My household loves driving theme park rides. Whereas we love the characters, reveals, and different points of interest, we’re actually there for the rides.
When my youngsters had been youthful, we’d divide up generally since my son wouldn’t essentially be capable of go on every thing. However now, my youngsters are sufficiently old to expertise each journey, so we are able to go collectively on every thing.
I’ve visited Disneyland a number of instances on brief journeys. Though these weren’t intensive holidays, I knew that I’d need to go on as many rides as doable. Fortunately, the Genie+ and Lightning Lane system is straightforward to make use of, and a great funding for a brief journey.
On every of my journeys, we had been nonetheless capable of expertise a lot of the high rides at Disneyland. If you’re planning a Disneyland trip and are questioning which rides to incorporate in your checklist, listed here are 17 must-ride Disneyland rides.
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All opinions are my very own. I had the chance to go to Disneyland Resort as a part of my participation within the AWESome Retreat. I’ve additionally paid my very own manner.
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17 Should-Journey Disneyland Rides
Disneyland Park
Dumbo the Flying ElephantÂ
My youngsters at all times beloved the Dumbo journey at Walt Disney World. Despite the fact that it’s not probably the most distinctive journey, it’s one thing that you just’ll need to journey if touring with youthful youngsters. It’s additionally an effective way to see among the websites of the park.
It usually will get very busy, so that you’ll in all probability need to journey early. That is particularly a must-do when visiting Disneyland with toddlers.
![Mr Toad](https://www.familytravelmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/mrtoadswildride.jpg.webp)
Mr. Toad’s Wild Journey
I at all times beloved Mr. Toad on the Magic Kingdom and missed it when it was remodeled into the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. Fortunately, followers of the journey can nonetheless go on it at Disneyland.
Mr. Toad’s Wild Journey isn’t as wild because it sounds – fairly, it’s a darkish journey that goes good and sluggish. This isn’t a must-ride due to the precise journey mechanism – extra for the nostalgia.
Indiana Jones Journey
Throughout my first journey to Disneyland, I wasn’t capable of expertise the Indiana Jones journey. Fortunately, I used to be capable of journey it throughout my second Disneyland journey. Sadly, it’s a type of rides that are likely to have extra downtime than others.
It’s a thrill journey that isn’t precisely a curler coaster. It’s extra just like the Dinosaur journey at Animal Kingdom, fairly than the Indiana Jones journey at Disneyland Paris (which I’m nonetheless traumatized by). I loved it.
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
Positioned in ToonTown at Disneyland Park, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway is an lovely journey that includes the Mickey Cartoons. It’s a darkish, trackless journey, and is about to a catchy tune that’s positive to get caught in your head.
Whereas Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway was initially provided by a person lightning lane, it’s now a part of Genie+.
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
This journey is greater than an attraction, it’s a full expertise. With an over 15-minute run time, Rise of the Resistance features a trackless journey, a movement simulator journey, and a walk-through, as you undergo a complete Star Wars storyline.
Rise of the Resistance is obtainable by particular person lightning lane. For my part, it’s value paying for the person lightning lane if it is a journey you need to expertise.
Even for those who’ve been to Walt Disney World and Disneyland dozens of instances, the next iconic rides are completely must-dos each time you go to.
![It's a small world](https://www.familytravelmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/itsasmallworld-2724.jpg.webp)
it’s a small world
After I was youthful, I at all times considered it’s a small world as a youngsters’ journey. However as an grownup, it’s one thing I at all times need to go on. The Disneyland model is completely different from the Florida one as a result of it masses outdoors, and incorporates among the beloved Disney characters all through the journey.
House Mountain
This was one of many first thrill rides I went on as a child, and I nonetheless find it irresistible. It’s not as scary as different thrill rides, but it surely’s nonetheless a lot enjoyable. We expect that the Disneyland model is much more enjoyable than the Walt Disney World model.
Pirates of the Caribbean
I’d been on the Pirates of the Caribbean in Florida and Paris earlier than occurring the California model. However this one is my favourite as a result of it’s an extended journey with a much bigger drop. You’ll need to expertise it throughout your Disneyland trip.
The Haunted Mansion
This spooky journey is at all times a must-do, even for those who’ve been on it many instances. It’s fairly just like the Walt Disney World model, though it does have a really completely different facade.
Large Thunder Mountain Railroad
Large Thunder Mountain isn’t the scariest curler coaster, but it surely’s a enjoyable journey!
Jungle Cruise
You’ll groan on the jokes and puns, but it surely’s nonetheless one thing you’ll need to go on.
Fortunately, because of the proximity of the 2 parks, it’s straightforward to go between Disneyland Resort and Disney’s California Journey when you’ve got a park hopper ticket. When you undergo safety, you’ll be all set for each parks.
Disney’s California Journey
Toy Story Halfway Mania
Ever since Toy Story Halfway Mania opened, it’s been a well-liked family-friendly attraction. My household at all times has a pleasant competitors amongst ourselves, and it’s one thing we at all times stay up for.
Soarin’ Across the World
I admit that I’m nonetheless a giant fan of the unique Soarin’ Over California. Nevertheless, this new model is a welcome change, and I’m at all times impressed with how sensible it feels to be soarin’ over the world. Even for those who’ve been to this specific present earlier than, it’s nonetheless value doing many times.
![Pixar Pier](https://www.familytravelmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/pixarpier-2780.jpg.webp)
Incredicoaster
The one journey that goes the other way up at Disneyland Resort is the Incredicoaster, which is situated on Pixar Pier. Throughout my first go to, I beloved staying by and watching it undergo the loop over and over. Nevertheless, it’s additionally extremely enjoyable to journey. After you journey, cease by the kiosk for a Jack-Jack Cookie Num Num.
When you like thrill rides, you’ll need to go on this journey! The premise of the journey is that Jack Jack has escaped, and also you’ll must race by the coaster to seek out him. It’s such a enjoyable, out of doors journey. You should definitely get one in every of Jack Jack’s Cookie Num Nums on the kiosk outdoors the exit.
Pixar Pal-A-SphericalÂ
Essentially the most iconic journey at Disney’s California Journey is the Pixar Pal-A-Spherical wheel. There are two separate gondola sorts for this journey – one that’s fastened for a extra conventional Ferris wheel expertise.
The opposite swings backwards and forwards because the journey goes round and round for a a lot scarier expertise. Visitors can select which gondola sort they need to go on.
![Radiator Springs Racers](https://www.familytravelmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/radiatorspringsracers-2810.jpg.webp)
Radiator Springs Racer
I beloved Automobiles Land at California Journey, and the spotlight of the land is Radiator Springs Racers. This journey is extraordinarily fashionable, so that you’ll both need to get an Particular person Lightning Lane or select the single-rider line.
Whereas there may be Automobiles theming and storyline because the journey begins, it’s the top – when the automobile goes quick – that’s the greatest a part of this attraction. It’s additionally good to face on the entrance of Automobiles Land and watch the vehicles of Radiator Springs Racers drive by.
Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!
I admit that I used to be very skeptical when Disneyland remodeled my beloved Tower of Terror into Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! Nevertheless, I used to be so impressed with the journey and actually truly beloved it. Mission: BREAKOUT is just like the journey motion of the Tower of Terror. However it incorporates retro, energetic music, and the Guardians of the Galaxy characters.
Though I do love the journey, I’m glad that Walt Disney World’s Hollywood Studios nonetheless has the unique model. I hope that one doesn’t change.
Bonus: Net Slingers
One other new journey is Net Slingers, situated at Disney’s California Journey. On this journey, at Avenger’s Campus, you’ll want to assist Spiderman management the spider bots earlier than they take over.
Maximizing Your Disneyland Journey Expertise
Whereas it’s actually simpler to plan a Disneyland trip than a Walt Disney World trip, you’ll nonetheless must have a plan. Disneyland’s new Genie+ system is a paid system that’s worthwhile if you wish to save time. It’s not required, nonetheless, and also you’ll nonetheless be capable of wait in standby traces.
Despite the fact that you gained’t make your Genie+ reservations upfront of the day of your journey, it’s a good suggestion to analysis the rides upfront. Discover out which of them provide Genie+ and a lightning lane, and put collectively an inventory.
That manner, you’ll know precisely the place to go whenever you arrive. After all, that plan will change a bit as you begin to see the Genie+ availability for the day.
What’s your favourite Disneyland journey?
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![Exterior of Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway in ToonTown, Storm Troopers lined up, Pixar Pier at night.](https://www.familytravelmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/DisneylandAttractionsPIN-267x400.jpg)