When it comes to the best rides at Disneyland, there’s something for everyone, no matter the thrill factor. From easy with the carousel to completely thrilling (Guardians of the Galaxy – I’m still too scared to ride it!), there’s so many rides to pick from.
I love Disneyland rides. They’re this beautiful mix of fun, nostalgic, exciting, but not enough to make you feel green. And everything is beautiful, from the walk to the ride, to every step of each ride. It’s all so well thought out.
Our kids have been riding rides since they were tall enough. Lacey has always been the biggest dare devil of all of us, and Lulu is following suit, she will just line up with this for most rides, and have no idea what she’s getting herself into.
I put together this list so that if you’re planning a trip to Disneyland, you can have a read of what rides our family loves, how scary they are, and most importantly, what the height requirements are.
The 20 best rides at Disneyland
Radiator Springs Racers
One of the, if not ‘the’, most popular rides at Disneyland, Radiator Springs Racer is a brilliant ride, and one that I make sure I do each visit. It’s the landscape for me, it feels like you’re transported right into the Cars movie. Seated in a car (3 seats in the front, and 3 seats in the back), you’ll race other cars, and truly feel the wind in your hair.
Will the kids like it? My tip would be that they’ll love it. It’s not scary in anyway, but it’s fast. My kids have always loved it, even Lulu when she was *just* tall enough to ride it. I think this is a great one to introduce your kids to thrilling rides.
Kid-friendly rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Height requirement: 102cm
Indiana Jones Adventure
This is where I confess that I’ve never watched a full Indiana Jones movie (but I will endeavour to now after falling in love with this ride). For this ride you’ll sit in a vehicle, like a Jeep, and head off on an Indiana Jones Adventure, facing imminent dangers, like molten lava, swarms of giant insects, collapsing bridges, slithering snakes and a rather large rolling boulder. It’s bumpy, thrilling, and has great visual elements. We rode this for the first time on our visit this year, and loved it so much we jumped on it a few times!
Will the kids like it? My kids loved it, but it does have scary elements. If your kid is scared of the dark, and surprise elements, be mindful.
Kid-friendly rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Height requirement: 117cm
The Incredicoaster
I’ve been hesitant to ride this one, because I didn’t think I liked rollercoasters that go upside down… BUT I rode this once last trip, and loved it, so jumped on it again. It’s fast as the coaster chases JackJack in a high speed chase. I thought it was so fun, and I absolutely regret not jumping on it earlier.
Will the kids like it? They’ll love it for The Incredibles theme, but they’ll have to be quite the daredevil to jump on it. It goes upside down, round and round.
Kid-friendly rating: ⭐️⭐️
Height requirement: 122cm
HyperSpace Mountain
This completely indoor rollercoaster races through the cosmos in the dark. With small drops, complete darkness (where it’s hard to figure out what’s happening sometimes!), and loud noises. I thought this ride was absolutely brilliant, albeit a little bit of a sensory overload. It’s the one ride that Shane came off feeling a bit sick, because it makes you feel completely disorientated.
Will the kids like it? Depending on how much of a thrill-seeker your kid is, will depend on their thoughts on this one. If you’re introducing your kids to rides for the first time, I would leave this until their warmed up a little. It’s a wild one – I totally loved it!
Kid-friendly rating: ⭐️
Height requirement: 102cm
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
A family favourite, Big Thunder speeds you through a haunted gold mine on a rickety old train. More of a classic rollercoaster, with dips, drops and thrills, it has the added excitement of dark tunnels, waterfalls, and a faux explosion.
Will the kids like it? I think this is brilliant for kids. The dark bits don’t last too long, and it’s over quite quickly, so the thrill is short lived. Our whole family is a fan of Big Thunder and highly recommend it.
Kid-friendly rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Height requirement: 102cm
Toy Story Midway Mania!
If you love Toy Story, you’ll love zipping through this 4D midway-style ride, where you’ll be challenged to blast moving objects to score points while wearing 3D glasses.
Will the kids like it? While it’s quite noisy, it’s a great family ride where you can compete against each other to get the highest score. The kids will love it!
Kid-friendly rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Height requirement: None
The Many Adventures of Winnie The Pooh
Tucked away in a corner of Disney is this sweet ride. It’s sweet and simple, and ideal for toddlers, I think it’s the ride that most people forget about (which means great for teeny wait times!).
Will the kids like it? They’ll love this journey in a Beehive through all the scenes of Winnie the Pooh. Nothing scary, just magic.
Kid-friendly rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Height requirement: None
Soarin’ Around The World
Oh how this ride delights me! It takes you hang-gliding around the world (in a really serene, safe way). You’ll fly over the Taj Mahal in India to the Sydney Harbour in Australia, and then right back into Disneyland, with all the sights thanks to a 25 metre IMAX projection screen.
Will the kids like it? A cruisy ride with more visual enjoyment than thrills, this is a beautiful ride that the whole family is sure to love.
Kid-friendly rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Height requirement: 102cm
Mad Tea Party
I love to plonk myself in a huge tea cup, and spin around underneath the beautiful colourful lanterns. This iconic ride is so beautiful to watch, and on a sunshine-y day it’s absolute perfection. We all love it, except Shane who gets motion sickness on things that spin.
Will the kids like it? What’s not to love? Spinning, colours, sunshine. It’s perfect for kids of all ages.
Kid-friendly rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Height requirement: None
Pirates of the Caribbean
Just like the Small World ride, this is a slow and easy ride that’s great for all ages. There’s a few small drops, but nothing scary. It’s just a darn good swashbuckling ride through a Pirate’s Grotto.
Will the kids love it? They absolutely will! It’s easy, slow, and with only two slight drops, it’s a fun one to get them onto. Be prepared, if you sit in the front row – you may get a little wet!
Kid-friendly rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Height requirement: None
Star Tours – The Adventures Continue
This ride surprised me, this 3D space flight takes you to legendary destinations of the Star Wars Saga. Each time you ride it, it’s a different story, guided by C-3P0 which just makes you want to ride it over and over again. I especially love that the line moves on this one superfast, so you can get on and be on an adventure in no time.
Will the kids like it? My girls have never seen a Star Wars movie, but still love this ride. It’s thrilling, without being scary.
Kid-friendly rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Height requirement: 102cm
It’s A Small World
This ride makes the list, because it’s completely joyous, and the perfect ride to rest your weary feet and body after riding ALL THE rides. The Happiest Cruise That Ever Sailed will have you sailing through the world, with over 300 dancing dolls, all to a musical soundtrack.
Will the kids like it? They’ll love the ease of this ride, there’s no thrilling drops, instead you’ll sail gently around in a boat. What’s not to love?!
Kid-friendly rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Height requirement: None
Jungle Cruise
We love this laugh-a-minute ride, where the guide takes you on a hilarious cruise through the jungle, where you’ll come face-to-face with tigers, cobras, and crocodiles. It’s an easy cruise, with great performances by the skipper.
Will the kids like it? They will love this. It’s brilliant, and a winner for everyone.
Kid-friendly rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Height requirement: None
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
A brand new addition to the parks, this ride will have you zooming through Mickey and Minnie’s cute, fun cartoon world on Goofy’s train. It whizzes around, but has nothing scary or thrilling to worry about. It’s 100% fun.
Will the kids like it? This super sweet ride is perfect for kids, and for kids at heart. To speed up the wait time you can purchase individual Lightning Lane entry.
Kid-friendly rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Height requirement: None
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
This ride is so brilliantly done! You’ll join the Resistance in an impressive battle against the First Order. It’s dark, it’s scary, it’s thrilling – and just mind-blowing. It’s also one of the most popular rides in the park – but I did visit on May 4th! – so you might like to consider purchasing a Lightning Lane entry to speed up the wait.
Will the kids like it? Kids who like a thrilling ride will love it, but I’ll admit I was even scared on this ride – but I like to be scared so I’d happily to jump on it again. I couldn’t get the girls on this one, so they can’t report on it!
Kid-friendly rating: ⭐️⭐️
Height requirement: 102cm
Haunted Mansion
While this sounds like it’s going to be frightening, it’s not quite what it seems. I think the scariest part is the beginning – as you enter into the house (you’ll go up in a lift together with a group of people) and the paintings will move. You’ll ride in a Doom Buggy through the Haunted House. It’s a slower ride, and while it’s dark and eerie in parts, in not particularly scary.
Will the kids like it? This one is a favourite for our sensitive kids, so I think if they love it, your kids will too!
Kid-friendly rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Height requirement: None
Peter Pan’s Flight
This sweet whimsical ride is great for kids of all ages, with slight drops through darkness. You’ll love this trip back into your childhood with Peter Pan, Wendy, Tinkerbell and other familiar characters.
Will the kids like it? They’ll love it! Easy, slow and not scary, it’s ideal for kids of all ages.
Kid-friendly rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Height requirement: None
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
A truly interactive ride, you’ll head off on a mission, a Smuggglers Run. You’ll be given a role of either a Pilot, Engineer or Gunner. I thought that it wouldn’t really be interactive, so I was picked to be an Engineer, and went in thinking I’d just watch Lulu, Shane and Lacey play – but I let the team down! The success of the mission relies on your interaction, so get involved.
Will the kids like it? This is so fun because it’s interactive, and you have to work together to complete the mission. While there is some movement (small drops), and it’s dark, I think it’s a great one for kids that are tall enough.
Kid-friendly rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Height requirement: 97cm
WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure
You’ll get a workout (albeit a seated one!) on this ride as you wrangle Spider-Bots who are running amok at Avenger Campus. You’ll use your hands to weave webs to trap these curious creatures.
Will the kids like it? They’ll LOVE it. Lulu totally aced this ride, with the highest score of anyone on our ride. Perfect for all ages.
Kid-friendly rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Height requirement: None
The Little Mermaid – Ariel’s Undersea Adventure
This is the ride that we will not visit without riding. I love the soundtrack to The Little Mermaid, so it’s just a whimsical sing-a-long for everyone. I do wonder if it will change with the new live version of The Little Mermaid, I love how traditional it is but I’d welcome a change if it happened!
Will the kids like it? They’ll absolutely love it. Seeing Flounder, Sebastian and Ariel is always a good time!
Kid-friendly rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Height requirement: None
