A Ride-By-Ride Neurodivergent Disneyland Guide
The other day I published an article going over ways I’ve found to make Disneyland a fun, magical time for people who are neurodiverse, and while it covered the larger picture of the parks, I wanted to devote a separate, single article to breaking down each ride, land-by-land, split between Disneyland and California Adventure, and what may or may not make it suitable for someone who’s neurodivergent.
So, without further ado, here we go.
Fantasyland
Fantasyland is the section of the park located behind Sleeping Beauty’s Castle. This area contains most of Disneyland’s classic dark rides (the kind where riders board a small vehicle and travel through dark passages with animatronics and other set pieces) and more “little kid” oriented rides, which tends to make it welcoming for just about everyone.
Snow White’s Enchanted Wish
Snow White’s Enchanted Wish is the new and improved version of the old Snow White’s Scary Adventure ride. The overhaul has taken away much of what used to be potentially traumatizing to some of the park’s younger guests, but there are still a few things to keep in mind. First and foremost is that this is a dark ride, meaning that if you’re especially sensitive to darkness and/or flashing lights, this may not be for you. It does also still have some scary imagery to contend with. The ride follows the story of the movie, so if you’re fine with the more intense movie scenes, you should be okay on the ride. The ride vehicles are standard double two-person benches.
Pinocchio’s Daring Journey
Like Snow White’s Enchanted Wish, this is one of Disneyland’s old-school dark rides, and so has the same considerations for photosensitive riders. However, Unlike Snow White, Pinocchio’s Daring Journey is still a little darker than you might expect, especially with moments like your ride vehicle nearly being shoved into a box to be sold off to the salt mines with the donkey children. Again, this ride follows the plot of the movie, so if you’re familiar with it, then you’ll know what to expect. The ride vehicles here are the same standard double two-person benches.
Peter Pan’s Flight
This dark ride stands out from its peers in that, instead of trundling along the ground on a track, your ride vehicle (this time shaped as a pirate ship) flies over the ride, while also being on a track attached to the ceiling. This ride gets huge lines because of how much people enjoy flying over the miniature versions of London and Neverland. Of course, you’re only a little bit off the ground, but if you have a significant fear of heights, it may still be a consideration. It also features many sparkling and/or flashing light effects that can be off-putting to photosensitive riders.
Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride
Do you have religious trauma? So does Mr. Toad. This oddball of a dark ride follows the titular Mr. Toad as he steals a car (which your ride vehicle is themed after), goes on a joy ride, is sentenced by a judge, dies in a train crash, and then goes to hell. It isn’t exactly the most subtle or happy of rides, but the jerky track and wild storyline make it stand out as something special. There are lots of flashing lights in this one, and the “fire room” (aka Hades) is very hot and features a dragon lunging out at you. The ride vehicles on this one are also quite small, only seating one-two passengers depending on their size.
King Arthur’s Carousel
There isn’t much to say about this ride. Do you like carousels? Good, because that’s just what this is. There are horses that raise up and down and bench seating for those who prefer or need it.
Dumbo the Flying Elephant
A Disneyland staple, it’s hard to go wrong with Dumbo. You board an elephant and get to soar in leisurely loops above Fantasyland, with a joystick to control how high or low your elephant flies. This could be off-putting to those with a fear of heights, but since you have the ability to choose how high you go, it may be a nice experience regardless.
Storybook Land Canal Boats
This slow, sweet boat ride takes you through a miniature diorama of quaint little houses. The only startling part is that, to get there, you first need to be swallowed whole by Monstro, the giant whale from Pinocchio. You float through his mouth and stomach, but he doesn’t move at all, which is somewhat comforting.
Casey Jr. Circus Train
This miniature train follows a track that loops around and over the Storybook Land Canal Boats, meaning that you see the exact same things, just from higher up, and without the whale’s digestive system. If you’re claustrophobic or don’t like cages, I would suggest avoiding the animal cage seats.
it’s a small world
(Yes, it’s literally written in low-case. How adorable). This is a simple, leisurely dark ride in a boat that takes you through a trip around the world where multicultural dolls sing a song about everyone getting along. At worst, there are dolls and a song that will get stuck in your head, but that’s truly the only offensive part of it.
Alice in Wonderland
Like the other dark rides, this one follows the plot of the titular movie. However, unlike the others, it also had sections that loop around the outside of the ride, and lacks more than one or two small instances of lighting that could trigger photosensitive riders. You also get to ride inside of a giant caterpillar, which is fun.
Mad Tea Party
The final ride in Fantasyland is the Mad Tea Party, better known simply as “The Teacups.” This ride sits you inside of a giant teacup, which then spins in circles around a larger circle. There’s a wheel in the middle that can be turned to make the teacup spin even faster, though it’s entirely optional whether you use it or not. You may decide to sit this one out if you’re prone to motion sickness.
Frontierland
Frontierland currently boasts only one ride, which is Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. This rollercoaster is on the gentler side, but still goes fast enough to get your adrenaline pumping. Your ride vehicle is a train car with a pull-down lap bar. The ride features only a few small drops, making it much more pleasant for nervous riders. There are some interior, dark sections of the ride, one of which features a simulated explosion. All in all, it’s a fun ride, but is still a proper rollercoaster.
Adventureland
Adventureland is a section of the park themed after a jungle from old stories like Tarzan and The Jungle Book. Here you can find the Disneyland-famous treat of Dole Whip, along with a treehouse-themed play structure for kids and two rides.
Jungle Cruise
The Jungle Cruise is a ride modeled after boat tours, with a cast member manning your vehicle and lots of “wildlife” (animatronics) to ooh and ahh over. The cast members here are notorious for their bad jokes and corny storytelling, but it’s all part of the charm. Unfortunately, there are some… less than stellar racial depictions of the “jungle natives” still along the river, and you may also spot a “sleeping” zebra with a pride of lions. The cast members may also add some creepier tones to the ride after dark, so if you’re feeling especially sensitive, try to jump on this one during the daylight hours.
Indiana Jones Adventure
This ride draws huge lines throughout the day, and for good reason. It’s fun and exhilarating, but can be a bit much for more sensitive guests. You’ll climb aboard an open-top jeep and bump along through a cursed temple, coming face to face with bleeding walls, giant snakes, skittering beetles, and pits of lava. There are also a few small drops in near-total darkness. Some ride elements can also happen differently from one ride to the next, which can make it unpredictable.
New Orleans Square
New Orleans Square is a fun section of the park, with it’s French Quarter vibes, pirate themes, delicious restaurants, and two beloved rides.
Pirates of the Caribbean
If you’ve ever been fascinated by pirate tales, then there’s a good chance that you’ll love this ride. You board a boat and set off along the nighttime bayou (drifting past the Blue Bayou restaurant as well), before dropping down two small drops in total darkness, where you’ll suddenly find yourself in a world of pirates. This ride does feature some elements that can be a bit much for some riders, from cannons and gunshots going off to the actual human skull adorning the pirate skeleton’s headboard. There are scenes of villagers being captured and sold by pirates, along with other moments of pirates wasting away behind bars.
The Haunted Mansion
The Haunted Mansion is another Disneyland staple, though it’s a little less friendly than the likes of Dumbo. This dark ride is an experience unto itself, starting in a room where you’ll watch as the walls stretch and the decor slowly turns more menacing, and then taking you on a tour of the mansion with its 999 happy haunts. Since this is Disneyland we’re talking about, it’s never too scary, but does heavily feature lots of creepy elements like ghosts (one of which will appear in your ride vehicle), a talking crystal ball, and singing, possessed busts in the graveyard. Probably the least neurodivergent-friendly part of this ride is the “stretching room” at the beginning, where you’re herded in with a whole group of tightly packed strangers and the scene ends with a lightning flash and a woman hanging herself above you. If the ride seems a little too intense, try checking it out between early September and early January, when it gets an overhaul into a holiday version based on The Nightmare Before Christmas.
Critter Country
Critter Country is a smaller section of the park which is currently in the middle of some work, turning the more notable of the land’s two rides, Splash Mountain, into a new attraction called Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, scheduled to be completed in 2024. The area is more rustic and serves as the home for Winnie the Pooh and his friends.
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
This charming little dark ride is based loosely on the movie by the same name, and follows Pooh Bear across a series of notable scenes from the movie, which you wander through inside of a giant beehive. There are some instances of swirling, flickering lights that could be uncomfortable for especially photosensitive riders, and you do take a ride through the veritable acid trip of the Heffalumps and Woozles scene, but overall this is an incredibly sweet, friendly ride.
Galaxy’s Edge
Galaxy’s Edge is the newest addition to the park, and is based entirely around the Star Wars franchise. You’ll find interactive games you can play with your data pad (phone) and MagicBand+ throughout the area, along with two brand new rides.
Rise of the Resistance
This trackless ride, with vehicles programmed to follow a pre-set series of motions instead of being attached to a track, sees you taking on the role of prisoners making a daring escape to the Resistance base in hijacked drone vehicles. It heavily features flashing lights, simulated laser-gunfire, and jolting motions, along with many intense scenes. It’s an extremely technically amazing ride, and will be a delight for fans of the Star Wars series, but may also be overwhelming to some riders.
Smuggler’s Run
Smuggler’s Run is a 3D simulator ride that sees you taking on every Star Wars fan’s dream and becoming part of the flight crew for the Millennium Falcon. Unfortunately, this may be extremely intimidating to riders who struggle with fast reactions and working with others, as that’s literally the entire idea of the ride. Luckily the ride will tell you what to do every step of the way, but you’ll still be working with five other people to keep the Millennium Falcon in the air and one piece, with riders being split up into two person teams of pilots, gunners, and engineers. Being a 3D simulator ride, it’s likely to cause motion sickness, and the flashing lights and laser fire can be hard for photosensitive riders. All in all, while certainly fun, I think Smuggler’s Run is the one ride in Disneyland that I would consider to truly not be neurodivergent-friendly.
ToonTown
ToonTown just recently got a bit of an upgrade, with a new restaurant (Daisy Cafe) and brand new ride in Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway. The area is styled after the classic cartoon worlds of Mickey and his friends, with houses for each member of the gang and lots of play spaces and photo opportunities scattered around. If you want to catch any of the Fab Five, this is place to go.
Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin
Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin is a bit like a fever dream you can ride. You start by boarding a grinning cartoon taxicab, where you’ll quickly discover that turning the wheel will make your ride car spin, much like a slower version of the teacups in Fantasyland. Once you peel out (at usual dark ride speeds), you’ll find yourself in a swirling labyrinth of black lights and animatronics, where you’ll come face to face with the villains of the movie and their infamous toon-melting Dip. This ride is a fun time, but with the amount of swirling and flashing lights throughout the entire track, it’s easy to become dizzy and overstimulated, and is definitely not recommended for those with photosensitivity.
Chip and Dale’s GADGETcoaster
An interesting nod to the old-school Disney Afternoon Rescue Rangers show, this short and sweet “kiddie coaster” is made to look like it’s been created out of everyday objects by the cartoon’s resident inventor, Gadget. The ride lasts all of about a minute and has two small drops that give you a nice view of ToonTown while you whiz by.
Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway
The newest addition to ToonTown, this brand new dark ride is themed in the style of the newer Mickey Mouse shorts to be a fully immersive experience where you literally are taken inside of a cartoon. To do this, the ride utilizes traditional dark ride features like animatronics along with trackless vehicles and some 3D simulation. After you board Goofy’s train, you’ll quickly find yourself going literally off the rails and traveling through all sorts of cartoon landscapes such as the wild west and a boardwalk carnival. As with the other dark rides, this one features flashing lights and disorienting effects that can be uncomfortable for those with photosensitivities.
TomorrowLand
TomorrowLand is the final original land of the park, and is based on an old-school version of the future. Here you’ll find the majority of the park’s space-themed rides, along with plenty of intergalactic fun.
Autopia
This gentle ride allows for children (and children at heart) to take the wheel on their own car on a leisurely drive around this twisting track under the monorail. It’s simple to drive and, considering your cars all run along a track, it’s not exactly likely that you’ll lose your way or run into anything.
Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage
This ride sees riders boarding a small, tightly packed submarine to dive down into the ocean alongside Nemo and friends. It’s cute, but not much to write home about unless you’re a die-hard Finding Nemo fan. The sub is known to be uncomfortable for those with claustrophobia, and isn’t accessible to people with mobile disabilities, as you’ll need to walk down a tiny, twisting staircase. Luckily, if you still want to experience the ride and can’t be inside the submarine, there’s an accessible version, you’ll just need to ask a cast member for it.
Space Mountain
Space Mountain is the last of Disneyland’s “mountain” rides, and is the only indoor rollercoaster at Disneyland Resort. This ride sees you boarding a rocket for a trip through outer space, where you’ll go whizzing through the stars at what feels like light speed, though in reality is actually slower than most modern rollercoasters and only features small drops. The ride leans very heavily on flashing, disorienting lighting effects to make you feel like you’re flying through space, so I wouldn’t recommend it for photosensitive riders or those who panic at not being able to anticipate what’s going to happen next.
Buzz Lightyear Astro-Blasters
Buzz Lightyear Astro-Blasters is more or less a shooting gallery on rails. You’ll board your ride vehicle and begin a smooth journey into the world of Buzz Lightyear. You can utilize the spinning function of your ride vehicle to take aim at the various targets all around you, though you’ll have plenty to shoot your laser gun at if you just stay still as well. Very few of the things you’re shooting at will fight back, and the theming isn’t too disconcerting, but it is filled with black light set pieces and flashing lights, so it might not be the friendliest to photosensitive riders.
Star Tours: The Adventures Continue
Star Tours is a 3D simulator ride based on the Star Wars movies, and was the first Star Wars ride to make its way to the Disneyland Resort, long before Galaxy’s Edge existed. Here you’ll find yourself taken along for an accidental ride in a spaceship with C-3PO and R2D2, where you’ll have to navigate dangerous caves, giant ocean waves, and escape from the Empire. 3D simulator rides can be hard on those who are prone to motion sickness, and unexpected elements like nearly drowning could obviously be distressing for some riders.
Astro Orbiter
The final ride on our journey through Disneyland park, the Astro Orbiter is a family-friendly flying ride, similar to Dumbo over in Fantasyland. Here, however, you’ll find yourself aboard a small, steampunk-styled spaceship as you whirl above Tomorrowland. The ride vehicles are a bit more cramped than Dumbo, so they aren’t the most comfortable for riders with larger bodies and/or longer legs, but overall it’s a gentle, fun spin where you’ll be able to take in the sights.
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That may seem like a long list, but I hope that my detailed descriptions of the rides in the park proves useful and comforting for anyone getting ready to experience the parks for the first time (or just the first time in a while). Unknown experiences can feel hugely intimidating to neurodivergent people, and hopefully being able to reference this guide will make it feel more accessible.
Next up, California Adventure!
