“To all who come to this happy place; welcome. Disneyland is your land. Here age relives fond memories of the past and here youth may savor the challenge and promise of the future. Disneyland is dedicated to the ideals, the dreams, and the hard facts that have created America with the hope that it will be a source of joy and inspiration to all the world.” Walt Disney on July 17, 1955.
Often fondly known as Walt’s Park, Disneyland first opened its gates to eager guests on a hot July day in 1955. Disneyland is my favourite park in the world; it is my home park and I am so excited to be writing up this quick guide to continue my series.
Main Street, U.S.A.
Guests enter Disneyland underneath the Main Street Disneyland Railroad station and are transported back in time to the turn of the 20th century. Walt Disney based Main Street on his childhood home of Marceline, Missouri. Main Street Vehicles such as the Horseless Carriage, Fire Engine, Horse-Drawn Streetcars, and Omnibus are available for guests to ride up and down the centre of Main Street with stops near the entrance of the park in town square and in the hub near Sleeping Beauty Castle. Also in town square is the Opera House. This is home to the Disney Gallery and The Disneyland Story presenting Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln. Down the way, the Main Street Cinema plays original Mickey Mouse cartoons from the 1920s and 1930s.
There are many dining locations along Main Street. Carnation Café and Plaza Inn both offer advanced dining reservations which can be made 60 days out. Plaza Inn is the only character dining location inside Disneyland and only has character dining during breakfast. Next to the Plaza Inn is the Little Red Wagon Corn Dogs which offers one of Disneyland’s most popular snacks. Market House is Disneyland’s Starbucks location and both the Jolly Holiday Bakery Café and the Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor offer mobile ordering. Refreshment Corner is another quick service location where live ragtime piano music is often played.
Main Street is home to multiple shopping locations such as the large Emporium. There are also many guest services on Main Street such as stroller rentals near the front of the park and City Hall where guest relations is.
Tomorrowland
Located to the right of Main Street is the futuristic land of Tomorrowland. Tomorrowland is home to many attractions including stops for both the Disneyland Railroad and the Disneyland Monorail. Space Mountain is a very popular attraction which offers Fastpass. It is an indoor roller coaster in the dark and has a height requirement of 40” / 102 cm. Star Tours – The Adventures Continue is another E-ticket attraction where guests travel to all corners of the Star Wars galaxy in a 3D motion simulation. Star Tours offers Fastpass and has a height requirement of 40” / 102 cm. Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage allows guests to journey through liquid space to follow along with the story of Finding Nemo. The Astro Orbitor is a classic spinner attraction that greets guests right as they enter into Tomorrowland. Autopia is an opening day attraction where guests can travel along a miniature highway. Guests must be 32” / 81 cm to drive with someone else or 54” / 137 cm to drive alone. Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters offers Fastpass and is a laser shooting game where guests rack up points to defeat the evil Emperor Zurg. Star Wars Launch Bay is located in the old Innoventions buildings and offers meet and greets with various Star Wars characters as well being a showbuilding for models of different Star Wars props.
There are several quick service restaurants in Tomorrowland. The Galactic Grill offers Mobile Ordering and has views of the Tomorrowland Stage where the Jedi Training takes place. Alien Pizza Planet is located near to the entrance of Space Mountain.
Fantasyland
Fantasyland is jam packed with wonderful attractions, many of which have been there since 1955! These include the dark rides Snow White’s Scary Adventures, Peter Pan’s Flight, and Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride. Other dark rides are Alice in Wonderland and Pinocchio’s Daring Journey. The original It’s a Small World from the 1964/1964 New York’s World Fair is located in Disneyland’s Fantasyland as well. It’s a Small World now offers Fastpass though the kiosk is located near the Matterhorn. The Matterhorn Bobsleds was Disneyland’s first roller coaster and is located on the boarder of Fantasyland and Tomorrowland. It has a height requirement of 42” / 107 cm and offers Fastpass. Other attractions include the King Arthur Carrousel, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Casey Jr. Circus Train, and the Mad Tea Party. One of my favourite attractions is the Storybook Land Canal Boats. Sleeping Beauty Castle also offers the Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough attraction where guests can see the story of Sleeping Beauty told through dioramas. If guests have mobility difficulties, there is an HD video that shows the walkthrough on the ground level.
Fantasyland is home to some fantastic entertainment such as Mickey and the Magical Map which plays at the Fantasyland Theatre. This show features different Disney characters performing their signature songs and is a must see! Storytelling at the Royal Theatre in Fantasy Faire brings to life the stories of Beauty and the Beast and Tangled. Nearby is the popular Royal Hall where guests can meet three different rotating princesses. Another meet and greet is Pixie Hollow where Tinker Bell and her friends are. Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is a popular location where little guests can have a princess or knight makeover.
There are a few different quick service locations all over Fantasyland such as Maurice’s Treats which is located in Fantasy Faire, Troubadour Tavern is located near the Fantasyland Theatre and Edelweiss Snacks is located near the Matterhorn Bobsleds. Red Rose Taverne offers Mobile Ordering and is near Pinocchio’s Daring Journey.
Mickey’s Toontown
Located in the back of the park behind Fantasyland, Mickey’s Toontown is found outside of the Disneyland Railroad tracks and guests must walk underneath a bridge to get there. There is the Mickey’s Toontown Railroad Station here, but it is the only aspect of this small land to be located on the Fantasyland side of the tracks. Mickey’s Toontown is where the Fab Five and friends have made their homes. Guests can take a self guided tour through the whimsical Mickey’s House. Near the end of the tour is where Mickey hosts a meet and greet in his barn. Sometimes Goofy and Pluto can be found doing meet and greets throughout the house as well. Next door is Minnie’s House. Her house is not quite as big as Mickey’s, but there is still quite a bit to see throughout it. Minnie hosts meet and greets as well, though not quite as often as Mickey. Both Goofy’s Playhouse and Donald’s Boat the Miss Daisy are children’s play areas. Check the character times guide to see if Goofy and Donald are meeting near their respective homes. Another home is Chip ‘n’ Dale’s Treehouse which is located beyond Mickey’s House and is often less crowded because it tends to be overlooked.
Roger Rabbit Car Toon Spin is the only dark ride in Mickey’s Toontown and offers Fastpass. Gadget’s Go Coaster is a very tame roller coaster, making it great for children who are just ready to try a more thrilling ride. It has a height requirement of 35” / 89 cm.
There are a few small quick service locations in Mickey’s Toontown including Clarabelle’s (not to be confused with Clarabelle’s Ice Cream in Disney California Adventure), Daisy’s Diner, and Pluto’s Dog House.
Frontierland
Guests step back into the days of the Wild West when they enter Frontierland. The E-ticket attraction here is Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. This runaway mine train coaster offers Fastpass and has a height requirement of 40” / 102 cm. The Rivers of America surround Tom Sawyer Island where the Pirates Lair is located. Guests must take rafts over to the island to explore this large play area. The Rivers of America are also home to both the Mark Twain Riverboat and the Sailing Ship Columbia. Both of these boats dock near the entrance to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and take guests on a 15 minute scenic journey around Tom Sawyer Island. The Golden Horseshoe Stage has a rich history in Disneyland. It is where Walt and Lillian celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary before the park was even open! There have been daily shows performing at the Golden Horseshoe since 1955 and currently it features the comedy group the Laughing Stock Co. Inside is also a quick service dining location. The Frontierland Shootin’ Exposition is where guests can fire infrared rifles at targets for an addition charge.
Fantasmic! is a not to be missed nighttime show that lights up the Rivers of America. This show features live characters, water screens, floats, fireworks, and amazing music to showcase Mickey’s imagination. The best way to see Fantasmic! is to either purchase a dining package or get a Fastpass early in the day. The Fastpass distribution is located right by the Mark Twain and Columbia dock and will not count towards guests’ Fastpass allotment for the day, meaning you can have a Fantasmic! Fastpass while still being able to get the one-at-a-time regular attraction Fastpasses.
Frontierland has some great restaurants. The River Belle Terrace is a table service dining location that offers advanced dining reservations. Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante is a quick service Mexican restaurant with beautiful atmosphere. The Stage Door Café is another quick service location and the Ship to Shore Marketplace is a snack cart near the Mark Twain and Columbia dock.
Critter Country
Formally known as Bear Country, Critter Country sits in the far back corner of Disneyland. It is home to the E-ticket attraction Splash Mountain, a log flume ride inspired by characters from Song of the South. Splash Mountain offers Fastpass and has a height requirement of 40” / 102 cm. Another attraction here is the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. This dark ride takes guests on a journey through the Hundred Acre Wood. The third attraction in Critter Country is the seasonally operated Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes. Led by Cast Members, guests climb aboard 20-passenger canoe to row around the Rivers of America.
There are two quick service dining locations in Critter Country; both of which are delicious! The Harbour Galley is located near the entrance to the land and is a great place to watch the fun reactions of guests plummeting down Splash Mountain! The Hungry Bear Restaurant has a large amount of seating, making it a good place to go for lunch on busy days. It offers Mobile Ordering.
New Orleans Square
One of Disney’s most elegant lands, New Orleans Square is home to two E-ticket attractions. The first is Pirates of the Caribbean. This classic attraction has one of the longest ride durations in Disneyland and has an incredibly fast moving queue, making it a great attraction to ride at any time of the day. The popular Haunted Mansion is a unique attraction because for about four or five months of the year, it features an overlay themed to The Nightmare Before Christmas. The Haunted Mansion offers Fastpass. The New Orleans Square Railroad Station is located between the two attractions and is the stop for not only New Orleans Square, but also the surrounding lands of Adventureland, Frontierland, and Critter Country.
New Orleans Square has a number of delicious restaurants. I wrote a whole post about Dining Down in New Orleans Square because there was so much to say! The quick service location Royal Street Veranda is located near Pirates of the Caribbean. The French Market Restaurant and Mint Julep Bar share a kitchen space so no need to line up twice if you want a mint julep with your meal at the French Market. Café Orleans, famous for the Monte Cristo sandwich, is a table service restaurant with both indoor and outdoor seating. The Blue Bayou is arguably Disneyland’s most iconic restaurant and is located inside the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction. Both these table service locations offer advanced reservations.
Adventureland
Adventureland is home to my favourite attraction Indiana Jones Adventure! This E-ticket attraction offers Fastpasss and has a height requirement of 46” / 117 cm. Guests join Indy on his adventure through the Temple of the Forbidden Eye; I just love it so much! Next door is the world famous Jungle Cruise where guests journey along various rivers with a punny skipper as a guide. Keep an eye out for the backside of water! Tarzan’s Treehouse is a walkthrough attraction where guests climb high into the treetops of Adventureland. This attraction offers some fantastic views of the park! Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room is a musical show where audio-animatronics birds serenade guests with tropical tunes. This show lasts about 15 minutes. It sounds a little wacky and it is, though definitely not something to miss!
There are a few smaller quick service locations in Adventureland. The Tiki Juice Bar is where guests can purchase the well-loved Dole Whip and it offers Mobile Ordering. Across from the Jungle Cruise, Bengal Barbecue also offers Mobile Ordering. Tropical Imports is a fruit stand and Disneyland’s newest quick service restaurant is the Tropical Hideaway which offers views of the Jungle Cruise.
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
Coming this summer, Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge will feature two brand new attractions. These will both have Fastpass and will be called Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. Check back for more details!
Check out my other Quick Guides to the Disney Parks!
This makes me miss Disneyland so much!! Growing up we went (at least) once a year, but now that we live on the east coast, it’s much harder to get back to CA.
What a great comprehensive guide to Disneyland! I love it! We haven’t ever been there!! I need to fix that soon!
I love Mickey’s ToonTown! I wish they would bring it back to WDW!