Are you looking for the best recommendations for Disneyland vs. Disney World rides? Check out which rides are my favorite and why.
Planning a trip to Disney is super exciting! If you’re anything like me, you’re here because you love to research and plan your trip ahead of time. As someone who LOVES Disney and has been to each park, I am excited to share my thoughts on the best rides.
In this post you will learn about the most popular rides in Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and Disneyland Park. After learning about these places, you are going to be ready for your next Disney adventure!
This post is a terrific list of Disneyland vs. Disney World rides.
Disneyland
Starting off in the beautiful golden state of California, we have Disneyland Park. This park is split up into two sections, Disneyland and California Adventure. I have only been to Disneyland. Disneyland has some of the most iconic rides! I’m sad that Splash Mountain is closed for good, but I can’t wait to see what changes they’ll make for it to be a Princess and the Frog theme. Below I’ve put together a list of my favorite rides in each section of the park.
Star Wars Galaxy Edge
Rise of the Resistance is such an incredible, immersive experience. If you love Star Wars, this ride is a must. You’ll be treated as a smuggler, captured by the resistance and it truly feels like you are in the Star Wars world. I loved it!
If you can, purchase a lightning lane pass and as soon as you enter the park, make a reservation for the earliest time possible. This ride frequently breaks down, so it’s best to get to it early.
Fantasyland
A lot of the rides based on classic Disney movies are located in Fantasyland. Many of these rides make you feel like a kid again. Some of my favorites are: Alice in Wonderland, Pinocchio’s Daring Journey, Snow White’s Scary Adventures, and of course It’s a Small World.
Tomorrowland
Other than Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, this is my favorite part of Disneyland. I love Toy Story and playing the Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters game. It’s a ride that takes you through an arcade type setting, where you compete for the highest score using laser guns.
My other favorite ride in Tomorrowland is Space Mountain. Another classic ride, this rollercoaster is completely in the dark, leaving you guessing when the next drop and turn will be. Other top rides are Star Tours, Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage, Autopia, and Astro Orbiter.
Adventureland
Making our way over to Adventureland, this is where you’ll find the famous Dole Whip and the Enchanted Tiki Room. My favorite ride in this section of the park is Indiana Jones.
Critter Country
If you are a big fan of Winnie the Pooh, definitely check out Critter Country. You may even spot the Winnie the Pooh character! The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh ride is super cute. Note that if you have small children, it can get a little scary during the heffalumps and woozles part of the ride.
Frontierland
In Frontierland, my favorite ride is Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. As someone who can easily be intimidated by rollercoasters, I was hesitant to go on this ride. However, it is so much fun! It’s not too scary at all and it’s really enjoyable.
Main Street USA
Check the Disneyland website for what time the Cavalcade Parade will be performed on the day you are there. This parade features so many favorite Disney characters and is a fun way to rest your feet for a bit.
New Orleans Square
In New Orleans Square you’ll find the Pirates of the Caribbean ride and Haunted Mansion. If you have the chance, I highly recommend visiting Disneyland during the Halloween season so you can experience the unique version of the Haunted Mansion. When I was there, the theme was the Nightmare Before Christmas. This is a ride that I recommend using Genie+ and trying to go to early in the day as it frequently breaks down.
Mickey’s ToonTown
Mickey’s ToonTown just reopened this year! Unfortunately, it was closed for updating when I was in Disneyland in the fall of 2022. However, I plan to return sometime this year so I will be sure to make an update after my trip. I am hoping to ride Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway and Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin.
Walt Disney World
In the sunshine state of Florida is the famous Walt Disney World. This theme park is split up into 4 parks, Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and Epcot. My personal favorite park is Animal Kingdom. Magic Kingdom has a lot of similar rides to those in Disneyland.
Magic Kingdom
Fantasyland
Some of my favorite rides in Fantasyland are Under the Sea, the classic Mad Tea Cup, and Enchanted Tales with Belle. A lot of the rides in this section of the park are great for small children.
Tomorrowland
Within Tomorrowland are many “futuristic” rides like Space Mountain and Astro Orbiter. As mentioned above, I love Toy Story so I enjoyed the opportunity to meet Buzz Lightyear here and going on Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin ride. The Monster’s Inc Laugh Floor show is really cute too.
Adventureland
Just like in Disneyland, you’ll find Big Thunder Mountain railroad, Pirates of the Caribbean, and the Enchanted Tiki Room in Adventureland. You can also grab that delicious Dole Whip here too.
Liberty Square
In Liberty Square is the Haunted Mansion and The Hall of Presidents. If you really want to do the Haunted Mansion, I suggest getting Genie+ and using it for this ride.
Main Street
Check the Disney World website for the schedule of shows that will be going on during your visit. For me, I was able to see Let the Magic Begin at 9:00am and Festival of Fantasy Parade at 3:00pm. At the end of the night, you may be able to catch the Happily Ever After fireworks.
Animal Kingdom
I love Animal Kingdom! It’s such a unique theme park, combining zoo like experiences (Kilimanjaro Safari and Maharajah Jungle Trek) with super cool rides. I recommend getting to the park before rope drop and heading straight to the Pandora section of the park.
Pandora
The Avatar Flight of Passage is such an amazing experience. It gives you a full 4D experience that will make you feel like you are really riding a dragon. The Na’Vi River Journey is also a very cool ride. I enjoyed all of the lights and sounds. In Pandora you’ll also find the Tree of Life Awakenings light show at night.
Africa
It can get pretty hot in Disney World, so I recommend doing the Kilimanjaro Safari before 10:00am or after 4:00pm. The Tam Tam Drummers of Harambe are very fun to watch, and they can really engage an audience!
Dinoland
In Dinoland the Dinosaur ride is my favorite. You’ll feel like an adventurer, deep in the jungle trying to escape a dinosaur attack. If it’s running, definitely go on the Primeval Whirl! And Finding Nemo the Musical is a cute show.
Asia
I mentioned that I’ve always been a little scared of rollercoasters, and riding Expedition Everest really took me out of my comfort zone! I think I screamed the whole time but it was so much fun! Definitely my favorite ride in Asia. If you can, do the Rivers of Light We Are One night show, it’s really special.
Discovery Island
My favorite show has to be It’s Tough to be a Bug! It’s an interactive and engaging show that will make you feel like you’re a bug! I loved it! This is also where you can meet Mickey and Minnie.
Hollywood Studios
Next up, is Hollywood Studios. For me personally, I only spent an afternoon in this park so I didn’t get to do as much as I would have liked.
Star Wars: Galaxy Edge
I love Smuggler’s Run! You’ll be assigned a role for the ride. You and the other passengers will do your best to escape The Resistance!
You’ll also find Rise of the Resistance here in Disney World. Check out the Milk Stand and get green or blue milk!
Toy Story Land
Yay! Toy Story Land! My favorite part of Hollywood Studios! The largest rollercoaster in this part of the park is Slinky Dog Dash. The other fun rides are Toy Story Mania and Alien Swirling Saucers.
Sunset Boulevard
In Sunset Boulevard you’ll find the famous Tower of Terror. A cute show in this section of the park is Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage.
Overall, Disneyland and Disney World have a lot of similar rides. Which is great if you can only make it to one part of the US. However, there are some differences, like Walt Disney World having Animal Kingdom and Epcot, and Disneyland having the iconic ToonTown section of the park. If you are really into Disney (or even if you’re not) I highly recommend doing a Disney vacation at least once in your life. I never really considered going to Disney until I had an opportunity to visit with a free place to stay. And it was so much fun! I hope this list of Disneyland vs. Disney World rides gives you an idea of which rides you’d like to experience!
This post is a terrific list of Disneyland vs. Disney World rides.
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