9 Amazing Things To Do and Places To Visit in Disneyland (2024)
One of the biggest theme parks in the world, a place where imaginations have life, and also the happiest place on Earth; there’s nothing more fascinating than the Disneyland in Anaheim. It is a place for all, even if you are big or small, young or old, adventurous or imaginative; the Disneyland park has everything that you can think and crave for in moments of enjoyment. Every year about 15 million visitors come to the Disneyland park in Anaheim, and about 726 million visitors have been here till now.
Disneyland, Anaheim is spread over an area of 160 acres and is the one and only personal project of Walt Disney, which was built directly under his supervision. The park comprises everything and anything that you would have ever seen in Disney movies or have even heard about. Days and nights both have one unique yet magnificent charm at Disneyland, and you would require about a week full of holidays to enjoy this alluring place to the fullest. However, if you are tight with time and still want to capture the best for life, take considerations from our list of 9 best things to do and places to visit in Disneyland. Have a look:
9 Amazing Things To Do and Places To Visit in Disneyland
1. Meet and Get Clicked With The Disney Cartoon Characters
Meeting with even one Disney cartoon Character in real is a childhood dream of many, but when you are almost at their home, do not miss the chance to meet as many as you can. Disneyland Park provides its visitors with several opportunities to meet and greet the Movie and cartoon characters. You can meet groups of characters at several restaurants and places of the park like Mickey & Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Pluto, Donald Duck etc. at the Main Street U.S.A or town square welcoming you to the park, Ariel, Belle, Cinderella, Rapunzel, Snow White and other princesses at the Fantasyland, and the character from Aladdin right at the wishing well. You can find Moana near Tarzan’s treehouse, Winnie the Poo and its characters near the Hungry Bear Restaurant, Strange and Loki near Hollywood land, and Minnie & Friends at the Plaza Inn. Though while roaming inside the Disneyland area, you can encounter one or the other character after every 5 minutes.
2. Watch A Live Show Or Parades
One of the memorable things about Disneyland are the live shows and magnificent parades. A famous one amongst the Parades here is the Mickey’s Soundsational Parade, which starts from the Main Street of the Park, taking several Disney Characters marching along playing bands and Disney melodies. At the end of this parade, you can see Mary Poppins floating, which looks no less than dreamy and imagination. One another is the Pixar Play Parade that includes Pixar characters like Toy Story, Monsters and more. Parades are more light-up during the winters, and it is always advisable to rent a guide so that you can grab one prime seat. Also, along with Parades, you can become a part of live show audience and watch the famous shows including Frozen: Live at the Hyperion, Song and Dance routine by the Red Car Trolley News Boys, World of Color at Pixar Pier and the Fantasmic where the battle between good and evil features several Disney Characters.
3. Visit the Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Section
If you have some special love for the Star Wars Galaxy, then this section in Disneyland is surely one blessing for you. The Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge section seems like a real-world in the Galaxy where one can build their own lightsaber, escape capture from Kylo Ren’s First Order ship, pilot the Millennium Falcon and hop up some of the most realistic rides. The land, sound, architecture and effects here are absolutely mind-blowing, and you will take time to believe that this is not the real world. This particular section has a completely opposite vibe during night and day hours, and thus it is recommended to a visit here considering that you capture both the phases and experience the delight. Some of the main attractions in the Star Wars section include the Rise of the Resistance, Smugglers Run, Oga’s Cantina, Droid Depot, and Savi’s Workshop.
4. Explore the Divine Fantasyland and Tomorrowland
Fantasyland and Tomorrowland are the two dedicated theme lands in the park considered as one of the best places to visit in Disneyland, Anaheim. The Fantasyland brings life to the magic and wonder of childhood cartoons. The main attraction and entertainment here include Alice in the wonderland, King Arthur Carrousel, Mad tea party, Pixie Hollow, Snow white’s scary adventures, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, along with several famous restaurants and shopping hubs like Village Haus, Red Rose Tavern, Castle holiday shop, Le Petit Chalet, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique and a lot more. In contrast, the Tomorrowland is another themed land that features all about tomorrow and outer space. It has several permanent and seasonal attractions, including Astro Orbitor, Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters, Space Mountain, Star Wars Launch Bay, a theatre, Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage, Autopia and more.
5. Visit the Tarzan Treehouse
A great place to spend your energy, the Tarzan Treehouse is built over an 80-foot tree in Disneyland, Anaheim. It is one ideal place for kids and teens where they can cross a rope bridge high in the sky, climb up the tree, and experience Tarzan and his real-life up close and personal. The Tarzan treehouse can be reached after crossing the lush forest of Adventureland. The treehouse is operational from the morning at 8 and goes up till 11 or 12 in the night. It is also the place from where you can get a bird’s eye view of the Adventureland and New Orlean’s Square. The treehouse is also one hub for social media photography enthusiast, and you can capture a lot here at this tremendous place. However, if you are low on energy and have knee issues, then this place is not the stop for you as it requires quiet a lot of climbing and walking.
6. Ride the Disneyland Monorail and the Railroad
One of the best ways to explore the famous Anaheim Disneyland is with its historic touring means. The Disneyland park is served by two one-of-a-kind railways, the Monorail and the Railroad Engine 2. The Monorail is the classic 2.5 miles rail that takes you on a 13-minute round-trip journey from over the Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, Grizzly Peak, Buena Vista Street and ending towards the downtown Disney district. You can catch a ride from either a station above the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage or the one at the Downtown Disney District. Another is the world-famous railroad of Disneyland that encircles the majority of the park operational with about 5 steam engines taking you to a relaxing and nostalgic experience. There are also four sets of train cars and a parlour car that you can ride upon to cover the magnificent and unforgettable experience of your Disneyland trip.
7. Watch the Magnificent Firework Shows
Out of all the memories that you can earn from your trip here, the best thing to do in Disneyland, Anaheim, is watching the magnificent firework shows. The night time fireworks have been a long part of this amazing land, mainly developed near the backdrop of Sleeping Beauty Castle. The fireworks go over and above the castle, and the best views can be captured while being closer to the castle. It is one of the best live shows you can capture here with a perfect blend of music, narration, animation, and lighted sky, altogether making it look magical and divine. You can also catch the show from the Adventureland, downtown Main Street, New Orleans Square (where you can see the reflection of light show in the water), snow white’s castle or the Frontier land. The fireworks start near 9:30 and go well for more than an hour.
8. Hop on the Rides
If you missed covering the rides in Disneyland, Anaheim, then all your efforts visiting here will remain incomplete. Like any other adventure park, Disneyland as well is home to several adventure rides, which one must consider adding to their list of things to do in Disneyland. You can find both common and unique rides here, the formation of which can blow your mind away. The rides at Disneyland include the Storybook Land Canal Boat ride that takes you on a grand boat tour where you can spot the Geppetto’s workshop, the seven dwarfs’ cottage and other charms of the place. Other ones include Little Mermaid – Ariel’s Undersea Adventure (a slow-moving dark ride), Mr Toad’s Wild Ride, Jungle Cruise, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Incredicoaster (a thrill ride with a 100-foot-plus drop), splash mountain, Soaring around the world and many more.
9. Visit the Sleeping Beauty Castle
An icon, which is also a symbolic highlight of Disneyland Anaheim, the Sleeping beauty Castle is a surreal location where you can ever visit. It is the oldest castle in Disneyland, opened in the year 1955 inspired by the Neuschwanstein Castle in Schwangau. The castle is 77 feet tall and magnificently beautiful than one could have even thought of. Some lucky visitors even get a chance to encounter one or two princesses at the castle window, making it feel as if it is a movie going on in reality. There’s one small entrance in the castle through which you can even walk through the entire attraction and get into the Fantasyland.