If you’re looking for theme-park staples, you’ve got it all at the Disneyland Resort in California: carousels, ferris wheels, roller coasters, and more all with the magical touch of Disney. There are also impressive innovations crafted by Imagineers—the people behind the designs and constructions of the rides and attractions at Disney theme parks and resorts.
If you’re Disneyland-bound and wanna know all the rides you can’t miss, read on. Here are the top 20 rides at the Happiest Place on Earth:
- "it’s a small world"
- Space Mountain
- Indiana Jones Adventure
- Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
- Haunted Mansion
- Pirates of the Caribbean
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
- Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
- Toy Story Midway Mania!
- Radiator Springs Racers
- Soarin’ Around the World
- Matterhorn Bobsleds
- WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure
- Splash Mountain
- Alice in Wonderland
- Enchanted Tiki Room
- Star Tours - The Adventure Continues
- Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!
- Peter Pan’s Flight
- The Incredicoaster
Pro tip: Before heading to Disneyland, you can already book your tickets on Klook!
You can also opt for multi-day tickets to extend the magic!
Want to learn more about the amusement park before going? Check out our ultimate guide to Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure:
1. “it’s a small world”
The ride showcases audio-animatronic dolls in traditional costumes from all over the world, so keep an eye out for the Aussies in the ride! Credits: @queeenaaale on Instagram
Known affectionately as “The Happiest Cruise That Ever Sailed, “it’s a small world” is a boat ride that captures the magic and global appeal of Disney with its characters interspersed with animatronic dolls in multicultural costumes to represent the world.
2. Space Mountain
Space Mountain has been dazzling generations of park-goers with its space-themed thrill! Credits: @magicalartshops on Instagram
This gripping intergalactic adventure speeds through light tunnels and makes twists and turns through the stars, making it one of the most popular and iconic Disneyland rides!
3. Indiana Jones Adventure
The nostalgic movie theme by John Williams will set the mood throughout the adventure. Credits: @jeremiah_willey on Instagram
Journey into the lore of Indiana Jones on a four-wheel-drive vehicle that takes you through all the traps, twists, and turns—just watch out for traps and the occasional skeletal run-ins.
4. Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
Rise of the Resistance employs advanced technologies such as motion simulators and drop ride systems for an epic space fantasy experience! Credits: @loschavezpereira on Instagram
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is a trackless ride that has you journeying through a Star Destroyer, as you help the Resistance in a climactic battle against the First Order.
5. Haunted Mansion
While this ride is especially popular during Halloween, it’s also a certified hit year-round! Credits: @van_kelsing on Instagram
Up for some chills and thrills? The mystifying Haunted Mansion is the way to go with its spine-tingling effects that are still a mystery even decades since its first run!
6. Pirates of the Caribbean
Delve into the world of the Pirates of the Caribbean in this swash-buckling boat ride that will take you to mysterious islands, underground prisons, and other adventures worthy of Jack Sparrow himself!
7. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
This ride got a riveting refurb in 2014, adding a final lift at the end. Credits: @a_daily_dose_of_magic on Instagram
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is not your ordinary train ride: this one takes zooms through dark caves and caverns and makes sharp twists and turns that make for an exciting ride for all ages!
8. Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
On this ride, you’ll need to pull a blaster’s drawstring to shoot as many targets as you can. Credits: @dreamandamouse on Instagram
Become a pilot, engineer, or gunner at the cockpit of the legendary Millenium Falcon and get ready for hyperdrive! On this ride, you and your mates will have full control. Do you have what it takes to pull off a smuggling run?
9. Toy Story Midway Mania!
Hop on a trolley at Toy Story Midway Mania!, a ride that meets classic boardwalk games and the beloved Toy Story characters! Kids and parents alike will enjoy blasting targets and scoring points.
10. Radiator Springs Racers
The laidback Radiator Springs is the star of this show! Credits: @thedisneytravelguy on Instagram
You’ll be Lightning McQueen and Sally’s passengers on a speedy race through Route 66, which entails scenic trails and gleeful meet and greets with animatronic Cars franchise characters!
11. Soarin’ Around the World
As the name suggests, this flight simulator ride takes you to the world’s best: the Pyramids of Egypt, the Eiffel Tower, the Taj Mahal, and even our very own Sydney Harbour!
12. Matterhorn Bobsleds
We heard there will also be an abominable snowman encounter, but you’ll have to see for yourself! Credits: @mandehs00 on Instagram
This steel coaster (the first one in the world!) takes you from sunny Disneyland Resort in California to the Matterhorn in the snowy Swiss Alps with stomach-churning dips and twists!
13. WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure
Similar to Toy Story Midway Mania!, this ride will have you slinging webs at frenzied Spider-Bots, except you’ll be flicking your wrists Spidey style—no blasters needed!
14. Splash Mountain
Word on the street is that Splash Mountain is getting a Princess and the Frog makeover. Credits: @themepark_fanatic_27 on Instagram
Splash Mountain is an iconic Disneyland ride that’s been giving park-goers a splashing good time since 1989! Expect to get wet and have fun on this log flume ride.
15. Alice in Wonderland
Journey to Wonderland on this dark ride with all of Alice’s adventures: the quirky smoking caterpillar, the Cheshire Cat, the Red Queen’s Armored Cards, and more!
16. Enchanted Tiki Room
You’ll also find this attraction in Walt Disney World Florida Credits: @disneyboundduo on Instagram
This charming display is more show than ride, but its whimsical array of flora, Polynesian tikis, and animatronic birds singing tropical tunes is worth the visit!
17. Star Tours - The Adventure Continues
Another must-try for Star Wars lovers, this 3D motion simulator lets you experience a Starspeeder ride across the Death Star, Hot, Naboo, and more!
18. Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!
Expect more than one stomach-turning drop on this ride! Credits: @pidayscott1 on Instagram
Formerly the Tower of Terror, Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! is an accelerated drop tower dark ride that lets you adventure with the Guardians themselves on a scream-worthy up-and-down ride!
Fun fact: the Florida equivalent of this ride in Walt Disney World Resort is still the Tower of Terror. If you also want to head to Disneyland’s East Coast sibling, check out our guide to Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando!
19. Peter Pan’s Flight
For a more laidback Disneyland ride, Peter Pan’s Flight is the one! This floating pirate ship will ferry you from London to the alluring Neverland—no pixie dust required!
20. The Incredicoaster
This coaster is known for its incredibly fast take-off that goes from 0 to 55 mph in a matter of seconds! Credits: @adventures.down.mainstreet on Instagram
Last but certainly not least on our list of Disneyland rides is the Inredicoaster, an Incredibles-themed coaster with spectacular views of the entire resort, an electrifying loop, and a drop that’s over a hundred feet!
Want to extend your California adventures and check out another theme park there? Here’s our Disneyland vs. Universal Studios Hollywood comparison!
