Best Ride Queues to Escape the Heat During A Disneyland Trip

If you’ve ever planned a Disneyland trip during summer vacation and spent a full day at Disneyland in the heat, you know the California sun doesn’t mess around. Walking from ride to ride can feel like a trek across Tatooine, and suddenly, during your Disneyland trip, that $5 bottle of water seems like a bargain.

But don’t sweat it (literally)—Disneyland has plenty of rides and queues where you can cool off. From air-conditioned attractions to shady waiting areas, these are the best rides and queues to beat the heat at Disneyland without missing a moment of magic. 

So grab your Mickey ears, slather on that sunscreen, and let’s dive into the best rides and queues to beat the heat during your Disneyland trip in the Summer!

1. Pirates of the Caribbean – The Ultimate Cool-Down Ride at Disneyland

🌡️ Best For: A long, air-conditioned escape from the heat
⏳ Typical Standby Wait Time: 15-30 min
❄️ Cool Factor: 5/5

Why It’s Great:
If there’s one ride that feels like stepping into an air-conditioned oasis, it’s Pirates of the Caribbean. From the moment you step inside the queue, you’re greeted by cool, musty air that’s a welcome break from the sun.

Then, you get a 15-minute boat ride through dark, misty caverns and breezy pirate towns—complete with the occasional refreshing water splash. Honestly, it’s the best way to relax and reset before heading back into the heat.

If you’re lucky(and in the parks on a weekday), you might be able to ride several times back to back. 

2. Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway – Fully Indoors & Air-Conditioned

🌡️ Best For: A newer ride with 100% indoor AC comfort
⏳ Typical Standby Wait Time: 45-70 min
❄️ Cool Factor: 5/5

Why It’s Great:
This is a newer ride that opened with the revamped Toontown in 2023. Disney surely must have designed it with heat relief in mind. The entire queue and ride are indoors, making it a perfect mid-day cool-down option. 

Bonus? The pre-show and ride itself are packed with fun surprises, so it’s a great way to chill out and be entertained at the same time. We’re here for the icy air conditioning and keeping those tired toddlers entertained! 

3. Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

🌡️ Best For: A long, immersive queue that keeps you cool
⏳ Typical Standby Wait Time: Often a 90+ min (but worth it!)
❄️ Cool Factor: 5/5

Why It’s Great:
Yes, it’s one of the longest waits in Disneyland, but the good news? Half of the queue is indoors and temperature-controlled. The cave-like resistance base has a natural coolness, and once you enter the First Order’s ship, the AC is cranked up.

This queue is interactive when using the Disney Play app—just one more magical way to pass the time in the air conditioning. Certain parts of the queue even have seating, even if it’s only for a few moments!

And let’s be real—by the time you’re dodging stormtroopers and escaping Kylo Ren, you’ll be too distracted to even think about the heat.

4. Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run

🌡️ Best For: A long, fully indoor queue
⏳ Typical Standby Wait Time: 20-45+ min
❄️ Cool Factor: 4.5/5

Why It’s Great:

Piloting the Millennium Falcon is a dream come true for Star Wars fans, and luckily, the queue offers plenty of shade and air-conditioned indoor sections to keep you cool while you wait. The line winds through Ohnaka Transport Solutions, a detailed spaceport filled with Star Wars props, holograms, and even a pre-show featuring Hondo Ohnaka. While some parts of the queue are outdoors, they’re mostly shaded, and once you step inside, it makes a big difference. 

Depending on the time of day, the wait time can be as little as 15 minutes. While that is not always the case, the fully indoor line is a great place to dodge the summer Southern California sun. Beware, the rest of Star Wars Land can feel like the surface of the sun mid-day. Stay in a queue or stay away.

With so much to look at and interactive roles to play on the ride, you’ll be too busy planning your smuggling mission to notice the heat outside!

5. Indiana Jones Adventure – Coolest Cave-Like Queue

🌡️ Best For: A long, dark, cool queue with bursts of AC
⏳ Typical Standby Wait Time: 60+ min
❄️ Cool Factor: 4.5/5

Why It’s Great:
The Indiana Jones queue is mostly indoors, winding through dimly lit caves, temples, and hidden corridors. While there are some warm spots, the occasional AC vents and stone walls keep it much cooler than waiting outside in the sun. The outdoor sections are shaded well and provide some sun coverage.

By the time you’re speeding through the Temple of the Forbidden Eye, you’ll be feeling the wind in your hair and completely forgetting about the heat.

6. Haunted Mansion – A Spooky Ride with Air Conditioning

🌡️ Best For: A cool, dark ride with bursts of AC
⏳ Typical Standby Wait Time: 30-65 min
❄️ Cool Factor: 4.5/5

Why It’s Great:
The Haunted Mansion queue can be hit or miss depending on the time of day, but once you step inside, it’s all smooth, ghostly sailing from there.

The indoor stretching room is the first blast of refreshing AC, followed by a slow-moving Doom Buggy ride through eerie halls and ghostly ballrooms. The ride never gets too hot and stays consistently dim and cool—a perfect way to chill out (literally).

Fun fact: When the Disneyland App says a 13 minute wait time, there is actually no wait! The spooky superstition might keep some away, but not us!

7. It’s a Small World – Shady Queue & Breezy Boat Ride

🌡️ Best For: A classic ride with shade and indoor seating
⏳ Typical Standby Wait Time:10-30 min
❄️ Cool Factor: 4/5

Why It’s Great:
While the outdoor queue can be a bit warm, there are plenty of shady spots. Plus, the ride itself is an AC-cooled, slow-moving boat journey that lasts a good 15 minutes.

It’s a great way to rest your feet, get a break from the sun, and (depending on how you feel about the song) maybe even take a little nap.

This is our go-to ride on a Disneyland trip at certain times during the day to rest our feet and hide from the sun. We make a point to hit this ride when there is almost no wait. This article gives our top tips on how to avoid long lines for Disneyland Rides. 

8. Star Tours – Short, AC-Packed Ride with Low Waits

🌡️ Best For: Quick indoor relief from the heat
⏳ Typical Standby Wait Time: 15-40 min
❄️ Cool Factor: 4/5

Why It’s Great:
The Star Tours queue is mostly indoors, and by the time you board your Starspeeder 1000, you’ll get a solid blast of AC.

While it’s not the longest cool-down ride, it’s still a great way to escape the heat quickly—plus, who doesn’t want to go on a surprise Star Wars adventure?—As long as you don’t get motion sick!

9. The Enchanted Tiki Room – Best Non-Ride Cool-Down Spot

🌡️ Best For: A relaxed, air-conditioned break
⏳ Typical Standby Wait Time: Walk-in show (runs every 15 min)
❄️ Cool Factor: 5/5

Why It’s Great:
If you need a full-on AC break without waiting in line, head to the Tiki Room. You’ll be sitting comfortably inside, enjoying singing animatronic birds and a tropical atmosphere—all without breaking a sweat.

Pro Tip: Grab a Dole Whip from the stand outside and bring it in for the ultimate cool-down combo.

Rest your feet, enjoy your creamy and deliciously frozen treat, and enjoy one of Walt Disney’s most adorable creations. 

FAQ: Staying Cool on a Disneyland trip in the Summer Heat

Q: Are there shady places to rest during a Disneyland trip?

A: Yes! The Enchanted Tiki Room, Star Wars: Launch Bay, and Tom Sawyer Island all offer shaded or indoor areas to take a break. We also take refuge in the Disney Gallery and The Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln show.

Q: What are the best Disneyland rides for hot summer days?

A: Boat rides like Pirates of the Caribbean and “it’s a small world” are great because they keep you off your feet in a cool environment for an extended time. Water Rides like Tiana’s Bayou Adventure are great to cool off but often have long wait times in hot queues on warmer days and in summertime. 

Final Takeaways for Best Rides to Avoid the Summer Heat During a Disneyland Trip

When the California sun turns Disneyland into a human toaster oven, these rides and queues will be your best friends. Whether you’re floating through Pirates, chilling in the Tiki Room, or dodging Kylo Ren, there’s always a way to beat the heat while still having fun during your magical Disneyland trip.

Always remember to plan your midday rides around air-conditioned attractions to avoid peak heat hours (12 PM – 4 PM). And don’t forget to mobile order a Dole Whip—because cooling off should always be delicious.

Now tell me—what’s your go-to ride on a Disneyland trip when the heat is unbearable?

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