Top Disneyland Attractions

Want to know the top Disneyland attractions? You’ve found the right post!

There is no shortage of popular Disney rides. Today, we’re going to speak about the top 10 that have – on average – the longest wait times.

In many cases, these rides are the most beloved attractions you can find at Disneyland. Which means you’ll probably want to check them out during your visit to Disneyland.

But how can you ride the top 10 Disneyland rides without the super high wait times?

Let’s discuss!

This post is all about the 10 top Disneyland attractions and how you can avoid waiting in line for too long for these rides!

1) Radiator Springs Racers

Height Requirement: 40 in (102cm) +

Highlights: Cars-themed racing ride

Location: Cars Land – Disney California Adventure

Approximate Average Wait Time: 75 minutes

If you’ve ever visited Disney California Adventure before, you won’t be surprised that this featured on the top 10 Disneyland rides list!

This attraction is part scenic car tour and part high-speed race.

You board a car, see some infamous characters from Cars, then bam! You’re racing with the car beside you!

If you’ve ever been on Test Track at Epcot (Disney World), Radiator Springs Racers is very similar – just with more interesting theming.

Due to the extremely long wait times, this is a great one to head to at rope drop.

If you’re staying on-site and have access to Early Entry, I’d recommend going to this ride first.

Although it doesn’t officially open until the half an hour of Early Entry has commenced, you will probably be near close to the front of the line, if you arrive towards the start of Early Entry.

2) Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

Height Requirement: 40 in (102cm) +

Highlights: Innovative Star Wars ride

Location: Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge – Disneyland Park

Approximate Average Wait Time: 67 minutes

This ride isn’t just an attraction—it’s a full-blown experience.

Located in Galaxy’s Edge, this masterpiece is a mix of jaw-dropping visuals and daring missions.

From great pre-shows to a ride like no other (except the replica …), this ride is something special.

If you’ve been on Rise of the Resistance in Hollywood Studios at Disney World, this is the same attraction.

3) Haunted Mansion

Height Requirement: Any height

Highlights: Haunted house attraction

Location: New Orleans Square – Disneyland Park

Approximate Average Wait Time: 50 minutes

The Haunted Mansion is where spooky meets charming.

This eerie estate is packed with playful ghosts (don’t worry, they’re friendly and this is a family-friendly attraction).

This attraction is super exciting if you visit during its holiday overlay “Haunted Mansion Holiday” – which includes theming from The Nightmare Before Christmas (between August 22nd, 2025 to January 7th, 2026 (so expect some downtime whilst this ride transforms to the overlay version).

4) Space Mountain

Height Requirement: 40 in (102cm) +

Highlights: Roller coaster in darkness

Location: Tomorrowland – Disneyland

Approximate Average Wait Time: 47 minutes

On Space Mountain, you can fly through the darkness with a galactic soundtrack blasting, as you travel through an exciting space station.

This roller coaster is a lot of fun, but tame enough to be family-friendly (without being a generic junior coaster).

5) Toy Story Midway Mania!

Height Requirement: Any height

Highlights: Competitive “video game” style Toy Story ride

Location: Pixar Pier – Disney California Adventure

Approximate Average Wait Time: 45 minutes

Who doesn’t love a little friendly competition?

Toy Story Midway Mania! invites you into the world of Buzz, Woody, and your other favorite characters for a 4D carnival game experience.

It’s great fun for all ages—even if you don’t rack up the high score (I know, I’ve been there more than I’d like to admit 😂).

The spinning carts and interactive shooting arcade-like games keep things lively from start to finish.

6) Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!

Height Requirement: 40 in (102cm) +

Highlights: Marvel-themed drop ride

Location: Avengers Campus – Disney California Adventure

Approximate Average Wait Time: 44 minutes

Take a deep breath (or maybe two) before this one because Mission: BREAKOUT! is a wild ride—literally.

This drop tower attraction throws you into a mission with Rocket to save the Guardians of the Galaxy.

This ride was previously The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.

Be aware that if you suffer from sickness on these types of rides, this one may not be for you (speaking as someone who felt very sick after going on this ride 😂).

7) Indiana Jones Adventure

Height Requirement: 46″ (117cm) +

Highlights: Dark thrilling ride with small drops

Location: Adventureland – Disneyland Park

Approximate Average Wait Time: 43 minutes

In Indiana Jones Adventure, prepare for traps, treasure, and thrilling near-misses.

Indiana Jones Adventure uses incredible motion vehicle technology to make you feel like you’re on an unpredictable quest.

If you’ve been on Dinosaur at Animal Kingdom (at Disney World), it’s very similar (just with different theming).

8) Tiana’s Bayou Adventure

Height Requirement: 40 in (102cm) +

Highlights: Water log-flume ride with small and large drops

Location: Bayou Country – Disneyland Park

Approximate Average Wait Time: 41 minutes

top disneyland california rides — The wait times is only 15 minutes here, because it was December, and for some reason, some people don’t like water rides in the winter 😂

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure will transport you to New Orleans straight out of The Princess and the Frog.

Think soulful musicand colorful bayous.

Although the storyline is a little lackluster (with not much happening other than a party), this is a fun ride – especially on warmer days!

And it feels more intense than the Disney World version, for reference (and you’re more likely to get soaked on this version!).

9) Matterhorn Bobsleds

Height Requirement: 42 in (107cm) +

Highlights: ROUGH roller coaster with small drops

Location: Fantasyland – Disneyland Park

Approximate Average Wait Time: 41 minutes

Nostalgic Disney at its finest! The Matterhorn Bobsleds combines a classic “Disney mountain” attraction with rip-roaring thrills as you zoom around a mountain chased by the legendary Yeti.

The Matterhorn Bobsleds was the first roller coaster to open with a tubular steel track – when it debuted in 1959.

It’s a bit of a bumpy ride (this coaster is *especially* rough if you sit at the back), so please be aware of this!

10) Soarin’ Around the World

Height Requirement: 40 in (102cm) +

Highlights: Screen-based attraction with small drops

Location: Grizzly Peak – Disney California Adventure

Approximate Average Wait Time: 38 minutes

Few rides are as awe-inspiring as Soarin’.

You’re lifted into an immersive, flight-like experience where you “travel” over iconic landmarks like the Great Wall of China and the Pyramids of Egypt. The scents, the sights, the sensation—everything about this ride is pure, pretty realistic magic.

How can I minimize wait times for Disneyland’s busiest rides?

Arrive early before the crowds. Parks at Disneyland (particularly Disneyland Park) get busier throughout the day (especially in the evening). The earlier you arrive, the easier it is to get on rides in a more timely fashion.
Consider staying on-site. Want to stay at one of Disneyland’s on-site hotels? One on-site perk is Early Entry at one park each day (one day, it will be held at Disneyland, the next it’s Disney California Adventure). The downside? On-site hotels are not cheap (as they’re all deluxe at Disneyland). But if you can find a good discount or rent DVC points (for more affordable stays at The Villas at Disneyland Hotel or The Villas at Disney’s Grand Californian Resort & Spa).
Consider Lightning Lanes. As explained further in THIS POST, there are three types of Lightning Lanes: Single Lightning Lanes, Multi Pass Lightning Lanes and the ridiculously expensive, Premier Pass (at $300 – $400 per person, per day + tax). The most budget-friendly options are Single Lightning Lanes (that are still not cheap at $17-$28 per person + tax) and Multi Passes (which start at $32 + tax). Research what each pass offers, the price and try to decide if it’s worth it for you. I purchased a Multi Pass during my first visit in 2024, and it definitely helped us to get on some of the popular rides quickly (though it does not include all rides on this list).
Visit popular attractions during parades and nighttime shows. The parades and nighttime shows at Disneyland take a lot of people away from the attractions, meaning that you may be able to get on some of these rides with reduced wait times at these times!
Use the My Disney Experience App to check wait times. Check ride wait times on your phone before you walk on over to make sure you’re saving time, and prioritizing attractions you want to go on whilst they have more bearable wait times.
Think about opting for Single Rider Lines. Wondering, ‘Are single rider lines available?’. At the time of publishing this post, Disneyland has 9 attractions with single rider lines (including Radiator Springs Racers, Soarin’ Over California/the World, Matterhorn Bobsleds, Space Mountain and others).

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding the Top Disneyland Attractions

What is the most loved ride at Disneyland?

Wondering ‘what is the number one Disney ride?’.

It’s hard to get a definitive answer for this one, but Radiator Springs Racers often has the highest wait times across the Disneyland Parks, and has been extremely popular since it opened in 2012.

What’s the easiest way to plan out a ride schedule?

Trying to experience a lot of the top 10 Disneyland rides (as well as other attractions offered at the Disneyland parks)?

Start with the Disneyland app. Check estimated wait times and ride closures. Draft a strategy: hit high-demand rides early, consider using some Lightning Lanes, and save low-wait rides for later in the day.

What not to forget for Disneyland?

To download the My Disney Experience app.
Make sure your Disneyland tickets are linked to the app.
A MagicBand or your phone with a portable charger (e.g. FuelRod) – you will need either a MagicBand+ or a smartphone to show your Disneyland ticket.

Ta Ta For Now

Have you visited Disneyland before? If so, what are your favorite rides? Were they on this list?

If not, which of these top 10 Disneyland rides are you most excited to check out on your first visit?

Please share your thoughts in the comments 🙂

This post was all about the 10 top Disneyland attractions and how you can avoid waiting in line for too long for these rides!

Top Disneyland Attractions – The 10 Most Popular Disneyland Attractions & How to Experience Them with Lowest Wait Times Possible