Planning a trip to Disneyland Paris? The number of rides and attractions can be very overwhelming, especially if it is your first time visiting Disneyland Paris. Or if you have only one day to explore Disneyland, you have to determine beforehand which rides to do and which to skip.

There are over 50 rides, parades, and shows in Disneyland Paris, so there is definitely something for everyone: big and small, brave and not so brave. Here are the best rides in Disneyland Paris, according to me. If you’re planning your first visit, be sure to read my complete guide with practical Disneyland Paris tips to help you make the most of your day.

If you can, you can always combine Disneyland with a few days in Paris.

One tip before we get into the rides: don’t leave your tickets to the last minute. We always book ours in advance so we’re not stressing about availability once we’re there. You can check prices and book here.

Where to stay when visiting Disneyland Paris?

If you stay in one of the Disney hotels, you get to enter the park 1 hour before the general opening time. This gives you time to do the most popular attractions first. We used it to do Ratatouille and Tower of Terror without any queue. Besides the “extra magic time,” hotel guests also get free parking and sometimes a free shuttle (except at the Davy Crockett Ranch).

→ Check current prices and availability for the Disney hotels

Looking for something a bit cheaper but still close by? There are also partner hotels like L’Elysée Val d’Europe, Staycity Aparthotel Marne-La-Vallée, Ki Space & Spa, Aparthotel Adagio Val d’Europe, and B&B hotel, which also offer a free shuttle bus to Disneyland Paris.

→ Compare these hotels on Booking.com

Ratatouille: The Adventure

This was the most beautiful ride and also one of the most popular ones. This means that the waiting lines can be very long. If you are only with adults or have older children, you can also do the ride as a single rider. You can’t sit together, but the waiting lines are much shorter. Although I get motion sickness easily, I didn’t have any problems during Ratatouille. The total time isn’t long enough to get sick, I think.

It is a 4D ride (sight, sound, movement, and smell) where you are in the shoes of Remy and his friends. Chef Skinner discovers you and chases you through the kitchen and restaurant.  A ride for young and old!

 

Pirates of the Caribbean

This indoor water ride is all about pirates. The new addition of Jack Sparrow at the end, singing in French, is a nice touch. You sit in big boats and go on an adventure looking for pirates. The likelihood of getting wet is pretty small, although you are going down 2 times. Psst: There is a camera at the second splash.

Star Tours: The Adventure Continues

This ride is a must for all Star Wars fans! The waiting room prepares you for the ride. In this 4D ride, you board a Starspeeder 1000 and take off into the galaxy for your mission. Because there are over 60 mission combinations, you can do this ride multiple times and see different things. Some parts can cause motion sickness, but my trick was to close my eyes during those times. Nonetheless, I saw pretty much all of it and loved it! Because you can’t choose your “mission”, it can be that some missions can be a little scary for children. We were, for example, attacked by a sea creature.

 

Disney illuminations

Every night (!) there is music, water, light, and a fireworks spectacle at the castle. Music from your favourite Disney movies is the basis for the projections. And there are a lot of fireworks. We saw it 2 times because it was so beautiful. Try to get a place right in front of the castle; you will have the best views of the fireworks, projections, and the castle.

Check the time on the website or the app to see when it starts. It may vary depending on the time of year and day of the week.

 

Parade (Christmas and normal)

The Disney Parade follows a fixed route at the front of the park. During the parade, you will see all your favourite characters from Disney movies like Anna and Elsa from Frozen, or Buzz and Woody from Toy Story. But also Mickey and his friends are there. To have a good spot, you have to be there well in time, especially during peak season.

During the Christmas season, there is also a Christmas Parade with several Disney characters. It follows the same route as the Disney Parade but runs a few times a day. I liked this one better than the “normal” one, maybe because of the atmosphere, but that’s personal.

 

Hyperspace Mountain

I didn’t go into this one because I had back pain, but my boyfriend and friends loved it. The feeling of acceleration makes it not for the faint of heart. It is also very dark, so you don’t see the track and have no idea where you are going. This is not a ride for people with back or neck problems.

 

Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast

This was the favourite of the little girl (6 years) who was with us. It was fun, especially to try and get a score as high as possible. The decorations were amazing, you don’t know where to look first. The waiting time can be long, but you could go during the Illuminations show.

 

Big Thunder Mountain

This is a classic wooden roller coaster that is fun without going super fast. Some parts are in the dark, so you can’t really see what’s coming. But they don’t last very long. This was my favourite ride in Disneyland, an old classic.

 

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

I have never screamed so loudly as in this attraction. You enter the hotel lobby, where you get a short introduction. Then you continue to the elevators which is the actual attraction. Nicely decorated here, and a really fun attraction. We did it twice. Highly recommended!

 

Unfortunately, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril were closed during our visit. So I can’t say anything about that, but it’s supposed to be good.

Frequently Asked Questions

Planning a trip to Disneyland Paris? Here are answers to some of the most common questions about the best rides, wait times, and attractions in the parks.

Is Premier Access worth it for the most popular rides?

Premier Access can be worth considering if you are visiting during peak periods and want to spend less time waiting in line. It’s especially useful for attractions such as Big Thunder Mountain, Crush’s Coaster, Spider-Man W.E.B. Adventure, and Tower of Terror. During quieter periods, many visitors find that careful planning makes Premier Access unnecessary.

→ Book your Disneyland Paris tickets (with or without Premier Access) here

Which ride should first-time visitors not miss?

If you are visiting Disneyland Paris for the first time, Big Thunder Mountain is often considered the one ride you should not miss. It offers a unique experience compared to other Disney parks and combines thrills, storytelling, and beautiful views of Frontierland.

What is the best ride at Disneyland Paris?

Many visitors consider Big Thunder Mountain to be the best ride at Disneyland Paris. Located on its own island in Frontierland, it combines exciting drops, sharp turns, and immersive theming. Other fan favourites include Tower of Terror, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Ratatouille: The Adventure.

Which Disneyland Paris rides have the longest wait times?

Some of the most popular rides often have wait times of over an hour, especially during weekends, holidays, and school vacations. These rides typically include:

• Big Thunder Mountain
• Peter Pan’s Flight
• Crush’s Coaster
• Spider-Man W.E.B. Adventure
• Ratatouille: The Adventure
• Frozen Ever After

Arriving early and using the Disneyland Paris app can help you avoid the longest queues.

What are the best rides for adults at Disneyland Paris?

Adults looking for thrilling attractions should not miss:

• Big Thunder Mountain
• The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
• Avengers Flight Force
• Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril
• Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain

If you prefer immersive storytelling over thrills, Pirates of the Caribbean and Phantom Manor are excellent choices.

What are the best rides for children at Disneyland Paris?

Families with younger children can enjoy several attractions with little or no height restrictions:

• Peter Pan’s Flight
• It’s a Small World
• Dumbo the Flying Elephant
• Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast
• Ratatouille: The Adventure
• Cars Road Trip

Always check height requirements before your visit, as some attractions may not be suitable for younger children.

Are there any scary rides at Disneyland Paris?

Yes, several attractions may be considered scary for younger children. These include:

• Tower of Terror
• Phantom Manor
• Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain
• Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril

Parents should review attraction descriptions and height restrictions before joining the queue.

What is the best time to ride popular attractions?

The best time to experience popular rides is usually:

• During the first hour after park opening
• During lunchtime, when many guests are eating
• During parades and evening shows
• In the last hour before the park closing

Wait times are generally shortest during these periods.

What to wear when visiting Disneyland Paris?

cute ears – white t-shirt – grey sweater – sneakers – bag back – fanny pack

 

Have you visited Disneyland already? What were your favorite rides?

 

My travel essentials

✈️ Book your cheap flights to Paris on Skyscanner
🏨 Reserve a hotel, apartment, or holiday home at Booking.com
🚕 Need a transfer from the airport? Use Welcome Pickups or download the Bolt or Uber app
🛜 Use Airalo eSIM to avoid roaming fees. Use SHARON9895 to get €3
📺 Use NordVPN to keep watching your favorite programs or movies on the go
💸 Want to pay in the local currency without hidden fees or high exchange rates? Use Wise
🚗 Need to rent a car? Use DiscoverCars or Local Rent
🚆 Buy train tickets from Omio
💳 Use Wise to pay in Paris at the real exchange rate and avoid expensive foreign card fees
🎟️ Pre-book tours, entrance tickets, and activities via Viator or GetYourGuide
🏥 Get travel insurance at World Nomads or Safety Wing

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