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You are here: Home / Disneyland / Too Scary for Little Kids? Disneyland Thrill Ride Guide
The thrilling Incredicoaster at Disney California Adventure Park brings guests the first ride-through attraction in the world featuring characters from Disneyโ€ขPixarโ€™s โ€œThe Incredibles.โ€ Anchoring Pixar Pier, the Incredicoaster takes guests on a super adventure with the Parr family to capture the elusive baby Jack-Jack. Exciting character figures, special effects, lighting, new music and distinctively colored vehicles make the thrills on this coaster even more incredible. (Joshua Sudock/Disneyland Resort)

Too Scary for Little Kids? Disneyland Thrill Ride Guide

October 13, 2019 //  by Julie Bigboy//  5 Comments

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Table of Contents[Hide][Show]
  • Scariest Rides at Disneyland
  • Disneyland Park - Thrill Rides
  • Potentially Scary Rides at Disneyland
  • Disney California Adventure Park - Thrill Rides
  • Potentially Scary Rides at Disney California Adventure
  • How to Avoid the Scariest Rides at Disneyland
  • What to Do If Your Kid Gets Scared

Are the scariest rides at Disneyland the thrilling coasters? Or are there other rides that could frighten youngsters? Get all the tips from a Disneyland expert including height requirements, which rides have scary potential and the best ways to handle fear.

Could a ferris wheel ride with Mickey Mouse be one of the scariest rides at Disney?
Could a Ferris wheel with Mickey Mouse be too scary? (Photo Credit: Ame Stanko)

Scariest Rides at Disneyland

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and buy, TravelingMom may receive a small commission at no additional charge to you.

Disneyland and Disney California Adventure park are family oriented theme parks. Each of these Disney parks offer rides and entertainment for all ages, including many attractions that haven’t any height restrictions. But does that mean everything is appropriate for your kid? Not necessarily! Some Disneyland rides do have dark elements or thrills that might prove too scary for some kids.

Planning a Disneyland vacation? These are the top thrill rides including height information, scare factor and what to look out for. These are the tips on the scariest rides at Disneyland – the list might surprise you!

Disneyland Park – Thrill Rides

The Big Thunder Mountain Railroad could be one of the scariest rides at Disneyland.

The dips and turns on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad can put kids on edge (Photo Credit: Orange31 on Pixabay)

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    Big Thunder Mountain Railroad – 40″ or taller (FASTPASS offered)

    There are some small drops on this runaway train ride that are tummy tickling. Inside on of the mountains is a dark and perilous dynamite scene that might frighten some kids.

    Gadget’s Go Coaster – 35″ or taller

    Intended as a “first coaster” for preschoolers and young children, this is a quick one-minute ride. There are some drops and swift turns but it’s over before you know it!

    Haunted Mansion – No height restriction

    The Haunted Mansion is filled with bone chilling thrills that are sure to frighten some kids. Interestingly, the Nightmare Before Christmas inspired version from September to early January is more colorful and quirky. Kids may enjoy it more than the traditional version.

    Indiana Jones Adventure – 46″ or taller (FASTPASS offered)

    This rocky ride into the Temple of the Forbidden Eye is inspired by the movie series, with mummies, snakes and other frightening images.

    Matterhorn Bobsleds – 42″ or taller (FASTPASS offered)

    Quick turns and small drops on this bobsled ride through the iconic mountain, the roaring Yeti (aka: Abominable Snowman) is spotted near the track on several occasions.

    Splash Mountain – 40″ or taller (FASTPASS offered)

    You can’t hide that fact that this one is a thrill ride, as guests walk past the long, deep drop on this wet and winding log ride. There are tame moments inside with cute creatures but that drop is a steep one that may off-put many kids.

    Space Mountain – 40″ or taller (FASTPASS offered)

    This indoor thrill ride is fast and dark, with inspiration taken from rocket ships zooming through outer space. The rocking soundtrack is thrilling but many don’t enjoy the blind twists and turns (no loops though!).

    The Matterhorn could be one of the scariest rides at Disneyland.
    The Matterhorn Bobsleds looks tame from the outside but an Abominable Snowman lives inside! (Photo Credit: Lisette Brodey)

    Potentially Scary Rides at Disneyland

    Astro Orbitor – No height restriction

    This rocket-inspired ride is very fast spinning but each rider can control the up and down motion. Younger guests are able to sit in their parents lap, which is comforting, despite the speed.

    Millennium Falcon – Smugglers Run – 38″ or taller

    This ride inside Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge isn’t particularly scary, but there are some thrilling moments. Millennium Falcon – Smugglers Run is a motion simulator ride with interactive elements. Younger kids may not appreciate being seated in an individual chair, out of reach of their parents. But many youngsters will enjoy the “video game” style of this attraction and get involved with pushing buttons.

    Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride – No height restriction

    This quirky ride is mostly just fun but has a few moments that might frighten kids, including a loud oncoming train and a devilishly steamy scene at the end.

    Pinocchio’s Daring Journey and Snow White’s Scary Adventures – No height restriction

    You might not expect these two rides from Fantasyland to make the list, but they are both slightly on the dark side with several scary elements (Evil Queen and Monstro the whale).

    Pirates of the Caribbean – No height restriction

    True, there’s no height restriction on this leisurely boat ride, despite that there are two small drops in the dark. The dips might set off nervous kids, in addition to the eerie music, creepy skeletons and realistic animatronic pirates.

    Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin – No height restriction

    It’s dark and there are some scary elements (threats of “The Dip”) but otherwise kids will like the colorful spinning ride.

    Star Tours – The Adventure Continues – 40″ or taller (FASTPASS offered)

    Folks that aren’t big fans of bumpy motion simulators may not enjoy this life-like ride through space, complete with shooting lasers and daring dives.

    Think you have a thrill seeker? These are the top thrill rides at Disneyland.

    Could Radiator Springs Racers be one of the scariest rides at Disneyland?
    Part dark ride, part thrill ride, Radiator Springs Racer is awesome (Photo Credit: James Hills from Pixabay)

    Disney California Adventure Park – Thrill Rides

    Goofy’s Sky School – 42″ or taller (FASTPASS offered)

    This jerky coaster offers riders swift drops and blind turns.

    Grizzly River Run – 42″ or taller (FASTPASS offered)

    Spinning and short drops with overhead water falls and blasts from the river. You will get soaked!

    Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission BREAKOUT! (formerly The Tower of Terror)- 40″ or taller (FASTPASS offered)

    This ride has the biggest drops of any Disneyland Resort attraction. In fact with your eyes squeezed shut, you may not know if you’re going up or down!

    Incredicoaster (formerly called California Screamin’) – 48″ or taller (FASTPASS offered)

    This classic roller coaster is the only one with a loop-de-loop! Big drops and high speeds make this classic coaster thrilling but also a bit scary.

    Radiator Springs Racers – 40″ or taller (FASTPASS offered)

    This Cars Land favorite is a thrilling combo of coaster and dark ride. After a storytelling cruise inside, racers will line up at the starting line for a speedy race around Monument Valley.

    Soarin’ Around the World – 40″ or taller (FASTPASS offered)

    Kids who are afraid of heights may not initially enjoy this ride that lifts riders into the air. However once you are immersed in the film shown on the large screen, you may not notice how high up you are.

    Disneyland is a place for kids of all ages but there are some rides and attractions that might be scary. Get the insider tips on what to expect, which rides have fright-potential and how to handle fear with kids at Disneyland. #TMOM #Disney #DisneyTips #Disneyland | TravelingMom | Amusement Parks | Theme parks | Family Travel
    Photo Credit: Julie Bigboy

    Potentially Scary Rides at Disney California Adventure

    Jumpin’ Jellyfish – 40″ or taller (FASTPASS offered)

    With the quick drops, this one is a good precursor to Guardians of the Galaxy.

    Pixar Pal-A-Round (formerly called Mickey’s Fun Wheel) – No height restriction

    Try starting with the non-swinging version before moving to the more thrilling swinging gondolas.

    How to Avoid the Scariest Rides at Disneyland

    If you have an anxious kid at Disneyland, you might consider having an adult ride first. This will give you an idea on whether you think it will be a good ride for your kid. Only you as a parent know your child. What might be too frightening for one kid is exciting and fun to another kid.

    Use the Rider Switch option. One adult waits with the child while everyone else goes on the ride. Then when that ride is over, the adults switch places and enter the ride through either the exit or FASTPASS line. See the cast member at the entrance for instructions on using Rider Switch (or “child swap”) for that attraction.

    What to Do If Your Kid Gets Scared

    Despite your best planning, sometimes kids are set-off and can get frightened. While most of the things at Disneyland are fun for all, there may be seemingly innocuous attractions that are scary for kids at Disneyland. These are some

    • Try taking a snack break. Buying a special treat and indulging in the best food at Disneyland is a welcome distraction for many kids.
    • Watch a ride video on YouTube. If your child just went on a ride that frightened them, try having them watch it again, this time behind the screen. YouTube has lots of on-ride videos that your kid can watch. Seeing it again (from the cozy lap of a parent) can help desensitize the scary parts.
    • Take a hotel break for quiet rest or pool time.
    • No pressure tactics work best when kids are anxious at Disneyland. If your kid was freaked out inside of a “dark ride” you might want to avoid those attractions for the rest of the day. Forcing a kid to continually ride something they are scared about isn’t going to make for a very magical day!
    • Switch gears and avoid the rides, if that’s what is triggering fear. The parades, live shows and dance parties are bright and colorful entertainment that’s free of potentially scary aspects. There are also completely sweet rides like it’s a small world and Dumbo that shouldn’t upset many.
    TravelingMom Tip: Protect yourself while traveling with Medjet. 2020 Medjet Members hospitalized with active COVID-19 infections are now eligible for Air Medical Transport within the U.S., Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. Learn more about how to become a Member here.
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    Category: DisneylandTag: theme parks

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    5 Comments on “Too Scary for Little Kids? Disneyland Thrill Ride Guide”

    1. Cassandra K. says:
      December 17, 2018 at 1:06 pm

      We took my 5 year old daughter and 9 year old son last summer to Disneyland. We went on Thunder Mountain first to see how she would react to a high speed roller coaster. She loved it. Then we went on Matterhorn and went to Space Mountain. At Space Mountain she hit her head against the seat because she couldn’t see the twists and turns, but she loved the ride otherwise. So if you have littles, make sure they are close to you or prepared for the turns. At California Park, We went on every single ride we could at her height. She loved them all. Unfortunately, she was only 43″ so she missed out on Indiana Jones and Incredicoaster. But when we got to Guardians of the Galaxy. She wanted to go on that ride over and over. It was her favorite. Everyone knows their kids. Make sure you test out a medium thrill ride before you take them on a scarier ride.

      Reply
    2. Elizabeth says:
      May 22, 2017 at 2:26 pm

      I just ook my 3 1/2 year old on Radiator Springs Racers and it was a bit much for her, but she loved Soarin!

      Reply
    3. Julie Bigboy, Day Trips TravelingMom says:
      October 5, 2016 at 5:01 pm

      5

      Reply
    4. Leslie Harvey, Frequent Flyer TravelingMom says:
      September 24, 2016 at 5:42 pm

      5

      Reply
    5. Anonymous says:
      September 24, 2016 at 4:23 pm

      5

      Reply

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