Disneyland roller coasters for kids! Is your kid ready for Disneyland Roller Coasters? Let’s find out!
Disneyland Roller Coasters for Kids
If you’re taking your kid to Disneyland for the first time, or maybe the first time since they’ve grown tall enough to ride, you may be wondering how to ease them into the Disneyland roller coasters scene.
The best Disneyland roller coasters for kids are Chip ‘n’ Dale’s GADGETcoaster, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Star Tours, depending on your child’s age, height, and tolerance for speed, darkness, and loud effects. Start with non-coaster thrill rides like The Many Adventure of Winnie the Pooh and Pirates of the Caribbean to gauge readiness before moving on to faster attractions.
I’ve put together a list of rides to master first before heading to the top dogs so your child can have a magical, memorable Disneyland trip and not a terrifying one.
This article was first published in 2021 but receives regular updates so you get current advice you can trust.
Try Before Roller Coasters
Before introducing your child to Disneyland roller coasters, I recommend testing their comfort level with darkness, loud sounds, sudden movement, and small drops. These attractions help parents assess readiness without committing to a full roller coaster experience.
Test Roller Coaster Readiness
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (Any Height)
Yes, this is a kid ride. But there are many rides at Disneyland aimed toward children that can still be a bit frightening. Try Winnie the Pooh and make sure your child is comfortable with sudden loud sounds and visual effects (looking at you heffalumps and woozles).
Pirates of the Caribbean (Any Height)
Pirates is a dark, soothing ride. Many babies often fall asleep in arms on this one. But during that toddler era, kids might temporarily be afraid of the dark elements and characters.
This ride includes two small drops in the dark, along with of course, pirates. If your child enjoys this attraction and is not scared by the drops, you’re moving in the right direction.
Best Thrill Rides by Age
Age doesn’t always equal height or readiness, but this should give you an idea on the order of rides to introduce kids to Disneyland roller coasters.
Ages 2-4 and Up
Here are a couple of roller coaster style rides for young kids, after you’ve warmed them up with some other Disneyland attractions.
Chip ‘n’ Dale’s GADGETcoaster (35″ or taller)
I’ve taken plenty of 2 year olds, who are tall enough, on this ride. It’s adorable and cute to see how they handle this 44 second thrill. I also love that the entire coaster it outside and visible so kids can see it before they go on.
Another tip—have a parent or another person in your party stand in the queue (let people pass) so you can get the best visual and video of your little one as they take that first turn on this mighty little coaster.
I also highly recommend trying this earlier in the day when the lines are the shortest back in Mickey’s Toontown.
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run (38″ or taller)
Most 3 or 4 year olds hit the 38 inch mark which makes them eligible for Millennium Falcon. This “video game” type of simulator ride does actually operate and change with the captains movements.
Pilots sit in the front row, which makes it easier for little ones to see the screen but I personally recommend having kids try the Gunner role in the middle. If you child needs a bit of assistance, sit across from or behind the Gunner (as another Gunner or an Engineer).
Here’s everything you need to know about riding and operating the Falcon at Disneyland.
Ages 4-6 and Up
Now we’re getting into bigger things at Disneyland with taller kids and some who are ready to step into the new zone. Don’t forget to warm them up with the Disneyland attractions listed in the younger age category, all the rides are still thrilling even if you’re a “big kid.”
Star Tours – The Adventure Continues (40″ or taller)
This simulator attractions mimics the feeling of fast movement, drops and turns. But you can sit right next to your child and hold their hand along the way. Be warned, many adults experience motion sickness on Star Tours.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (40″ or taller)
I love this roller coaster and it’s consistently one of my readers’ favorite attractions. I think it gives you just enough without going off the rails.
Big Thunder is an outdoor coaster, so you can see some of the ride from the pathway that connects Fantasyland to Frontierland. There are some loud sounds in the dark tunnel during part of the ride.
We love riding this during the day time and then grabbing a Lightning Lane to use for a second ride at night. Simply magical!
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure (40″ or taller)
While I don’t consider this a thrill ride, it does have that huge drop that some kids might find too scary. You can take a look at the drop on the way up to the ride if you’re passing via the Haunted Mansion route.
Space Mountain (40″ or taller)
I think most people agree this is the top dog of roller coasters at Disneyland when considering thrill level. Most kids will be tall enough to ride by 3 or 4years old, surprisingly enough. But they may not be ready for it, which is why I placed Space Mountain later in this section.
The reasons for the upped thrill level is because Space Mountain is completely in the dark and has those classic drop and twist elements of most roller coasters.
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance (40″ or taller)
This ride is beautifully themed, tons of fun and combines so many aspects of a thrilling coaster-type ride. It’s fast, it’s smooth, it’s immersive and surprising.
Remember that while you’re in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, there’s alway a chance the First Order will show up. And they are ALWAYS in character. Be sure your child is ready for the ride and also ready to be captured and play the roll as needed.
Ages 6 and Up
Matterhorn Bobsleds (42″ or taller)
I placed this attraction toward the end because of the abominable snow man. They jump out and roar throughout the ride. Prepare your kids for that before boarding. It’s also less scary during daylight.
Indiana Jones Adventure (46″ or taller)
This quick moving ride has the tallest height requirement in Disneyland Park. Children are usually mentally ready for this ride before their height catches up. It’s one of those Disneyland milestones we always celebrate when one finally reaches the mark. child
There aren’t any huge drops on this attraction but the music and theming may be scary to some children. And if you just miss the mark you might get lucky and get a special pass to come back on the future trip.
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What do you think about the order I put these in? How do you introduce your kids to Disneyland roller coasters?
I will start off by saying, barely meeting a minimum height requirement doesn’t necessarily mean a good time for the child. You are right not to throw attractions like Splash Mountain and Space Mountain at them as soon as they hit 40 inches. I would mention not only coasters and thrill rides, but dark rides as well. I’ve seen small children come off of Mr Toad’s Wild Ride, Pinocchio’s Daring Journey and Snow White’s Enchanted Wish in tears, more so than Haunted Mansion; albeit some cry through Haunted Mansion too. I will say it’s nowhere near as scary as many of the walk through attractions that pop up all over the country in October.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad it should also be mentioned that a couple of tunnels plunge you into total darkness. The Indiana Jones Adventure does this too alongside intense special effects. For Splash Mountain I would mention not only the drop but some small children do not like to be splashed with water, especially in their clothes.
I’m surprised that you didn’t mention the coasters over at California Adventure for when the kids are really getting tall enough. First there’s Goofy’s Sky School; which is a themed mad mouse. It has intense turns and punchy drops. Then of course there’s the Incredicoaster. It of course features big drops and a loop the loop. It’s a wild ride for anybody, though it’s certainly not as crazy as some of those found around the corner and down the street at Knotts, or better yet those up the road at Magic Mountain.
Not sure if I can still ask a question but have sent you an email Jessica!
Took my daughter and niece (age 10 and 8) on Splash Mountain for the first time when it was dark (no lines!) and they were both traumatised. They were scared from the very first little drop. But Space Mountain they were absolutely fine with!
It’s so interesting, one of my daughters is totally fine with Space as well and then cried on Radiator Springs Racers! I feel like it’s something to do with being in the dark and not seeing what’s coming. Either way, I’m glad I included Splash Mountain on the list!
This is great! It’s hard to know how well kids will do on roller coasters. This is a great guide to help us decide if our kids are ready. I needed it when my kids were a little younger though 🙂 I agree Splash mountain can be scary for some kids. I love it, but get anxiety waiting for that big drop at the end. lol
Glad to hear you agree that Splash Mountain deserves a spot in this list. Sometimes we adults forget how scary something so fun can be to our little ones!