Disney vacations are my favorite kind of vacations. I’ve been traveling to Disney Parks for as long as I can remember, and as an East Coast kid, my home park was always Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. I’ve been to Disney World more times than I can count, and know this resort like the back of my hand. I even lived and worked there for several months while I was part of the Disney College Program! But it wasn’t until adulthood that I became more familiar with Walt’s original brainchild on the West Coast — The Disneyland Resort in California.
Disneyland is “Walt’s Park.” This is the very place Walt Disney envisioned as he sat on a bench in Los Angeles’ Griffith Park and watched his daughters ride a carousel. He dreamed of a land that both children and parents could enjoy together, and he brought that dream to life with the conception and construction of his very first theme park in Anaheim, California.
That’s the very nostalgia and history that make Disneyland so special to me. There’s nothing quite like walking in Walt’s footsteps down Main Street, USA and soaking up all the natural serotonin. When I’m there I can’t help but smile as I look around and think how every inch of that park was carefully planned by a man who simply wanted families to be happy together.
I now have an East Coast kid of my own, and he might just be an even bigger Disneyphile than I am! While he’s been to Walt Disney World many times, this year he took his very first trip to Disneyland, California, and he instantly fell in love. Seeing him experience things there for the first time helped me think about what I feel are the top go-tos for Disneyland newbies. Whether you’re a Disneyland novice or a frequent flyer, think of this blog as a handy guide to all the best must-dos and must-sees Disneyland Resort has to offer!
The Disneyland Resort is made up of three Disney-owned hotels, the Downtown Disney shopping/restaurant district, and two theme parks: Disneyland Park (opened in 1955) and Disney California Adventure (opened in 2001.) While the Disneyland Resort is a fraction of the size of The Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Disneyland still offers guests of all ages plenty to do and see (including many that aren’t rollercoasters, which non-thrill-seekers like us appreciate!) In fact, between Disneyland’s two parks, there are a total of 67 attractions. You may not be able (or want) to squeeze in that much on your visit, so here are some of our favorite attractions, entertainment, eats, and details you should look out for!
Disneyland
Known as “Walt’s Park,” just seeing this historical place is a must for any history buff or Disney lover. The park is made of up nine “lands,” or themed sections: Main Street USA, Adventureland, Frontierland, New Orleans Square, Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, Critter Country, Galaxy’s Edge, and Mickey’s Toon Town. Each area has its own personality, as well as its own attractions and experiences that I feel should be on every first-timer’s itinerary.
Attractions:
Some of our favorite “Walt classic” attractions that date back to the 1950’s and ’60’s also happen to be the most family-friendly rides for young kids — and big kids at heart. This includes: Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room, Dumbo, Alice in Wonderland, Autopia, Peter Pan’s Flight, Pirates of the Caribbean, Storybook Land Canal Boats, Casey Jr.’s Circus Train, Jungle Cruise, it’s a small world, and of course Disneyland Railroad, which was inspired by the train that railraod-enthusiast Walt had built in his own backyard.
Some newer rides that should not be missed include Astro Orbitor, Buzz Lightyear’s Astroblasters, and The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. If you’re a Star Wars fan, definitely check out the incredible theming of Galaxy’s Edge, including some popular rides like Millennium Falcon Smugglers Run and Rise of the Resistance.
Speaking of new additions, I’ve saved the best for last: don’t sleep on Mickey’s Toon Town! This recently reimagined land is absolutely adorable and full of toontastic attractions! Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway and Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin are both super fun rides that are worth their often-long wait times. There are also attractions for littles like Goofy’s How-to-Play Yard and a pretend park in the shade for tired toon-kids and toon-parents. Your last must-dos here are tours of Mickey and Minnie’s houses, where you can meet the main mice themselves!
Entertainment:
Some of my favorite sounds in Disneyland are made by the Disneyland Band. These spiffily-dressed, incredibly talented musicians make me stop in my tracks every time I spot them on Main Street! You can catch them everyday as they play happy welcome songs, perform moving flag raising and lowering ceremonies, and accompany favorite characters throughout the park. The intense beat of their drums and the blare of their horns fill your soul and make you feel as though you have a front-row seat to a New York Pops performance!
If you haven’t caught your favorite characters up close yet, the Magic Happens Parade is a great way to see them dance to great tunes while riding a festive float! The Opera House on Main Street is a mini Disney museum with exhibits featuring art and props from Disney movies and parks throughout the years. Be sure to stop in to see the very bench Walt used to sit on in Griffith Park when he dreamed up Disneyland!
Of course, character meet and greets are one of our favorite highlights of any park, and certain locations like Town Square on Main Street, Toon Town, and Pixie Hollow (home to Tinkerbell) are trusted locations to find your favorite friends. If you’re a Chase Disney Visa cardholder, remember to stop by the Disney Visa cardholder-exclusive photo op in Star Wars Launch Bay in Tomorrowland. Just head there between 2-6pm daily, show your Visa, and you’ll be able to meet a Star Wars character like Darth Vader and receive free Disney PhotoPass downloads (Darth is a bit intense so maybe this isn’t the best photo op for babies!) Lastly, if you’re a fan of fireworks, Disneyland Park sets off some big ones every night. If crowds aren’t your thing, leave Main Street before 9pm and rest assured that the loud and sprakly show is visible outside the park too, even from the Disney hotels!
Eats:
The phrase “I’m just here for the snacks’ was coined with me in mind. I love exploring new treats in Disney Parks, so whether you’re in the mood for a snack or a sit-down meal, here are some of our top go-tos!
Disneyland Park serves up some of our favorite iconic Disney snacks like Mickey pretzels, popcorn, Mickey premium bars, and of course pineapple Dole Whips (which can be found at Tiki Juice Bar and The Tropical Hideaway in Adventureland but also at the Disneyland Hotel’s Tangaroa Terrace.) But we’ve also found some favorite quick service and sit-down spots that we’d easily recommend.
If you’re looking for a quick meal with a faster-food flare, some great quick-service locations include Rancho del Zocalo, Cafe Daisy, Galactic Grill, Alien Pizza Planet, and Hungry Bear Restaurant. Eats in Galaxy’s Edge are always unique, so check out Docking Bay 7 for interesting space food. The Beauty and the Beast-inspired Red Rose Tavern is another sleeper hit. I love their Chicken Cordon Bleu sandwich, and try the Grey Stuff, it’s delicious. Don’t believe me? Ask the dishes!
As far as sit-down spots in this park go, we really enjoy Carnation Cafe, but skip Blue Bayou which is quite overrated in my (unpopular) opinion. I highly recommend the Breakfast With Minnie and Friends at Plaza Inn! It’s a superb character dining experience in an adorable Main Street setting with a yummy buffet. By far one of our favorite character experiences in the park!
Disney Details:
Disney details are those subtle but special additions to the entire park experience that exponentially increase its charm. They’re the little things you spot or hear about — like hidden Mickeys — that make you smile and give you a story to share with your friends. They’re things worth our extra attention, like the King Arthur Carrousel horse named Jingles (with the Mary Poppins umbrella on the side) which was Walt and his wife Lillian’s favorite horse! Historic Disney details are often right under your nose. When you’re on line for Alice in Wonderland, take a moment to look at the giant mushroom near the entrance. It’s been covered up to look like a mushroom, but if you look closely at the shape of the structure you can see that it was was once a ticket booth back when individual tickets were required for each ride in Disneyland!
Instead of breezing right through Main Street to get to your favorite ride, take time to look up and enjoy all the details on this beautiful street, because they’re purposeful and plentiful. You’ll see Walt Disney’s apartment above the firehouse where the light is left on to remind guests that his spirit is still in the park. You’ll see names on the windows that pay homage to members of the Disney family. You’ll see signs that are nods to Walt’s hometown of Marceline, Missouri. Above the doorway of the Coca-Cola Refreshment Corner, you’ll even see a pristine Disney detail in the alternating red and white lightbulbs. . . which includes one half red/half white bulb to solve its even-number pattern. These are the kind of details only Disney would tend to, and they’re also what set Disney Parks apart.
Disney California Adventure
Opened in 2001, Disneyland Park’s hip little sibling is Disney California Adventure, affectionately known as “DCA.” If you’re more familiar with the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, I’d compare this park to Hollywood Studios. It has that 1940’s old Hollywood glamour and focuses on movies, television, and more modern IP from the worlds of Disney, Pixar, and Marvel. Like Disneyland Park, DCA is also made up of several themed lands: Buena Vista Street, Hollywood Land, Avengers Campus, Cars Land, Grizzly Peak, San Fransokyo Square, Paradise Gardens Park, and (my personal favorite) Pixar Pier.
Attractions:
Because Disney is always focused on fun for the whole family, DCA has a little something for everybody. Some of our favorite “rated E for everyone” rides include Jessie’s Critter Carousel, Inside Out’s Emotional Whirlwind, the Pixar Pal-A-Round, and Monsters Inc. Mike and Sully to the Rescue. East Coasters will feel right at home with DCA’s Disney World counterparts — The Little Mermaid, Soarin’, Toy Story Mania, and Turtle Talk with Crush.
Entertainment:
When you’re in Avengers Campus, look up at the roof near WebSlingers to see Spidey swinging around! Buena Vista Street is home to the smooth sounds of jazz band Five & Dime, which always makes me want to stop and have a listen. My son is a gifted artist, so he loves taking in a quick class at Animation Academy every time we visit. A real Disney animator leads a short class teaching audience members of all ages how to sketch a popular Disney character!
Little ones visiting DCA will love Disney Junior’s Dance Party, an indoor stage show/dance party featuring their favorite Disney Junior characters. While this is not a meet-and greet, it’s a lively dance party infused with fan-favorite characters and a good opportunity for kids to let off some steam by jumping around for about 20 minutes. If you do want meet-and-greets, definitely keep your eyes peeled for them in DCA! Mickey and Friends can often be found on Buena Vista Street (especially at night,) the crew from Cars regularly cruise around Cars Land, and check the Disneyland app to find out when Pixar friends will be at Pixar Pier throughout the day. If you’re a Chase Disney Visa cardholder, remember to stop by the Disney Visa cardholder-exclusive photo op in Hollywood Land to the left of the Monsters Inc. ride. Just head there between 10:30am and 1:30pm daily, show your Visa, and you’ll be able to meet one of Mickey’s pals and receive free Disney PhotoPass downloads that are wonderful souvenirs!
Eats:
DCA has plenty of stands that serve carnival-style quick snacks, like Corn Dog Castle (where even vegetarians can get an ooey-gooey battered, fried cheese stick!) and Jack Jack Cookie Num Nums which serves up delicious, perfectly-baked chocolate chip cookies that are crispy on the outside and so soft and melty on the inside they give you a spork to enjoy them! For quick-service meals, we like the diner fare at Flo’s V8 Cafe in Cars Land. If you’re looking for a good table-service option, Lamplight Lounge is a great choice with whimsical Pixar ambiance and an excellent burger and homemade donuts.
Finally, fine-dining is possible at the Disneyland Resort! Carthay Circle Restaurant in DCA is an exquisite experience that actually welcomes kids! From the beautiful decor to the upscale menu, you’ll appreciate this break from corn dogs and pretzels. The menu is a little limited, but I asked them to modify a dish and they created a delicious chicken entree, so don’t be afraid to talk to your server. Be sure to take time to enjoy the decor of this restaurant, too. It’s fashioned after the Carthay Circle Theatre in Hollywood where Disney’s first feature film Snow White premiered in 1937, so plenty of classic photographs of Walt line the walls of this beautiful eatery.
Disney Details:
DCA is full of references to Disney, Pixar, and Marvel films, so it’s fun to keep your eyes peeled for easter eggs at every turn. Whether it’s Mr. and Mrs. Incredible symbols on restroom doors or nods to Walt’s journey to Los Angeles in pursuit of an animation career, movie-making details are everywhere in this charming park.
Downtown Disney
Downtown Disney is the shopping and eating district of the Disneyland Resort. It does not require a park ticket, so you can visit for free and explore all the shops and eateries. The area stays open later than the parks, which makes it convenient for midnight snacks. Think of it like a family-friendly outdoor mall where kids get to eat and shop ’til they drop well past their bedtimes! East Coasters will find this area similar to Disney Springs in Orlando, but much, much smaller and therefore a little more manageable. A great tip regarding Downtown Disney is to spend time there on a travel day. Head there if you get in early and have to kill some time before your room is ready, or enjoy a leisurely dinner there if you get in late and don’t want to waste a park ticket. Our favorite shops are the Lego Store, Disney Home, and World of Disney, which is essentially a giant Disney Store. If you’re looking for a specific item in Disneyland, chances are you’ll find it in this store.
Our favorite place to eat in Downtown Disney is Black Tap Craft Burgers and Shakes. This epic menu features delicious, indulgent treats that are made to order and taste freshly homemade. Our favorite side is the fried pickles with buttermilk ranch dipping sauce! The burgers are a big deal here, but even if you’re a vegetarian they make an excellent Impossible burger that turns into a great salad (my go-to entree!) Don’t forget the kids’ meals, which are a nice side dish for adults too (the chicken fingers are incredibly fresh!) Black Tap is known for its huge “Crazy Shakes,” so you can’t leave without trying one (strawberry is our fave.) The restaurant inside is rather loud, so if that’s not your scene you can eat outside, or consider ordering your meal to go and enjoy it in your hotel!
Disney Hotels
The hotels at the Disneyland Resort have some eateries we like that are convenient when we’re hungry outside the parks. Disneyland Hotel doesn’t have a huge selection of lunches/dinners, but it does have the popular bar/restaurant Trader Sam’s as well as Tangoroa Terrace which serves quick service meals — and Dole Whips outside Disneyland Park! These locations get very busy so you may have to wait on line, especially in the evening.
These two hotels also have two excellent character dining experiences. Goofy’s Kitchen at the Disneyland Hotel is a yummy buffet serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner with Goofy and his friends at the helm! We enjoy their salads and fresh fruit, huge dessert bar, and tasty pizza — including a peanut butter and jelly version that is so good! The restaurant is a little dark and not my favorite space, but there’s a lot of good food to choose from and the characters dance around making it very festive.
Storytellers Cafe at Disney’s Grand Californian has a delicious character breakfast and brunch served alongside adorable character interactions with Mickey and his camping-themed friends. This experience is a bit pricier than others, but it’s very good quality and I love the well-lit, spacious, beautiful restaurant.
There’s always something new coming to the Disney Parks, but if you’re planning a visit to Disneyland hopefully this handy guide will help you know where to start. Have a Magical Day!
What Lara Wrote 