Photo by: Ernie Carr

I know Disneyland like the back of my hand — here’s how its roller coasters truly rank.

Disneyland Resort may not be home to nearly as many roller coasters as Disney World, but trust me: There are plenty of options that’ll get your heart racing and stomach dropping. And, as someone who’s been visiting Disneyland almost weekly for over 35 years, I know the parks’ coasters very well.

Some Disneyland roller coasters are well worth riding again and again. Others, however, don’t quite deliver the same level of thrills. While they’re all magical in their own way, I’m breaking down my expert rankings of Disneyland’s top coasters, sharing my picks from worst to best. 

Chip ‘n’ Dale’s GADGETcoaster

Chip ‘n’ Dale’s GAGDETcoaster is quick and (relatively) uneventful. Photo by Danny Shuster

Listen, Chip ‘n’ Dale’s GADGETcoaster holds a special place in my heart. As a child of the ‘90s, Mickey’s Toontown was where I spent a lot of time, and Gadget’s Go Coaster (the attraction’s former name) was the very first roller coaster I rode. After all, what Disney Afternoon fan could resist a thrill ride based on Chip ‘n’ Dale Rescue Rangers.

But frankly, now that I’m a mom whose toddler is absolutely over the moon about Chip ‘n’ Dale’s GADGETcoaster, I hate to say it’s a snooze. 

It’s absolutely a wonderful first roller coaster for young kids, and it offers just the right balance of somewhat-fast speed and one “scary” drop. But it’s so incredibly brief and uneventful that anyone who’s tall enough to take on Space Mountain or Big Thunder won’t ever want to ride the GADGETcoaster again.

Goofy’s Sky School

This wild mouse roller coaster will take on a ride, but if you’re an adult it certainly won’t be an enjoyable one. As a teen in the early years of California Adventure, back when the ride was known as Mulholland Madness, I could ride this coaster back to back to back. Now? I won’t go near the thing.

Wild mouse coasters are notoriously jerky in movement, and that can make them pretty uncomfortable for adults, even if you aren’t someone with a mix of usual aches and pains. Another pain point? The teeny-tiny ride vehicles. While I’m pretty small at just 5 feet tall, I’ve rarely felt more cramped than in one of the Goofy’s Sky School coaster cars. 

While the drops can be fun, overall this roller coaster is (thankfully) brief and uneventful. It makes a solid choice for kids who might be newer to roller coasters or looking for a different kind of ride thrill. But for adults, you’re better off skipping it.

Indiana Jones Adventure

Indiana Jones Adventure is immersive, but it’s one rough ride. Photo by Cliff Wang

Indiana Jones Adventure technically isn’t a roller coaster; it’s much more of a thrill ride, since there are no hairpin turns, steep drops, or inversions. In fact, it’s not even very fast. But I’m putting it on this list since it features elements similar to a roller coaster.

And unfortunately, Indiana Jones Adventure, though thrilling, isn’t one of Disneyland’s best coasters. The immersive world created in this ride is stellar, especially since recent refurbishments have restored a lot of its former glory (though I do still wish the turntable and three doors at the start of the attraction worked!). And it really is scary in the best way — I’m just as grossed out by the falling rats and oversized snakes as I was back when I first rode in 1995.

But, like I mentioned earlier, Indiana Jones Adventure isn’t exactly fast, so it’s missing that element of a great roller coaster. It’s bumpy and rough instead, and that’s one of its biggest flaws, in my opinion. It’s so rough that it can be tough to stabilize yourself, and unless you’re a fan of off-roading, it probably won’t be your favorite, either.

Matterhorn Bobsleds

Remember how I mentioned Indiana Jones Adventure is pretty bumpy? Well, it’ll feel like a relaxing walk in the park compared to this classic Disneyland coaster. The Matterhorn Bobsleds — or Disneyland’s resident chiropractor, as it’s known by locals — are the roughest, bumpiest, and most spine-jarring ride you’ll find in either of Disneyland’s theme parks.

However, while the rough ride is certainly a drawback, I’d still argue that the Matterhorn is well worth experiencing. It may rattle you from teeth to tailbone, but it’s a lot of fun. It has all of the elements that make for a standout Disney roller coaster: a cool storyline with some hidden Easter eggs, an immersive setting, and plenty of speed.

Plus, if you like traditional coasters, this is pretty close. As the first-ever tubular steel roller coaster, it’s historic and was one of a kind when it originally opened in 1959. Today, it does show its age, but I still firmly believe it’s worth shaking things up and riding it (just maybe not on every visit).

Space Mountain

Fast, smooth, and completely in the dark, Space Mountain is always a good time. Photo by Cliff Wang

Speaking of classic roller coasters, one of Disneyland’s very best is Space Mountain. Hugely high-tech and advanced when it debuted, Space Mountain built on the Matterhorn’s blueprint and opened with a patented tubular steel track design and computerized operation. And it was an instant hit.

Smooth, speedy, and completely pitch black inside, this Disneyland roller coaster is as immersive as it is enjoyable. At a top speed of 32 miles per hour and nearly 3 minutes of ride time, it’s filled with thrills. Drops, sudden sharp turns, and plenty of steep climbs give riders a slightly disoriented feel in the dark. 

As a result, even if you’ve ridden Disneyland’s version of Space Mountain hundreds of times (like I have), it still feels fresh and new every subsequent time. 

Incredicoaster

Roller coaster enthusiasts, you’re going to absolutely love California Adventure’s Incredicoaster. This steel launched coaster, which was originally inspired by the old wooden coasters at early seaside amusement parks, stretches out along Pixar Pier and includes all of the elements you could want: Steep hills with drops that almost feel neverending, gentle curves, butterfly-inducing dips, and plenty of speed. Plus, it’s the only coaster at Disneyland that features an inversion.

The Incredicoaster features a thrilling 0-to-55 miles per hour launch that takes place in just 4 seconds, shooting riders upwards in what feels like a mere instant. From there, it’s high speed and endless thrills, all while you can take in some incredible views of the entire Disneyland Resort (and even the surrounding city of Anaheim.

Whether you love coasters with inversions, speed, or great theming, this one checks all the boxes. It’s one I never turn down, even if the super-steep drops never fail to (slightly) terrify me.

Radiator Springs Racers

Radiator Springs Racers is both a dark ride and coaster in one. Photo by Brian Shih

Part classic dark ride filled with characters and movie-inspired scenes, part thrilling coaster, Radiator Springs Racers is hands down one of the best rides in all of Disneyland Resort. This California Adventure staple is persistently popular, and for good reason. It bundles that old school Disney magic with modern innovation to create a twist on a roller coaster that’s anything but familiar.

While Radiator Springs Racers technically might not be a true coaster, the latter half of the ride — the race through the landscape of Ornament Valley — sure mimics one. Its speed maxes out at 40 miles per hour, which is faster than popular coasters like Space Mountain and the Matterhorn.

And, thanks to its banked turns, small hills, and race-like feel, this smooth roller coaster sure does bring the thrills. It might not deliver big punches like huge drops or inversions, but trust me. It’ll get your heart racing every single time regardless. 

Big Thunder Mountain

No, it’s not as flashy and thrill-inducing as the Incredicoaster. It’s not even as fast as Radiator Spring Racers or Space Mountain, clocking in at a top speed of just 28 miles per hour. But once you’ve ridden Big Thunder Mountain, you’ll quickly discover why it’s the best roller coaster at Disneyland.

First things first: The theming here is incredible. In my opinion, it’s the best, and I think you can clearly see how it influenced the immersive atmospheres of so many future attractions (I’m looking at you, Radiator Spring Racers). The rock formations, repurposed mining town from Mine Train Through Nature’s Wonderland, even the animatronic animals; it all comes together to really bring Frontierland to life. In fact, without Big Thunder, the land would be a total letdown.

Next, the ride itself is both fast and a lot of fun. It balances thrills like steep hills, somewhat gentle drops, and plenty of high-speed turns and twists well, all without any shocking inversions. It’s a great step-up into a true roller for kids and adults who may not be the biggest thrillseekers alike. 

Lastly, my favorite aspect of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is how it changes depending on where you sit and the time of day you choose to ride. It’s almost like each ride is a whole new experience. Sure, the track is the same, the top speed doesn’t change, and the trains all run as they typically would. But at night, it feels far faster and more exciting, thanks to the change in surrounding scenery. Even sitting farther back in the train can make the ride feel like it’s picking up the pace.

And if you’ve ever crested over one of Big Thunder’s iconic hills right in the middle of the fireworks, you’ll agree this is absolutely Disneyland’s best roller coaster.