The Disneyland Resort in California is an enormous theme park holiday destination. Located in Anaheim, just outside Los Angeles, the Resort features two magical theme parks – Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure – plus three Hotels of the Disneyland Resort and the Downtown Disney District.
Both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park are filled with magical moments from the worlds of Disney, Marvel, Pixar and Star Wars firms. Expect fun-filled parades, musicals to rival those on Broadway, and incredible night-time spectaculars you could only find here.
If you’re planning your first family holiday in Anaheim and can’t wait to experience the Disneyland Resort magic with your family, you’ll have plenty of questions:
- Should I visit Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure Park with my kids?
- Which rides and attractions will my family love most?
- Where can I purchase tickets, and how do I find the best prices?
- What’s the best accommodation option for us?
There’s a lot of ground to cover when planning a Disneyland Resort adventure with kids, and it can be overwhelming for first-timers. To help you get the most out of your experiences, here’s all you need to know about Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park.
Introducing the two Disneyland Resort theme parks
About Disneyland Park in California
Walt Disney’s original Disneyland Park offers a wonderful mix of nostalgia and new, as the pioneer Disney park and the only theme park to be designed and completed by Walt Disney himself. It first welcomed guests on July 17, 1955 and has since undergone expansions and renovations.
Walt Disney’s dream was for Disneyland to be a place “where parents and children can have fun together” and he certainly achieved that. Adults seem to happily unleash their inner child, and children revel in seeing their parents enjoying the same rides and experiences in such a joyous manner.
To date, Disneyland Park is home to nine themed areas sprawled all over the 100-acre land it occupies. Its most innovative land, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, opened in 2019 inspired by the beloved science fiction film franchise. Grab a copy of the Park’s map beforehand to plan your days in advance!
About Disney California Adventure Park
Disney California Adventure Park is home to the Pixar characters from the likes of Toy Story, Cars, A Bug’s Life and Monsters, Inc. The park’s theme also pays homage to the Golden State, California, and was built on Disneyland Park’s original parking lot!
Since its 2001 opening, it has further expanded into its current eight themed lands, including areas dedicated to Pixar Films such as Cars Land and Pixar Pier, and a homage to our favourite superheroes at Avengers Campus.
Disneyland California Adventure Park is connected to Disneyland Park by an esplanade that leads you to Downtown Disney Distict, a booming entertainment and shopping hub. A range of new shops have opened up here in recent years, including sports store Pelé Soccer and Lovepop, which sells 3D pop-up cards and paper art gifts.
Keep reading below to learn more about rides and attractions at Disney California Adventure Park!
How long do I need to see Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park?
With so much to experience inside Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park, a day isn’t enough to fully immerse oneself in the magic. So how long does it take to really experience both parks to the fullest?
It’s best to allow three to five full days to explore both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park without rushing. It gives kids time to line up for photos and autographs with the characters, to watch the parades and ride their favourite rides “just one more time.” Disneyland Resort should be savoured, not rushed!
You may think three days is too long to spend in the one location – after all, many people see a whole city in three days! But it only takes a day to become aware just how immense Disneyland Resort is – it’s a city in itself. Allowing multiple days to see both parks properly is the best way to get the most from your visit.
How to book tickets for Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park
Enjoy several days of Disneyland Resort fun with multi-day admission tickets, which you can conveniently book on Klook. A Disneyland Resort Park Hopper Ticket allows you to jump between both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park as often as you like for three to six days, depending on the ticket you buy.
Planning to visit both parks in one day? No worries — you can get single-day tickets too. But with multi-day tickets, you spend less time queuing at the entrance, which means more time to enjoy Disneyland Resort to your heart’s desire!
Get your Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park tickets here!
Rides and attractions at Disneyland Park vs Disney California Adventure Park
Rides and attractions at Disneyland Park in California
If it’s your first time visiting, we recommend you begin the trip at Disneyland Park for a feel of the original magic across its nine themed “lands”: Main Street, U.S.A., Adventureland, Frontierland, Critter Country, Fantasy Land, New Orleans Square, Tomorrowland, Mickeys Toon Town, and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
Best rides for toddlers and preschoolers
In Fantasyland, where Sleeping Beauty Castle rises above the mini city, a bonanza of rides exist for toddlers and pre-schoolers. Little ones can spend hours enjoying the Mad Tea Party cup and saucer ride, Pinocchio’s Daring Journey and the Alice in Wonderland ride to name a few. Beloved family-friendly rides also include the classic “it’s a small world”, a whimsical ride in the spirit of global unity to the tune of the happiest song in the world.
The cartoonish Mickey’s Toontown is the perfect location for toddlers and pre-schoolers as it’s easy to navigate and full of exciting places to explore. The first stop is Minnie Mouse’s house where you can sneak a peak in her kitchen and even nose around in her fridge where you’ll find a half-eaten block of cheese! Next door is her boyfriend Mickey’s house.
The neighbourhood is also home to Chip n Dale’s Treehouse, which offers a great view of the surrounding Toontown, as well as Goofy’s How-to-Play Yard and Donald Duck’s boat. You may even bump into Donald Duck, Goofy and Pluto wandering around their neighbourhood.
Best rides for older kids and teens
If you are travelling with older children not limited by height restrictions, make sure your visit to Disneyland Park includes high-speed rides such as the Matterhorn Bobsleds and Space Mountain, as well as the popular Indiana Jones Adventure. Follow the much-loved archaeologist into the crumbling Temple of the Forbidden Eye, past booby traps and frescos that tell the story of Mara, a powerful deity who promises great treasures.
In Tomorrowland, which caters perfectly to younger children as well as older kids and teens, you can take a ride around the huge course at Autopia in your own car and board the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage for an underwater adventure. At New Orleans Square take a tour of the spooky Haunted Mansion and hop aboard the Pirates of the Caribbean ship while at Adventureland, the family can climb to the top of Tarzan’s Treehouse.
Disney character greetings and parades
For a classic Disneyland experience, seek a royal audience with the Disney Princesses to spend one-on-one time with Snow White, Cinderella and Mulan. However, you can ‘accidentally’ bump into countless Disney celebrities around the massive park, including The Little Mermaid, Ariel and Jasmine. But of course, nothing happens by accident in this magical place where wonder and enchantment are included in the entry fee.
Each evening you can cap off the day with the famous parade of characters which gives you a chance to glimpse any “celebrities” you may have missed throughout the day. Some of the characters who appear in the parade can’t be seen anywhere else in the park. However, if you are visiting for more than one day, consider going on the more popular rides during parade times when crowds are thinner.
Star Wars Galaxy's Edge
Live your very own Star Wars adventure in a whole new land where a galaxy far, far away unfolds around you. Around corners and through back alleys, you can build your own droid and custom lightsaber and sample the curious concoctions at the local cantina.
Then, gather your crew and take control of the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy on Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. The most immersive and advanced attraction ever imagined in a Disney park, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is now open and blurs the lines between fantasy and reality, placing guests in the middle of a climactic battle between the First Order and the Resistance.
Rides and attractions at Disney California Adventure Park
For all things California, Pixar, and Marvel, head to Disney California Adventure Park, which is a few steps away from Disneyland Park. Explore its eight themed areas: Buena Vista Street, Pixar Pier, Paradise Gardens, Pacific Wharf, Grizzly Peak, HollywoodLand, Avengers Campus, and Cars Land.
Explore the reimagined Pixar Pier, where kids can celebrate their favourite Pixar characters and stories in fun and exciting new ways, including the thrilling Incredicoaster with Baby Jack-Jack, Jessie’s Critter Carousel and Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind.
A must-visit attraction at Disney California Adventure Park is the Avengers Campus, home to Guardians of the Galaxy Mission: Breakout, an even more frightening revamp of the Tower of Terror featuring favourite characters from the movie franchise. The Disney Animation Academy in Hollywood Land is a free class and at the end you take home your own drawing of a Disney character – a special souvenir to treasure.
Cruise into Cars Land, where you’ll feel like you’ve stepped (or rather, rolled) right into the world of the films with high-octane fun, including the Radiator Springs Racers simulated slot car ride. And don’t miss the incredible shows, including limited-run theatre shows amazing after-dark spectacles.
Character greetings at Disneyland Resort
Although the rides are the main attraction, adults and children alike can be seen running and then jostling to have a photo and a chat with their favourite Disney characters. As none of the characters talk, the conversation is one-sided, but what they lack in conversation they make up for in personality and there is lots of gesturing.
This is a wonderful part of a visit to Disneyland but it can be time-consuming. If you or your child has a favourite character you are keen to meet, ask one of the character cast members for information about location and appearance times. Being in the right place at the right time avoids disappointment and saves waiting in queues. Some characters are much harder to find than others.
The Disney Photopass Service is available at many of the character ‘meet and greet’ locations around the park. They take photos of your family, which you have the opportunity to buy at the end of your time at Disneyland or later online. The photographers can also work some AR magic during editing with a Magic Shot photo.
Food and restaurants at Disneyland Resort California
Foodies, time to rejoice! Disneyland Resort not only has an abundance of amusement rides—but it also has a plethora of dining options. From Adorable Frosted Snowman Treats to Wine Country Trattoria, there’s food for every craving.
Food at Disneyland Park
Of course, a trip to Disneyland Park wouldn’t be complete without a taste of its iconic food items. Those with a sweet tooth can freshen up with a Dole Whip at The Tropical Hideaway. If you’re looking for something heavier, you can even gobble gigantic Turkey Legs, or huge pickles available at carts and kiosks all over the park!
For a unique treat, book a character dining experience at Plaza Inn for a very special breakfast with Minnie and friends. At this American-style buffet (with waffles the shape of Mickey’s face), the food takes second place to the circulating stars. In between mouthfuls of eggs, fruit, waffles and bacon, kids can meet a seemingly endless stream of Disney characters – including Winnie the Pooh, Pinocchio, the Fairy Godmother and Captain Hook from Peter Pan.
Food in Downtown Disney District and Disney California Adventure Park
Other desserts available to keep you energised for your adventure include freshly-cooked beignets at Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen that will make you feel like Tiana, signature CrazyShakes at Black Tap Craft Burgers & Shakes, and The Incredibles’ Jack-Jack Cookie Num-Nums at Pixar Pier in Disney California Adventure Park.
Accommodation at Disneyland Resort in California
Did you know you can revel in the Disney magic a bit longer than usual? Thanks to the three Hotels of the Disneyland Resort—Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, Disneyland Hotel, and Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel—you can enter the parks 30 minutes before they open to the public!
If travelling with small children, staying at one of the three Hotels of the Disneyland Resort means you can easily return to your room for naps and still have time to take in plenty of the park attractions.
Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa has everything you’re looking for in a luxury hotel: a spa, award-winning dining with Napa Rose, crystal-clear themed pools, and spacious rooms all packaged with grandeur and craftsman-style elegance.
Are fun waterslides and modern amenities more your vibe? Disneyland Hotel might be the one for you. Delight in Disney classics with a modern twist at every turn—from Sleeping Beauty Castle headboards to Mickey Spa and Minnie Spa whirlpools.
Retreat to the seaside and Californian beach walk-inspired accommodations at Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel. Furnished with 1920s-style decor, this sand-and-surf themed hotel is also the perfect combination of modern facilities and old-fashioned Disney hospitality.
Plan your trip to Disneyland Resort California
How to get there
Aussies planning to visit Disneyland Resort can book direct flights from Sydney, Brisbane, or Melbourne to any of the nearby airports, including Los Angeles International (LAX), John Wayne Airport (SNA), Long Beach Airport (LGB), and San Diego International Airport (SAN). The quickest flight time to Los Angeles is 13 hours from Sydney and 14 hours from Melbourne.
After flying into LAX, you can reach Anaheim and Disneyland Resort via public transit, shuttle services, or rental car.
Best time to visit
When planning your Disneyland Resort holiday, take into consideration the busiest times of year. If you’re flexible with your dates, try to avoid visiting the park during the USA school holidays and other peak times like spring break (around April). Weekdays are also quieter than weekends, which reduces ride wait times.
If you have no choice but to travel in peak season, there is a plus side: all the rides should be fully operational. Some rides close in the low season for general maintenance. You can check the Disneyland Resort website for scheduled ride maintenance closures well in advance.
Visiting with toddlers and littlies
If you are travelling with young children who are less adventurous, do some research online to see the suitability of the rides. A bit of pre-planning will avoid any scary experiences. There are many clever rides that will suit these children, like Toy Story Midway Mania! and Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters.or parades, get your position early and ask cast members (staff) about the best spot to sit for a good view if you have young children in a pram.
Visiting with a disability
The happiest place on earth is also one of the most accessible. The Cast Members are extremely knowledgeable and understanding of the needs of their guests with a disability.
For wheelchair users, many rides have access via the exit point of the ride and there are also some with modified vehicles or seating. The parks have maps for guests using a wheelchair, which can be downloaded prior to your arrival or can be picked up at the entry gate. The first aid office in both parks has the best disabled toilet facilities. They are unisex, clean and have a large adult change table for those needing it.
In 2013, Disney introduced the Disability Access Service Card, designed for guests who cannot tolerate extended waits due to their disability. The card allows the guest to return to the ride after a certain time (comparable to standby queue time) without needing to wait in line the whole time.
This article was produced in partnership with Klook, including content supplied by Klook and OAWK contributors Elisa Elwin, Julie Jones and Dan Campbell.
Out & About with Kids may earn a small commission when you make a booking with Klook.
