Every Disneyland Paris ride compared, to find yours

Rollercoasters are the ultimate thrill rides, with drops, tight turns and sometimes inversions. At Disneyland Paris, the best known are Big Thunder Mountain, Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril, Crush’s Coaster and Avengers Assemble: Flight Force. They’re mainly for fans of speed and adrenaline and remain the most popular rides in both parks.

A half-pipe coaster swings back and forth on a U-shaped track, like a skateboard half-pipe. At Disneyland Paris, that’s RC Racer, in the Toy Story world. Short but vertical and intense, it packs big thrills into a very compact ride.

Drop towers lift you high up before letting you go in free fall, with that famous stomach-lurching feeling. At Disneyland Paris, they’re The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop. Best kept for thrill seekers, they also give you a view over the park on the way up (on Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop).

Dark rides are indoor rides on board a vehicle that tell a story through sets, effects and music. At Disneyland Paris: Peter Pan’s Flight, Blanche-Neige et les Sept Nains, Les Voyages de Pinocchio, Phantom Manor and Ratatouille. Very immersive and suitable for almost everyone, some can still frighten younger children (Phantom Manor, Snow White).

Interactive dark rides add a game to the ride: you aim at targets with a blaster (or something similar) and rack up points. At Disneyland Paris: Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast and Spider-Man W.E.B. Adventure. Fun and family-friendly, they appeal as much to children as to adults who get competitive about their score.

Simulators combine a moving cabin and a big screen to create the illusion of movement without really going anywhere. At Disneyland Paris, that’s Star Tours: The Adventures Continue, a 3D journey through the Star Wars world. Immersive on screen but gentle on the bumps, they suit a wide audience.

Boat rides are gentle journeys on board a boat that follows a channel. At Disneyland Paris: Pirates of the Caribbean, "it’s a small world", Le Pays des Contes de Fées and Frozen Ever After. Calm and family-friendly, they suit all ages, from toddlers to grandparents.

The carousel is the traditional merry-go-round with wooden horses, gentle and turning. At Disneyland Paris, that’s Le Carrousel de Lancelot, at the foot of the castle. A safe bet for toddlers, usually with a short queue.

Flat rides are rides that spin or rise gently on a fixed base. At Disneyland Paris, that means Orbitron, Dumbo the Flying Elephant and Les Tapis Volants. Family-friendly and suitable from a very young age, they remain some of children’s favourites.

Spinning rides have vehicles that spin around, sometimes under your control. At Disneyland Paris: Mad Hatter’s Tea Cups, Raiponce Tangled Spin and Cars Quatre Roues Rallye. Fun in a group, they’re best avoided if you suffer from motion sickness.

Caterpillar rides are small coasters designed for children, gentle and not very high. At Disneyland Paris: Casey Jr. - le Petit Train du Cirque and Slinky Dog Zigzag Spin. Perfect for a first taste of thrills, they reassure younger children before the real rollercoasters.

Car rides put you behind the wheel of a car that follows a track on the ground. At Disneyland Paris, that’s Autopia, in Discoveryland. The joy of driving for children, in a retro-futuristic setting.

Transport rides are attractions that also get you around the park. At Disneyland Paris: Disneyland Railroad (the steam train that goes round the park), Main Street Vehicles, Horse-Drawn Streetcars and Thunder Mesa Riverboat. Handy for resting your legs, they often give you a lovely view over the lands.

Walkthroughs are attractions you explore on foot, at your own pace, with no vehicle and no queue. At Disneyland Paris: Adventure Isle, La Cabane des Robinson, Alice’s Curious Labyrinth, Les Mystères du Nautilus, La Tanière du Dragon and Sleeping Beauty Castle. Ideal for a quiet break, they appeal to curious visitors who like to take their time.

Shooting galleries are old-style target stalls, separate from the classic attractions. At Disneyland Paris, that’s Rustler Roundup Shootin’ Gallery, in Frontierland. A fun break between two rides, loved by children and anyone nostalgic for the Wild West.

Play areas are free play spaces where children can let off steam. At Disneyland Paris: Pirates’ Beach and Frontierland Playground. No queue and open access, they’re perfect for a break in the middle of the day.