Every Disneyland Paris ride compared, to help you find yours

Nothing beats roller coasters for thrills: steep drops, sharp turns, and on some of them, upside-down inversions. The famous ones at Disneyland Paris are Big Thunder Mountain, Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril, Crush’s Coaster, and Avengers Assemble: Flight Force. Built first and foremost for fans of speed and adrenaline, they’re still the rides everyone wants to get on in both parks.

A half-pipe coaster rocks forward and backward along a U-shaped track, just like a skateboard half-pipe. Disneyland Paris has RC Racer, in the Toy Story area. It’s a quick ride, but steep and intense, with a lot of thrill squeezed into a small footprint.

Drop towers haul you up high before letting you go in free fall, with that famous stomach-dropping feeling. At Disneyland Paris, these are The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and Toy Soldiers Parachute Drop. Meant 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 in 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, though a few can frighten younger kids (Phantom Manor, the Snow White ride).

Interactive dark rides turn the ride into a game: 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’re a hit with kids and with adults who get competitive about their score.

Simulators pair a moving cabin with a big screen to create the illusion of motion without actually going anywhere. At Disneyland Paris, that’s Star Tours: The Adventures Continue, a 3D trip through the Star Wars universe. Immersive on screen but gentle on the jolts, they suit a wide audience.

Boat rides are relaxed trips aboard a boat that follows a canal. 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 work for every age, from toddlers to grandparents.

The carousel is the traditional ride with wooden horses, gentle and spinning. At Disneyland Paris, it’s Le Carrousel de Lancelot, at the foot of the castle. A safe bet for little ones, usually with a short wait.

Flat rides spin or rise gently on a fixed base. At Disneyland Paris: Orbitron, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, and Les Tapis Volants. Family-friendly and fine from a very young age, they’re still among kids’ favorites.

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

Caterpillar rides are small coasters designed for kids, 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 build up younger kids’ confidence before the real roller coasters.

On car rides, you get to steer a car that runs along a guide rail on the ground. Disneyland Paris has Autopia, over in Discoveryland. Kids love the thrill of driving, and the setting has a retro-futuristic look.

Transportation rides are attractions that double as a way to get around the park. At Disneyland Paris: Disneyland Railroad (the steam train that circles the park), Main Street Vehicles, Horse-Drawn Streetcars, and Thunder Mesa Riverboat. Handy for resting your legs, they often give you a nice view over the lands.

With walk-through attractions, you’re on foot, going at whatever pace suits you, with no ride vehicle and no line to wait in. The ones 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. Great when you need a calm breather, they’re made for curious minds who enjoy taking it slow.

Shooting galleries are old-school target stands, separate from the regular rides. At Disneyland Paris, that’s Rustler Roundup Shootin’ Gallery, in Frontierland. A playful break between two rides, loved by kids and Old West fans alike.

Play areas are free-play spaces where kids can burn off some energy. At Disneyland Paris: Pirates’ Beach and Frontierland Playground. No line and open to all, they’re perfect for a midday break.