Disneyland has amazing rides, a full entertainment schedule, exciting character meet and greets, and dining experiences that are in and of themselves an adventure. There is so much to do and see that it can feel like an impossible task to decide what to prioritize during your vacation.
Whether you are new to Disneyland and want to get your finger on the pulse of what the quintessential experiences are or simply want to prioritize what we consider to be some of the best attractions, there are certain rides that we recommend you go on to get the full Disney experience. The Mickey Visit team has ridden all of the Disneyland Park rides more times than we can count, and these eight stand out as our favorites that stand the test of time. For the below list, we're going to be focusing on attractions found at Disneyland Park.
If you're planning a 1-day Disneyland trip and are wondering what you can accomplish in that amount of time, be sure to also see our 1 Day Disneyland Park itinerary, 1 Day Disney California Adventure itinerary, and 1 Day Disneyland and Disney California Adventure itinerary. All of the below rides on this list are mentioned as ones you cannot miss in our 1-Day Disneyland Park itinerary.
Let's dive into the eight not-to-miss Disneyland rides that you need to go on to get the full Disney experience!
1. Pirates of the Caribbean
Yo ho, yo ho a pirate's life for me! If ye be seeking an adventure, look no further than the classic attraction, Pirates of the Caribbean, where you can sit back in your floating barge and witness pirates wreak havoc. This iconic, classic ride is over 50 years old and is considered one of the most immersive rides ever created for a theme park.
This boat ride takes you into the heart of the Golden Age of Piracy. From the tranquil introduction floating through a bayou with gentle banjo music and fireflies glowing to the thrilling plunge into Dead Man's Cove and the tour through the pillaged seaside town to the tune of the famous shanty, “Yo Ho (A Pirate’s Life for Me),” this ride's enduring charm will captivate audiences of all ages. You will really feel as if you have entered another world!
We regard this as the best ride at the Disneyland Resort—see our other top rides that you shouldn't miss at both parks in our guide to the best Disneyland rides ranked. So, sing the tales of these rambunctious pirates and you may find that the pirate's life is for you!
2. Haunted Mansion
If you are brave enough to climb aboard a Doom Buggy and explore this haunted estate, you will be in for one hair-raising experience! This classic Disneyland attraction is another favorite ride among visitors.
The narration by Disney Legend Paul Frees has become one of the most iconic parts of this ride as the voice of the “Ghost Host” accompanies you from the infamous stretching room down a hallway of chilling portraits and onto your Doom Buggy. You'll be taken through several iconic rooms of the mansion like Madame Leota's seance room, the Grand Ballroom with dancing ghosts, and an outdoor cemetery filled with ghostly residents who have “come out to socialize.
What’s even better, during Halloween and Christmas at Disneyland, Jack Skellington transforms the Haunted Mansion into the Haunted Mansion Holiday! This fun version highlights Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas and is a delightful and spooky manifestation of what happens when “two holidays collide.”
3. it's a small world
Bordering Fantasyland is another not-t0-miss attraction with a façade that is as recognizable as the ride’s theme song. Sail around the world in one song as you listen to children from around the world unite to sing “It's a Small World (After All),” the song written by the Academy Award-winning Sherman Brothers.
The magic begins outside as guests make their way through an outdoor queue and watch as a parade of 24 figures emerge from the clock tower every 15 minutes. The ride's famous song is sung by almost 300 Audi0-Animatronics dolls, representing children from across the globe singing in their native languages. Mary Blair brought the ride's iconic design to life as art director, while Alice Davis served as costumer for the attraction using authentic materials for each region's traditional attire.
The ride's charm, beauty, and touching message of world peace make it one of the best rides at the park you can't miss. This is an especially wonderful ride for younger kids and toddlers, though guests of all ages will be entranced! This popular attraction also transforms during the holidays into the beautiful overlay “it’s a small world” Holiday, with a special lighting of the outdoor facade taking place at dusk.
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4. Peter Pan's Flight
Peter Pan’s Flight is a Disneyland original attraction that has guests flying in a pirate ship (with the help of pixie dust) through the night sky over a star-lit London Never Land. The ride takes you through a few moments from Disney's Peter Pan, where you'll encounter iconic characters and scenes, including a duel between Peter Pan and the villainous Captain Hook.
Though Peter Pan's Flight is a very short ride, it is one of the most magical experiences you will find at the park. To soar through a night sky sparkling with stars to the song “You Can Fly!” as Never Land glows below is enough to fill adults and children alike with complete wonder!
The line for this Fantasyland attraction is always long, so jump in line in the early morning to avoid longer afternoon and evening lines. We recommend prioritizing this experience in the mornings if you are planning on arriving at Disneyland for rope drop.
5. Matterhorn Bobsleds
An iconic snow-capped mountain that soars high into the Disneyland sky, Matterhorn Bobsleds is another favorite attraction that has riders careening high-speed down the mountain in a bobsled—all the while being hunted by the Abominable Snowman. This historic ride was the first roller coaster-style attraction at Disneyland and the first tubular steel roller coaster in the world.
You'll start your journey with a steep ascent through pitch-black darkness up the snowy mountain, then pick up speed as you weave in and out of caves with the threat of the Abominable Snowman around every corner. There are two different tracks, the Tomorrowland side and the Fantasyland side, which guests claim provide a different experience of the ride.
This classic ride is not to be missed, and it provides an especially stunning experience at night for a new perspective!
6. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Brave this runaway train that takes guests through a bat-infested cave, barrels through a dynamite-lined mine shaft, and has riders howling through deserted canyons. Big Thunder Mountain is a barrel of fun which is why it made our list of not to miss Disneyland rides!
The story behind the ride is that incidents started happening in the mine after gold was discovered, including runaway trains that would take off on their own. A major part of what makes this ride stand out is its incredible theming—intricate red rock formations and intentional details like real mining gear used in the attraction add to the immersive nature of the ride. There is even a fun trick you can try that will make the experience feel more intense as you speed around the turn with the dynamite goat!
This is one of our favorite attractions at the Disneyland Resort and a great family-friendly thrill ride to test the waters before braving some of the more intense attractions like the next roller coaster on our list.
7. Space Mountain
Space Mountain is one of Disneyland’s recognizable landmarks in the Park located in Tomorrowland. We consider this ride to be the best Disneyland roller coaster at the resort that takes guests on a thrilling journey through outer space. This is a can't-miss experience for the thrill-seeker!
The ride has a simple premise: you'll board a rocket, launch into space, and speed through the darkness past stars with sudden drops, sharp turns, and a fantastic musical score that elevates the experience. Space Mountain has had some limited-time overlays in the past, including the Star Wars-themed Hyperspace Mountain that takes guests into a thrilling space battle with Imperial forces.
Because of the ride's popularity, we recommend prioritizing it in the morning while wait times are lower or booking a Genie+ Lightning Lane to experience it.
8. Star Tours- The Adventures Continue
Star Wars fans from all over the galaxy will love this 3D simulation ride that has guests board a Starspeeder 1000 that launches much to the dismay of C-3PO and R2-D2 who captain this runaway spacecraft. Imperial or First Order forces are searching for a Rebel spy, who is aboard the Starspeeder. You'll embark on a chaotic adventure all across the galaxy. The best part is the rotating storylines, so every time you ride can be a different experience!
Star Tours has had new scenes added over the years, including the last three installations of the Skywalker Saga (Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker) and most recently new additions from the Disney+ series Ahsoka, Andor, and The Mandalorian. The Tomorrowland ride is filled with thrilling moments, humor, and impressive effects, making it a not-to-miss experience at Disneyland.
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