If you’re planning a visit to the parks and wondering what’s fresh, you’re in the right place. This year’s lineup of new rides at Disneyland has something for everyone—from long-awaited reimaginings to brand-new attractions that finally justify those Lightning Lane splurges.
I’ve visited twice already this year, and here's a look at what’s worth checking out, what’s overhyped, and how to plan around the crowds.
Key Points Before You Go
- Genie+ doesn’t cover everything, so check which new rides have Lightning Lane and which don’t before your trip. This can make or break your itinerary. If you assume everything is covered, you'll waste valuable time in standby lines.
- Rope drop strategy matters more than ever. Get there early, especially if you're targeting the big new ride openings. Don’t just show up 15 minutes before—aim to be at the gates 45–60 minutes early for the best advantage.
- Don’t overlook nearby food and rest areas—planning breaks around new lands is essential for not burning out. Walking back and forth across the park is exhausting. Save your energy by clustering your plans.
What Are the New Rides at Disneyland this year?
So far, this year has been a big year for updates and additions. The biggest headline is the reimagined Tomorrowland Recharged, which includes a high-speed indoor coaster and several upgraded attractions. Alongside that, there's a brand-new dark ride in Fantasyland that’s getting buzz for all the right reasons.
Here’s how they actually perform when you’re on the ground.
1. Star Wars: Mandalorian Pursuit (Tomorrowland)
Coming in 2026, Star Wars: Mandalorian Pursuit is one of the rides I’m most excited about. It’s a brand-new indoor coaster coming to Tomorrowland, and from everything Disney has shared so far, it sounds incredible. The big draw is that it’s the first Disneyland coaster to sync its ride motion with a massive wraparound LED screen—similar to the technology they used when filming The Mandalorian.
It’s supposed to be smoother than Space Mountain but more intense overall—though not quite as wild as Guardians of the Galaxy over at DCA. What has me really intrigued is that there won’t be any of those traditional dark coaster moments. Instead, every second of the ride is designed to feel like you’re inside a Star Wars action scene, with full visual immersion the entire time. I’ve also heard it could be a bit much for people who get motion sickness easily, since it’s such a sensory-heavy experience.
When it opens, it won’t be on Genie+ right away, and they’re planning to use a virtual queue during peak times. Sometimes they may switch to standby on slower days, so I’ll definitely be checking the Disneyland app before I go to see how they’re handling it.
2. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure (Critter Country)
This isn’t technically brand-new, but the Splash Mountain overhaul opened early this year and the result is stunning. The queue is shaded and detailed, the animatronics are fresh, and the soundtrack gives the whole ride a new rhythm. That said, it’s not a thrill ride—still the same drop structure, but the storytelling feels more complete.
If you have little ones or people in your group who are nervous about big drops, you can reassure them that the drop is dramatic but short. What impressed me most was the quality of the lighting and music—it sets a really engaging tone that starts in the queue.
There are hidden details that connect beautifully with some hidden Mickeys at Disneyland if you're into that kind of easter egg hunt.
3. Frozen: Kingdom of Arendelle (Fantasyland)
This is the one I’m really curious about. Frozen: Kingdom of Arendelle is supposed to open in 2026, and while Disney hasn’t shared every detail yet, it sounds like it’s going to be a slow-moving, immersive dark ride—something along the lines of Frozen Ever After but on a bigger scale.
From what I’ve heard, it’ll feature some incredible physical sets, cool projection effects, and possibly even real snow effects—or at least something that makes it feel like snow is falling around you. That kind of detail wouldn’t surprise me, especially with how far Disney has pushed ride immersion lately.
It’s reportedly being built behind the Matterhorn area, though Disney hasn’t officially confirmed that. I’m guessing it won’t be part of Genie+ when it first opens, and I fully expect the wait times to be long—probably over 90 minutes by mid-morning. If it follows the usual pattern for new rides, they’ll likely use a virtual queue during peak times, but that’s just speculation for now.
What I’m most excited about is the mix of physical sets and digital effects. A lot of newer dark rides lean too heavily on screens, but everything I’ve seen or read suggests this one aims for a better balance—think full-sized animatronics, detailed icy environments, and moments where you really feel like you’re in Arendelle, not just watching it happen on a wall.
I'll definitely be keeping an eye on updates for this one. If it lives up to the hype, it could be one of those rare rides that impresses both kids and adults equally.
Planning Around These New Attractions
With any big year of new rides, it’s easy to get caught chasing what’s new and miss out on the rest. These new attractions are worth prioritizing, but your overall plan matters just as much. You don’t want to end up zig-zagging across the park all day, especially during summer heat.
Rope Drop Still Rules
Even in 2025, rope drop is your best shot at low wait times. If you’re not familiar with early entry strategy, check out this rope drop and early entry guide to make the most of your morning.
I’ve personally been able to do two of the biggest new rides in the first hour just by showing up 50 minutes before the official open. It’s the single best time investment of your trip.
Don’t Forget the Food Nearby
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure puts you near some of the best snacks in the park. If you're hungry afterward, it's worth checking out some great Mexican food near Disneyland or trying something new at the vendors near New Orleans Square.
In Fantasyland, the new Arendelle area has limited food options for now, so plan to eat before heading in or have a mobile order ready to go right after. It’s also a good time to grab one of the famous Disneyland macarons nearby if you need a quick sugar fix.
Manage Your Breaks Intentionally
Arendelle’s ride sits deep in Fantasyland, so it can be chaotic mid-day. This is a great time to plan a snack break or low-key activity like looking for a scavenger hunt at Disneyland with your group to balance the high-energy rides.
I found that planning 30-minute breaks between these new rides helped avoid group meltdowns. The new lands don’t have as much seating yet, so scoping out shaded areas or indoor shows can make a big difference.
How Crowds and Wait Times Have Changed
Every time a new land or ride opens, crowd flow changes. 2025 is no exception. The Mandalorian coaster is drawing people to Tomorrowland earlier than usual, which oddly makes some classic Disneyland attractions less crowded early in the day. That won't last long, though.
Fantasyland is now the mid-day traffic jam zone, especially because Arendelle is tucked away and not easy to loop back to. I recommend hitting it first or saving it until the evening when families with younger kids start leaving.
Critter Country now sees more foot traffic throughout the day due to Tiana’s ride, which impacts wait times for nearby rides like Winnie the Pooh and Haunted Mansion. You can work around that by using the Disneyland virtual queue tips article to help manage your time more efficiently.
Is It Worth Visiting Disneyland in 2025 for the New Rides?
Honestly, yes. Even if you’ve been before, the new additions this year give the park some needed freshness without completely changing the tone. They don’t feel like cheap add-ons or IP cash-ins—they’re actually fun and thoughtfully designed.
Pairing a visit with a seasonal strategy (like knowing the best times to go to Disneyland) helps make the trip feel more worth it.
If you're flying in, make sure you plan how you’re getting from the airport. Here’s a breakdown of the nearest airport to Disneyland California to help you figure out which one is best for your arrival and budget.
Also, if you’re the kind of person who wants a deeper Disneyland experience beyond the usual rides and snacks, check out the full Disneyland planning guide for more tools and itinerary ideas.
Final Thoughts
Disneyland in 2025 feels renewed without being overwhelming. The new rides are exciting, the technology is impressive, and with a little planning, you can experience them without spending your whole day in line. It’s not a year to skip if you’ve been waiting for something fresh.
