Top 5 Highest Rated Disneyland Rides

Today we’re taking a look at the top 5 highest rated Disneyland rides, as rated by readers of TouringPlans.com and The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland. If you’ve never been to Disneyland before, or are unfamiliar with the park, then consider this list as a great starting point for the best of the best that the park has to offer.

#5: Indiana Jones Adventure – Rating: 4.4/5 · 6,251 reviews

What is it?: Motion-simulator dark ride

You ride a military troop-transport vehicle through a crumbling temple inspired by the Indiana Jones film series. In addition to moving along its path, the vehicle bucks and pitches (the simulator part) in sync with the visuals and special effects. Indiana Jones Adventure is one of Disney’s greatest achievements in its theme park arsenal and it’s not to be missed.

#4: Space Mountain – Rating: 4.5/5 · 6,303 reviews

What is it?: Roller coaster in the dark

Space Mountain is an indoor roller coaster with a theme of high-speed interstellar travel. There are no long drops or swooping hills as there are on a traditional roller coaster, only quick, unexpected turns and small drops. Even with the ride approaching its 50th anniversary, frequent maintenance and a fully rebuilt track in the early 2000s has kept it smooth as glass. It’s also a perfect entry level coaster for youngins.

#3: Pirates of the Caribbean – Rating: 4.5/5 · 6,855 reviews

What is it?: A Disney indoor-adventure boat ride

One of Disney’s all time classics, this indoor boat ride takes you through a series of sets depicting a pirate raid on an island settlement, from the bombardment of the fortress to the debauchery that follows the victory. The attraction includes characters Jack Sparrow and Barbossa in animatronic form, from the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. Undoubtedly one of the most elaborate and imaginative attractions in Disneyland. Disney Legend, Marty Sklar said it best: “From a story standpoint, from a design standpoint, everything we do is kind of measured against Pirates of the Caribbean.” Do not leave Disneyland without experiencing Pirates of the Caribbean.

#2: Big Thunder Mountain Railroad – Rating: 4.6/5 · 7,193 reviews

What is it?: Tame roller coaster with exciting special effects

A roller coaster through and around a Disney “mountain.” The idea is that you’re on a runaway mine train during gold rush days. Along with the usual thrills of a roller coaster (about a 5 on a “scary scale” of 10), the ride showcases some first-rate examples of Disney creativity: lifelike scenes depicting a mining town, colorful caverns, and a dynamite-chewing goat, all humorously animated. Why does it rank so high with our readers? Probably because it’s visually eye catching, thrilling-but-not-too-thrilling, and wondefully themed.

#1: Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance – Rating: 4.8/5 · 3,043 reviews

What is it?: Unique, multi-faceted dark ride attraction

A mobile Resistance gun turret tucked into a scrubland forest marks the entrance to the most epic indoor dark ride in Disney theme park history. Rise of the Resistance is an innovative attempt to integrate at least four different ride experiences—including trackless vehicles, a motion simulator, walk-through environments, and even an elevator drop into Disney’s longest attraction ever. Rise of the Resistance is Disney flexing every muscle its developed in theme park space over the last 70 years, including massive themed environments, cutting-edge animatronics, and state-of-the-art lighting, sound effects, and video.

Make the most of your time at Disneyland this Halloween season and beyond. Be sure to check out our Disneyland Crowd Calendar, which rates every day of the year on a scale of 1 to 10 so you can see how busy Disneyland and DCA will be during your visit. Also check out our Disneyland Touring Plans. These itineraries can show you how to beat the crowds and spend less time in line at your favorite rides. Our Touring Plans can also be personalized!

Do you agree or disagree with our reader’s rankings of the top 5 Disneyland rides? What rides would you place in your top 5 list? Let us know in the comments.