Disneyland Must-Do Attractions Guide (2025–2026): Top Rides & Shows

• Lyn Prince
• Jul 25, 2025
• 4 min read

Updated: Oct 2, 2025

Disneyland Resort features two parks—Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park—each packed with unforgettable attractions. Here’s a complete rundown, featuring the best rides you absolutely shouldn’t miss, updated for 2025 and 2026.

Best Rides at Disneyland Park

Based on the latest rankings and new Disneyland rides from 2025:

1. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure (Bayou Country)

• Opened November 15, 2024, replacing Splash Mountain. A musical log-flume ride with immersive storytelling, audio-animatronics, and multiple drops (~45 mph) culminating in a dramatic finale.

Opened November 15, 2024, replacing Splash Mountain. A musical log-flume ride with immersive storytelling, audio-animatronics, and multiple drops (~45 mph) culminating in a dramatic finale.

2. Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance (Galaxy’s Edge)

• A multi-phase, trackless ride blending live actors, film-quality sets, and shipboard thrills. Immersive and emotionally impactful—consistently ranked among Disneyland’s best.

A multi-phase, trackless ride blending live actors, film-quality sets, and shipboard thrills. Immersive and emotionally impactful—consistently ranked among Disneyland’s best.

3. Pirates of the Caribbean (New Orleans Square)

• Walt Disney’s last project. Known for its sensory storytelling, iconic sets, and immersive feel—still a timeless classic.

Walt Disney’s last project. Known for its sensory storytelling, iconic sets, and immersive feel—still a timeless classic.

4. Haunted Mansion (New Orleans Square)

• Masterful storytelling using low‑tech ghost effects and atmospheric design. Beloved by fans for decades.

Masterful storytelling using low‑tech ghost effects and atmospheric design. Beloved by fans for decades.

5. Indiana Jones Adventure (Adventureland)

• High-speed motion vehicle ride through ancient ruins and perilous adventures. One of Disneyland’s signature thrills.

High-speed motion vehicle ride through ancient ruins and perilous adventures. One of Disneyland’s signature thrills.

6. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (Frontierland)

• A thrilling runaway mine train ride with scenic views and canyon twists—especially magical at night.

A thrilling runaway mine train ride with scenic views and canyon twists—especially magical at night.

7. Matterhorn Bobsleds (Fantasyland)

• Iconic dueling coaster inside a snowy mountain with sharp turns and sharp thrills. A Disneyland institution.

Iconic dueling coaster inside a snowy mountain with sharp turns and sharp thrills. A Disneyland institution.

8. Space Mountain (Tomorrowland)

• A high-speed indoor coaster through dark space—with stars, drops, and near-zero visibility excitement.

A high-speed indoor coaster through dark space—with stars, drops, and near-zero visibility excitement.

9. Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run (Galaxy’s Edge)

• Interactive cockpit simulator; you pilot the Falcon in a mission with a crew of three. Fun, immersive, replayable.

Interactive cockpit simulator; you pilot the Falcon in a mission with a crew of three. Fun, immersive, replayable.

10. Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway (Toontown)

• A cutting-edge trackless ride blending physical sets and screen action. A visually inventive surprise.

A cutting-edge trackless ride blending physical sets and screen action. A visually inventive surprise.

Other notable attractions not to miss:

• Jungle Cruise, Peter Pan’s Flight, Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters, Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin, Mark Twain Riverboat, Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes, Adventureland Treehouse (Swiss Family Robinson reimagined in 2023), Disneyland Railroad.

Jungle Cruise, Peter Pan’s Flight, Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters, Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin, Mark Twain Riverboat, Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes, Adventureland Treehouse (Swiss Family Robinson reimagined in 2023), Disneyland Railroad.

Best Rides at Disney California Adventure

Based on the 2025 ride guide and rankings:

Highlight Rides Not to Miss:

• Radiator Springs Racers (Cars Land): A beautiful dark ride + speed finale that consistently tops guest lists.

Radiator Springs Racers (Cars Land): A beautiful dark ride + speed finale that consistently tops guest lists.

• Incredicoaster (Pixar Pier): California's only inverted coaster, themed to The Incredibles with thrill and storytelling.

Incredicoaster (Pixar Pier): California's only inverted coaster, themed to The Incredibles with thrill and storytelling.

• WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure (Avengers Campus): AI-enabled, interactive ride where you sling webs and score points.

WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure (Avengers Campus): AI-enabled, interactive ride where you sling webs and score points.

• Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! (Avengers Campus): Dramatic drop ride with themed sets and Marvel humor.

Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! (Avengers Campus): Dramatic drop ride with themed sets and Marvel humor.

• Soarin’ Around the World (Grizzly Peak): Scenic simulated hang-glider ride over global landmarks.

Soarin’ Around the World (Grizzly Peak): Scenic simulated hang-glider ride over global landmarks.

• Grizzly River Run (Grizzly Peak): Spinning river rapids ride around Bear-themed mountain, perfect for cooling off.

Grizzly River Run (Grizzly Peak): Spinning river rapids ride around Bear-themed mountain, perfect for cooling off.

• Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters (Cars Land): Trackless family ride with dancing cars from Luigi’s family—whimsical, unpredictable fun.

Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters (Cars Land): Trackless family ride with dancing cars from Luigi’s family—whimsical, unpredictable fun.

• The Little Mermaid – Ariel’s Undersea Adventure (Paradise Gardens): Gentle dark ride with music and colorful sets.

The Little Mermaid – Ariel’s Undersea Adventure (Paradise Gardens): Gentl