Top 10 Disneyland Rides

Ah, Disneyland! I grew up in Southern California. When living here I've never been more than 45 minutes from The Happiest Place on Earth. Up until I was six years old we lived so close that I could watch the Disneyland fireworks show, which happened nightly, from our backyard. I don't remember the first time I went, I've been there on school field trips, and I can name the "lands" in the park off the top of my head. To put it mildly, I've been to Disneyland a few times in my life. But even as I sit here, a 30-something mother of three, excitement rises in me at the thought of when our next trip will be. There's something wonderful...hmm, magical, about Disneyland that despite it's outrageous costs, long lines and the inevitable tired-overstimulated-under hydrated-sugar filled-emotional break down that will happen midday that keeps me coming back again and again. Even a bad day at Disneyland is better than a good day folding laundry and filling the dishwasher for the 8 millionth time.

My list of Favorite Rides at Disneyland is compiled purely out of nostalgia. It doesn't have anything to do with how fast the lines move or thrill of the ride or character theme. My list is completely based on the feelings I get when thinking about the rides and the joy that they've brought me through the years. If you're looking for a breakdown based on logical and practical information you'll have to look elsewhere. Sorry.

#10. Dumbo the Flying Elephant. When I think of Disneyland, this is one of the first rides that comes to mind. I can't go on it anymore because the spinning motion does bad things to me but this ride is the signature ride in the center of Disneyland in my minds eye. I have a picture from my 6th birthday. I'm wearing a long blue dress my mom had made, my hair in braids, and I'm on Dumbo. Simple as that.

#9. Autotopia. As a kid this ride is the ultimate joy. You get to drive your own car, by yourself! The driving course is long and winding and you get to spend a long time enjoying the drive. Now a days you even get your license before getting in the car. A small card you can fill out and put your picture on. It was the first driver's license my husband, who was twenty six years old at the time, ever got. The excitement is not only for little kids. He was thrilled and carried it around in his wallet for years. It still might be there.

#8. Peter Pan's Flight. Peter Pan was always my favorite Disney movie so this ride holds a soft spot for me for that reason. Flying through train tunnels and over London, getting to wave at your friends in the next flying ship before you round the corner.. "Here we goooo!"

#7. Jungle Cruise. To be honest I've always had mixed feelings about the Jungle Cruise. It's a must, you have to go on it but the lines are always unbelievably long but they fool me every time, which ends up frustrating me every time. The lines are deceiving and you think it won't be that long. But it is always THAT long. But, ok, it's long because you have to go on it. It's the Jungle Cruise. The rolling sound of the riverboats engine, the witty banter from the Skipper who have no doubt recited that speech over a billion times in one day and who can forget the famous angry hippos?

#6. Space Mountain. This was the first roller coaster type ride I ever went on. I've loved it for the thrill. But I've hated it for the same reason. It really used to scare me. It's a roller coaster in the dark and it's crazy fast as you fly through space. My cousin and I used to look for the flying chocolate chip cookie every time we went on it. I'm not sure what it was suppose to be, some kind of space object I suppose but it just looked like a space cookie to us.

#5. It's a Small World. Small World is the perfect mid-afternoon ride to go on and just take a break from the hustle and bustle of the park. The line moves quickly because of the size of the boats and the seats are spacious so you can just spread out, or cuddle and just relax for a bit. You'll be singing the song for the rest of the day but really, there are worse things that could be stuck in your head.

#4. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. "This here's the wildest ride in the wilderness!" I love Thunder Mountain. I love the sound of the coaster as it whips around the bend and the tick tick tick as it comes to a stop at the station. It's a fast paced coaster that gives you a thrill without taking you miles in the air or looping you upside down and backwards over and over again. Youngsters and oldsters alike can enjoy it.

#3. Matterhorn Bobsleds. I don't think I ever really went on this ride as a kid, though it's always been there. I'm not sure if I was always intimidated by the roars of the yetis from inside or if we just never made it a priority, but it's definitely one of my top picks now. Our whole family loves this ride. It was the first coaster our youngest kid went on at five years old and his celebration of having survived the great white mountain filled with Big Foots (Big Feet?) and twisty turny ups and downs when it was all done will stay with me forever. We went straight back on it again.

#2. Haunted Mansion. I loved the Haunted Mansion long before Jack Skellington began visiting during the holidays. Jack has only made the ride more charming from Halloween through Christmas. Starting when you're standing in the entrance to the house, the lightening flashes and everyone screams, then we catch a glimpse of a skeleton hanging from above. Then there's the grand ballroom with twirling dancing ghosts and Mickey Mouse's face shape made from the plates on the table. It ends with you riding past mirrors in your little "Doom Buggy" and seeing a mischievous little ghost sitting next to you or on your lap. It's a hauntingly good time.

#1. Pirates of the Caribbean. This ride has become the favorite of many people since Mr. Depp charmed us all as Jack Sparrow and his image was added to the ride as a tribute. But for a ride in an amusement park, even if it is Disneyland, to inspire a movie means it's got to be a pretty darn popular ride already. We have a tradition in our family: Pirates first, no matter what. I love the French Quarter that the ride is in, with the Jazz music and the beautiful buildings. Once you get inside you can smell the ride, hear the ride, see the ride, you can even feel it in your heart. Floating in your boat between the two battling pirate ships with the cannon balls firing and falling all around you, spotting the tubby drunk pirate sleeping in the mud with the pigs, and the famous dog holding the keys to the jail cell as the imprisoned pirates try to lure him over to them with whistles and a bone. The ride is just a treat for all the senses. It's a fun adventure and is a great way to start our day at Disneyland.... heck it's a great way to end the day there too!