Oldest Rides at Disneyland

6. King Arthur Carrousel

• Opening Date: July 17, 1955
• Area: Fantasyland
• Ride Status: Still in Operation

The King Arthur Carrousel is one of Disneyland’s oldest and most iconic rides. The carousel was originally located at Sunnyside Beach Park as far back as 1922. Walt bought the carousel and replaced its other animals with more antique horses. Today the carousel features 68 hand-carved horses, each with its own unique story. As the carousel goes round and round, guests can enjoy views of Sleeping Beauty Castle, Main Street, U.S.A., Dumbo the Flying Elephant, and the Storybook Canal.

Note: Considering it was originally an amusement park ride from 1922, one could argue that King Arthur Carrousel is Disneyland’s oldest ride.

7. Mad Tea Party

• Opening Date: July 17, 1955
• Area: Fantasyland
• Ride Status: Still in Operation

The Mad Tea Party is one of the most iconic attractions at Disneyland’s Fantasyland. The ride features 18 teacups arranged on three separate turntables, which spin atop an even larger turntable. Guests get dizzy as they spin and twirl around in a circular motion. In recent years, the Mad Tea Party has undergone a few changes, including the addition of L.E.D. lights to the tea cups. However, the overall experience remains essentially unchanged, giving guests a chance to step into the magical world of Alice in Wonderland.

8. Main Street Cinema

• Opening Date: July 17, 1955
• Area: Main Street, U.S.A.
• Ride Status: Still in Operation

Main Street Cinema is one of the oldest attractions at Disneyland. Guests can step inside the theater and watch classic black-and-white cartoons from the early days of Disney animation. The 6-screen cinema is located on Main Street, U.S.A., and is modeled after a typical small town from the early 20th century. As guests walk down Main Street, they can stop at the cinema to catch a break from the hustle and bustle of the theme park and enjoy some timeless entertainment.

9. Mark Twain Riverboat

• Opening Date: July 17, 1955
• Area: Frontierland
• Ride Status: Still in Operation

The Mark Twain Riverboat is a replica of an old-fashioned steam-powered riverboat. The Disneyland boat ride takes guests on a leisurely tour around Tom Sawyer Island, allowing them to see some of the park’s most popular landmarks from a unique perspective. It’s one of the few places in the park offering views of Adventureland and Frontierland lands. With its gentle breezes and shaded seating, the Mark Twain Riverboat is also a great way to beat the heat during a hot day at Disneyland.

10. Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride

• Opening Date: July 17, 1955
• Area: Fantasyland
• Ride Status: Still in Operation

Disneyland’s iconic Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride was inspired by the 1949 movie “The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad.” The ride features a mix of live action and animation and takes guests on a wild ride through the countryside in Mr. Toad’s car. It’s one of the oldest rides at Disneyland and is still very popular with guests of all ages.

11. Peter Pan’s Flight

• Opening Date: July 17, 1955
• Area: Fantasyland
• Ride Status: Still in Operation

Peter Pan’s Flight is a classic Disney attraction that has delighted guests since Disneyland’s opening day. The ride is based on the popular 1953 film Peter Pan and takes guests on a magical journey to Neverland. Along the way, they will encounter many of the film’s iconic characters, including Tinkerbell, Captain Hook, and of course, Peter Pan himself. The ride has undergone several updates and enhancements throughout the years. However, it retains the same charm and wonder that has made it a favorite among guests of all ages.

Note: There is also a similarly named ride at Walt Disney World, where it is one of Disney World’s oldest rides (and still considered by many to be one of Magic Kingdom’s best rides).

12. Snow White’s Enchanted Wish

• Opening Date: July 17, 1955
• Area: Fantasyland
• Ride Status: Still in Operation

Nowhere is the magic of Disneyland more evident than in Snow White’s Enchanted Wish. This classic ride has been charming guests since the park opened its doors in 1955 (albeit under a few different names and updates over the years) and shows no signs of slowing down. Guests can step into the shoes of Snow White as she sets off on her adventure, culminating in a face-to-face meeting with the Evil Queen. With its timeless story and beautiful scenery, Snow White’s Enchanted Wish is a must-do for any Disneyland visitor.

13. Storybook Land Canal Boats

• Opening Date: July 17, 1955
• Area: Fantasyland
• Ride Status: Still in Operation

Storybook Land Canal Boats opened in 1955 as “Canal Boats.” More than 60 years later, the boats still offer guests a leisurely journey through some of the best-loved scenes from classic Disney animated films, including “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” “Fantasia,” “Pinocchio,” and “Jungle Book.” Guests can also see colorful gardens, quaint cottages, and towering castles along the way. Disneyland’s Storybook Land Canal Boats offer a fun and relaxing way to experience some of the most loved stories from the Disney oeuvre.

Honorable Mention: Dumbo the Flying Elephant

• Opening Date: August 16, 1955
• Area: Fantasyland
• Ride Status: Still in Operation

Dumbo has been a Disneyland staple since August 16, 1955, just one month after Disneyland opened. Based on the 1941 film Dumbo, the ride invites guests to take to the skies on a cheerful flying elephant. While the ride may not be as fast or thrilling as some other attractions at Disneyland, it continues to be a favorite among visitors of all ages. In addition to its classic appeal, the ride is one of the longest-running attractions at Disneyland, having entertained guests for more than 60 years.

What is the Oldest Ride at Disneyland?

Even though there were 13 rides and attractions on Disneyland’s opening day, there is one ride that could legitimately be called the oldest.

The carrousel was initially built in 1922 and operated at Sunnyside Beach Park in Toronto, Ontario until the park shut down. It was relocated to Disneyland in 1954 and refurbished by Arrow Development.

Despite being one of 13 opening day attractions on July 17, 1955, King Arthur Carrousel was Disneyland’s only ride with a prior history at another amusement park. For this reason, we can confidently say that King Arthur Carrousel is Disneyland’s oldest ride.

With its intricate wooden horses and beautiful hand-painted scenes, King Arthur’s Carrousel is a classic Disney ride that has delighted millions of guests over the years. It is our hope that it will continue to delight guests for decades to come!

What is the Oldest Roller Coaster at Disneyland?

There wasn’t a rollercoaster at Disneyland for the first few years, but one eventually appeared. Matterhorn Bobsleds was Disneyland’s first roller coaster-style attraction when it opened on June 14, 1959. It was also the world’s first tubular steel coaster.

What Were Disneyland’s 35 Opening Day Rides, Attractions, and Exhibits?

Disneyland opened on July 17, 1955, with 35 rides, attractions, and exhibits. Of these, 13 original rides and attractions are still operating today (see above for the list).

The opening day was hugely successful, with over 28,000 people attending the park and nearly 90 million television viewers. In the months and years following the opening day, Disneyland continued to grow and add new rides and attractions. Today, it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, with millions of people visiting each year.

Here is a list of Disneyland’s opening day rides, attractions, and exhibits, sorted by land. The asterisks (*) indicate which rides are still operating today.

ADVENTURELAND

• Jungle Cruise*

FANTASYLAND

• Canal Boats* (re-named Storybook Land Canal Boats)
• Casey Jr. Circus Train*
• King Arthur Carrousel*
• Mad Tea Party*
• Mickey Mouse Club Theater
• Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride*
• Peter Pan’s Flight*
• Snow White and Her Adventures* (re-named “Snow White’s Enchanted Wish”)

FRONTIERLAND

• Conestoga wagon and stagecoach
• Davy Crockett Arcade
• Davy Crockett Frontier Museum
• The Golden Horseshoe Saloon
• The Indian Village
• Mark Twain Steamboat*
• Miniature horse corral
• Mule Pack

MAIN STREET U.S.A.

• Bank of America
• Disneyland Band*
• Disneyland Railroad Main Street Station*
• Horse-drawn fire wagon
• Horse-drawn surrey
• Horse-drawn trolley
• Main Street Cinema*
• Penny Arcade
• Santa Fe & Disneyland Railroad
• The Wizard of Bras

TOMORROWLAND

• Aluminum Hall of Fame
• Autopia*
• Circarama U.S.A.
• The Clock of the World
• Monsanto Hall of Chemistry
• Phantom Boats
• Rocket to the Moon
• Space Station X-1

Thanks for reading our Oldest Rides at Disneyland article. For more information about theme park history, see our Disneyland History, Disney World History, Universal Orlando History, and Walt Disney Quotes pages. We also have a Disneyland vs. Disney World comparison, a Disneyland Crowd Calendar, Best Age for Disneyland guidance, and an interesting analysis of How Much Money Disneyland Makes Each Day.