8 Best Disneyland Rides for Tweens They’ll Love

Discover the Best Disneyland Rides for Tweens!
Briefing from Rey” by Steven Miller licensed under CC BY 2.0

As a parent, taking your tween to Disneyland for the first time can be an exciting yet overwhelming experience. With so many rides to choose from, it can be difficult to decide which ones to prioritize.  So in this article, I’m going to share with you my picks for the best Disneyland rides for tweens, which will hopefully make your Disney trip planning experience a little easier easier.

Best Disneyland Rides for Tweens (TLDR)

Pixar Pier” by Jeremy Thompson licensed under CC BY 2.0

Although this is certainly not an exhaustive inventory of Disneyland and California Adventure’s tween-friendly attractions, here are some of the most exciting (and times quite peaceful) rides for tweens (roughly ages 10-12):

  • Jungle Cruise
  • Big Thunder Mountain 
  • Webslingers
  • Splash Mountain 
  • Radiator Springs Racers
  • Pixar Pal-A-Round
  • Runaway Railway 
  • Rise of the Resistance 

Also, if your tween is not a huge fan of rides or they would simply rather walk around and enjoy the scenery, we have also included a small tidbit about Avengers Campus and the features that the land provides to guests who are not a fan of large attractions!

Jungle Cruise

Jungle Cruise - Disneyland Park
Jungle Cruise – Disneyland Park” by Josh Hallett licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

The Jungle Cruise ride in Disneyland is a perfect attraction for tweens. The ride offers a mix of adventure, dad jokes and excitement, making it an experience that tweens are sure to enjoy (even if they are dragged along with their parents). 

The animals, waterfalls, and rapids along the shores of the ride offer an exciting experience for tweens who love to explore and discover new things while the animatronics, sound effects and lighting effects make the ride more immersive, engaging, and entertaining for tweens. The humor and jokes are clever, and the skipper’s delivery makes the ride even more enjoyable. Tweens who are fans of Disney will enjoy this iconic ride, which has remained an iconic favorite for generations. 

This attraction is completely wheelchair accessible and I have actually taken my wheelchair on the boat before! As another bonus, there is no height requirement for this attraction so if your tween is on the shorter end they can still participate in this attraction! 

Please note that there are two rounds fired from a cap gun during the ride, so if you are sensitive to loud noises make sure to take the necessary precautions to allow yourself to still enjoy this attraction!

Big Thunder Mountain

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad” by HarshLight licensed under CC BY 2.0

Big Thunder Mountain in Disneyland is the perfect ride for tweens looking for a thrilling and exciting experience. With its fast-paced twists, turns, and drops, this roller coaster is sure to get the heart racing and the adrenaline pumping. 

Big Thunder Mountain takes riders on a wild journey through the old west, complete with creaking mine carts, explosive dynamite, and breathtaking views of the park. What makes this ride particularly suited for tweens is its medium-level intensity. 

Unlike some of the more extreme rides in the park, Big Thunder Mountain provides just the right amount of thrills without being too overwhelming or scary. It’s a great way for tweens to push their boundaries and test their courage, without feeling like they’ve bitten off more than they can chew.

Unfortunately this attraction is not wheelchair accessible and any tweens with a disability must transfer out of their wheelchair for this attraction. There is also a height requirement of 40 inches for this particular attraction, and if you have any health problems such as high blood pressure or any heart issues, it is highly advised that you do not participate in this attraction due to its rapid nature!

Webslingers

Webslingers is an incredible attraction at Disneyland California Adventure that is perfect for tweens looking for a fun and interactive experience. This ride takes guests on a thrilling adventure with Spider-Man as he enlists them to help defeat some of his newest technological creations, known as Spider-Bots. 

Using advanced technology and a unique motion-sensing system, guests are able to control their own web-slinging abilities and help Spider-Man save the day. This ride is wonderful for tweens because it truly allows them to feel like they are a part of the action. They get to use their own abilities to help Spider-Man defeat his enemies, which makes for an incredibly immersive experience. 

Additionally, the ride is not too intense or scary, so it’s perfect for tweens who want a fun and exciting experience without feeling overwhelmed.

This attraction is another one of the rides on our list that allows you to bring your wheelchair onto the attraction which makes it a great option for tweens that may have physical disabilities! I am happy to report that this is a wonderful attraction both in a wheelchair and in a normal seat! As another added bonus, there are no height requirements for this attraction, making it a great choice for the whole family!

Splash Mountain (soon to be Tiana’s Bayou Adventure)

This hyper-popular log flume ride takes guests on a watery adventure through the world of Brer Rabbit, complete with animatronics, music, and plenty of splashes for tweens to enjoy. With several very large drops throughout the length of the ride, Splash Mountain is definitely an attraction that will get your tween’s heart racing and adrenaline pumping.

This ride is a great option for tweens because it’s not too intense overall, but still provides plenty of excitement. Another great aspect of Splash Mountain is that it’s a great way to cool off on a hot day. Tweens will love the chance to cool off and have some fun at the same time.

Unfortunately this attraction is not wheelchair accessible due to the nature of the ride and the amount of water that finds its way into the ride vehicles, and there is a height requirement of 40 inches to participate in the attraction! Regardless of this, it is still one of our favorites and we would recommend it to just about anyone on those hot summer days!

Radiator Springs Racers

Radiator Springs Racers” by HarshLight licensed under CC BY 2.0

Out of all the attractions on our list, this one stands out due to its ever increasing popularity and long wait times. Nevertheless, it’s one of my top picks in DCA and appeals to both young and old alike. This thrilling ride whisks you away to the world of Cars, where you get to interact with the movie’s beloved characters. 

Although the ride itself is rather brief, it’s brimming with immersive experiences and culminates in a race between two vehicles that tweens are sure to enjoy even if they are not a fan of the franchise. The stunning scenery adds to the overall charm of the area, making it a favorite among folks who can’t get enough of the film’s ambiance.

There is a height requirement of 40 inches for this attraction and unfortunately it is not wheelchair accessible, however there are no large drops or overly jarring movements that may make this attraction uncomfortable for children with physical disabilities! 

There is one car on the outer right track that rotates quite a bit going around the sharp corner, but it is only for a brief moment and the seating restraints keep you from feeling like you will slide out of your vehicle.

Pixar Pal-A-Round Swinging Gondolas

Pixar Pier” by Jeremy Thompson licensed under CC BY 2.0

The Swinging Gondolas on the Pixar Pal-A-Round in Disneyland are a thrilling and exciting attraction that is perfect for tweens who are looking for a fun and unique ride experience.

Located in Disney California Adventure Park, the attraction consists of several gondolas that swing back and forth as they travel around a circular track (you may also hear it referred to in the parks as the Ferris wheel). 

The swinging motion is rather intense and provides a thrilling sensation that tweens are sure to love if they are thrill seekers or if they are just looking for something different to add to their day!

Additionally, the ride is highly themed and immersive, with a stunning view of the park and the surrounding area. Tweens will love the chance to soar high above the park and take in the sights and sounds of Disneyland from a different perspective, All while being thrown around in the swinging gondola.

Please keep in mind, this attraction frequently closes early to accommodate nighttime shows! Both gondola options are wheelchair accessible and can accommodate parties of up to five although if you have a wheelchair user in your party, I would highly recommend going on the non-swinging gondolas.

Runaway Railway

The newly opened Runaway Railway is a fantastic new attraction in Disneyland that is perfect for tweens. This ride takes guests on a wild adventure through the world of Mickey and Minnie, complete with vibrant colors, catchy music, and plenty of surprises. 

The ride itself is a combination of a dark ride and a trackless ride system, which means that guests are taken on a journey through multiple rooms and scenes, with the ride vehicle moving in all directions. This creates a thrilling and exciting ride experience that tweens are sure to love. It’s the perfect balance of excitement and fun, and a great way to escape the heat and crowds while still having a great time in the park.

The ride queues for this particular attraction are completely wheelchair accessible, with the exception of ride vehicles, which will require a transfer. This attraction can be a little more difficult for tweens who are sensitive to sharp and rather sudden movements and unfortunately does require a transfer into the ride vehicle, but if your tween is a fan of Mickey and Minnie this is definitely an attraction that you should look into!

Rise of the Resistance

Array of Stormtroopers…” by Cory Doctorow is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

Closing off our list today, Rise of the Resistance is an epic attraction in Disneyland that is perfect for tweens who love Star Wars. This ride takes guests on a thrilling adventure through the Resistance base and the First Order Star Destroyer and features stunning special effects, animatronics, and set pieces that make guests feel like they are in the middle of an intense Star Wars experience. 

The ride features an engaging storyline that tweens will appreciate, and the action and special effects will keep them on the edge of their seats. This level of immersion is sure to be appealing to tweens who love the franchise. The ride is also not too intense, so it’s perfect for those who are looking for a thrilling experience without being too scared.

One of my favorite things about this attraction is that it is completely wheelchair accessible with the exception of one transfer into the ride vehicle! This is a truly wonderful attraction and I cannot recommend it enough due to its beautiful imagery and amazing storyline! there is a 40 inch height requirement for this attraction.

Honorable Mention

Avengers Campus

Avengers Campus in Disney California Adventure is a great destination for tweens looking for an exciting and immersive experience even if they don’t enjoy rides. There are plenty of things for tweens to do in the campus, and one of my personal favorite attractions is the Avengers Headquarters, where guests can witness the heroic acts of their favorite Marvel superheroes. 

Tweens can watch Captain America lead a training session, or see Black Widow perform daring stunts in a high-stakes themed show. For those like myself who absolutely love to interact with characters, Avengers Campus offers a variety of meet-and-greet opportunities. Tweens and pre-teens can take photos with their favorite Marvel superheroes and can also participate in several shows throughout the day. 

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