With over 30 rides and roller coasters at Disneyland, there is plenty to do in a day —and plenty of long lines to navigate. Since you only have from park open to close to get to everything you want to do, you need a list of the Disneyland rides that are worth the wait to plan out your visit.
With Genie+ and Lightning Lane, Disney has made it easier for you to prioritize the attractions you want to experience for an additional fee. However, if you’re going old school, these are the rides at Disneyland that are worth waiting in standby.
For nostalgia alone, the Matterhorn Bobsleds are a must on your Disneyland trip. Plus, this is the only Disney park with the steel roller coaster as well. However, it does get a little bumpy. You’ve been warned.
Another classic that is worth the wait is the Jungle Cruise. This Disneyland ride opened when the park opened in 1955, and it is still just as entertaining. The highlights of your cruise will be your punny skipper and the famed backside of water.
While Fantasyland has a lot of nostalgic rides, there is none more iconic than the Mad Tea Party. Luckily, the wait is usually not that long, either. Definitely go later in your day for a gorgeous spin under the colorful lanterns.
It may not be the most thrilling ride and has a theme song that will get stuck in your head, but did you really go to Disneyland if you didn’t ride “it’s a small world”? Not only is it a classic, but the Disneyland version of this attraction is also a sight to see lit up at night.
Even if you’re not a Star Wars fan, Smugglers Run is a super fun adventure ride. It’s definitely worth it if you’re the right pilot who gets to help the Millennium Falcon jump into hyperspace.
Pirates of the Caribbean has everything. It’s a classic Disneyland ride with animatronics and a fun storyline along with the thrill of some water ride drops. It’s not only fun, but also a great 16-minute break from the heat as well.
Haunted Mansion is one of those Disneyland rides that is so popular, it has tons of merch dedicated to it. From the Stretching Room to the Doom Buggy vehicles, you’ll want to see it all. It’s even more of a must during the holidays when it gets its annual Nightmare Before Christmas makeover.
As the “wildest ride in the wilderness,” Big Thunder Mountain is a Disneyland roller coaster that’s a must for thrill seekers. Don’t forget to watch the goat — aka the goat trick — to make it even more exciting.
The Indiana Jones Adventure is another Disneyland ride that is unique to the park and is not at Disney World, which is why it’s a must. The queue alone makes the wait worth it.
Space Mountain is the best of the mountain attractions at Disneyland. The dark roller coaster is thrilling with turns and drops that you can’t see, plus it boasts a perfect Insta-worthy photo moment at the end.