Best Rides at Disneyland

The original Disneyland theme park has nearly 30 rides. They range from Splash Mountain to Dumbo the Flying Elephant. I’ve been to Disneyland numerous times, either as a couple spending some adult time away, or as parents working to enjoy The Happiest Place on Earth with the kids.

After some long discussions with the family, here’s a list of what we’ve determined are the best rides at Disneyland. I’ve included what you need to know about each ride’s height requirement and whether or not FastPass is an option.

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NOTE: The rides in California Adventure are not counted in this list.

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Indiana Jones Adventure

I asked my kids which of rides at Disneyland should I list at the top. It was a strong majority for the Indiana Jones Adventure to be at the top. I couldn’t agree more.

I remember the first time I rode the jeep into the cursed temple with my high school friends during a band trip. The time spent in the line decoding the symbols on the wall, pushing the bamboo pole holding the ceiling up or pulling on the rope the prospector was climbing was just as fun as the ride itself.

The sad part about the ride: You must be 46″ tall to ride. My youngest son wasn’t able to ride last time we went. Hopefully he’s grown taller since them – although he rarely eats… anything healthy.

The Indiana Jones Adventure does have a FastPass option. So use them wisely so you can experience the adventure into the Temple of the Forbidden Eye.

DETAILS: The Indiana Jones Adventure is located in Adventure land on the west side of the park. It’s right next to the famous Jungle Cruise. You must be 46″ tall to ride. More info.

Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters

You should know that I’m pretty competitive. That makes the Buzz Lightyear Astro Blaster ride near the top of my list of best rides at Disneyland. All my kids try to beat me, and most of the time I come out victorious. Except that one time I offer $10 to any kid who beat me, and sure enough… I lost.

The ride is open to all ages. It’s a slow ride, but you’ve got to be on the lookout for targets and blast them to earn points. Most targets are illuminated. But the Z on Zurg’s chest in the first room is a hidden target – at least that’s what I’ve been told. Sometimes it seems to give me a lot of points, and other times… not so much. Try it out for yourself.

DETAILS: The ride is open to all heights and ages. There is some spinning, but you control that with a joystick. Save time in line and grab a FastPass. You’ll find Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters in Tomorrowland. More info.

Splash Mountain in Disneyland

The best part of Splash Mountain is the large drop at the end where they take your photo. On a hot day, it’s definitely among the best rides at Disneyland because the cold water that lands on you at the bottom can be rewarding as well.

You board the log and go with the flow of the river. There are some ups and downs, and some areas you get splashed. But once you make your way to the top, Brer Fox and Brer Bear throw you and Brer Rabbit over the cliff and into the brier patch below. But don’t worry… unless you’re afraid of heights.

The line can be a little long for Splash Mountain. Sadly, there aren’t a lot of things in line to engage you. So check out these boredom busters for long lines on rides at Disneyland.

After exiting the ride, don’t forget to see the photo taken of your group as you dropped. What creative, yet family-friendly pose will you strike for the photo?

DETAILS: You must be 40″ tall to ride. You should also be okay knowing you will get wet, but you may get soaked. Splash Mountain is located in Critter Country, just west of Adventure Land. There are FastPasses available for Splash Mountain as well. More info.

Space Mountain

I’ve been on Space Mountain when it’s been decked out for various events. There’s the classic ride where you journey through space. During Halloween, you’re trying to escape the clutches of a space demon. And before Star Wars Land was in the works, you were a Rebel engaged with the Empire in war.

I love Space Mountain, and so does my family. But you’ve got to be okay with riding a roller coaster, not knowing when it will turn. After all, your inside a black room and you can’t see the track in front of you.

Be ready for the flash at the end of the ride. That’s where your photo is taken. And then the brakes hit and you come to an abrupt stop.

DETAILS: You must be 40″ tall to ride. Passengers sit side-by-side. You’ll likely want to use FastPass for this, as the line can get pretty long. The ride is located in Tomorrowland. More info.

Big Thunder Mountain

Runaway train! I’d have to rank Big Thunder Mountain in my top 3 rides at Disneyland. I love the scenery – which is patterned after red rock formations found just west of Bryce Canyon National Park.

The roller coaster ride is smooth, fast and has a lot of turns. The line moves pretty quickly, too.

DETAILS: You must be 40″ tall to ride. Passengers sit side-by-side in a train car. The ride is located in Frontierland, just east of the loading dock for the Steamboat ride. More info.

The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

My daughter’s all-time favorite ride is The Many Adventures of the Winnie the Pooh. Even at 12 years old, she loves this ride. It’s a slow-moving ride, similar to rides in Fantastyland – like Snow White or Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride.

If you’re familiar with the stories of Winnie the Pooh, you’ll follow him through his dream with Heffalumps and Woozles trying to steal his honey. It’s a cute ride and one that everyone should ride at least once. It’s a big hit with the young kids.

DETAILS: The ride is open to all heights. It’s located in Critter Country, near the ride exit to Splash Mountain. More info.

Pirates of the Caribbean

“Dead men tell no tales.” Or do they? The Pirates of the Caribbean ride is a Disneyland classic. It starts out like a boat ride on a Louisiana swamp. But after entering the tunnel, there’s a drop down into the pirates cove.

You’ll see treasures galore, along with some skeletons guarding the treasures. There’s also a scene where pirates are attacking the city from the sea. Once on land, they pilfer and pillage the city. A few even get put in jail. And maybe one day the dog holding the key to the cell will actually get close enough to the pirates for them to grab the key.

It’s a nice relaxing ride, with that downhill drop at the start. But don’t be surprised if you end up with “Yo, ho. Yo, ho. A pirates life for me” stuck in your head.

DETAILS: There is no height restriction on Pirates of the Caribbean. The ride is located off the main walkway in New Orleans Square. More info.

Haunted Mansion

My favorite time of year to ride Haunted Mansion is during Halloween and Christmas. I love how it takes on the Nightmare Before Christmas motif. It’s fun and whimsical.

Other times of the year, the classic Disneyland ride is filled with ghosts, fortune tellers, and other spooky things. But I always looked forward to seeing which hitchhiking ghost was going to stowaway in my carriage. It always made for fun conversation after the ride to hear who ended up with which ghost.

If you’re looking for hidden Mickey’s you’ll find one on the large dining room table in the grand hall. One of the place settings will have a large dinner plate with two small saucers making the Mickey ears. Keep an eye out for it.

DETAILS: There are no height restrictions on the Haunted Mansion ride. But there are scary things – so don’t terrify your child to the point they won’t sleep at night. 😉 The Haunted Mansion is located in New Orleans Square, just west of the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. More info.

A Few Notes on Other Rides at Disneyland

There are a lot of other rides at Disneyland you’ll want to check out. I just wanted to share with you what I consider to be the best rides in Disneyland. The Matterhorn is fun, but the line takes FOREVER. Otherwise, it likely would’ve made the list.

Peter Pan’s Flight is a favorite, but I think that’s also the longest ride in the park. So if you want to ride it, go there first thing in the morning.

Back in ToonTown, you’ll find Gadget’s Go Coaster. That is among my favorites, too. I’m not the biggest fan of Roger Rabbits Cartoon Spin, but others enjoy that one.

I hope this list provides you with an idea of what you can experience at Disneyland. Now, read about a few ways to help make a family vacation to Disneyland more affordable, then schedule your trip.

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