12 Scariest Disneyland Rides
Disneyland is renowned as “The Happiest Place on Earth”, a magical realm where dreams come alive and joy abounds. However, amidst the whimsical attractions and enchanting experiences, there lurk rides that possess an undeniable element of fright. From heart-pounding roller coasters to haunting dark rides, these attractions challenge even the bravest of souls.
Prepare to confront your fears as we unveil the 12 scariest rides at Disneyland, where thrills and chills intertwine. Brace yourself for an adrenaline-fueled journey through the park’s most intense offerings, where the line between excitement and terror blurs. We’ll answer the question, “what is the scariest ride at Disneyland?”! Embark on this daring adventure, but be warned – these rides are not for the faint of heart.
What are the Scariest Rides at Disneyland Resort?
Incredicoaster
This roller coaster at Disney California Adventure Park includes an upside-down loop, steep hills, and three tunnels. In fact, this is the only ride at the park with an inversion.
The ride can also reach high speeds of 89km/hour, making it the fastest in the park. It reaches this speed in no more than 4.5 seconds. The duration of the ride is a little more than two and a half minutes.
The Incredicoaster ride includes a humorous storyline that features all the members of the Parr family, including Edna Mode. Although it is scary, it is definitely worth a try!
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
This mining-themed coaster can reach a max speed of 58km/hour and has a total duration of about three minutes.
Many little kids claim that Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is the scariest ride at the park, because of its frequent and sometimes unexpected drops. It is a fast roller coaster that is designed for both younger children and adults.
Some parts of this classic ride are very bumpy and take place in utter darkness, which can take your thrill to a whole new level. Would you consider this the scariest ride at Disneyland? Let us know in the comments!
Space Mountain
You might be wondering, what’s the scariest ride at Disneyland? Some might consider Space Mountain! Although this family-friendly thrill ride does not include crazy drops or loops that are too intense, it does take place entirely in the dark (AKA outer space). When you can’t see anything, your senses are heightened, which makes this ride that much scarier.
Especially for younger riders, this roller coaster’s speed and jerkiness might be overwhelming. It can reach a top speed of 45km/hour and the duration of the ride is about three minutes.
Matterhorn Bobsleds
Don’t let the water fall fool you, this coaster is designed and built to resemble the steep and jagged Swiss Alps. This thrill ride is also the world’s first tubular steel roller coaster.
You will ascend 80 feet up the side of the mountain into an icy cave. On your way down, you will dip in and out of caves, speed along jagged ledges and ride underneath bridges and waterfalls. Finally, at the end of the ride, you will splash into an alpine lake.
This bobsled ride has a duration of two minutes and has a top speed of 43km/hour.
Grizzly River Run
It’s all in the title, people, this ride is grizzly! The ride carries its passengers up a 275 feet climb. At the top of the mountain, your raft will be tossed around and spun by the white water rapids and currents. You will also experience a few big drops on the way down, which will be sure to leave you sopping wet.
This ride can get very bumpy and chaotic, making it crucial that you stay strapped in at all times. Overall, the Grizzly River Run excursion lasts a whole six minutes.
Radiator Springs Racers
Located in Cars Land, this coaster in Disney California Adventure Park is based on the movie Cars. The ride takes you on a journey through Radiator Springs and over the Cadillac Range Mountains.
Although there aren’t many huge drops on this ride, the speed of it can definitely get your blood pumping. This attraction is one of the fastest attractions in the park – it reaches a max speed of 64km/hour. There are also quite a few sharp corners that can cause you to jerk around in your seat. The total duration of the Radiator Springs Racers ride is about four minutes.
Indiana Jones Adventure
Don’t let the snakes, skeletons, fire, and lava scare you…ok do! This Disneyland attraction takes you through the Temple of the Forbidden Eye, past the Gates of Doom, a lava pit, mummies, giant snakes, and a boulder that rolls straight towards you.
This thrill ride is not known for its speed – The ride reaches a top speed of just 23km/hour and lasts about three minutes. However, it is a very complex attraction that features many sudden drops and turns.
The scary factor of the Indiana Jones Adventure comes from the creepy and realistic-looking special effects and props. Could this be the scariest ride at Disneyland?? Keep reading to find out more!
Guardians of the Galaxy - Mission: Breakout
Formerly the Tower of Terror, this Marvel-themed attraction at Disney California Adventure Park lifts its passengers to the top of a thirteen-story tower that measures around 183 feet. Once you reach the top, the platform plummets down, bringing you with it.
Although this ride only lasts two minutes, it is packed with thrilling free-fall and adrenaline-inducing drops. You will be dropped 130 feet from the top of the tower at a speed of 63km/hour. Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: Breakout is definitely one of the scariest rides Disneyland has to offer, you just get use to those drops!
Snow White's Enchanted Wish
While it may seem dopey (pun intended), this ride just gives off some creepy vibes! Snow White’s Enchanted Wish at Disneyland can be considered a scary ride due to its dark and suspenseful scenes, including the Evil Queen’s terrifying transformation into an old witch, ominous music, and jump scares. While toned down from its previous iteration, the ride still retains an element of fright that may unsettle some guests, especially younger children. Remember, the old ride actually had the word, “scary” in it!
Haunted Mansion
The Haunted Mansion at Disneyland is renowned for its eerie atmosphere and spine-chilling thrills. From the moment guests enter the foreboding mansion, they are enveloped in an aura of mystery and dread. Haunting music, ghostly apparitions, and sudden jump scares lurk around every corner, leaving visitors on edge. The ride’s dark corridors and unsettling special effects, coupled with the lingering fear of being followed home by a spectral presence, make the Haunted Mansion a truly terrifying experience. The name of the ride does have, “haunted” in it, so it’s got to be scary…right?
Pirates of the Caribbean
Pirates of the Caribbean can certainly be considered at scary ride! It’s dark, loud, and you may just get wet! This ride also involves terrifying special effects and props.
Pirates shoot fake guns right at you, creepy, disembodied voices fill the room, and you will see a fair share of skeletons lying around. The beginning of the ride also takes place in complete darkness and features two small drops.
This is one of the longest Disneyland attractions – it lasts a whole 16 minutes. Your cart will only reach a top speed of 4.8km/hour.
Mr. Toad's Wild Ride
A lot of this ride takes place in the dark. The storyline of the attraction is also creepy – it is based on The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad.
The ride involves plenty of jerky movements and loud noises. You will encounter devils, a demon, and an oversized dragon. It also includes a collision and, to top it all off, the ride ends in Hell. Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride definitely deserves to be mentioned on this list!
Disneyland Scariest Rides Frequently Asked Questions
What is considered the scariest ride at Disneyland?
The Incredicoaster at Disney California Adventure Park is widely regarded as one of the scariest rides at the Disneyland Resort. Its intense launch from 0 to 55 mph in 4 seconds, inversion loop, steep drops of up to 108 feet, darkness, and unpredictable maneuvers make it a thrilling yet terrifying experience for many riders.
Is Space Mountain a scary ride at Disneyland?
Yes, Space Mountain is often listed among the scariest rides at Disneyland. While it doesn’t have large drops, the complete darkness, high speeds, sharp turns, and the potential fear of decapitation due to the tight confines can make it a frightening experience for some riders.
What makes the Haunted Mansion scary?
The Haunted Mansion’s eerie atmosphere, with its haunting music, ghostly apparitions, and jump scares, can be unsettling for some guests, especially younger children. The ride’s dark corridors, creepy special effects, and the idea of being followed home by a ghost can contribute to the overall sense of fear.
Is Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride considered scary?
Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride is often cited as one of the scariest rides at Disneyland, particularly for children. The ride’s dark environment, sudden temperature changes, and the final scene depicting a plywood version of hell with fiery backdrops and horned devils can be quite frightening for young riders.
What makes Snow White’s Enchanted Wish scary?
While the recent reimagining of Snow White’s Enchanted Wish has toned down some of the scarier elements, the ride still features a few potentially frightening moments. These include the Evil Queen’s sudden transformation into an old cackling witch, suspenseful music, ominous vultures, and the witch’s appearance with a poisoned apple for Snow White.
Are there any other unexpectedly scary rides at Disneyland?
Some rides that may not seem overtly scary but can still frighten some guests include Pinocchio’s Daring Journey (with its menacing Stromboli figure and giant birdcage), Pirates of the Caribbean (with its drops, skeletons, and burning town scene), and Indiana Jones Adventure (with its intense special effects and jump scares).
Final Thoughts
While Disneyland prides itself as a happy place, it undoubtedly offers thrilling experiences that cater to adrenaline junkies and those seeking a dose of fright. From the intense launches and inversions of Incredicoaster to the haunting corridors of the Haunted Mansion, these rides challenge even the bravest souls.
Space Mountain’s relentless darkness, Mr. Toad’s unsettling depiction of hell, and the suspenseful scenes of Snow White’s Enchanted Wish contribute to the park’s repertoire of fear-inducing attractions. While not for the faint of heart, these rides provide an exhilarating escape from the ordinary, reminding us that a touch of terror can sometimes enhance the magic. What would you consider the scariest ride at Disneyland California? Let us know in the comments!
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