Opened on July 17, 1955, Disneyland in California can be considered the forerunner of a new way to entertain people.
Contrary to popular belief, Disneyland was NOT the first theme park in the world—theme parks already existed at the time—but Disney paved the way for a new approach to creating and managing them.
In this article, I will share my personal ranking of the top seven attractions at Disneyland that I personally experienced during my spring trip, which you can read about in my review here.
<h2>#7 Snow White’s Enchanted Wish</h2> <img class=”aligncenter size-large wp-image-4959″ src=”https://www.parksandfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Snow-Whites-Enchanted-Wish-1024×576.webp” alt=”” width=”1024″ height=”576″ />
Begin your fairytale journey in the cozy cottage of the Seven Dwarfs, then venture into dazzling mines filled with glowing gems. Soon, you’ll enter the Evil Queen’s sorcery chamber and witness a magic mirror just as Snow White takes a bite of a poisoned apple!
When all seems lost, will Snow White find her happily ever after?
<h2>#6 Haunted Mansion</h2> <img class=”aligncenter size-large wp-image-4960″ src=”https://www.parksandfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Haunted-Mansion-1536×1229-1-1024×819.jpg” alt=”” width=”1024″ height=”819″ />
Depart dearly into a chilling estate, drag your body to the dead center of the Portrait Chamber, and watch as the walls begin to stretch before your eyes. Board your awaiting Doom Buggy and embark on a spine-tingling journey through an otherworldly realm.
The disembodied voice of the Ghost Host is your private guide through the cadaverous manor, home to grinning ghosts and other spooky surprises.
Glide past a rattling coffin in the conservatory. Enter the eerie séance room of Madame Leota. Float near the Grand Ballroom and its waltzing apparitions. Take a ride through a graveyard where lively residents entertain with songs.
Beware of lurking hitchhikers—these mischievous phantoms might just try to follow you home!
<h2>#5 Jungle Cruise</h2> <img class=”aligncenter size-large wp-image-4961″ src=”https://www.parksandfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Jungle-Cruise-1536×1024-1-1024×683.jpg” alt=”” width=”1024″ height=”683″ />
The original Jungle Cruise opened on July 17, 1955, at Disneyland Park. Based on Disney’s award-winning True-Life Adventure films, the attraction initially had a more educational tone. In the early 1960s, Walt Disney added more drama and asked animator Marc Davis to sketch some humorous gags.
Over the years, more “wildlife” and new jokes were introduced. These updates, along with the talented skippers, deliver delightful surprises on every river journey.
<h2>#4 Space Mountain</h2> <img class=”aligncenter size-large wp-image-4962″ src=”https://www.parksandfun.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/space-mountain-00-1024×576.webp” alt=”” width=”1024″ height=”576″ />
Navigate through a vast futuristic space station as you head toward Mission Control. Board a sleek flight vehicle and prepare for a high-altitude adventure to the farthest reaches of space.
Ascend slowly through a swirling solar field as your rocket powers up. Plunge into a spectacular spiral nebula and then, when the countdown ends—hold on tight!
As you rocket forward into the endless dark, your vehicle twists and turns through the void, picking up speed. Feel the g-force as you race toward the unknown!
Immersive sound effects and evocative music enhance the intense sensory experience.
Take on the most epic journey of your earthly life and accept your mission: conquer Space Mountain.
#3 Splash Mountain
Many of the cast of characters originally made their park debut in the classic show America Sings, where they performed patriotic tunes in Tomorrowland from 1974 to 1988.
Hop into a hollow log and float through a colorful bayou as you follow lucky Br’er Rabbit to his “laughing place.” But beware—Br’er Bear and Br’er Fox are on the hunt for this rebellious hare.
Pass by over 100 talking, singing, and storytelling Audio-Animatronics critters that inhabit Splash Mountain and bring a slice of down-home culture. Sing along to classic Disney tunes, including “Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah.”
Then get ready for the grand finale: this musical cruise ends with a thrilling 5-story splashdown!
#2 Matterhorn Bobsleds
Climb into a 6-person bobsled and brace yourself for howling winds as you ascend 80 feet into an icy cave. Take in sweeping views from the summit and get ready for a high-speed, heart-pounding ride.
Race in and out of shadowy caves and along jagged rocky ledges. Speed through snowy chutes and around icy cliffs. Zoom across bridges and under waterfalls before plunging into an alpine lake.
But snow and sleet aren’t the real danger! Tales abound of a growling creature known as the Abominable Snowman, who will stop at nothing to protect his home.
Do you have what it takes to find out if the legends are true?
Did You Know?
Walt Disney fell in love with the real Matterhorn while filming the 1959 live-action movie Third Man on the Mountain.
Back at Disneyland Park, Walt decided to cover a 20-foot wooded mound called Holiday Hill with artificial snow, add a toboggan run, and rename it Snow Hill. But Walt always dreamed big—and the “hill” soon became a 147-foot mountain. The attraction opened on June 14, 1959.
Totally Tubular
Matterhorn Bobsleds was the first roller coaster-style attraction at Disneyland Park and the world’s first tubular steel roller coaster. The iconic ride is also one of a kind—no other Disney park has a Matterhorn mountain.
#1 Indiana Jones™ Adventure
Follow in Indy’s footsteps into the crumbling Temple of the Forbidden Eye as you dodge intricate explosive traps. Inspect carvings and frescoes that tell the tale of Mara—a powerful deity who offers great treasures and vengeance to those foolish enough to gaze into its all-seeing eyes.
Climb aboard a rugged troop transport and enter the Chamber of Destiny. Face unimaginable dangers like rickety lava-filled chasms, screaming mummies, swarms of giant insects, spear-throwing spirits, collapsing bridges, slithering snakes, and one massive rolling boulder.
If you find yourself in peril, only one man is brave—or crazy—enough to save you… Dr. Jones!
Final Thoughts
I intentionally left out the two GALAXY’S EDGE attractions: Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.
The entire GALAXY’S EDGE is just on another level, and in my opinion, it doesn’t quite fit with the traditional concept of Disneyland as I see it. So I chose to highlight attractions that have been part of Disney park culture for over 70 years.
