Disneyland California Adventure
The happiest place on earth
If you’re planning a trip to Southern California, and especially if you have little kids, a trip to the Disneyland California Adventure parks are a must stop for many people. Keep on reading and we’ll acclimate you to this iconic American theme park to help you plan your visit.
One park – many lands
There are nine themed lands that make up the Disneyland theme park. Let us introduce you to most of these worlds of imagination.
Main Street, USA
In this first “themed land” at Disneyland, you’re transported to another time, another place. Here, you can get a glimpse of Steamboat Willie, do some shopping, or ride on a vintage vehicle.
If you’re a Disney history buff, step into the Disney Gallery. It’s located in the “Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln” attraction and is a mini-museum about Disneyland’s history. You can see the original footprint of Disneyland and how it’s changed through the years. The gallery includes Disney inspired art, plus historic and rare theme park concept renderings, models and memorabilia. And you can see the very bench that Walt Disney sat on when he first envisioned the dream of Disneyland.
We always stop for an ice cream on Main Street before leaving the park.
Fantasyland
You’ll enter Fantasy land through Sleeping Beauty’s Castle. In front of the castle, a Disneyland Time Capsule is buried – it will be opened in the year 2035. If you have little kids, this is the part of the park they’ll love.
In the words of Walt Disney: “Here is a land of imagination, hopes and dreams. In this timeless land of enchantment, the age of chivalry, magic and make-believe are reborn and fairy tales come true. Fantasyland is dedicated to the young and the young at heart, to those who believe that when you wish upon a star, your dreams do come true”
This is where your littles can say hello to Disney characters who roam through Fantasyland.
Walt Disney said that Fantasyland was his favorite land in the park.
Tips for Fantasyland:
From our many years of experience, DO NOT start little kids on the Snow White’s Scary Adventures ride. Instead, try the Carousel. Kids love the carousel, and it’s a great way to ease them into having fun at the park.
Don’t ride the tea cups of the Mad Tea Party ride after eating a meal. Trust us. We know. It may be your last ride of the day.
On a hot day, take a break from the sun by taking a trip around the world in “It’s a Small World”. This ride originally was fabricated in Burbank California and then shipped to the 1964 New York Words Fair. The ride was moved back to Anaheim in 1966. With over 300 audio-animatronic dolls representing cultures from around the globe, the ride has a theme of global peace. According to Time.com, the Sherman Brothers’ song “It’s a small world” is the most publicly performed song of all time.
Adventureland
Adventureland is where you can escape far from civilization to remote jungles and exotic adventures. As art historian David T Doris described, Adventureland is a pastiche of imaginary colonial spaces, conflated within the green and foliate milieu of the jungle.
Indiana Jones Adventure is a bumpy ride – our experience is it breaks down quite often.
Another place to get a chance to relax, is in the Enchanted Tiki Room – it’s where the birds sing words and the flowers croon.
Frontierland
Frontierland is home to cowboys and pioneers, red rock buttes and influence from American history. It was one of the first five original themed lands in the park. The docks can transport you to the Mark Twain Riverboat and the Sailing Ship Columbia.
If you want to experience a fast ride in this section of the park, hop on Big Thunder Mountain.
New Orleans Square
Would you like to see Pirates or ghosts? Then step into New Orleans Square. It’s where Walt Disney made his last major public appearance at Disneyland in 1966. Walt Disney joked that this part of the park cost as much as the original Louisiana Purchase. Without adjusting for inflation, it actually cost more. Classic rides here include the Pirates of the Caribbean and the Haunted Mansion. Walk a bit further if you have littles, and step into a beehive to ride through the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh.
Galaxy’s Edge
Popular in the park these days is the Galaxy’s Edge where you can venture to a galaxy far, far away. Wander through the village of Black Spire Outpost on the remote frontier planet of Batuu.
Perhaps most popular at Disneyland these days is the ride “Rise of the Resistance”. If you get to the park gates before most other visitors arrive, you may want to run to this ride first. Here, you can join the resistance in a climactic battle against the First Order.
Tomorrowland
You can keep exploring the future when you step into Tomorrowland. Favorite rides here include Space Mountain and Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters.
California Adventure Park
While Disneyland is the classic American theme park, we’ve grown fond of the neighboring California Adventure park. With the right ticket, you can hop between both parks on the same day. Another strategy is to stay in Anaheim for a few days – reserving a day or two for Disneyland, and other days for California Adventure.
This 72 acre park is themed after the history and culture of California.
Buena Vista Street represents Los Angeles in the 1920s. Keep walking and you’ll step into a world of Monterey, the Pacific Wharf, and Hollywood Land.
Cars land is a mini venture into the legacy of Route 66 and a recreation of the town Radiator Springs from the film, Cars.
Step into Paradise Gardens to let the little’s take a ride on The Little Mermaid – Ariel’s Undersea Adventure.
And there’s plenty more for the littles – it’s a bit like being at an amusement park on the boardwalk at a coastal beach town
And for the big kids – a ride on the Incredicoaster is incredible. Another favorite ride of ours is Soarin’.
Yes, this park is a lot of fun
Where to stay for your Disneyland trip
Even if you live in Southern California, you’ll benefit from a nearby lodging if planning a multi-day trip to Disneyland. Popular options range from nearby hotels to vacation rental homes.
Start your search for lodging through our Expedia or VRBO links below:
Consider these top rated lodging choices in Anaheim California
We’ve done the homework for you to identify the types of places we would select. We’re a bit on the picky side, so if you want a top-rated lodging, start by reviewing these choices nearby Disneyland.
Our tips for visiting Disneyland
Arrival Time: If you want to get the most time out of your visit, arrive at the gates at least 30 minutes before the starting time. One hour might be even better. If you’re one of the first people in the park, head first to the ride of your choice which will likely have the longest lines during the day.
Plan Your Rides in Advance: Everyone has their favorites. If you’ve not been to Disneyland or California Adventure park before, get familiar with the map of each park before arriving. You’ll also want to know where the rides are located that you’ll want to experience.
Money Saving Tips: Disneyland can be expensive. Very Expensive. We always bring our food into the park with us in a backpack or large bag. Our go to meal is a tortilla roll with hummus and smoked salmon. Add a few Clif Bars, selections of fruit and water bottles, and you can keep the cost of food low.
Fireworks: Stay for the firework show when available. Many people leave after the night sky lights up, so just afterwards can be a perfect time to get one more change to experience your favorite rides.
Best time to visit Disneyland
The fall can be a wonderful time to visit Disneyland. We love how the park gets a Halloween makeover in October.
Books for planning your Disneyland trip
Check out our visit on this YouTube video
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Julie & Art
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