The best Disneyland rides: top 22 cool adventures for children and adults

Disneyland, located in the state of California, is the first of its kind theme parks to be designed and built by Walt Disney. Until now, there are even several authentic attractions dating back to the 1950s. There are actually two parks on the territory of the complex - Disneyland Park, founded in 1955, and Disney California Adventure Park, which opened to visitors in 2001. The locations are located opposite each other, and the distance between them is less than a hundred yards.

Here you will find a lot of entertainment for every taste and age. Given the huge area and the number of possible adventures, it will not be superfluous to familiarize yourself with the best Disneyland rides to know which ones are worth visiting first. So, let's start our journey to Disneyland & California Adventure!

1. Space Mountain

There's definitely a reason why one of the most popular rides at Disneyland attracts so many people who are willing to stand in line for hours, even after a long, busy day.

In Space Mountain, you are in a rocket that rises through various illuminated tunnels until it reaches the top - the sky illuminated by myriads of stars. Then, in the countdown, passengers are caught in a whirlwind of sudden drops and sharp turns that are impossible to predict. It seems that the cabotage ship is increasingly gaining speed, but this is only a feeling, because in general, the rocket reaches speeds of up to 30 miles per hour. After visiting this ride at Disneyland, you have only one desire - to ride it an infinite number of times.

2. Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

In Disneyland, rides can both take you back to a nostalgic, pleasant childhood and give you completely new experiences related to your favorite modern stories. The second case is fully applicable to Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. This unique attraction is unlike any other in existence, so once you get here, your jaw will definitely drop!

The following adventures are waiting for you:

• a water trip through the ancient caves, where the hideout of the Resistance is located;
• Princess Leia's secret base;
• Hijacking a Star Destroyer;
• detailed story and unexpected twists.

And this is only a part of the available entertainment of this amazing Disneyland attraction, in fact, there are many more impressions waiting for visitors! Each of the 15 minutes of this journey looks like real magic.

You just need to be prepared for long lines, or use an individual reservation to avoid crowds. However, in this case, you will have to pay about $25 extra.

3. Pirates of the Caribbean

One of the best rides at Disneyland takes you on a journey full of amazing spectacles. From the castle courtyard with an extremely realistic night sky to the thrilling ship battle and signature "yo-ho-ho!" challenges, the Pirates of the Caribbean location is a lifetime of memories thanks to a story that is thought out to the smallest detail and various locations that are in some moments more convincing than the films that inspired the attraction.

Here you will find caves full of treasures, bones and a talking skull, a bay lit by hundreds of fireflies, and many other curiosities and mysteries.

If you want to immerse yourself even more in the maritime atmosphere, we recommend booking a table at the Blue Bayou themed restaurant located inside this best disneyland attractions.

4. Indiana Jones Adventure

In Disneyland Park, the best rides tend to make you feel nostalgic for childhood, movies and cartoons that we watched as children. One of such entertainments is Indiana Jones Adventure. The very idea of traveling on a four-wheel drive vehicle racing along a track causes a storm of emotions: everything is noisy, the seats are wobbly, fireballs and ambush skeletons appear out of nowhere. You can get even more excited by watching the story of Indiana Jones, made with special attention to detail.

This top Disneyland ride was opened in the 90s. Back then, visitors could decipher the runes while waiting in line using a special decoder card. Now everything is much simpler - all you need is a mobile phone and the Play Disney Parks app.

5. "It's a Small World"

This ride at Disneyland Park Rides, specifically Fantasyland, is decorated by the famous animator Mary Blair. Embark on a romantic and slow boat ride accompanied by the world's happiest song, which debuted back in 1964.

A bright color palette, multicultural characters dressed in traditional clothes, and unusual scenery make this cruise a real miracle, allowing you to plunge into a fairy tale. Another feature of the "It's a Small World" attraction is its seasonal update, which is in harmony with the season and adds even more good mood and atmosphere.

6. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

Escape from the mine through rocky canyons and deep caves with a roar, noise and shaking, getting on a must-see ride at Disneyland. The caboose cars of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad will carry you through sudden dips and sharp turns, forcing your body to produce even more adrenaline.

The attraction was reconstructed in 2014. Despite the fact that the train lost a little of its authentic rather stiff ride, the location gained something more - a huge last hill, which made the mountain railroad ride even more exciting.

The attraction is located in the Frontierland location. If you want to fully experience the full range of emotions and maximum wild jolts, we recommend taking the last three cars.

7. "Peter Pan's Flight"

A Disneyland park attraction is these flying pirate ships that have been taking everyone from a classic English bedroom to the magical Neverland for nearly 70 years. Although most of the rides in Fantasyland are somewhat slow, Peter Pan's Flight stands out from the crowd with its iconic song "You Can Fly" and exciting ride system. The provincial rooftops give way to the urban landscape of London, and eventually lead you to the floating island of Neverland, the sky above which is dotted with many stars.

Yes, you'll have to stand in line for a long time, and the ride itself is quite short, but it's a small price to pay to get on the best rides at Disneyland Park and go on a journey of pleasant memories.

8. The Haunted Mansion

The key to this popular ride at Disneyland is, of course, the ghosts that inhabit every nook and cranny. Everything here seems to be alive, or rather, not alive. "The Haunted Mansion" is about eerie effects combined with black humor, which over time still attract visitors, making them scream from time to time, either in fear or delight. The Danny Elfman-inspired music is also worth mentioning, as the classical sounds of the organ fill the mansion, adding to the epic feel.

The most favorite moment of the attraction may be the ghosts whirling in a ballroom dance.

9. Toy Story Midway Mania

The concept of Midway Mania is quite simple: pulling a string on a rotating blaster and trying to hit targets in 3D projections. However, Toy Story, which is included in the list of top Disneyland rides, is something more. Visitors can not only smash plates, pop balloons, and toss rings with delight, but also go through a story created from the very beginning of Pixar. You are guaranteed to want to come back here to experience the pleasant emotions and break your own record. The main tip for the best results is to bend your wrist, not your elbow, so you'll get more hits.

10. "Soarin’ Around the World"

The list of the top 10 Disneyland rides certainly includes Soarin' Around the World. This is a truly unique experience that can only be provided by the most popular theme park in the world. Thanks to the IMAX-like dome, wind blowing in your face, and even different aromas, it creates a realistic feeling of real flight. The attraction stimulates a journey over the most beautiful sights in the world, including:

• Eiffel Tower;
• Egyptian pyramids;
• Matterhorn peak;
• The Great Wall of China.

This is just a small list of the places you will "fly" over, eventually landing in Disneyland lit up with lights and fireworks. Thanks to such an attraction, the thirst for travel and the desire to visit every corner of the planet will definitely wake up.

11. The Incredicoaster

A drop of more than a hundred feet, a surprisingly fast start, and fantastic views of the entire resort are the minimum required to put The Incredicoaster on the list of top 5 rides at Disneyland. The theme park takes the typical roller coaster to a new level, in particular due to the extended ride time. We recommend visiting the ride in the late afternoon to enjoy the panoramic views and millions of bright lights.

12. Radiator Springs Racers

Even if you're not a fan of the popular Cars franchise, one of the best rides in Disneyland Park is worth your attention. The adrenaline-filled journey takes place along Route 66, inspired by the cartoon. The trip can be divided into three parts:

• a carefree walk in the open air;
• an incredible introduction to the animatronics of the characters of "Cars";
• in the end - a high-octane race.

It is worth noting that the queue for the most popular attraction at Disneyland can last more than 1.5 hours. It is not surprising that this is the only adventure in the California theme park that requires an additional fee for booking Lightning Lane.

13. Dumbo the flying elephant

It is a classic children's entertainment that does not provide for stunning moments or unexpected surprises, but it is deservedly included in the top 10 Disneyland attractions. Dumbo never gets old, and children continue to love this fairytale elephant with huge ears and a red hat. The attraction is located in the Fantasyland location.

14. Matterhorn Bobsleds

Head to Fantasyland for a ride along rocks, caves, and ponds that create a splash fountain every time you go. Matterhorn Bobsleds is a popular ride at Disneyland, reckless at times, fun at others, and a bit scary at others. The first steel coaster will take you over the top of Matterhorn, where you can even meet Bigfoot! Get ready for the sharp turns and sudden drops of this fantastic bobsled. We recommend taking seats in the first carriage if you have time.

15. Splash Mountain

Are you ready to get wet? Then go on an exciting journey with a fun ride at Disneyland Park. Splash Mountain is a ride through a wet artificial canal with the steepest possible dive, bright colors and cheerful story characters around. The Laughing Place area, filled with neon lights, deserves special attention, as if to mock how wet the passengers are. If you want to keep your clothes at least a little dry, choose the most remote places in the boat.

16. Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run

One thing you should definitely do on the must do rides at Disneyland is pull the lever in the cockpit of the Millennium Falcon to go on an intergalactic jump by turning on the hydraulic drive. However, even if you don't play the role of a pilot in this adventure, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run" will give you no less impressions and pleasure.

There is something for everyone on the visitor-controlled attraction:

• gunners blow up enemy fighters;
• engineers - frantically pressing buttons to prevent gaps in the ship's protective shield;
• two pilots fly the Millennium Falcon.

Be prepared for mock criticism from the actors of the theme park if the ship "suffers" from enemy attacks too much - motivation to not make a mistake next time, because you will definitely want to visit here again and again.

17. Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway

The newest adventure among the top ten rides at Disneyland, namely Toontown, features a large number of changeable scenery, bold projections, and a fast-paced trackless train that will accompany you on your journey. You can get into the events of the Mickey Mouse cartoon through the screen. The train takes passengers through various stylized scenes, meeting friends and enemies of the funny mouse along the way.

18. WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure

Among the top 10 best Disneyland rides is "WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure". The main thing is to find the strength to stand in line once again.

In the three-dimensional adventure, special attention is paid to the most precise technologies. Unlike Toy Story Midway Mania, there are no blasters to hit enemies, you will have to use your own... hands. Sight and shots look so organic, as if you were actually bitten by a radioactive spider. Create digital spider webs with wrist movements as good as Peter Parker's and fight off a pack of mechanical bots: a fun and somewhat crazy ride with explosions, spiders, and giant pretzels. Get ready for an incredible adventure at Avengers Campus.

19. Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!

This is a must-do Disneyland ride for anyone who enjoys stomach-in-your-mouth thrills. "Guardians of the Galaxy - Mission: BREAKOUT!" is known for its convincing animatronic Rocket, which leads passengers through the galaxy along various routes and steep up-and-down descents to rescue the remaining captured Guardians. And all this is accompanied by the driving song "Give Up the Funk".

20. Alice In Wonderland

The Rabbit Hole, filled with characters from the famous adventure imagined by Lewis Carroll and adapted by Disney, leads far down dark corridors. After the renovation and reconstruction that took place in 2014, one of the 10 best rides at Disneyland, it was complemented by surreal special effects and hand-drawn colorful animation. Don't forget to smile back at the famous Cheshire Cat!

21. The Enchanted Tiki Room

In Disneyland, the top attraction is this unusual thatched-roof hut, which appeared in the middle of the century as a result of the West Coast's obsession with everything that resembled or was perceived as Polynesian. Since 1963, the house has been home to the original quartet of melodic ara.

This attraction, located in Adventureland, is more about shows and experiences than skiing, filled with kitschy things like birds, flowers and traditional Hawaiian tiki masks.

22. Star Tours

After an extensive renovation in 2011, this Disneyland attraction has been transformed into a stunning 3D simulator. Your Starspeeder allows you to travel to randomly selected locations inspired by the franchise, including the Death Star and Hoth. The attraction has 54 possible combinations, so each time visitors will have new experiences and locations, which have been added after the release of the new movie.