Richie Mouse Reviews: My Top 10 Rides at Disneyland Paris

Image by bunzellisa from Pixabay

So you only have a couple of days in Disneyland Paris. How are you going to fit everything in?! I have one word for you, Prioritize! Here is my top 10 Attractions at Disneyland Paris!

Disclaimer: This post was written in 2021. Any additional rides will be updated. All facts and figures are correct at the time of publishing.

Hey everyone! This was a pretty hard list to create as there are so many great attractions at Disneyland Paris. But, here it is! My top ten list for the best attractions at Disneyland Paris and why. Please note, this is my own opinion on the rides, they may not be everyone’s cup of tea!

Number 10: It’s A Small World (The Annoying, Yet Love-able One.)

You can’t have a list of attractions without including this one! It’s a Small World is a classic ride in all of the Disney Parks. First created for the World Fair in New York in 1964-1965, it was overseen by Walt Disney himself, and was opened in Disneyland California in 1966. With over 240 animated dolls, dancing, swinging and spinning in the attraction. It’s A Small World is the perfect ride for all the family. As my mother would say, it would be a lovely break to sit down for five minutes!

FastPass: None.

Height: None.

Mouse-O-Meter: I give this one a 4 Mouse out of 10. Its one of the originals, and the work put into the ride is superb… but the song starts to get on my nerves 15 seconds in. Patrick is going to kill me when he sees this, sorry Patrick!

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Fun Fact: According to Disney, the song is played well over 1,000 times in full during a typical day of operation…. The poor attraction operators….

Link to the Disneyland Paris website: https://www.disneylandparis.com/en-ie/attractions/disneyland-park/its-a-small-world/

Number 9: Peter Pan Flight (The One with the Longest Line.)

I know I am going to get some backlash from this, especially from my mother, but Peter Pan’s Flight comes in at Number 9. There is nothing wrong with this ride, except for the long, claustrophobic queue! Jump into a flying pirate ship and set sail over London with Peter and his pals. Some of the special effects are brilliant in this one, and it is perfect for a little one who may be scared of the other dark rides (Looking at you Pinocchio and Snow White *shudders*) Two tips to avoid the queue: Get a FastPass (I explain all in a recent blog post; click here) or be there first thing in the morning when the park opens (also called Rope Drop)!

FastPass: Yes! Just at the entrance of the attraction on the right hand side.

Height: None.

Mouse-O-Meter: I give this one a 4 Mice out of 10. One for all the family, but if you blink you might miss it, this ride is a pretty short one!

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Link to Disneyland Paris Site: https://www.disneylandparis.com/en-ie/attractions/disneyland-park/peter-pans-flight/

Number 8: Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast (The One for Those Who Are Competitive.)

Myself and Conor love a good competition, and Buzz Lightyear does just that! With its spinning nature and fun game play, this ride can be ridden again and again. Another one for the whole family, Buzz Lightyear Laser Blast is a gun shooting game, where you are tasked with defeating Emperor Zurg, who is stealing all the batteries from innocent toys. Can you help Buzz save the day?

Note: This ride is currently closed for refurbishment at the start of lockdown. Fingers crossed it will be reopen when the parks open!

FastPass: Yes! Just at the entrance of the attraction on the right hand side.

Height: None.

Mouse-O-Meter: I give this one a 5 Mice out of 10. Sometimes there can be broken elements on the ride, which will hopefully be fixed once it is finished its refurbishment.

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Disneyland Paris Official Website Link: https://www.disneylandparis.com/en-ie/attractions/disneyland-park/buzz-lightyear-laser-blast/

Number 7: Star Tours (For the Young Jedis.)

Have you ever wanted to fly in a spaceship with C3PO? Well now you can with Star Tours. This is another great ride created with the ability to change and adapt as the movies continue to grow. Based around the Star Wars Series, this simulator ride makes you feel like you are flying in hyperspace! What is even cooler about this ride is that there is over 60 scene combinations, so it is rare that you will experience the same ride twice. This ride comes with a number of health considerations due to the nature of the ride, if you have any questions, it is best to ask a Cast Member at the attraction. Also worth noting the queue is mainly inside and very interactive which will keep the kids occupied as you wait.

FastPass: Yes! Just at the entrance of the attraction on the left hand side.

Height: 1.02m.

Mouse-O-Meter: I give this one a 6 Mice out of 10. Fun for all the family.

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Disneyland Paris Official Website Link: https://www.disneylandparis.com/en-ie/attractions/disneyland-park/star-tours-the-aventures-continue/

Number 6: The Phantom Manor (The Scary One.)

Just back after a long refurbishment, this ride is known to put the spook in spook-tacular! If you haven’t read my blog post on the story of Big Thunder Mountain (click here), the Phantom Manor now hosts a new set of ghosts and ghouls! Sitting in your “doombuggy” you travel around the old house owned by Henry Ravenwood where the ghosts come out to play. This ride is definitely scary, even for me as an adult but it is a lot of fun, and the effects are really great!

FastPass: No.

Height: No, but be aware of the scary nature of this ride.

Mouse-O-Meter: I give this one a 8 Mice out of 10. Especially after the much needed refurb, this ride has really stepped up its game with the special effects and atmosphere… We can’t wait to, “Hurry Back……”

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Disneyland Paris Official Website Link: https://www.disneylandparis.com/en-ie/attractions/disneyland-park/phantom-manor/

Number 5: Ratatouille- The Adventure (The One with the Best Effects)

Ever wanted to shrink yourself down to the size of a mouse and run around a kitchen? Yeah, me neither! That was until I got a chance to ride on Ratatouille: The Adventure. This is by far one of the most advanced rides that Disney has created! From the 4D aspect, the motion based, trackless ride vehicles and the smells created in the ride, it is such a clever way of honouring the French movie! Follow Remy as he tries to escape the evil Chef Skinner after landing in his kitchen! I cannot wait until all of my American friends get to enjoy this ride when it opens in Epcot later this year. 

FastPass: Yes. They are located on the right hand side of the plaza!

Height: No, suitable for everyone!

Mouse-O-Meter: I give this one a 8 Mice out of 10. This ride is such a clever way of mixing technology and a story together!

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Link to Disney’s Official Site: https://www.disneylandparis.com/en-ie/attractions/walt-disney-studios-park/ratatouille-the-adventure/

Number 4: Pirates of the Caribbean (The One where you Might Get Wet!)

Ahoy Mateys! A Pirates Life for Me! Pirates of the Caribbean comes in at number four. With its wonderful array of animatronics, immersive queue and thrill drops, this attraction is perfect for the family, and will satisfy anyone looking for a thrill! Keep an eye out for Jack Sparrow as you travel through a number of swashbuckling scenes. Remember; Dead Man Tell No Tales!

FastPass: No.

Height: No, suitable for everyone!

Mouse-O-Meter: I give this one a 8 Mice out of 10. This ride is such a classic! A fun ride with a bit of a thrill.

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Link to Disney’s Official Site: https://www.disneylandparis.com/en-ie/attractions/disneyland-park/pirates-of-the-caribbean/

Number 3: Hyperspace Mountain (The One Conor Loves.)

Originally based around Jules Verne’s novel From Earth to the Moon, this rollercoaster was re-imagined as Hyperspace Mountain which has taken on the Star Wars franchise theming. My poor dad had to go on this rollercoaster with me when I was younger, and he is terrified of this kind of stuff. This is not for the faint-hearted, with a number of inversions, a launch start and did I mention its completely in the dark? The theming works quite well for this rollercoaster which ties in with that area of the park.

FastPass: Yes, located to the left of the entrance to the attraction. Note: the FastPass entrance is on the left hand side of the building up a flight of stairs.

Height: 1.20m

Mouse-O-Meter: I give this one a 8 Mice out of 10. If I gave it any lower, Conor (my boyfriend) would be very mad!

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Link to Disney’s Official Site: https://www.disneylandparis.com/en-ie/attractions/disneyland-park/hyper-space-mountain/

Number 2: The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror (The One With the Biggest Thrill.)

Looking for a thrill? Step inside the elevator of the Hollywood hotel, as they drop you from the top of the hotel to the bottom and everywhere in between. They have recently updated it with three new stories and a number of falling combinations to keep you on the age of your seat. The theming, pre-show and ride itself is so well crafted, I would ride this ride again and again….

FastPass: Yes, located to the right of the entrance to the attraction.

Height: 1.02m

Mouse-O-Meter: I give this one a 10 Mice out of 10. I absolutely loved it and would go on it again and again!

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Link to Disney’s Official Site: https://www.disneylandparis.com/en-ie/attractions/walt-disney-studios-park/twilight-zone-tower-of-terror/

Number 1: Big Thunder Mountain (The One for All the Family)

Coming in at Number 1, Big Thunder Mountain is by far my favourite attraction at Disneyland Paris. Located in Frontierland in the Disneyland Paris Park, this ride cannot be missed, with the large stone scenery overlooking the Phantom Manor. As mentioned in my review of this ride (click here!), it is a family friendly thrill ride that has such a creative story behind it. You can expect some twists and turns, special effects and of course The Wildest Ride in the Wilderness!

FastPass: Yes, located to the right of the entrance to the attraction.

Height: 1.02m

Mouse-O-Meter: I give this one a 10 Mice out of 10. Such a fun ride for all the family!

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Link to Disney’s Official Site: https://www.disneylandparis.com/en-ie/attractions/disneyland-park/big-thunder-mountain/

I really hope this blog helps anyone trying to work out what rides to hit on their next trip to Disneyland Paris. Do you agree? Have I missed anything? Let me know at the comments!