There are 12 Disney theme parks around the world, but there is only one that Walt Disney himself stood inside. Disneyland isn't just a theme park, it's the theme park that all others are measured against.
But what is the best ride at Disneyland? And how does the newest addition to the park, Tiana's Bayou Adventure, stack up to the rest? These are largely impossible questions, but I'll try to answer them anyway. I've ridden every ride at Disneyland multiple times, and here's my list.
37. Autopia
Queue: 1
Theme: 1
Experience: 1
Average: 1
The greatest irony in all of Disneyland might be that a place called Tomorrowland houses an attraction where cars still run on gasoline. It feels like this attraction needs to be refitted with electric vehicles. That would at least make the air easier to breathe, which is an issue even when you’re just standing in line, which would go a long way to making this ride more enjoyable. And there’s really no story to speak of here. Also, if you've had to drive to Southern California to get to Disneyland, you're not likely to want to get behind the wheel of a car for a while.
36. Astro Orbiter
Queue: 1
Theme: 2
Experience: 3
Average: 2
Astro Orbiter sits at the front of Tomorrowland and lets you fly a small rocket ship around in a circle. It's a minor variation of the classic Dumbo Flying Elephants, but it doesn't bring the childhood nostalgia that ride has. I actually think it's slightly more fun, you can fly higher and cruise at a slant that makes things a bit more interesting, but ultimately, you're just going around in a circle for a couple minutes.
35. Mad Tea Party
Queue: 2
Theme: 3
Experience: 2
Average: 2.33
While the Mad Tea Party is a rite of passage for any Disneyland newbie, just to see if you’ll puke, once you've proven your cast iron stomach, or not, you can probably let this one go forever. If you somehow really love spinning around you might feel differently, but I’m not that guy. Standing in line at least is shaded, but you just hear the same music over and over again, so by the time you’re on the ride you might be sick of it. I’ll wait for you at the exit.
34. Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes
Queue: 3
Theme: 3
Experience: 3
Average: 3
While the Explorer Canoes aren't really a "must ride" for me, I actually really enjoyed them the last time I rode them, slightly sore arms notwithstanding. It’s the one ride that you might actually leave more tired than when you started since it actually requires some exertion, which won’t be for everybody. It's a unique experience in the park, but not the sort of thing you're likely to remember the most.
33. Casey Jr. Circus Train
Queue: 2
Theme: 4
Experience: 5
Average: 3.66
There’s nothing inherently wrong with The Casey Jr. Circus Train, it's just that there's not much to it. It primarily takes you around the same area as the Storybook Canal Boats (more on those later) but much faster, meaning you have less time to enjoy the scenery. It's also only about a four-minute trip, so it's over before you know it. While riding in the lion cage is usually fun for kids, their parents are going to probably hurt themselves trying to join them. But the Casey Jr. song is a banger, and you’ll get the wind blowing in your hair a little, so there are worse ways to spend a few minutes.
32. King Arthur Carousel
Queue: 3
Theme: 4
Experience: 5
Average: 4
It's a carousel. It's a nice one. It plays Disney music. Also, all the horses are white so nobody needs to fight over what color they get. But ultimately, it's a carousel. I can't really give it a low score because it doesn't do anything badly, but I can't really give it a high score either, because it doesn't do anything special. If you want to feel like a kid again at Disneyland, though, there may be no better way.
31. Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage
Queue: 3
Theme: 4
Experience: 5
Average: 4
The Submarine Voyage has been around for a very long time, and while it has seen multiple themes over the years, the most recent iteration sees guests taken through a Finding Nemo story that follows Marlon and Dory as they go looking for Nemo. The ride itself isn't all that bad, but the mechanics of it mean that loading and unloading the submarines tends to take forever. This means the ride frequently has a long line, which would be ok if the experience was worth it, but it's just not. Also, the boats are crowded and tend to get hot, which is awful in a Southern California summer. Still, the feeling of being in a submarine is pretty great, even though the boat never actually submerges
30. Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin
Queue: 4
Theme: 6
Experience: 3
Average: 4.33
The attraction found at Mickey's Toontown is a dark ride that takes you through the basic story of Who Framed Roger Rabbit, which is a great movie worthy of revisiting. This one gives you the additional control of being able to spin your Benny the Cab ride vehicle around in a circle at your leisure, the added control is fun if spinning is your thing, but the ride is an absolute cacophony of noise and light that gets overwhelming.
29. Dumbo the Flying Elephant
Queue: 3
Theme: 5
Experience: 5
Average: 4.33
For me, flying around in a circle is just flying around in a circle. However, Dumbo the Flying Elephant is the definition of a classic ride and those rides that have been around for decades deserve some credit for still being popular after all these years. It is the quintessential flying carousel.
28. Matterhorn Bobsleds
Queue: 3
Theme: 5
Experience: 6
Average: 4.66
Roller coasters are always popular attractions at theme parks, and the line at the Matterhorn Bobsleds is proof that this one is no exception. However, for us jaded Disney fans who have ridden it so many times, this one just doesn't hold a candle to the other mountains in the park. The ride underwent a major renovation a few years back that changed the cars, for the poorer in my opinion, and the trip is just a bit too jarring for me, rather than being fast and exciting. Although, if you can time a ride perfectly to be on it when the fireworks are going off, you get one hell of a view.
27. Pinocchio's Daring Journey
Queue: 3
Theme: 5
Experience: 6
Average: 4.66
Pinocchio has the dubious distinction of being the lowest scoring of the numerous Fantasyland dark rides. It’s got a charming facade and queue, though like all the Fantasyland rides, the actual indoor queue is fairly small. The ride itself is everything you’ll want from a Pinocchio dark ride, but it simply doesn’t have any of the fun gimmicks or updated technology of its neighbors
26. Pixar Pals Playtime Party
Queue: 5
Theme: 5
Experience: 5
Average: 5
During Pixar Fest 2024, the Fantasyland theater is being used for the Pixar Pals Playtime Party. Unlike the shows that previously inhabited the space, however, there's no officially scheduled show. Instead, it's a drop-in and see what's happening sort of thing. Maybe you can sit and watch some Pixar shorts. Maybe you can get a picture with a character, or dance along with a live stage performance. It's a nice place to take a break and still have some Pixar fun.
25. Storybook Land Canal Boats
Queue: 4
Theme: 6
Experience: 5
Average: 5
The Storybook Land Canal Boats may feel like a children's ride, and the boat size is such that it certainly seems that way, but it's actually a special display of a particular love of one grown man. Walt Disney had a special passion for miniatures and it was his desire to make a miniature classic American town that led to the full-size creation of Main Street U.S.A. and Disneyland itself. It’s easy to overlook this one, but it’s worth riding at least once, or if you go often, once in a while.
24. Alice in Wonderland
Queue: 4
Theme: 6
Experience: 6
Average: 5.33
Alice in Wonderland is, by its very nature, a little weird, which makes the dark ride based on the film a little bit more interesting than most. While it still tells you the story of the movie, the generally psychedelic aspect of the movie comes through in the ride, making this one feel like a bit more of a trip than a ride.
23. Disneyland Railroad
Queue: 5
Theme: 6
Experience: 5
Average: 5.33
Is the Disneyland Railroad a ride or a mode of transportation? It's not the most efficient way of getting around the park, as it's not very fast, but it will get you where you need to go and let your feet rest, which is nice. While there is stuff to see beyond the park itself on board the railroad, and this is totally a ride you should take around the park at least once, after you've done it, you likely won't again unless your feet hurt.
22. Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
Queue: 5
Theme: 6
Experience: 6
Average: 5.66
If you'd like your theme park attractions to have a bit more interactivity, then Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters is the ride. Go head-to-head with a friend and collect points as you fire away at targets throughout the ride with a toy blaster attached to the car. Competition can get fierce in this one, especially if one player starts messing with the steering to screw with the other player's aim.
21. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Queue: 4
Theme: 7
Experience: 6
Average: 5.66
While you might think that a ride based on The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh to be as old as any other storybook dark ride. It actually only opened at Disneyland in 2003. However, while this means that it uses some newer animatronic technology available to Disney, it's also got what might be the most utterly bizarre segment to any Disney ride as the Heffalumps and Woozles portion is more of a mind trip than anything Alice in Wonderland can do.
20. Mr. Toad's Wild Ride
Queue: 4
Theme: 7
Experience: 6
Average: 5.66
There are a couple of dark rides that stand high above the others and Mr. Toad's Wild Ride is one of them. It's hard to say why. It moves a little faster and has some fun twists and turns, but for what is ultimately a simple and brief ride based on an often overlooked Disney movie, it clearly has made an impact on people. Maybe it’s the dissonance that comes from being on a DIsney ride that sends you to literal hell.
19. Mark Twain Riverboat
Queue: 4
Theme: 6
Experience: 7
Average: 5.66
Sometimes you don't need a thrill ride. Sometimes what you need is a simple trip down a lazy river. The Mark Twain Riverboat is a time machine. Once it carries you past the Disneyland you know, you may truly feel like you've entered another time and place. It's a wonderful way to just slow down and appreciate Disneyland in a new way.
18. Chip 'n' Dale's GADGETcoaster
Queue: 4
Ride Theme: 7
Experience: 7
Average Score: 6
If you've got little ones who aren't quite ready to take on the Disney mountains but want a thrill ride experience, then Gadget's Go Coaster is perfect. This rollercoaster doesn't reach the speeds or have nearly the sharp turns or fast drops as the other coasters, which is not to say it isn't still exciting. It's also really short, which is good for those little kids, but makes it hard for me to rank it very high.
17. Snow White's Enchanted Wish
Queue: 4
Theme: 7
Experience: 7
Average: 6
Snow White's ride, like her movie, will always be in high demand, largely due to its place in history, and the attraction, previously called Snow White’s Scary Adventure, saw a significant update, during the pandemic that sees a lot of new technology brought in to tell the story, making the ride about Disney’s oldest movie feel like it’s one of the newest attractions.
16. Peter Pan's Flight
Queue: 5
Theme: 6
Experience: 7
Average: 6
If you go to Disneyland, one of the rides that is assured to always have a long wait time is Peter Pan's Flight. The attraction flips the standard dark ride upside down, literally, by suspending your pirate ship from above rather than being a track below you. This perspective shift, along with great miniature work, makes this a very popular ride for many as Never Never Land looks amazing as you float above it.
15. Sailing Ship Columbia
Queue: 4
Theme: 6
Experience: 8
Average: 6
The sailing ship Columbia fares better than its sister the Mark Twain Riverboat, It can actually be a hard boat to catch. It frequently only runs on weekends during much of the year. This makes the Columbia a bit of a more special ride because it’s less available. Also, nothing else will make you feel quite like an actual pirate.
14. Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln
Queue: 7
Theme: 6
Experience: 6
Average: 6.33
Watching Abraham Lincoln stand before you and speak on the great experiment that is the United States of America is remarkable, and the fact that the person talking is a robot may actually make the experience that much more impressive. While we'll never truly know what an Abraham Lincoln speech sounded like, Disney magic makes it feel like you're really sitting there with him and your day is always a little brighter after you leave. Its location inside The Disneyland Story building only adds to the magic as there is always one display or another to check out while you wait for the show to begin.
13. Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room
Queue: 6
Theme: 7
Experience: 7
Average: 6.66
One of the longest-running shows at Disneyland has been Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room. It's run about every 10 minutes or so, every day since 1963. I think it's a great way to take a rest while enjoying an audio-animatronic show, plus, It's got a Dole Whip stand outside so you can grab a bite which you’re even allowed to eat during the show if you like. There’s also a fun little pre-show to watch before the doors open.
12. It's A Small World
Queue: 5
Theme: 8
Experience: 7
Average: 6.66
I know we're all supposed to hate this ride. The song is supposed to be terrible and annoying, making the ride almost painful. I actually love the song. I think it's beautiful with a great message, so I don't mind hearing it over and over again as I view the intricate doll creations and notice something new buried in the background each time. Even waiting in line is fun because you get to watch the massive clock go off every 15 minutes on the front of one of the best show buildings in the park.
11. Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run
Queue: 7
Theme: 8
Experience: 7
Average: 7.33
The first attraction at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge allowed Star Wars fans to live a dream by piloting the Millennium Falcon, and it has to be said, there’s nothing quite like pulling down on that lever and entering hyperspace for the first time. Smuggler’s Run is almost as much a video game as it is a theme park attraction, but it’s a lot of fun and it has a lot of different elements giving guests a reason to come back. And just being able to hang out while you sit around the holo-chess table is a Star Wars fan’s dream come true.
10. Star Tours - The Adventure Continues
Queue: 7
Theme: 7
Experience: 8
Average: 7.33
The original Star Tours was a great motion simulator ride, but the updated version takes everything to the next level. Randomized segments mean that you never get quite the same ride twice – though I almost always seem to get stuck pod racing for some reason -- and new sections have been added as the new episodes of the Star Wars trilogy have been released, making it worth riding again and again. Even with all the new Star Wars additions to the park thanks to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, this one is still worth riding. And even more new additions to Star Tours are on the way.
9. Jungle Cruise
Queue: 7
Theme: 7
Experience: 8
Average: 7.33
While the Jungle Cruise has been around since Day One of Disneyland, I always make a point to go on it on every trip. Yes, the jokes are utterly corny, but that's sort of the point. Also, every once in a while you get a skipper who comes up with a new one, and that is a treat unto itself. Jungle Cruise was recently updated and has new elements, which means new bad jokes. The queue is mostly covered, with some solid music and fun “radio announcements” to listen to while you move through it.
8. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Queue: 7
Theme: 7
Experience: 9
Average Score: 7.66
Big Thunder Mountain wasn’t the first thrill ride at Disneyland, and it’s not the newest, but it’s still one of the most popular rides in the park because it is quite simply fun. A beautifully designed attraction, including the mountain itself. A small western ghost town that houses the attraction’s loading area. Animatronics, as well as newer effects, and the fact that the ride feels significantly different during the day or at night, all combine to make this one great. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is, after all, "The Wildest Ride in the Wilderness."
7. Pirates of the Caribbean
Queue: 7
Theme: 8
Experience: 8
Average: 7.66
Pirates of the Caribbean is an absolute classic, no question. Not everybody loves the way the ride has come to emulate the movie which was designed to emulate the ride, with the addition of Captain Jack Sparrow. Pirates of the Caribbean has changed a lot over the years, but the core ride remains unchanged, the classic song “A Pirate’s Life For Me” is still there, and the animatronics are still timeless.
6. Indiana Jones Adventure
Queue: 8
Theme: 8
Experience: 8
Average: 8
Experiencing an Indiana Jones ride is a lot like experiencing a Star Wars ride. It's such a dream come true for fans, it's hard to have a bad time. It's hard to not feel like Indiana Jones when John Williams' classic march is playing. Plus, you get a special guest appearance from John Rhys-Davies as Salah. It has one of the most intricately designed show buildings in queues that we’ve ever seen complete with a fun series of newsreels to watch while you wait.
5.. Space Mountain
Queue: 7
Theme: 8
Experience: 9
Average: 8
Space Mountain is one of the absolutely iconic names in theme park attractions. It's a great roller coaster and the fact that it all takes place in the dark only adds to the fun for me. Throw in the Michael Giacchino soundtrack and Space Mountain becomes a work of art. Only the significant wait time keeps me from riding this one over and over again. But the long waits show just how popular Space Mountain still is. It’s also located in an equally iconic show building that does a fantastic job getting you excited for the ride you’re about to go on.
4. Tiana's Bayou Adventure
Queue: 8
Theme: 8
Experience: 9
Average: 8.33
When It was first announced that Splash Mountain would get a major retheme and transformation into a ride based on The Princess and the Frog, many were skeptical that the fan-favorite would live up to expectations. It has absolutely had. More than a simple re-theme, Tiana's Bayou Adventure feels like a new ride. And the Disneyland version is also the best of the two that have been built.
3. Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
Queue: 10
Theme: 8
Experience: 9
Average: 9
It’s incredible to realize that it took so long for Walt Disney’s most famous creation, Mickey Mouse, to get his own attraction at Disneyland, but when it happened, they went all out. The trackless dark ride, inspired by the hilarious modern Mickey Mouse shorts, is a lot of fun, and it’s full of so much detail you’ll want to ride it a lot to see it all. But Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway also includes one of the most creative queues we’ve ever seen full of all sorts of Mickey references to keep you entertained while you wait.
2. Haunted Mansion
Queue: 8
Theme: 9
Experience: 9
Average: 8.66
It's not a thrill ride, but the Haunted Mansion is still one of the best experiences one can have at Disneyland. It's got that classic nostalgia factor, some truly special effects, some real chills, at least the first time you ride it, and a theme song that you won't mind getting stuck in your head. The Haunted Mansion's history is the history of Disneyland itself. What's more, The Nightmare Before Christmas reskin changes things up often enough that neither version ever really gets old.
1. Rise of the Resistance
Queue: 10
Theme: 10
Experience: 10
Average: 10
Rise of the Resistance is, to put it simply, everything. It’s a top-of-the-line dark ride giving you a unique and creative Star Wars story using every available piece of technology. It’s got exciting thrill ride-like elements and even a small drop ride. It’s got a queue so creative that it’s difficult to determine where the line ends and the ride begins. This attraction is just the best of everything.
Walt Disney said that Disneyland would always be changing, so just as old rides sometimes close and new attractions arrive, this ranking will never be entirely stagnant. We’ll always be looking forward to whatever comes next at Disneyland. Laso be sure to check out our ranking of the best rides at Disney California Adventure.
