Planning a trip to Disneyland?? It's one of my favorite family destinations!
All the attractions at Disneyland are great, but there are a few that are so exceptional that they have earned a permanent place in our cultural heritage. Their creativity and attention to detail are unparalleled. Most of these rides have been at Disneyland for decades.
My family visits Disneyland every year or two. My kids are older now (ages 16 and 19) and rides are our favorite part of Disneyland Resort. We get up early, buy Genie+, and plan our day to ride our favorites as much as we can.
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Here are the best rides at Disneyland with my best tips for avoiding long lines. Get more tips for success at the end of the post.
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is one of Disneyland's newest rides, and it's one of my favorites. It's a thrilling multi-part experience that immerses you in the Star Wars universe. It's unlike anything else at Disneyland Resort.
Lines are always long at Rise of the Resistance, but it's worth the wait. Lines are the shortest right when the park opens, but so many people rush directly there that “short” is relative.
Instead, we decided to enjoy shorter lines for other favorite rides right after the park opened and then just endured the Rise of the Resistance line later when lines were long everywhere. We have also found that lines are more reasonable about an hour before the park closes.
A Lightning Lane is available for this ride, but it's not included with Genie+. You'll pay extra to use the Lightning Lane.
How to Ride Faster
- Ride early or late in the day
- Lightning Lane – NOT included with Genie+
- Rider Switch available
Related: Tips for Using the Official Disneyland App
Millenium Falcon: Smuggler's Run
Millenium Falcon: Smuggler's Run is the other new Star Wars ride in Galaxy's Edge. Everyone in your group will be assigned a seat and a job, and you'll push buttons and pull levers to “fly” the Millenium Falcon to safety. Pilot is the most exciting job.
Visually, this ride is really cool. But it's not the most exciting ride in the park so once with Genie+ is enough for us. And it can be rough for people with motion sickness.
How to Ride Faster
- Lightning Lane included with Genie+
- Rider Switch available
- Single Rider line
Related: Best Rides at Disney's California Adventure
Indiana Jones Adventure
Indiana Jones Adventure in Adventureland is a fast-paced thrill ride through elaborate sets that will remind you of the Indiana Jones movies. You won't find many rides outside Disneyland like this one.
We usually ride Indiana Jones first because it's one of the closest thrill rides to the entrance. And it's one of our favorite rides. We use the Standby line in the morning while lines are short and ride again with Genie+ later in the day. If wait times dip below 30-45 minutes, we may wait to ride it a third time.
How to Ride Faster
- Lightning Lane included with Genie+
- Rider Switch available
Jungle Cruise
Jungle Cruise is an original Disneyland ride. You ride slowly in a “tour boat” through the wilds of Adventureland. Your guide will keep you entertained with a corny script as you pass by animatronic animals. Late in the year, this ride transforms into “Jingle Cruise.”
Guests of all ages, including infants, can ride Jungle Cruise. Waits are usually not crazy long for this ride, so you can either ride it right after Indiana Jones or save it for later.
How to Ride Faster
- Ride early or late in the day
Related: How to Pick the Perfect Hotel Near Disneyland
Pirates of the Caribbean
Pirates of the Caribbean is a slow boat ride through a series of elaborate pirate scenes. Watch the first Pirates movie to pick up references from the ride.
Guests of all ages, including infants, can ride Pirates of the Caribbean. You can usually ride quickly early in the day or during fireworks.
How to Ride Faster
- Ride early or late in the day
- Genie+ Lightning Lane may be available
Related: 10 Must-Have Items for Your Disneyland Packing List
Haunted Mansion
The Haunted Mansion in New Orleans Square is more fun than scary, so most kids will like this classic and imaginative Disney dark ride. But proceed with caution if your kids are anxious about it. This ride scared my teen daughter when she was six years old and she still doesn't like it.
Guests of all ages, including infants, can ride Haunted Mansion. From September through December, Haunted Mansion gets a Nightmare Before Christmas makeover that is really fun. Expect longer lines during this time.
How to Ride Faster
- Ride early or late in the day
- Lightning Lane included with Genie+
Related: 5 Rookie Mistakes to Avoid at Disneyland
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is a fun, family-friendly coaster in Frontierland. You ride a speeding train through a mining town, craggy hills, and a treacherous mine. They don't call it the “wildest ride in the wilderness” for nothing.
We typically ride Big Thunder Mountain in the first or second hour of the day. This one is also fun just before or during the nighttime fireworks. There's a good, uncrowded view of the fireworks near the ride's exit.
How to Ride Faster
- Lightning Lane included with Genie+
- Rider Switch available
Related: Tips for Using the Disneyland Calendar to Save Time in Line
Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway
Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway is the newest ride at Disneyland Resort and it's SO charming. It's a trackless ride like Rise of the Resistance and popular new rides at other Disney parks. And it makes clever use of animation and projections.
This is a fast-loading, high-capacity ride with no height or age restrictions in the back of the park. We found that wait times don't get as crazy as other rides – especially early and late in the day. Use Genie+ to ride it at least once.
How to Ride Faster
- Lightning Lane included with Genie+
- Ride early or late in the day
Peter Pan's Flight
Peter Pan's Flight is a nostalgic dark ride for many Disneyland fans, including me. You ride high above London and Neverland in a pirate ship gently suspended from the ceiling. The scenes throughout are magical.
Guests of all ages can enjoy this ride and lines get long quickly. I recommend getting there immediately after the park opens on your second or third day, or just enduring the wait after enjoying your other priority attractions.
How to Ride Faster
- Ride early or late in the day
“it's a small world”
The song from this classic ride will be stuck in your head for hours, but its message of unity is timeless. “it's a small world” is a whimsical boat ride featuring animatronic children from around the world. Characters from Disney movies like Toy Story and Lilo and Stitch have been inserted in recent years.
Guests of all ages, including infants, can ride “it's a small world.” Lines are usually not long, compared with other rides. We usually ride this one in the afternoon and evening when lines get long for our other priority rides.
How to Ride Faster
- Ride early or late in the day
- Lightning Lane included with Genie+
Related: 30+ Tips for Doing Disneyland on a Budget
Matterhorn Bobsleds
Fantasyland's Matterhorn Mountain dominates the Disneyland skyline and it's the home of one of the park's classic coasters. Ride in a bobsled up, down, and through the mountain. Watch out for the abominable snowman!
Now that I've hit middle age, this old-school coaster is too bumpy for me. My kids love it, though. I usually send them through the short Single Rider line after we've enjoyed other rides together.
How to Ride Faster
- Lightning Lane included with Genie+
- Rider Switch available
- Single Rider line
Related: Our Review of the Disneyland Hotel
Space Mountain
Space Mountain is a beloved Tomorrowland coaster. It is all indoors, with very little light so you can't see where you're going. A futuristic soundtrack plays in your headrest. Occasionally, Disneyland rolls out special Star Wars or Halloween lighting and music for this ride. These versions are fun too.
This ride often has one of the longest lines in the park. We rely on Genie+ to help us avoid long lines on this one since we usually start our day on the other side of the park. Or, head for Space Mountain first on your second day in Disneyland.
How to Ride Faster
- Lightning Lane included with Genie+
- Single Rider available
- Rider Switch available
Star Tours – The Adventures Continue
Star Tours has long been a MUST attraction at Disneyland for Star Wars fans, and now more than ever. The Force Awakens version of the ride was added soon after the movie's release. This thrilling motion-simulation ride through the galaxy has several different versions, so it's worth doing more than once if you're a fan.
Since we usually start our day on the opposite side of the park, we rely on Genie+ to get us through this line quickly. Or you could start your second day in Tomorrowland and ride this one right after Space Mountain
How to Ride Faster
- Lightning Lane included with Genie+
- Rider Switch available
Related: Why We Love Mobile Ordering at Disneyland
Tips for Success
- Arrive early – We aim to be at the gate 30-45 minutes before the park opens. We can ride more before 10 AM than the whole rest of the day.
- Consider Genie+ – Genie+ is an optional paid add-on that allows you to reserve a time and use the Lightning Lane. You can do this once per ride per day through the Disneyland app. You can buy Genie+ with your tickets or wait until after you enter the park and buy through the official Disneyland app.
- Use Extra Magic Hours – If you are a guest of a Disneyland Resort hotel, you can get into the park earlier than the general public.
- Download the official Disneyland app – This app is an essential Disneyland tool. Get wait times, Genie+, and much more.
- Download the Disney Play app – Many of these rides have location-specific games and activities to make your time in line more interesting. It's especially sophisticated for new rides like Millenium Falcon: Smuggler's Run.
Special lines that save time
- Lightning Lane – The Lightning Lane is a shorter line for those who have purchased Genie+ or an individual Lightning Lane pass (like at Rise of the Resistance). I think that Genie+ is worth it if rides are a top priority. We did not buy individual Lightning Lane access for anything else. We usually wait for about 15 minutes in the Lightning Lane.
- Rider Switch – Rider Switch is a great option for families with young children. You stand in line once and request a Rider Switch pass when you get to the front. Adult 1 rides and then gives the pass to Adult 2 who stayed with the non-riders. Adult 2 can then go with two other riders (even if they just finished the ride with Adult 1) without waiting.
- Single Rider – Single rider lines are available on a handful of popular rides. They are a great option for families with older kids (age 7+) who would rather ride fast than ride together. You can often ride within 15 minutes if you're willing to fill an empty seat and meet up at the exit.
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It was really tough to leave a few great rides off this list. Did I miss your favorite? If so, please share it in the comments, along with your tips for doing it right.
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