If there is one thing all Disney historians know, it’s that Walt Disney was a man who absolutely adored trains, going so far as to build one in his own backyard. It was this passion for the locomotive as well as a trip to Griffith Park with his daughters, that would inevitably inspire the Happiest Place on Earth. It took a few years for Walt Disney and company to figure out how to bring his vision to life, with some early ideas about building a small park near Walt Disney Studios. However, after some inspiring trips to other amusement and theme parks across the globe including Tivoli Gardens in Denmark, Knott’s Berry Farm in California, and others, it became clear that the concepts Walt’s designers were working on were too large to be situated beside the studio.
The Disney company would eventually acquire land in Anaheim, California and create a show on ABC called Disneyland to help fund the construction, giving viewers and families a glimpse of how the park was coming along. Disneyland would officially open on Sunday, July 17, 1955 for invited guests and the media. This opening, now known as “Black Sunday” was a disaster in many regards, with water fountains not working, people breaking in and extremely negative press. Thankfully, because of the company’s broadcast agreement with ABC, they were able to convince people to visit the park and soon after it would be one of the most sought after places to visit.
Nearly 70 years later, Disneyland has seen many expansions and renovations, while still keeping the fantasy world that Walt envisioned that bring stories from the past, present and future to life. As of December 2021, Disneyland has a larger cumulative attendance than any other theme park in the world, with 757 million visits since it opened, enabling the eventual opening of other Disney Theme Parks across the globe, and inspiring other companies to follow its footsteps as well.
Now, thanks to Walt Disney, we can walk down the middle of Main Street USA into lands of yesterday, tomorrow and fantasy, and rank every ride and attraction at Disneyland Park.
*As a brief aside, these rankings do not include fireworks, projections, parades, streetmosphere or stage shows since those are often interchanged at Disneyland.
N/A. Adventureland Treehouse
The Adventureland Treehouse was closed for refurbishment during our visit and thus, could not fairly be included in these rankings. It does look like a stunning upgrade though!
38. Main Street Cinema
Everything on Main Street USA is absolutely filled with magic, but there is no way a vintage movie theatre playing Walt Disney’s earliest animated films can compete with other attractions at Disneyland. If you are a frequent visitor looking for a break from the crowds, this could be a fun stop but it’s definitely not something to take time out of your day for.
37. Astro Orbitor
While some spinner experiences can be fun and make you feel like a kid again, Astro Orbitor is not one of them. In fact, it is a ride that wants to remind you, you are not a child and they will ensure this is the most uncomfortable experience of your life. We give Astro Orbitor credit for its views of the park, but that’s probably the only enjoyable thing about it.
36. The Disney Gallery
The Disney Gallery is such a quaint place to escape during the hustle and bustle of the parks and take in the seasonal history of iconic attractions from Disney parks around the world. The art displays are phenomenal and while it’s certainly worthy of a visit, it’s not one-of-a-kind in any sense.
35. Mark Twain Riverboat/Main Street Vehicles/Sailing Ship Columbia/Disneyland Monorail
These modes of transportation have been bundled together, simply because they have all become icons of Disney lore and even though they don’t provide anything truly different, they are all beloved mainstays of Walt’s first park. All of them do provide stunning views of the park, and can add a sense of calm to a very busy place.
34. Disneyland Railroad
The Disneyland Railroad gets a slight edge over the other modes of transportation for a few reasons. First, it’s an attraction inspired by Walt’s love of trains, and some rides between stations have special treats including Walt’s legendary dioramas of the Grand Canyon and Primeval World, where you’ll encounter some of the world’s first Audio-Animatronics dinosaurs. It’s an attraction chalk full of Disney history!
33. Chip ‘n’ Dale Treehouse/Mickey’s House/Minnie’s House/Donald’s Duck Pond/Goofy’s How-to-Play Yard
Toontown might be the most adorable land ever created, especially with its most recent renovation. One of the reasons for that is because of these larger than life attractions dedicated to Mickey & the Gang. Each spot is splashed with so many details and Easter Eggs. While some are mainly meet and greet spots and others are play areas for kids, it’s impossible to love one more than another because they all embody the super cute atmosphere of Toontown.
32. The Disneyland Story presenting Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln
This is another one of those attractions that doesn’t scream incredible entertainment like modern day thrills do, however, it’s a show chalk full of Disney history. Abraham Lincoln was one of Walt Disney’s greatest heroes and wanted to bring him to life with audio animatronic technology. Nowadays, it may be outdated, but it’s still a relaxing and moving American history tale that reminds us how far the Disney company has come.
31. Autopia
Unless you’re a kid or someone who doesn’t have a license, there isn’t anything that notable about Autopia. The ride does get a slight edge over its Tomorrowland Speedway counterpart though in Magic Kingdom because the gasoline smell isn’t nearly as strong and because it’s not jammed into the corner, you get some nice views of the Matterhorn and other attractions in the park while zooming on by.
30. Casey Jr. Circus Train
This train ride themed to “Dumbo” is adorably themed, even the seats are so tiny, especially if you wind up in the cage. While we prefer its boat counterpart (more on that later), the ride across happy hills and verdant valleys that showcase miniature models of some of our favourite Disney film settings is just so darn cute, you can’t help but smile even during the periods where not a lot is happening.
29. Chip ‘n’ Dale’s GADGETcoaster
The retheme of the GADGETcoaster is certainly an upgrade in every way, with the fresh icon statues of Chip and Dale, and fresh coats of paint that make this such an eye popping junior coaster. Given that it’s a coaster built for beginners, it doesn’t have much of a thrill and is so quick that you might feel like you blinked and it’s over. However, we give it all the praise, simply because Chip and Dale are involved and this is a Chip and Dale stan account.
28. King Arthur Carousel
If you’ve ridden one carousel, you have pretty much ridden them all. There isn’t anything very special about this experience, but it’s hard to argue how gorgeous this ride is, especially at night when it’s lit up. The hand painted vignettes on the rounding board are incredibly detailed and let’s face it, even when it comes to a ride as mundane as a carousel, Disney knows how to do it just slightly better than the rest.
27. Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes
This might be one of the most random experiences to have at Disneyland, but for many it’s also the most fun. Paddling along on a grand adventure around the Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island, the river guide is the real star of this journey, encouraging you with jokes and anecdotes to paddle to your heart’s desire. While the paddling is more for fun than actual propulsion, it’s a feel good experience that anyone can enjoy when the ride is actually open, which is only for short periods of time every day.
26. Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough
On the outside, Sleeping Beauty Castle may seem like a baby compared to its Cinderella Castle counterpart at Magic Kingdom, but what makes it noteworthy is the fact that anyone can walk through it to learn the epic tale of Princess Aurora. The 3D displays and special effects are a lot of fun and it feels surreal, especially for those used to Cindy’s Castle, to be able to actually enter the castle without a dining reservation and enjoy such a beautiful display.
25. Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage
This is definitely an unusual ride experience that does not feel like anything else at a Disney Park. On one hand, getting to peek through portholes to see ancient civilization scattered along the seafloor and some of our favourite characters from “Finding Nemo” is such a treat for the eyes and the ears. However, the tight squeeze and inability to come up for any air may feel a bit daunting for anyone that experiences claustrophobia. It sometimes doesn’t feel worth squeezing in for this experience during the periods where not a lot is happening out in the water.
24. Mad Tea Party
This Disney classic has become such a staple of the Disney experience, even if it does have the potential to nauseate guests. You will never not have fun on this one if your stomach can handle it, but it’s also an experience that is nearly the exact same as every other spinner attraction in amusement parks across the globe. Disneyland’s Mad Tea Party does have a slight edge over its Magic Kingdom counterpart as it doesn’t require the roof and thus you can enjoy the wind in your hair and the sights and sounds of Fantasyland as you spin your little heart out.
23. Dumbo the Flying Elephant
Just like Mad Tea Party, there are hundreds, if not thousands of aerial carousel-style rides across the globe. However, there is nothing quite like spinning around with the most adorable elephant ever created. It’s another Disney classic, that is perfectly enjoyable and can make you smile. However, this is the one rare time that Magic Kingdom actually does it better with a much more immersive queue that adds to the overall experience. It’s a fun ride, but not one anyone should prioritize unless you have little ones.
22. Pinocchio’s Daring Journey
It’s hard to argue against the fact that Disneyland just does dark rides better a majority of the time in comparison to its East Coast counterpart. While some may argue that stands true with Pinocchio’s Daring Journey, others like myself might say this is one of Disney’s most terrifying cartoons and bringing it to life in a dark ride is a nightmare. Sure, it’s enjoyable, but at many points, you are left traumatized from those Pleasure Island scenes.
21. Star Tours: The Adventures Continue
The original Star Wars experience is often overlooked these days due to the more advanced experiences at Galaxy’s Edge, but it’s still a very enjoyable attraction that ensures a different story each time. The C-3P0 and R2-D2 animatronics are also incredibly underrated and make the attraction extra special. Disneyland’s version of the ride also feels more up to date and less jerky, enabling a much more comfortable simulator experience that allows you to focus entirely on the characters that are part of your story.
20. Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room
The Enchanted Tiki Room isn’t for everyone, but for this writer, it’s a one-of-a-kind quintessential Disney experience. The songs are so catchy, and even though these birds are some of the first animatronics Disney created, Imagineers continue to upkeep them, ensuring an incredible musical experience each time. What makes the Disneyland Tiki Room show even better is that you can enjoy a Dole Whip while watching – talk about a treat on top of a treat!
19. Storybook Land Canal Boats
At first glance, Storybook Land Canal Boats may just seem like a slow moving boat ride, but there is something just so quaint and magical about travelling through the mouth of Monstro the Whale and entering a world of miniature Disney Lands. The hand-built cottages, towns and palaces featured from “Peter Pan”, “Frozen”, “Aladdin” and others are beautifully crafted and the tour guides are so knowledgeable with interesting stories about our favourite films. It’s a charming delight!
18. Peter Pan’s Flight
Peter Pan’s Flight is the quintessential Disney attraction. Soaring over London aboard an enchanted pirate ship to Never Land is an experience that never gets old, whether it be on the East Coast or West Coast. We do give props to Disneyland for managing to not have nearly as long of lines as its Magic Kingdom counterpart, but with so many incredible dark ride experiences at this park, it doesn’t stand out nearly as much as it does in Disney World.
17. Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
Another Disney ride experience that Disneyland manages to do just a little bit better than Magic Kingdom, Astro Blasters is such a fun shooter style attraction with incredibly detailed set pieces and light displays. The best part is you can actually move around your blaster, making it an easier experience for those, like this writer, whose hand-eye coordination isn’t ideal. We’ve said it before, but it’s a literal blast!
16. Jungle Cruise
There is nothing quite like the Jungle Cruise to put a smile on your face. This guided tour of the world’s most remote rivers in Asia and Africa featuring some spectacular animal audio animatronics involves such great storytelling and theming. However, the star is always the Skipper, who can sometimes make or break the experience depending on their corny pun delivery. It’s definitely not an experience made for everyone, but it is nearly impossible not to smile the entire time.
15. Alice in Wonderland
Just like the film itself, Alice in Wonderland is a wacky, winding adventure that retraces the beloved story, giving every character a chance to shine. It’s so colourful and fun, and moves a lot quicker in the latter half as you try to escape the wrath of the Queen of Hearts. What makes this dark ride different from most, is that at the climax, you wind up outside with a high in the sky glimpse of Fantasyland. It embodies the charm and history we love about Disneyland.
14. Matterhorn Bobsleds
Some might say it’s the most thrilling ride at the park, others might say it’s the chiropractor appointment you did not ask for, but one thing is for certain the Matterhorn is one-of-a-kind Disney Imagineering at its finest. Apart from Sleeping Beauty Castle, the snow capped mountain might be the most captivating architecture to look at in Disneyland. The ride itself, while mechanically may feel a bit outdated, was the first roller-coaster style attraction at Disneyland Park, and the build up to the Abominable Snowman is such a thrill.
13. Roger Rabbit’s Cartoon Spin
The remaining relic of Toontown’s past, Roger Rabbit may not be as popular as he was in the 80s and 90s, but the hijinks and hilarity he brings makes this such an enjoyable attraction for all ages. While it’s mainly a dark ride through the streets of Toontown, the ability to spin your vehicle a full 360 degrees adds an extra bit of thrill to the wacky theatrics these characters are bringing. It’s an underrated Disneyland treat featuring a series of characters who deserve their time back in the spotlight.
12. The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Perhaps there is a bit of a bias due to the fact that Pooh Bear is one of this writer’s Top 5 favourite Disney characters, but it’s impossible not to go on a beehive adventure through the Hundred-Acre Wood without a smile plastered on your face from beginning to end. While the Disneyland version of this ride may not be as fun as its Magic Kingdom counterpart as the ride vehicle doesn’t give you the chance to bounce with Tigger, it still captures the magic of the A.A. Milne classic with its colourful imagery and catchy tunes.
11. Millennium Falcon Smuggler’s Run
It just so happened that I needed to travel to the West Coast to get the best experience out of the Millennium Falcon. Third time was the charm to be picked as pilot on a daring flight across the galaxy. Getting to sit front row is such an immersive experience as Hondo Ohnaka guides you on your smuggling mission. While it’s a fun ride with family or friends no matter what, it’s clear that the pilot role provides the best experience and not getting that role in future visits could definitely make it less of a hit down the line.
10. it’s a small world
Sleeping Beauty Castle may be small, but Disneyland’s “it’s a small world” is anything but. The Mary Blair designed façade is absolutely jaw dropping, and makes the attraction feel so magical as soon as your eyes give it a gander. If the unique visual aesthetic didn’t already make Disneyland’s small world superior to the rest, the ride saw the addition of Disney characters in different sections of the world. The song may be an earworm, but seeing Lilo and Stich alongside the South Pacific children and Aladdin and Jasmine in the Middle East is a one-of-a-kind feeling.
9. Space Mountain
One of the very few rides that are actually an import from Walt Disney World to Disneyland, Space Mountain is the same immersive ride through a futuristic space station in nearly complete darkness. The only difference is that Disneyland has updated its seating to be a two seater – similar to most other coasters. Sure it’s more comfortable but does anyone sign up for Space Mountain to be comfortable or to feel like you are skyrocketing through space? Even with the update, Space Mountain remains the ultimate thrill in both coasts.
8. Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
While we love Runaway Railway at Hollywood Studios, Toontown really stepped it up in all the right ways with this attraction. To be clear, it’s the exact same ride experience, with very few differences once you board Engineer Goofy’s Train and hijinks ensure. However, it’s the theming inside the El Capitoon Theatre that hits it out of the ball park. As you tour the lobby, you’ll encounter “Mickey Through the Ears”, an exploration of Mickey and friends’ film career with interactive props and memorabilia. Seriously, it just doesn’t get any cuter!
7. Snow White’s Enchanted Wish
What was once known as one of the most frightening rides in Disneyland got a major glow up post-pandemic and exemplifies how to best update a classic attraction without losing its heart and integrity. Although there are still some scary scenes featuring the Evil Queen/Wicked Witch, unlike when it first opened the ride does feature Snow White as a character in the story and adds much needed levity and dazzle to the dark ride. Without any spins or tricks, it’s a classic Disney attraction that tells one of Disney’s best stories in such a fun and memorable way.
6. Pirates of the Caribbean
When you think of a Disney Park, it’s hard not to immediately think of Pirates of the Caribbean. It’s a quintessential Disney attraction that tells a compelling story with distinctive characters on a swashbuckling cruise with mild thrills throughout. Once again, the Disneyland version gets bonus points for giving riders a longer experience with more sets and an additional drop. It’s a ride synonymous with Disney history and no ride at Disneyland is complete without travelling through seas plagued by scoundrels.
5. Big Thunder Mountain
The wildest ride in the wilderness is somehow even more amazing on the West Coast! In contention to be one of this writer’s favourite Disney coasters of all-time, Big Thunder just has everything you need in an attraction: a beautiful backdrop, high speed thrills and theming so meticulous, you will truly feel like you are speeding through an 1850’s goldmine. With the addition of Billy Goat and the demolition-dynamite sequence, it’s a rip-roaring adventure that is even more stunning at night.
4. Indiana Jones Adventure
It may share the same ride system as Dinosaur in Animal Kingdom, but there is something about the experience that is just so much better in every way. First off, it’s way less terrifying and despite the realistic simulation of driving over rough terrain, the jerky motion doesn’t cause an insane amount of whiplash like Dinosaur does. The lighting effects and animatronics throughout the attraction are also just next level amazing. It’s definitely Disneyland’s ultimate thrill experience with incredible storytelling being the cherry on top.
3. Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride
Nearly 70 years after its opening, Mr. Toad still remains one of Disney’s most entertaining attractions in the park. You don’t have to be an avid Mr. Toad fan to have an absolute blast in this lavish English manor as you skid past a library and dining room on an adventure that spoiler alert leads you to hell! They seriously weren’t kidding when they called this a wild ride. It’s a high speed dark ride with super quirky details and special effects that can only be enjoyed at the original Disney park.
2. Haunted Mansion Holiday
Haunted Mansion is at the very top of the all-time best theme park rides in existence, and while Haunted Mansion Holiday is only a seasonal overlay, it’s the only version of the attraction I’ve experienced at Disneyland. Somehow they managed to make what is essentially a near-perfect attraction even better with the frightfully festive addition of characters and themes from “The Nightmare Before Christmas”. The best part is the spirit of Haunted Mansion is in no way tampered by the presence of these characters. Instead they work together so seamlessly that a visit to the 999 happy haunts with an extra splash of Jack Skellington is the ultimate holiday treat.
1. Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
Simply put there is no attraction at any theme park that can match the scale and creativity that is Rise of the Resistance. As soon as you enter the forest outside Black Spire Outpost, you are immediately transported into the world of Star Wars. This massive attraction has multiple ride systems and takes riders on a journey to escape the First Order. Between the life-like animatronics, larger than life set pieces and insane special effects, everyone who gets to experience Rise of the Resistance will believe that the Galaxy is real and they are a part of it. Imagineering at its true finest.
What’s your favourite ride or attraction at Disneyland Park? Let us know in the comments below or on one of our social media channels and make sure to follow Frozen Mouse Fever for all your Disney needs.
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