For people who haven't visited any of the Disney parks, the biggest assumption is that the rides are for kids and everyone is suffering in the horribly long lines. While that's not too far from the truth, Disney parks are still extremely popular for a reason. Some people will do just about anything to go to Disneyland or Disneyworld just for a day. There are tons of rides, attractions, and experiences to have, but because there are so many, it can be a bit overwhelming. So here they are, ranked best and worst—some of the results are a bit polarizing, but you can judge for yourself...
Worst: It’s a Small World
The "It's a Small World" ride is so iconic because it's so terrible. Everyone knows the song—we’ve all heard it in our nightmares. The canal ride has 300 animatronic figures singing that horrible song to you… The worst part is that the ride lasts for an entire 15 minutes.
Is It Worth It? Probably Not
To be fair, it is a 15-minute ride in an air-conditioned tunnel, but that’s probably the only plus. You could even get in a little nap as long as you brought some headphones to drown out that terrible tune. It might be worth it to experience the horrors of it all, but that's only for the very brave.
Best: Astro Orbiter
You (and your kid) can control the rockets and have them go up and down as much as you want, whenever you want. It’s kind of rare to have a ride where you can control what you want to do with it, so that's a huge plus.
It’s Pretty Popular
The Astro Orbiter is a pretty popular ride. The lines can be a bit long for it, but it’s probably worth it. This ride can be found in Disneyland, Magic Kingdom, Disneyland Paris, Disneyland Hong Kong, and Disneyland Shanghai. Obviously, the demand for it is pretty strong!
Worst: Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress
The riveting "carousel of progress" was installed at the park in 1964. It's a rotating theatre using mechanical dummies that showcases the life of the "average" American family between 1900 and 1964.
No Long Lines!
When it first debuted, folks liked it, and it was a pretty popular attraction. Nowadays, it's declined in popularity. It’s a 21-minute-long ride, which makes it the longest at the park. There’s also literally never a wait, so if you just want a ride to sit and relax in, this may be the one for you.
Best: Carousel Rides
Okay, this one is a bit of a kicker. Yes, carousel rides are the best. When you’re tired of waiting in line and your feet hurt and all of the benches are taken, the carousels will be waiting there for you. You'll get a nice summer breeze as you go round and round!
Some Fan Favorites
Prince Charming’s Regal Carousel in the Magic Kingdom seems to be a favorite. We can all pretend that we’re Cinderella! King Arthur’s Carousel in Disneyland and the Fantasia Carousel in Disneyland Shanghai are some top tier carousels.
Best: Stitch Encounter
What made this ride so awesome is that it uses three of the five senses. Guests will sit in a dark room while they wait for Stitch to wreak some havoc. Then, they will feel the wind on their arms and water on their faces. They even get bombarded with loud, creepy sounds to let them know that he was nearby...
A Bit Scary
A lot of the younger kids felt like this ride was too scary. There was a bit of an over-stimulation factor with the wind, water, sound, and lack of sight. Originally, this attraction was actually about a regular alien that escaped, but then they incorporated Stitch to make it less scary. It didn’t work, and the ride is now closed.
Worst: Storybook Lane Canal Boats
The Storybook Lane Canal Boats could have been cool, but they're actually just mind-numbingly boring. You’re on a boat going through Storybook Land settings, and that’s it. The boat is extremely slow and there’s no thrill whatsoever. It’s just a slow ride through a dark tunnel.
Probably Fine for Kids
Once again, this would be a good ride for younger kids (since Disney is for kids) unless you’ve got a rowdy one on your hand. If you have a kid who can’t sit still, this ride is definitely not one you want to try out.
Worst: The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
Sorry, Aladdin, but this one is a flop. In comparison to the Astro Orbiter, the Aladdin ride is just a less-fun version. While it functions on the same idea overall, you can’t control your carpet. That’s pretty lame!
It’s Super Slow
Since it’s for younger kids, it’s also super slow. So, you’re basically just going around in a circle looking at the same other, boring-ish rides while your kid is either having the time of their life or is extremely, mind-numbingly bored. Sorry, Aladdin, but this ride is a pass.
Best: The Barnstormer
While the Barnstormer is technically a kiddie coaster classified as a junior coaster, but it’s certainly a fun one. It’s a more tame ride but that doesn’t make it any less fun. Even for adults, it’s still a good time and won’t give you vertigo since it's only a minute long.
Best with Kids
It’s probably a better idea to do with kids than without. If you don’t have kids, then the bigger coasters are probably the better bet for you. The Great Goofini's Barnstormer is actually the successor to the original Barnstormer that was at Goofy's Wiseacre Farm. Unfortunately, that part of the park closed, but folks loved the Barnstormer so much that they brought it to the Storybook Circus section of the Magic Kingdom.
Best: Gadget’s Go Coaster
If you want to go to Toontown, Gadget’s Go Coaster should be your reason, although Toontown itself is pretty cool overall. This coaster is probably the fastest one in Toontown and is inspired by the Chip ‘n Dale Rescue Rangers. Lines are fast, the ride is quick, and your kid will love it!
Pretty Exclusive
Toontown itself can only be found in Disneyland and Disneyland Tokyo. There is a height restriction (which means you know it’s good). This is one Toontown ride you don't want to miss out on.
Best: Dumbo The Flying Elephant
For nostalgia purposes, Dumbo is going to be listed as one of the best rides to check out, after all, it’s iconic! When you think of Disneyland, you think of this ride. Everyone does! The lines for this ride are usually so long that the Orlando location offers two of the same ride just to lessen the wait times…
Insane Wait Times
Even though there are two of these same exact rides at the park, the wait times were still brutal. Disneyland ended up installing parks next to the ride as “waiting rooms” so you can hang out and play there while you wait for your turn. They give the parents pagers, just like in a restaurant, to let them know that it's their turn to get on the ride.
Worst: Autopia/Tomorrowland Speedway
On the outside, this ride looks cool. You’re in a car on the speedway, and it's designed to look like a real racetrack! Unfortunately, it's almost too real because you can actually get stuck in traffic, especially if one of the cars breaks down (which is often).
The Ride for Traffic
If they let too many people on the ride, you’re totally out of luck. Not only do you have to wait in a long line to get into the car, but you also have to wait in a long line to get out. Let's just say there’s room for improvement at the Tomorrowland Speedway.
Best: Casey Jr. Circus Train
The Casey Jr. Circus Train is for toddlers, so if you’re a parent of a toddler, you’re going to love this ride, and so is your kid. It’s slow, you can sit and relax, and there’s a lot for your kid to keep busy with and look at.
Fairytales Galore
The train takes you through tons of cute landscapes and worlds from famous movies. Pinocchio, Alice in Wonderland, and The Three Little Pigs can all be seen on this small ride! You can find this ride at Disneyland and Disneyland Paris.
Best: Jungle Cruise
This ride is far more than just your standard "riverboat ride." The Jungle Cruise takes you through a makeshift jungle filled with moving statues of jungle animals. The tour guides are what truly make this ride great. How else are they going to make this interesting?
It’s Probably Worth It
The ride itself is only eight minutes long and the lines aren’t too bad. It’s worth the wait for the laughs and the fact that you can sit down. Love that! Just be aware that you're probably going to get soaked on this ride. There's a lot of water flying around, so keep an eye out.
Best: Star Tours The Adventures Continue
The Star Tours "coaster" moves you up and down so you’re fully immersed in the ride. There’s a huge screen in front of you that sets you right in a Star Wars film and gives you the sensation that you’re actually moving without the car ever leaving it's place.
A Ride You Can Ride Again and Again
The best part of this ride is that there are 60 different movie combinations so every ride is different! You could even just get back in line and have an entirely new experience. The first attraction opened at Disney's Hollywood Studios in 2011, and popularity skyrocketed! It opened at Disneyland later that year, at Tokyo in 2013, and at Disneyland Paris in 2017.
Best: Disney Railroad
What makes the train better than a boat ride? Well, the trains themselves are way more historically accurate. This train circles around the park and is a wonderful break from the standing, walking, and sweating. Plus, there are way more sights to see!
There Are Trains All Over
You can catch a train at the Magic Kingdom, Disneyland, and Disneyland Tokyo. If you’re looking for a thrill, this isn’t the ride for you. If you’re looking for a break in between the thrills, then head on over.
Best: Iron Man Experience
Yes, yes, this is just like the Star Wars ride, but it’s Iron Man-themed instead. And, in true Iron Man fashion, it’s in 3D. It can even get pretty scary and intense at times, which is ideal for a superhero ride.
The Worst Part
The saddest part is that this is only available in Disneyland Hong Kong. If you’re an Iron Man and Disney fanatic, this ride would make it worth the trip. Although, that does make it pretty cool because the set of films is in Hong Kong, so you can ride around Hong Kong with Iron Man. That's pretty fun.
Worst: Riverboats
While they look super cool and they’re pretty impressive boats, the ride factor itself is pretty lame, especially the Mark Twain Riverboat and Liberty Square Riverboats. They're slow-moving, so there isn’t any thrill to them. You also have to stand the entire time, so it's not even a very relaxing break.
Cool For History
If you’re super into history, then you would probably enjoy this ride. There’s definitely a ride for everyone in the Disney parks, that’s for sure. The horn is quite loud, which might scare younger children, but other than that, it’s a decent 19-century paddle boat.
Best: Ant-Man and the Wasp: Nano Battle
Even though Ant-Man is no one’s favorite superhero (sorry, Paul Rudd) this ride is pretty sweet! This one is also only available at Disneyland Hong Kong, so that’s just another reason to visit Hong Kong. Apparently, Hong Kong has a pretty tight grip on Marvel characters and they have a lot of different attractions that involve our favorite superheroes. It would definitely be easy to make a trip out of heading to Disneyland Hong Kong.
Guest Voices
Paul Rudd and Evangeline Lilly even lent their voices for the ride to make it super authentic. Guests can spin around and shoot as you try to defend the headquarters from enemy robots—so this ride is a game and amusement ride all in one.
Best: Rex’s Racer
Don't let the Toy Story look fool you—this ride is crazy. You’re stuck in this cart as it shoots you up a slope that goes completely verticle and then backs down, backward, towards the same slope. It’s pretty exciting!
Not For The Weak
Even though this is Toy Story-themed, that doesn’t necessarily make it a kid's ride, especially because you’re thrown around on this ride back and forth for a while. This ride sort of seems like motion sickness is guaranteed.
Best: Soaring Over the Horizon
Soaring is an amazing can't-miss ride. It’s only five minutes long, but you can see a lot in that time! You’re soaring over incredible landscapes from all over the world, and they use other features to make it feel like you’re really flying.
Utilizing The Senses
Honestly, rides that splash some water on you, blow air at you and incorporate a sense of touch are absolutely the best. They immerse you in the ride and truly transport you. This is classic Disney and it's one ride you do not want to skip.
Best: Movie Themed Rides (For Older Kids/Adults)
Obviously, this is a large umbrella, but it’s true! Most of the rides for the Disney movies are awesome. They’re fast, they’re fun, and they’re extremely well put together. Some fan favorites are Peter Pan’s ride and Finding Nemo.
Taking You On an Adventure
Unlike rides for smaller kids, these rides will take you on a legitimate adventure. You can go underwater with Nemo and even find the mermaids in Peter Pan’s world! The only downside is that the lines are typically horrible, but that just means the ride is actually worth the long queue.
Best: Buzz Lightyear Ride
This is mostly a kids ride, but there’s a lot that you can do with it! On the ride, you’re thrown right in the middle of a battle between Buzz Lightyear and Emperor Zurg. You’re in charge of shooting lasers at the targets while on-board and trying your best to get the highest score.
Super Immersive
You’re moving on the coaster while shooting at the targets. You can even spin around 360 degrees for the best experience. This ride is also a game, and if you win enough points you can get a Magical Moment certificate!
Best: Indiana Jones’ Adventure
Only available in Disneyland and Disneyland Paris, Indiana Jones’ Adventure is an animatronic coaster that can get pretty freaky. It’s super fast-moving and there’s a lot of jump scares along the way. Oh, and it’s not a regular coaster where you’re riding on the rails—you’re in an actual jungle vehicle.
Wild Ride
The ride itself will go through dark twists and turns and randomly drop you down hundreds of feet before you even realize what's happening. Since it’s one of the coolest rides at the parks, the lines are usually long, but if you stick it out, it's absolutely worth it!
Best: Roaring Rapids
While the Roaring Rapids is only available in Disneyland Shanghai, there is another rapids ride called Kali River Rapids at the Animal Kingdom in Orlando. The ride is basically just a white water rafting ride without the danger! It’s super fun, super-fast, and you do get super wet, which is pretty great on a hot day at the park.
Everyone Loves a Water Ride
With water rides, you have to understand that you’re probably going to get wet. With this ride, you’re thrust under a waterfall so you truly get absolutely drenched. Grab a poncho or just grin and bear it, because this is one fun ride.
Worst: Mad Tea Party
They look cool, but why would you want to get so dizzy that you get nauseous? You’re going to wait in a 40-minute line just to get sick, so this ride is okay to skip, unless you have young children with you, in which case, you can let them jump on while you hang tight and watch.
You Could Take It Slow
How much the teacup spins is totally up to you, so you could limit the amount of dizziness you suffer from if you're determined to take a ride. If you're really itching to get on the teacups and get the full Alice in Wonderland experience, try it out! There are other ways to get the Unbirthday Party experience in the park as well with other Alice in Wonderland attractions!
Best: The Haunted Mansion
It’s a long line to get in, but that’s part of the experience! Cast members will go up and down the lines interacting with patrons and even scaring them. Then, once you’re inside, you’re on the road to the scares!
Scary But Fun
Things will jump out at you, so be on the lookout. Sometimes, a “ghost” will even hop into the car with you… The ride is 10 minutes long, so hopefully, you can handle it. The mansion also changes its decor seasonally, so it's worth checking out no matter time of year you visit.
Best: Pirates Of the Caribbean
This is probably one of the most immersive rides out there. You seriously feel like you’re in the movie! There are multiple animatronics, of course, and while it is just a boat ride, the overall experience is pretty thrilling. This ride is actually pretty old, too, so it's impressive that it has had such staying power.
It’s Johnny Depp!
No, not really, but they did hire a Johnny Depp lookalike (which, for some reason, there are lots of) to run around. It’s immersive, fun, and kinda spooky at the same time. Fun fact: The original version at Disneyland, which opened in 1967, was the last attraction whose construction was overseen by Walt Disney; he died three months before it opened.
Best: Matterhorn Bobsleds
This ride is only at Disneyland in California and rightfully so! It’s one of the most sought out rides at the park, and it’s hard to even get a spot in line. It’s fast and furious, that’s for sure.
It’s a Hot Commodity
This ride is everyone’s favorite, hands down. If you have a FastPass, it’ll surely come in handy for this one. Also, it’s probably best to make this the first ride you venture to—the earlier the better.
Worst: Splash Mountain
Everyone knows Splash Mountain. For those of you haven’t been but have just heard of it, it’s this crazy log flume that drenches you to the core at the end. Instead, it’s actually just an animatronic ride with a small storyline and a big drop at the end…
Totally Unsatisfying
The reason that this is ranked as “worst” is mainly that it’s totally hyped up for no real reason. It’s just a log flume, there’s nothing too special about it and we think it's a bit overrated.
Best: Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train a newer ride that does not disappoint. Not only is it expertly crafted, but it’s also extremely fun and thrilling! It’s super fast and will take you all over the mountain that it’s on. The train can get up to 34 miles per hour, which would make this illegal in a residential neighborhood!
Long Lines Are Worth It
It’s a crazy wait to get on it, but it’s totally worth it! The thrill factor is definitely there, and the ride itself is fun. Plus, it's one of the more tailored rides, meaning that it looks like it's set in the Snow White universe. Maybe someone special will make an appearance... Who knows!