I wanted to give you all a run-down of what rides are scariest at Disneyland. I offer both a printable checklist about what makes each ride scary and also a top 10 scariest ride portion — so you can choose what works best for you! BTW, this is all part of my Disneyland Tips series which includes budgeting, a trip calculator, even how to take care of your Disney feet!

Yes lots of rides have a height requirement, but just because your child is tall enough for a ride at a Disney park, doesn’t mean that they are set for that ride. However, if you’re looking for height limits I absolutely love these height charts.

Check out my post on Disneyland height requirements charts. It also has all the height requirements listed.

Printable Scary Rides at Disneyland Checklist

I wanted to give rides a “scare factor” — but there are too many different triggers.

So, instead, I listed each ride — and what was scary about it. This post includes a printable list that you can use at your leisure.

Hopefully that — combined with your knowledge of your child will allow you to make great choices for your day at the happiest place on earth (and keep it that way).

Disneyland Scary Rides

Please keep careful thoughts of the notes at the bottom:

• Be sure to download my Disney Day Planner
• Dark rides sounds like they will be child-friendly, but my kids often have the hardest times with them because they are SO dark and vibrant. A good “test” dark ride is Ariel or Winnie the Pooh — those are probably the two least scary ones.
• While it can seem like you are “getting your money’s worth” to spend your day on the popular rides, don’t forget to see it from your child’s perspective. We have had a great time at the Redwood challenge trail that is mainly line-free.
• Fantasmic is a fun show, but has some effects that kids might not love including fire and a giant dragon
• The fireworks are very kid-friendly, but they are loud as they light them off close by.
• World of Color is kid-friendly, but also has fire effects (although, I think it is less scary than Fantasmic)
• Parades are all VERY kid-friendly unless a particular character gives them the creeps.

Don’t miss my post on what I think is the BEST age to go to Disneyland with your kids.

What’s the scariest thing at Disneyland?

The scariest thing at Disneyland is paying FULL price — so be sure to use Get Away Today!  Save $10 when you use code CURLS10.  I use them for ALL my Disney trips – they’re the Disney experts, the easiest and CHEAPEST way to book!

To give you an idea of my favorite hotels I have posts on walkable hotels to Disneyland, my favorite Disneyland Family Packages (which has reviews of all the hotels I’ve stayed at) and also the cheapest hotels near Disney!

Included on this printable are:

Rides At Disneyland Park:

• Alice in Wonderland
• Astro Orbitor
• Autopia
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
• Casey Jr Circus Train
• Chip & Dale Treehouse
• Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes
• Monorail
• Great moments with Mr. Lincoln
• Donald’s Boat
• Dumbo the Flying Elephant
• Tiki Room
• Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage
• Go Coaster
• Goofy’s Playhouse
• Haunted Mansion
• Indiana Jones Adventure
• Small World
• Jungle Cruise
• King Arthur Carrousel
• Mad Tea Party
• Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
• Mark Twain Riverboat/Columbia Riverboat
• Matterhorn Bobsleds
• Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
• Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride
• Peter Pan’s Flight
• Pinocchio’s Daring Journey
• Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island
• Pirates of the Caribbean
• Rise of the Resistance
• Roger Rabbit’s Cartoon Spin
• Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough
• Snow White’s Scary Adventures
• Space Mountain (that changes to Ghost Galaxy at Halloween)
• Splash Mountain
• Star Tours
• Storybook Land Canal Boats
• Tarzan’s Treehouse

Rides at Disney California Adventure Park:

• Animation Academy
• CA screaming (soon to be the “incredicoster)
• Flick’s Flyers
• Ladybug Boogie
• Gadget’s Go Coaster
• Golden Zephyr
• Grizzly River Run
• Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission Breakout
• Heimlich’s Chew Chew Train
• Jumpin’ Jellyfish
• King Triton’s Carousel
• The Little Mermaid – Ariel’s Undersea Adventure
• Luigi’s Tire Spin
• Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree
• Mickey’s Fun Wheel
• Monster’s Inc
• Radiator Springs Racers
• Redwood Creek Challenge Trail
• Silly Symphony Swings
• Soaring’ Around the World
• Toy Story Midway Mania
• Tuck and Roll’s Drive ‘Em Buggies
• Turtle Talk with Crush

The list is current as of 12/2017 – I will try to update as I go in the coming years — I have NOT been to Star Wars Land yet (but I hear that the the rides there are not too bad). I plan to update this checklist sometime in the next year with more info on those!

Top Ten Scariest Rides at Disneyland

While many rides TURN a lot — I don’t personally call those “scary” — just something to avoid if you don’t list twists and turns.

I was hesitant to do this list because each person has their own things that they are afraid of. These are just the top 10 that came to mind, but I’d recommend checking out the printable list if you’re interested!

Guardians of The Galaxy

This it the one ride at Disneyland that I will never ride. It is basically a drop ride. It’s my husband’s favorite ride, but huge drops are the worst for me, so I’d just much prefer to people watch or go to the Animation Academy close by!

Incredicoaster

The good news is that this ride is all available to see — but once kids see the drop or the loop, they might prefer to not be involved in this one. It’s not bad (I have ridden it), but I don’t enjoy it. I much prefer the Jack-Jack Cookie Nom-Nom.

Indiana Jones

I think this combines a LOT of movement, very dark, some flames. My daughter was TERRIFIED of this ride forever, but loves Incredicoaster, so it just shows you different folks, different tastes.

Matterhorn Bobsleds

This “coaster” is SUPER jerky, it also is REALLY loud, and they don’t hide the fact that the Yeti (named Harold) is after you. I love this ride, but with little ones with big imaginations, this may be overwhelming — even if they hit the height limit.

Space Mountain

This is favorite of my kids. A previous iteration “Ghost Galaxy” they are not a fan of, but the regular Space Mountain is pretty great. Not too many big drops, and very smooth.

Splash Mountain

Again, because I hate drops I don’t usually ride this ride. There are 2 drops, not bad — but I hate it.

Mr Toad’s Wild Ride

This is the scariest of the “dark” rides. I think it’s even scarier than Haunted Mansion. Loud noises, a lot of yelling. You drive through Hell…. just sayin’….

This serves also as a reminder that for little kids any of the Fantasy Land dark rides CAN be scary for little ones. My kids hated all of them but Peter Pan until about eight years of age.

Big Thunder

This one is also quite apparent as to what you’re getting into. It’s fairly fast, and somewhat twisty. I don’t personally feel a lot of “drops” and it is always the preferred coaster for our youngest kids.

But, there’s a reason it’s the wildest ride in the wilderness.

Radiator Springs Racers

The majority of this ride is very tame (and amazing) but you do “race” at the end. It is fairly fast and you do some “bunny hills” that make your stomach flip a bit. Very fun, but if kids hate those kinds of things they may hate this ride as well.

Pixar Pal Around

There are two lines for this, you can either go on the stationary gondolas, or you can go on the swinging ones.

I’d rather die than doing the swinging ones, I think. I do the stationary, but my kids who are afraid of heights don’t love it.

Please do NOT let this list scare you! I do think that Disneyland is the most fear-friendly theme park there is (even better than Knotts Berry). There are TONS of ways to take kids of all ages to Disneyland happily!

Disneyland Rides Faq’s

What Disneyland rides are closed?

That really depends on when you’re going.  You can see which rides will be closed when you’re there on the Disneyland calendar.  Other sites predict what will be up/down but the actual page is your best source!

What Disneyland rides can babies go on?

Disney is AMAZING for babies.

There are a huge number of rides that have no height restrictions.  You can see that very few have height restrictions on this page.

Also, many rides allow you to keep them in their carrier (like an Ergo or a Bjorn) on the ride!

What Disneyland rides have Fast/MaxPasses?

These sometimes do change, but I have a whole post about tips for using the MaxPass system.

What rides of a single rider line?

A few of them have them (I wish there were more) — they include:

• California Screamin’
• Goofy’s Sky School
• Grizzly River Run
• Indiana Jones Adventure
• Radiator Springs Racers
• Soarin’ Over California
• Splash Mountain

Which Disneyland rides take pictures?

Some rides take your picture, which you can get free with your Photopass, currently included with Maxpass

Those rides include:

• Space Mountain
• Splash Mountain
• Radiator Springs Racers
• Guardians of the Galaxy — Mission: BREAKOUT!
• Incredicoaster’

And yes, my kids do plan what their pose will be for the picture.

Which Disneyland rides have the longest lines?

I have a whole post that helps you plan your Disneyland day — it shares what rides to try to get on first as their lines fill long at times.

I also have a post on planning your California Adventure day.

Which Disneyland ride to go on first?

Again — I’d reference that post up above — with the Disneyland & California day plans.

You can also get access to the plans themselves right here:

Which Disneyland rides are original?

Touring plans has a list of what rides were opened when.

The original rides include:

• Autopia
• Disneyland Band
• Disneyland Railroad Main Street Station
• Disneyland Railroad New Orleans Square Station
• Jungle Cruise
• King Arthur Carrousel
• Mad Tea Party
• Main Entrance
• Main Street Cinema
• Mark Twain Riverboat
• Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride
• Peter Pan’s Flight
• Snow White’s Scary Adventures
• Storybook Land Canal Boats

Can you ride Disneyland rides while pregnant?

YES!  While no one will actually stop you from getting on a ride when you look pregnant (my personal rule is to not ask if someone’s pregnant unless a baby is coming out).  I have a whole post on going to Disneyland pregnant.

Are Disneyland Rides Underground?

This is pretty interesting how rides wind through the park — you can read more in this post on disboards.  Also, this article had some interesting info on the Indy Ride.

Be sure to check out my best tips for the MaxPass (a great way to let some of your family skip a ride without waiting a long time while you ride).

You can get your Disney Day Planner here as well, and check out all my other Disney tips below that:

Don’t miss my list of Best Affordable Disneyland hotels — a list of 30+ of my favorite hotels (plus my own current top 10 hotel list).

The post Scariest Rides at Disneyland for Kids (and me) appeared first on Pulling Curls.

We don’t usually head to Disneyland alone.  Taking into account what everyone wants to do and how to divide your time can be a tricky dance, especially for parents.

Our kids have a pretty big gap in the middle.  We stretch from age 16 to 7, with a 12-year-old in the middle.  We have been to Disneyland pretty frequently with these kids (and at different ages than they are now).  Here are my top 12 tips for taking kids to Disneyland of different ages.

This post is part of my Disneyland Tips page — be sure to check that page out for more tips and tricks (including stuff like All-Inclusive packages, your Disneyland backpack or Disney budget) for taking your family to Disneyland!

I also think that being optimistic is a BIG part of taking your family on a trip, and especially to Disneyland. Loved this podcast:

Disneyland Tips for families:

How to Pick Rides:

Be clear that everyone will get to ride what they want to ride.  That may mean that everyone goes on Small World together (which I love, but I know some of my family isn’t so keen on it).  Once.  

That doesn’t mean that the youngest in the family gets to claim the entire day with Small World and Fantasyland rides.  It also doesn’t mean the oldest will get to ride Space Mountain 16 times in a row.  

As long as they go into it knowing those rides will only happen a couple of times, they can make sure to REALLY enjoy them when they can go.  I have a post about Disneyland Planning and also Disneyland California Adventure Rides that are going to help you plan your days out well!

Be clear that everyone rides that can ride.  Just because someone says they hate Small World doesn’t mean they get to not ride it.  

Whenever possible we all ride together.  

This is different if a child has a legitimate fear (even if their body is tall enough to on the ride).  I find that teenagers would often rather sit and text than go on Small World.  I didn’t just shell out a bajillion dollars so they could text.

Discuss the importance of giving a little and taking a little — the importance of compromise.  Discuss it before you go — so no one goes wild saying that they “never get what they want”

Make a mental note of who’s getting their way.  Make sure that no one is getting their rides again and again.  Obviously, when you’re at Fantasyland, you’re going to ride a lot of little kid rides, but be sure to balance it.

Look for activities that the younger kids can go on when the older kids are on another ride.  When older kids ride Indiana Jones, that is a great time for little kids to explore Tarzan’s treehouse, or take another trip on the Jungle Cruise.  

Sometimes there are even seasonal activities that would be great to split up and do — like at Halloween or Christmas.

Pro Parent Tip: Just because Disneyland is amazing, and we love going — taking all of my kids on a trip and spending all day with all of us makes me want to lose my mind… so, you’re not alone. Also, I have a #1 tip that I share in my podcast on family travel.

MaxPass Tips

MaxPass allows you to not wait in line for the larger rides. It also makes it so you don’t have ot walk all over the park like the regular fastpass system.

I outline this whole post in my Maxpass Pass post

Rider Switch Tips

This allows someone to go on the ride and then come back and take the other half of people on the ride. Perfect for the larger rides when you have a little one who can’t ride.

Tip: I think you all have to have a maxpass if you plan to use the rider switch, juts something to keep in mind (you used to be able to game this system).

Finding a Disneyland Hotel with a Large Family:

Be sure to get a big enough room for all of you.  It’s tempting to get the room that only sleeps 4 when you have 8 of you — but stepping all over each other will make everyone grumbly before you even get to the park.  

I love asking the peeps at Get Away Today how big rooms are, and what hotel they would recommend for a family of our size.  They always know.  I talk about some of our favorite Disneyland family vacation packages right there.

Pro Tip: Glance at pricing at the Get Away Today website, and then call them for some great info on what hotel room will be right for your family. Each year they go on a trip where they tour most of the hotels, so they know specifics about the rooms — things like:

• Area for kids to run around
• Full fridge/mini fridge
• Where you can put a playpen/port-a-crib
• What’s offered at the “free” breakfast
• If the suite has dishes, etc.

Remember you can use code CURLS10 to save $10 on hotel & tickets either online or on the phone.

If you’re looking for hotel reviews I share a few of them. I have a post on the cheapest places to stay, the closest places to stay and I also have reviewed all the hotel packages we’ve gotten.

Little Kids At Disneyland

Some rides are a good time for little legs to rest.  Sometimes you walk those kids to death (especially if they have older siblings), but maybe just all take a time out while older kids ride a different ride.  Enjoy a snack and some ambiance

** If your little one is recently (aka, in the last 6 months) potty trained, be SURE to bring extra underpants (even pull-ups if you’re willing) and possibly even a change of clothes. Kids are off their normal schedules, and I think we had 4 accidents once with a 3-year-old (who was solid at home).

Don’t scare little kids at Disneyland

I have a whole parent’s guide on what to expect at the different rides:

Use fast passes especially for the rides that the whole group does not want to ride.  It makes it a lot easier to not wait for someone.  I have fast past tips in my Disneyland planning post.  Also, interested in splurging on a Maxpass — find out if the Maxpass is worth it?

Pro Tip: I wouldn’t recommend the Maxpass for tiny people. I just don’t think they’ll get a lot of use out of it.

Babies or Toddlers at Disneyland

My tiny ones have always enjoyed Disneyland, and prior to about age 2 they actually napped pretty well because I could put a blanket over the stroller (love a reclining one) and the ambient noised helped them go to sleep.

Do NOT forget the baby care center. If you need a quiet spot to rock or feed your little one, have a good diaper change, etc. I have heard nothing but RAVING reviews of it. They even have electrical outlets for pumps if you need that.

I also have a post all about doing Disneyland pregnant that has a ton of helpful tips (from your favorite labor nurse).

Tips for Disneyland with Teenagers

Let older kids have some freedom.  At our last trip, my oldest son was in charge of getting fast passes (this is before Maxpass).  That gave him some independence to navigate his own way through the park a few times a day (and saved all our feet).  

He was great at it, and I think it helped all of us have a little time apart.  You might enjoy some of the tips I figured out in this post about letting go of some control at Disneyland.

Talk to older kids about how hard you worked, when they were little, to cherish the magic.  That means not trashing on other’s favorite characters or being mean about any one’s excitement.  

Remind them that there are times you’re not having a blast with them, but you are there to do it as a family.  Ask them to remember how they felt about Disneyland when they were tiny, and ask them how they can foster that in their siblings.

More on this later….

Mornings for Families at Disneyland

I know, the last thing you want to do is wake your kids up while on “vacation” (let’s face it — Disneyland is a “trip”… not so much a “vacation”)… but, early mornings are GREAT to get a lot done. Not feel crowded (especially while pushing a stroller). Arriving late is one of my biggest Disneyland mistakes.

Magic Morning

This is usually an extra hour at Disneyland on select dates if you buy a 3-day or longer ticket. It’s worth it — usually, only Fantasyland and Tomorrowland are open, fyi.

Extra Magic Hour

This comes from staying at a Disneyland hotel — a HUGE perk of staying on-site.

Use both of those options if you have them! It’s much better to take a few hours off at the hotel in the afternoon after getting up early.

Tips for Extra Large Families:

Go for an extended time.

I don’t want anyone to feel “gyp’d” out of their Disney trip so we always try to go at least 3 days (this last time we went 4 days and it was WAY too much).  

Plus, adding more days to a Disney ticket gets cheaper and cheaper the more you add.  Of course, you have the added expense of more hotel days but we’ve found it to be worth it in the long run.  

Getting tickets at Get Away Today will save you enough to add an extra day!

Divide and conquer.  

I’ve never had my boys wait in line to see the princesses.  It’s just cruel.  They’ve always gone to do Buzz Lightyear with their dad and we hang out for Cinderella.  Everyone’s happy.

Don’t do Disney that frequently.

We do Disneyland every couple of years as a family.  More than that we’d probably not cherish the magic together as much as we do.  

When we go it is truly a FAMILY vacation.  We do everything together and just really try to enjoy each other.

Find the compromise.

We ate at the Plaza Inn for lunch — my daughter really wanted to see it the parade, but no one else really did.  She got to “see” the parade, we all got to eat and sit in chairs (plus we easily got out when it was done and go on rides quickly while the crowd dispersed).  

You can read all about the best places to eat in Disneyland for Families.

Match!

I know, you’ll get so many eyerolls from older kids, but there’s just something fun about Matching shirts at Disneyland. I’m not normally one of those people, but at Disneyland I am (moderately hanging my head in shame).

Benefits to taking large families to Disneyland:

I will say that nothing warms my heart than my older two talking to my younger one about how amazing a ride is, how much they loved it when they were little (especially when they don’t love it now) and they all ride it together, often singing the song.

Or when my youngest daredevil talks the older ones into going on a ride they were previously too scared to ride and they walk off comparing their pose for the “not-so hidden” camera, planning how they are going to pose next time.

Disneyland is a great family vacation, it caters to kids of many ages and you CAN have a great trip — all together (easier than a Knotts Berry or Universal in my opinion) — if you just do a little advanced planning!

If you liked this post — you can get Disneyland and California Adventure day plans right here:

Don’t miss my whole page all about Disneyland tips!

The post Disneyland Tips for Families: Multiple kids can enjoy the day! appeared first on Pulling Curls.