Have you ever wondered what the happiest place on Earth looks like? Well, Walt Disney created a magical kingdom which is a fitting example to this. He created a revolutionary vacation destination where one can immerse and relive the fond memories of the past. Our favorite characters that we have loved for years like Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Cinderella, Lion king and many more are sure to take you on a magical journey. Setting foot on Disneyland California is sure to bring out the child inside of you. It’s a place that offers endless fun and adventure for people of all ages. Its incredible attractions, popular characters, thrilling rides and the different lands has made Disneyland California a go-to destination for millions of visitors from around the world since its gates opened.
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8 Magical Things To Do In Disneyland California
There’s so much to see at Disneyland California that it can be pretty overwhelming. The big question here is, can one possibly see and do it all at Disneyland? Yes, we are here to make that possible by listing the top attractions that will add more fun and delight to your experience.
Interact with Your Favorite Disney Characters
There is nothing more magical than getting an opportunity to meet your favorite characters and heroes during your Disneyland vacation. Make sure to check the Disneyland app to know the time for character meetings and ensure you get there on time. You can interact with scheduled characters in specific locations and also meet and greet characters that are simply roaming and wandering throughout the place. Some of the popular characters to look out for are Disney Princesses inside the Royal Hall in Fantasy Faire, meet Mickey and Minnie’s at Mickey’s Toontown, spot Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean, catch Captain Hook and Peter Pan in Fantasyland and you also interact with beauty and the beast. Character greetings and capturing some moments with them are definitely a big part of a Disneyland vacation and your vacation will be incomplete if you don’t meet at least a few of them.
Attend Special Events And Parades
If you want to see your favorite princesses or superheroes in action, do check the schedule of the events and parades as they are something you just cannot miss. The energetic and entertaining Disneyland parades with favorite characters, big events like the Oogie Boogie Bash at Halloween and Disneyland during the holiday season are the coolest thing to see. Often you need to pay extra to go to the special events but these tickets often give you exclusive access to rides and other experiences. So it’s all worth the money. The decorations and the ambiance of the parks during this time is at its peak. From the cast members to the rides and attractions, everything gets a makeover as per the theme. This brings about a total festive vibe and adds extra magic to the place. With so many parades and events happening, there is something for everyone here.
Get On The Best Disney Rides
With close to 50 rides it’s impossible to go on all the rides in Disneyland in a day. From thrill-seeking rides to low-key rides there are plenty of cool rides to entertain all types of visitors. Be prepared to wait for your turn as there will be long queues at the entrance for most of the rides. Here’s a list of the most popular one’s to enjoy. Exciting rides like Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Millennium Falcon- Smugglers Run, Radiator Springs Racers, Space Mountain, and Star Wars-Rise of the Resistance are great for people looking for an adrenaline rush. On the other hand, a little cooler Disneyland rides like Pirates of the Caribbean, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Jungle Cruise and Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway will bring a smile to your face. Pick the ones that match your preference to kick start your Disney experience.
Explore The Nine Distinct Lands
Disneyland is home to a variety of themed park filled with endless fun and excitement. The 100 acres park is so big that it can accommodate 76 football fields. To make things easier, it was divided into nine district lands. They opened with the Main Street, U.S.A, Adventureland, Frontierland, New Orleans Square, Critter Country, Galaxy’s Edge, Fantasyland, Mickey’s Toontown and Tomorrowland. Each of these zones are distinctive from the other in terms of features, rides, and attractions. There is something for everyone, hence don’t miss the chance to explore all that Disney’s nine lands has to offer. Just to walk around and appreciate the amazing work of the Disney imagineers and to see the importance given to the tiny details in itself gives a relaxed and immersive experience. It’s no surprise that Disneyland California is one of the most well-known theme parks in the US.
Resort Hopping At Disneyland Resort
The best way to balance the chaos of the theme park is by Resort Hopping at Disneyland. It’s the best way to make most of your Disneyland vacation as access to the park is easy. Disneyland California is home to three beautiful resorts: the Disneyland Hotel, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel, and Paradise Pier. This is where you can relax, explore and enjoy the magic that Disneyland has to offer. Each hotel has its own unique theme spaces, amenities, and experiences, however the biggest advantages of staying in Disneyland is the convenience factor and the extra magic hours that the guests are eligible for. Split your stay between two or more Disney Resorts to get a little bit of all. Even if you don’t intend to stay at one of the Disney resorts or hotels, you can at least take some time to wander around and take in the magical atmosphere.
Ride Or Walk Down Main Street
Taking a walk or ride down Main Street USA is a must-do attraction at Disneyland California. This iconic land is the first themed land you will see after entering the “Happiest Place on Earth.” It is known for its charming shops, restaurants and the feel of being transported to the yesteryear. The main street is inspired by Walt Disney’s boyhood hometown Marceline, Missouri and resembles American small towns during the early 20th Century. The Main Street windows have names of people who helped Walt bring the first Disney Park to life. You can either take a walk or hop on to any of the Main Street vintage vehicles that include an omnibus, jitney, fire engine and horse-drawn trolley. Taking a ride down Main Street in one of the vintage vehicles is truly a nostalgic feel. It’s the most beloved and integral part of the Disneyland experience.
Compete In A Race At Cars Land
How about a speeding car race in Disneyland California Adventure theme park. Cars Land is a Disney attraction inspired by the Pixar franchise Cars. You can meet and click pics of cars with different personalities. The intricate details that go into making these cars is so great that one can spend hours just admiring the cars. You will also be allowed to race at full speed in the desert scenery of the Pixar movie. This is one of the most fun and immersive lands at the theme park where you can meet and greet everyone’s favorite car. For those who love to ride in a Fiat Cinquecento can try their hands at Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree and Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters which are dedicated to two other characters from the film. Make sure you see cars land at night as there is something magical about the place when the light goes on.
Dig Into Some Great Food & Drinks
How can a day filled with fun and excitement go without snacking on some exclusive Disneyland California treats. So here we are with a list of some of the must-haves snacks and drinks and where to try them. An entire day is not enough to try the variety of snacks and drinks that are available here. Some of the must try snacks are Blue Milk, this is a frozen drink available only in Galaxy’s Edge. Then we have the Mint Julep and Beignets at New Orleans Square, the Raspberry Rose Macaron from Jolly Holiday Bakery, Boysen Apple Freeze at Maurice’s Treats, the mouthwatering Dole Whip at Tropical Hideaway, try the Monte Cristo sandwich from Cafe Orleans and the Churro Toffee from the Candy Palace. Another great way to enjoy dining at Disneyland is by trying the Character Dining where Disney characters will walk around the restaurant and pose for pictures.
Tips For Planning A Perfect Disneyland Vacation
To make your experience as magical as the place is, do check out our handy and useful tips mentioned below:
- Despite purchasing tickets, one needs to book the Disneyland Park reservations to secure your dates. Book them in advance (up to 120 days) to get lowest rates and discounts.
- Tickets for Disneyland California vary from day to day. Ticket prices on weekends and holidays are higher when compared to the other days. Ideal time would be on a Tuesday or Wednesday.
- Staying on-site is the best option as commuting to and from the resort is easy. Another perk of staying on site is you get an early entry, 30 minutes before everyone else.
- If you can’t stay on site, check out for off-site hotels near Disneyland California so that you don’t lose any time in the parking or waiting for transportation.
- Generally the gates open 30 minutes earlier than the opening time. So being one of the first visitors of the day helps to maximize your time at Disneyland.
- First thing to do after entering the park is to rent a locker so that you can eliminate all unwanted stuff and travel light.
- Download the Disneyland mobile app as all information regarding waiting times, show listings, character locations, restaurant menus, park maps and much more are available on the app.
- To avoid standing in long queues for rides, split up and opt for the Single Rider lines where you don’t have to wait for long.
- Wait until the end of the day for shopping as most of the shops are open until an hour after the parks close.
- Bring your own snacks and water as a major part of your time is lost waiting in long queues outside eateries. Food items are not allowed inside but you can store them in the locker outside.
Complete List Of Rides And Events At Disneyland California
Main Street, U.S.A. – Disneyland Railroad, Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, Main Street Vehicles, Main Street Cinema, Disney Gallery
Adventureland – Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room, Jungle Cruise, Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Forbidden Eye, Adventureland Treehouse
New Orleans Square – Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, Disneyland Railroad
Critter Country – Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes, Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Frontierland – Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Mark Twain Riverboat, Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island, Sailing Ship Columbia, Frontierland Shootin’ Exposition
Mickey’s Toontown – Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, Disneyland Railroad, Mickey’s House, Meet Mickey, Minnie’s House, Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin, Chip ‘n’ Dale’s GADGETcoaster, CenTOONial Park, Donald’s Duck Pond, Goofy’s How-To-Play Yard
Fantasyland – Fantasyland Theatre, It’s a Small World, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, Peter Pan’s Flight, Pixie Hollow, Pinocchio’s Daring Journey, Snow White’s Enchanted Wish, Storybook Land Canal Boats, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Casey Jr. Circus Train, Matterhorn Bobsleds, King Arthur Carrousel, Mad Tea Party, Sleeping Beauty Castle – Walkthrough, Alice in Wonderland
Tomorrowland – Astro Orbiter, Autopia, Star Tours – The Adventures Continue, Buzz Lightyear Astro, Blasters, Space Mountain, Disneyland Monorail, Disneyland Railroad, Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage, Star Wars Launch Bay
Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge – Smuggler’s Run, Rise of the Resistance
Fireworks – Fantasmic, Believe… In Holiday Magic, Disney’s Celebrate America, Halloween Screams
Fantasy in the Sky during New Year’s Eve, Wondrous Journeys
Parades – Frightfully Fun Parade, “Magic Happens” Parade, A Christmas Fantasy Parade, Mulan’s Lunar New Year Procession
Suggested Reads: 8 Amazing Things To Do At Universal Studios Hollywood
Disneyland has been and will always be the historical legacy of Californian. The many things to do here is good enough to fill up an entire day. Experiencing Disneyland California is something you must not miss in your lifetime, why not, after all it’s the happiest place on earth! Let’s conclude with the inspiring words from the man himself, “Disneyland will never be completed, it will continue to grow as long as there is imagination left in the world.” – Walt Disney.
Some FAQ’s On Disneyland California
Disneyland which is owned and operated by The Walt Disney Company is located in Anaheim, Southern California which is about 30 miles south of Los Angeles.
As of June 2023, Disneyland has 52 attractions which includes all rides, shows, and exhibits.
– Since its opening in 1955, this theme park in California has entertained more than 515 million guests.
– Visitors can also own a piece of Disneyland by purchasing a brick for $150 that lines the path between Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure.
– More than 1 million gallons of soda, 4 million burgers and 3 million fries are served every year at Disneyland.
Price of the tickets keep changing as per the day of the week and the season. A standard ticket can start at $83 and can reach up to $179.
As Disneyland was the first theme park opened by The Walt Disney Company under the direct supervision of Walt Disney it holds a special place and evokes the feelings of awe and nostalgia among all. In addition to that the theme park is also home to some iconic rides.
