Skip the crowds, skip the stress — these Disneyland rides are early-morning musts.

When you arrive at Disneyland early in the morning, you have so many options. Thanks to the park’s relatively compact size, it’s easy to ride a number of popular, thrilling, or even classic attractions back to back, all before 10 AM. Whether you’re a parent with kids in tow looking for Fantasyland fun or a thrillseeker who wants to ride coasters before lines get long, there’s a lot you can ride first thing in the morning.

But if you’re hoping to beat the crowds or take advantage of the quieter part of the day, there are a few rides I recommend heading to above the rest. After 35-plus years of exploring the parks, these are the best Disneyland rides to ride first thing in the morning so you can enjoy them to the fullest.

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

Photo by Danny Shuster

Although it’s now been open long enough to see some of its popularity (and those hours-long wait times) decline, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is still popular enough that it’s always in demand when Disneyland opens. Many guests will make it their first post-rope drop pick, heading right to Galaxy’s Edge when opening time rolls around each day.

In my experience, Rise of the Resistance is definitely a ride that’s worth riding first thing in the morning. First, you’ll get a chance to head into Galaxy’s Edge while it’s relatively empty — a perk that’s tough to come by any other time of day. And second, you’ll be able to walk the queue without any real delay.

Frankly, that’s the best way to experience this always-popular attraction.

Space Mountain

Prefer classic roller coasters to newer hits like Rise of the Resistance? Then Space Mountain is my top pick for a first thing in the morning ride. 

Space Mountain is perennially popular, and it never fails to command a lengthy wait time. However, if you head here first thing after rope drop, you’ll walk right on. And really, there’s no better way to kickstart your day in the park than a high-speed coaster that sends you flying through the complete darkness of (simulated) space. 

Even better? While you’re in Tomorrowland, you can easily head right over and ride other popular attractions like Star Tours – The Adventures Continue or even the nearby Matterhorn Bobsleds to knock out multiple rides right away.

Matterhorn Bobsleds

Photo by Danny Shuster

Like Space Mountain, the Matterhorn Bobsleds are always a popular pick after rope drop. And typically, by mid-morning, the outdoor queue is long and winding. But if you head here first thing in the morning, you’ll have the chance to ride without a wait — and with some of the coolest early-morning views of Fantasyland and Tomorrowland.

I love riding the Matterhorn first thing in the morning because its crisp air and scenic setting feel extra-magical. Sure, it might be more thrilling (and slightly scarier) after sunset, but in my opinion the morning offers the best POV. You’ll get to see the scenes and track perfectly, even as you whizz by, and it’s a great chance to see the detail in some of the not-quite-outdoors scenes within the mountain.

And if you happen to look beyond the track, you’ll have some stellar views of the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage lagoon, the Mad Tea Party, and even the monorail slipping by.

Dumbo the Flying Elephant

Hear me out: Dumbo the Flying Elephant may not command the same excitement as Disneyland’s bigger thrill rides, but it’s always in demand. If you head into Fantasyland around mid-day, you’re likely to find that the queue stretches pretty far, often hitting 45 minutes to an hour on a typical day.

And for a kid-focused attraction that clocks in at under a minute in length, it’s not exactly one with a big payoff after you wait in a lengthy line.

That’s why Dumbo is such a great choice first thing in the morning. This ride is quick but adorable, and I love the views it offers when you’re soaring sky-high over Fantasyland. After Disneyland opens, its barely-there line moves fast, meaning you can easily ride Dumbo first and then head onto other popular attractions in no time at all.

Storybook Land Canal Boats

Photo by Cliff Wang

Disneyland’s Storybook Land Canal Boats might seem like a ride you’re better off skipping — after all, it’s simply a slow, quaint ride through miniature scenes — but don’t sleep on this Fantasyland staple. It’s one of my favorites to ride first thing in the morning.

First, the attraction doesn’t always open right at rope drop with the rest of Fantasyland. It can, some days, see a slight delay and open anywhere from half an hour to an hour after the rest of the park (like Casey Jr. Circus Train). But once it does open and other guests catch on to the fact that it’s up and running, the queue fills up fast. And, since this ride often closes early in the day, your time to ride is more limited than on other attractions.

Another perk: Riding through the waterways of the Storybook Land Canal Boats is fantastic first thing in the morning. The lighting is softer, the general vibes are quieter and calmer, and it’s cooler under the California sun (a huge perk come summertime). 

Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway

Lastly, if you love Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, this is one you’ll want to plan to ride first thing in the morning. Tucked away in Mickey’s Toontown, it does take some time for guests to wander over to this attraction. So, if you head here first, you’ll breeze right through the queue and catch the ride with zero wait.

In my experience, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway tends to draw a crowd starting about an hour after Disneyland itself opens. Guests tend to get drawn in by other attractions on the way into Toontown (after all, you have to walk past heavy hitters like the Matterhorn to get there), and as a result it takes more time for crowds to build here.

And, since this relatively recent addition continues to draw crowds thanks to its fun trackless ride experience and all-ages focus, you’ll want to ride it first — regardless of whether you’re planning to stick around in Toontown longer. Head out before it gets packed with kids, and you’ll be able to ride more across the rest of the park.