Despite being one of the world’s most popular theme park destinations, Disneyland has never made its name with roller coasters. Its Florida cousin Walt Disney World has added high-tech thrills with Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind and Tron Light Cycle Run. But we haven’t seen any new examples in the California parks.
Disney hasn’t added an entirely new coaster in California since Disney California Adventure (DCA) opened with two in 2001. There have been name changes and small updates to both rides, but their essence remains the same. It’s been even longer for Disneyland, where its last addition happened in 1993. I also don’t expect this trend to change anytime soon. The upcoming Pandora (maybe), Avengers Campus, and Coco expansions at DCA don’t appear to include coasters.
Why hasn’t Disney prioritized coasters with their new rides for the Disneyland Resort? A big reason is the lack of space, which isn’t a major issue in Florida. The parks are landlocked by hotels and other businesses in the middle of Anaheim. They also don’t compete as directly with a competitor like Universal Orlando. Yes, there’s Knott’s Berry Farm, Six Flags Magic Mountain, and Universal Hollywood, but Disneyland feels a bit different.
Despite the lack of new coasters, there’s still a lot to enjoy from the Disneyland Resort’s options. I’ve experienced all of them, with some happening for the first time during my recent solo trip. These choices have important history and offer a wide range of experiences, some rougher than others. I’ve split the Matterhorn into its two tracks to expand this list to seven. Let’s get to my Disneyland coaster rankings!
7. Chip ‘n’ Dale’s GADGETcoaster, Disneyland
Type: Vekoma Steel Junior Coaster
Height: 27.9 feet
Top Speed: 21.7 miles per hour
Pros: Good first coaster for kids, vibrant setting
Cons: Slow-moving queue, pretty short ride
Best Part: Great views of Toontown from the top of the lift hill
Board a hollowed-out acorn on this cute kids coaster, originally called the Gadget’s Go Coaster when it first opened in January 1993. Chip ‘n’ Dale’s GADGETcoaster works fine for beginners, but the ride time is only 44 seconds. Disney’s updates to Toontown in 2023 worked out well, and the setting goes beyond your typical amusement park. The key is avoiding long lines, and Lightning Lane won’t help you here.
If you can visit before lines build up, there’s a lot of charm surrounding this ride. The cartoonish rocks in the queue set the stage well, and the music and voices add to the good vibes. After exploring Gadget’s Workshop, you board the small 16-passenger ride vehicles. The top of the lift hill offers cool views of Toontown; this coaster is situated near the back of the energetic land. I wouldn’t call the GADGETcoaster a must-do, but it should provide a fun little ride for most guests.
6. Goofy’s Sky School, Disney California Adventure
Type: Mack Rides Wild Mouse
Height: 55.0 feet
Top Speed: 27.0 miles per hour
Pros: Wild, zippy turns and quick dips
Cons: It hurts! Really, it hurts!
Best Part: The opening series of turns is really something.
Ouch! This is the roughest ride at the Disneyland resort, and it’s up there for any Disney park. The wild mouse is usually a bit painful, but Goofy’s Sky School cranks up the shakiness. I don’t mind coasters with bite; Space Mountain in Florida and the Matterhorn don’t bother me at all. This ride is a different animal and feels more like a Six Flags St. Louis coaster. It opened in 2001 as Mulholland Madness and was re-imagined to include Goofy in July 2011. There are fun character moments and easter eggs, but you barely see them while zipping through the compact course.
My biggest challenge is with the ride vehicles, which need more padding to help you survive. Adults feel cramped into the seats with nowhere to go or brace for impact. I like the setting being right next to the Grand Californian, though the carnival atmosphere seems out of place next to that serene resort. There are a few good drops here compared to some wild mouse coasters, but prepare yourself for pain! I suspect that some would list this as one of their favorites, but it was a lot for this 50-year-old.
5. The Incredicoaster, Disney California Adventure
Type: Intamin Launched Steel Coaster
Height: 122.0 feet
Top Speed: 55.0 miles per hour
Pros: Punchy launch up a hill, long ride time
Cons: Incredibles theming is limited, lots of straight track
Best Part: The only inversion at Disneyland is cool, but the launch is the winner.
The original California Screamin’ opened with DCA on February 8th, 2001. Manufactured by Intamin, it was the third-longest steel coaster in the U.S. at the time. I experienced the original version and enjoyed it, and it continues to provide a fun ride. The LIM launch remains the highlight, and the sensation as you glide up the first hill is a cool moment. There’s also the only inversion at the Disneyland resort as you traverse a vertical loop. It’s a solid ride, but the rest of it is just okay for the most part.
California Screamin’ closed in June 2018 for a quick six-month change to the Incredicoaster. I experienced this version for the first time in February, and the coaster still packs a punch. On the other hand, the Incredibles‘ theming is pretty lackluster. I understand why Disney made the change, but the most significant update comes from the voices in the queue. I wish they’d gone a bit further especially in the tunnels. Even so, there’s still a lot to enjoy with the Incredicoaster, and it provides the most thrills of any coaster at the Disneyland resort.
4. Matterhorn Bobsleds (Fantasyland Side), Disneyland
Type: Arrow Dynamics Steel Coaster
Height: 80.0 feet
Top Speed: 27.0 miles per hour
Pros: Incredible atmosphere, Harold the Snowman, history
Cons: Can be a little rough, less crazy than Tomorrowland side
Best Part: The outer sections are cool especially at night.
Few structures at Disneyland are more impressive than the Matterhorn, which is visible from all over the park. It looks much larger than it is, especially with the less imposing Sleeping Beauty Castle nearby. As you stroll down Main Street, it’s the Matterhorn that really catches your eye. When viewed from the path down below, its scale hangs over you and promises a thrilling ride. The coaster track doesn’t reach the peak, but it’s easy to feel like you’ve journeyed far up the mountain.
I’ve listed the Fantasyland side lower because it doesn’t feel as kinetic as its Tomorrowland counterpart. Both tracks have a similar vibe, so the differences are fairly minor especially if you aren’t paying attention. It just feels like there are a few more trim brakes than keep you from getting too out of control on the Fantasyland track. It still includes excellent place making, several appearances by Harold the Abominable Snowman, and just pure fun. I could ride the Matterhorn Bobsleds over and over, and it represents the best type of Disney coaster. There are thrills but few parts that are way too intense for most riders.
3. Matterhorn Bobsleds (Tomorrowland Side), Disneyland
Type: Arrow Dynamics Steel Coaster
Height: 80.0 feet
Top Speed: 27.0 miles per hour
Pros: Incredible atmosphere, Harold the Snowman, history, totally unhinged
Cons: Can be quite rough and hurt some backs
Best Part: One tunnel near the finale seems completely out of control
A main reason the Matterhorn works so well is the single seating. The vehicles are similar to Space Mountain at Walt Disney World with three riders all back to back. It’s a brilliant way to deliver thrills without really going that fast. During my recent visit, I found the Tomorrowland side to be much faster, though I suspect that’s just the impression it gives. There are still trim brakes, but a few segments appear less contained that the Fantasyland version.
When the Matterhorn is really cooking, you almost feel like you’re about to fly right off the mountain. A few spots in the Tomorrowland track feel totally unhinged and have long stretches without any trim brakes. A tunnel near the end really kicks you into another gear and makes you hold on tight. The differences between the two sides are minimal; I just feel like this side packs a bigger punch in some spots. It may have a little roughness, but I still love the setting and experience on the Matterhorn. Plus, there’s also the cool history going all the way back to 1959!
2. Space Mountain, Disneyland
Type: WED Enterprises Indoor Steel Coaster
Height: 76.0 feet
Top Speed: 32.0 miles per hour
Pros: Cool indoor theming, onboard audio, visual effects
Cons: It’s basically all turns!
Best Part: The multiple lift hills and music set the stage perfectly.
I grew up riding Space Mountain at Walt Disney World, and it was basically the first “big kid” coaster that I rode anywhere. I still love that version, and having two tracks makes the entire structure feel massive. The Disneyland version is a bit different; it’s still large but lacks the same huge scale of its Florida counterpart. Even so, I love the way the compact layout allows for tight turns and a bit more intensity. It doesn’t have any big drops, so that leads to a lot of jarring moves as you whip through the course.
Disneyland’s Space Mountain thrives because of its on-board audio, which delivers an energetic ride with Michael Giacchino’s score propelling you forward. I also love the series of lift hills, which combine with the music to create an epic feeling by the time you reach the top. The full experience (including the cramped indoor part of the queue) is missing a few small touches to reach the top spot. Even so, Space Mountain is still a must-ride and one of my favorite attractions at the Disneyland resort.
1. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Disneyland
Type: WED Enterprises Indoor Steel Mine Train
Height: 50.0 feet
Top Speed: 28.0 miles per hour
Pros: The wildest ride in the wilderness! Awesome night ride
Cons: Lacks the grandeur of the Florida version
Best Part: Basically everything, plus the effects on the final lift hill
My appreciation for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad on both coasts (plus Paris!) just keeps getting higher every year. I love the way each lift hill gives you a moment to catch your breath and then provides more fun. It’s a perfectly paced coaster, especially for younger riders or adults less interested in thrills. You also cannot beat this mine train at night; it’s the perfect way to end a day at Disneyland! Everyone is just having so much fun, and the good vibes bring everyone together for a few minutes.
While it doesn’t feel as imposing as the Florida version due to its placement in the middle of the park, Disneyland’s Big Thunder has so much going for it. Themed after Bryce Canyon instead of Monument Valley, it still looks amazing in a different type of Frontierland. It also was re-tracked in 2014 with effects added to the final lift hill. I’m excited to see what Disney adds to the Florida version this year. In the meantime, you cannot go wrong with California’s wildest ride in the wilderness. I love it!
What do you think of my Disneyland resort coaster rankings? Leave your comments below!
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