The best rides at Disneyland Paris: Julie’s top picks

If you ask me for the best ride at Disneyland Paris, I’ll say Big Thunder Mountain without a second thought. It’s always been my favourite in the park. Just behind, I put Frozen Ever After (the new ride in World of Frozen) and Crush’s Coaster.

What follows isn’t a neutral list: it’s my personal top 10, in order, rides tried and re-ranked over my visits. It includes big thrills, family rides and a few quieter favourites.

For each one, I give you the land, the park, why I love it and a detail people love to know. When a ride has a height restriction, I point you to the height restrictions guide.

Before the details, here’s how I sort my top 10 according to what you’re looking for. Same rides, grouped by need:

• Big thrills: Big Thunder Mountain, Crush’s Coaster.
• With young kids, no thrills: Frozen Ever After, Pirates of the Caribbean, Peter Pan’s Flight, Disneyland Railroad, Ratatouille.
• When it rains or you need a breather: Disneyland Railroad, Phantom Manor, Ratatouille, Pirates of the Caribbean (all under cover).
• First if you’re short on time: Big Thunder Mountain (at park opening), Ratatouille, then Crush’s Coaster (ideally as a Single Rider).

My suggested order in the morning, at park opening: start with Big Thunder Mountain, that’s where you save the most time over the whole day.

Avoid Crush’s Coaster right at opening (everyone heads straight there and the queue explodes within minutes). Save it for a quieter moment or do it as a Single Rider. Then move on to Ratatouille, and keep the gentler rides (Pirates, Peter Pan and the Railroad) for the rest of the day.

Where: Disneyland Park, Frontierland.

It’s my favourite by far. The mine train races, dives and takes tight turns, but with no upside-down moments or big drops: for me it’s the ideal first real rollercoaster for families. You get the thrills without the paralysing fear.

The detail I love: it’s the longest version of Big Thunder in the world (1,205 m of track) and the only one built on an island. The train dives through tunnels under the water to reach the mountain, an effect you’ll only find in Paris. Remember to check the minimum height before taking younger children.

Where: Disney Adventure World, World of Frozen (opened 29 March 2026).

The big new ride in the second park, and a real success. It’s a boat ride through the world of Frozen, at the foot of Arendelle Castle.

What I love: the atmosphere of the Norwegian-style village recreated all around it, how smoothly the ride flows, the music (songs from the film) and the technology behind the animated characters, including a stunning Elsa. It’s family-friendly, suitable for the youngest, with no big thrills. It went straight into my top picks, in second place.

Where: Disney Adventure World, Finding Nemo.

The turtle-shell cars spin freely: you never see the turns coming. It starts as a gentle ride, then switches to a fast, whirling section in the dark. The sensations are truly different, I can’t think of anything else like it.

My honest reservation: only a few riders board at a time and the ride is very popular, so it often has the longest queue in the park, even on quiet days. I ride it at park opening or right at the end of the day. Plan for the height restriction (see the minimum heights).

Where: Disney Adventure World.

The idea is brilliant: you’re shrunk to the size of a rat and sent racing through Gusteau’s kitchen and restaurant. The vehicle moves with no visible track, with giant screens and 4D effects (water, smells, heat and cold). You completely believe it, the sets are rat-scale, so gigantic.

No minimum height: it’s a fully family-friendly ride, and I recommend it even with young children.

Where: Disneyland Park, Adventureland.

A boat ride through a pirate hideout, with richly detailed sets, animated scenes and a soundtrack I’m still humming on the way out. No big thrills, it’s family-friendly.

The fact that surprises everyone: this is the ride that inspired the film series, not the other way round. The Paris version is known for its queue and ride scenes, among the most polished in the world.

Where: Disneyland Park, Frontierland.

The park’s haunted house, which you ride through in Doom Buggies that move continuously (easy boarding on a moving walkway). The story revolves around Melanie Ravenswood, the cursed bride, with the exclusive Phantom Canyon scene you’ll only find in Paris.

It’s more unsettling than frightening: fine for little ones if the dark atmosphere doesn’t bother them. One of my favourite sets in the park, beautifully detailed from start to finish.

Where: Disneyland Park, Fantasyland.

You fly over London and then Neverland aboard a small suspended galleon. The feeling of flying above the sets is gentle and well done, true to the animated film. It’s a very calm ride, perfect for families.

My reservation: it’s in high demand all day and has one of the longest queues in the park. Aim for early morning or late evening.

Where: Disneyland Park, full loop of the park.

The steam train that circles Disneyland Park, with several stations (Main Street, Frontierland, Fantasyland, Discoveryland). Allow about 20 min for the full loop, with views down onto the lands, including the Grand Canyon Diorama. I like to sit on the scenery side and listen to the hiss of the steam: it’s my real break of the day.

A practical point I appreciate with family: you can easily board with a folded pushchair, and it’s an easy way to cross the park without walking. Perfect with young kids or when your feet are tired.

Where: Disney Adventure World, Avengers Campus.

An interactive ride where you sling webs with your own arms (the system detects your movements, no buttons or controllers) to catch the Spider-Bots, with a score at the end. The competitive side is great fun as a family: I always come out comparing scores, and you’ll want to go again to beat your record.

It’s the first ride at Disneyland Paris to offer on-board personalisation with WEB Tech accessories. Suitable for all ages.

Where: Disney Adventure World, Cars area.

A spinner set in Radiator Springs, but livelier than classic teacups: the cars slide and change direction unpredictably, like a little drift. It’s short but effective, and the surprise skid makes me smile every time.

Family-friendly and well themed thanks to the Cars setting: a good breather between two big rides.

Rides aren’t everything: shows matter just as much for a great day. My favourites: Disney Tales of Magic (the night-time show on the Disneyland Park castle), Disney Cascade of Lights (the night-time show at Disney Adventure World), Together: a Pixar Musical Adventure, Mickey and the Magician, The Lion King: Rhythms of the Pride Lands and Minnie’s Dream Factory.

I don’t go into detail here to keep the focus on rides: times, locations and my tips are in the shows guide.

A bonus that isn’t a ride but makes just as much of an impression, especially on kids: meeting Mickey in person, getting a photo and chatting for a moment. It’s often the No. 1 memory of a first trip.

To find out where and when to meet Mickey and the other characters, head to the meet and greets guide.

To plan your day and round off this ranking:

Height restrictions for rides

to see which ones your children can ride.

Disneyland Paris rides in numbers

lengths, speeds, opening dates and records.

Thrill rides

for thrill-seekers.

All the rides at Disneyland Paris

the full list, park by park.

The ride closures calendar

to check none of these rides is closed for refurbishment during your visit.