Which Rides Will Have the Longest Waits at Disneyland?

in Disneyland Resort

Attraction Wait Times

All Images Credit Disney

Disney has officially announced that Disneyland Resort will be reopening Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park on April 30th! Disneyland President Ken Potrock shared excitement for the reopening date, and Disney fans are buzzing with anticipation!

DLR Main Street USA
Credit: Disney

As Cast Members will be invited for special preview days prior to the reopening, the Guests (California residents only, for now) will soon be trying to get their hands on a park reservation. Guests will also be able to stay on-property at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa starting April 29th.

Excitement is starting to stir as the original Disney Park prepares to open up the gates finally after over a year of closure. There are many things that will be different upon reopening, like modified character experiences and attractions. There are some attractions that may not be able to adapt to health and safety measures, and others may endure a longer wait time even with a limited capacity.

disneyland attractions
All Images Credit Disney

Health and Safety Guidelines For Disneyland Attractions

In order to reopen in tier 2 of California Governor, Gavin Newsom’s “Blueprint to a Safer Economy,” which has now been given a “Blueprint Refresh,” Disneyland Resort can only host a limited capacity of 15% for each theme park. There is another important guideline that Guests should keep in mind.

Along with no indoor dining allowed inside the theme park, indoor capacity must be set at 15%, with outdoor attractions having fewer restrictions than indoor ones. Capacity limitations on indoor areas, such as indoor rides, could affect how Cast Members manage Guests and parties in each ride vehicle to ensure physical distancing. And, therefore, this may impact how long Guests will have to wait to experience these indoor attractions.

california theme park reopening guidelines
Credit: CA.Gov

It very well may be possible that we see a virtual queue put into play on the Disneyland app to manage these operational capacities, though Disney hasn’t shared this will happen yet. As Guests start to plan out their Disneyland visits, we’ve compiled a list of the indoor and outdoor attractions at the Southern California Disney Parks.

Note that you will see attractions on both the indoor and outdoor lists as they can be considered both for certain parts of the attraction. State guidance released earlier in March suggests that attractions will be considered either indoor or outdoor depending on various things, such as how much of the attraction takes place inside vs. outside. 

matterhorn and monorail disneyland
Credit: Disney

Keep in mind that Disney hasn’t yet clarified which attractions we may see modified or restricted when the parks reopen. So far, Disney has only said, “Classic and favorite attractions will begin to open at both parks,” without sharing too many specifics.

Consider every attraction at Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park. Based on the list below, which attractions do you predict will have the longest wait times due to demand, social distancing measures in the attraction queue, and the strict capacity limitations placed on the attraction? Which attractions do you predict will have the shortest wait times?

Disneyland Attractions – Indoors

Adventureland

  • Indiana Jones Adventure
  • Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room

Critter Country

  • The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
  • Splash Mountain

Fantasyland

  • Alice in Wonderland
  • “it’s a small world”
  • Matterhorn Bobsleds
  • Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride
  • Peter Pan’s Flight
  • Pinocchio’s Daring Journey
  • Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough
  • Snow White’s Scary Adventure (now Snow White’s Enchanted Wish)
Peter Pan's Flight
Credit: Disney

Frontierland

  • Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
  • Mark Twain Riverboat
  • Sailing Ship Columbia

Main Street, U.S.A.

  • The Disney Gallery
  • Disneyland Railroad
  • Fortune Tellers
  • Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln
  • Main Street Cinema

Mickey’s Toontown

  • Chip ‘n Dale Treehouse
  • Donald’s Boat
  • Goofy’s Playhouse
  • Mickey’s House and Meet Mickey
  • Minnie’s House
  • Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin

New Orleans Square

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

  • Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
  • Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

Tomorrowland

  • Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
  • Disneyland Monorail
  • Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage
  • Space Mountain
  • Star Tours – The Adventures Continue
  • Star Wars Launch Bay
Pirates of the Caribbean
Credit: Disney

Disneyland Attractions – Outdoors

Adventureland

  • Jungle Cruise
  • Tarzan’s Treehouse

Critter Country

  • Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes
  • Splash Mountain

Fantasyland

  • Alice in Wonderland
  • Casey Jr. Circus Train
  • Dumbo the Flying Elephant
  • King Arthur Carrousel
  • Mad Tea Party
  • Matterhorn Bobsleds
  • Storybook Land Canal Boats
mad tea party disneyland
Credit: Disney

Frontierland

  • Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
  • Frontierland Shootin’ Exposition
  • Mark Twain Riverboat
  • Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island
  • Sailing Ship Columbia

Main Street, U.S.A.

  • Disneyland Railroad
  • Main Street Vehicles

Mickey’s Toontown

  • Gadget’s Go Coaster

Tomorrowland

  • Astro Orbitor
  • Autopia
Jungle Cruise
Credit: Disney

Disney California Adventure Attractions – Indoors

  • Animation Academy
  • The Bakery Tour
  • Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!
  • The Little Mermaid – Ariel’s Undersea Adventure
  • Mickey’s PhilharMagic
  • Monsters, Inc. Mike and Sulley to the Rescue!
  • Radiator Springs Racers
  • Soarin’ Around the World
  • Sorcerer’s Workshop
  • Toy Story Midway Mania!
  • Turtle Talk With Crush
  • Walt Disney Imagineering Blue Sky Cellar
Toy Story Mania
Credit: Disney

Disney California Adventure Attractions – Outdoors

  • Games of Pixar Pier
  • Golden Zephyr
  • Goofy’s Sky School
  • Grizzly River Run
  • Incredicoaster
  • Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind
  • Jessie’s Critter Carousel
  • Jumpin’ Jellyfish
  • Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters
  • Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree
  • Pixar Pal-A-Round
  • Radiator Springs Racers
  • Redwood Creek Challenge Trail
  • Silly Symphony Swings
Pixar Pal A Round
Credit: Disney

With there being no FASTPASS or MaxPass, when planning ahead to anticipate which attractions will have a longer wait time will make your visit smoother. Once you get a park reservation for your Disneyland ticket, which Disneyland ride or attraction will you be looking to enjoy?

Disney fans! We’d love for you to weigh in on which attractions you think will have longer wait times even with the limited capacity? Which attractions do you think will have the highest demand? Share your thoughts in the comments!

in Disneyland Resort

View Comments (2)