Disneyland rides to skip and help you stick to the sweeter things in life.
I love Disneyland, but even being the fan that I am, I still have a short list of things that could be better and have created this what not to ride guide to help you decide what to skip.
Call me a party pooper, but I always manage to have a blast at Disneyland . . . there are just a few things I choose to avoid.
Remember this is all meant in good fun. If there’s something here you love, definitely go for it. You’ll see I update this article every once in a while and even change my mind on occasion. Here’s my “What Not To Ride” confession in no particular order.
Skip Disneyland’s Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage
When does this thing not have a huge line?
After you get in line, thinking it doesn’t look too bad, you find out even a short line takes forever and then you get to cram in to this tiny space with a bunch of stinky strangers, put your face into the germ filled window and look at underwater scenes all while breathing the same recycled air for 10+ minutes. Sounds delightful.
Poor Nemo is just gonna have to remain lost, because after another ride on the submarines summer of 2015, I’m keeping Nemo on the what not to ride list.
Do you love Nemo, Dory and all things under the sea? Dress up the family in coordinating Finding Dory and Finding Nemo outfits, then take a family photo in front of the Finding Nemo lagoon, complete with the “mine, mine, mine” birds in the background.
Be sure to snag the best Disneyland discount tickets around from our partner, Get Away Today before heading over to Disneyland Resort Plus, enjoy an extra $10 off when booking a hotel stay of two nights or more along with your discount Disneyland tickets! Get my promo code delivered to your inbox now.
Don’t Ride King Arthur Carrousel
I don’t mind riding the carrousel, and there are times when it comes in handy (like during Rider Switch).
But generally, my rule is to not do things at Disneyland that we could easily do somewhere else. However, if you’re a big Mary Poppins or Julie Andrews fan, you must take the chance to ride on her very own horse, Jingles.
I even let Jingles take a selfie with my phone because I love Julie Andrews and Mary Poppins that much.
Be ready to race to score a ride on Jingles, as many people love this horse just as much as you do!
Skip Disneyland Parades
I used to be totally anti-parades. To me, it meant prime riding time! But, it can serve as a well earned break. I now regularly make time in my schedule to watch Disneyland parades, seriously no one does it better!
Read all about the Disneyland parades here, plus get free seating strategies! Now I even splurge for reserved seats at popular parades and shows, my mind has certainly been changed here.
Don’t Ride Disneyland’s Autopia
Anyone else have trouble turning the wheel on that dang car? I wonder if I got a lemon because it took all my might just to move the wheel a teeny bit. The last time I went on it, I vowed not to ride again until my kids could drive me.
Skip Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island
Skip This at Disneyland
Here’s a few more things most people skip during their first few visits to Disneyland.
Main Street Vehicles (unless it’s your 5th day at Disneyland and you simply need a break) and Disneyland Railroad (unless you have a tired hubby, because you woke him at 5:30am to open the park and this is all he can manage to stay sane).
I love Tom Sawyer Island for little ones. It isn’t usually crowded so they can just run and play. I usually stand on one side of the island and someone else on the other side. No matter where our child (now 5 year old) pops out someone is there to see. When my daughter was 1 1/2 we took her out there. She ran laps around that island. She was so excited to not have to be in the stroller, having someone holding her hand or the leash attached to her backpack. Our last trip there our son was almost 2 and he thought it was the best “running away” from his auntie giggling. Definitely a place I can worry a little less while they run some energy off.
This is exactly what Tom Sawyer Island is made for! I love that you’re able to enjoy it this way with your little one.
I love taking the train…gets me off my feet for a rest…always take the train to New Orleans square…our first stop and favorite land at Disneyland parks…plus….I don’t get shoved and stepped on while everyone else is racing to adventureland. Then we hit pirates, haunted mansion and splash mountain. By then we are ready for lunch. I am not a fan of Tomorrowland….leave me in New Orleans square with the babies! Btw…they have updated the train ride as well as the Matterhorn…Matterhorn is still rickety, one ride per vacation is all I can do. But I love what they did with the yeti.
I actually prefer to skip the Matterhorn. It’s so rickety and kills my neck and back. If it was smoother, I’d be all over it. I haven’t done the Sub since I was a kid but it is on my list of things to do next time I’m back in the park.
Matterhorn is borderline for me. I have to mentally prep myself for the violent twists and turns. I agree, wish it were smoother. And I’d definitely do the subs if it has been that long. I do them once in a blue moon myself :).
I got stuck on Nemo for 5 extra minutes with my newborn and I swear I almost had a panic attack. The only thing that kept me together was a kid chatting along next to me.
Never ever again.
Talk about a panic attack! Ugh Katie, I’m getting all nervous just thinking about a situation like that. I’m in total agreement.
As the ultimate Disney fan I think every ride has something unique and magical to offer, I can’t think of one ride that I would say no to.
Way to go Keiley! Love the magic you bring. If you can’t name one you wouldn’t ride, what would you say is your favorite on this list that in your opinion should be removed from the what not to ride list?
Storybook land canal boat is another one that I skip. It is a very cute ride but once is enough for me.
I agree, Cailah. An adorable ride but it’s not one I need to experience often. Plus, we always seem to miss it because it closes when parade routes are set up until long after parades end. Good call!
Oh how I wish Country Bear Jamboree was still there. That was always one of my favorites when I was a kid. I would have really liked to take my girls to see it too.
And I totally agree with everything you said about that Nemo ride. We always skip that.
Country Bear Jamboree! So classic! I think that’s one thing that keeps pulling us back, we want our kids to experience all the things we loved when we were little. Glad you got my back on Nemo. 🙂
I used to love the Nemo ride, but they have made it more entertaining since this article was written…so I would still ride it now.
Hi Claire! I update all our articles on a continuous basis. I agree that Nemo can be entertaining. The thing I dislike most about it is the small space and that it’s quite long which can be both a positive and a negative depending on the company and time of day lol! Thanks for your input :).
What not to ride @ Disneyland: Flying dumbo, spinning tea cups, The mad hatter ride=whiplash! Too rough for elderly & young children! Have they offered meals/food for Gluten Free intolerance people yet? I had a tough time finding food I could eat. Had to leave the park to eat. Back in 2001
Hey Melody! Those spinning rides aren’t for everyone that’s for sure. But yes, tons more options for gluten free. You can check out all their menus online in advance and when you’re there, speak to any greeter at restaurants to let them know you’re looking for gluten free options. You’ll be quite surprised I’m sure. I’ll add this to my to-do list as well and be sure to keep you posted when I have an article about gluten free eating at Disneyland.
Walt adored trains. I feel like he would be heartbroken if gueats viewed them as a “skip” because they were such an integral part of his original idea for the park. I love riding them and get filled with such a sense of excitement at circling the park in its entirety. I feel the same way about IASW. That ride holds a special place in so many hearts because of its significance to the park’s history and Walt’s legacy. I would never EVER skip this ride on a trip to Disneyland. In fact, I often ride it twice. What a beautiful message for children to embrace and such a fun ride with a new experience each time! I’ve been on it over 50 times since I was a child and I still notice something new and creative each ride. Certain aspects of the park are just so darn special, and these two attractions are at the top of the list.
I love your insight and appreciate the comment. There truly is something at Disneyland for everyone. Have you had a chance to visit the Carolwood Barn at Griffith Park in Los Angeles? It’s the barn from Walt’s old home where he spent his time creating the railroad that ran through his backyard. Wonderful Disney artifacts there. I’ll be writing a piece about that later this year. Again, thanks for the comment. I always appreciate hearing from readers.
Oh how I would love to visit that! Our next trip is to World, but when I venture back to Cali I will be sure to see that! Tears will surely be shed. Thank you for the info!
I’ll be sure to let you know when that article is published! Enjoy your next trip to Walt Disney World :).
I’m not a huge Winnie the Pooh fan but me and my 3 year old liked it, actually I think it was one of her favorites. Disneyland is such a different experience when u take preschoolers, lol, first time in my life I went to Disneyland and not go on pirates ????
I love that Winnie the Pooh often doesn’t have a wait. That’s the good thing about that ride with a little one. But missing Pirates? That’s tough! It’s almost like you didn’t go to Disneyland if you don’t go on Pirates, lol. Thanks for sharing Ciara and be sure to check out our Toddlers at Disneyland post, maybe you can share some things you’ve learned with us there too!
Snow White is on my do not ride list. I remember getting off with my daughter on her first ride through it and at the end she said “that’s it?”. We love anything princess but that ride is underwhelming.
I thought you were going to say she was crying after getting off, Snow White is a bit scary! Those Fantasyland dark rides are short, especially when you wait 30+ minutes for Peter Pan and it’s over in the blink of an eye.
I’d agree with most of these except for the railroad. I’m a big fan of the Disneyland version and enjoy the break.
I think I’m in the minority here :). My husband loves the Railroad too because it makes me slow down for a bit.
It's a small world – I know this appears to be millions of peoples favourite ride but for me and my family it was definitely one of the worst and we'd never want to go on it again!
I hear ya, Penny- I think this is a love it or hate it type of attraction. Good thing there's so many other things to love about Disneyland 🙂
I agree with lots of these, but I do LOVE the parades! Submarines. Not a fan!!!!!!!!!!!
For some reason, reader Megan's comment got deleted after I already approved it. Since the comment is still in my inbox…Megan said, For me? The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh attraction. Sorry, I normally think Pooh Bear is just swell, but that attraction makes me so sad! They nixed Country Bear Jamboree Playhouse (which was a pretty unique and cute show, if I do say so!) for THIS?? The only cool thing in that entire attraction is that you can still see the mounted heads of Buff, Melvin, and Max if you know the right place to look while riding through Pooh. The sour icing on this bitter cake is the cheesy flat cut-out "artwork" at the end…just some mediocre painted scenes of Pooh and pals (minus Eeyore, what's that all about??). So there.
Ahh, Winnie the Pooh! They certainly could have done better on that one! Thanks for the comment, Megan!