Disneyland Resort in Los Angeles is the home of two major attractions: Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park. It is the first Disney Resort built anywhere in the world, which means it is the start of the Disney theme park tradition and the most direct representation of Walt Disney's vision, which is a place where fantasy is not simply shown, but also created.
This guide will walk you through each park and their themed lands, where we will go over the major attractions, must see shows, dine, stay, and time saving tips. The best strategy is pretty simple: plan for each park a full day instead of trying to do both in one day.
Disneyland Park
Disneyland Park opened in 1955 and was the first Disney theme park in the world, and was opened by animation legend Walt Disney himself. With immersive attractions, Sleeping Beauty Castle, and Disney characters at every corner, Disneyland Park creates an experience to escape the daily grind of life.
This is the place to experience the most of Disney's legacy. With previous major attractions like Matterhorn Bobsleds and Splash Mountain, and newer additions like Star Wars and Finding Nemo, there is a storytelling and attraction balance between the past and the present.
Land Overview
There are eight major themed lands: Main Street, U.S.A.;
Tomorrowland; Fantasyland; Mickey's Toontown; Frontierland; Critter Country; New Orleans Square; and Adventureland. Each of these lands has a unique atmosphere with exciting attractions. Grab a schedule and map at the entrance to assist you with your top priorities.
Main Street, U.S.A.
Main Street, U.S.A. is the first area visitors enter through the Main Entrance.
Designed to resemble a small American town from the early 1900's, this section of the park contains various shops, restaurants, and central services, making it the hub for dining at the park. If you need general assistance or have any questions about the park, head straight to Guest Relations as it is located at the entrance and is the best service option available.
Ending the street is the park's largest and most popular attraction, Sleeping Beauty Castle. This collector's hub is surrounded by an attraction that provides expedited access to other attractions as well as some of the best views of the nightly fireworks show. If you want to skip the lines during your visit, you can catch the Disney Railroad from the park entrance to other attractions like Adventureland.
Tomorrowland
Tomorrowland captures Disney's never-ending love for the future. The area is filled with theatrical and sci-fi inspired lighting and architecture that gives Tomorrowland an out-of-this-world vibe. There are 3D immersive rides with Disney characters like Buzz Lightyear and Star Wars.
Must-Do Attractions
Space Mountain is the most popular attraction at the park. This roller coaster is in the dark and has indoor space themes that add extra thrills!
Star Tours—The Adventures Continue is a 3D theatre that will take you through Star Wars galaxy.
If you want to meet Vader or other characters from the film, be sure to check out Star Wars Launch Bay. The film prop exhibition is a must-see!
Fantasyland
With scenes that are inspired by Disney's animated films and of course Sleeping Beauty Castle, this is the heart of the fairytale park.
The center of the park features a castle, Disney’s first, where guests can enter to relive the story of Sleeping Beauty with scenes from the story. The castle is also the center of the fireworks and other big shows.
The most attractions in the park are located in Fantasyland. Gentle rides, themed for Disney stories, are great for families and guests who want to experience Disney’s classic rides instead of thrill rides.
Attraction Highlights
Matterhorn Bobsleds: It is the first Disneyland exclusive ride, and it simulates a bobsled ride through a mountain. It is a family-friendly coaster because there are no big drops or inversions.
it’s a small world: This attraction features a boat ride through scenes from different countries where you will hear the song “it’s a small world” played on repeat.
Sleeping Beauty Castle: This is the iconic castle of the Disney theme parks and serves as one of the main locations for shows in the park.
Mickey’s Toontown
Inspired by Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Mickey’s Toontown is meant to be an exaggerated and childlike area where kids can enjoy themselves. Mickey and Minnie live here, and other Disney characters have homes, too. Kids can explore the houses, take pictures, and interact with the characters. There are also play areas for kids to run around.
Attraction Highlights
Mickey’s House & Meet Mickey: Meet the mouse himself in his house.
Gadget’s Go Coaster: This is a family-friendly coaster.
Frontierland
Red-brown land, cowboys, and a Gold Rush theme set the stage for the 19th-century American West here in Frontierland.
The land is built around the excitement of the wilderness, with its two biggest attractions being Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and the Mark Twain Riverboat.
Must Do Attractions
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad: A western style roller coaster with racing trains and amazing mountain scenery. A definite fan favorite!
Mark Twain Riverboat: This ride is designed to look like the old Mississippi River steamboats and takes you on a slower pace cruise through a wild west themed river.
Critter Country
Critter Country used to be home to the parks water rides. Being beside the river, the trees provided nice shade during hot days. Splash Mountain, a very popular log-flume ride, used to be the main attraction and a great way to cool down during the summer.
Must Do Attraction
Splash Mountain: Known for its log-flume rides and big splashes!
New Orleans Square
Taking inspiration from 19th century Louisiana, New Orleans Square was the only land in Disneyland to deviate from the fairytale theme. The unique and whimsical setting appealed to those looking for a more daring experience at Disney.
Must Do Attraction
Haunted Mansion: A ride based on The Nightmare Before Christmas which takes you through a creepy estate with lots of theatrical lighting and 3D effects.
Adventureland
Adventureland takes you to the tropics, a land of wilderness and untouched jungles. It is one of the original Disneyland attractions and offers thick vegetation, tribal carvings, and totem poles.
Relive the excitement of exploring the jungle aboard an expedition vessel for about seven minutes as you encounter wildlife.
Must Do Attractions
Indiana Jones Adventure: Inspired by Raiders of the Lost Ark, this attraction transports you on a rugged vehicle through a cave filled with adventures.
Jungle Cruise: Join a captain and steer an expedition vessel deep into the tropical jungles of the region.
Essential Disneyland Park Entertainment
The elaborate floats, themed music, and synchronized lights combined with Disneyland's characters create the best atmosphere for Disneyland's nighttime fireworks shows and daytime parades.
Parades
The castle front and center served as a fantastic stage for the grand finale of Disneyland's daytime parade, which showcased floats that all told Disney stories, including appearances by characters from animated movies, superheroes, and Disney princesses. Many guests opted to position themselves in the castle plaza when they arrived at the parade route to secure a prime viewing position, as each of the themed floats was complemented by music from Disney World. The daytime parade at Disneyland was an unmissable event.
Fireworks
In front of Sleeping Beauty Castle, fireworks serve as the ultimate finale at Disneyland and transform the castle into a stage. The fireworks synchronized to music and sound effects, allowing everyone to relive the magic. Disneyland publishes the official closing time of the castle to allow guests to arrive and secure the best view for the show. Because entertainment events are subject to change without notice or reason, it is recommended to check Disneyland's hour guide on the event's official page.
Dining at Disneyland Park
Every themed land provides sit-down restaurants and snack carts.
The carts help give energy to the visitors between rides with popcorn, pizzas, and the most famous turkey legs of the park. On the other hand, quick-service and table-service restaurants focus on American classics like burgers, pork chops, and sandwiches.
Disney California Adventure Park
Disney California Adventure Park opened in 2001 next to Disneyland Park as the first and only park in Los Angeles at the time. The design of the park is inspired by the diverse landscape and popular culture of California.
Marketing the park as one for the “big kids”, it included attractions that were more high energy than what Disneyland traditionally offered. The article mentions among others California Screamin’ which is a launched coaster and used to hold the record for the longest track of any Disney park, a drop ride themed to Guardians of the Galaxy, and a swinging Ferris wheel. The presence of Pixar characters and thrilling attractions allowed the park to develop its own identity.
Land Overview
The park is divided into seven themed areas: Buena Vista Street, Hollywood Land, A Bug’s Land, Cars Land, Pacific Wharf, Paradise Pier, and Grizzly Peak; which combine to create a Californian Disney aesthetic with themes of Hollywood, waterfronts, and red canyons.
Buena Vista Street
As the entrance to the park, Buena Vista Street is themed to early 20th century Los Angeles and has shops and restaurants along a wide axis that forms one of the main parade routes. Street performers help visitors feel the California spirit of showmanship.
The Red Trolley is designed like 1920s streetcars from the Los Angeles area.
Its bell-ringing route took guests past the entrance toward Hollywood Land. Recommended Entertainment Red Trolley News Boys: An energetic song and dance show performed right next to the trolley. Five & Dime: A street performance with a jazzy theme, featuring vocalist Dime, and an old-school automobile. Hollywood Land Hollywood Land is themed after the glory days of the 1930s movie industry, featuring palm trees, movie theaters, and long streets, which provide a fun backdrop for old Hollywood style. It also serves as a venue for many stage shows and character meet-and-greets, including superhero appearances from the Guardians of the Galaxy and Spider-Man. There's also a Frozen stage show where performers reenact scenes from the moving story. Must-Do Attraction Guardians of the Galaxy—Mission: BREAKOUT!
: A popular drop tower ride that has been re-themed to include Guardians of the Galaxy characters and plot elements. A Bug’s Land Pixar’s A Bug's Land was created from A Bug's Life and enlarged plant elements so that guests would feel as if they were the size of an insect. And while Disney California Adventure was designed for older guests, this area provided tamer attractions for the entire family, including a flying ride, a children's roller coaster, and a play fountain for younger visitors. Must-Do Attraction It's Tough to Be a Bug!: A 3D theater experience that allows guests to see the world from the point of view of an insect. Cars Land Cars Land was one of the biggest expansions of Disney California Adventure and is based on the movie Cars. It brought Lightning McQueen's hometown into the park and featured a red canyon setting based on the American West. Before even stepping onto an attraction, the highly detailed environment showcased the natural drama of the area and made the land a standout.
The themed roads featured life-sized characters from Toy Story, making it feel like the world of animation was real.
Must-Do Attraction
Radiator Spring Racers: The exclusive flagship attraction of the park leads guests to a fast-paced race in a Cars-style ride through Canyon scenery.
Pacific Wharf
Located centrally, Pacific Wharf is the easiest to access from all the other lands. Being the main dining area of the park, it showcases California's food culture with variety of American, Mexican, Asian, and California regional food
Recommended Dining
Pacific Wharf Cafe: A riverside eatery that serves American comfort food like turkey sandwiches, mac and cheeese and clam chowder
Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop: A dessert place that serves chocolate sundaes, cones, milkshakes, and hot beverages.
Paradise Pier
Paradise Pier was built next to the lake and is inspired by the Pacific Coast. It has the largest variety of attractions in the park. The boardwalk-like atmosphere was complemented by classic midway games like basketball and can-throw challenges. The area's visual icon was Mickey's Fun Wheel. Photographed from across the lake, it created one of the most recognizable views of Disney California Adventure alongside the coaster.
Latest Update
The source article stated that this area was to be redesigned and renamed in the spring of 2018 and the attractions and theme would revolve around Pixar characters.
Additional information is found on the Disneyland Resort website.
Most Popular Activities
California Screamin’ - Appears to be the most exciting coaster at Disneyland Resort with multiple launches and a track that extends throughout the park.
Toy Story Midway Mania!
- An interactive 3D shooting gallery game that is Toy Story themed.
Mickey’s Fun Wheel - A Ferris wheel that swings, where the gondolas slide on internal tracks as they rise.
Grizzly Peak
Grizzly Peak, with its conifer forests, resembles a national park in California. It housed two major attractions: the park’s main white-water ride and Soarin’. Soarin’ was an immersive flying theater that used IMAX laser projection to simulate the feeling of flying over various landscapes, including wind and artificial scents.
Most Popular Activities
Grizzly Peak - A popular white-water rafting ride through fast-moving river rapids.
Soarin’ Around the World - A spectacular flying-theater experience with aerial views of the Golden Gate Bridge, the Great Wall of China, and many other famous landmarks.
Essential Disney California Adventure Entertainment
Street performances add to the experience at Disney California Adventure. Many of the performances include energetic music and dance to fit with the Hollywood theme of the park.
World of Color
The main nighttime show at the park is World of Color, which is displayed on the central lake.
Using projection, light, music, and fireworks effects, more than 1,200 fountains created an enormous wall of water that animate Pixar characters and superheroes.
Dining at Disney California Adventure Park
Throughout the park, eateries and snack stalls are conveniently located so that you can keep your momentum through the day without stopping. With a easy central location, the Pacific Wharf is known to provide the most dining options, as it has a wide selection of restaurants and dessert shops.
Resort Hotels
It was noted that there were three hotels on the Disneyland Resort that were within walking distance to the parks. For those wanting to spend the most time in the parks, staying on site was the most ideal option as it meant they had the least travel time to and from the parks and also received guest benefits such as an earlier entry to the parks.
Guest Privileges Listed in the Article
During Magic Hour, you can enter the park one hour earlier than regular guests.
Have lunch with Disney characters.
You can use the hotel outdoor pools for free.
You can make advanced reservations at popular restaurants.
You can have parcels bought in the parks delivered to your hotel.
Seasonal Celebrations
Christmas celebration. via Disneyland Resort Halloween celebration. via Disneyland Resort
Seasonal celebrations change throughout the year, altering decorations, entertainment, and merchandise all to fit the theme. From the article, we see that for the Los Angeles Disney resort, the celebration for the Lunar New Year takes place in January and February, offering a festive link to home for Chinese visitors.
Major seasonal events typically only last a one to two months.
Check the official Disneyland Resort website for the latest information.
Seasonal information will be posted on their website, along with practical information, details about park tickets, parking, etc.
A single-park ticket allows entry to either Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure Park, while a park-hopper ticket allows unlimited travel between both parks for a limited period. The article notes that guests who purchased tickets valid for 3 days or longer receive a Magic Hour early-entry privilege. For discounted tickets, check the official website.
Downtown Disney District is the shopping and eating area of the resort that connects the two parks and resort hotels. It serves as the main starting point for guests arriving by car or public transport. The district has many restaurants, stores, and non-Disney businesses. The Disneyland Monorail serves the district and has a stop to allow guests to bypass the extra walk to the park.
The article mentions daily parking costs $20 (US). Follow the parking signage to park next to the park of your choice. Although the resort has plenty of parking, guests were advised to arrive early for a closer spot to the parks. Hotel guests had a separate parking area.
Time-saving strategies were also provided.
Disney FASTPASS Service was built to reduce the wait for popular attractions. Guests could use their park ticket to receive a return-time ticket, which was printed at a distribution machine located near the ride. Guests were able to use a shorter wait time and avoid the long line by entering during the printed time.
Each ticket could only have 1 FASTPASS at a time.
The ticket showed when other FASTPASSes would become available again. For this time frame, the only FASTPASS to be obtained was for World of Color.
FASTPASS tickets needed to be used in the time frame provided in the window, and the tickets would expire after the time listed.
Disney MaxPass
The article mentions that guests can get FASTPASS reservations in the Disneyland app for $10 (RMB 66) by downloading the app. That way they don’t have to walk to the attractions to get the tickets and can spend more time riding the rides.
Max Pass users can also keep their photos taken on rides or through the PhotoPass service offered in the park to capture the best memories of the day.
Extra Magic Hour
As the article mentions, guests of Disneyland Resort hotels and guests with three-day tickets were allowed to enter the park one hour before the official opening time. If the park opens at 9:00, hotel guests can enter at 8:00. This was considered an advantage since they would be able to access the attractions and shows before the general public arrived.
Arrive Early, Stay Late
Typically, the periods right after the park opens and right before the park closes are the times with the least amount of people in the park. Take advantage of these time frames to minimize wait times.
Conclusion
Each of the two parks at Disneyland Resort is worthy of a full day of attention. For sure allocate one full day to Disneyland Park and one full day to Disney California Adventure Park. That is the best approach to experiencing Disney’s first resort with the time and attention it deserves. To find out the latest information about the parks, check out the official Disneyland Resort website.
