Disneyland
Discover Disneyland
The Disneyland Resort is a theme park complex in Anaheim, California. It is home to the original Disneyland Park, which has been a favorite among Los Angeles residents and visitors to Southern California from all over the world since it opened in 1955. It was joined in 2001 by another park, Disney California Adventure, which is a stylized recreation and celebration of California's rich history and culture. The Disneyland Resort is divided into two theme parks, three hotels, and a shopping and entertainment district.
What to Experience in Disneyland
Taste of Disneyland...
There are two main types of restaurant at the resort, not including snack carts: quick service - also called counter service - and table service. Quick-service restaurants do not have waiters, and some of them don't even have tables: you purchase your food from a counter and take it with you to your seat, wherever that may be. If the venue does have seating, don't claim a seat or table until you have your food in hand. This is an unwritten rule that, if broken, will get you in trouble with your fellow guests and cast members. You can save yourself the hassle by ordering in advance through mobile order via the Disneyland app. When you place your order, you'll be given a return time. Make your way over at that time and push the on-screen button to tell the CM's you've arrived. When you're food is ready, walk up to the mobile order counter. Table-service venues have waitstaff, who will assign you a seat and take your order at the table. If dining at one of these restaurants, there is a good chance of not being able to get seating without an advance reservation. Some locations, especially the Blue Bayou Restaurant and Goofy's Kitchen, require a reservation weeks in advance. Reservations are made through Disney Dining at +1 714 781-DINE, or up to 60 days prior at Disney Dining's website. It is important to cancel or call Disney Dining if you will be late, as a fee per person is charged for missed reservations - this can go as high as $50 per head, though it does vary.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsDisneyland is within driving distance of a number of Southern California airports. Regardless of which airport you land at, it is always a good idea to consider available alternative forms of transportation before deciding to rent a car. Airport shuttles and public transit are an ideal option, especially if you are unfamiliar with the area. While LAX is the obvious choice and the most popular, there are a few other options which are calmer and sometimes even make for an easier arrival. John Wayne Orange County Airport (SNA) in Santa Ana is one of the two closest airports to Anaheim. The Disneyland Resort Express, operated by Gray Line, provides hourly bus service to the Disneyland Resort from here. Long Beach Airport (LGB) in Long Beach is the same distance as John Wayne, about 14 miles from the resort, and is the smallest (i.e. easiest to deal with) in the Los Angeles area. Depending on where you are flying from it's one of the easiest ways to get to Disneyland....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Once in the park, everything is reachable by foot. Walking is the main way to get around the park. You can cut down on the amount of walking time by taking the Disneyland Railroad (you need a Disneyland theme park ticket), which loops around the edge of the park and stops at Main Street, New Orleans Square, Mickey's Toontown, and Tomorrowland. There's a set of old-fashioned vehicles that run along Main Street from the entrance of the park to the hub in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle. Disneyland has pretty good access for wheelchairs and other mobility-assistance vehicles, the only exception being the Disneyland Railroad at Main Street Station. Two attractions, Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage and Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough, require guests to travel up and down steps; if a guest cannot get up and down steps, there is a room with a virtual experience of the attraction. See a cast member to access these rooms.
Where to Stay
Both the Disneyland Hotel and the Grand Californian participate in Disney's time share program, the Disney Vacation Club - often referred to by its initials DVC. DVC rooms feature additional amenities, such as kitchens, along with additional perks for members. Rooms are booked with points paid for by members, who also pay annual dues for the privilege of owning a share in a room. For more information, visit: https://disneyvacationclub.disney.go.com/explore-membership There are many designated Good Neighbor Hotels which are either within walking distance or provide transportation to and from the Disneyland Resort. Many other hotels and motels of varying cost and quality may be found in the local area. Start with Anaheim. Disneyland is one of the safest places to be in the United States, with cast members and security keeping an eye on guests at all times to ensure your safety. That being said, things can still go wrong at the happiest place on Earth.
Money & Budget
There are many gift shops throughout Disneyland and Disney California Adventure. They are so abundant, it is close to impossible to throw a stone and not hit a store. Some attractions even have gift shops located right at their exits. The complete list of shops in both parks may be found on the official website. Downtown Disney's anchor store is the World of Disney, the second largest of its kind, after the one at Walt Disney World. Essentially, this is a Disney Store on steroids. Downtown Disney also showcases a wide range of well-known retail chains. These are just a select few; see the official website for the complete list. There are two main types of restaurant at the resort, not including snack carts: quick service - also called counter service - and table service.
Safety Information
Safety Overview
Disneyland is one of the safest places to be in the United States, with cast members and security keeping an eye on guests at all times to ensure your safety. That being said, things can still go wrong at the happiest place on Earth. The biggest problem guests face is becoming separated from their children: the parks are crowded, so losing sight of a child in your care is a big risk. For teenagers, this won't be a major problem as they can largely take care of themselves. For smaller kids, however, it can be a terrifying experience. Other guests with kids recommend writing your contact details on an index card your child can show to a cast member should they become lost: use one that can fit easily in a pocket and won't get damaged easily, and make sure your kids know how to recognise a CM. In every case involving a "piglet" - to quote the phrase CM's supposedly use over their radios - they will be always be taken to the baby care center or the lost children office..