Best Rides at Disneyland
All throughout high school and even for a year or two in college I was lucky enough to have an annual pass to Disneyland. And you better believe I made regular use of it! It’s where I spent a solid number of Friday nights during the school year and an endless number of weekdays when school was out. The most EPIC way to spend a day off from school was to go to the beach AND go on the best rides at Disneyland in the same day. (Something I *definitely* didn’t do on senior ditch day). It was normal to me then, but I look back now and recognize what a huge perk it was to grow up near Orange County in Southern California!
My trips to Disneyland aren’t as frequent these days as they once were as an annual pass holder. But I’ve been enough times since then to say I’ve seen the Disney parks (Disneyland and California Adventure) change in some ways and remain the same in others. And I still have an opinion on what I consider the best rides at the Disney parks! This is my list of what I consider the best rides at Disneyland:
Highest Priority of the Best Rides at Disneyland:
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
This ride might be the BEST overall experience. You’re entertained from the time you’re waiting in line until the time you get on the actual ride. The story involves joining the Resistance and fighting against the First Order.
The line is often long, but it helps that it tends to move pretty quickly and there’s places throughout the line to sit while you wait.
Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run
You get to fly in the Millennium Falcon! Need I say more?!
Indiana Jones
It’s a fun Indiana Jones style adventure through a cursed temple.
Space Mountain
This has been a favorite for me since the time I was tall enough to ride it! It’s a fun space themed roller coaster in the dark.
Pirates of the Caribbean
You sail on a boat through various pirate related scenes and leave singing, “Yo ho yo ho, a pirates life for me.” It’s a Disney classic!
Haunted Mansion
It’s another Disney classic! You ride in a “doom buggy” through various rooms and scenes within a haunted mansion.
Matterhorn
You sit in a bob sled and go for a fun roller coaster ride around the Matterhorn.
Star Tours
It’s a Star Wars themed tour of space.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure (Splash Mountain)
It’s a log ride through Tiana’s Bayou. The big drop in the middle is the best part!
Medium Priority of the Best Rides at Disneyland:
Big Thunder Mountain
It’s an outdoor rollercoaster in a train car.
Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway
You go on an adventure through Mickey and Minnie’s cartoon world.
It’s a Small World
It’s a Disney classic. You sail in a boat and see animatronic children dressed in the fashion of various countries while singing, “It’s a small world after all.”
Jungle Cruise – (Original ride from 1955)
A guide takes a boat full of people on a sometimes punny, dad joke, or dry humored tour through the jungle. Each experience can be slightly different depending on the guide you get.
Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin
It tells Roger Rabbit’s story while you spin around in cartoon-like cars.
Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
You sit in a spaceship type car while shooting at targets with your laser astro blaster. It keeps track of your score for some fun competition.
Finding Nemo
You go underwater on a submarine to watch the story of Nemo unfold.
Alice in Wonderland
It takes you on Alice’s journey through wonderland while sitting in a giant caterpillar car.
Lowest Priority of the Best Rides at Disneyland:
Peter Pan – (Original ride from 1955)
You fly in a ship over London and watch the story of Peter Pan unfold.
Snow White – (Original ride from 1955)
It’s a nostalgic Disney classic.
Tea Cups (Mad Tea Party) – (Original ride from 1955)
It’s a quintessential Disneyland ride.
Autopia – (Original ride from 1955)
You drive a car through a mini city. This ride was more fun before I got my drivers license. But I still appreciate the nostalgia of it.
Pinocchio – (Original ride from 1955)
It’s a nostalgic original ride and the line isn’t usually very long for it.
Dumbo – (Original ride from 1955)
Another quintessential ride at Disneyland.
King Arthur’s Carousel – (Original ride from 1955)
Who doesn’t appreciate a beautiful carousel?
Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride – (Original ride from 1955)
You ride in an old style car and follow the story of Mr. Toad. I remember being a little scared on this ride as a kid, but I’m much braver as an adult. ;]
And those make up the best rides at Disneyland! Make sure to check out my list of the best rides at California Adventure (coming soon), as well.
The Disney parks are a special place, and experiencing the rides, shows, character meet and greets and more will be a wonderful experience for you. Enjoy your time at the most magical place on earth, and safe travels, friends.
CE
