Disneyland is filled with immersive rides that will truly transport you to another world, from gliding over some of the most beautiful sights in the world on Soarin' to racing through the darkness of space on Space Mountain.
While these rides are going to be incredible no matter where you sit, we've developed some strong opinions about what the best spots are over the course of countless Disneyland visits. Everyone is going to have a different opinion about which ride rows are the “best,” but over years of riding these attractions, we've pinpointed the ones you should definitely try.
Some visitors don't know that you can actually request certain ride rows at Disneyland when you approach the Cast Member at the ride to tell them the size of your party. It's important to note that Cast Members do not have to accommodate your request and you need to be respectful if that is the case. You may need to stand off to the side and wait a little bit longer for certain ride rows, but we think they take the experience to the next level for some of our favorite rides at the parks!
Keep reading for the best rows on these 5 Disneyland rides you shouldn't miss out on!
Front Row of Space Mountain
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You might be wondering why it matters much to be sitting in the front row for a ride that takes place mostly in the dark, but riding in the front row for Space Mountain really works wonders in making the ride completely immersive. Without anyone's silhouette in front of you, you can fully appreciate the feeling of zooming through space. Plus, the intro sequence for this ride is extra enjoyable with a completely unobstructed view.
For Disneyland roller coasters in general, we find that the front row is often the way to go except for one ride, which is…
Back Row (Row 15) of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
For this attraction we consider to be one of the 8 best Disneyland rides you can't skip, we recommend riding in the back row. This adds to the intensity of the ride as you'll get whipped around the turns a bit more, which is especially fun for one particular section of the ride where you use the “goat trick.”
After you ascend the second chain lift hill, you'll see a goat with a dynamite stick in its mouth. When the coaster speeds around the turn, keep looking at the goat as you go through the turn, as this will make it feel much more intense. While you can try this trick from any row on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, it works especially well if you're sitting in the back row!
Center Section Front Row of Soarin'
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Have you ever ridden Soarin' and gotten to the beautiful Eiffel Tower scene only to be taken out of the moment because it's crooked? This is why we always request the center front row of Soarin', and not just for that reason—if you're in the front row, your view will be completely unobstructed without any dangling feet above you! At this attraction, you can request the center section front row (Row 1 Section B) for a perfectly centered, unobstructed view.
Know that if you request this ride row and it's already full for the current group, you'll need to wait another cycle. However, we think this is very much worth it for Soarin' given how magical this ride is when it's completely immersive. Once you experience the attraction this way, you won't want to sit off to the side again!
Back Row (Row 3) of Indiana Jones Adventure
This particular ride row for Indiana Jones Adventure is not for the faint of heart, but it's perfect for those who really want to get thrown around! While there's a lot of intense motion on this thrill ride no matter where you're sitting, it's even more amplified when you're in the back row.
This will not be the smoothest ride experience by any means, but for me, it really epitomizes the thrilling, wild nature of the attraction as you race to escape the temple. Riding in other rows is still a lot of fun, but nothing quite gets your heart racing like being whipped around in the back row, especially if you are in a corner seat. Note that riding in this row is probably not a good idea for anyone with back or neck problems, but this is the case for the ride in general.
Front Row of Incredicoaster
Lastly, the front row of the Incredicoaster is best when riding this roller coaster. This is one of the most intense rides at the parks, and sitting in the front row really amplifies that. There's nothing quite like being in the front row for the launch and having the wind hit your face as you speed from 0-55 mph. On top of that, having nobody in front of you really adds to the thrill, especially when you are going into the loop!
That being said, the back row is also a popular choice for this attraction. The back row will provide the dropping feeling during some of the intense hills on the ride. We recommend trying both and seeing which one you like better!
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