What is the best ride at the two parks and why?

[wallawallakids]

Dca: incredicoaster. Hands down my favorite ride in Disneyland.

DL: Big Thunder Mtn. I just love that ride. Only exception is that I’m the weirdo who loves the HyperSpace mtn overlay. So that is my favorite ride when that occurs.

 

[miksicnarf]

DL: Haunted Mansion. So heavily themed, so many details and so relaxing.
Close 2nd: Pirates. Also theming and details, but above that I have memories of riding it with my family when it was new.

DCA: Soarin' (California > World). Relaxing and immersive.
Close 2nd: RSR. Great theming and like 3 rides in one--the Western sightseeing, prepping with the animated cars and the race.

 

[Bossy22]

Disneyland: Rise of the Resistance (was blown away by the immersive nature!)

California Adventure: Soaring over California (if only world is running I'd go with Incredicoaster).

 

[JerrodDragon89]

Disneyland: Rise of the Resistance. It has almost everything, some thrills, getting to walk through an amazing Pre show and the ride just works so well. Its amazing and while I love HM and Big Thunder, ROTR is just next level that we might not see from Disney in the US for a longggg time

DCA: This one is harder. I I would say mostly it was OG Soarin but now I would say its radiator springs racers, its only weakest for me is the Q which is good but...just isn't as amazing as HM or ROTR Q.

 

[Tinkaboo]

I just rewatched the Cars movies as I was making my new Cars outfit and man, newfound love for CarsLand! They really did nail it, I just hadn't realized before how PERFECT it is...i used to pooh-pooh Sh-Boom but no more! I 'll be out there dancin' too!

 

[clappyclaps]

Disneyland: Rise of the Resistance closely followed by the classics (Haunted Mansion, Big Thunder, Pirates)

DCA: Incredicoaster followed by Radiator Springs Racers. Would probably add Guardians too if it hadn't have been shut when I visited (lifelong Tower fan)

 

[Wildcat1144]

Disneyland: Indy (Pirates is a close 2nd for me)

DCA: Guardians

Least Favorite

Disneyland: Cartoon Spin

DCA: Spiderman

 

[pyratgrrl]

DL = Pirates of the Caribbean!! Best ride ever!
DCA: Radiator Springs Racers

 

[Pluto468]

Disneyland: Peter Pan's Flight. It's such a classic and the flying galleons are so unique.
Runner Up: Pirates.

DCA: The Little Mermaid.

 

[momtohms]

Mine are Big Thunder at DL and Guardians at DCA!

 

[BrianL]

It's the Mansion for me, though actually I prefer WDW's Mansion but DL's Pirates, so I could almost say POTC for Disneyland specifically. Then again, it's still the Mansion!

DCA is tougher, but it's probably RSR - part dark ride, part thrill ride, incredible theming - it's really a masterpeice.

 

[FLCA026]

DL - We like Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway
DCA - We like Radiator Springs Racers and Soarin

 

[BriannaRuth]

DL - We like Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway
DCA - We like Radiator Springs Racers and Soarin

Runaway Railway is kind of a dark horse for me ... one of those that I don't see as one of my top attractions, but I always love it once we're on it

 

[mouschievous]

DCA - RSR, no question. I will ride it as many times as possible. I love how immersive it is, I love that it's part dark ride, part thrill ride/roller coaster-ish.

DL - this one is so hard for me. Indiana Jones, when everything is working. Pirates is nostalgic. Big Thunder is a classic fave. I also really love Star Tours. Of those...Probably Big Thunder.

 

[mouschievous]

Least Favorite

Disneyland: Cartoon Spin

DCA: Spiderman

Yes to both! Especially Spiderman - all I get from that is tired wrists.

 

[DizMe]

I thought about this and I just don't have a favorite. I have so much history with DL that different periods of my life are reflected in so many rides. I have fond memories of all of my kids and their delight with their favorites, not just my own.

But I do love a good thrill so those rides tend to be top of my list.

Edited to add that I thought I would hate Spiderman. I can't explain it, but video game-type rides bring on a lot of anxiety for me. I avoided Spiderman but once when I was on my own, I tried it. I really enjoyed it as it didn't seem to have the same kind of competetive element and all I had to do was move my hands lol. It's satisfying in a weird sort of way.

 

[Jawwdoc]

DL: 3 way tie (Space Mountain - classic dark coaster, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad - classic Wild West coaster, Rise of the Resistance - imagineering masterpiece)
DCA: Guardians of the Galaxy- much improved drop sequence, all time best re-theme