Ultimate Guide to Disneyland for First-Timers
Visiting Disneyland for the first time? As someone who has been to the park over 100 times, I created this ultimate guide to Disneyland, with all my knowledge and expert tips for you!
Planning your first trip to Disneyland in California can be overwhelming with all the information there is to learn about the parks.
Worry not, as this in-depth guide includes the most important information about tickets, best times to visit, Disneyland rides, restaurants in the park, photo spots, and more.
Writing this guide has been long overdue. I’ve been visiting Disneyland since I was just one year old. In college, I got an annual pass and spent 50+ days at Disneyland in one year.
It’s safe to say I have a bit of experience navigating Disneyland and planning Disney trips! With all the information I’ve gathered over the last 30 years of visiting the parks, I thoughtfully compiled it into this organized guide to help you plan your first trip to Disneyland.
Know Before You Go
These are some of the most important things to know before visiting Disneyland for the first time. It’s the general information you need before you start planning your trip and booking tickets.
Disneyland Tickets
Let’s be real, Disneyland is expensive. However, there are occasionally ticket sales for California residents and multiple places to get discounted tickets.
Once you buy tickets, be sure to go to the Disneyland website to reserve your dates. The full details and instructions are on the discounted tickets site. You can then link your tickets to the Disneyland app for easy scanning each time you enter the parks!
There are a variety of ticket options to choose from. I prefer a park hopper so I can visit both parks on the same day.
For a few years, I was an annual passholder since I lived a couple of hours from the parks. The annual pass program is now called “Magic Access,” and the passes (now virtual instead of physical cards) are referred to as “Magic Keys.”
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Disneyland vs. California Adventure
Disneyland Resort refers to the two parks—Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure (DCA)—as well as three on-site hotels and the Downtown Disney District.
There are countless ways the two parks in Disneyland Resort differ. I love both of them, but Disneyland is my favorite.
In short, Disneyland Park is the classic park full of nostalgia, original rides, themed foods, and typical characters.
Disney California Adventure started as a more California-themed park, but has since incorporated more of Disney’s IP, with areas like Avengers Campus and Pixar Pier.
Both have plenty of attractions for guests of all ages, though. California Adventure leans more towards older kids and adults. There’s alcohol served at many establishments throughout the park, and it has larger, scarier rides.
I prefer Disneyland for the nostalgia, since I grew up visiting it at least once a year. However, it also feels more magical due to the classic rides and characters, many of which Walt Disney had a hand in imagineering.
The Downtown Disney District sits between the two parks, adjacent to the Disneyland Esplanade in the center. It does not require tickets to enter — anyone can visit to enjoy the various restaurants and shops.
Park Hopping
Speaking of Park Hoppers, these tickets allow you to visit both Disneyland Park and California Adventure on the same day. The only rule is that you cannot visit the second park until after 11am.
When reserving your dates, you must select which park you want to start in each day. Once you arrive and enter your selected park in the morning, you cannot enter the other park until after 11am.
Honestly, this is not an issue at all, as you likely won’t want to hop parks earlier anyway!
If you don’t get a park hopper, the multi-day tickets allow you to enter one park per day. This would mean spending one full day in Disneyland and one full day in California Adventure, without being able to “hop” between both parks on the same day.
Opening/Closing Hours
Park hours change throughout the year, with later closing times in the summer. Disneyland typically stays open later than California Adventure, so keep that in mind if you have a park hopper ticket.
Occasionally, special events (like Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party) cause Disneyland to close earlier than usual for guests without tickets for the event. Check the hours ahead of time for the days you plan to visit.
Park Entrances
All guests must go through a security check before entering the Disneyland Esplanade (the space between Disneyland and California Adventure). The security check involves an in-depth bag search and metal detectors.
You cannot bring pepper spray, weapons, alcohol, drugs (including marijuana), etc.
If you have large bags or strollers, it will take longer for you to get through the checkpoint. You can speed things up by opening all the zippers on your bags before entering the checkpoint.
Once you make it through security and into the esplanade, you can then get in line to enter either Disneyland or California Adventure. At this point, you scan your ticket and go through the automated entry gates.
The first time you enter, you will have your photo taken at the entry gate by the machine. This is the photo that will pop up on the screen each time you scan your ticket for the rest of the trip!
Lightning Lane Multipass
This add-on pass allows you to skip the main line at rides and instead wait in a much shorter line reserved for people with this pass.
Quick overview:
One pass per person — each person must purchase one.
It’s valid for both parks, but you must have a park hopper to visit both parks.
The pass is only for one day, so if you want the pass for three days at Disneyland, you need to buy a pass for each day.
Not all rides have Lightning Lanes. You can find a complete list on Disney’s website.
Once you get the pass, you can use the Disneyland app to “book” the Lightning Lane on rides. There are time slots available for each ride, which can book up. Some of the more popular rides might not have time slots available until 8pm when you go to book them in the morning.
Two of the most popular rides—Rise of the Resistance and Radiator Springs Racers (in California Adventure)—require a separate Lightning Lane Single Pass purchase specifically for those rides.
Is it worth it? If you’re diligent about arriving at the park first thing in the morning and are on top of booking rides, it can save you a lot of time and be worth the $34/person. If you’re not willing to be on your phone throughout the day looking for time slots and booking rides, it might not be for you.
How Many Days Do You Need at Disneyland?
Three days is the perfect amount of time for a short Disneyland trip. My preferred ticket is a 3-Day Park Hopper, as it allows you to visit both parks all three days.
We tend to walk more than 10 miles per day while at the parks. Our days are packed full, but not to an overwhelming amount. With so much walking, more than three days starts to get way too exhausting.
If you’re visiting from far away and likely won’t make another trip to Disneyland, then five days might be ideal for you. This would give you enough time to see and do almost everything in the parks.
Visiting from California and not sure if you’ll even like Disneyland? Get a 1-Day Park Hopper to visit both Disneyland and California Adventure. If you love them, you can always book another longer trip!
Tips for First-Time Visitors
After more than 100 visits to Disneyland over the years, these are my best tips based on my expertise and experience!
Get the Disneyland App
For ease of check-in and navigating while inside the park, download the Disneyland app. Not to be confused with the Disney+ app.
The Disneyland app has an interactive map of both Disneyland and California Adventure. You can find attractions, check ride times, find and order food, locate the bathrooms, check character meet and greet times/locations, and book Lightning Lanes if you purchased a Lightning Lane Pass.
If you go on any rides with photos or get your photo taken by one of the photographer cast members, you can link your photos to the app to view and easily download them.
Dress Comfortably
A day of walking, standing, sitting, and going on rides won't be as fun as it could be if you’re uncomfortable. Wearing clothes you feel comfortable in, both physically and visually, is key to a good experience.
This includes shoes! Sore, tired feet can put a damper on your magical day in Disneyland. While I’ve spent my fair share of days walking around in flip flops and Converse, I am much happier in a comfortable pair of shoes.
As for clothing, people wear the full spectrum of outfits. From ultra comfy workout sets to adorable dresses, you’ll fit in just fine with anything you wear.
My go-to comfy clothes for Disneyland are:
Leggings with pockets for cold days and nights
Spacedye tops from Beyond Yoga
Stretchy skorts from Aerie
Linen shorts from Abercrombie
Bike shorts with pockets from Beyond Yoga
Denim Shorts from Abercrombie
While I love dresses, I don’t feel as comfortable in them when getting in/out of rides or running to find Captain Jack Sparrow during his meet and greet times.
There are plenty of clothes in the shops throughout the park, as well, in case you want a wearable souvenir! The Disneyland spirit jerseys are the cutest.
Plan Your Day in Advance
You don’t need to have an hour-by-hour itinerary by any means, though you absolutely can! I find it’s easiest to decide on which park to visit first and the first 1–3 rides we want to go on.
While you’re in line for the entrance (usually 5–7 minutes on regular days), look through the Disneyland app for ride times. If one of our top 3 rides has a short line, we speed walk our way there as soon as we get through the entry gates.
Rides tend to have shorter lines first thing in the morning, so plan to visit the ones with typically longer lines at the top of your day.
It is also good to have an idea of where you want to eat lunch/dinner. Luckily, you usually have plenty of time while waiting in ride lines to look through the app and plan your next move.
Bring Food & Drinks
You’re allowed to bring your own food and drinks into the parks, which can save you hundreds of dollars per day. It’s also ideal for those with food allergies that can’t easily be accommodated at all restaurants.
I always bring my Owala water bottle and fill up at the water stations in the parks. This saves quite a lot of money and plastic waste.
As for food, I prefer to eat in the parks since they have fun themed foods in the various lands. But it is nice to bring some snacks to munch on while in line or between meals. All that walking burns tons of energy, and you’re going to be hungry!
Stay Close to the Parks
The walk back to the hotel after a long day of walking can be tough, but it’s significantly easier if you stay close to the parks. Only a few hotels offer free shuttles to Disneyland, so finding a walkable hotel is ideal.
Ride Single Rider
One of the best Disneyland “hacks” to save time in ride lines is to wait in the single rider line. Not all rides have them, but many do! For the ones that don’t have a clear, separate line, ask the Cast Members at the front.
The single-rider lines are often less than half the current wait time, usually much less than half. You get to wait in line with whoever you’re visiting the parks with, but then you are split up as you are put on the ride.
Yes, you will end up on the ride with strangers. But, I’d rather wait in a 10-minute line with my group and ride with strangers than wait 70 minutes to ride with my group for the 2-minute ride.
What to Pack for Disneyland
Aside from all the necessary things like your ID and phone, these are the items I recommend packing for the most comfortable, stress-free Disneyland trip.
Comfortable Shoes: Foot comfort is high on the list of importance when you’re walking a half-marathon each day at Disneyland! My New Balance shoes keep my feet from aching even after walking 40+ miles in three days.
Layers of Clothes: Dress for the weather. This can mean a sweatshirt and leggings in the morning, shorts and a tank top in the afternoon, and back to sweats and leggings in the evening.
Poncho or Long Raincoat: If rain is on the forecast, a good poncho or long raincoat will keep you from walking around in soggy clothes all day. You may also want a durable travel umbrella.
Backpack or Belt Bag: Something you can easily carry hands-free is ideal for Disneyland. I always bring my anti-theft backpack since it can fit a lot, is pickpocket-proof, and is comfortable to wear.
Portable Charger: For long days in the park, having a high-quality portable charger that can charge multiple devices each day is the best.
Water Bottle: Skip the $7 plastic water bottles in the park and bring an Owala water bottle instead, which you can fill up for free at refill stations.
Travel Pill Organizer: I carry a mini pharmacy of medicine with me whenever I travel. This tri-fold pill organizer is my favorite for organizing all the meds.
Hat and Sunglasses: Sunny days are much more tolerable with a hat and sunglasses. It makes it easier to see your phone screen, look out for churro carts, and keep your eyes from straining/squinting.
Sunscreen: Spending the majority of your day outside in the sun requires adequate sunscreen. My favorite brand is COOLA, but any sunscreen will do!
Best Time to Visit Disneyland
The best time to visit Disneyland for me is usually when the weather is amazing and crowds are at their lowest. Southern California has excellent weather for most of the year, so that’s an easy one. Crowds, though, can be tricky to anticipate and plan around.
While those are two important factors for me, maybe you prefer a trip filled with holiday magic or spooky decorations. Below is a quick-ish overview of each season to help you pick which time of year is best for you to visit Disneyland.
Spring
For nice weather and slightly fewer crowds, late spring is the ideal season to visit Disneyland. The end of April is perfect, as school spring breaks are over and summer hasn’t started yet.
If you visit in early spring, plan for rainy days (I adore my Weatherman Travel Umbrella). You may not get them, but it’s always good to be prepared. We got rained on quite a lot in March 2023.
Our trip in mid-April 2026 was perfect! The weather was incredible, the crowds were tolerable, and we had the best time.
Summer
Since many people are visiting with kids, summer is the only time they can plan a trip. This means more crowds and longer wait times.
May and June host Grad Nites at California Adventure, which means larger crowds and early park closure. It’s best to avoid those dates if possible.
Summer weather in Southern California is hot! Temperatures hover around the low 80s to low 90s (that’s high 20s to low 30s Celsius), though they can feel much hotter in the direct sun on the pavement.
Going on rides with air conditioning and walking through the cooled shops becomes a priority on the hottest days. Don’t forget a water bottle and sunscreen to stay hydrated and protected from the sun!
Summer can absolutely be fun, just prepare for crowds and hot days.
Fall
This is another great time to visit, with nice weather and holiday magic. Halloween celebrations—my favorite!—start at the end of August and end on Halloween Day.
The park gets decked out with pumpkins for Halloween, and Haunted Mansion transforms into the Nightmare Before Christmas.
For the fewest people in the fall, visit during the couple of weeks after Halloween, before the park transforms for Christmas. You’ll still have some Halloween decor, plus a few Christmas decorations as they go up each day.
Thanksgiving is another holiday week to look out for, as it brings in large crowds as well.
Winter
Christmas is in full swing, starting mid-November and running through the first week of January.
It’s an extra magical time to visit, as there is “snow” on the castle (fake, of course), the characters are all in seasonal outfits, and the parades are themed for Christmas.
The school holiday break is the most crowded time to visit in winter, as kids are out of school and families want to visit the parks for the holiday season.
After the holiday decorations come down, crowds thin out dramatically in January and February. These are some of the emptiest times in the park, though they can also be the rainiest months of the year. Don’t forget that umbrella I mentioned earlier.
Pro tip: We use the Is It Packed? Calendar to find dates when the crowds are much lower. It’s not always perfect, but it helps give you a general idea of the crowd level throughout the year.
Where to Stay Near Disneyland
As I said above, staying close to the parks is more of a need than a want. Having a hotel close by that you can walk to midday for a change of clothes, an afternoon nap, or whatever else is a convenience I would not recommend skipping.
The entrance to the parks is on Harbor Blvd. You can also enter the parks through downtown Disney, but it’s a longer walk to get through it. For the shortest walk, stay on Harbor Blvd.!
We always stay near Disneyland, and I’m thankful for it every night as we walk back to the hotel. There are many hotels to choose from, though some are far better than others!
Hotels in Disneyland Resort
You would think hotels on the actual property would be closer to Disneyland, but they’re not. The main reasons to stay at these hotels are the themed rooms, Disney staff, and 4-star accommodations.
Grand Californian Hotel & Spa: This Craftsman-style hotel has an on-site spa, restaurants, and three pools. It’s just steps away from the California Adventure entrance, but you must go through Downtown Disney to reach Disneyland.
Disneyland Hotel: With three themed “towns,” this hotel exudes the Disney magic. It has upscale, themed rooms and pools with waterslides! Walk through Downtown Disney to reach the Disneyland entrance. I’ve stayed here, and while the hotel is wonderful, the price is extravagant for a hotel you won’t spend much time in.
Pixar Place Hotel: This is the newest hotel at the Disneyland Resort, located just behind California Adventure. The entire hotel is Pixar Animation Studios themed! While it used to have a special entrance into DCA, you now must walk through Downtown Disney to enter either of the parks.
Hotels Near Disneyland
These hotels are some of the closest accommodations to Disneyland Resort that you can find. If you don’t need a luxury, themed hotel and want to save some money, these are great options.
Best Western Plus Park Place Inn: You can’t get much closer to Disneyland than this hotel. It’s nothing fancy, but who needs that when you spend all day in the parks? Walk across the street, and you’re immediately on Disney property!
Tropicana Inn and Suites: Across from the Disneyland entrance, this hotel offers standard rooms and rooms with kitchens for extra convenience. Though it’s just your basic hotel, the location is incredible.
Park Vue Inn: Another hotel just across the street from the parks, this inn is a simple, clean accommodation. The rooms are bright and spacious — some even have bunk beds for kids!
Candy Cane Inn: This has been my family’s favorite hotel since we first visited when I was just one year old. We’ve stayed here dozens of times because we love the complimentary breakfast and free shuttle service to/from the parks. In recent years, the prices have skyrocketed, and rooms are booked up far in advance.
You can use the map below to get a visual and explore hotels/prices. If you can’t see it, try turning off your ad blocker and refreshing the page.
Themed Lands in Disneyland
Disneyland Park is split into nine different lands, each with its own theme, rides, and restaurants. It’s easy to walk between each of the lands — you may not even notice as you move from one to the other.
Adventureland and New Orleans Square are some of my favorite lands, though you may have different favorites!
When the park first opened in 1955, it had just five lands: Main Street, U.S.A., Adventureland, Frontierland, Fantasyland, and Tomorrowland.
Main Street, U.S.A.
When you first enter Disneyland and walk through the tunnel under the train tracks, you arrive on Main Street, U.S.A.
Even on crowded days, Main Street, U.S.A. exudes nostalgic, positive energy. As you stroll the main street, pop into the various shops, look out for horse-drawn trolleys, and enjoy the upbeat music.
There aren’t any themed rides in this land. It has the train, though, which I don’t necessarily count as a ride.
Adventureland
After you walk down Main Street, U.S.A., to your left are the entrances to Adventureland and Frontierland. Though they’re connected through multiple routes, I love that they still have grand entrances for each land.
Adventureland is where you’ll find the more rugged, jungle-themed rides, food, and gift shops.
It has the Tiki Room, Jungle Cruise, and Indiana Jones. This land is where you can grab the famous Dole Whip (more on that later) and get some skewers at Bengal Barbeque.
Another fun attraction is the Adventureland Treehouse, which has stairs leading you up through the different rooms.
New Orleans Square
As you move through Adventureland, past Indiana Jones, you’ll come upon Pirates of the Caribbean and get your first glimpse of the Rivers of America.
This land is one of my favorites because it has two of the BEST rides: Pirates of the Caribbean and Haunted Mansion. Plus, the New Orleans theme continues into the restaurants, with the Mint Julep Bar and Tiana’s Palace.
It’s not exactly a square, as the land is spread along the main walkway that runs between the rides/restaurants and the edge of the Rivers of America.
Bayou Country
New Orleans Square leads into Bayou Country, where Tiana’s Bayou Adventure (formerly Splash Mountain) is the main attraction. This land is somewhat tucked away from the rest of the park in the back corner, but it’s no secret spot.
Rides in this land include Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, and Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes (on the Rivers of America).
Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree is the only restaurant in this small land, complete with a woodsy, rustic theme. As for shopping, you have the hilariously named “Pooh Corner” and a couple of Princess-and-the-Frog-themed gift shops.
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
The newest addition to the lands of Disneyland is Galaxy’s Edge. Modeled after Black Spire Outpost on the planet Batuu, it’s a dream for big-time Star Wars fans.
I have to admit, I’m not a huge Star Wars fan and was ever so slightly disappointed when they first announced this land. But I’ve since come around and am truly amazed by the level of detail and planning that went into this land. I love it now!
It has one restaurant with indoor seating, a walk-up food spot, a couple of stands for snacks/drinks, and a walk-up cantina, which serves the only alcoholic beverages in the park.
As for rides, hop aboard the Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run or participate in the Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. Both rides are impressively high tech, though the latter is far more popular (and newer).
Frontierland
Looping back towards Main Street, U.S.A., pathways from Galaxy’s Edge lead you through Frontierland. Here, you can expect Western themes inspired by the American frontier.
It includes both the mainland area and Tom Sawyer’s Island at the center of Rivers of America. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is the only mainland ride, while the Mark Twain Riverboat and Sailing Ship Columbia navigate you around the Rivers of America loop.
The restaurants in this area don’t seem to be as popular as others in the park, maybe because they aren’t all Disney-themed? There’s a Mexican restaurant, a Southern restaurant, a cowboy-themed restaurant with live entertainment, and the Stage Door Café.
Frontierland has changed and evolved over the years since Walt Disney first imagined it in 1955, but it retains the original essence of the American frontier and cowboy lifestyle.
Fantasyland
Walk across the drawbridge and through the castle to enter the magical Fantasyland. It’s this area of the park where many of the original rides reside.
Most of them are “dark rides,” which are indoor rides where guests sit in a vehicle that navigates them along a track.
The rides in this land are Snow White’s Enchanted Wish, Pinocchio’s Daring Journey, Peter Pan’s Flight, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, King Arthur Carrousel, Storybook Land Canal Boats, Mad Tea Party, Alice in Wonderland, Matterhorn Bobsleds, and It’s a Small World.
As you can probably assume from the long list of rides, this is a large land. It has many attractions beyond the rides, including theatre performances, princess meet and greets, and a variety of shops and restaurants.
Much of the land is targeted at the younger audience, as the rides are calm and the character experiences are truly magical for small kids.
Mickey’s Toontown
Another land tucked in a back corner of the park is Toontown. It is also mostly geared towards the younger kids, with not-so-scary rides and fun attractions.
Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway is the newest ride in this land, and it’s actually quite fun for adults as well! Other rides include Chip ‘N’ Dale’s GADGETcoaster and Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin.
With multiple playgrounds and interactive activities, this land is usually buzzing with small kids running around. If your kids need to burn some energy, this is the place!
A few themed shops and food spots can be found in Toontown, including snacks, cold drinks, and souvenirs.
Toontown closes for a couple of hours during the fireworks performance, so keep that in mind as you plan your visit.
Tomorrowland
When Disneyland first opened, I imagine Tomorrowland seemed truly futuristic. Today, it has a retro-futuristic feel and leans more towards a space theme that likely isn’t what Walt Disney originally intended.
Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters, Astro Orbitor, Star Tours, and Space Mountain are the space-themed rides in this land. The other rides are Autopia and the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage.
Although this is one of my least favorite lands, I still spend time in it every Disneyland trip! Space Mountain is one of the more exciting rides in the park, and I love the interactive aspect of Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters.
Tomorrowland leaves a lot to be desired. There are a few restaurants and stores, though some areas are currently unused or inaccessible to regular guests.
Best Rides in Disneyland
You would think rides in Disneyland would be pretty subjective. On the contrary, I’ve found that most people tend to have the same top five, though not always in the same order.
These are five of the best rides in Disneyland:
Pirates of the Caribbean: This is one of the original Disneyland rides, which was the inspiration for my all-time favorite movie series of the same name. It’s a calm boat ride with a couple of short drops at the very beginning.
Indiana Jones: I love this fast-paced, rocky ride that takes you through the world of Indiana Jones! It’s a bit scary for small kids, but my favorite ride in the park.
Haunted Mansion: Slowly ride through this haunted mansion inside a New Orleans-inspired building. You pass through dark, haunted rooms, a graveyard, and end with a holographic ghost in your buggy!
Rise of the Resistance: A newer ride at Disneyland, this one is in Galaxy’s Edge and is one of the most technologically advanced rides in the park. It has multiple sections with acting cast members, which makes it feel immersive and realistic.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad: This small coaster-style ride is fast, smooth, and an exciting thrill. You’ll be taken through tunnels and around tight curves at speed. It’s somewhere between a kiddie coaster and a full-on roller coaster.
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The things that make Disneyland sparkle aren’t just the rides and attractions. There are countless ways the park is designed to make your visit magical in a multitude of ways.
Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island
Hop aboard one of the rafts across the Rivers of America to reach Tom Sawyer Island, designed by Walt Disney himself. The island has evolved to be a pirate’s lair with structures for guests to climb and play on, as well as caves to walk through.
Character Meet and Greets
Fancy meeting your favorite Disney characters? Use the app to find the schedule and locations of the characters so you can line up for a “hello” and a photo.
They have princes and princesses, cartoon characters, Captain Jack Sparrow (my favorite), Star Wars characters, and many more.
While most characters pop up in various spots around the park, the Royal Hall is one place where you can meet multiple princesses at once.
Disneyland Railroad
While some may consider this a ride, I think of it as a means of transportation with some scenery and entertainment along the way. The railroad takes you around the entire park, with stops in various lands.
It gives you a nice overview of the entire park, plus some spots you can only see from the train! One of the most unique areas along the route includes “Primeval World,” where there are animatronic dinosaurs.
It’s not the fastest way to get from one area of the park to another—walking is faster—but it’s a fun and relaxing experience for when your feet need a break.
Sleeping Beauty Castle Walk-Through
The castle isn’t just a facade! Once you walk through the main entrance, turn left and head through the door that leads you inside the castle. It’s a dark walk-through with scenes that tell the story of Sleeping Beauty.
Parades, Fireworks, and Shows
There are typically a couple of parades each day, nightly fireworks (if conditions are good), and multiple shows throughout the parks. You can find schedules for all these events through the Disneyland app.
Hidden Mickeys
Throughout the park, you can find hidden Mickey Mouse heads in various locations. There’s no official count for how many Hidden Mickeys there are, as more are continuously added.
Finding as many Hidden Mickeys as you can is a fun game to play during your trip! It’s a great way to spend time while in lines for the rides or while meandering around the park.
Pin Trading
Part of the Disney community collects and trades Disney-themed enamel pins with each other. In 2000, Disneyland launched the official pin trading program, which allows guests to trade pins with cast members.
There are now dedicated pin-trading tables throughout Disneyland, along with specific rules and guidelines guests must follow.
Pins must be official Disney pins, so you need to buy a couple before your trip if you want to trade. Display them on a lanyard or a small, handheld pin collection display like a pin purse.
Theme Days/nights in the Park
Disney fans have created some of their own unofficial theme days that have gained major popularity in the park. We visited on Dapper Day, where guests dress up in their best vintage/dapper style. It was so fun to experience!
Other unofficial events include Gay Days, Villains Day, Bats Day (Goth Day), and Adventureland Day.
While Disneyland has its own official special events, like Disneyland After Dark (pictured below!) and Lunar New Year, fan-run unofficial events are the most fun to see.
Disneyland Foods & Places to Eat
Eating the themed foods in Disneyland adds to your magical experience in the park! The food is more expensive and not all of it is good, but you can find delicious treats and dishes if you know where to look.
Iconic Disneyland Foods
Dole Whip: This dairy-free pineapple soft-serve ice cream has become one of the most popular foods inside Disneyland. You can get it at the Tiki Juice Bar or The Tropical Hideaway, both in Adventureland.
Churros: A classic Disney treat, churros are sold at various carts throughout the park. Famously, churros in Disneyland are a whopping 12” long and are prepared fresh on-site. They’re delicious!
Corn dogs: Walt Disney requested that all trash cans in the park be no more than 30 feet away from each other. As the Disney lore goes, this was because that is approximately how long it took to finish one corn dog. The most popular spot to get a Disney corn dog is the Little Red Wagon on Main Street, U.S.A. Stage Door Cafe in Frontierland also serves corn dogs, though people swear they aren’t as good.
Pickles: If you love pickles, then there’s almost nothing better on a hot day than to snack on a giant, cold pickle. You can find them on ice at various stands throughout the park.
Best Restaurants in Disneyland
Google reviews for Disneyland restaurants are often pretty mixed. As someone who usually won’t go to a restaurant with a rating lower than 4.2, I’m much more flexible at Disneyland.
It is a theme park after all, so you can’t expect every place to be gourmet. However, the food in Disneyland and California Adventure is good overall.
Some of these restaurants have been in the parks for decades, while others are relatively new. I’ve eaten at all of these places myself over the years, and recommend them based on my personal experience!
Ronto Roasters (Galaxy’s Edge): This is my favorite place in either park to get food! Their vegan ronto-less wrap is truly delicious — even meat-eaters prefer it to the meat version.
Bengal Barbeque (Adventureland): Just across from Indiana Jones, this walk-up food spot has a selection of different skewered meats. It was my favorite spot before I stopped eating meat, but it remains my family's favorite!
Alien Pizza Planet (Tomorrowland): For a quick and easy meal, grab some pizza and pasta at Alien Pizza Planet, inspired by Pizza Port from Toy Story.
Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe (Main Street USA): Enjoy sweet treats, breakfast sandwiches, espresso drinks, and tea at this charming cafe. They also serve a small selection of sandwiches and salads for lunch/dinner. Note: The only non-dairy milk alternative here is soy.
Red Rose Taverne (Fantasyland): Enjoy a selection of burgers, flatbreads, and bowls/salads in this Beauty and the Beast-themed restaurant. We’ve had a pretty good lunch here before, but they also serve breakfast and dinner.
Harbour Gallery (Bayou Country): This is a bit of a hidden gem across from the Haunted Mansion exit, set next to the Rivers of America. They have excellent clam chowder in a bread bowl and crab/shrimp rolls. It’s a perfect spot for hot, cozy food on a cold day.
Mint Julep Bar & Tiana’s Palace (New Orleans Square): Both of these are in the same area, but are separate food spots. The Mint Julep Bar has coffee, tea, and beignets, while Tiana’s Palace serves Cajun/Creole dishes, southern sides, and beignet-flavored cold brew. My sister loves their cold brew!
Oga’s Cantina (Galaxy’s Edge): Searching for alcohol in Disneyland? Aside from the highly exclusive Club 33, Oga’s Cantina is the only place serving alcohol in the park. It has a decently sized alcohol menu with Star Wars-themed drinks — some with a souvenir cup you can keep.
Note: While Disneyland is mostly alcohol-free, many restaurants and food stands in California Adventure serve alcohol for 21+ guests!
Photo Spots
What’s a Disneyland trip without photos?! You can find Instagram-worthy photo spots all over the parks, from backdrops made for photos to more niche areas.
Front Entrance
Immediately after entering the park through the entry gates, there’s a classic Disney photo spot along the brick wall straight ahead. The backdrop is a beautifully manicured flower design and the back of the train station.
The photos below were taken 10-11 years apart! One during the 60th Disneyland Anniversary (2015) and one during the 70th Anniversary (2026)!
There is often a cast member here who can take photos for you. You can then use the app to see and download your photos. Characters often appear around this area for meet and greets as well.
Main Street Roundabouts
There are two roundabouts on Main Street U.S.A. — one at either end. The first one is close to the park entrance on the other side of the train station from the previously mentioned photo spot.
This one has a statue or other giant item that changes seasonally. During the holidays, there’s a giant lighted tree; during Halloween time has a giant Mickey Mouse head jack-o-lantern. For Disneyland anniversaries, there is usually a themed statue for the anniversary year.
The other roundabout, closer to the castle, has a statue of Walt Disney holding hands with Mickey Mouse. It’s a perfect spot for photos with the statue and the castle.
Sleeping Beauty Castle
Quite possibly the best and most-photographed spot in the park is in front of the castle. This area is usually pretty crowded with dozens of people all trying to get their family photos or Instagram pics.
You can walk to the small walkways on either side of the castle for a less-crowded spot with a different view of the castle. Your best bet for a crowd-free photo is arriving first thing in the morning and making a beeline to the castle.
King Arthur Carrousel
Hop on one of the 68 merry-go-round horses for some classic Disneyland photos! You will need to wait in line, of course, to ride the carousel and take your photos.
If you’re one of the first to board, you’ll have a minute or two to take photos before the ride starts. But you can easily get some good photos as the ride rotates, too.
Giant Teacup
Head towards the Tea Cups ride, and you’ll come upon a pink tea cup ready for a photoshoot. It’s a stationary replica of the tea cups on the actual ride. No need to attempt cute photos while spinning ferociously on the ride itself.
The giant teacup has been a regular photo spot for us for decades. It was added in the early 80s when the entire attraction was remodeled. The photos below were taken 10 years apart (left: 2015 / right: 2026)!
It’s a Small World
The backdrop of It’s a Small World is a lovely place to take photos. Pose in front of the topiary with the full Small World clock tower in the background. Or, make your way to the far right of the ride for photos right up against the walls of Small World!
Mickey’s Toontown
Though most of the rides and attractions in this land are geared towards younger kids, there are some fun photo spots for all ages!
Since we were old enough to pose, my sister and I have been taking pictures at the fake dumbbell near Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin ride.
Other photo ops in Toon Town are Mickey’s House, Minnie’s House, Goofy’s House, and the fountain.
Columbia Sailing Ship
For a more unique Disney photo, hop aboard the Columbia Sailing ship! This ship sails in a loop through the Rivers of America every 10–15 minutes. There are many spots around the boat and river to snap some cool photos.
Galaxy’s Edge
If you’re a Star Wars fan, then Galaxy’s Edge will be the best place to take your photos. Pose with the Millennium Falcon towering behind you or walk around the village to get a perfectly themed Star Wars photo.
Stick around for meet and greets with characters like the Mandalorian, Stormtroopers, Darth Vader, Chewbacca, and many more.
Visiting Disneyland For the First Time
Whether you’re visiting Disneyland for the first time ever, or the first time in many years, I hope this guide helps you plan your trip!
As a quick overview of everything I covered in this guide:
Find the best time to visit based on your preferences.
Get discounted Disneyland tickets and make a park reservation.
Dress comfortably (including walking shoes) and pack well.
Make a list of your top rides and attractions, then plan around it.
Discover all the magical Disney experiences beyond the rides.
Enjoy all the delicious themed foods throughout the park.
Take lots of photos!
Enjoy your magical trip to the Happiest Place on Earth! If you have any questions, leave a comment below, and I’ll do my best to answer them.
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