A Definitive Ranking of Every Ride at Disneyland
We love everything about Disneyland.
However, we have to face the facts: Some rides are better than others. And if you have a limited amount of time in the park, there are certain rides you just can't miss.
Think you're a Disney park expert? Keep scrolling to see if you agree with our definitive ranking of every ride at Disneyland.
(via @disneyland)
27. King Arthur Carousel
Unfortunately, we have to put the King Arthur Carousel at the bottom of our list. It's a Disneyland staple, but it's also a ride you can climb on literally anywhere else. There's nothing special about this spinning beauty, though it does add a dose of comfortable magic to the middle of the park.
26. Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
In a park full of thrilling rides, the Adventures of Winnie the Pooh is simply forgettable. It's nestled in the very back corner of the park, making it quite a hike for those who do want to climb on board. Unfortunately, even if you make the walk, you'll probably end up utterly disappointed by this lackluster ride. Sorry, Pooh—maybe your adventures are better suited for the Hundred Acre Wood.
25. Storybook Land Canal Boats
Another ride that's practically yawn-inducing, the Storybook Land Canal Boats are a lazy drift through various storybook settings. There's little to no excitement on this ride, and the slow pace often has riders angsty to move to the next location.
24. Casey Jr. Circus Train
The Casey Jr. Circus Train is a subtle homage to Dumbo's circus. It's cute and colorful from the outside, but pretty unexciting once you actually climb on board. It's more of a "look, but don't touch" type of ride. It gives Disneyland that magical flavor, but it's definitely a journey that can be skipped.
23. Astro Orbiter
The Astro Orbiter in Tomorrowland is a Disneyland staple. Unfortunately, it's often not worth the wait. The sun always shines directly onto this inconveniently located ride, ensuring lots of discomfort as you slough through the line. It's an ideal ride for young children, but one that can be skipped as soon as the height requirements for larger rides are reached.
22. Dumbo the Flying Elephant
Dumbo the Flying Elephant is essentially the Astro Orbiter, but you sit in replications of Dumbo, rather than a spaceship. It ranks slightly higher on the list due to the nostalgia of sitting in a flying Dumbo, but it's still a ride that's easily forgotten about in the hustle and bustle of the park.
(via @disneyland)
21. Snow White's Scary Adventures
The Snow White movie already loses some of our interest. It's a classic story, but one that hasn't translated well into the modern era. The same could be said for the Disneyland ride. The story becomes a bit muddled over the course of the pitch-black journey. It misses the Disney magic and the technological innovation that makes the parks so cool, causing it to fall further on our list of faves.
20. Pinocchio's Daring Journey
Poor Fantasyland just hasn't quite kept up with the modern world. Pinocchio's Daring Journey is another classic, but one that's easily avoided. It can be overly stimulating for some, and just plain boring for others. All in all, it's a ride without much to offer, making it one that's easy to avoid.
19. Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin
Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin is fun at the core. However, with so much nostalgia infused into Disney parks, the storyline of this confusing ride is lost on most. It's not as advanced as some other Disneyland favorites, but it's a fun ride to waste a little time on, nonetheless.
18. Gadget's Go Coaster
Gadget's Go Coaster is a child's coaster—there isn't much to be done with it. However, it works beautifully within that miniaturized setting. It's colorful, bright and perfectly placed in the ToonTown setting. It's a short trip that often has a short line, making it a perfect place to spend a little time later in your Disneyland day.
17. Mr. Toad's Wild Ride
Mr. Toad's Wild Ride is a surprisingly fun addition to the Disneyland parks. It has a darker message than some Disney stories, but one that's conveyed with a healthy dose of fun. It's still missing the technological advancements of some newer rides, but it has a coherent storyline that some other Fantasyland rides fail to capture.
16. It's a Small World
We know—It's a Small World is a classic Disneyland staple. But while it looks beautiful on the outside, the inside is less than appealing. Various semi-creepy dolls chant the same tune over and over again for the duration of the fairly long ride. By the end, we're often clamping our hands over our ears and begging for the squeaky voices to stop. It's a ride that has to be experienced at least once, but after that, we recommend you stay far, far away from this upsetting monstrosity.
15. Autopia
Autopia is a fun time-waster for children, but there isn't much more to it. The cars aren't actually under any kind of control, barring a gas pedal that's often used a little too freely by those behind you. It's a classic experience, but one that doesn't have a whole lot to offer in terms of Disneyland magic.
14. Alice in Wonderland
Alice in Wonderland is another ride that takes a slower approach to Disneyland magic. Sitting in a replication of the opinionated Caterpillar, riders are taken down the rabbit hole in a brightly colored, visually exciting journey. It's slow-moving, but it's perfect for those who need a little breather from the more thrilling rides available in the park.
13. Matterhorn Bobsleds
The Matterhorn Bobsleds are thrilling in theory. In practice, however, they're just plain painful. While it's exciting to zoom through the mountain, getting brief glimpses of the Disneyland park along the way, it's not uncommon to exit the ride with a few new bumps and bruises. It's a ride that must be done, but should always be approached with care, and probably an extra jacket for a little padding.
12. Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage
The Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage is often forgotten in the hustle and bustle of the park. If you're having a busy day, feel free to skip this underwater adventure. If you have plenty of time, however, it's always exciting to dive under the water's surface in this yellow submarine. The journey is totally mellow, but the underwater element and addition of some of our favorite animated characters make it a total joy.
11. Peter Pan's Flight
Peter Pan's flight is one of the only redeeming attractions in Fantasyland. Although it still lacks the big tech advancements, it captures the magic of the movie in a beautifully enjoyable way. You can soar over the lights of London and experience the successes and failures of Captain Hook real-time. It never fails to have us wishing that we could jet off to Neverland and join the Lost Boys, so it has to land fairly high on our list.
10. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
The Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is one of the largest coasters in the entire Disneyland park. It's fast-paced and effortlessly exciting. You can soar through mining camps and dive into taverns, all while holding on for dear life so you don't ram into the person seated next to you. It's a bit bumpy and uncomfortable at times, but it's a ride that absolutely cannot be missed.
9. Jungle Cruise
The Jungle Cruise is a slow-paced Disney classic. It's an easy ride to avoid, especially if you're wary of the long line. While the ride itself is totally uninteresting, it's the expert commentary of the guides that makes this attraction a must-see. Terrible jokes and horrific puns are scattered throughout the journey, adding color to the otherwise mundane sights around you. It's a ride that's fresh and exciting every time, which is why it's one of our Disneyland favorites.
8. Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
The Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters bring some of the Toy Story Mania excitement to this side of the park. Although it's not quite as addicting as its Toy Story counterpart, it's still a fun way to add some competition to your Disney day. Ride with someone you know you can beat, or forever face your failure to save the galaxy from the evil Emperor Zurg.
7. Mad Tea Party
The teacups have definitely risen in popularity over the past few years. We would guess that it's partly due to the fairly short line, and partly due to the inherent fun of whirling around in a spinning teacup. It's a perfect ride to break up your day, and it has the most opportunities for some truly Insta-worthy pics.
6. Star Tours
Star Tours always has one of the longest lines in the park, and for good reason. The 3D effects definitely have you feeling like an experienced Jedi, traveling through the universe on your way to fight the dark side of the Force. Plus, you can ride on numerous missions, upping the chance that you'll experience a new storyline each time. It's unpredictable and exciting—everything you want out of a Disneyland ride.
5. Pirates of the Caribbean
Pirates of the Caribbean is absolutely a slow experience, but that's exactly what makes it so enjoyable. After climbing into a large boat, you can cruise through the water, spotting Captain Jack Sparrow along the way. It's a ride that allows you to slow down and just take things in, making it totally worth the often-short line.
4. Haunted Mansion
The Haunted Mansion is a can't-be-missed Disney attraction. This fun ride starts with a short walk through the Haunted Mansion, followed by a ride through some of the more terrifying elements of the attraction. It's definitely spooky, but not so much as totally freak you out. What's more, it features some decently cool effects that have you wondering if a spooky companion actually followed you home.
3. Indiana Jones Adventure
The Indiana Jones Adventure is a stunning Disneyland attraction. Fiery explosions, rickety bridges and a terrifying rolling boulder all make this ride feel a little too real. The effects are insane, showing some of the best thrilling magic Disney is able to infuse into its attractions.
2. Splash Mountain
Although the story doesn't revolve around a Disney classic, Splash Mountain is definitely one of the most beloved rides in the park. The line is always incredibly long, but riders are rewarded for their wait with a nearly 10-minute cruise in a log flume. The ride is an undeniably fun experience that ends with a stomach-twisting drop. Even if you're not a fan of water rides, you have to give Splash Mountain a try.
1. Space Mountain
There's only one ride that can beat Splash Mountain, and that's Space Mountain. As an indoor coaster, this ride is capable of breakneck speeds that nearly leave you breathless. Plus, it's the most versatile of the Disney rides, often changing slightly to reflect occasions and seasons. You can soar through space in near blackness, always wondering what's around the next corner. If you only ride one thing at Disneyland, make sure it's Space Mountain.
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