The Best Rides at Disneyland

For many people, Disneyland remains the "happiest place on Earth." The classic amusement park does not have the raw adrenaline rides of a Six Flags establishment. Nor does it have the affordability of a place like Knott's Berry Farm. However, there is a certain mystique attached to Disneyland, which allows the park to keep raising prices even in difficult economic times. When people travel to Southern California for a vacation, Disneyland is still a popular stop. Due to the size of the park, it can be difficult to get around and ride every attraction. Therefore, visitors may need to pick and choose a bit. With that in mind, here are a few thoughts on the best rides at Disneyland. For thrills

As mentioned, Disneyland is not built on a large collection of white-knuckle rides. However, there are still some thrills to find. The best thrill ride is arguably Space Mountain. This roller coaster is fast and it is housed in a dark building. Therefore, riders have no idea what is coming next and it can be thrilling to experience the twists, turns, and drops in the darkness. Splash Mountain is also fun, though it is mostly a tame ride that has one momentous drop at the end. For those that like the classics, the Matterhorn still has staying power. If anything, that ride probably makes people feel the most out of control as their sled hurtles down the "mountain."

For the kids

Disneyland has many options for kids and those that are still a kid at heart. It may be a bit annoying, but Small World is one of those rides that everyone needs to do at least once. In addition, there is the classic Carousel in Fantasyland, and may individuals find Peter Pan to be their favorite in that area. The Dumbo ride can be very popular with children, though it can be an extremely slow ride in terms of getting riders on and off. Therefore, parents of impatient children may want to skip the flying elephants.

A good mix

One of the appeals of Disneyland is that it has a number of rides that can be enjoyed by both adults and children. This includes the motion sickness-inducing Teacups and the classic ride Pirates of the Caribbean. In addition, the Jungle Cruise can be a great ride for the whole family as the children can enjoy the animals and the adults can laugh at the cheesy jokes. For those that want something more active, there is the Buzz Lightyear Astro Blaster ride, which allows everyone to enjoy a lasertag-like experience. Finally, there is the train, which circles the entire park and can be a great ride to enjoy later in the day when everyone needs a break from walking.

Obviously, everyone has their personal favorites at Disneyland but these are a few rides that can make the day enjoyable for a variety of age groups. Regardless of which rides are selected, people should be ready to plan out their day, utilize Fast Passes, and be ready to wait a bit in lines.

Honorable mention rides: Indiana Jones, Haunted Mansion, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Autopia, Mr. Toad's Wild Ride