🎢 The Best Rides at Disneyland & California Adventure (2025 Guide)
🏰 Your Guide to the Top Disneyland Resort Rides in 2025
Planning a day at Disneyland Resort? Whether you’re chasing thrills, riding with little ones, or just soaking up the nostalgia, knowing which rides are truly worth your time is key to making the most of your day.
Here’s your ultimate list of the best rides at both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure, including thrill rides, classics, and fan favorites you won’t want to miss in 2025.
🎠 Top 10 Best Rides at Disneyland Park
1. Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance (Galaxy’s Edge)
🚀 Immersive, groundbreaking, and a must-do. A mix of ride types, stunning effects, and storytelling.
📲 Virtual Queue or Lightning Lane recommended
2. Indiana Jones Adventure (Adventureland)
🛻 A high-speed jeep ride through a cursed temple. Thrilling drops, fireballs, snakes, and Indy himself.
3. Haunted Mansion (New Orleans Square)
👻 Spooky but fun for all ages. Bonus points during the Haunted Mansion Holiday (Oct–Jan) featuring Jack Skellington.
4. Pirates of the Caribbean (New Orleans Square)
🏴☠️ A slow boat ride packed with animatronics, treasure, and atmosphere. Over 15 minutes long = great break from walking.
5. Space Mountain (Tomorrowland)
🌌 A dark, high-speed indoor roller coaster through “outer space.” Get the Lightning Lane if you can.
6. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (Frontierland)
⛰️ The “wildest ride in the wilderness.” A smooth, scenic roller coaster that’s great for families and thrill-lovers.
7. Peter Pan’s Flight (Fantasyland)
🧚♀️ A short wait…but worth it. Soar over London and Neverland in this classic flying dark ride.
8. Matterhorn Bobsleds (Fantasyland)
❄️ Ride through icy caverns, dodge the abominable snowman, and enjoy epic mountain views.
9. Dumbo the Flying Elephant (Fantasyland)
🐘 A must for toddlers and Disney first-timers. Plus, the views of Fantasyland from the air are surprisingly great.
10. Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway (Mickey’s Toontown)
🚂 A newer ride (opened 2023) with amazing animation, trackless tech, and family-friendly fun.
🎡 Top 10 Best Rides at Disney California Adventure
1. Radiator Springs Racers (Cars Land)
🏁 Fast, scenic, and full of personality. Race through the desert and around Ornament Valley—one of the best rides in Disneyland Resort.
📲 Use Genie+ or rope drop this ride
2. Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! (Avengers Campus)
🚨 Reimagined Tower of Terror with Marvel music, randomized drops, and Rocket Raccoon chaos.
3. Web Slingers: A Spider-Man Adventure (Avengers Campus)
🕸️ Use your actual arms to sling webs in this interactive 3D game ride. Great for all ages.
4. Incredicoaster (Pixar Pier)
🎢 The only full-on loop coaster at Disneyland Resort. High speed, big drops, and a storyline starring the Incredibles.
5. Soarin’ Around the World (Grizzly Peak)
🌍 A peaceful, inspiring flight over world landmarks. Scents, wind effects, and a giant IMAX dome = epic.
6. Toy Story Midway Mania! (Pixar Pier)
🎯 A 4D arcade shooter that’s fun, competitive, and repeatable. Expect long lines—it’s popular for good reason.
7. Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! (Hollywood Land)
👹 A slow dark ride with fun storytelling and vibrant scenes from the film.
8. The Little Mermaid – Ariel’s Undersea Adventure (Paradise Gardens Park)
🧜♀️ A relaxing indoor ride perfect for families and younger kids. Bonus: usually short wait times.
9. Grizzly River Run (Grizzly Peak)
💦 A white-water rafting adventure—expect to get wet! Great for hot days.
10. Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind (Pixar Pier)
🎡 Colorful and charming for younger kids. Not thrilling, but a sweet moment with Pixar vibes.
🗓️ Best Tips for Experiencing the Top Disneyland Rides
- Use Genie+ and Lightning Lane for Rise of the Resistance, Radiator Springs Racers, and Indiana Jones.
- Rope drop early to knock out popular rides before wait times spike.
- Single rider lines are your best friend on rides like Incredicoaster and RSR.
- Balance thrills with dark rides to avoid burnout (and rest your feet!).
📋 Final Thoughts: Best Disneyland Resort Rides for 2025
From epic coaster thrills to charming dark rides, the best Disneyland and California Adventure rides mix innovation, nostalgia, and just plain fun. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or Disney expert, these 20 attractions are guaranteed to bring the magic.