30 Best Disneyland Rides: 2026 Rankings for Families

Planning a family trip to the Anaheim theme park? Our 2026 ranking of the best disneyland rides covers 30 attractions to help you prioritize your day. For the ultimate 2026 experience, top-rated must do disneyland rides include Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance for its immersive storytelling and Indiana Jones Adventure for high-intensity thrills.

What’s New for 2026: 70th Anniversary & Limited Overlays

As a mom who has spent more hours in the parks than I care to count, I can tell you that 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most magical years in recent memory. Disneyland is celebrating its 70th Anniversary, and the festivities are scheduled to run through August 9, 2026. This means the park is draped in platinum décor, and rare characters are out meeting families.

The biggest news for the summer season is the debut of the Soarin’ Across America experience, which replaces the standard Soarin' film from July 2 until late September. Using Walt Disney Imagineering technology, the attraction features updated 4K cinematography of the Grand Canyon and New York City skyline, synchronized with the scents of pine forests and sea salt spray.

In Bayou Country, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure has fully settled in as a fan favorite. This reimagined mountain features dozens of state-of-the-art audio-animatronics. Over in Galaxy’s Edge, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run has introduced new missions that take crews to the forest moon of Endor, keeping the experience fresh for returning visitors.

The Ultimate Top 5: Must Do Disneyland Rides for Families

Choosing where to spend your morning can be stressful with kids in tow. My advice? Focus on these top five attractions that offer the highest "value" in terms of memory-making and technical wizardry.

1. Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

This isn't just a ride; it is a 20-minute immersive adventure. You are captured by the First Order, interrogated by Kylo Ren, and forced to escape a Star Destroyer.

• Vibe Check: Intimidating, massive in scale, and breathtakingly realistic.
• Pro Tip: This ride frequently uses a Virtual Queue or stands as an Individual Lightning Lane purchase. If you skip this, you’ve missed the best the park has to offer.

2. Indiana Jones Adventure

A rugged trek through a cursed temple. It uses an enhanced motion vehicle to simulate driving over boulders and under giant snakes.

• Vibe Check: High energy and chaotic, though it has a 46-inch height requirement.
• Best Seating Hack: Request the driver's seat (far left, front row) for the most interactive feeling, though the back row feels more like a wild jeep ride.

3. Pirates of the Caribbean

The gold standard for themed history. It is a slow boat ride through a pirate raid, complete with the smell of damp caves and a catchy theme song.

• Vibe Check: Nostalgic and cool (great for a heat break).
• Reality Check: There are two small drops, but most children over age 3 find it exciting rather than scary.

4. Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway

Located in Toontown, this ride uses a trackless ride system to glide you into a cartoon universe. It is one of the top disneyland attractions for groups with varying ages.

• Vibe Check: Whimsical, bright, and surprisingly smooth.
• Parent Tip: There is no height requirement, making it a premier stop for families with infants and grandparents.

5. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

Known as the "wildest ride in the wilderness," this mine train coaster is the perfect "first big coaster" for kids who are just hitting the 40-inch mark.

• Vibe Check: Rustic, outdoor fun with great views of the park.
• Pro Tip: Ride it at night! The lighting makes the mountain formations look spectacular.

Best High-Intensity Thrill Rides

For families with teenagers or daredevil parents, these rankings focus on speed and "the drop." Ranking disneyland coasters by intensity level, Space Mountain and the Matterhorn stand as the crown jewels of Tomorrowland and Fantasyland.

6. Space Mountain: An indoor, dark coaster that makes you feel like you're hurtling through a distant galaxy. The music is synchronized to every turn and dip.

• Intensity Rating: High. The darkness makes it feel much faster than its actual speed.

7. Matterhorn Bobsleds: An opening day classic, this was the first tubular steel coaster in the world. You’ll weave in and out of the mountain and come face-to-face with the Abominable Snowman.

• Reality Check: The Tomorrowland side of the track is generally considered rougher and faster than the Fantasyland side. If you have a sensitive back, you might want to consider the seat cushions in the front of each bobsled.

8. Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run: This is the ultimate dream for Star Wars fans. You play a role—pilot, gunner, or engineer—and the quality of your flight depends on your team’s performance.

• Intensity Rating: Medium. It is a motion simulator, so motion sickness warnings apply here.

9. Star Tours — The Adventures Continue: Another simulator that features over 50 different story combinations. You never know where in the galaxy you'll end up.

10. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure: While much of the ride is a musical journey, it culminates in a 50-foot drop into the briar patch (reimagined as the bayou). It ranks as a high-intensity ride because of that single, iconic splashdown.

Preschooler-Friendly: Best Disneyland Rides for Toddlers

Taking a toddler to Disneyland is a unique kind of joy—and a unique kind of workout. Focus your time in Fantasyland and Mickey’s Toontown. These are the best disneyland rides for toddlers 2026 that prioritize safety and gentle storytelling.

11. Peter Pan’s Flight: You board a flying pirate ship and soar over London. It is arguably the most popular dark ride in the park, often seeing wait times of 60 minutes or more.

• Parent Strategy: Hit this first thing at park opening (Rope Drop) or use the Rider Switch service if the wait is too long for your little one.

12. It’s a Small World: This 15-minute boat ride features hundreds of animatronic dolls. It is a massive sensory experience that usually captivates babies and toddlers. It’s also a perfect spot to nurse a baby or catch a quick rest.

13. Dumbo the Flying Elephant: A global icon. Use the interactive queue area to keep kids entertained while you wait for your turn to fly.

14. Snow White’s Enchanted Wish: Recently renovated to remove some of its scarier "scary adventures," this ride now focuses more on Snow White’s "happily ever after." It is much friendlier for younger ages now.

15. Alice in Wonderland: This unique dark ride features a track that goes outdoors onto a second-level platform, offering a rare view of Fantasyland before diving back into the Queen of Hearts' kingdom.

Scare Factor Warning: Even though they are slow, scariest disneyland rides for sensitive young children are often the ones in the dark. Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride and Pinocchio’s Daring Journey both feature loud noises and dark imagery that can be overwhelming for some toddlers.

Classic Disneyland: The Opening Day Favorites

For a multi-generational family trip, there is something special about the rides that were there when Walt opened the gates in 1955. These are classic disneyland opening day attractions ranking high for their historical prestige and simple charm.

16. Jungle Cruise: This 2026 iteration features refreshed jokes and updated animatronic scenes. Kids love the animal sightings; adults love the puns from the skippers. 17. King Arthur Carrousel: A beautiful, hand-carved merry-go-round where every horse is a jumper. 18. Mad Tea Party: The legendary spinning teacups. You control the speed, so if you have a group prone to nausea, keep the wheel steady! 19. Storybook Land Canal Boats: You sail through the miniature villages of Disney’s most famous fairytales. It is a slow, lovely experience for grandparents. 20. Casey Jr. Circus Train: A delightful train ride that circles the canal boats. It’s a great photo opportunity for parents. 21. Autopia: Let your kids get behind the wheel. In 2026, many of the vehicles are shifting toward cleaner energy models, making for a less "fume-heavy" wait. 22. Disneyland Railroad: Not just transportation, but a full-scale view of the park, including a trip through the Grand Canyon and Primeval World (dinosaurs!). 23. Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride: A chaotic journey through the streets of London ending in... well, a very warm "un-magical" place. It’s a must for fans of quirkier Disney history. 24. Pinocchio’s Daring Journey: A traditional dark ride using hand-painted scenery and simple animation. 25. Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough: An often-overlooked indoor walkthrough that tells the story of the princess through dioramas.

The Rest of the Best: Completing the Top 30

To round out your must do disneyland rides list, don't forget these essential experiences that balance out a busy day.

26. Haunted Mansion: This ride often becomes Haunted Mansion Holiday (Nightmare Before Christmas theme) in late 2026. Either way, the "stretching room" and the holograms are masters of the craft. 27. Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters: An interactive game where you shoot lasers at Zurg’s targets. It’s great for competitive families. 28. Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage: You descend into a lagoon (or feel like you do) to see characters from the film.

• Reality Check: This is a very enclosed space. If you are claustrophobic, this is one to skip. 29. Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin: Located in Toontown, this is a zany ride where you can spin your taxi while following the track. 30. Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln: While technically an auditorium show, the animatronic Lincoln is a marvel of engineering. It’s a quiet, air-conditioned 15-minute history lesson that is essential for first time visitors.

Strategy & Logistics: Riding Like a Pro in 2026

If you want to maximize your vacation, you need a plan. Disneyland ride wait time strategies for families have changed with the introduction of new tech.

• Rope Drop Strategy: Arrive at the gates at least 45 minutes before the official opening. When the "rope drops," head immediately to Peter Pan’s Flight or Rise of the Resistance to save hours of waiting later.
• Lightning Lane Multi Pass: This has replaced the older Genie+ system. Use the Disneyland app to book your return times for big attractions like Space Mountain.
• Virtual Queue Registration: For newest ride attractions like Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, you may need to join a virtual queue via the app at 7:00 AM or 1:00 PM.
• Survival Tip: There are First Aid stations and Baby Care centers located at the end of Main Street. Use them! They offer private nursing rooms and tiny toilets for toddlers.

FAQ

What is the number one ride at Disneyland?

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is consistently ranked as the number one ride due to its length, multi-part experience, and state-of-the-art trackless technology.

What are the best Disneyland rides for toddlers?

The best disneyland rides for toddlers 2026 include Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, It’s a Small World, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, and the renovated Snow White’s Enchanted Wish.

Which rides should I use Genie+ for at Disneyland?

In 2026, the service is known as Lightning Lane Multi Pass. You should use it for high-demand rides like Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Indiana Jones Adventure, and Matterhorn Bobsleds.

What is the newest ride at Disneyland?

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is the major recent addition, having opened in late 2024 and becoming a centerpiece for Bayou Country in 2026.

Which Disneyland rides are considered classic attractions?

The 1955 originals include Peter Pan’s Flight, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, King Arthur Carrousel, Snow White’s Enchanted Wish (formerly Scary Adventures), and the Jungle Cruise.

What is the scariest ride in Disneyland?

In terms of thrill, Space Mountain can be intimidating for its darkness. For young children, the ghosts in Haunted Mansion or the dark themes of Pinocchio’s Daring Journey are often considered the scariest.

Planning Your 2026 Disneyland Vacation

As you prepare for your trip, keep in mind that the 70th Anniversary will bring higher crowd levels, especially during the summer. By prioritizing the best disneyland rides early in the day and using tools like the Lightning Lane Multi Pass, your family can navigate the Anaheim theme park with ease.

Disneyland is constantly evolving, but the core of the experience—the joy on a child's face as they fly over London or meet Mickey—remains the same. Whether it's your first visit or your fiftieth, the 2026 season offers a unique blend of historical charm and futuristic thrills.