Best Disneyland Attractions & Ride Guide

Our Disneyland ride guide contains short reviews of our top picks, as well as numerical scores for every attraction in Disneyland. If you’re planning a Disneyland trip, you need to know which attractions are must-dos, and which you can skip. (Updated September 12, 2025.)

This list is broken down into three categories: iconic must-do attractions, everything else, and nighttime spectaculars. The top Disneyland attractions grouping includes plenty of recognizable names, along with a few sleeper-picks that many people overlook–but are actually really enjoyable. Then there’s everything else–the filler, more or less. Finally, there are the notable nighttime spectaculars that you won’t want to miss.

While we don’t recommend skipping any attractions based upon the advice of others if you have the time to experience them all, if your time is limited, here are the must-see rides and attractions in Disneyland. Note that this list only covers Disneyland, the park. We have a separate review of attractions at Disney California Adventure.

Not every attraction at Disneyland is a blockbuster, “E-Ticket” attraction that draws huge crowds. While we love these big-name attractions, we feel a day at Disneyland is about variety, and some of the lesser-known attractions are also very well done, just not in a ‘knock-your-socks-off’ way. The list of “top attractions” includes everything we feel makes for a well-rounded day at Disneyland.

Ideally, you’ll have more than one day to explore Disneyland and have a separate day for Disney California Adventure (read our Disneyland Ticket Guide to determine which tickets are best), so you will be able to experience everything, not just our top picks. If you are stretched for time and only have one day for both parks, you won’t be able to experience everything on this “top attractions” list.

Numerical scores are on a scale of 1 to 10, and only take into consideration overall quality relative to that specific type of attraction. In other words, dark rides are judged against other dark rides, coasters are judged against other coasters, etc., to create a relatively level playing field. We do not take into account how different demographics will like the attraction.

Obviously, if an attraction has a height restriction that precludes kids from riding it, its “score” for them wouldn’t be as high as what we’ve listed. Likewise on attractions that are geared towards kids but may not appeal as much to adults. Here, we only consider how well done the attraction is, overall, within its category.

Iconic Disneyland Attractions

Indiana Jones Adventure (10/10) – Indiana Jones Adventure is a thrilling ride aboard a transport vehicle deep into the Temple of the Forbidden Eye on a daring journey in search of unimaginable rewards. Along the way you’ll incur the wrath of Mara, who will force you to encounter caverns of bubbling death, screaming undead mummies, erupting lava, evil wraiths, and giant snakes.

Everything about this attraction is excellent–it’s our favorite attraction at Disneyland. From the incredible queue to the humorous pre-show to the special effects-laden attraction itself, Indiana Jones Adventure is perfect and still cutting edge. As Sallah would (and does) say, “it is unlike anything you have ever experienced, I assure you!” This attraction is incredibly popular and routinely has long waits, making it a great use of the Lightning Lane.

Pirates of the Caribbean (10/10) – Pirates of the Caribbean is a boat-ride back in time to the days when pirates ruled the Caribbean. The attractions features Audio Animatronics pirates engaging in swashbuckling mayhem. This is one of our favorite attractions at Disneyland.

Pirates of the Caribbean is considerably longer than the Walt Disney World attraction by the same name. It contains a considerable amount of detail (we recommend experiencing it more than once to take in everything), a catchy song, and lines usually aren’t too long due to its high capacity.

Haunted Mansion (10/10) – The Haunted Mansion is a slow-moving dark ride that is home to 999 happy haunts that are dying to meet you. No further explanation should be necessary; if you aren’t familiar with the premise of the Haunted Mansion, you’re probably living under a rock. I have no interest in rock-dwellers reading this website.

For those familiar with the Walt Disney World version, a lot in the Disneyland version is the same or similar. Die-hard Haunted Mansion fans will disagree, but the vast majority of guests won’t notice many differences. If you visit between early September and the end of the year, you’ll see “Haunted Mansion Holiday,” which features a Nightmare Before Christmas overlay. It’s awesome.

Space Mountain (9/10) – Space Mountain is a dark rollercoaster through space. There are some cool details here, including a blast-off tunnel and on-board music to spice up the experience. Space Mountain is a Lightning Lane Multi-Pass attraction, and it’s highly recommended that you utilize it.

Matterhorn (8/10) – The Matterhorn was Expedition Everest decades before Expedition Everest was even conceived. This rollercoaster through the yeti-guarded mountain is a thrilling attraction that most guests will enjoy. The Matterhorn received some new show scenes that are fairly cool. Matterhorn is a good use of the Lightning Lane to avoid long waits.

Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage (8/10) – A relatively new attraction at Disneyland, the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage takes guests aboard actual submarines to find Nemo. It’s a relatively long attraction with some awesome sets and detail. The wait times can be long, the queue is incredibly boring, and there’s no Lightning Lane, but the payoff is well worth the boring wait, especially for Finding Nemo fans.

Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln (8/10) – Another Disneyland classic. This attraction is a hybrid film and Audio Animatronics performance by the famous U.S. President. It incorporates some of the best elements of Hall of Presidents and the American Adventure at Walt Disney World, including my personal favorite, the song “Golden Dreams.” Many guests, mostly communists, find this attraction boring.

Walt Disney: A Magical Life (8/10) – This show will only be appreciated by a minority of guests, but scores big points for being a love letter to the man behind the magic. The film that opens the production is overly long and the Walt Disney Audio Animatronics figure isn’t perfect, but the show has its heart in the right place and is a great tribute to Walt Disney and his original magic kingdom. We’d add here that the pre-show exhibit is fantastic, and well worth taking time to explore.

Storybook Land Canal Boats (8.5/10) – The Storybook Land Canal Boats are a Disneyland classic. Cast Member-led boats of guests float past miniaturized versions of villages, castles, and homes of Disney characters. It’s a cute, “peaceful” attraction, not a big-budget ride that will knock your socks off.

Our favorite scene is Pinocchio’s village, because the Imagineers have designed this scene so the Matterhorn appears as another mountain towering over the village in the background. This attraction may seem simple, and it is, but that’s part of the charm. Storybook Land Canal Boats isn’t especially popular, but long lines can form because it has very low hourly capacity. We recommend hitting it early in the morning or late at night.

Casey Jr. Circus Train (8/10) – Another Fantasyland staple, the Casey Jr. Circus Train offers a scenic view of Fantasyland as guests ride aboard cars or in cages (now is your chance to finally put the kids in a cage!). It’s simple, but has a lot of appeal thanks to the great views it offers of Fantasyland, the fun music, and the whimsy of the train, itself. Even as adults, it’s a favorite attraction of ours (and we have no childhood nostalgia towards it) that is difficult to articulate the appeal of. It has a real kinetic energy and is just good, clean fun.

Peter Pan’s Flight (9/10) – Peter Pan’s Flight was re-imagined a few years ago to modernize it and add some great new effects. It’s considered a Fantasyland classic, as it takes guests in “flying” ships above London and Neverland, but really, it’s not as impressive as it sounds, especially given the hour-plus waits it regularly attracts. Flying over London is cool (and small children might actually “buy” the flying part), but that’s its big draw. We enjoy Peter Pan’s Flight, but I wouldn’t wait more than 30 minutes in line for it. If you arrive right at park opening, this is the attraction to hit first.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (9/10) – A guest favorite, Big Thunder Mountain a rollercoaster themed as a runaway mine train on a ride through the barren landscape of the Old West. Hang onto your hats and glasses, because Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is “the wildest ride in the wilderness!”

It was refurbished a couple of years ago to add some cool new effects, plus a smoother track. Big Thunder Mountain is a Lightning Lane attraction, and it might behoove you to use that if lines are over 40 minutes for it. There are differences between this Big Thunder and Walt Disney World’s, notably the town of Rainbow Ridge (a remnant from the classic Mine Train Thru Nature’s Wonderland attraction).

Jungle Cruise (9/10) – Jungle Cruise is a boat ride through the rivers of Adventureland that encounters hippos, lions, and piranhas, among other animals and natives, along the way. However, the real highlight here is the non-stop zingers of the skippers who pilot the boats. If you don’t appreciate dry, intentionally corny, or self-aware humor, you may not like Jungle Cruise.

We’ve seen a number of guests exit the Jungle Cruise with confused looks on their faces. Jungle Cruise skippers often break the carefully-crafted illusion of Disneyland (example: pointing out the “p” breed of snake is not a python, but instead, “plastic”). Most kids won’t get these jokes, so don’t worry about that. We love the Jungle Cruise, as do most guests, but some are not fans. It’s also an attraction that is highly skipper-dependent. If you get a poor skipper, your ride will be sub-par.

Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room (8/10) – Enchanted Tiki Room is a 15-minute musical serenade from Audio Animatronics birds and offers a celebration of island romance and wonder performed in a theater-in-the-round. You’ve probably heard these catchy songs before; the fun music of this attraction, and its history, makes it an attraction not to be missed.

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure (9/10) – This boat ride is the reimagined replacement for Splash Mountain, using the same ride system and layout. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is an extension of The Princess and the Frog, with guests joining Tiana and Louis on a musical adventure as they prepare for their first-ever Mardi Gras performance.

The highlights of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure are the incredibly advanced Audio Animatronics, memorable music that brings the ride to life, and fun drop. Lowlights are a nonsensical story and low stakes. That’s it in a nutshell. Digging deeper, this is one of the most polarizing Disney rides ever. 

The bones of this ride are so good that even though it’s arguably a downgrade over Splash Mountain, it’s still a fantastic attraction. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is also much better at Disneyland than at Walt Disney World.

Disneyland Railroad (8.5/10) – The Disneyland Railroad is, quite simply, a normal railroad that circles Disneyland in a scenic manner. However, the Disneyland Railroad is dramatically different. Not only does it have a scene with real, live dinosaurs (okay, Audio Animatronics) as part of Primeval World, but it has the history of being Walt Disney’s railroad. We covered the changes to the Disneyland Railroad post-refurbishment in our Grand Circle Tour of Disneyland post. By and large, we are fans of the more engaging scenery on the new route.

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance (10/10) – The blockbuster of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, this is a revolutionary feat of Imagineering that redefines what a theme park attraction can be. It blurs the boundaries of queue, pre-show, attraction, and puts guests in the middle of an intergalactic adventure.

What makes Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance so mind-blowing is massive set pieces and a slew of how did they do that moments. The result with Rise of the Resistance is something epic in scale that feels more like an interactive blockbuster film than it does a traditional theme park ride. We could go on and on about this mind-blowing experience and its nonstop barrage of wow-moments. For that, you can read our spoiler-free Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance Review.

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run (9/10) – The ‘supporting’ attraction for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is currently the only one open, which has perhaps resulted in unfairly elevated expectations for Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. It’s definitely not a perfect attraction, with the interactivity being a mixed bag and a gameplay-centric ride not being everyone’s cup of tea. Moreover, not all of the roles are of equal enjoyment. In terms of “wish fulfillment,” pilot is definitely the best option.

However, there’s a lot to like about Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run beyond the game/ride experience. The queue is beautiful, the pre-show is impressive, and stepping foot into the Millennium Falcon while waiting to board the ride is arguably the highlight of the attraction as a whole. Read our Millennium Falcon Smugglers Run Review for more feedback on the attraction.

Star Tours: The Adventures Continue (8.5/10) – Star Tours is a flight-motion simulator into the Star Wars world with digital 3D video, Audio Animatronics characters, and in-vehicle effects. Star Tours features multiple storylines, with some 64 different experience combinations, making it an attraction you can experience again and again. It’s even been updated to fit within the ‘universe’ of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge (one of the destinations is now Batuu!) Star Tours is a must-do.

Snow White’s Enchanted Wish (9/10) – With the recent reimagining, Imagineers took the weakest of the Fantasyland dark rides and turned it from something dated and disjointed into something with fun flow, impressive effects, and a few magical moments. Relatively simple, but shockingly effective, improvements cause it to jump up the list.

‘it’s a small world’ (9/10) – ‘it’s a small world’ is the iconic attraction featuring the children of the world and that oh-so divisive song. Again, unless you live under a rock, you’re familiar with it. ‘it’s a small world’ at Disneyland differs substantially from the Walt Disney World version; it features Disney characters tastefully inserted into several show-scenes, an outdoor queue and facade, and other scene differences. If visiting at Christmas, ‘it’s a small world’ holiday is not to be missed.

Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride (7.5/10) – Another Fantasyland dark ride favorite, this attraction goes into the irreverent world of Mr. Toad from the Wind and the Willows. Worth experiencing for the irreverence alone. On what other Disney attraction do you go to bar, crash into a truck, and go to hell?! It would never be built in today’s politically correct era, and is worth experiencing for that alone, although the attraction itself is woefully outdated.

Alice in Wonderland (8.5/10) – Another Fantasyland dark ride that was recently re-imagined and updated, this one takes guests into the world of Alice in Wonderland. This is our favorite Fantasyland dark ride, and we’re not even fans of Alice in Wonderland. Best hit early in the morning on a fast-paced tour of the Fantasyland dark rides, as lines can get long for it later in the day due to its lower capacity.

Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin (8.5/10) – Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin takes guests aboard a dark ride voyage into Toontown in interactive vehicles (guests can spin them). Lines are often long for Car Toon Spin, making it a good Lightning Lane attraction. It’s the only attraction worth experiencing in the Toontown land of Disneyland.

Sleeping Beauty Castle Walk-Through (8/10) – A simple, but fun walk-through of Sleeping Beauty Castle featuring interactive “window” scenes from the film. An often overlooked, but very cool attraction that takes little time to experience and should not be missed.

Disneyland Nighttime Spectaculars

Paint the Night Parade (9/10) – This fan-favorite nighttime parade made its return to Disneyland for the 70th Anniversary celebration after a lengthy hiatus, and will be back again in 2026. Paint the Night features innovative floats, vibrant costumes, incredible special effects, unforgettable music and energetic performances.

Mickey Mouse uses his vivid imagination to harness the power of Tinker Bell’s pixie dust and “Paint the Night” in Disney dreams, bringing to light beloved characters and stories from Pixar and Disney Animation films such as “Monsters, Inc.,” “Cars,” “Toy Story”, “The Little Mermaid,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Frozen” and more.

Paint the Night is a ton of fun. The music is catchy, the floats are formidable, and it’s a great modernization of the light parade concept. Not only that, but there’s a palpable and downright fun energy to Paint the Night. It’s the kind of parade that hypes you up and puts a smile on your face. It makes you happy, which also makes Paint the Night the perfect parade for Disneyland’s 70th.

Disneyland Fireworks (8/10 to 10/10) – Fun visuals from animated films and a memorable soundtrack make the Disneyland fireworks appealing to locals and first-timers alike. The effects are dazzling, from projections to pyro to character flyovers that induce plenty of ‘wows’ from the audience at various points. The movies featured are a diverse group, from Disney classics to Pixar.

Note that Disneyland rotates a variety of seasonal fireworks shows throughout the year, hence the score range. The best shows are Wondrous Journeys and Disneyland Forever, both of which are 10/10. The Halloween and Christmas shows are both 9/10. Mickey’s Mix Magic is the “worst” of the bunch, still scoring a respectable 8/10. See our Disneyland Fireworks Viewing Guide for recommended locations (and where to avoid).

Fantasmic! (8/10) – Fantasmic! is a musical battle between the forces of good and evil set in Mickey’s dreams (and on the Rivers of America) with stunning effects, including pyrotechnics, water, lasers, fire, and a huge dragon.

Unfortunately, Fantasmic no longer has the show-stopping dragon and has been watered down in the last few years. We used to say that “if you’ve only seen Fantasmic at Walt Disney World, you’ve never really seen it.” Between improvements to the Florida version and downgrades to the California incarnation, Fantasmic is now much better at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

All Other Disneyland Attractions

Astro Orbitor (4/10) – Spinner ride similar to Dumbo, except not iconic.

Autopia (7/10) – Kids might like it as it gives them a chance to drive; lush environments and large track. The addition of ASIMO and Bird to the attraction give it new life, and really improve the experience.

Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters (7/10) – An interactive and competitive game-attraction to save the universe in this blast-em-up, ride-through adventure. It’s like a ride-through video game, and is a lot of fun. We often find ourselves riding re-riding late at night when there’s no line to see who can get the highest score. This attraction is far superior to the Walt Disney World version of the attraction.

Disneyland Monorail (7/10) – A relaxing trip around Disneyland Resort, but with a lot of glimpses of the outside world. We love monorails, but in this case, we prefer the Disneyland Railroad.

Sailing Ship Columbia (7/10) – Another relaxing float around the Rivers of America.

Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes (7/10) – Paddle an actual canoe on the Rivers of America. Not for everyone, but a lot of fun for those who enjoy this sort of thing. Definitely not an attraction you’d expect in a modern theme park.

Tom Sawyer Island (6.5/10) – Fun and highly immersive play area for kids, now featuring pirates.

Mark Twain Riverboat (8/10) – Relaxing way to float around the Rivers of America. Great way to spend a peaceful afternoon, but we recommend the Disneyland Railroad over it if you’re limited in time.

King Arthur Carrousel (4.5/10) – Garden variety carousel.

Mad Tea Party (6/10) – Gets points because it’s iconic and somewhat fun if you have the time.

Pinocchio’s Daring Journey (6/10) – Decent dark ride based on Pinocchio. Very dated, but charming.

Tarzan’s Treehouse (7/10) – Fun area that can be quickly explored as a nice change of pace from doing rides.

The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (6/10) – A newer Fantasyland-style dark ride located in Critter Country that’s enjoyable, but still feels dated.

This leaves out random pieces of entertainment, character meet & greets, and a few other seasonal offerings, but it should cover every attraction listed on a Disneyland park map. We’d strongly encourage you to try everything for yourself, as your opinions might differ from ours, but if time is an issue, skip the attractions on the lower list.

Planning a Southern California vacation? For park admission deals, read Tips for Saving Money on Disneyland Tickets. Learn about on-site and off-site hotels in our Anaheim Hotel Reviews & Rankings. For where to eat, check out our Disneyland Restaurant Reviews. For unique ideas of things that’ll improve your trip, check out What to Pack for Disney. For comprehensive advice, consult our Disneyland Vacation Planning Guide. Finally, for guides beyond Disney, check out our Southern California Itineraries for day trips to Los Angeles, Laguna Beach, and tons of other places!

Your Thoughts

Which Disneyland attractions are your favorites and which do you skip? If you haven’t visited Disneyland yet, which ones are you most excited about? If you have any questions about what else you should do at Disneyland, let us know! Share your questions and thoughts in the comments!