue that The Barnstormer isn’t as bone-shaking as Space Mountain. It certainly feels like a smoother ride. So if you’re looking for a coaster that isn’t TOO fast and that is a little more comfortable, head on over to Storybook Circus.
Stay tuned to DFB for more.
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