I’ve ridden every one of the water rides at Disneyland Resort trust me, these are the best (and worst!) in the parks.

In the last 30 years, I’ve visited Disneyland nearly every month, which means I’ve ridden a lot. And while there’s magic in (almost) every attraction, Disneyland’s water rides are a bit different. They run the gamut from calm and completely dry to thrilling and full of splashes, and depending on which water ride you choose, you might wind up spending the rest of your day wet.

Since I’m an expert in all of Disneyland’s attractions, I’m ranking all of the theme park’s water rides from best to worst. If you’re searching for some water-based fun, this is your guide to every option and which are most worth waiting in line for.

Before we dive in (pun intended), I should note: I’m someone who hates getting soaked on Disneyland’s water rides. So, if you’re a fan of extra-wet water rides, you’ll probably love my least-favorite picks.

The Best Disneyland Water Rides

Tiana’s Bayou Adventure

The newest water ride at Disneyland is actually a reimagined take on a classic. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, which opened in late 2024, is an impressive attraction with a fun storyline, incredible Audio-Animatronics, and gorgeous scenes. And, most importantly for any water ride, it’s got multiple drops and plenty of thrills along the way.

I could easily ride Tiana’s Bayou Adventure multiple times in a single visit (and I have!). Even though I’m not a huge fan of steep drops, the three here are fun regardless of age or thrillseeker interests, and trust me when I say you will get wet!

In fact, one of the details that make this log flume attraction so much fun is how wet you get changes every time. On some rides, you’ll walk off pretty dry, with the exception of your hands or feet. On others, you’ll get surprisingly soaked. Either way, for longtime guests who remember the former Splash Mountain: Disney definitely upped the splash factor here!

Storybook Land Canal Boats

If you, like me, prefer a water ride that doesn’t involve getting wet but offers plenty of story, Storybook Land Canal is the perfect pick. It’s a Disneyland classic, but one that often doesn’t get as much love as it deserves most prefer staples like the Jungle Cruise or Pirates of the Caribbean.

However, I adore the charm of Storybook Land Canal Boats. It’s a feat of Imagineering to behold the teeny tiny villages pulled straight out of classic Disney movies, from the gleaming gold sultan’s palace from Aladdin to miniature replicas of Alice’s home, Gepetto and Pinocchio’s village, and even Toad Hall, home to the beloved J. Thaddeus Toad from Wind in the Willows.

Plus, Storybook Land Canal Boats is a wonderfully relaxing ride. Its little villages and beautifully landscaped gardens (complete with miniature plants, of course), is a gentle tour across Fantasyland’s waterways, and I love that you can see other beloved attractions like Casey Jr. Circus Train along the way.

Jungle Cruise

This Disneyland water ride speaks for itself the Jungle Cruise is iconic, so much so that versions of it have been built around the world. Disneyland’s version may be smaller than its counterparts (especially the version at Disney World), but it’s nevertheless one of the best water rides in the park.

And it’s always a good time. Suited for guests of all ages, both pun-wise and height-wise, you don’t have to worry about height restrictions if you’re hoping to bring the whole family along for a stunning view of the back side of water. Along the way, classic Audio-Animatronic animals and travelers offer views of locales around the world.

And, of course, every ride is different. While there are classic Jungle Cruise jokes used by all of the skippers, the Cast Members’ freedom to ad lib and crack their own puns is what makes this such a stellar ride. You never know who’ll be guiding you into the jungle, and as a result, there’s always a small element of surprise… and plenty of worthy dad (and even bad) jokes.

Pirates of the Caribbean

Two of Disneyland’s classic water rides have tunes that are near impossible to get out of your head, and my favorite of the duo is Pirates of the Caribbean. With a more detailed storyline, incredible scenes, and a few more thrills, it’s hands down the winner when you’re comparing this attraction to “it’s a small world” (we’ll cover that one in a minute).

You’ll be humming “Yo Ho (A Pirate’s Life for Me)” long after you disembark, and that’s because it’s undeniably catchy. And while it follows your boat as you gently cruise down the bayou and plunge into the history of pirates, what really makes this dark ride special is the immersion in the ride’s story. Guests pass through scenes that tell the perilous story of treasure-chasing pirates, getting caught up in warring ships’ crossfire and watching a port town set ablaze.

But even more importantly, there are a few splashy thrills along the way. With two drops and plenty of special effects, Pirates of the Caribbean offers more excitement than many other Disneyland water rides (and I’ll be honest: I love that it’s air-conditioned, too!).

The Worst Disneyland Water Rides

“it’s a small world”

Many guests would consider “it’s a small world” one of the worst Disneyland water rides (and worst rides overall) simply because of its earworm of a song. Like I mentioned above, it’s quite similar to Pirates of the Caribbean, but “it’s a small world” is brighter, more colorful, and happier and its tune is catchy, but also highly divisive.

I personally don’t mind the music, but I do dislike how long of a wait the attraction can drum up. During peak times of the year, the wait can stretch over an hour which, in my opinion, is simply too long for a ride this uneventful. Sure, it’s adorable. Sure, it’s a Disneyland icon. But there are better places to listen to music, soak up Disney history, and get some of that sweet air conditioning that don’t require a long wait.

While I will gladly ride “it’s a small world” repeatedly for the sake of my toddler, I do have to say it’s not one of Disneyland’s best water rides. Once you’ve experienced it, you’re good there’s no need to do it on every visit. It’s not too exciting, though it is relaxing and cute.

Mark Twain Riverboat (and Sailing Ship Columbia)

If you’re someone who loves a classic turn-of-the-century ship, Disneyland has two of the sailing around the Rivers of America: the Mark Twain Riverboat and the Sailing Ship Columbia. While the Mark Twain Riverboat is a stately Mississippi steamboat from the 1800s, the Sailing Ship Columbia is a replica of the Columbia Rediviva from the late 1700s.

Unfortunately, both are pretty boring. If you’re a history buff, these ships are likely more exciting. But otherwise, unless you’re looking for a slow-moving cruise around the Rivers of America, taking a ride on either of these ships is uneventful.

Sure, you’ll see some great Disneyland scenery. In my opinion, though, you could better use your time on a more thrilling water ride. And word to the wise: You may wind up standing for the entire journey. If you were hoping to sit back and relax, you’ll want to board early to grab a seat.

Now, there is one way to ride the Mark Twain that’s a bit more thrilling. If you’re able to score a tour of the wheelhouse, it’s well worth doing. It’s a chance to chat with the captain and get some behind-the-scenes details and in my experience, the captains really do make the journey more fun.

Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage

Okay, technically, Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage isn’t an attraction I dislike (in fact, I like it quite a bit!). It’s just that, in the overall ranking of all of Disneyland’s water rides, it isn’t one of the best.

While Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage is a modern, engaging reimaging of the original Submarine Voyage at Disneyland, it utilizes the same lagoon, same submarines, and even some of the same storyline centered around an underwater volcano (keep your eyes peeled for a sea serpent!). But it’s upgraded with modern touches and the familiar characters of Disney/Pixar’s Finding Nemo.

The biggest issue with Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage? It’s the ride vehicles. Designed to mimic real submarines, they’re small and tightly packed with guests. There’s not much wiggle room inside and, if you happen to be even slightly claustrophobic, you won’t love climbing inside. And with a slow-moving line thanks to the attraction’s lower capacity, its wait is often 45 minutes or higher meaning it’s often not worth standing in the queue for if you’ve experienced it once before.

Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes

In my opinion, Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes isn’t just the worst water ride at Disneyland it’s also the worst ride of all. When I visit Disneyland, I want immersive fun… but that doesn’t mean I want to paddle my own canoe, sweating as I get in a tough rowing workout alongside my fellow guests.

In theory, Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes sound fun. There’s no track; guests get to freely paddle around the Rivers of America. But here’s the thing: I’m doing enough exercise walking around the park. I don’t need to add an upper body workout in, too.

To make matters worse, I’ve never had the pleasure of experiencing Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes when it isn’t at least 80 degrees out, with blistering sunlight overhead (yep, I’ve paddled multiple times my brother was a canoe enthusiast for a few years).

Overall, it’s an unpleasant experience unless you happen to be someone who really loves rowing. And even then, expect your fellow participants to coast. It’s a common occurrence for many guests to sit back and simply hold their paddles.

What About Water Rides at California Adventure?

Disneyland’s second theme park, California Adventure, is home to just one water ride: Grizzly River Run. This rapids-style water ride sends guests careening through waterways around Grizzly Peak. While it might feel familiar to guests who’ve ridden Kali River Rapids at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, this California Adventure ride is unique: The rafts are designed to spin as they descend down the watery chutes, ensuring just about everyone gets wet.

What makes Grizzly River Run so fun and so incredibly wet is that spinning action. It’s unpredictable, which means you can never quite tell who will get drenched as you splash down from tall hills or careen past shooting geysers.

While I find Grizzly River Run to be a thrilling water ride and plenty of fun, I don’t love that you’re pretty much guaranteed to get soaked. Sure, it can offer cooling relief in the summer… as long as you don’t mind the wet socks post-ride. And trust me when I say a poncho isn’t going to completely save you on this ride. So, pack a change of clothes or be prepared to spend the day wet.