A Fun Guide To The Best Rides At Disneyland Paris

Looking for the best rides to do at Disneyland Paris?

Planning a magical trip to Disneyland Paris and wondering which rides are worth your time? Whether you’re a thrill-seeker, traveling with little ones, or looking for fun the whole family can enjoy, Disneyland Paris has something for everyone.

From high-speed roller coasters that will get your heart racing to gentle attractions perfect for toddlers, the park offers a wide variety of experiences for all ages. 

In this best rides at Disneyland Paris guide, I have broken it down into big thrill rides, small thrill rides, family favourites, and under 5’s friendly adventures to make the most of your visit.

So sit down, buckle up and hold on tight as you read through this exciting guide.

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The Two Disneyland Paris Parks

If you’ve never been to Disneyland Paris before, here’s a quick overview of the parks.

The main and largest park is Disneyland Park. As you enter, you’ll arrive on Main Street, U.S.A which is lined with shops, places to eat, and City Hall, home to Guest Services.

Walking up Main Street, you’ll see Sleeping Beauty’s Castle at the centre. From there, the park branches into four themed lands: Frontierland, Adventureland, Fantasyland, and Discoveryland. Each land features rides and attractions unique to its theme.

The second park is Walt Disney Studios Park, which celebrates the magic of movies. It’s set to be renamed Disney Adventure World in 2026, and will include the brand-new World of Frozen area. The main areas in this park are Front Lot, World Premiere Plaza, Worlds of Pixar, and Marvel Avengers Campus.

For each ride listed below, I’ve included which park and themed land it belongs to.

If this is your first visit, I also have a First Timer’s Guide that covers everything from arriving by train to navigating the parks and staying at the Disney Hotels to help you get started.

Best Big Thrill Rides at Disneyland Paris

Let’s begin with the big thrill rides aimed at tweens ,teens, adults and the very brave. While I usually steer clear of the big rollercoasters however I did find the courage to try one – you can read which one below. The rest of the reviews in this section are from my family’s point of view.

Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain

The Paris version of this ride is the only one that features loops and inversions, and since the entire ride takes place in complete darkness, it feels even more intense as you can’t see when the twists and turns are coming.

Perfect for thrill seekers and Star Wars Fans.

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Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril

I’d describe it as a runaway mine train with sharp drops, tight turns, and a full 360-degree loop. It’s an intense ride, and I found it to be quite rough and bumpy at times. It is over pretty quick though which I was kind of relieved at. I can see why people love this ride however would I do this again – probably not.

This ride may not be the fastest rollercoaster or have the most loops but it definitely earns its place as one of the big thrill rides at Disneyland Paris.

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Avengers Assemble: Flight Force

Expect lots of twists, turns and loops and great special effects. Whereas some coasters build up the speed gradually, the Avengers Flight Force certainly does not, it launches you into space at a speed of 57mph in 3 seconds. This is the fastest and most exhilarating ride at Disneyland Paris and my kids loved it so much they rode it multiple times.

If you’re a fan of high-adrenaline thrills, this roller coaster is sure to impress.

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The Twilight Zone: Tower of Terror

The glamour of the Hollywood Tower Hotel is long gone and instead you enter a nightmare. Step inside the lift of this haunted Hotel and brace yourself for a terrifying 13-storey freefall. This ride will bring you out of your seat and make you scream.

There are 3 unique lift sequences each offering a different spine-chilling experience. That means you will need to ride the Tower of Terror at least three times to experience them all!

Scary theming and even Scarier drops.

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The Best Small Thrill Rides at Disneyland Paris

I have included this category for the younger thrill seekers who do not yet meet the height requirements of the bigger rollercoasters or for anyone that is not quite ready to take on the big rides but still craving some excitement. The following rides will deliver:

Big Thunder Mountain

One of the most popular rides at Disneyland Paris, this iconic Disney ride takes place on a large rock island in the middle of the lake.

Boarding this runaway mine cart the train journey takes you at speed through an abandoned replica 1800’s Wild West mining town (Thunder Mesa). Expect plenty of twists and turns as it zooms through bat infested tunnels and rises and drops around the mountain landscape.  

Brilliantly themed and probably the best family rollercoaster at Disneyland Paris. You’ll like it so much that you will be joining the queue again and again.

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RC Racer

Hop aboard RC Racer from the Toy Story films and zoom back and forth along a giant U-shaped track. The ride climbs up to an impressive 80 feet (24 meters) at its highest point, giving you a thrilling free-fall sensation as you race back down.

If you like Pirate Ship style rides then this is the ride for you.

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Star Tours: The Adventure Continues

This is one of my favourite rides at Disneyland Paris. Star Tours is a 3D simulator ride with a Star Wars Theme.

You get to wear some 3D glasses and sit in a mini type cinema. Once strapped in you then board your StarSpeeder Spaceship piloted by C3PO as you Zoom & spin through the Universe on a not so smooth journey dodging other spacecraft.

While this is not a rollercoaster it does feel fast and I did have to grab my seat a couple of times.

Great fun but if you suffer from motion sickness then you may want to avoid this ride. 

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Crush’s Coaster

This breath taking ride based on the film Finding Nemo has you boarding a turtle shell (Crush) at Sydney Harbour. What starts out as a slow moving ride soon turns into a fast paced ride as you ride the waves with Crush along the East Australia Current (EAC).

You will spin backwards and forwards all in the dark and even get to meet Nemo in this wild ride.

One of the most popular rides at Disneyland Paris and the queue times show it.

See my tips on How To Spend Less Time In Queues and more time making memories.

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Best Family Rides at Disneyland Paris

In this section, I’ve selected the best family-friendly rides that everyone can enjoy together. Since these attractions have no height restrictions, even the youngest children can go on them. However, some rides like Pirates of the Caribbean might still feel a bit intense for little ones.

Pirates of the Caribbean

Step aboard a boat and set sail along the shores of a Caribbean island, where you’ll journey through detailed scenes showing the adventurous life of pirates. Along the way, you’ll pass through a bustling pirate town and a prison holding captured pirates.

One of the most thrilling moments of the ride features a dramatic attack on a seaside village complete with booming cannon fire, blazing buildings, and intense gunfights, all unfolding around you as your boat sails through the chaos.

Inspired by the original Pirates of the Caribbean attraction that debuted at Disneyland California in 1967, this ride is a timeless classic. The incredible animatronics and intricate details mean you’ll spot something new every time you experience it.

Be ready for a couple of small drops during the journey and prepare for a swashbuckling adventure you won’t forget.

A must-see attraction that delivers fun for all ages.

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Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast

Toy Story fans in particular will enjoy this ride, where you join Buzz Lightyear in his mission to defeat the evil Emperor Zurg. Aboard your Space Cruiser which you get to control with a joystick and use a laser blaster to shoot at targets and rack up points. Your aim is to get as many points as possible and beat the person next to you.

Great fun and very competitive. One of the best family rides at Disneyland Paris.

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Cars Road Trip

Boarding a studio tram this tour will make several stops taking you around scenes from the Pixar Film Cars. You will meet Lightning McQueen and Martin the old pick up, see Mater’s latest junkyard creations and experience Cars-tastrophe Canyon which is the best part of the ride in my opinion.

While it is not the most exciting ride at Disney it is definitely worth doing just for the amazing special effects in one scene and if you have kids that are obsessed with Cars then this is one ride not to be missed.

Quick tip – sit on the far left of the tram and you just might get splashed!

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Phantom Manor

Tucked away in a quiet corner of Frontierland, this spooky old Manor may look abandoned but don’t be fooled! It’s bursting with folk –  just not the living kind.

You start off in a walk through section of the house as you learn the dark story of Melanie Ravenswood who awaits her groom not realizing he has come to a horrible end. Next you’ll sit in a doombuggie and you’re taken around the manor house where you will encounter lots of spooky goings on. 

Expect moving walls, eerie music, pianos playing on their own and a large gathering of ghosts in the ballroom. One even gets very close to you.

A must do family ride although small children might find it too scary.

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Ratatouille: The Adventure

This is another one of my favourite rides and I especially love how this part of the park has been recreated to look like a beautiful Parisian street.

In this adventure, you hop into your ratmobile and shrink down to the size of a rat, joining Remy as you dash through the bustling kitchen of Gusteau’s famous restaurant. But things take a turn when the chef spots you and the chase is on!

As you race to escape, you’ll experience all the sights, smells, and sensations of the kitchen from the delicious aromas to the heat of the grill, and even a surprise splash or two!

A truly unique ride that everyone will enjoy.

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Spider-Man W.E.B. Adventure

The first time I went on this ride as a single rider and was expecting it to be similar to Buzz Lightyear ride so I was looking for a laser blaster but I didn’t realise how this ride works.

So you put on some 3D glasses and after watching the little boy next to me realised that you actually use your hands to sling webs to catch Spider-Bots just like Spider Man. 

Spider-Man WEB Adventure follows a similar concept to Buzz Lightyear where you compete to get the highest score in your group. It’s a hugely popular ride, often with long wait times, and Spider-Man fans will absolutely love it.

Personally, I still prefer Buzz Lightyear for now but with a bit more practice, this one might just win me over!

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Best Rides For Under 5’s at Disneyland Paris

There are plenty of rides at Disneyland Paris that under 5’s can enjoy, many of which don’t have any minimum height requirement. A large number of these rides are conveniently located in Fantasyland, making it an ideal spot for families with little ones. This means less walking back and forth across the park and perfect for saving those tired toddler legs!

It’s A Small World

I have to start this section with this Disney Classic ride. Dubbed the Happiest Cruise that ever Sailed. It’s a Small World takes you on a gentle boat ride through colourful and beautifully crafted scenes representing countries from all around the globe.

Hundreds of cheerful dolls sing the famously catchy It’s a Small World tune throughout the journey but don’t be surprised if you’re humming it for the rest of the day! 

It’s the perfect ride for young children, but I reckon everyone should experience this ride at least once.

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Dumbo – The Flying Elephant

Dumbo the Flying Elephant is another classic Disney attraction that’s a favourite among little ones. Kids and adults can climb into their own elephant, and once the ride begins, you control how high you soar using a lever. These elephants can fly up to 23 feet (7 meters), offering some fantastic views over Fantasyland.

It’s a must-do for toddlers, but to avoid long wait times, it’s best to ride early in the morning or later in the day.

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Casey Jr: The Circus Train/Story Book Canal Boats

I have grouped these two rides together because they’re located side by side in the park and feature the same enchanting scenes. You can choose between a relaxing canal boat journey or, if you’re after something with a bit more speed, hop aboard the circus train. The train is a great introduction to rollercoasters for toddlers, offering just the right amount of excitement.

Whichever option you go for—or even better, try both—you’ll travel through a charming fairytale landscape filled with scenes from beloved Disney classics. Along the way, you’ll spot familiar characters and settings like Aladdin, Rapunzel in her tower, Snow White, Belle, and many more.

You’ll find these rides tucked away at the back of Fantasyland, and they’re easy to miss so be sure to add them to your must-do ride list.

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Peter Pan’s Flight

Climb aboard a flying pirate ship and soar through the magical world of Peter Pan. Your journey begins in the Darling family’s nursery, then takes you high above a beautifully lit London at night, before whisking you away to Neverland, where you’ll encounter Captain Hook and his crew.

This ride truly captures the feeling of flying, lifting you quite high off the ground as you glide through the scenes. It’s a charming experience that brings the classic story to life in a magical way.

Definitely one ride not to be missed, queue times are always long but the wait is so worth it.

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To Sum Up The Best Rides At Disneyland Paris

And there you have it, the best rides at Disneyland Paris. Apologies for the lengthy post however there are so many incredible rides to choose from that narrowing down the best was not easy.

Of course I haven’t included every ride and there are plenty more worthy of a mention. Hopefully, though, this guide helps you plan your visit and make the most of your time in the parks.

Did your favourite ride make the list of best rides at Disneyland Paris?

Do you have questions about rides at Disneyland Paris such as Whether You Can Bring Bags On Rides or How The Parent Switch Works? I’ve got all the answers to 20 ride questions for you here.