My Must-Do List of All the Rides at Disneyland Paris

I’ve visited every Disney park in the world, and there’s something uniquely charming about Disneyland Paris. The blend of French flair, detailed theming, and just enough classic nostalgia makes it an unforgettable experience.

If you’re planning a trip and want to make sure you don’t miss a thing, here’s my must-do list of all the rides at Disneyland Paris, based on personal experience.

Whether you’ve got one day or three, I’ll help you prioritize the rides that matter most, skip the ones you can, and plan your route with minimal backtracking.

Before we dive in, make sure to check out my detailed Disneyland Paris guide and this map of Disneyland Paris—you’ll want both open while you plan.

Key Points

• Don’t skip the walkthrough attractions like La Tanière du Dragon. They’re unique to this park and easy to overlook.
• Start your day in Disneyland Park, not Walt Disney Studios, if you’re a first-timer—you’ll cover more iconic ground early.
• Single rider lines are your best friend on Ratatouille and Crush’s Coaster.

My Must-Do List of All the Rides at Disneyland Paris

Disneyland Paris is made up of two parks: Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park. Each has its gems, but I always recommend starting with Disneyland Park if you’ve never been.

This list doesn’t include every ride—just the ones I personally think are worth your time. These are the experiences I prioritize when I visit, especially if time is tight. Some are absolute standouts, and a few are more skippable in my opinion.

Disneyland Park Rides You Can’t Miss

This park has the iconic castle, lands like Adventureland and Fantasyland, and some truly unique versions of classic Disney rides.

Big Thunder Mountain

If you’ve ridden this in other parks, you’re in for a treat. The Paris version is wildly different—it’s on an island, it’s faster, and the tunnels make it feel longer. It’s my favorite version globally. I rode it three times in one day and never got bored.

Phantom Manor

I love a good Haunted Mansion, and this one has a distinctly eerie Wild West vibe. The storytelling is more intense, and it feels darker overall—which I personally enjoy. But if you’re with younger kids or easily spooked, it might feel a bit heavy.

Pirates of the Caribbean

This was a surprise favorite. The storyline is totally different from the U.S. versions, and it’s longer and more theatrical. No Jack Sparrow here, just classic swashbuckling adventure.

La Tanière du Dragon

This is one of those things that makes Disneyland Paris unique. You walk under the castle and come face to face with a massive animatronic dragon. It doesn’t take long to visit, but it’s unforgettable. I stumbled across it by accident the first time, and now it’s a must-do.

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril

This ride looks tame but delivers a punch. It’s rougher than I expected and has a loop that caught me off guard the first time. I wouldn’t say it’s smooth, but it’s worth riding at least once—especially if you like thrill rides. Not a must-repeat for me, though.

Walt Disney Studios Park Must-Do Rides

While this park is smaller and still evolving, it has some killer attractions.

Ratatouille: The Adventure

This is a unique ride you won’t find outside of Paris. You shrink down to rat-size and dash through a kitchen in a mix of physical sets and screens. It’s clever and charming, though the 3D glasses can get a little foggy if it’s humid.

Crush’s Coaster

This ride is chaotic fun. The spinning makes it feel totally unpredictable, and the indoor setting adds to the thrill. It’s one of the few rides that genuinely surprised me. But the line is brutal—skip it unless you’re there early or can single rider it.

Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

I’ve always loved Tower of Terror, and this version leans more into a ghost story than the Hollywood vibe in Florida. The drop sequence is still solid, but the theming felt a bit more toned down. Still a must-do, but I slightly prefer the U.S. versions.

Rides I’d Personally Skip

Not every ride at Disneyland Paris is a must. Here are three I’d recommend skipping unless you have unlimited time or small kids who really want to do them.

Star Wars: Hyperspace Mountain

I wanted to love this ride, but it’s surprisingly rough. The launch is fun, but the jerky turns and sudden drops made it hard to enjoy. If you’re prone to motion sickness, skip it. I rode it once and never felt the need to go again.

Orbitron

It’s a standard spinning ride, similar to Astro Orbiter at other parks. The views are nice, but the wait usually isn’t worth it—especially when you could be riding something more unique to Paris.

Cars ROAD TRIP

This feels more like a placeholder attraction than a true Disney ride. It’s slow, not very detailed, and the storyline is confusing. Honestly, I felt like I wasted time riding this when I could’ve been back in Disneyland Park.

Planning Your Ride Day at Disneyland Paris

I usually rope drop Disneyland Park and start with Big Thunder or Peter Pan, then work clockwise. Use the Disneyland Paris app to check wait times. Around noon, I’ll jump over to Walt Disney Studios if I’ve hit the major Disneyland Park rides.

I personally found Fantasyland can get very crowded around mid-morning, so if you want to do Peter Pan or Snow White, go early. Also, ride Pirates before lunch—the queue is dark and cool, which feels amazing after a morning of walking.

Staying nearby makes a huge difference. If you haven’t booked yet, here are some hotels within walking distance to Disneyland Paris. It makes mid-day breaks way easier.

For a taste of what Disney feels like overseas, you might also like my Tokyo Disneyland guide.