Top 5: Great Rides with Short Lines

Almost all of the best rides at Disneyland (understandably) have long lines. It makes sense that since so many people want to go on them throughout the day, the rides simply don't board fast enough for the lines to shorten. This is not a rule that applies to all great rides, so here is a list of rides with short lines that are just as great as any other.

5. It's a Small World

First opened in 1964 for the New York World's Fair, this popular boat ride is loved by all. And when you first get in line, you'll see just how loved it is. It's a Small World always has a long trail of people in the queue, but once you're waiting, it becomes apparent how quickly you approach the ride. The constant crowd of boats helps move the line along, and the fun songs and charming aesthetic make this ride worth the (short) wait.


4. Ariel's Undersea Adventure

For a 6 minute ride, Ariel's Undersea Adventure is packed with famous songs and adorable animatronic characters straight out of The Little Mermaid. It's a ride that was made thoughtfully by all the Imagineers who worked on it, detailed and artfully decorated. Inspired by the track layout for Adventure Thru Inner Space and the Haunted Mansion, it's a quick Omnimover (a ride where all the cars move at once) that anyone can enjoy. As much as I love this ride, one of the main reasons to go on it is that the wait is hardly ever over 15 minutes. Even when it looks like a relatively long line, it moves and boards quickly, making it a fantastic ride with hardly any line at all.

3. California Screamin'

Previously mentioned in the list "Top 5: Fastest Fast Passes," this ride is fast-paced both on the track and off. The queue itself is very short, and the wait is even shorter. Even if it had a really long line, I would wait for California Screamin' and think it was worth it. Made all the more fun by light carnival music that plays throughout the ride and with a safety warning narrated by Dee Bradley Baker, this ride is one of the best in the park. The fact that you will never wait a long time just makes it even better.





2. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

Out of all of Disney's "mountain" rides (Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, the Matterhorn, etc.), this one has the shortest line. Thunder Mountain is a favorite in Frontierland, but that doesn't mean you need to wait 45 minutes to get on the mine train. This ride is made enjoyable by gold rush era music and narration, animals blurring past, and a rocky mine cart rolling at break-neck speeds. Though the line is occasionally a little long, in comparison to the length and the quality of the ride, it earns its place as the second greatest ride with a short line.


1. Pirates of the Caribbean

If you've ever waited for Pirates of the Caribbean, you most likely have never waited for more than 20 minutes on an average day. It is also highly likely that you enjoyed the ride but then, who wouldn't? It is one of the most elaborately decorated rides in the park- they really didn't hold back. From advanced animatronics to rooms decked out with lavish decor and secrets, it's just a fantastic ride. It is one of my absolute favorite rides in the entire park, and I can always rely on it to have a fast line and quick boarding. It is very obvious why this ride is at the top of the list.