Calling all adrenaline junkies! Do you travel with teenagers who always complain about being bored? Do you have little ones who are always testing their bravery? Or maybe you yourself are looking to throw your hands in the air and let out a good scream? Well you’ve come to the right place! This is the ULTIMATE Ranking of Every Disneyland Thrill Ride! We are here to tell you all about the speed, drops, spins, screams, and thrills that can be found at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California.
In this article we will cover all the attractions that might make you scream! From the family-friendly thrills all the way up to the close-your-eyes-and-hold-on-tight type of thrills. This ranking is purely based on thrill level and not overall quality of the attractions – if that were the case a ride like Rise of the Resistance would be MUCH higher on the list.
So without further ado, let’s get to the list!
13. Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
Have you ever wanted to step foot inside the cockpit of the Fastest Hunk of Junk in the galaxy? Well, here’s your chance! Smugglers Run is an interactive motion simulator that sends you out on a smuggling mission throughout the galaxy. How well you perform your assigned tasks actually affect the ride! Before you enter the cockpit you will be assigned one of three roles: Pilot, Gunner, or Engineer. Those who are Pilots have the most important job! There’s nothing scary about this ride, but the simulated motion of flying (and crashing!) throughout space is definitely thrill-inducing!
- Thrill Level: 4 out of 10
- Height Requirement: 38 inches (97 cm) or taller
- Location: Galaxy’s Edge, Disneyland Park
- Genie+ Lightning Lane Available
- Single-Rider Line Available
12. Radiator Springs Racers
Combining the classic style of a Disney dark-ride with some serious speed, this beloved ride is Disney Imagineering at its finest! Located in Cars Land, this ride starts out as a leisurely indoor ride as you prepare your car for the big race! You’ll encounter several of your favorite Radiator Springs residents throughout your journey. Then it’s “On Your Mark, Get Set, GO!” as you take off on an outdoor, side-by-side race, hitting a max speed of 40mph. You may even get a little bit of airtime as you race over a few hills! While the storyline is different, the ride-system is very similar to Epcot’s Test Track at the Walt Disney World Resort.
- Thrill Level: 4 out of 10
- Height Requirement: 40 inches (102 cm) or taller
- Location: Carsland, Disney California Adventure Park
- Individual Lightning Lane Purchase Available
- Single-Rider Line Available
11. Goofy’s Sky School
While this Wild-Mouse style coaster is sure to elicit a few sudden squeaks and screams, your impending chiropractor bill is the biggest concern on Goofy’s Sky School! Full of quick turns & fast dips, this family-friendly attraction will surely bring a smile to everyone’s face. A great option for those intimidated by big drops or inversions.
- Thrill Level: 5 out of 10
- Height Requirement: 42 inches (107 cm) or taller
- Location: Paradise Gardens Park, Disney California Adventure Park
- Genie+ Lightning Lane Available
10. Star Tours – The Adventure Continues
There’s nothing scary about this 3D motion simulator, but it’s full of awesome effects, quick movements, and even a simulated jump to hyper-speed! It also features a random-sequence generator meaning it is likely to be a different experience each time you ride! Those who suffer from motion-sickness should be cautious when choosing to ride, but otherwise there’s nothing to intimidate the whole family from riding!
- Thrill Level: 5 out of 10
- Height Requirement: 40 inches (102 cm) or taller
- Location: Tomorrowland, Disneyland Park
- Genie+ Lightning Lane Available
9. Indiana Jones Adventure
While Indiana Jones Adventure doesn’t have the drops, spins, or speed of a coaster, this ride can best be described as zippy & zany. Disney’s Enhanced Motion Vehicles create many sudden stops, quick starts, and bounce around the rough terrain of the temple. This attraction also features some of the very best theming in all of Disneyland. Everyone should check it out, but this is a Must-Do for any Indiana Jones fan. This ride system is the same as the one used on DINOSAUR at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
- Thrill Level: 5.5 out of 10
- Height Requirement: 46 inches (117 cm) or taller
- Location: Adventureland, Disneyland Park
- Genie+ Lightning Lane Available
8. Rise of the Resistance
More of a total Star Wars experience than an attraction – Rise of the Resistance is quite possibly Disney’s greatest Imaginearing triumph ever! Combining aspects of a trackless dark-ride and motion simulator, Rise takes guests on a journey of trying to escape capture by the First Order. Without spoilers – some scenes are probably a little scary for younger children, and some unexpected movements (including a brief, simulated drop), are why this ride makes this list.
- Thrill Level: 6 out of 10
- Height Requirement: 40 inches (102 cm) or taller
- Location: Galaxy’s Edge Disneyland Park
- Individual Lightning Lane Purchase Available
7. Grizzly River Run
This winding river rapids ride will surely entertain everyone onboard. It features some fast spins and a few drops, but some of the biggest thrills here are created by trying to figure out who is going to get the most soaked!
- Thrill Level: 6.5 out of 10
- Height Requirement: 42 inches (107 cm) or taller
- Location: Grizzly Peak, Disney California Adventure Park
- Genie+ Lightning Lane Available
- Single-Rider Line Available
6. Pixar Pal-A-Round (Swinging)
While from afar, this looks like just a normal ferris wheel, this ride has both fixed and sliding gondolas. Those looking for a thrill should definitely head straight for the swinging side! Don’t let the gentle start fool you, once the wheel gets spinning, you’re going to immediately look for something to hold onto! This is the perfect ride for those looking for those laughter-inducing type of thrills.
- Thrill Level: 6.5 out of 10
- Height Requirement: Any height
- Location: Pixar Pier, Disney California Adventure Park
- Standy-by Line Only
5. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
“This here’s the Wildest Ride in the Wilderness!”. Smoother and a little longer than its Walt Disney World Resort counterpart, BTMRR is the quintessential Disney coaster! Perfect for younger thrill-seekers looking to upgrade the thrill-level – this attraction has moderate speed (topping out at only 28mph), quick turns, and small drops.
- Thrill Level: 7 out of 10
- Height Requirement: 40 inches (102 cm) or taller
- Location: Frontierland, Disneyland Park
- Genie+ Lightning Lane Available
4. Matterhorn Bobsleds
Opening in 1959, the Matterhorn Bobsleds was the very first coaster style ride at Disneyland! Styled after the famous alpine coasters in Europe, this ride will surely be loved by those who love steep drops and quick turns. But be prepared to hold on as this attraction will toss you around a bit.
- Thrill Level: 8 out of 10
- Height Requirement: 40 inches (102 cm) or taller
- Location: Fantasyland, Disneyland Park
- Genie+ Lightning Lane Available
- Single-Rider Line Available
3. (Hyper)Space Mountain
One of, if not the, most famous indoor roller coaster in the world! Reaching a top speed of about 30mph, this ride relies on its almost complete darkness to deliver the thrills. A much smoother ride system than its Walt Disney World resort counterpart, this coaster features a lot of hairpin twists and turns with a few small drops. At times, Disneyland will add a Star Wars overlay transforming this ride into Hyper-Space Mountain. Same ride, just with a Star Wars twist!
- Thrill Level: 8.5 out of 10
- Height Requirement: 40 inches (102 cm) or taller
- Location: Tomorrowland, Disneyland Park
- Genie+ Lightning Lane Available
- Single-Rider Line Available
2. The Incredicoaster
The top 2 Disneyland thrill rides could really be interchangeable depending on our mood that day. But for now, we’re putting The Incredicoaster here at number 2. Formerly California Screamin’, this classic coaster was re-themed with the opening of Pixar Pier in 2018. After Edna loses track of Jack Jack while babysitting, you take off with Dash and the rest of the gang to get him under control! This coaster features a launch that goes from 0mph to 55mph in 4 seconds, an inversion loop, and multiple drops. This is definitely not a ride for the faint of heart, but children, and adults, who are tall enough and ready to test their bravery should do just fine.
- Thrill Level: 9.5 out of 10
- Height Requirement: 48 inches (122 cm) or taller
- Location: Pixar Pier, Disney California Adventure Park
- Genie+ Lightning Lane Available
- Single-Rider Line Available
1. Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout
Disneyland’s Tower of Terror got a complete make over by none other than the Guardians of the Galaxy. The Guardians have been captured by The Collector and you’re here, along with Rocket Racoon, to help them escape! This is a classic drop-tower attraction shooting you up & down over and over, all while some groovy tunes are setting an awesome soundtrack to the entire ride. There are 6 different songs featured in the ride, so you can ride it multiple times and the experience could be different each time. There is even a special Halloween overlay – Monsters After Dark, during Spooky Season. Reaching a top speed of 39mph, this ride is for the biggest thrill-seekers in your party!
- Thrill Level: 10 out of 10
- Height Requirement: 40 inches (102 cm) or taller
- Location: Avengers Campus, Disney California Adventure Park
- Genie+ Lightning Lane Available
So there you have it – a complete ranking of every single Disneyland thrill ride! Disneyland really does have something for everyone. Not to mention all of the other wonderful attractions located in Southern California. Those who are regulars at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida should not hesitate to make a visit to Disneyland happen. Reach out to me to help you get started planning!
