If you’ve never ridden these attractions at night, you’re missing some of the best parts of Disneyland.

As a Disneyland local who’s been visiting the resort’s two theme parks for over 35 years now, I tell everyone that nighttime is the best time to experience the attractions. Sure, you can speed-walk to multiple rides if you rope drop early in the morning but in my opinion, there’s simply something special about Disneyland at night.

In fact, riding some Disneyland rides at night can completely change the experience. Roller coasters become more thrilling (and maybe even a little more heart-pounding), rides that are magical in sunlight take on a new perspective at night, and some can even light up in new ways with that special after-dark illumination.

So, trust me: The following are the best Disneyland rides to experience at night.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

If you’ve never ridden Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at night at Disneyland, you’re missing out. In my opinion, that’s the only way to experience this classic roller coaster.

Sure, Big Thunder is thrilling any time of the day. But when you board this runaway mine train after the sun sets, the vibes completely change. It’s no longer a sunny albeit fast-paced ride through a mining town. When night falls, it takes on a spookier feel.

Even the trains feel like they’re racing down the track faster at night. I know it’s purely perspective, but you can’t convince me this ride doesn’t get more thrilling once the sky is dark. As an added bonus, if you manage to time your ride while the fireworks are exploding in background, it’s an unmatched experience.

Matterhorn Bobsleds

Like Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, the Matterhorn Bobsleds completely change once night falls. While the Matterhorn is a pretty good ride any time of the day, I think it’s one of Disneyland’s best at night because it becomes more thrilling (and harder for riders to see what’s ahead on the track).

The Matterhorn always delivers a bumpy ride, but once the sun sets it sure feels a lot faster and maybe even a little rougher. It’ll get your heart racing, particularly when that Abominable Snowman pops out of the darkness with his glowing eyes.

As you race up and down the iconic mountain inside your bobsled, nighttime also makes for some stellar views. You can always glimpse Fantasyland and Tomorrowland from the ride’s track, but both lands look more vibrant and a lot cooler after dark. Like Big Thunder, you can also time your ride to be onboard the Matterhorn during the fireworks show, capping off your day with a thrilling finale.

Mad Tea Party

Mad Tea Party is so much better after the sun sets that frankly, it’s now become a ride I walk right past during the day. I only get in the queue for this Fantasyland classic after dark, because it’s one of Disneyland’s best rides to experience at night.

During the day, the Mad Tea Party is purely about spinning as fast (or maybe as slow) as you can. Sure, you can choose your teacup’s color, but beyond that you’re really just spinning around in bright sunlight and it’s hard to see some of the details that make this ride so magical.

At night, Mad Tea Party delivers a completely different experience. Yes, the teacups feel like they’re spinning slightly faster. But more importantly, you can see the gentle glow of the colorful lanterns overheard, catch the glow of the Matterhorn in the background, and even catch nighttime parades (like Paint the Night) as they pass by, if you time your ride right.

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure may be a water ride one you’ll most likely get pretty wet on, if my experience is any indicator but trust me. It’s one Disneyland ride that you absolutely need to ride at night.

While Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is a gorgeous addition to Bayou Country during the day, it becomes absolutely stunning once the sun sets. The entire ride transforms, shining with vibrant purple lighting that can be seen from around the Rivers of America. The greenery and foliage surrounding the attraction glows, making it look like a jewel sitting along the riverbanks.

When you get to the top of the final drop, the views at night are also breathtaking. Thanks to the short pause that happens right before your log descends, you’ll get a moment to take in all of Disneyland aglow at post-sunset, which always makes for a memorable moment. (And yes, the splashes are more surprising in the dark!)

The Best California Adventure Rides to Ride at Night

Radiator Springs Racers

Radiator Springs Racers is a ride that’s more about speed than eye-catching visuals, but trust me: This California Adventure ride feels different once the sun sets. Everyone knows that Cars Land is best experienced right at dusk, when the “Sh-Boom” moment happens and all of Radiator Springs lights up with neon. But head over to Ornament Valley and the landscape of Radiator Springs Racers, and it’s equally magical.

While the interior portion of this ride isn’t impacted by the time of day you ride, the exterior half does feel different. When you line up at the starting line, you can tell the vibes are different darkness has fallen, and the ride feels more electrifying.

When your car takes off and hits 40 miles per hour, you’ll feel like you’re flying over the hills of Ornament Valley. But don’t forget to soak up the scenery, because the illuminated buttes and rockworks towering over the race track literally make them glow. And it’s gorgeous scenery that you can’t see in quite the same way when the sun is up.

Incredicoaster

The Incredicoaster is California Adventure’s fastest ride, but don’t worry it’s not so fast that you can’t soak in the incredible views of the park (and even the city of Anaheim).

I love riding this Incredibles-inspired coaster at night. Not only does the darkness make its speed feel faster, but seeing both California Adventure and Disneyland lit up at night from high above its hills is a big perk.

While the Incredicoaster is definitely one of Disneyland’s best roller coasters, it’s also one of the resort’s best rides to experience at night. The effects on the coaster’s track and inside the scream tunnels are more pronounced, and its impact feels even more thrilling from that watery launch all the way to the inversion.

Grizzly River Run

I’m not the biggest fan of Grizzly River Run. I don’t love water rides, and I especially dislike trying to walk around the parks in wet clothes (and socks and shoes) after getting drenched by this river rapids ride and its geysers. However, at night, it becomes a bit of a different experience.

If you do like water rides, then Grizzly River Run is one of Disneyland’s best rides to ride at night. Once darkness falls over California Adventure, the wooded waterways of this ride take on a bit of a thrilling feel. You never know where the next splash or spray from a geyser will come from, and riding at night amplifies this.

Plus, while you might not expect to see much thanks to the woodsy nature of the ride’s surroundings, this is a hidden gem of a spot for watching the fireworks. If you time your ride just right, you might get lucky enough to see them or even have Cast Members pause the lift so you have a flawless view of the show from slightly higher up.