5) Matterhorn Bobsleds
Opening on June 14th, 1959, the Matterhorn Bobsleds is now seen as a staple attraction of Disneyland. As the first tubular steel continuous track roller coaster, the Matterhorn Bobsleds is a prime example of Walt Disney Imagineering ingenuity. Although it only reaches 27 miles per hour, the tight turns make this attraction feel like it is going a lot faster than it actually is. The quick turns aren’t the only thing thrill seekers will enjoy about this ride; there is also an Abominable Snowman that is chasing you down the mountain. Recently, the Abominable Snowman audio animatronic has been modernized with better technology that makes the creature seem more lifelike. I will warn these tight turns can be a little jerky, and unforgiving on a bad back. That being said, overall it is a classic attraction that all fans of Disneyland must ride at least once if they can.
4) Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Forbidden Eye
Featured in Adventureland is Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Forbidden Eye. This is an enhanced motion vehicle dark ride that lets you, the guest, jump aboard a rugged transportation vehicle on a journey through a lost temple. It is certainly a bumpy ride, so hold on to your hats and glasses. The size and scope of the inside of this attraction is huge. You cross dangerous bridges over lava and past giant snakes. The whole ride is a huge adventure! Like the Matterhorn Bobsled attraction, the top speed of Indiana Jones Adventure is also surprisingly not that fast, reaching only 22 miles per hour, yet because of the twists and turns and bumpy ride, the attraction is still extremely thrilling!
3) Mickey’s Fun Wheel: Swinging Gondolas
For those that are afraid of heights, Mickey’s Fun Wheel might be the most terrifying attraction in all of the Disneyland Resort. The 160-foot tall ferris wheel at Disney California Adventure has 16 of its 24 gondolas that swing as the ferris wheel rotates. The reason this attraction is so thrilling is the combination of three things: how high up you are, how much you are swinging, and how long the attraction is. Unlike a roller coaster that last for two or three minutes, these swinging gondolas take nine minutes to finish a full rotation.
2) Hyperspace Mountain
Calling all Star Wars fans, if you have not been on Hyperspace Mountain you need to book a trip to Disneyland as soon as possible. Space Mountain is a classic Disney attraction. I was worried when I heard that there was going to be a Star Wars overlay on such a timeless attraction. I was very wrong. Hyperspace Mountain puts the guest in the middle of a battle in the Star Wars universe. The overlay keeps all the things I love about the traditional attraction, and add so much more excitement! With Star Wars Land opening in a few years, I doubt Hyperspace Mountain will remain themed this way, but I really hope it isn’t changed. Thrill seekers will love the quick drops and turns just like the original attraction, and they will love it even more with this new overlay!
1) California Screamin’
This might look like an old-time wooden roller coaster, but California Screamin’ is actually a steel roller coaster that reaches 55 miles per hour! Thrill seekers will love being launched off from zero miles per hour to its maximum speed in only four seconds. On top of it all, California Screamin’ is the longest ride with a loop in the world! Disneyland gets a bad rep for having only rides for little kids; I don’t think those people have been on California Screamin’. There is no doubt in my mind that this is the best attraction in Disneyland Resort for thrill seekers!
