Best Rollercoasters at Disneyland Rankings 2024: Overall & For Kids
For the Disney thrill-seeker, there is a fantastic variety of rollercoasters at Disneyland, from milder coasters to ones that pack more of a punch. While all of Disneyland’s rollercoasters are fantastic in their own unique way, they each have certain characteristics that make them ideal for different audiences.
In this guide, we will talk about what to expect from each rollercoaster at Disneyland and rank the best rollercoasters at Disneyland, including the pros and cons of each and the best rollercoasters for kids.
Which Rollercoasters are at Disneyland?
While Disneyland and California Adventure have several thrill rides, they each feature a few rollercoasters. These vary in intensity and style, and we’ll discuss more about the pros and cons of each!
Disneyland has 4 rollercoasters:
- Space Mountain in Tomorrowland
- Thunder Mountain in Frontierland
- Chip ‘n’ Dale’s GADGETcoaster in Toontown
- Matterhorn Bobsleds in Fantasyland
California Adventure has 2 rollercoasters:
- Incredicoaster in Pixar Pier
- Goofy’s Sky School in Paradise Garden’s Park
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Best Overall Rollercoasters at Disneyland
Though there are several thrill rides at both Disneyland and California Adventure, there are seven total rollercoasters between the two parks with unique themes and styles. Below, we’ll rank the best overall coasters at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure, taking into consideration factors like world-building, music, intensity, and more!
6. Goofy’s Sky School in Paradise Gardens Park
Goofy’s Sky School is a steel wild mouse style rollercoaster that features drops and spins, reaching a max speed of 27 miles per hour. Along the ride, guests will see posters instructing how to go about various maneuvers (how to take off, fly, turn, nosedive, and land). The ride is quite short and would benefit greatly from sound, but it provides a nice view of the park and a quick, thrilling journey across the track.
This ride also offers a Single Rider option, which you can read more about in our guide to Disneyland Single Rider lines!
Safety restraints for Goofy’s Sky School: two lap bars.
Height Requirement: 42″ (107 cm) or Taller
5. Chip ‘n’ Dale’s GADGETcoaster in Toontown
This newly reimagined coaster is designed for younger guests! It features small drops and reaches a max speed of about 22 miles per hour, making it a great choice for younger guests starting to venture into the world of rollercoasters. Each seat is designed to accommodate an adult and child.
The ride duration is a little under a minute long, making for a short and sweet experience. Chip ‘n’ Dale’s GADGETcoaster’s vibrant colors, gentle nature, and fun queue make it a great option for kids!
Safety restraints for Chip ‘n’ Dale’s GADGETcoaster: one lap bar per row.
Height Requirement: 35″ (89 cm) or Taller
4. Matterhorn Bobsleds
The Matterhorn Bobsleds ride features a journey with thrilling turns and drops across a snowy landscape, dodging the not-so-happy Abominable Snowman. After an initial ascent through a dark tunnel, guests embark on their wild journey that twists around the mountain.
The ride features two different routes, one on the Fantasyland side of the mountain and the other on the Tomorrowland side. The tracks do have some differences from one another, as guests say the Tomorrowland side is faster with more intense drops and the Fantasy Land side is slightly smoother.
The ride is overall on the rougher side, and some guests jokingly complain that they experience a surprise chiropractic adjustment (or three) as they are whipped around the mountain. We’ll discuss the pros and cons of this ride further below!
This ride has undergone several changes throughout the years since Disneyland’s opening, including a major refurbishment in 2012 which got rid of the old, lap-sitting design and introduced the 6-seat configuration it has today. Be sure to keep up-to-date with all refurbishments and ride closures happening at Disneyland!
Safety Restraints for Matterhorn Bobsleds: individual lap seatbelts.
Height Requirement: 42″ (107 cm) or Taller
3. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in Frontierland
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is a beloved rollercoaster at Disneyland for several good reasons, but the biggest is the atmosphere and relaxed nature of the ride. It offers incredible scenery as the track winds between red rock formations of a cursed mining landscape from the 1850s. In the first ten seconds of the ride, you are whisked into a dark cavern with bats, stalactites, and a waterfall. The world-building is truly impressive, and while there is no music, the fun sound effects perfectly supplement the action of the ride.
Thunder Mountain’s top speed is 35 miles per hour, which makes it a great choice for kids and guests who don’t want a super intensive rollercoaster. While the ride isn’t the fastest at Disneyland, it’s still thrilling, as it contains drops, bumps, and sharp turns.
Safety restraints for Big Thunder Mountain: a bar that lowers down across the entire row’s lap.
Height Requirement: 40″ (102 cm) or Taller
2. The Incredicoaster
This coaster was re-themed from the popular California Screamin’ during the introduction of Pixar Pier to California Adventure. Its storyline follows the Incredibles chasing after baby Jack-Jack, who has escaped and is wreaking havoc. The ride features cute animatronics, a score by Incredibles 2 composer Michael Giacchino, and effects like the smell of cookies when Mr. Incredible tries to bribe Jack-Jack with his favorite treat!
You will definitely feel the intensity of this ride, as it’s the biggest coaster of the two parks, featuring large drops and an upside-down loop. The ride reaches a max speed of 55 miles per hour—be prepared for your eyes to water a bit!
Tip: to avoid getting too whipped around if you’re riding this coaster for the first time, make sure to keep your head back against the seat, especially when you’re about to go into the loop.
Safety restraints for Incredicoaster: over the shoulder restraints.
Height Requirement: 48″ (122 cm) or Taller
1. Space Mountain
Space Mountain checks all of the boxes for a perfect rollercoaster. Its setting in deep outer space allows riders to fully immerse themselves in the thrill, as the track structure is not visible and it’s impossible to see the coaster’s next move. The ride’s simplicity, as it soars through the darkness past stars, comets, and meteors, allows you to easily escape into your mind and pretend like you really are flying through space!
Space Mountain contains drops and sharp turns, the music swells to accompany the thrill! No matter how many times I’ve been on this ride, I am always hit with a wave of inexplicable joy during the last 30 seconds.
Space Mountain has undergone some temporary re-theming in the past, from “Rockin’ Space Mountain” that featured effects and music from the Red Hot Chili Peppers to “Hyperspace Mountain,” the Star Wars-themed version which has appeared over the years for limited runs. In this version, you come out of hyperspace to unexpectedly engage in a thrilling battle with Imperial forces.
Because Space Mountain can be quite popular, it’s a good option to ride in the morning when the park is less crowded. Be sure to check out our morning strategy for more details on how to make the most out of the start of your day at Disneyland!
Safety restraints for Space Mountain: individual lap bars.
Height Requirement: 40″ (102 cm) or Taller
Pros and Cons of Each Rollercoaster at Disneyland
While all of these rollercoasters at Disneyland are fantastic, every guest has different tastes, and we’ll break down everything you should know to see if these rides are the right fit for you. Remember that this is all a matter of perspective—many things that are under a “cons” category can easily be considered “pros” for others.
Space Mountain
Pros:
- amazing space-themed atmosphere
- exciting music perfectly underscoring the ride
- its status as a dark ride adds to the thrill
- incredibly smooth ride
- Single Rider offered
Cons:
- sudden drops and stops
- difficulty seeing where you’re going
- the darkness adds a layer of intensity that might not be for everyone, as any slight movements or drops can feel more intense
Incredicoaster
Pros:
- reaches very high speeds (up to 55 miles per hour)
- fun story line
- for roller coaster enthusiasts, this is the most intense ride between the two parks
- smooth ride
- Single Rider offered
Cons:
- The takeoff goes from standing still straight still to launching you into full speed, which can be extreme and overwhelming for some guests
- it contains an upside-down loop (for those who are not fans of this)
- contains very large drops, though these are more sweeping rather than sudden
- over-the-shoulder restraints might be claustrophobic for some guests
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Pros:
- incredible scenery and world-building
- medium-intensity
- suspenseful
- good for kids
- several visually exciting moments
Cons
- very bumpy
- slower than other coasters at the parks
- intense turns
Matterhorn Bobsleds
Pros:
- different ride experiences (Tomorrowland and Fantasyland sides)
- great atmosphere
- snowy animatronics
- suspenseful and thrilling
- Single Rider offered
Cons
- very rough, making it difficult to ride for those with neck and back issues
- the Abominable Snowman may be scary to kids
Chip ‘n’ Dale’s GADGETcoaster
Pros
- designed for kids
- visually exciting and colorful
Cons
- not the most thrilling of the rollercoasters at Disneyland
- extremely short in duration
Goofy’s Sky School
Pros:
- quick ride
- great view of the park
- Single Rider offered
Cons:
- not much visual appeal to the ride, as it’s just a track
- little emphasis on world-building
- tight and jarring turns
- no music
Top 3 Rollercoasters for Kids at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure
For younger guests dipping their toes into the world of rollercoasters for the first time, there are a few great options for rollercoasters at Disneyland. While every kid is different in how they may react to rollercoasters, there are a few rollercoasters between the parks that are shorter in duration and more gentle.
3. Goofy’s Sky School
This ride is very short in duration, at a little under two minutes, and its smaller scale makes it one of the less intimidating options out of the rollercoasters at the parks. Also, kids can see where the track is going, which provides some peace of mind. The ride seats are designed for two, so adults can sit next to their children.
2. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Though there are some parts of the ride that are dark (mostly the beginning going through the cave), these are short-lived, and the atmosphere of the ride as a whole is not as intense as some of the other rollercoasters at Disneyland. The queue also does a great job establishing a relaxed atmosphere! The seats are designed for two people with a single lap bar, so parents can sit with their children.
1. Chip ‘n’ Dale’s GADGETcoaster
This rollercoaster at Disneyland is designed for kids, and between its vibrant colors and short-and-sweet duration, it’s a relaxed introduction to the world of rollercoasters. The premise of the ride is that Gadget has made several clever inventions, including a roller coaster made from acorns! The ride is quick enough that if your child isn’t a fan, they don’t have to stick it out for very long, and the seats are designed so that parents can sit with their children.
Frequently Asked Questions: Rollercoasters at Disneyland
Does Space Mountain at Disneyland go upside down?
No, Space Mountain at Disneyland does not go upside down. The Incredicoaster does go upside down and features a big loop mid-ride.
Does the Incredicoaster have a loop?
Yes, the Incredicoaster has a loop. When riding, make sure to keep your head back before going into this. The loop may feel different slightly depending on which row you’re sitting in.
Which rollercoasters at Disneyland are best for kids?
Chip ‘n’ Dale’s GADGETcoaster, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, and Goofy’s Sky School.
Which rollercoasters at Disneyland have single rider?
At Disney California Adventure, both Goofy’s Sky School and the Incredicoaster have single rider. At Disneyland, Matterhorn Bobsleds and Space Mountain have single rider.
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