Hiya, Jennifer. Thanks for visiting planDisney! I am here for the magic.
This is a great question, and while some rides are generally the most popular, only Madame Leota knows what wait times will be day-to-day. The two most popular rides that come to mind first are
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and
Radiator Springs Racers. Those are the two
Lightning Lane Single Pass rides, and they tend to have the longest wait times. Other rides that often have longer lines are thrill rides, like Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain, and
Indiana Jones Adventure in Disneyland Park. In California Adventure Park, Toy Story Midway Mania!, Guardians of the Galaxy, and
Soarin' Around the World tend to be some of the longer lines. This may vary, as every day is different!
Jennifer, during the
Holidays, you'll notice that many rides can have long wait times. I was there just last week and found that Lightning Lane Multi Pass (LLMP) was well worth the additional price when we were there with first-time visitors from North Carolina and wanted to get on as many rides as possible. LLMP is a great add-on that allows you to select return times for certain rides one at a time, allowing you to maximize your time at the parks. The cost for LLMP also includes free
Disney PhotoPass downloads on the day of your visit!
If you don't plan to purchase LLMP, I find that one of the best times to ride some of the most popular rides is during a parade or other entertainment offerings, like fireworks. Be sure to download the
Disneyland Mobile App to check wait times throughout the day. You can check attraction wait times in real time by clicking the pin drop icon at the bottom of the app's homescreen and selecting "Attractions" from the options at the top of the resort map. Cool, right?
Jennifer, I hope this helps you plan a most magical day. Please
let me know if you have any other questions! I would love to help.
See ya real soon,
Melissa