So you’re heading to the Happiest Place On Earth?! You have an exciting day ahead of you. But there’s a lot of ground to cover at Disneyland Resort so it’s always a good idea to do a little pre-planning to decide what rides are your must-dos. Families with kids of varying ages may need to choose rides that are suitable for everyone to enjoy, and first-timers are going to want to hit the most iconic rides in the park. Here’s a list of Disneyland rides and descriptions of each so you can plan your Disney getaway and make the most of your magical memories.
Rides at Disneyland Park
Alice in Wonderland
Height requirements: None
Best for: Preschool, kids, tweens, teens
Location: Fantasyland
Alice in Wonderland is a slow-moving, dark ride that wheels guests through a whimsical journey with surreal sights and madcap music. The colorful, curvy paths venture past the White Rabbit’s house, Tulgey Wood, and The Queen’s Garden, plus encounter curious characters like the Cheshire Cat, the Queen of Hearts, the Mad Hatter, and Tweedledee and Tweedledum.
Alice In Wonderland debuted in Fantasyland in 1958. The ride lasts approximately 4 minutes.
Astro Orbitor
Height requirements: None
Best for: Preschool, kids, tweens, teens
Location: Tomorrowland
Climb into your very own rocket ship under constellations and orbiting planets. This spinning ride climbs into the air and revolves around a brilliant Disney-designed galaxy. The 3-seat space ship is yours to control with levers that let you decide how low or high you’ll fly.
Astro Orbitor opened in 1998 and lasts approximately a minute and a half.
Autopia
Height requirements: 32″ or taller
Best for: Kids, tweens, teens, adults
Location: Tomorrowland
The Autopia attraction dates back to Disney’s opening day in 1955. It is the only remaining original Tomorrowland attraction and was inspired by the new freeways that were being developed.
Climb into your very own hot rod with a working gas pedal and steering wheel for you to control your cruise. You’ll rumble under the bridge, past the Matterhorn and other attractions, and see Honda’s Humanoid Robot and Bird.
Drivers who are 54″ or taller can drive their own car. Drivers 32″ – 53″ can drive, but must be accompanied by someone over 54″. Autopia lasts about five minutes.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Height requirements: 40″ or taller
Best for: Kids, tweens, teens, adults
Location: Frontierland
This coaster-style train ride speeds through a haunted gold mine, racing under waterfalls, through tunnels and cursed caverns, dodging boulders and landslides along a rickety track, navigating sharp turns, bumps, and drops.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad opened in 1979 and lasts approximately 3 minutes. At the end of the ride, you’ll pass the ghost town of Big Thunder. The area was developed before Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, and was originally known as Rainbow Ridge – a section from the Rainbow Caverns Mine Train attraction that transported visitors around Frontierland from 1956 to 1977.
Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
Height requirements: None
Best for: Everyone
Location: Tomorrowland
Use your lasers to help Buzz Lightyear defeat Zurg, the Evil Emperor and his squad of robots while maneuvering through the Gamma Quadrant in your XP-40 space cruiser. Your space cruiser can spin a full 360 degrees with the push of your joystick as you fire your cannons and rack up points. See where you rank on the New Star Command, from Cadet to Galactic Hero.
Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters opened in 2005 and lasts approximately 5 minutes.
Casey Jr. Circus Train
Height requirements: None
Best for: Preschoolers, kids
Location: Fantasyland
The Casey Jr. Circus Train is an original attraction from 1955, and the sleigh-style train cars were once part of the original merry-go-round.
This slow moving circus train lasts for approximately four minutes and is perfect for the littles, winding it’s way through famous fairytales and small-scale story lands. Sites to see include:
- Frozen’s village of Arendelle and Elsa’s Ice Castle
- The Three Little Pig’s houses
- Peter Pan’s London park
- Pinocchio’s Alpine Village
- Alice In Wonderland’s English Village
- Aladdin’s royal city of Agrabah and the Cave Of Wonders
- The Little Mermaid’s King Triton’s underwater castle and Prince Eric’s palace
- Snow White and the Seven Dwarf’s cottage
- Cinderella’s French countryside village and mountaintop castle
- Lullaby Land’s Giant’s patchwork quilt
- The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad’s Toad Hall
Chip ‘n Dale Treehouse – Temporarily Closed
Height requirements: None
Best for: Preschoolers, kids, tweens
Location: Mickey’s Toontown
Climb up into the Redwood Tree to visit Chip ‘n Dale’s tree house, complete with views of Mickey’s Toontown.
Chip ‘n Dale’s Treehouse is not a ride, but a walk-in experience for guests to explore at their own pace. The Treehouse debuted at Disneyland in 1993.
Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes
Height requirements: None
Best for: kids, tweens, teens, adults
Location: Critter Country
These free floating canoes are powered by you! You’ll use oars to row your way around the Rivers Of America and the wonders of the last great frontier, past the banks of the Columbia Gorge and five waterfalls, Native American Villages, the backwoods of Frontierland, parts of New Orleans Square and the peak of Critter Country’s Chick-A-Pin Hill. Keep an eye out for wildlife!
While you will be rowing, the river guides at the front and back of the canoes will be doing most of the work. Short rowing lessons are conducted prior to paddling out and children are required to wear life jackets. You may get wet!
Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes opened in 1956 and lasts about 10 minutes.
Disneyland Monorail
Height requirements: None
Best for: Everyone
Location: Disneyland Resort
Disney’s Monorail was the first transportation system of its kind in America. The classic 1959 design meets today’s technology, the retro-futuristic rail emits no exhaust or pollutants and is powered by a 600-volt DC power source.
Take a 13-minute round-trip journey over Fantasyland and Tomorrowland, the Matterhorn, Grizzly Peak, Buena Vista Street, Hollywood Land, the Downtown Disney District, and the Grand Californian Hotel.
There are two Monorail Stations:
- Tomorrowland Station: Above Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage
- Downtown Disney District Station: Guests with park admission can board here and travel directly to Tomorrowland
- The monorail runs every 10 minutes
Disneyland Railroad
Height requirements: None
Best for: Everyone
Location: Disneyland Resort
There are four stations to board the Disneyland Railroad and trains are scheduled to arrive every five to 10 minutes. The train travels clockwise around the park:
- Main Street USA
- New Orleans Square
- Mickey’s Toontown
- Tomorrowland
You can board the train to get from one location in the park to another, or you can take the whole ride (approximately 18 minutes) and see the sights of the park from the comfort of the rails. You’ll see:
- Rivers Of America Landscapes – Mississippi, Columbia, Missouri, and Rio Grande
- Rock formations, waterfalls, and wildlife
- Grand Canyon diorama
- Land Of The Dinosaurs with prehistoric landscapes and animatronic dinosaurs
Opened in 1955, there are five fully restored narrow gauge engines that transport guests around the park via railroad. Four engines are named after American locomotive legends and one engine is named after a Disney animator who inspired Walt’s interest in railways.
- C.K. Holliday
- E.P. Ripley
- Ernest Marsh
- Fred Gurley
- Ward Kimball (animator)
Donald’s Duck Pond
Height requirements: None
Best for: Preschoolers, kids, tweens
Location: Mickey’s Toontown
Guests will find Donald’s boat, the Miss Daisy, docked on Toontown Lake. There are spinning waterlilies, balance beams, rocking toys, and other water play adventures. You’ll get wet here, and have a splashing good time!
Dumbo The Flying Elephant
Height requirements: None
Best for: Preschoolers, kids
Location: Fantasyland
This slow-spinning ride takes little ones to the sky in their very own flying Dumbo, soaring around a waterfall. Use the lever inside your ride to control how high or low you’ll fly. There is even a replica of the ride’s gondola behind the main attraction for photo ops.
The Dumbo ride lasts approximately a minute and a half. It is an original attraction from 1955 and is based on the classic Disney movie, Dumbo, released in 1941. Look for the band organ under the circus tent behind the Dumbo attraction – it was built in 1915!
Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage
Height requirements: None
Best for: Kids, tweens
Location: Tomorrowland
This revitalized attraction with see more coral, new paint, fresh kelp and seaweed, as well as enhanced special effects and lighting. There is slightly different view depending on where you sit in the submarine. You may spot Nemo at certain times when others can’t see him at all but everyone will be able to see and hear Nemo along the journey. There will be an Observation Outpost at the end of the dock for those that don’t want to make the voyage. Manned by a member of the N.E.M.O. Institute, this facility offers a high-definition, live-feed video version of the voyage via onboard “SubCam.”
Gadget’s Go Coaster
Height requirements: 35″ or Taller
Best for: Kids, tweens
Location: Mickey’s Toontown
Gadget’s Go Coaster zooms riders around Toontown and Toon Lake. Crafted from oversized found items, the acorn cars seat one adult and one child for a wild, kid-sized roller coaster ride. Gadet’s Go Coaster was built by Gadget Hackwrench, a clever female mouse inventor from the popular Disney series Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers.
Gadget’s Go Coaster debuted in 1993 and lasts about a minute.
Goofy’s How To Play Yard
Height requirements: None
Best for: Preschoolers, kids, tweens
Location: Mickey’s Toontown
Take a stroll through Goofy’s zany clubhouse and sound garden, perfect for creating a world of whimsical noises and engaging play activities including candy making contraptions, slides and chutes, and interactive appliances.
Haunted Mansion
Height requirements: None
Best for: Kids, tweens, teens, adults
Location: New Orleans Square
One of Disney’s most beloved attractions, the Haunted Mansion is a dreadful delight. Your Ghost Host narrates your journey as your slow-moving Doom Buggy takes you through the portrait chamber, the conservatory, the séance room, the grand ballroom, and the cemetery. You’ll see ghostly spirits, dancing apparitions, and shadows of the dead.
The Haunted Mansion is spooky and dark with a little bit of fright, but is not gory. Little ones who like a little scare will enjoy the Haunted Mansion just as much as everyone else. Every year, just before Halloween, the Haunted Mansion is transformed into Haunted Mansion Holiday, with festive décor inspired by The Nightmare Before Christmas.
The Haunted Mansion has been a Disneyland attraction since 1969. The ride lasts about 9 minutes.
Hyperspace Mountain
Height requirements: 40″ or taller
Best for: Kids, tweens, teens, adults
Location: Tomorrowland
A high-speed Star Wars adventure, riders will dodge dogfights while fending off Rebel X-wing starfighters and Imperial TIE fighters. You’ll be briefed by Admiral Ackbar about your mission to assist the Rebel Alliance.
You’ll participate in intense maneuvers and replicate epic combat scenes taken straight from the Star Wars movies. Hyperspace Mountain will only be open for a limited time and is located in the Space Mountain indoor roller coaster attraction.
Hyperspace Mountain temporarily takes the place of Space Mountain for a limited time in 2022.
Indiana Jones Adventure
Height requirements: 46″ or taller
Best for: Kids, tweens, teens, adults
Location: Adventureland
Follow the exciting adventures of Indiana Jones in one of the most popular Disneyland attractions. The 12-person vehicle take riders on a fast-paced journey through crumbling temples and booby traps, over rough terrain and daring drops. You’ll encounter hot lava, massive boulders and collapsing bridges, mummies and wraiths, swarms of insects and slithering snakes, and so much more. This daring adventure will get your heart racing as you dodge all the dangers along the way.
Indiana Jones Adventure opened at Disneyland in 1995 and lasts approximately 3 minutes. There is a similar attraction at Tokyo DisneySea.
“it’s a small world”
Height requirements: None
Best for: Everyone
Location: Fantasyland
Take an international journey and hear It’s A Small World sung in many different languages. You’ll travel the Seven Seaways canal in slow moving boats and see scenes featuring nearly 300 animatronic dolls representing children from cultures all over the world.
You’ll even see popular Disney characters in different places:
- Peter Pan and Tinker Bell in England
- Cinderella in France
- Pinocchio and Jiminy Cricket in Italy
- Aladdin and Jasmine in the Middle East
- The Three Caballeros in Mexico
- Ariel and Flounder under the sea
- Lilo and Stitch in the South Pacific
- Woody, Jessie, and Bullseye in the southwestern USA
Keep an eye on the clock tower! You’ll see a parade of 24 animated figures every 15 minutes.
The song It’s A Small World was written by Richard and Robert Sherman. The attraction was designed primarily by Mary Blair and Alice Davis. Davis and her husband sewed over 300 costumes for the animatronic dolls, using authentic material from traditional attire from each region.
The attraction was originally created for the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair and was shipped back to Disneyland where it debuted in the park in 1966. The ride lasts approximately 15 minutes!
Jungle Cruise
Height requirements: None
Best for: Everyone
Location: Adventureland
Climb aboard the tramp steamer for a guided tour along a remote river in this popular Disney attraction that’s both “perilous and hilarious”. The Jungle Cruise takes you on an 8-minute adventure to exotic destinations including:
- Ancient Cambodian Shrine – see tigers, cobras, and crocodiles
- Jungle Cruise Safari Camp – a camp overrun by gorillas
- Indian Elephant Bathing Pool – see bathing elephants
- The African Veldt – see hippos and lions and zebra
- Schweitzer Falls – see the backside of water
The original Jungle Cruise debuted in 1955 as an educational feature, Walt added drama and humor in the early 1960s. The wild and wacky elements have evolved over time. The movie Jungle Cruise based on the attraction was released in 2021.
King Arthur Carrousel
Height requirements: None
Best for: Preschoolers, kids, tweens
Location: Fantasyland
Gallop along on a regal steed on Disney’s merry go round in the castle courtyard. King Arthur Carrousel features 68 carved, hand-painted horses and music from an old-fashioned organ. There are 9 animated scenes from Sleeping Beauty on the boards around the carousel.
The Carrousel is an original attraction from 1955 and lasts about 2 minutes. The original carousel had giraffes, deer, and other animals, but Walt replaced the other animals with additional horses.
Mad Tea Party
Height requirements: None
Best for: Everyone
Location: Fantasyland
Whirl around in these oversized teacups with madcap music and colorful lanterns inspired by the Mad Hatter’s tea party from Alice in Wonderland. Use the wheel in the middle of the cup to control your speed and direction as you spin.
Mad Tea Party debuted in 1955 and visitors spin to the Unbirthday Song for a minute and a half.
Main Street Vehicles
Height requirements: None
Best for: Everyone
Location: Main Street, USA
Take a ride down Main Street in a turn of the century vehicle including a horse drawn street car, a jitney, a fire engine, and an omnibus. There are two boarding locations: one at Town Square near City Hall and one at Central Plaza in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle. Take a one way trip on one, and try another on the way back! The Main Street Vehicles debuted on opening day in 1955.
Mark Twain Riverboat
Height requirements: None
Best for: Everyone
Location: Frontierland
This 19th century steam powered paddle boat will take guests on a cruise around the Rivers of America. You’ll travel around the Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island and see:
- Columbia Gorge and five waterfalls
- A frontier cabin
- A Native American village
- Beavers and mountain lions
- The Disney Railroad
The Mark Twain riverboat is a reproduction of the boats that used to travel the Mississippi River, complete with a working steam engine. The 105-foot-long boat is 28 feet tall and features four decks – the Pilothouse, the Promenade Deck, Texas Deck, and Main Deck.
The Mark Twain Riverboat attraction opened in 1955 and is approximately 14 minutes long.
Matterhorn Bobsleds
Height requirements: 42″ or taller
Best for: Kids, tweens, teens, adults
Location: Fantasyland
The Matterhorn Bobsleds is one of the most popular rides at Disneyland and the snow-capped Matterhorn Mountain is easy to identify from afar. The speedy sleds take riders on a high-speed adventure, in and out of icy caves to escape the abominable snowman. There are twists, turns, drops, and an alpine lake that you’ll splash down in.
There are two routes on the Matterhorn: the first route is on the Fantasyland side of the mountain and the other is on the Tomorrowland side of the mountain.
The Matterhorn Mountain is a replica of the real Matterhorn in the Swiss Alps and is 100 times shorter. The real Matterhorn comes in at 14,700 feet tall, Disney’s Matterhorn is 147 feet tall. The Matterhorn started as the 20-foot high Holiday Hill but continued to grow into what you see today. The Matterhorn Bobsleds was Disneyland’s first rollercoaster and the first tubular steel coaster in the world. The Matterhorn ride is only found at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim.
Matterhorn Bobsleds opened in 1959 and is approximately 2 minutes long.
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway ride
Height requirements: Any Height
Best for: All ages
Location: Mickey’s Toontown
This is first-ever Disney attraction to feature its most famous character, Mickey Mouse, which also features Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Pluto and Goofy, who’s the train conductor.
The ride is a journey filled with nostalgic memorabilia but also implements modern technology, such as a trackless ride system. Guests will embark on a whirlwind adventure that includes a simulated drop down a waterfall, a conga dance lesson with Daisy Duck, and a whirl through an active construction scene.
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
Height requirements: 38″ or taller
Best for: Kids, tweens, teens, adults
Location: Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
In this interactive smuggling mission guests get the chance to fly the fastest ship in the galaxy, The Millennium Falcon. You’ll climb into the cockpit and become a pilot, engineer, or gunner on this daring and dangerous flight. Millennium Falcon is located in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge where guests will be immersed in the world of Star Wars.
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run opened in 2019 and lasts approximately 5 minutes.
Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride
Height requirements: None
Best for: Kids, tweens, adults
Location: Fantasyland
Guests will take a manic drive through the countryside in their very own motorcar. The 2-seater buggies travel past the library and through the fireplace, the formal dining room and past a riverbank. You’ll cruise and crash and narrowly miss a train on this wild ride with Mr. Toad.
The ride was based on scenes from The Wind In The Willows from Disney’s The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad, and was an original attraction on opening day in 1955. The ride has received updates over the years but remains the only Mr. Toad ride in the Disney Park collection. The ride lasts approximately 2 minutes.
Peter Pan’s Flight
Height requirements: None
Best for: Preschoolers, kids, tweens
Location: Fantasyland
Climb aboard a magical pirate ship to Never Land with Peter Pan at the wheel, along with Wendy, Michael, and John. You’ll travel through scenes from the 1953 Disney film Peter Pan and see:
- Big Ben and Tower Bridge
- Never Land
- Volcanoes and waterfalls
- Lost Boys and mermaids
- Pirate’s Cove
- A duel with Captain Hook
- Wendy walking the plank
- The Crocodile
Peter Pan’s Flight is an original attraction from the 1955 opening day with two to four riders per vehicle and lasts approximately 2 minutes.
Pinocchio’s Daring Journey
Height requirements: None
Best for: Preschoolers, kids, tweens
Location: Fantasyland
Experience Pinocchio’s adventures to becoming a real boy as you climb aboard the woodcarver’s art at the Stromboli Puppet Theatre. With help from the blue fairy and Jiminy Cricket, you’ll visit Pleasure Island, encounter a dangerous sea and Monstro the Whale, and much more as you make your way back to Gepetto.
Pinocchio’s Daring Journey opened in 1983 and lasts approximately 4 minutes. There is a Hidden Mickey in the final workshop scene. Look for the top of a wooden display case holding a ship.
Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island
Height requirements: None
Best for: Kids, tweens, teens, adults
Location: Frontierland
Visit the secret island hideaway inspired by the stories of Mark Twain. You’ll venture across the Rivers Of America by log raft to the Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island where you’ll walk around and visit the places Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn lived as pirates.
You’ll enjoy shady paths, views of the riverbanks, cross suspension bridges in Smuggler’s Cove, explore haunted caves in Dead Man’s Grotto, and climb through a frontier fort. Keep an eye out for the hidden Pirate’s treasure! When you’re done exploring, climb back on a raft at the dock and head back to New Orleans Square.
Tom Sawyer Island opened in 1956 and is the only Disneyland attraction designed by Walt Disney. He worked on the plans himself to create all of the elements to reflect the stories of Mark Twain.
Pirates of the Caribbean
Height requirements: None
Best for: Everyone
Location: New Orleans Square
Begin in the Louisiana Bayou and board a barge to take a journey through the Golden Age of Piracy. Take a plunge down a waterfall and float through the Pirates Grotto, navigate cannon fire and encounter drunken buccaneers. Hear them sing “Yo Ho A Pirates Life For Me”, and even spot Captain Jack Sparrow from the movie series Pirates Of The Caribbean. Other characters from the popular movies have also been added including Captain Barbossa and Davy Jones. The animatronic pirates tell an exciting and imaginative story on this immersive ride, originally designed in the 1950s.
Pirates Of The Caribbean was the last ride envisioned and overseen by Walt Disney, as he passed away three months before the attraction opened. There are similar replications of Pirates at Disney World, Disneyland Paris, and Tokyo Disneyland.
The classic attraction debuted in 1967 and has been a Disneyland Park favorite ever since. The ride lasts approximately 16 minutes.
Sailing Ship Columbia
Height requirements: None
Best for: Everyone
Location: Frontierland
The 110-foot-long Columbia is a replica of the first American ship to circumnavigate the globe over a period of three years. The Columbia is fully rigged and ready to sail with a towering main mast, deck mounted guns, and cannons.
The Columbia sails around Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island with views of the backwoods of Frontierland, portions of New Orleans Square, and the peak of Critter Country’s Chick-A-Pin Hill. You’ll also see:
- Columbia Gorge: the north bank and sparkling waterfalls
- Rustic cabin of frontier settlers
- Native American village
- Train trestle being chewed on by the busy beaver and a grazing moose
- Disneyland Railroad
The Sailing Ship Columbia debuted in 1958 and the ride lasts approximately 15 minutes.
Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough
Height requirements: None
Best for: Preschoolers, kids, tweens
Location: Fantasyland
Step into Sleeping Beauty’s Castle to see scenes from the Disney classic through winding pathways with diorama’s revealing Princess Aurora’s story, including Maleficent transforming into a fire-breathing dragon. Experience 3-D displays, as well as sound and special effects.
The Sleeping Beauty castle is inspired by the Neuschwanstein castle in Bavaria. Believe it or not, the drawbridge has only been lowered twice – once in 1955 during the parks Grand Opening, and once in 1983 during the rededication of Fantasyland.
Sleeping Beauty’s castle debuted in 1955, but guests could not actually walk through the interior of the castle until 1957.
Snow White’s Enchanted Wish
Height requirements: None
Best for: Kids, tweens, adults
Location: Fantasyland
Climb into a wooden mine cart with Snow White and flee from the evil Queen. You’ll travel through the Seven Dwarfs cottage and the mines full of glimmering gems, then venture into the Queen’s sorcery chamber and see the magic mirror. New additions to the attraction include special, sparkling effects, new scenes with Snow White dancing, the scent of pies, and the Queen’s potions and spell books. Keep an eye out for the Evil Queen peering out of the window above the entrance to the ride.
Snow White’s Enchanted wish debuted in 1955 and lasts approximately 2 minutes.
Space Mountain
Height requirements: 40″ or taller
Best for: Kids, tweens, teens, adults
Location: Tomorrowland
Climb aboard a futuristic vehicle and hold on tight for a fast-paced space adventure through solar fields, spiraling nebulas, and infinite darkness. You’ll twist and turn, and speed through the void with immersive sound effects and music to round out the sensory experience on your mission through Space Mountain.
Space Mountain was temporarily converted to Hyperspace Mountain in 2022, a Star Wars-themed adventure.
Space Mountain was Disneyland Park’s second roller coaster, and is the second of five Space Mountain attractions. It debuted at Disneyland in 1977, reaches speeds of 35 miles per hour, and the ride lasts approximately 3 minutes.
Splash Mountain/Tiana’s Bayou Adventure (to be renamed, opens late 2024)
Height requirements: 40″ or taller
Best for: Kids, tweens, teens, adults
Location: Critter Country
Climb into a hollow log and float through a bayou on an adventure with Br’er Rabbit to his laughing place. You’ll encounter Br’er Bear and Br’er Fox along the way and more than 100 animatronic critters who are singing and telling stories, including Disney classics like Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah. You’ll glide along 950,000 gallons of water and hit three dips. At the end of the ride, you’ll splash down a five-story drop. You may get wet!! Riders in the front of the boat might get soaked, and those towards the back can expect at least a mild splash.
Many of the animatronic critters in Splash Mountain were originally debuted in the Tomorrowland show America Sings performing patriotic melodies from 1974 to 1988.
Splash Mountain opened in 1989. The ride reaches speeds up to 39 miles per hour and lasts approximately 10 minutes.
Splash Mountain will be renamed Tiana’s Bayou Adventure after receiving a “Princess and the Frog” makeover in late 2024. The updated version of the ride will feature characters from “The Princess and the Frog” and have a storyline that picks up where the movie ended.
Star Tours – The Adventures Continue
Height requirements: 40″ or taller
Best for: Kids, tweens, teens, adults
Location: Tomorrowland
C-3PO takes control as your tour guide on the Starspeeder as you’re pursued by the First Order in this exciting Star Wars motion simulator experience.
Current Star Tours Experience features: Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and Star Wars: The Last Jedi.
Star Tours debuted in 1987 with an adventure to Endor. In 2011, other destinations and 3D video technology were added, including a flight simulator, in-cockpit music and special effects, and animatronic characters. The Star Tours experience lasts approximately 5 minutes.
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
Height requirements: 40″ or taller
Best for: Kids, tweens, teens, adults
Location: Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
Star Wars themed trackless ride on a First Order Fleet Transport that slides through battle scenes between the Resistance and the First Order, narrowly escapes stormtroopers, and slips through the Imperial AT-AT Walkers. Features motion simulation, small drops, and loud noises.
The ride opened in 2019 and lasts approximately 18 minutes. Each vehicle seats about 8 riders.
Storybook Land Canal Boats
Height requirements: None
Best for: Preschoolers, kids, tweens
Location: Fantasyland
Take a tour through Storybook Land in this outdoor ride. Riders will board a 12-person boat and gently cruise along the canals to view models of classic Disney villages including:
- Frozen’s Arendelle and Elsa’s Ice Palace
- Three Little Pigs’ houses
- Peter Pan’s London Park
- Pinocchio’s Alpine Village
- Alice In Wonderland’s English Village
- Aladdin’s royal city of Agrabah and Cave Of Wonders
- The Little Mermaid’s Prince Eric’s Palace and King Triton’s Underwater Castle
- Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs cottage
- Cinderella’s French countryside village and mountaintop castle
- The Giant’s patchwork quilt from Lullaby Land
- The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad’s Toad Hall
Storybook Land debuted in 1955 and lasts approximately 6 minutes.
Disneyland Rides Babies Can Go On
- Alice In Wonderland
- Astro Orbitor
- Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
- Casey Jr. Circus Train
- Disneyland Monorail
- Disneyland Railroad
- Dumbo The Flying Elephant
- Haunted Mansion
- It’s A Small World
- Jungle Cruise
- King Arthur’s Carrousel
- Mad Tea Party
- Main Street Vehicles
- The Many Adventures of Winnie The Pooh
- Mark Twain Riverboat
- Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride
- Peter Pan’s Flight
- Pinocchio’s Daring Journey
- Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island
- Pirates Of The Caribbean
- Sailing Ship Columbia
- Snow White’s Enchanted Wish
- Storybook Land Canal Boats
The above list includes all Disneyland rides with no height requirements. Babies are welcome on any Disneyland ride with no height requirement and all walk-through attractions.
Disneyland Rides Best For Toddlers
- Alice In Wonderland
- Astro Orbitor
- Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
- Casey Jr. Circus Train
- Disneyland Monorail
- Disneyland Railroad
- Dumbo The Flying Elephant
- It’s A Small World
- Jungle Cruise
- King Arthur Carrousel
- Mad Tea Party
- Mark Twain Riverboat
- Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride
- Peter Pan’s Flight
- Pinocchio’s Daring Journey
- Pirates Of The Caribbean
- Sailing Ship Columbia
- Storybook Land Canal Boats
Disneyland Genie+ Pass/Lightning Lane
Genie+ can be purchased as an add-on for $20 per ticket per day. It includes complimentary features included in the Disney Genie Service on the Disneyland App plus access to Lightning Lane entrances at select rides and attractions at Disneyland and California Adventure. With Genie+, guests can choose next available arrival windows, one at a time, all day long on the day of your visit. This is even better than the regular Lightning Lane add-on, as with Lightning Lane, guests can only use it to access two attractions per visit.
Disney Genie+ Lightning Lane Entrance Rides
- Autopia
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
- Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
- Haunted Mansion
- Indiana Jones Adventure
- It’s A Small World
- Matterhorn Bobsleds
- Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
- Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin
- Space Mountain
- Star Tours: The Adventure Continues
Disneyland Rider Switch
Disneyland offers the Rider Switch program. This allows adult guests with small children or other guests who are unable to ride to take turns waiting with the non-rider, then board the attraction without waiting in the regular line a second time. Here’s how that works:
- Check into the desired attraction with a cast member and confirm Rider Switch
- You’ll be split into Party 1 and Party 2 – party 1 will ride first while the other supervising adults wait with non-riders in party 2
- Party 2 will wait in a designated area while Party 1 waits in line for the ride
- After Party 1 rides, they’ll take over supervision of non-riders in Party 2
- Supervising guest of Party 2 can return to the attraction to scan their ticket for Rider Switch where they will board the attraction without having to wait in the full regular line a second time
Disneyland Rides That Offer Rider Switch
- Rider Switch is now available for all attractions at Disneyland Park
Disneyland Rides That No Longer Exist
- Adventures Through Inner Space: Was replaced by Star Tours. Opened 1967, Closed 1985.
- Captain EO: 3D Sci-fi movie starring Michael Jackson. Opened 1986, Closed 1996.
- Flying Saucers: Futuristic bumper car style ride. Opened 1961, Closed 1966.
- Midget Autopia: A junior version of Autopia. Opened 1957, Closed 1966.
- Mine Train Through Nature’s Wonderland/Rainbow Caverns Mine Train: Traveled through Rainbow Caverns and Frontierland. Opened 1960, Closed 1977.
- Motor Boat Cruise: Like a water version of Autopia. Opened 1957, Closed 1993.
- PeopleMover: Slow-moving train-like ride on a moving floor above ground level in Tomorrowland. Opened 1967, Closed 1995.
- Rocket Jets: Replaced by Astro Orbitor. Opened 1967, Closed 1997.
- Rocket Rods: High speed attraction on old People Mover track. Opened 1998, Closed 2000.
- Rocket To The Moon/Rocket To Mars: Opened 1955, Closed 1975 as the Moon experience. As Mars, Opened 1975, Closed 1992.
- Skyway: Overhead gondolas. Opened 1956, Closed 1994.
- Submarine Voyage: Industrial-style submarine providing an undersea experience viewed through portholes. Opened 1959, Closed 1998. This attraction has been modified and enhanced to the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage and opened in July 2022.
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