These rides are fantastic during the day, but you’ll find a bit of extra magic about them once the sun goes down – here are our picks for the Top 10 Best After Dark Rides:

1. Big Thunder Mountain –

The way this mountain is all lit up at night is absolutely breath-taking, and the ride feels so much faster in the dark, plus the dynamite scene is more intense!

 

2. Matterhorn –

The caverns where the Yeti hides are SO much darker and scarier after dark (in a fun way) – and you can look down on all the pretty lights of Fantasyland. Bonus – if you are lucky enough to be riding the Matterhorn when the fireworks are going off then you are in for the treat of a lifetime!

3. Splash Mountain –

If taking the plunge into the briar patch gives your stomach butterflies, try doing it in pitch black! It takes the “happy place” to a whole new level!

 

4. King Arthur’s Carousel –

The carousel is the jewel of Fantasyland after dark, it lights up so beautifully and is just so pleasant and magical at night, I could stay on it for hours… if I didn’t get dizzy.

 

5. Mad Tea Party (Teacups) –

This might be voted MOST beautiful after dark – the area around the Mad Tea Party is quite dark and when the colorful lanterns that hang above the ride come on at night it is so festive and gorgeous!

 

6. Jungle Cruise –

The ride is the same, but it takes on a hugely different feel in the dark – those animatronic animals look just a little more real and it feels a little more intense when those piranhas and other animals pop up!

 

7. Tower of Terror –

Similar to Splash Mountain and Mickey’s Fun wheel – this ride is more terrifying at night because it’s like you are dropping into a dark abyss, but when you are at the top for a split second – the view of the park and lights below is stunning!

 

8. Grizzly River Rapids –

This is definitely for the thrill-seekers out there, this is a crazy, intense ride for me and in the dark the shrieks just seem to pour out of me like water over the falls!

 

9. Radiator Springs Racers–

Racers is definitely a ride that I MUST ride during the day and night – it is so breathtaking the way Cadillac Range is lit up, particularly the waterfall section. (But really ALL of CarsLand is spectacular at night!)

 

10. Mickey’s Fun Wheel –

Such a fun one after dark because it allows you to look around the Disneyland Resort (and much of Anaheim) but with all of the lights on – so thrilling to see!

 

There is so much more about Disneyland than just these few rides that shine (literally and figuratively) after dark – Main Street, the castle, etc.! It’s arguably the best time to be the Parks! What is your favorite ride to go on after dark? Do you prefer the more intense and thrilling effect the darkness gives a ride, or the glowy magic that the nighttime gives when the lights sparkle and stand out?