We all know that one of the most exciting things about any Disney vacation with a visit to the parks is going on the rides and checking out the attractions. But, it’s often the lead-up to the ride that sets the mood. So let’s take a look at 5 Disneyland queues that you definitely won’t want to miss!
Indiana Jones Adventure – The Temple of the Forbidden Eye
The queue for Indiana Jones Adventure is continually ranked as one of, if not the best queue in the California Parks. It’s not hard to see why! You really feel like you are joining Dr. Jones on his next adventure as you make your way through the queue. The exterior Temple is site to behold, but once inside, you’ll find fun props, booby traps, and dimly lit passageways. This queue definitely gets you in the mood for what’s to come in the attraction!
Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!
The first thing you see after passing through the ride entrance area is an extravagant gold statue of The Collector. After passing this, you enter into the interior of The Collector’s archive and it is here that you will find some very cool relics from Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The preride entertainment for Mission: BREAKOUT is also extremely fun, with a visit from Rocket from Guardians of the Galaxy, and a fun adventure to your Gantry Lift with more artifacts. You might even get to see an old Matterhorn Yeti if you go down a certain queue line!
Radiator Springs Racers
We are big fans of the entire Radiator Springs area. You really feel like you walk right into the cutest little town in Carburetor County. Stanley’s Oasis with the bubbling fountain, mixed with roadside billboards and signs really gets you ready to put the pedal to the metal. After traversing this area and under some bridges, guests enter the Comfy Caverns Motor Court, where you’ll board a convertible race car and the ride portion of the attraction begins.
WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure
The preride experience at the new WEB SLINGERS attraction in California Adventure is extremely cool! After entering the show building from the outer queue, you learn about other engineers enlisted in the Worldwide Engineering Brigade (WEB) program. From there you are lebd by Sharon, an artificial intelligence assistant, into the lab. Here is where the story really starts…and chaos ensues!
Peter Parker, who looks surprisingly like \Spider-Man, has a mess on his hands and it’s your mission to help him out. The video to introduce you to the ride, along with the final stretch to the ride vehicles is very immersive and really sets the mood.
Jungle Cruise
The entrance sign itself to the Jungle Cruise queue is fantastic! It makes you feel like you are transported back to the 1930s for proper jungle expedition. This queue is themed after the headquarters and boat launch of the Jungle Navigation Company. Here you will find loads of themed props, artifacts, and other ride appropriate pieces to set the mood. We can’t forget to mention the big band music that is playing and the queue takes you to a second level of the boathouse!
Of Note:
Now we should note, that as of writing this blog, two of the best queues and rides were closed for construction purposes. Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin, which was part of the major Mickey’s Toontown overhaul, reopened in Spring 2023. Also, Pirates of the Caribbean, which closed down for refurbishment on March 14, finally reopened on July 1, 2022.
Honorable Mentions:
Grizzly River Run
Star Tours – While the newer Star Wars rides get the bulk of the publicity, the actual queue for Star Tours might be the best (considering most of the entertainment with Rise of the Resistance and Smugglers Run are actually part of the ride, not the queue). You enter from Disneyland Park and find yourself in a spaceport terminal! You get to see some of your favorite Star Wars characters and dive into the world of outer space!
Haunted Mansion
From the immaculate antebellum exterior, to the gravestones (make sure to take your time and reach each one), and more, this queue is FUN! Once you enter the actual mansion the fun really hits a new level. The cast members directing you to the Dead Center of the Stretching Room. The portrait gallery, the moving busts, and the abundance of cobwebs and spookiness, this queue will give you chills.
If you are lucky enough to visit during the holiday season, make sure to check out the themed decor on the outside of the building.
Snow White’s Enchanted Wish
The exterior portion is nothing special, but there are beautifully intricate storybooks to start off the story. Once inside you get to see Snow White’s room inside the Evil Queen’s Castle. It’s a cute touch to the preride experience and makes you feel like you are really inside the castle.
