Looking for the best Disneyland roller coasters? I’ve ridden them all, and I’m here to help you plan which ones deserve your time. This guide covers every coaster you need to know about.
You’ll learn about family-friendly rides for kids, moderate thrill coasters for teens, and intense rides that push the limits.
I’ll share the history behind these coasters, rank them by thrill level, and give you practical tips for beating the lines.
We will cover a complete list of Disneyland roller coasters, how they compare to other Disney parks, special features that make each ride stand out, and strategies for maximizing your time.
By the end, you’ll know exactly which coasters to prioritize and how to ride them without wasting hours in line.
Disneyland Roller Coaster History & Evolution
Matterhorn Bobsleds opened in 1959 as Disneyland’s first roller coaster. Walt Disney wanted something different from traditional wooden coasters.
His team created the world’s first tubular steel coaster with dual tracks, setting the standard for every modern coaster built after it.
Space Mountain arrived in 1977 as an indoor coaster through darkness. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad followed in the late 1970s, combining thrills with detailed theming and animatronics. These rides showed Disney’s commitment to innovation and storytelling.
Disney developed two categories: family coasters with mild thrills and bigger coasters for thrill seekers.
Modern coasters blend dark ride storytelling with thrills, like Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, which includes animatronics, music, and story along with drops and turns.
Complete List of Disneyland Roller Coasters
Disneyland Resort features 5 roller coasters across two parks, ranging from family-friendly rides to high-speed thrill coasters.
Roller Coasters at Disneyland Park
Matterhorn Bobsleds offers a moderate thrill level with a 42-inch height requirement. This alpine bobsled coaster features dual tracks through a mountain where you encounter the Abominable Snowman. The track feels rough compared to modern coasters, but it remains a classic Disney experience since 1959.
Space Mountain delivers high thrills with a 40-inch height requirement. This indoor space-themed coaster runs in complete darkness with sharp turns through stars and occasional lights. The Disneyland version runs faster and rougher than other Space Mountain locations worldwide.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad provides moderate thrills with a 40-inch height requirement. This runaway mine train coaster takes you through the Old West with animatronics, explosions, and desert scenery. The coaster delivers excitement without any inversions or loops.
Roller Coasters at Disney California fun experience
Incredicoaster stands as the most intense ride with a 48-inch height requirement. This high-speed launched coaster, based on The Incredible, reaches 55 mph in about 4 seconds. The track includes a loop and multiple high-speed sections, making it the fastest coaster at Disneyland Resort.
Goofy’s Sky School offers moderate thrills with a 42-inch height requirement. This wild mouse coaster features sharp turns and sudden drops that feel scarier than bigger coasters for some riders. The aviation-themed scenery includes Goofy as your instructor throughout the experience.
Best Disneyland Roller Coasters by Thrill Level
Choose your coasters based on comfort level and experience, from gentle first rides to intense thrill experiences.
Best Roller Coasters for Kids & First-Time Riders
Goofy’s Sky School works as a starter coaster for building confidence. The wild mouse design includes hairpin turns and small drops without being overwhelming.
Kids enjoy the Goofy theming and feel accomplished after riding.
Matterhorn Bobsleds offers another solid choice for first-timers despite the moderate rating. The alpine setting feels less intimidating than high-tech coasters, and two separate tracks provide slightly different experiences.
The Yeti encounter adds excitement without being too scary for younger riders.
Best Moderate-Thrill Coasters
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad serves as the ideal middle-ground coaster for families. You get speed and excitement without inversions or extreme drops while the Old West theming keeps riders engaged. The animatronics and scenery make it great for guests graduating from beginner coasters.
Space Mountain steps up the intensity with complete darkness and sharp turns. You can’t see what’s coming next, making it feel faster and more thrilling than it actually is.
This coaster bridges the gap between moderate and high-thrill experiences while providing air conditioning on hot days.
Most Thrilling Roller Coaster at Disneyland
Incredicoaster tops the thrill scale at Disneyland Resort with its intense launch and high speeds. The ride shoots you from 0 to 55 mph in 4 seconds flat, then takes you through a full loop and multiple high-speed sections. The 48-inch height requirement reflects the serious intensity level.
Thrill seekers rate this as a must-ride experience that competes with major theme park rides outside Disney.
The Incredibles storyline plays throughout with audio and visual effects, adding entertainment to the adrenaline rush. This coaster delivers everything hardcore coaster fans want in a single ride.
Special Features of Disneyland Roller Coasters
Disney coasters combine ride technology with storytelling through animatronics, music, projections, and immersive queue design.
- Dark Ride Integration: Disney blends coaster thrills with dark ride storytelling seamlessly. Seven Dwarfs Mine Train takes you through the cottage and mine with singing dwarves, while Crush’s Coaster tells the Finding Nemo story.
- Music Enhancement: Songs play a huge role in creating memorable experiences on Disney coasters. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster pipes Aerosmith directly into your seat while Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind features classic hits during your space trip.
- Animatronic Details: Characters and creatures appear throughout Disney coasters to build immersion. Big Thunder Mountain features goats, possums, and a flooding town, while Matterhorn includes the iconic Abominable Snowman encounter.
- Spinning Technology: Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind uses spinning cars that rotate independently from the track. You never know which way you’ll face during drops and turns, creating a different experience each ride.
- Launch Systems: Newer coasters replaced traditional chain lifts with magnetic or hydraulic launches. Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster and Incredicoaster shoot you forward from 0 to top speed in seconds, creating more dramatic starts.
Comparing Disneyland Roller Coasters to Other Disney Parks
Disneyland Resort in California features 5 classic coasters, including the iconic Matterhorn Bobsleds.
Walt Disney World in Florida leads with 10+ coasters across four parks, showcasing cutting-edge technology like
Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. Disneyland Paris delivers high-intensity thrills with its aggressive Hyperspace Mountain, while Tokyo Disney Resort offers superior theming and maintenance quality.
|
Resort |
Total Coasters |
Best For |
Signature Ride |
|
Disneyland Resort |
5 |
Classic experiences |
Matterhorn Bobsleds |
|
Walt Disney World |
10+ |
Variety & technology |
Guardians: Cosmic Rewind |
|
Disneyland Paris |
4 |
High-intensity thrills |
Hyperspace Mountain |
|
Tokyo Disney |
4 |
Quality & theming |
Raging Spirits |
Coaster fans should prioritize Disney World for quantity and variety, classic Disney fans prefer Disneyland California, and thrill seekers enjoy Disneyland Paris.
Tips for Riding Disneyland Roller Coasters
Smart planning helps you ride more coasters with shorter waits through rope drop strategy and Lightning Lane usage.
These five strategies will save you hours of waiting and maximize your coaster experiences.
- Arrive Early: Get to the park at rope drop when it opens. The first hour offers the shortest wait times all day for popular coasters like Guardians of the Galaxy or Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.
- Use Lightning Lane: Buy passes through Disney Genie+ to skip regular lines and save hours. Book your first selection at 7 AM on your phone since popular rides sell out fast.
- Visit Off-Peak: Plan trips during January, February, September, or early December for smaller crowds. Avoid spring break, summer, and major holidays when lines grow longest.
- Check Height Requirements: Measure your kids before your trip, since requirements vary by coaster. Family coasters need 35-40 inches, moderate coasters require 40-44 inches, and major thrill rides demand 44-48 inches.
- Stay Until Close: The last two hours before park closing see wait times drop significantly. You can ride multiple coasters during this window with minimal waits.
Conclusion
Disneyland roller coasters offer something for everyone, from gentle kiddie coasters to intense thrill rides. I’ve ridden them all multiple times, and each visit reveals new details I missed before. The variety means families can enjoy rides together or split up based on thrill preferences.
My personal favorite remains Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind for its smooth track and fun music. But classics like Matterhorn hold special memories too. Your ideal coaster depends on your thrill tolerance and what kind of experience you want.
Start planning your coaster list now. Use the tips I shared to beat crowds and maximize your time. Prioritize the rides that matter most to you first. Which Disneyland roller coaster excites you most? Drop a comment below and share your favorites.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fastest roller coaster at Disneyland?
Incredicoaster at Disney California fun experience that reaches the highest speed at 55 mph. The launch accelerates from 0 to 55 mph in about 4 seconds, making it the fastest coaster at Disneyland Resort.
Which Disneyland roller coaster is best for first-timers?
Gadget’s Go Coaster in Toontown works great for first-time riders. The track runs short with gentle drops and turns, building confidence for bigger coasters later in your visit.
Does Disneyland have upside-down roller coasters?
No, Disneyland Resort does not have any coasters with inversions or loops. Other Disney parks like Hollywood Studios and Disneyland Paris feature looping coasters such as Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster and Raging Spirits.
What is the oldest roller coaster at Disneyland?
Matterhorn Bobsleds opened in 1959 as Disneyland’s first roller coaster. It still operates today with the original track layout, making it over 65 years old and a true Disney icon.
How many roller coasters does Disneyland have in total?
Disneyland Resort has 5 roller coasters across both parks. Disneyland Park features Matterhorn Bobsleds, Space Mountain, and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, while Disney California Fun Experience has Incredicoaster and Goofy’s Sky School.
