Disneyland opened in 1955 and has evolved ever since to keep attracting people back to its land of make believe.
The park is a combination of theme rides, recreated worlds and cultures, and film shows, all mingled with eating and shopping. There are several theme designs which tell a story or create a world.
Depending on the length of line or diligence of the visitor, it is possible to cover the entire grounds from opening to closing, but more relaxed visitors may take a second day.
Thus, those with limited time or budgets are advised to understand the layout of Disneyland in advance and plan to hit the most popular attractions before lines get too long.
Disney puts on a spectacular fireworks display at 9 p.m. Prior to the fireworks at about 7 p.m. a Parade of the Stars moves down Main Street. The parade consists of fantastical animals and characters as might be seen in the heavenly constellations by Renaissance visionaries.
Disneyland has everything from rides and roller coasters to fine dining (which will in some cases definitely require advance reservations). There are shows and entertainment designed for both children and adults. The long line ups and wait times of yesteryear have been reduced somewhat by the invention of passes which give you a "return time" to various attractions. However, when kids are out of school, either for the summer, Christmas, spring break, or any other holiday, you can be sure that the park will be very busy.
Keep in mind there is more to Disneyland than just the parks. The entire Disneyland resort experience features hotels, dining, shopping at the Downtown Disney District, and the new Disney Adventure Park. Although the parks are definitely what the children are here to see, there is something for everyone in the family.
Adventureland features the tropical jungles of the world in its Jungle Cruise boat ride which passes many animated animals and native scenes. This tropical theme is expanded in the Tiki Room where animated birds and critters sing and perform for visitors, the Indiana Jones adventure ride and a bazaar of jungle crafts from around the world.
Capturing the feel of the mountain forests of America, the prime adventure in Critter Country is Splash Mountain which is essentially a high-speed water ride on a log past appropriate scenes. It ends in a slide which will get you wet. Arcades and shops complete the theme.
Disney's California Adventure Park is entered through a replica of the Golden Gate Bridge. The park features three themed lands - Paradise Pier, Hollywood Pictures Backlot and the Golden State.
Paradise Pier is a beachfront amusement area which recreates the amusement park piers of yesteryear. Attractions include a coaster and a carousel.
The Backlot is a celebration of the movie business. Attractions include a Hyperion Theatre, Jim Henson's Muppet Vision 3-D and a Disney Animation Centre where guests can view test scenes still in production.
The Golden State has six districts highlighted by Grizzly Peak, a bear shaped 100-foot high mountain.
While this might all sound similar to the Parks next door, the rides here are different, perhaps more oriented towards older children or adults, and the area is often less crowded. It is also one more thing to do in the area if you have already experienced Disneyland on one or more occasions in the past.
Hours:
10am-8pm; Sun:9am-10pm; Sat:9am-0am
Tips: Passes can be purchased for two or three days at a discount.
Hours are extended into the evening during the summer.
Facilities: Gift shop, On-site accomodations, Restaurant or food service, Wheelchair loan or rental
In the heart of Disneyland is Fantasyland, where the familiar characters from Disney's productions are brought to life. These include Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Mickey Mouse and Alice in Wonderland. Since reconstruction of this section in 1983 the setting for Disney's fairytale world now includes a European village, an imitation of the Castle of Neuschwanstein and a steel-framed "Matterhorn" (sledge rides available). On festive summer nights fireworks displays add to the atmosphere of make-believe.
Frontierland is a recreation of the American Wild West complete with the Golden Horseshoe Saloon stage show, shooting galleries, a paddle-wheel steamboat "Mark Twain", a reproduction of the sailing vessel "Columbia" both of which take passengers around the large Tom Sawyer Island.
The theme coaster is the Big Thunder Mountain Railway which dips through the rock formations and the mines of the U.S. west.
Main Street USA exudes nostalgia for late 19th century American small towns. It's a simple life with Victorian architecture, horse-drawn trams, double-decker buses and a fire-engine.
Enter an old theater to see "Great Moments with Mr Lincoln" where Abe comes to life before your eyes.
Main Street is anchored at one end by the railway station where visitors can board steam trains which not only circle the park, but can be used as transport to the other lands.
At the other end of Main Street is the town square and Sleeping Beauty's castle plus the radiating entrances to the other lands.
Keep in mind that this perfect world is recreated in three-fifths scale.
Adjoining Adventure Land in Disneyland lies New Orleans Square, its streets typical of a French-influenced town of about 1850, with shops, restaurants, cafés and balconies. Boats (bateaux), such as are used in the swamps of Louisiana, ply from the square. On the trip you are treated to a colorful revue in the form of a battle between a pirate ship and a coastal fort ("Pirates of the Caribbean") and a ghost scene in an enchanted Haunted Mansion which is a copy of a public building in Baltimore.
Neither of these major attractions is a roller coaster, but rather carefully crafted and not-to-be-missed total adventures.
Tomorrowland was built to portray a view of the future, however this requires constant updating as views changed. In 1994, Disney began renovations to update Tomorrowland - it now appears as sci-fi writers of the 1920's and 1930's would have thought the future looked like.
"Space Mountain" is one of the most popular rides in the Magic Kingdom. The ride hurls you through the light show of space on a coaster track.
Tips: Passes can be purchased for two or three days at a discount.
Hours are extended into the evening during the summer.
The queues which form at the individual attractions in summer - especially at week-ends - can best be avoided on week-days such as Tuesday and Wednesday when there are fewer visitors.
Parking: Pay
Guides: Guided tour available as optional extra.
Facilities: Gift shop, On-site accomodations, Restaurant or food service
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Fireworks over Fantasyland castle at Disneyland.
