My top 5 favourite rides at Disneyland Park

Disneyland Park is a theme park. Granted it's a magical theme park but it a theme park nevertheless. So I thought it would make sense to talk about my top 5 favourite rides at Disneyland Park. As somebody who's been on every single ride apart from two, I believe I'm a pretty good judge by now.

So without further ado...

5. Casey Jr. - Le Petit Train du Cirque

Literally translating as the little circus train, Casey Jr is a very fun ride that is surprisingly nippy for a children's roller-coaster. It's in Fantasyland next to Le Pays des Contes de Fees (or as I like to call them, the magical boats that are never open) and both rides are known for their extremely short wait times.

The train that you ride in is bright, colourful and downright adorable and the fairy-tale scenes that you whizz past are beautiful. In addition, you're riding along to the catch Casey Jr. song, I challenge you to not have it stuck in your head after this ride.

Image description: A family sat on a brightly colour train. Picture Source: Disneyland Paris

4. Buzz Lightyear's Laser Blast

Fancy getting a little bit competitive with your family and friends this Disney trip? Then this ride is for you. Two people are placed in space cruiser and made to fight aliens, evil creature and Emperor Zurg. Each time you shoot a monster you get points and it can be really good fun to see who in your space cruiser comes out on top. 

In addition, the scenes that Disney have created in-ride are really good fun and are suitable for all ages. In addition, this ride is part of the extra magic hours for Disneyland Paris and is also on Fastpass meaning, if you play your cards right, you can enjoy this ride with minimal wait time. 

Overall, this ride is currently my favourite ride in Discoveryland for good reason. 

Image description: Picture of an alien with a small target on it's head. Picture Source: Disneyland Paris

3. Pirates of the Caribbean

Picture description: A small boat passing a pirate ship. Picture Source: Disneyland Paris

Yo, ho, yo, how, a pirate's life for me. The iconic Disneyland ride is just as fantastic, if not more so. The figures still hold up 25 years later and the story telling is absolutely brilliant.

In addition, there are a couple of surprises on your boating journey. What are they? Well I'm not telling you that. where's the fun in me telling you what's in store?

If you look closely at the start of the ride, you can actually see diners at Captain Jack's, enjoying their dinner. It's a really fantastic atmosphere and one of the big selling points of the restaurant.

Because the boats take a good 25-30 people per ride, there's a very high capacity. So expect your average queue to be between 5-35 minutes depending on time of day and season.

Overall it's a must do ride and one of the many reasons I love Adventureland. 

2. Big Thunder Mountain

Image description: Mine train ride surrounded by lake water. Picture Source: Disneyland Paris

Disneyland Paris is often seen as the smaller ugly child of Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resort. If you have been the either, than there is a small part of you that goes 'That was better in Florida..."

However, I actually prefer Disneyland Paris' Big Thunder Mountain to it's American counterpart. Why because you go under the lake. Now before you hydrophobic people start panicking, don't worry, the engineers behind this ride took a page out of the Eurotunnel book and made a tunnel under the lake.

What this means for the riders is lots of sections of the ride when you're twisting, turning and dropping in the pitch black. You have 0 idea what the expect and the thrills start from the moment that you leave that station. One small world of advice, wear gloves on this ride if you are going in the winter, trust me you hands will thank you for it.

Overall a really fun family coaster that manages to trump it's American counterparts. 

1. Indiana Jones and the Temple of Peril

I love this ride. I had to do this every single time I go to Disneyland Paris. In short, this roller-coaster can be a beginner's guide to inversions. With only one vertical loop, it's a great introduction that isn't too intimidating but yet manages to keep you smiling. Whether it's that first drop complete with a little pop of air, that bank before the loop or the twist and turns before the exit, each moment of the ride is crafted to make you smile and scream.

In addition, the theme both on ride and in the queue area is absolutely beautiful. From the adventure camp in the queue to the rustic rides, you ride through. Disney really put in the love and care into this ride and it shows. I won't tell you everything that happens because the best part of this ride are the surprises it offers.

Now despite a certain British comedy protagonist stating he waited 3 hours for this ride, the queue times now days are nowhere near as busy. The longest I've ever seen the queue was 20 minutes and normally you can often catch it either with a 5 minute wait or no wait at all. In the unlikely case it's super busy, don't panic. This ride is available on Fastpass. 

Overall a fantastic ride that deserves the number 1 spot.

Image Description: Picture of a roller coaster surrounded by ruins. Picture Source: Disneyland Paris