Disneyland Resort

An indisputable icon among theme parks, Disneyland Resort has been leading the way since 1955, inviting visitors to spend the day in the ultimate realm of make-believe.

Today, the Anaheim resort is comprised of two theme parks, three neighboring Disney hotels, and the shops and restaurants of the Downtown Disney District, which sits just outside the parks. 

Rides and Attractions at Disneyland Resort

The two theme parks—the original Disneyland Park and the adjacent Disney California Adventure Park—are each divided up into themed “lands” with related rides, shows, and dining, as well as plenty of strolling characters. 

In Disneyland Park, Sleeping Beauty Castle provides the unmistakable landmark of the fairytale-themed Fantasyland, but the four other original lands (Tomorrowland, Adventureland, Frontierland, and Main Street, U.S.A.) feature their own classic attractions such as the Jungle Cruise, Autopia, and Thunder Mountain. Deeper in the park are more “lands” and don’t-miss rides, including Pirates of the Caribbean and the Haunted Mansion, both in New Orleans Square, and Mickey’s Toontown, which offers interactive experiences, ready-for-relaxation green spaces, and the Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway. Toward the back of the park is Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, where you might see a strolling Darth Vader or the Mandalorian, and you can experience immersive rides such as Smugglers Run: Millennium Falcon.

Adjacent to Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure Park draws on the Golden State for inspiration, from the Route 66 vibes in Cars Land to the movie-themed attractions in Pixar Pier to the diverse food in San Fransokyo Square. Marvel Comics fans won’t want to miss the Avengers Campus, the park’s superhero-themed land with plenty of Marvel character sightings and thrills including Web Slingers: A Spider-Man Adventure and the freefall ride Guardians of the Galaxy—Mission: Breakout!

Shows and Events at Disneyland Resort

You could easily build your day around certain shows and events within the two parks: Each offers its own daytime parades and nighttime shows that run throughout the year. California Adventure has the dancing waters and colorful projections of World of Color, while Disneyland Park offers evening fireworks and light shows such as Fantasmic!—shows that often include projections against buildings or the park’s Rivers of America.

Check Disneyland’s Special Events page to plan around seasonal events such as Halloween Time at Disneyland or Holidays at the Disneyland Resort. During the spring, the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival takes the foodie fun up a notch with kiosks that serve up California-inspired small plates and beverages. 

Some festivals span both parks. Spring and summer 2024 will feature Pixar Fest, saluting movies such as Inside Out, The Incredibles, and the Toy Story franchise through character meet-and-greets, movie-themed cuisine, dance parties, and special parades and fireworks (runs through August 4). 

How to Book Tickets and Where to Stay

When planning a trip to Disneyland, you’ll need both tickets for admission and a park reservation (secure the reservation for your chosen dates before you buy tickets). Choose tickets for just one park, or opt for a Hopper ticket to visit both parks in one day. Buying multiday tickets brings the cost down. Consider purchasing a Lightning Lane Multi Pass, a ticket add-on that starts at $30 and lets you skip the line once for a long list of rides. 

Staying at one of the three Disneyland resort hotels— Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, Pixar Place Hotel, and Disneyland Hotel (which includes the condo-style Villas at Disneyland Hotel)—comes with certain perks. Not only are you closer to the park gates, but you typically get one-hour early access to a park during your stay. The Disneyland resort hotels also tend to offer discounted deals, as do the many Good Neighbor hotels, which are a short walk or shuttle ride away in Anaheim and boast their own perks, like free breakfast or parking.

Tips for Making the Most of Your Visit

Start by downloading the free Disneyland Mobile app to check wait times for rides, order food (a big time-saver), browse maps, and even locate Disney characters. You’ll also be able to access Disney Genie services, which can provide tailored recommendations and generate daily itineraries. The new system for skipping lines at the Anaheim parks—which replaces the former Fastpass and Genie+ systems—is something you buy as an add-on to your admission ticket, or something you purchase once you’re inside the parks using the Disneyland Resort App. 

The two passes work a little differently. The Lightning Lane Multi Pass (which starts at $30 per person, varying by date) lets you also use the app to reserve one turn in the no-wait Lightning Lanes at more than 20 participating rides, including Haunted Mansion, Incredicoaster, and Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. Using the app, you can reserve your Lightning Lanes as well as check wait times for other rides, order meals, and purchase souvenirs.

The Lightning Lane Single Pass, meanwhile, is only for use on a few rides—typically Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance and Radiator Springs Racers. Prices for these à la carte passes (which you can purchase in addition to a multi pass) range from $7–$25 per person, and you can only buy one per ride per day. 

Another high-tech option is the MagicBand+, a wristband that functions as your ticket and Lightning Lane pass, and enables visitors to experience park features through vibrations, gesture recognition, and changing LED lights.

For more planning strategies, check out 11 Ways To Save Money at California Theme Parks.