While everyone else is doing easy tricks, Rise of the Resistance is pulling jaw-dropping illusions. Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge's main attraction is unlike any other coaster we've ever been on, that is one of the Best Disneyland Rides. In fact, it takes a planet-destroying laser to put a theme park ride through its paces: Before fastening your seatbelt, you'll have to travel on foot through ancient caves that are home to the Resistance's lair, be recruited by Rey and BB-8, board a transport headed for Princess Leia's hidden base, and maybe find yourself kidnapped on a First Order Star Destroyer.

The less you know about this 15+ minute adventure, the better, but ultimately you find yourself in a fast, Droid-driven car for a third act that is as entertaining as the first two thanks to intricate storytelling and unexpected twists. You won't even have time to question how those plasma-red blaster shots seem to be seemingly traveling through thin air as you're hustled into the next room to weave past the mechanical legs of a pair of formidable AT-ATs. Every breathtaking minute of its trackless course feels like magic. It's both a fantastical ride and an experience that couldn't be more genuine. You'll get off aching for just one more moment in the seemingly endless hangar bay that looks out into space. It's that good.

To ride Rise of the Resistance starting in 2021, you'll have to sign up for a virtual line. At 7am and 12pm, boarding groups are shown on the Disneyland app, but they disappear immediately after that.

Tip: While everyone will go toward a certain aquatic animatronic toward the front, you might find yourself standing on a transport ship at some time in the event. During takeoff and the rest of the voyage, feel free to move around.

Location: Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge (Disneyland)

Even at the stroke of midnight, tired park visitors will stand in line for hours to ride this indoor, practically pitch-black coaster. As your rocket ascends through a series of lit-up tunnels and launch preparations, Space Mountain ramps up the excitement. The soundtrack swells until it reaches a cosmic crescendo just as you receive your first view of the star-spattered blackness. And after a brief countdown, you are thrust downward into a succession of sharp curves and startling drops that are almost all right-handed but still manage to seem surprising.

In the loading station, where passengers board the trains, the ride starts. A full-sized starship is hanging over the loading area of the station, which is built to look like a hanger. The spacecraft from the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey served as the inspiration for the first iteration of the hangar ship. The starship's design was changed to a more science-fictional one in 2005. Following loading, the trains advance to a holding area where a lap bar check is performed and the train waits its turn to begin the circuit. When the rocket is fired, the train makes a right turn and starts up the first lift hill as the red strobe lights surrounding it flash.

Two strobe lights flash on at the top, and the rockets then move into a tunnel of blue lights that are flashing to represent the transmission of power to the trains. The train ascends the second lift hill after exiting the tunnel, which is a lengthy tunnel lined with screens. Red rays spread along the displays and whirl as a galaxy is visible swirling at the very top of the tunnel as the trains start their ascent. The galaxy rises and disappears as the trains reach the top of the elevator. As the trains enter the ride's primary environment—the interior of the dome—the music reaches its climax. Trains turn around and proceed up one more little lift hill.

As soon as the vehicles reach the top of the hill and the rockets are launched into their fast trip through the dome, a countdown starts. The ride's numerous bends and minor dips generate the impression of speed because the riders can hardly see the track. The ride accelerates as it nears its conclusion by making a series of sharp right turns. As the onride photo is being taken, the trains make a sharp left bend and enter the re-entry tunnel with several colorful stars flying towards them. The trains execute a final right U-turn back into the station after applying the final brake run.

Location: Tomorrowland (Disneyland)
Best seat in the galaxy: Front seat of the front car

There are many nostalgic movie tie-ins at Disneyland, but nothing compares to the Indiana Jones Adventure is one of the Best Disneyland Rides. The ride system itself provides a thrilling bump: The seats of a four-wheel-drive vehicle bounce, rumble, and careen around skeleton ambushes and fireballs as it speeds along a track. The magic, though, comes from a thorough examination of Indiana Jones lore set to the well-known John Williams theme. Without giving away all of the temple traps, assume that this exciting trip will become a staple of your park visits.

Visitors board the troop vehicles at the loading area. Sallah (spoken by Bob Joles) alerts the tourists through the radio to the need to buckle up and points out a brake issue (in earlier versions of the ride, there would alternatively be problems with the gas pedal or the steering wheel). After leaving the maintenance dock entrance, hidden by a group of mirrors, the transport turns into the Chamber of Destiny, where visitors are met with three doors. The passengers' gift selection is announced by Mara (voiced by James Earl Jones), when one of the three doors starts to light more brightly than the other two. The doors open, allowing the travelers to enter the Hall of Promise. At the end of the hall is the idol of Mara.

Location: Adventureland (Disneyland)
Best piece of advice: Look not into the eyes of the idol—that would be dangerous.

If you can't get over your dislike of that catchy tune—only the happiest music in the world, in case you were wondering—you're definitely missing out on one of the most enjoyable rides ever. The slow-moving boat ride, a midcentury explosion covered in creations from Disney animator Mary Blair, has been singing the song of world peace since it made its debut at the 1964 World's Fair. These days, Disney characters are tastefully incorporated with the traditionally attired multicultural dolls, but what actually makes this the happiest cruise ever is the lively color scheme, fanciful set pieces, and brassy-yet-twinkly music.

The water-based boat ride "It's a Small World" has its original version debuted at the 1964 New York World's Fair before permanently relocating to Disneyland Park in Anaheim, California, Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World Resort in Bay Lake, Florida, Tokyo Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, and Hong Kong Disneyland. It is currently located in the Fantasyland section of all of these Disney theme parks.

The attraction's title song, which has a theme of world peace, is sung by more than 300 audio-animatronic dolls dressed in regional traditional attire from several countries. The Sherman Brothers' song "It's A Small World" has been played in public the most times ever, claims Time.com. The Small World attractions at the various Disney parks have recently been upgraded to feature Disney character representations alongside the original characters, albeit in a style that is compatible with the original Mary Blair design from the 1960s.

Location: Fantasyland (Disneyland)
Best Disney character appearance: Surfing Stitch

At the Magic Kingdom, Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, Tokyo Disneyland, and Shanghai Disneyland theme parks, there is a rail-suspended dark ride called Peter Pan's Flight, which is one of the Best Disneyland Rides. Its plot, soundtrack, staging, and artwork are all inspired by Walt Disney's 1953 animated film adaptation of the beloved J. M. Barrie tale of Peter Pan, which is located in each park's Fantasyland section. Although the original version was completely remodeled in 1983, it is one of the few attractions still in service today that was open on the first day of Disneyland in 1955. It is present in five of the six Disney resort areas, each with a distinctive appearance, walk-through queue, and ride experience.

These flying pirate ships have transported park visitors from an English bedroom to Never Land for more than 60 years. Although there are several slow-moving, little too brief rides in Fantasyland, Peter Pan has always been the most endearing due to its soundtrack ("You Can Fly") and ride setup. The rural rooftops give way to the London skyline and, eventually, the star-filled floating island of Never Land without a track beneath you. Even though there is a huge line and a short ride, it is a tiny price to pay for this enjoyable trip down memory lane.

Location: Fantasyland (Disneyland)
Least-crowded time to ride: Before noon

At Disneyland, Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom, Tokyo Disneyland, Disneyland Park at Disneyland Paris, and Shanghai Disneyland, there is a Shoot the Chute dark ride called Pirates of the Caribbean.

The ride chronicles the exploits of a crew of pirates that operated in the West Indies islands surrounding the Caribbean Sea in the 17th and 18th centuries. The first iteration of the ride debuted in 1967 at the original Disneyland, which was located in Anaheim, California, not far from Los Angeles. Walt Disney, who passed away three months before it opened, had personally planned and oversaw the ride's construction. The attraction was duplicated seven years later, shortly after it debuted in 1973, at the Magic Kingdom of Walt Disney World, close to Orlando, Florida, due to its enormous success. Versions then appeared in Disneyland Paris in 1992 and Tokyo Disneyland in 1983. The attraction's first four iterations all share a similar ride experience while having distinctive exteriors. Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure, a redesigned version of the attraction that drew inspiration from the audience's familiarity with the feature film series' global success, debuted at the Shanghai Disneyland Park in 2016.

The song "Yo Ho (A Pirate's Life for Me)," written by George Bruns and Xavier Atencio, was inspired by the ride and was performed by The Mellomen on the ride's album. The ride served as the inspiration for the 2003-released Pirates of the Caribbean movie franchise. Characters from the movie series have been included into the rides at Disneyland, Magic Kingdom, Tokyo Disneyland, and Disneyland Paris since 2006.

Location: New Orleans Square (Disneyland)

Best way to soak up more seafaring flavor: Book a reservation at the Blue Bayou Restaurant, which shares a space inside the attraction

The word "haunted" is important here: Every component of the trip, from candelabras to doorknobs, appears to be alive—or rather, undead. The Haunted Mansion swaps frights and creeps for hints of ominous humor and real-world effects that, more than 50 years later, continue to confound. Nothing beats the original version, even if its biggest appeal is during the holidays when it gets a Nightmare Before Christmas makeover. In fact, any day of the week, we'll prefer the steady creep of those vintage organ blasts than a Danny Elfman-inspired score.

The Haunted Mansion is a dark ride that can be found at Magic Kingdom, Disneyland, and Disneyland in Tokyo. Riders waiting in line can view a walk-through performance while touring the haunted house attraction in Omnimover vehicles known as "Doom Buggies." Each venue has a distinctive design and employs a variety of technology, including spectral audio-animatronics as well as centuries-old theatrical effects. Phantom Manor and Mystic Manor, two similarly themed attractions that can be found at Disneyland Paris and Hong Kong Disneyland, respectively, were also inspired by The Haunted Mansion.

After passing through a pair of elaborate gates, visitors are welcomed into the antebellum mansion's well-kept gardens and courtyards. The line-up route takes visitors by a mausoleum with pun names, a pet cemetery, a cemetery at the top where the tombstones honor the Imagineers who worked on this attraction, and a white hearse pulled by an invisible horse that periodically nickers. Visitors enter the mansion through a doorway on the far right of the home into the Foyer after stepping onto the porch. The Foyer is lit by a massive, flickering chandelier that is covered in cobwebs, as well as nearby candelabras.

Location: New Orleans Square (Disneyland)
Best ghostly effect: The ballroom-dancing ghosts

The idea behind Midway Mania is straightforward: shoot 3-D targets by pulling a drawstring on a swiveling blaster, which is one of the best Disneyland rides. But this exhilarating tour of boardwalk-style activities includes the entire Toy Story cast, making it far funnier than your typical plate-breaking, balloon-popping, or ring-tossing carnival. It's practically a given that you'll keep playing to try to beat your previous best.

The Toy Story-inspired attraction, created by Walt Disney Imagineering, was first introduced at a press conference at Walt Disney World in January 2007. The Florida location officially opened on May 31, 2008, the same day the Buzz Lightyear action figure took off on Space Shuttle flight STS-124 (whose goal was to deliver the largest module of the International Space Station, known as Kib, the Japanese Experiment Module pressurized section, developed by JAXA), while the California location opened on June 17, 2008. The attraction's Japanese version debuted on July 9, 2012.

Visitors to the park ride rotating vehicles through virtual settings modeled after vintage carnival midway games while using 3-D spectacles (Carnival Games Goggles). Up to eight people can fit in four back-to-back pairs of ride vehicles. If a small child is looking forward and has their legs safely tucked beneath the safety bar, they are also permitted to ride on an adult's lap.

Location: Pixar Pier (Disney California Adventure)
Best shooting tip: Bend at the wrist, not the elbow, to fire off shots much faster

A mining train roller coaster called Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is present at Disneyland, Magic Kingdom, Tokyo Disneyland, and Disneyland Park in Paris. Big Thunder Mountain is the name of the attraction in Tokyo and Paris. The name of the fictitious rail line that the roller coaster portrays is likewise Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.

Due to its tight curves and unexpected dips that seem to startlingly approach rock sides, this runaway mine train coaster often feels quicker and more thrilling at night. It winds through rainbow tunnels and rocky gorges. After a 2014 renovation, the coaster lost a little bit of its endearingly bumpy ride, but it gained an explosive—literally—final lift hill that has increased the adrenaline factor of the attraction.

After leaving the outdoor station, trains travel through a tunnel full with bats, a stalactite-filled cavern, a right turn, and a left turn before climbing the first lift hill. As it leaves the lift hill, the train deviates to the right before leveling off and turning to the left. After there, the route passes beneath the second lift hill drop and then turns to the right. As the train enters a cave, coyotes can be heard howling outside. The train encounters a trim brake at the tunnel's end, leaves, and ascends the second lift hill. An animatronic goat bleats at passing tourists from the top of the lift as it descends to the right, passes underneath the hill of the lift, and ascends into a downward spiraling clockwise helix. When the train exits the helix, it races down a tiny gorge before descending into a mining community and hitting another trim brake. The train then turns left, travels through a different tunnel, and ascends the third lift hill. The tunnel is detonated as the train ascends it, and when it crests the lift and emerges from the tunnel, fake smoke is blasted in the passengers' faces. The train then turns right and descends to the right, heading towards the river, before passing through a brief tunnel.

The trains make a left turn after crossing the drop, pass through the ribcage of a T-rex skeleton, strike a trim brake, and then turn right into the final brakes. The Rainbow Ridge buildings are subsequently passed as the train makes its way back to the station.

Location: Frontierland (Disneyland)
Wildest seat in the wilderness: Last three rows

At Disney California Adventure, Epcot, Shanghai Disneyland, and Tokyo DisneySea, there is a motion simulator ride called Soarin' that is also known as Soarin' Around the World, Soaring Over the Horizon, and Soaring: Fantastic Flight. It simulates a hang gliding flight over sites on six continents by using a mechanical lift system, a projected presentation on an 80 foot (24 m) concave 180-degree dome screen, artificial fragrances, and wind. It is regarded by many as the first flying theater.

Soarin' Over California, the first version of the attraction, debuted on February 8, 2001, as a part of Disney California Adventure's grand opening. Guests were flown over a number of Californian landmarks, and a pre-show on the state's aviation history was featured. In 2005, Soarin' was added to Epcot at Walt Disney World.

This hang glider-meets-IMAX-like dome experience is the kind of technical achievement that only Disney can accomplish, with a steady breeze blowing in your face and the aroma of roses floating in. The attraction simulates flying over some of the world's (or what was once California's) most stunning landmarks, such as the Eiffel Tower and the genuine Matterhorn, all while playing a triumphant soundtrack that leaves us with a serious case of wanderlust.

Location: Grizzly Peak (Disney California Adventure)
Best seat in the house: Section B, Row 1

A motion simulator experience called Star Wars: Millennium Falcon - Smugglers Run is inspired by George Lucas's Star Wars film series. The ride, which is a part of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, debuted in Disneyland on May 31 and Disney's Hollywood Studios on August 29, respectively.

Pulling the silver handle in the cockpit of the Millennium Falcon to activate the hyperdrive and accelerate to light speed will give you the happiest sensation in all of Disneyland. However, even if you aren't seated in the pilot's seat on this visitor-controlled motion rollercoaster, which is housed inside a breathtakingly accurate reconstruction of the galactic fast freighter, you'll have enough to do: Two pilots control the Falcon under the direction of space pirate Hondo Ohnaka while gunners fire at TIE fighters and engineers frantically push buttons to keep the ship's shields intact. If you make too much noise on the ship, the cast will mock you as you leave in a corridor filled with flashing lights and sounds. Better luck next time—and make no mistake, this experience definitely justifies a next time, and a next time, and a next time...

Riders board the Millennium Falcon and settle down for their first ride experience. The spacecraft is moved left and right by the left pilot, and up and down by the right pilot as they both sit in the front row. The gunners, who press buttons to destroy adversaries and roadblocks, are positioned in the following row. The two engineers who work to fix the spacecraft while in flight are seated in the back row.

Location: Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge (Disneyland)

Best assignment: Pilot, on right side of the ship (you’ll steer the Falcon up and down and engage the hyperdrive)

Visitors join Spider-Man and the Worldwide Engineering Brigade (WEB). Visitors assist in the capture of the Spider-Bots that have caused havoc on the Avengers Campus using WEB's most recent innovation, the WEB Slinger vehicle. The attraction combines real-world sets with digital settings.

Even though you'll be battling hordes of Tom Holland's mechanical Spider-Bots, you're never left fighting the technology that powers this 3-D ride: You can shoot digital webs if you can flick your wrist like Spider-Man. There is no type of blaster to fire in this game, only your own two hands, in contrast to the comparable Toy Story Midway Mania below (aiming feels shockingly natural, like you too might have been bitten by a radioactive spider). If you have the stamina to stand in line once again, it's a delightful flurry of webbing bots, exploding barrels, and shrinking pretzels—and a relentless desire to one-up your personal and team score.

After the visitors have boarded the car, Spider-Man unlocks the WEB prototype garage doors and gives them instructions to web up and capture all of the errant Spider-Bots while he blocks the exits. The Spider-Bots then enter Pym Test Kitchen through the tunnels. After being exposed to Pym Particles, one of the Spider-Bots grows enormous, but Spider-Man stops it by tying it up with his web and kicking it into a space where alien technology is being tested.

The visitors and Spider-Man then go into the Tivan Collection of the Collector. Spider-Man is arrested and put in one of the Collector's display cases after fighting the Spider-Bots, but he is able to escape with the aid of the visitors. Sharon alerts the visitors that the enormous Spider-Bot survived and is now flashing green as they get closer to the Quinjet Hangar. Spider-Man noted that the green bots burst when they are struck and thinks that if they concentrate on them, they might start a chain reaction. Spider-Man and the visitors corner the enormous green Spider-Bot in the hangar's back and make it to explode, destroying the other Spider-Bots in the process. This stops the Spider-Bots from stealing the Quinjet. Spider-Man acknowledges the assistance of the visitors and thanks Sharon for her praise for him for finding the solution. Sharon and Peter agree that they should let Tony know what has happened as the cars drive up to the unloading zone.

As of its opening on June 4, 2021, WEB SLINGERS will require a virtual queue to ride, and the entire land may have a line if it hits capacity.

Location: Avengers Campus (Disney California Adventure)

Best way to get your Spidey-senses tingling: Aim for the green, glowing Spider-Bots, and try to shoot any curious looking object you see, whether it’s a door, a lever or a military tank.

Based on the animated scenes of the 1946 Disney film Song of the South, Splash Mountain is a log flume that can be seen at Disneyland, Tokyo Disneyland, and Magic Kingdom. Each installation starts with a tranquil outdoor float-through that proceeds to inside dark ride segments, with a dramatic steep drop into a "briar patch" and an indoor climax. There are differences in the tale and elements between the three locations. There is a 52.5-foot drop (16.0 m).

The U.S. versions of the ride would be replaced with a theme based on the 2009 movie The Princess and the Frog, it was revealed in June 2020. Tiana's Bayou Adventure, the name of the new ride, is expected to debut in Magic Kingdom and Disneyland in late 2024.

A steep drop into a briar patch and some incredibly surreal parts, such the neon-lit Laughing Place, which seems to mock how wet you just got, balance off this deliciously wet log flume's cheery creatures and vibrant colors. It's difficult to overlook the fact that it is based on the infamous Song of the South, but not for long: The ride will soon be transformed into a Princes and the Frog-themed attraction.

Location: Critter Country (Disneyland)
Driest seat: As far back as possible

The steel roller coaster Incredicoaster can be found at Disney California Adventure in Anaheim, California. It was created by Intamin and debuted as California Screamin' in 2001. It is the only inversion-equipped roller coaster at the Disneyland Resort, and with a top speed of 55 mph (89 km/h), it is also the park's fastest ride. As of 2020, is the longest inverted roller coaster in the entire world, measuring 6,072 feet. It is the tallest roller coaster at a Disney property, standing at 122 feet high.

Incredicoaster, which was formerly known as California Screamin', reopened on June 23, 2018, after closing on January 8, 2018, and was inspired by the 2004 computer-animated film The Incredibles and its 2018 sequel Incredibles 2. The park's newly renovated Pixar Pier area, where the roller coaster is located, opened at the same time as it did. [4] The coaster shoots through tubes that have two functions: By directing rider screams out of the tube toward the park and away from the rest of Anaheim and the adjoining city of Garden Grove, they allow the coaster to comply with Orange County sound restrictions in addition to hiding the scenes with characters.

This ride offers a 0-to-55 launch, a 100-foot or more drop, one inversion, and panoramic views of the entire resort. However, Disney distinguishes the faux wooden coaster from other massive attractions by giving it a satisfyingly long ride. Not all of its Incredibles-inspired modifications are fantastic, but the Michael Giacchino score is a lovely touch. The ride was originally known as the boardwalk-themed California Screamin'.

Location: Pixar Pier (Disney California Adventure)

Best time to ride: Twilight

At many Disney theme parks throughout the world, there is a riverboat attraction called Jungle Cruise that was once known as Jungle River Cruise. The experience is a replica riverboat trip along a stream employing a covert steering system that passes through South American, Asian, and African-themed zones. Visitors to the park board replica steam launches from a lodge used by British explorers in the 1930s. Audio-Animatronic jungle creatures are shown during the ride. A live Disney cast member serves as the tour guide and captain of the boat while following a rough script and entertaining the passengers.

The ride's original setup was a centerpiece of Disneyland's 1955 grand opening. Over the years, a number of modifications have been made, including improved audio effects, storyline updates, and the removal of content that would be offensive to some cultures. The installation at Hong Kong Disneyland offers visitors three alternative language options, each with its own line queue, and has a plot that differs greatly from that of the other parks. On July 30, 2021, a movie version of the ride was launched in the US after years of development and delays.

The Jungle Cruise blends artificial animals and corny dialogue into a hilariously groan-inducing experience, similar to vaudeville on the river. The attraction takes visitors on a global river voyage through stunningly lush rainforest settings, all while being led by a foolish and entertaining skipper. The ride may not be the most exciting (and it contains some offensive parts that are about to be modified), but it will more than satisfy your thirst for dad jokes.

Location: Adventureland (Disneyland)
Best worst pun: “It’s actually made of limestone, but most people take it for granite.”