Complete list—all of Disneyland’s outdoor rides for lots of fresh air and plenty of Disney magic. This list includes every ride at Disneyland with both an outdoor queue, outdoor ride experience and how distant you can be during your ride.
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Quick Info on Outdoor Rides
There are plenty of outdoor things to do at Disneyland for the best vacation yet. As we return to Disney Parks many of us are wondering how to stay outdoors in the fresh air and still ride the attractions we love.
All attractions listed in this guide:
- have outdoor (sometimes covered or shaded) waiting areas.
- remain outside for the duration of the ride without going into an air-conditioned building (Matterhorn might be an exception to you).
There are plenty of Disneyland attractions that go both inside and outside, along with rides that lines include longer indoor queues—none of these are included in this list. Please see my complete Disneyland ride guide for a detailed description of every ride in the parks.
Quick stats for outdoor attractions:
- nearly 20 attractions for guests of all ages and heights
- six Disney MaxPass attractions, most of which are thrill rides (note MaxPass is not being offered at this time)
Outdoor Rides in Adventureland
Do you need a dose of Adventure? My favorite outdoor attraction in Adventureland is Jungle Cruise, especially at night. Little ones will also love exploring in Tarzan’s Treehouse. Here’s the breakdown on each of these Disneyland outdoor attractions along with social distancing practices.
Jungle Cruise. Any height can ride, including babies and pregnant women. The queue is outdoors and covered. You’ll be seated in a boat on benches and cargo boxes.
Enjoy some dry humor from your trusty skipper and tour of exotic locales, including the back side of water. Reopening July 2021.
Outdoor Rides in Fantasyland
Fantasyland is the magic of Disneyland you remember. It’s full of pixie dust, life and light. This is usually the first place families with little ones come and it’s one of those places you go back to again and again to feel the imagination of childhood.
Casey Jr. Circus Train. A ride for any height, including babies and pregnant women. You sit in a circus train or sleigh behind Casey Jr. up from the Disney classic, Dumbo 
.
Waiting for this ride is an an open air, sunny queue. It’s an excellent alternative to the Storybook Canal Boats with a quicker ride through Storybook Land past miniature versions of Disney castles and stories.
Each party will sit in their very own circus cage or sleigh which is a perfect set up for distancing. Just watch your head as you get in and out.
Dumbo the Flying Elephant. Visitors of all ages and heights have loved this classic for decades. A new shaded queue added in 2018 gives a nice break from the SoCal sun. Climb aboard Dumbo himself with various colors.
You’ll take flight with 2 or 3 people from your group for maximum personal space. Don’t forget to take in the unforgettable view of Fantasyland from the skies above!
King Arthur Carrousel. Anyone can ride after waiting in a shaded queue in Fantasyland. Hop on an ornate carrousel horse during your Disneyland vacation.
Parties can choose horses within one row, side by side for ideal social distancing.
Mad Tea Party (aka Teacups). So far every attraction listed in Disneyland’s best outdoor rides is available for guests of all ages and this one is no exception. The queue for Mad Tea Party is small but shaded.
Climb in a whimsical oversized tea cup, each party will have their own.
Storybook Land Canal Boats. Again here, any height can ride, including babies and pregnant women. This queue is outside in the sun or partial shade depending on the time of day.
You’ll cruise by scenes of miniature fairytales in a boat with possibly just your party or mixed with another.
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Matterhorn Bobsleds. This is the first attraction on our list with a height requirement. You must be 42 inches tall to ride. Outdoor queue is mostly covered, but can extend to the side of the ride with sun depending on the time of day.
Note this ride does go inside the mountain, but there are clear openings during most parts of the ride. It’s also not in a building so I felt like this should be included here, but I’ll let you make the final call.
You’ll ride in one of two attached bobsleds with your party so you can scream away when the yeti jumps out. Disney MaxPass ride.
Outdoor Rides in Frontierland
It’s the Wild West here in Frontierland but that doesn’t mean we can’t have fun all within our own bubble. Keep reading for more details.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Guests 40 inches and up can ride. The queue is outdoors with some covering. Jump in a runaway mine train venturing inside the abandoned Big Thunder Mining Company’s mine (short moments of being indoors, with outdoor air from large openings) from America’s Gold Rush.
Each seat holds 2-3 guests.
Outdoor Rides in Mickey’s Toontown
Well, there’s only one so of course it’s the best :). This colorful, fun and goofy back part of Disneyland will be home to Mickey’s very own attraction in the coming years. See what’s new at Disneyland during your trip here.
Gadget’s Go Coaster. This is the best ride for new (and smaller) thrill seekers. It’s a great way to see if your kids will enjoy Disneyland rollercoasters. Riders must be 35 inches or taller to board.
Sit in a hollowed out “acorn train” seating 2 guest per car, one adult per car.
Outdoor Rides in Tomorrowland
Tomorrowland can make you feel like you’ve left yesterday behind. And that’s exactly what we’re looking for on any trip to Disneyland. Ride these outdoor attractions for maximum fun.
Astro Orbitor. Back to more any height can ride-rides, including babies and pregnant women. Blast off in a rocket ship which can accommodate 3 people.
Every space ship is marked with a different astrological sign, representing the astrological calendar. This ride is perfectly set up to keep your distance already.
Autopia. 54 inches can drive their own, 32 inches can drive when accompanied by someone 54 inches or over. Every driver operates a real-working gas powered vehicle with 2 adults or 3 children.
Since every group has their own car, it’s easy to remain physically distanced. Fun fact: this is the only opening day attraction in Tomorrowland! Disney MaxPass ride.
Outdoor Rides in Cars Land
Now we’re moving over to California Adventure Park which is just across the esplanade from Disneyland Park. Here’s a quick view at just how close the two parks are.
Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters. Guests must be 32 inches or taller ride this outdoor attraction. Some waiting takes place indoors, so be aware of that before you decide to ride. If the line is short enough, you’ll walk right through to the outdoor queue.
Take a spin in a car from Italy— each one has a different look and personality, they’re Luigi’s cousins after all. Groups will set in their own car for a socially distant party and dancing spins (see this list of rides that might make you sick).
Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree. The wait here is entirely outside and with some loading modifications and empty seats it can easily create space for distance.
You must be 32 inches or taller to ride in a little tractor for 2 or 3 people. Get ready for some twists and turns!
Outdoor Rides in Grizzly Peak
Grizzly Peak offers an escape into uncharted territory, just like our beloved National Parks. This remote and relaxing area offers tons of Disney fun.
Grizzly River Run. If you’re 42 inches or taller, jump in this river for thrilling white water adventure. The circular whitewater raft seats up to 8 people.
This ride is a family favorite and riding it at night is even better than day time! Look out for water splashing over your back and bring a Pancho if you want to stay dry. Disney MaxPass ride.
Outdoor Rides in Paradise Gardens Park
This area blends seamlessly into California Adventure and Pixar Pier. It once was the same land (Paradise Pier) before Pixar Pier debuted and split them into two.
Golden Zephyr. Yet another ride that goes round and round where any height can ride.
Galactic gondolas seats about 10 people.
Goofy’s Sky School. Many first timers are not prepared for this wild ride. I didn’t like it which is why it’s on my what not to ride list, but I actually really love it now that I’ve gotten used to it.
Riders 42 inches or taller can go through Goofy’s Sky School flight training. Each car seats up to 4 people and parties can ride together. Disney MaxPass ride.
Jumpin’ Jellyfish. While it looks like something anyone can ride, you actually have to be 40 inches or taller.
It’s a very short, 90 second ride, but its build automatically keeps parties separate for the duration.
Silly Symphony Swings. Here’s your traditional swing and soar ride in Paradise Gardens Park. Guests 40 inches or taller can ride.
There’s enough room and fresh air to keep your distance on this quick ride around and around.
Outdoor Rides on Pixar Pier
I adore Pixar Pier and most attractions here are outdoors, including lots of good eats. This area is dedicated to all our Pixar favorites and has such a fun vibe.
Inside Out: Emotional Whirlwind. A family attraction (yes this is Flik’s Flyers re-themed and relocated) for any height. Waiting is outdoors with lots of sights and sounds around you.
Groups will sit in a core memory hot air balloon (about 4 or 5 people) to keep things nice and physically distanced at Disney’s California Adventure.
Incredicoaster spaces out guests in this thrill ride for those 48 inches or taller. I love this ride and especially its somewhat new theme to the Incredibles.
Confession: way back in the day I took my oldest on it without even realizing there was a loop. Yeah, that was a good time. Disney MaxPass ride.
Jessie’s Critter Carousel. All aboard, anyone can ride this carousel full of critters at Pixar Pier.
Parties can choose critter within one row, side by side for ideal social distancing.
Pixar Pal-A-Round. Make sure you know which gondola you’re getting into here. Stationary is my preference.
Any height can ride and each group is seated inside a spacious gondola with room for about 4-6 people. You’re truly on your own here to enjoy the sights and views of California Adventure Park.
More Outdoor Attractions
Before you head to Disneyland, be sure to get the best Disneyland Plan for your group—it’s a step by step itinerary for your best Disneyland vacation. 
Other outdoor attractions that aren’t your typical “rides” can still be great options to fill gaps in your Disneyland schedule. Check out these extra outdoor attractions at Disneyland Resort:
- Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes Critter Country
- Disneyland Railroad Main Street, New Orleans Square, Mickey’s Toontown and Tomorrowland
- Goofy’s Playhouse (partially outside) Mickey’s Toontown
- Main Street Vehicles Main Street
- Mark Twain Riverboat Frontierland
- Pirates Lair on Tom Sawyer Island Frontierland
- Redwood Creek Challenge Trail Grizzly Peak
- Sailing Ship Columbia Frontierland
- Tarzan’s Treehouse Adventureland
There are many ways to enjoy a day outdoors at Disneyland Resort whether its rides, dining and more attractions and character encounters. Which are your favorite and are there any outdoor Disneyland rides that I missed?
