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Trying to fit all of Disneyland into one visit? We’ve been there. And we’re here to help! Disneyland Park is packed with magical moments, classic characters and enough churros to power a marathon. But if you’re short on time (or just want to hit the very best of the best), we’ve rounded up the top 10 rides that absolutely belong on your must-do list. These are the Disneyland rides guests rave about, locals keep going back to and Disney fans call iconic for a reason. So grab your ears, power up the Disneyland app and let’s ride!
Top Not-To-Miss Disneyland Rides
This high-speed journey through a cursed temple has it all: immersive storytelling, special effects and just enough thrill to make you yell "Snakes! Why did it have to be snakes?!" It’s a Disneyland original you can’t find at Walt Disney World (that's changing soon!), and it's worth the hype every time.
Hop tip: Use single rider, Lightning Lane Multi Pass or wait until the end of the night to skip the long line.
A spooky, silly classic with 999 happy haunts. There’s always room for one more… The Haunted Mansion blends spooky and silly in true Disney fashion, with ghostly illusions, stunning effects and a delightfully dark sense of humor. From the stretching room to the ballroom of dancing spirits and that iconic hitchhiking ghost finale, this fan-favorite dark ride is a must for all ages.
For Halloween Time and Holiday Time, the mansion gets a frightfully festive makeover for Haunted Mansion Holiday, featuring Jack Skellington and friends from The Nightmare Before Christmas. It’s a seasonal twist that brings a whole new (after)life to this Disneyland classic. At Disneyland, the stretching room really does go down—it’s actually an elevator! This clever design lowers guests beneath the park to access the show building and it’s one of the coolest pieces of Imagineering in the park!
Hop tip: Plan to ride Haunted Mansion during Fantasmic! if you're not watching the show. The line generally dips during show times.
With catchy music, impressive animatronics and a surprisingly long ride time, Pirates is pure Disneyland magic from start to finish. Climb aboard your own boat and take a ride through one of the most elaborate and famed dark rides in Disney history, and arguably one of the best dark rides ever built. By most accounts, the Disneyland version (the original) is thought to be superior to the version of the ride, with better and longer storytelling, more drops and an expanded burning town scene.
Hop tip: This 14 minute ride is a great break in the middle of a park day!
4. Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
Rise of the Resistance isn’t just a ride. It’s a full-on experience, blending massive practical sets with trackless ride vehicles and incredible tech. Even non-Star Wars fans will be blown away. It's the first of its kind and the perfect blend of family friendly with a little thrill.
Hop tip: You can skip the line by purchasing a Lightning Lane Single Pass. You can also rope drop Rise of the Resistance for a shorter wait time! The ride does close earlier than the rest of the park, so don't wait until the end of your night.
5. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Get ready for this runaway mine car that will have you hanging onto your hats and glasses. This mine train coaster delivers thrills, gorgeous desert theming and plenty of yee-haw fun. It’s a family favorite for good reason.
Hop tip: Jump on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at night! If you time it correctly, you might even get some fireworks while you ride.
Another one of Disneyland's four "mountains," this indoor space coaster opened in 1977 and has been a park must-do ever since. And it remains one of the most thrilling Disneyland rides, in no small part because every high-speed twist, turn and drop is in the dark! Blast into the stars on this fast-paced indoor coaster with a killer soundtrack. It’s dark, it’s thrilling and it’s one of the most beloved rides in the park. Special for Season of the Force in the spring, Space Mountain gets an awesome Star Wars overlay called Hyperspace Mountain. It's so well done and exciting, and it's our favorite version of the ride!
Hop tip: Check to see if Single Rider is open or use Lightning Lane Multi Pass to skip the line.
Embark on a riverboat adventure through the world’s most dangerous rivers, complete with wild animals, ancient ruins and plenty of pun-filled jokes from your skipper. Jungle Cruise is a hilarious, family-friendly ride with tongue-in-cheek humor, and packed with Disney history. It is one of the original Disneyland rides, which opened alongside the park on July 17, 1955.
Hop tip: For the best jokes and a slightly cooler ride, try cruising in the evening or at night—skippers tend to really lean into the humor as the day goes on.
The world’s first tubular steel coaster, Matterhorn is a Disneyland original and a bucket list ride. Matterhorn Bobsleds debuted at the park in 1959 as Disneyland's first roller coaster. You’ll speed down icy slopes, dodge the yeti and get a killer view of the park at the top.
Hop tip: There are two toadally different tracks on this ride. Depending on which side you choose, you'll have a completely different experience!
Peter Pan's Flight is one of the most iconic dark rides of all time. You'll feel the wind in your hair as you fly high above Wendy, John and Michael Darling's London and then off to Neverland!
Hop tip: Peter Pan's Flight consistently builds up one of the longest lines in the whole park! Head to this ride right when the park opens, before the crowds arrive.
Set sail on a gentle boat ride through a whimsical world of singing dolls, colorful scenery and global harmony. “it’s a small world” is a Disneyland classic that celebrates unity and peace. Plus, you'll be humming that catchy tune all day. The ride has one of the most beautiful façades, which is carefully decorated and lit for Holiday Time.
Hop tip: Keep your eyes peeled for easter eggs in the form classic Disney movie characters throughout the whole ride.
Honorable Mentions:
- Tiana's Bayou Adventure — Join Princess Tiana on a musical journey through the bayou with new friends, lively tunes and plenty of splashy fun in this reimagined log ride.
- Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway — Step into a zany Mickey cartoon where anything can happen on this trackless, family-friendly adventure full of surprises and visual tricks.
- Alice in Wonderland — Follow Alice down the rabbit hole on this whimsical dark ride filled with colorful characters, outdoor scenes and a bit of delightful chaos.
- Dumbo the Flying Elephant — Soar high above Fantasyland on Dumbo’s back in this classic, gentle spinner that’s as charming as it is iconic.
Which ride are you most excited to jump aboard? Want to hit all these Disneyland rides in one day? Grab your discount tickets from Undercover Tourist and use those savings towards Lightning Lane Multi Pass. Undercover Tourist has been an authorized ticket seller for over 25 years.
Related: The Best Time to Go to Disneyland in 2025 and Beyond
Related: 10 Not-to-Miss Disney California Adventure Rides
Hoppy planning!
