The Matterhorn Bobsleds
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The Matterhorn Bobsleds are technically two separate but intertwined steel roller coasters that run down the iconic mountain that sits at the border of Fantasyland and Tomorrowland. Though the ride has been refurbished many times over since its initial opening in 1959, it remains a charming throwback experience, particularly in the way the rattling of the sled reverberates through your entire body. While this is meant to simulate the actual experience of riding a bobsled, it also ups the artificial danger factor for first-time riders. There’s also that pure Disney magic for first-time visitors when you catch a glimpse of a far-off mountain only to learn that you can actually ride down it.
Big Thunder Mountain
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Located in Frontierland, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is a mine train-style roller coaster that is a fantastic entry point for younger riders who are graduating from the sedate experiences found in Fantasyland but still might not be ready for the intimidating Space Mountain. It truly is the perfect roller coaster for people who might not particularly like roller coasters.
The ride takes riders along a rickety railroad track, through a destroyed and abandoned 1800s mining town careening hither and yon over ridges and through tunnels at speeds up to 35 miles per hour. It’s a bumpy ride, but one you won’t want to miss.
Pirate of the Caribbean
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The genius of Disneyland is the variety of experiences offered from ride to ride. Unlike some theme parks that exclusively serve up relentless coaster after relentless coaster, Disney understands the need to slow things down and offer guests rides that will not only wow them but also give them a chance to decompress.
Pirates of the Caribbean is the best example of that philosophy made manifest. On a hot day, after running around the park, there are fewer places you’d rather be than floating away from the mock Louisiana bayou into the cool, dark waters of this ride. Sure, there are a couple of drops, but this one is entirely about vibes.
Haunted Mansion
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The Haunted Mansion is Disneyland’s take on the classic fairground haunted house, done as only they can. The actual ride is a dynamic and visually rich dark ride through the gothic mansion, though some of the most memorable moments come in the rooms before you even board the “Doom Buggies” such as when you enter the art gallery where clever visual tricks are used to hide that fact that you’re taking a functionally necessary elevator ride.
While there are some spooky elements, sharp-eyed riders will be able to see a ton of visual gags from the rides’ imagineers. The Haunted Mansion will always be one of the most charming rides at Disneyland.
Indiana Jones Adventure
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When it opened in 1995, The Indiana Jones Adventure was one of the most technologically impressive dark rides ever built. The enhanced motion of the jeep-style ride vehicle and impressive acceleration give the ride a real sense of speed and danger, and there are a handful of “wow” moments, particularly when you enter the massive main room that is the centerpiece of the experience. As the ride ages, some of what made it special has gone away, such as the multiple paths to take and many of the interactive elements in the long, winding queue. Still, it’s one of the best rides in the park for those looking for something a little more intense than Dumbo the Flying Elephant.
Jungle Cruise
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Like Pirates of the Caribbean, Jungle Cruise is one of those vibes rides that makes Disneyland such a rich and fulfilling theme park experience. The only caveat here is that, unlike Pirates which is the same experience every time, the quality of your Jungle Cruise adventure relies heavily on the comedic talents of your boat skipper. They’re given a script, sure, but they are also allowed to make it their own. The ride itself is hokey and at this point pure camp, but the right guide can elevate the seven-minute cruise into one of the best attractions in the entire park.
Peter Pan’s Flight
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Everyone has their favorite Fantasyland dark ride. Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, Snow White’s Scary Adventure, Alice in Wonderland. They are each charming in their own way, and their old-school charm is the stuff that makes Disneyland a timeless place to visit.
The best among these, though, is Peter Pan’s Flight. The rail-suspended ride takes guests soaring over London and off to Never Never Land. It’s a short, delightful experience that hits all the major story beats from the film. Though the line can get long, it’s always a must-see attraction — it truly feels like actually leaving the park and taking a journey inside an animated Disney movie.
Space Mountain
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Space Mountain opened at Disneyland in 1977, and though it was the second roller coaster constructed in the park, it remains to this day the best it has to offer. The queue takes guests through a retro-futuristic space hangar, and riders board rocket trains that take them through a tunnel, pasting a swirling light and laser display and out into the large interior dome. Draped almost entirely in darkness, the roller coaster whips and turns in tight spirals and sudden drops. Though it only gets to about 33 miles an hour, the sparse lighting gives the impression of incredible speed. Pure Disney magic.
Mad Tea Party
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Mad Tea Party is an iconic Disneyland attraction that everyone should ride at least once when they visit the park. Opening in 1955 and inspired by the Unbirthday Party scene in Alice in Wonderland, this tea cup ride is the platonic ideal of an early Disneyland attraction. The intensity of the ride can be entirely controlled by the riders, making it appropriate for all ages. It is essentially an elevated fairground ride that perfectly uses the Alice branding in the most whimsical, charming Disney way possible. The attraction’s song, a variation of the Unbirthday Song from the movie, never gets old despite being simple and repetitive (much like the ride itself).
No notes, Disneyland. Perfect ride.
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
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Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is the centerpiece of Disneyland’s massive Galaxy’s Edge Star Wars-themed section of the park. The trackless hybrid dark ride is an incredible technological achievement and immersive in a way that few rides have ever managed before. There are moments during this attraction (particularly those that play with your sense of scale) that are truly awesome to behold and will leave you wracking your brain trying to figure out what kind of visual tricks they used to pull it off.
The rest of Galaxy’s Edge is already impressive in its own right, but Rise of the Resistance shows that Disney has yet again raised the bar for theme park attractions.
