Best Disneyland Rides, Ranked

Disneyland Resort may be considerably smaller than Disney World, but there’s still a LOT to do!

Disneyland’s Sleeping Beauty Castle

Whether you’re visiting Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure (or both!), you can easily spend days riding all the attractions of your choice. We know how overwhelming it can be to decide which rides to choose and we’re here to make your life easier by ranking EVERY ride in Disneyland Park!

We broke down our rankings into several different categories to make it easier for you to figure out which rides you want to prioritize, and note that we’re not looking at shows or live attractions — just rides. Let’s dive in, starting out with all those classic Disneyland rides!

Classics

9. Autopia

Autopia is one of Disneyland Park’s original Tomorrowland rides, dating back to its opening day in 1955. This ride lets guests drive their own tiny cars along a mini motorway, and you must be 32 inches tall to ride or 54 inches tall to ride alone in a vehicle.

Autopia

Although this is an OG Disneyland ride, it’s also very loud, and it definitely has a strong smell, too. And honestly, when you’re just driving around a circular track, it’s not one of the Disneyland rides we prioritize the most. Still, it’s fun for kiddos to feel like they’re actually driving!

8. Dumbo the Flying Elephant

You can’t get much more classic than Dumbo the Flying Elephant! This ride takes guests aboard our favorite flying elephant for a spin in the sky in Fantasyland.

Dumbo at Disneyland

There is no height requirement for this ride which can make it a priority for families with small kids, but it can also end up with a long line, without an indoor waiting area like you can find in Disney World. Just keep that in mind if you or your kiddos aren’t exactly the most patient!

7. Jungle Cruise

The Jungle Cruise is another classic Disney attraction that combines (animatronic) animals and punny commentary with a riverboat cruise in the jungle. You can find it in Adventureland!

Jungle Cruise

Compared to its counterpart in Disney World, Disneyland’s Jungle Cruise is a much shorter experience, although it does still include many of our favorite corny jokes (02H, anyone?), so it’s still a worthy stop if you love that kind of attraction.

6. Enchanted Tiki Room

Disneyland’s Enchanted Tiki Room is essentially the birthplace of audio-animatronic technology, where it first debuted in 1963. Best of all, you can grab a Dole Whip next door at the Tropical Hideaway — and you can even take it inside to eat during the show!

Enchanted Tiki Room at Disneyland

However, if you’ve seen Enchanted Tiki Room in Disney World, you’re not really getting anything new here. That said, if you enjoy experiencing true Disney Parks history, it’s worth a visit.

5. “it’s a small world”

You may have ridden “it’s a small world” in Disney World, but in Disneyland, it’s a fairly different ride! The ride is partially located outside, and inside guests can see almost 300 different animatronics, including some special characters that debuted in 2009 — like Peter Pan and Tinker Bell, Cinderella, Aladdin and Jasmine, and more.

“it’s a small world” Disneyland

During the holidays, the ride transforms into “it’s a small world” Holiday, which includes a festive nightly display of red and green lighting. Head to Fantasyland and give it a try!

4. Disneyland Railroad

Can you get more classic than the Disneyland Railroad? This 18-minute ride takes guests around the entire park, stopping at four different stations. You can also see Walt Disney’s dioramas of the Grand Canyon and Primeval World — Land of the Dinosaurs!

Disneyland Train Station

At 18 minutes long this ride can take a chunk of time out of your day, but it’s a great option for people wanting to sit down and take a scenic break or if you don’t feel like walking all the way from Main Street, U.S.A. to Toontown.

3. Peter Pan’s Flight

Much like in Disney World, Peter Pan’s Flight frequently has one of the longest wait times in Disneyland, and it’s also got a bit of history in it as one of Disneyland’s opening day attractions.

Peter Pan’s Flight in Disneyland

For many people, Peter Pan’s Flight is a must-ride, but you might also want to prepare for a long wait. Still, with no height requirement, this is a good option for families of all different ages.

2. Haunted Mansion

Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion is located in New Orleans Square and it has a much different look compared to Disney World’s counterpart. Guests queue outside and are able to enter directly through the “front door” of the Haunted Mansion. Notably, the stretching room is an actual elevator (in Disney World, it’s all an illusion!).

Haunted Mansion Holiday

Every year, Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion transforms into Haunted Mansion Holiday, which gives it a Nightmare Before Christmas overlay that’s perfect for both the Halloween and Christmas seasons. If you’re visiting during that time of year, we highly recommend giving it a ride.

1. Pirates of the Caribbean

And finally for the classic rides, Pirates of the Caribbean is a MUST-RIDE in Disneyland! Although it shares many similarities with its Disney World counterpart, it’s a longer version of the ride with two different drops (as opposed to one), and it has more of a New Orleans vibe (it IS located in New Orleans Square, after all).

Pirates of the Caribbean

If you’re hungry, you can also book a table at the Blue Bayou Restaurant, where you can watch guests float by during the beginning of the Pirates ride!

Spinning

2. Astro Orbiter

Astro Orbiter is located over in Tomorrowland, and similar to Dumbo the Flying Elephant, guests board retro rocket vehicles that go around in a circle. Unlike in Disney World, you can board the Astro Orbiter without having to climb stairs, so that may be a positive to you if you’re not a fan of heights.

Astro Orbitor

Still, it’s not necessarily a MUST-do, and it can often have a long line too. If you’re short on time, you may want to skip this one.

1. Mad Tea Party

When you think about Disney rides, the Mad Tea Party probably comes to mind as a classic spinning ride, with you controlling just how fast the teacups actually spin.

Mad Tea Party

In Disneyland, the ride is located outside, with beautiful decorative lights overhead, which makes this ride a must-visit at nighttime especially!

Dark Rides

Just as a note, some of these easily could have been placed in the classics category and vice versa!

4. Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage

In Disney speak, a “dark ride” is a ride that takes place mostly in a dark atmosphere, usually with some kind of story being told at the same time. Let’s start out with Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage, which has guests board underwater submarines (yes, really) that take a trip around the lagoon.

Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage

As cool as it is to see underwater scenes inspired by Finding Nemo, this ride can get VERY claustrophobic for certain people. The inside of the submarines is also pretty small, which also means that the line for the ride can get quite long.

3. Pinocchio’s Daring Journey

When it comes to classic dark rides, Pinocchio’s Daring Journey is an early example of such a ride, opening in 1983. This ride takes guests through the 1940 animated film Pinocchio, featuring a variety of key scenes.

©Disney

Some of the turns of this ride can be quite sharp, and young kids might find the donkey scene a bit upsetting, but otherwise, it’s worth a visit just to experience it once.

2. Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride

Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride was an opening day attraction in Disneyland, telling the story of the animated film, The Many Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad. On this ride, guests board 2-person motorcars for quite the journey.

Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride

Like Pinocchio’s Daring Journey, this ride can get kind of dark, with a really grim ending. Still, as an opening day attraction and as long as you or your kiddos aren’t super sensitive, it’s worth a visit!

1. Snow White’s Enchanted Wish

And Snow White’s Enchanted Wish is a classic Disneyland dark ride that has been through quite the journey. An opening day attraction, it opened as Snow White and Her Adventures, and it was later changed to Snow White’s Scary Adventures in 1983.

Snow White’s Enchanted Wish

Deemed too scary by some, the ride was changed to Snow White’s Enchanted Wish in 2021, with a bit less Evil Queen and more whimsy. If the other dark rides are too scary for you, this one is a safe option.

Scenic Water Rides

3. Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes

Looking for some exercise while vacationing in Disneyland? Davy Crockett’s Canoes actually task guests with powering 35-foot-long canoes, with each passenger given an oar.

Davy Crockett’s Canoes

There is no height requirement for this attraction and a ride will take you all around the Rivers of America and around Tom Sawyer Island. You just have to keep in mind that it’s definitely more than just passively riding a boat!

2. Mark Twain Riverboat

The Mark Twain Riverboat is a 14-minute ride around the Rivers of America in an authentic 19th-century paddleboat, which can make it a great ride for when you’re in desperate need of a restful moment.

Mark Twain Riverboat

This paddleboat is an authentic reproduction of the steam engines once found along the Mississippi River! It’s 28 feet tall with four different decks, making it easy to find a space to check out all the scenery.

1. Sailing Ship Columbia

And like the Mark Twain Riverboat, the Sailing Ship Columbia also sets sail around Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island on a 15-minute voyage. This ship measures 110 feet and is a full-scale replica of the real-life 18th-century ship, Columbia.

Sailing Ship Columbia

All three scenic water rides follow the same path so it’s really a matter of which method you prefer! You can find all three boats located along the Rivers of America in Frontierland.

For Kids

Again, some of these easily could fall into the classic ride category as well!

7. King Arthur Carrousel

You can find King Arthur Carrousel in the center of Fantasyland, featuring 68 different hand-painted carousel horses. This was an opening day attraction in Disneyland and many of the horses are over 90 years old!

King Arthur Carrousel

With its central location and plenty of horses, this ride makes an ideal choice for families with young kids — and adults too.

6. Alice in Wonderland

Unique to Disneyland is Alice in Wonderland, a ride aboard a caterpillar that takes you through Wonderland, complete with the White Rabbit’s house, Tulgey Wood, the Queen’s Garden, and more. There is no height requirement, which makes it easy for the whole family to ride!

Alice in Wonderland

This ride is over 50 years old, although it has undergone several refurbishments over the years, which makes it a must-do for many Disneyland guests. Just keep in mind that the line can get quite long!

5. Casey Jr. Circus Train

If you’ve ever wanted to ride the Casey Jr. engine from Dumbo, head to Disneyland! The Casey Jr. Circus Train ride takes guests through a landscape featuring tiny renderings of places you’d probably recognize, like Arendelle from Frozen, Agrabah from Aladdin, the village from Pinocchio, and more.

Casey Jr. Circus Train

This ride was another one of the original Disneyland attractions, and the sleigh-style train cars were actually moved from what later became King Arthur Carrousel! There is no height requirement, which makes it a great ride option for young families.

4. Storybook Land Canal Boats

Storybook Land Canal Boats take guests through the mouth of Monstro the Whale, which transports riders to a land of miniature Disney villages, just like you can see from the Casey Jr. Circus Train.

Storybook Land Canal

Each boat takes 12 people and although Monstro the Whale can be a little scary for some kids, the boats move very slowly, and seeing all the miniature Disney models can be magical!

3. Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island

Remember all the scenic water rides around Pirate’s Lair? You can also GO to Pirate’s Lair! All you have to do is take a log raft across the Rivers of America, and then you are free to explore the island inspired by Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn.

Take a raft to Tom Sawyer’s Island and explore the Pirate’s Lair!

While this might not be the best location for tiny kids, older kiddos would love exploring this island, filled with suspension bridges, a fort, caves, and more. When you’re all done, all you have to do is take the log raft back to the mainland!

2. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

Tucked away in the back of Critter Country is The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, where guests can board a giant beehive and explore Pooh’s adventures.

Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

This ride is very kid-friendly, with no height restrictions and lots of beautiful colors and favorite Pooh songs. It’s kind of out of the way from other Disneyland rides but that can also make the line a little shorter sometimes!

1. Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters

And finally, kiddos love Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters, where they can take a blaster into their own hands and help destroy the evil Emperor Zurg!

Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters

This ride is located in Tomorrowland and compared to its Disney World counterpart, riders can actually remove the blasters from their vehicles to aim for targets. There is no height restriction either!

Thrill Rides

8. Star Tours

We’ve arrived at thrill rides! Star Tours can be found in Tomorrowland and anyone 40 inches and above can join together for a 3D experience in a variety of Star Wars-inspired scenes.

Star Tours in Disneyland

During your “flight,” your seat moves around so that you can feel more immersed in the experience, and the 3D glasses help add to the immersion!

7. Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run

Over in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, where guests can finally climb aboard the Millennium Falcon as either a pilot, an engineer, or a gunner.

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

You must be at least 38 inches tall to board, and you get a different task during the ride depending on what position you’re assigned. Just like Star Tours, your seat moves around a bit as you fly, and if you’ve ever dreamed of piloting the Millennium Falcon — this is your opportunity.

6. Matterhorn Bobsleds

You can find the Matterhorn Bobsleds in Fantasyland, where guests are taken up to 80 feet in a cave that serves as the home to the Abominable Snowman.

Matterhorn Bobsleds

Each bobsled takes 6 people with a height requirement of 42 inches. Be warned — this ride is a bit rocky, so it’s not for those who prefer a smooth ride. That said, it’s a classic Disneyland thrill ride, and it’s worth an experience for thrill fans!

5. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

Another classic Disneyland rollercoaster is Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, which can work well for both adults and children with a height requirement of 40 inches.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

Inspired by 1800s trains, this ride takes guests through a haunted gold mine. Keep your eyes peeled for the miniature ghost town at the end of the ride!

4. Splash Mountain

Splash Mountain, which will soon be transformed into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, takes guests on a 10-minute log ride through the bayou!

Splash Mountain

This ride has a 40-inch height requirement. Note that there are three small drops during the ride and a five-story drop at the end. Splash Mountain is a great ride for thrill seekers — just know that you’ll also get WET!

3. Space Mountain

Disneyland’s Space Mountain is the second version of the ride, featuring side-by-side seating rather than the single seating that you find in Disney World. Other than that, this indoor space roller coaster is one of Disney’s classic thrill rides that’s a must-do for all coaster fans.

Space Mountain

You must be 40 inches tall to ride, and this ride is a traditional roller coaster, so it is fast, with sharp turns, drops, and more in near-total darkness. Keep that in mind if you prefer riding roller coasters in the light!

2. Indiana Jones Adventure

Indiana Jones Adventure is an exclusive Disneyland ride that follows Indiana Jones into the Temple of the Forbidden Eye. Riders must be 46 inches or taller to ride, and guests board a vehicle that simulates fast driving over rough terrain.

Indiana Jones Adventure

This ride is neither a roller coaster nor a typical dark ride, and the high height restriction is likely due to how fast the ride can move as well as how the vehicle can suddenly lurch forward.

1. Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

And finally, over in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, a revolutionary trackless ride featuring multiple ride systems, and it’s often one of the rides with the longest wait times in the park.

Rise of the Resistance

Join the Resistance and defeat the First Order! Guests must be 40 inches or taller to ride and if you’re concerned about just how thrilling it gets, there’s only one minor drop. Just make sure you keep that in mind if your group would rather stay on one level!

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