Disneyland opened its doors on July 17, 1955. It started with one theme park and not nearly as many rides and attractions as there are today. The park has changed so much since it opened, but there are also so many things that remain the same. These are all of the oldest rides at Disneyland.
King Arthur Carrousel
King Arthur Carrousel is a merry-go-round attraction in Fantasyland. It was there on Disneyland’s opening day in 1955 and has been operating ever since.
Jungle Cruise
Jungle Cruise is a water ride in Adventureland in Disneyland. It’s been there since 1955 when the park opened. This ride used to be more serious, but people didn’t love it, so it was redone at some point to be humorous and more fun.
Mad Tea Party
Mad Tea Party is a cute spinning ride at Disneyland in Fantasyland. It opened on July 17, 1955 and has been there ever since. It’s old and so nostalgic.
Peter Pan’s Flight
Peter Pan’s Flight is another Disneyland opening day attraction that is still around today. It’s in Fantasyland and takes you through the story of the Peter Pan movie. This is such a classic ride. It’s also one of the shortest rides in Disneyland with a ride time of 2 minutes. See all of the shortest rides at Disneyland here.
Storybook Land Canal Boats
Storybook Land Canal Boats opened in Fantasyland on Disneyland’s opening day. This is a water ride that takes you through miniature versions of villages and castles from Disney movies like Frozen and Aladdin.
Disneyland Railroad
Walt Disney loved trains, so it’s no surprise that Disneyland opened with the Disneyland Railroad as an attraction. Riding this train is a fun way to see the theme park while sitting. It has a few different stations around the park where you can get on and off at.
Mark Twain Riverboat
Mark Twain Riverboat is another opening day attraction at Disneyland. It’s a steam-powered water vessel that sails on the Rivers of America.
Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride
Another opening day attraction at Disneyland is the classic ride Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride. It’s located in Fantasyland. It’s old and a must-ride for many Disneyland lovers.
Autopia
Autopia is a car driving attraction that’s located in Tomorrowland. It has been there since opening day in 1955. That makes this ride about 70 years old. It’s going to get a refurbishment soon to change the vehicles from gas-powered to electric.
Main Street Cinema
Main Street Cinema is not necessarily a ride, but it’s a theater you can go in. They play Mickey Mouse shorts in here like Steamboat Willie. It’s a nice place to sit and cool off. It opened on July 17, 1955.
Snow White’s Enchanted Wish
Snow White’s Enchanted Wish is a Fantasyland dark ride. It opened in 1955 as Snow White’s Scary Adventure, but was changed up a bit to be what it is now in 2021. This is the last opening day attraction on this list.
Casey Jr. Circus Train
Casey Jr. Circus Train was the first attraction to open after the opening of Disneyland. Its opening date was July 31, 1955. It’s a cute train ride in Fantasyland that goes through the same area as Storybook Land Canal Boats.
Dumbo The Flying Elephant
Dumbo The Flying Elephant is an iconic part of Fantasyland in Disneyland. It opened on August 16, 1955 and has been there ever since.
Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island
Pirate’s Lair On Tom Sawyer Island opened June 16, 1956. You take a boat across the Rivers of America to Tom Sawyer Island where you can wander around and look for treasure.
Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes
Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes opened up on July 4, 1956. This is a fun canoe attraction that you can do on the Rivers of America in Frontierland.
Alice in Wonderland
Alice In Wonderland is a classic dark ride in Fantasyland. It opened on June 14, 1958. Disneyland is the only Disney theme park that has this attraction.
Sailing Ship Columbia
Sailing Ship Columbia is another boat ride attraction on the Rivers of America in Frontierland. It opened on June 14, 1958, the same day as Alice In Wonderland.
Matterhorn Bobsleds
Matterhorn Bobsleds is a roller coaster in Fantasyland that opened on June 14, 1959. It’s hard to imagine Disneyland without the big Matterhorn mountain there. It’s the tallest structure in Disneyland park. See all of the tallest structures at Disneyland here.
Disneyland Monorail
The Disneyland Monorail also opened on June 14, 1959. You can ride it around Disneyland and there is also a loading station in Downtown Disney.
Enchanted Tiki Room
Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room is a bird show attraction in Adventureland. It’s so fun to get a Dole Whip and eat it in here while relaxing a little. It’s also a great place to go on a rainy day. This attraction opened on June 23, 1963.