I Know Disneyland by Heart—Here’s What I Always Skip

After more than three decades in the two Disneyland Resort parks, I know what is (and isn’t) worth a visit on every trip.

As a Disneyland regular, I’ve had plenty of time over the last 35-plus years to figure out which attractions I want to ride again and again and which ones just don’t make the cut. While Disneyland has very few experiences I’d call outright misses, there are a select few that I opt to rarely ride or participate in.

So, on a limited park day, I’m much more interested in spending my time on the attractions I genuinely love than squeezing in a ride on the following.

Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes

Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes are one of those Disneyland attractions that I can appreciate without actually needing to ride. The experience is certainly unique — you and your fellow guests help paddle a canoe around the Rivers of America — but for me, that doesn’t quite make up for the amount of effort involved.

Photo by Danny Shuster

Unlike most Disneyland attractions, you’re not sitting back while an attraction does the work for you. You’re actually paddling. And depending on the weather and your enthusiasm level (and who’s riding along with you), that can turn what should be a leisurely attraction into a surprisingly sweaty workout. I’d rather spend that time wandering around Bayou Country or finding another way to enjoy the scenery.

The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

I know plenty of Disney fans love Winnie the Pooh, but when I’m deciding how to spend limited time at Disneyland, this is an easy skip for me.

Photo by Cliff Wang

The ride is short, and I don’t find it particularly compelling compared with some of Disneyland’s other classic dark rides. If the wait is minimal and you’re traveling with a Pooh-loving child, by all means, hop aboard. But if there’s a substantial line, I’m moving on. There are simply too many other Disneyland attractions I’d rather experience.

Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage

Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage is another attraction I appreciate more in theory than in practice. The underwater setting is clever, and the idea of traveling through the lagoon in a submarine is undeniably fun. But the experience comes with a major drawback: You’re not only trapped in a small enclosed space, but you’re also riding one of the park’s slowest-moving and lowest-capacity rides.

Photo by Cliff Wang

The attraction can also take a while, particularly when you factor in the time spent waiting and loading. When I have a limited amount of time at Disneyland, I’m usually not willing to spend a significant chunk of it waiting for a relatively short ride in a cramped space. I’ll happily admire the submarines from above and spend my time elsewhere.

Silly Symphony Swings

Silly Symphony Swings is perfectly pleasant if you enjoy a traditional swing ride, but that’s exactly the problem for me: I’ve got plenty of other things I’d rather do at Disneyland (or California Adventure, since that’s where this attraction lives).

The ride is essentially a large chair swing ride with a Disney twist, and while the views can be enjoyable, it doesn’t offer the kind of uniquely experience that makes me want to prioritize it. If the line is short and you’re looking for something breezy and uncomplicated, it can be fun. But if you’ve already ridden plenty of other swings, it’s a sure skip.