Being a first-timer at Disneyland Anaheim can be overwhelming. Upon reaching the Disneyland entrance, you'll immediately be greeted with signs and the giant Disneyland Map California displaying hundreds of rides, attractions, and places to explore within the park!
Tackling hundreds of acres in one day can be daunting at first, but don't worry! We'll walk you through everything you need to know to maximise your time in this first-timer's guide to Disneyland Anaheim.
What you need to know about Disneyland Anaheim
Upon entering, you'll see Disney's iconic Sleeping Beauty Castle that stands loud and proud! Credits: @jaaaaz on Unsplash
Disneyland Anaheim, located 35 miles southeast of Los Angeles, is the Disneyland theme park within the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California. It's Disney-ception!
Since its opening in 1955, the Disneyland Resort has been attracting visitors from all over the world with over 60 incredible attractions, parades, and treats.
The resort contains Disneyland Park and the Disney California Adventure Park, with themed lands, rides, shows, and attractions. The main Disneyland Park has eight themed "lands": Main Street USA, Adventureland, Critter Country, Fantasyland, Frontierland, Mickey's Toontown, New Orleans Square, and Tomorrowland.
When is the best time to go to Disneyland Anaheim?
Honestly, anytime is the best time to visit Disney, if you ask me! Credits: @limamauro23 on Unsplash
There’s no doubt that Disneyland is gorgeous to visit all year round. While it's a magical destination throughout the year, the best time to visit depends on your preferences.
Summer, from May to July, brings warm weather to California, so it can get tiring because of the heat. Spring and autumn are the best seasons across the state since it's neither too hot nor too cold—jjust the perfect weather!
There are seasonal events, like Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort, running from August 23 to Oct. 31, 2024. The entire park will be dressed up just for the spooky season!
Or if you feel like spending Christmas here, add an extra layer of enchantment by planning your trip from November 15 to the first few weeks of January 2025 to catch the Holidays at the Disneyland Resort event.
These special seasons make it the best time to visit Disneyland because the park is dazzled with seasonal decorations and themed attractions!
How to maximise your time in Disneyland Anaheim
Spending a day in Disneyland is a non-negotiable! Credits: @ericvo on Unsplash
One of the most important Disneyland tips: plan, plan, and plan ahead! Effective planning is the key to making the most of your Disneyland experience with its vast space.
How many days do you need at Disneyland? One is enough if you do your research (which is what we’re here for!) and choose the rides you want to go on before your trip, so plan and pick your preferred rides in advance.
Of course, if you want to explore the other areas, then you’ll need to purchase a ticket. Consider the multi-day "Park Hopper" ticket options for flexibility between Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park. Starting at 11:00, guests with Park Hopper tickets can hop back and forth between the two parks without having to reserve for the second park!
You can even purchase the Disney Genie+ service to save time with Lightning Lane entrances. It provides access to select attractions and perks like Disney PhotoPass digital photo downloads. Make your trip hassle-free visit by getting your Disneyland park tickets through Klook and making park reservations directly with Disney!
How to book Disneyland Anaheim tickets
With Klook, ticket purchasing just got a whole lot easier! Credits: @taylorngregory on Unsplash
- First, check the availability on the Disneyland Anaheim website to make sure your preferred dates are free. After that, you can easily purchase your Disney California tickets via Klook!
- While booking, take note that 1-day tickets are available in certain selected markets only. Don't let the terms confuse you since 'Tiers 0–6’ are just pricing tiers for those getting 2-day tickets. So if you're visiting only for one day, you have nothing to worry about!
- Lastly, you'll have to make a reservation directly with Disney. Create an account on the Disneyland Park Reservation site to reserve said dates that you've booked. If your preferred visit dates aren't available yet, you can still book on Klook ahead of time, and reserve at Disney later on once the dates appear on the site.
Travelling to Disneyland on your own? Don't forget to bring some of it back home! Discover the best Disneyland souvenirs that promise to keep the magic alive no matter where life takes you.
Attractions to watch out for in Disneyland Anaheim
Now that you’ve secured your tickets, deciding where to go first is the easiest (or hardest?) part of the trip. The main Disneyland Park houses eight themed "lands": Main Street USA, Adventureland, Critter Country, Fantasyland, Frontierland, Mickey's Toontown, New Orleans Square, and Tomorrowland!
If you’ve got only a day, shortlisting can be a pain. But if you’re willing to try out the best of the best that Disney can offer, enjoy these attractions:
1. Haunted Mansion
It's spooky season every day at the Haunted Mansion! Credits: @kidtripster on Instagram
The Haunted Mansion at Disneyland Anaheim is a timeless classic. Make it a point to enter the eerie estate at New Orleans Square, where you'll find yourself in the centre of the Portrait Chamber. Keep an eye out because you just might witness the walls expand right before your eyes!
Next, climb aboard your Doom Buggy, where the voice of the Ghost Host serves as your guide! Despite its dark ambience and a few mildly frightening scenes, The Haunted Mansion is perfect for kids and the kids-at-heart. While it's slow-moving, the ride packs a punch with its special effects!
2. Pirates of the Caribbean
Like Jack Sparrow said, not all treasure is silver and gold, but a trip to Disney sure is! Credits: @sbeyerjr on Unsplash
Just because this ride starts slow as it ventures deeper into the cave, it shouldn't be underestimated! Channel your inner Jack Sparrow as you plunge down a waterfall in the dark. Watch out for galleons of pirates battling at sea as cannons whistle above you and explosions go off near your boat!
You can also explore the village of Puerto Dorado on Isla Tesoro aboard your barge! Among all of the rides in Disneyland Anaheim, this is one of the most mesmerising attractions, dating back to the 1960s and earning its place as a pioneer of Audio-Animatronics in Disney history.
3. Guardians of the Galaxy Mission: Breakout!
Ain't no thing like the Guardians, except the Guardians! Credits: @disneyparks on Instagram
Disneyland Anaheim has exclusive rides that showcase the latest innovations. Case in point: this ride! Head on over to the Disney California Adventure Park and check out the Collector's cosmic exhibit on Earth. Here, you'll see the Collector has held the Galaxy's favourite Guardians captive!
Hop on this accelerated drop tower dark ride as you help Rocket—in all his furry animatronic glory—and the rest of the Guardians escape dangers, all while rocking out to classic tunes from Star-Lord's mixtape.
Don't miss this iconic ride with the coolest fight scenes on the screen of Star-Lord, Gamora, and Drax —while you and other passengers tumble around inside the gantry lift! It's an experience you won't want to pass up on your first time in Disneyland Anaheim.
4. Avengers Campus
Get lost in the Marvel Cinematic Universe with your favourite heroes by your side! Credits: @disney on Instagram
Travel to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as you enter the newest Avengers Campus, where the next generation of heroes are discovered and trained to defend our world! The campus is located on the grounds of a plant owned by Stark Industries and the Strategic Scientific Reserve of the S.H.I.E.L.D. complex.
It's an MCU-themed area all about your favourite heroes. Within the campus are the Ancient Sanctum and the Doctor Strange: Journey into the Mystic Arts ride where our favourite surgeon travels through interdimensional portals with our help. Looking for our friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man? Don't forget to drop by the interactive screen ride, Web Slingers: A Spider-Man Adventure, to help Peter escape the confines of the Collector yet again!
5. Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
Hop aboard the train as our favourite couple takes us on a railway adventure! Credits: @disneyland on Instagram
If you've got some ankle-biters with you, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway ride in Mickey’s Toontown will allow them to run free since it doesn’t have age or height restrictions.
It's a trackless, dark ride that invites guests to first watch a movie inside the theatre with Mickey and Minnie gracing the screens. The screen explodes, and guests are invited to step inside the hole in the wall (literally!) and enter the cartoon's universe as they hop aboard Goofy's train!
Tired yet? Well, buckle up, 'cos the journey is far from over! Get your shopaholic hats on and find the most memorable Disneyland California souvenirs you and your loved ones will surely cherish.
Shows to Catch in Disneyland Anaheim
When you need a breather from all the thrilling rides, check out the cool shows at Disneyland Anaheim. Head over to "Storytelling at Royal Theatre," where Mr. Smythe and Mr. Jones put their witty spin on scenes from classics like Beauty and the Beast or Tangled. Around 15:00 in the afternoon, hop over to Main Street for the awesome "Magic Happens Parade" with Mickey and friends.
Mickey Mouse takes the lead, guiding a dazzling lineup of floats adorned with performers dressed in your favourite character's costumes. Watch as the streets come alive with vibrant energy and as the ensemble dances to a contemporary musical score that breathes new life into classic Disney hits.
Some of his performing friends include our favourite Moana as she rides a wave in her voyager canoe, followed by Miguel and his trusty pal Dante from "Coco," and of course, everyone’s favourite sister duo, Anna and Elsa, accompanied by the ever-entertaining Olaf! The parade ends with classic scenes from our favourite princesses, Cinderella, Tiana, Aurora, and many more.
Accommodations and Hotels in Disneyland Anaheim
Within Disneyland Resort, there are four hotels: Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, Pixar Place Hotel, the classic Disneyland Hotel, and the Good Neighbor Hotel.
1. Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
Disney takes grandiosity to a whole new level!
Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa is the peak of luxury accommodation within the resort. With craftsman-style elegance, this hotel offers convenience as it's close to Disney California Adventure Park.
We're sure all the walking has taken a toll on parents and other adults. But don't worry, as this hotel also has luxury-themed pools, and the rejuvenating Tenaya Stone Spa, which offers massages and full wellness services for you to relax, recharge, and reinvigorate.
For dining options, opt for the laidback GCH Craftsman Bar & Grill, the cosy Hearthstone Lounge, the upscale Napa Rose for a glass of their award-winning wine, and lastly, the Storytellers Café, to grab a cuppa while you're at it!
Just by Grizzly Peak, the Grand Californian Hotel & Spa also has an entryway to access the Disneyland California Adventure Park, exclusive to guests of the resort.
2. The Pixar Place Hotel
The newest Pixar Place Hotel has pools that scream "just keep swimming"! Credits: @disneyparks on Instagram
The Pixar Place Hotel takes pride in being the world's first and only hotel to celebrate the entire collection of films from Pixar Animation Studios. What makes this accommodation stand out from the rest is that its contemporary design blends the iconic Pixar artistry, from the lobby floor to the rooftop pool deck!
It houses over 400 rooms for guests and over three dining spaces, namely their signature restaurant Great Maple, the cosy Sketch Pad Café, and Small Bytes, a casual bar located on the highest floor that serves food and alcoholic drinks.
3. Disneyland Hotel
You'll feel right at home at the Disneyland Hotel!
If you opt for a stay at any Disneyland Hotel, you’re sure to enjoy exclusive access and premium perks like early entry into a theme park. The timeless appeal of the Disneyland Hotel makes it a perfect choice for the entire family. Paying homage to the classic years of Disneyland Park, this hotel shows off upscale styling with state-of-the-art amenities!
Within the Disneyland Hotel, there are three towers: namely, Magic, Dreams, and Wonder — all sprawling with souvenir shops, restaurants, spaces for recreation, and rental venues for special occasions like birthdays and anniversaries. Among their current dining selections include Goofy's Kitchen, Tangaroa Terrace Tropical Bar & Grill, The Coffee House, and Trader Sam's Enchanted Tiki Bar.
Themed pools featuring water slides cater to the kids' delight, while special Disney recreation centres like the Cabanas, the Fitness Center, and the Grand Ballroom add a layer of at-homeness within the Disneyland Hotel grounds.
4. Good Neighbor Hotels
While not within the Disney premises, there are also Good Neighbor Hotels that collaborate with Disney, offering value, comfort, and quality within a reasonable distance from the park. Some of the famous options include the Anaheim Marriott, that's located less than half a mile from the park, the Clarion Hotel Anaheim Resort, and the Clementine Hotel, which offers suites for your and your family's comfort.
Surprise: Disneyland is not just a theme park, but also a paradise for foodies! Check out the culinary wonders that are waiting to be discovered within the park with this tell-all of the best food in Disneyland.
What else are you waiting for? Book now via Klook and travel to the Happiest Place on Earth without the hassle!
Written by: Jaf Tumale
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