Anaheim's expansive Disneyland Resort is so chock full of memory-making fun, two days isn't enough time to see it all. Fortunately, a visit to Disneyland is worth the time and money as there is still plenty of magic pulsating from the sprawling complex, which features Walt Disney's classic kingdom, the thrills of Disney California Adventure, and the free-to-visit Downtown Disney entertainment center. And for foodies who eschew Disney's fast food style, The Disneyland Resort now abounds with truly tempting wine and dining destinations.
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Disney's Jungle Cruise |
The history of Disneyland is legend. In 1955, famed animation pioneer Walt Disney decided to create his fantasy theme park right here in Anaheim, among its then-rural orange groves. Almost instantly, the park became an essential destination for family fun, as people traveled from hundreds of miles away to enter the park's gates.
For decades, Disneyland and its adjacent Disneyland Hotel made up Anaheim's Disney experience. Today, the excitement has grown to become the 150-plus acre area known as The Disneyland Resort. While Disneyland itself has not expanded much, the options for enjoyment have increased courtesy of the adjacent second park, Disney California Adventure, as well as Downtown Disney, an entertainment district whose bustling "city walk" vibe is open to the public with no admission fee.
The very best way to experience The Disneyland Resort is to stay at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. Nestled in the midst of lively Downtown Disney, this 948-room Craftsman-inspired resort overlooks California Adventure and features such amenities as 50 two-bedroom Disney Vacation Club villas, poolside cabanas, a special children's entertainment area, and a sixth floor terrace with a breathtaking view of California Adventure's Paradise Pier and the spectacular new World of Color attraction. Even if you are not staying at the hotel, make a quick trip into the cavernous lobby with its Mission-style furniture, heavy wood beams and Tiffany-style lamps. You can even sit in a rocking chair and put your feet up on the massive stone hearth by a flaming fire. And savvy guests will want to keep any eye out for the secret entrance into California Adventure near the hotel's outdoor pool area.
Just a block or so away from The Grand Californian are Disney's two other park hotels: The original, 988-room Disneyland Hotel and the 506-room Paradise Pier Hotel. Both properties are close by, have playful pool areas, are comfortable and cater to families as well as fun-loving business travelers. The Disneyland Hotel is in the final stages of a three-year renovation to modernize the exterior and make extensive room upgrades, which is slated for completion in the summer of 2011. This historic hotel contains "Character Quarters;" specially-themed connecting rooms for kids with either Mickey Mouse or Disney princess décor.
The Hilton Anaheim, which is OC’s biggest hotel and sits just across from the parks and adjacent to next to the Anaheim Convention Center, is a good, cost-effective choice for accommodations. Mostly a convention hotel, The Hilton Anaheim has renovated its rooms, fitness center, restaurant and massive fitness spa to create a modern oasis of calm in the lively Disneyland Resort district. Some stay here for the fifth-floor pool area where each room has a patio door to the relaxing pool deck. The hotel’s Mix Restaurant and lounge is a good place to meet a friend for a cocktail, take the family for a meal or plan the day’s activities.
For less expensive accommodations that are still near the parks, try Anabella, Sheraton Anaheim Hotel, Embassy Suites Hotel Anaheim—North, Anaheim Fairfield Inn by Marriott and Candy Cane Inn.
One of Anaheim's most eclectic spots is Hotel Ménage. Once a '70s-era motel, Hotel Ménage is now a happening boutique hotel featuring a hip pool area, modern furnishings and K'ya Street Fare, a contemporary restaurant offering a wide array of dishes designed to highlight a host of different flavors from around the globe.
It's best to plan an entire day at Disneyland and another full day at California Adventure. We recommend buying the two-day "park-hopper" tickets, which allow you unlimited access to both parks for a discounted price.
Before you hit the sheets in anticipation of a long day at Disneyland, you may want to check Disneyland's official website (www.disneyland.com) for up-to-the minute information on special events, parade times, entertainment schedules, ride closures and other general information.
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The Matterhorn and Monorail |
Also, you may want to think ahead about using FASTPASS. If you arrive at your favorite ride and find the wait time is outrageously long, you insert your admission ticket into the FASTPASS machine to obtain a ticket that gives you a time to return to the attraction. When you return at the appointed time, you get to wait in the special FASTPASS line, which is usually rather short. Actually, this system gives you more time to explore each "land," plan spontaneous trips to performances, and take necessary bathroom, food and beverage breaks.
Spending an entire day at one of Disney's theme parks is like urban hiking. You need to plan ahead and make sure you wear comfortable walking shoes, bring water, apply sunscreen and wear loose clothing with lots of thin layers for shedding or piling on as the weather changes throughout the day. While Anaheim can be terribly hot during spring, summer and even fall, the winter months can be cold, especially when the sun goes down. So you may want to think about putting heavy coats, gloves, hats and scarves in a pay-for-the-day locker, which are located just outside both parks.
Before you go, consider getting a CityPass to save up to 50% off the price of regular admissions for Disneyland Park and Disney's California Adventure Park.
DISNEYLAND ITINERARY: DAY
1
Consider starting the day either early or late as mid morning — 9 a.m.-11 a.m. — is the busiest time and the entrance is packed. Some early risers get in line a half hour or so before opening so they can eat breakfast with Minnie Mouse and her many character friends at Main Street's Plaza Inn. Or, try the Mickey Mouse-shaped pancakes at River Belle Terrace, which sits at the intersection of Frontierland and New Orleans Square.
If you get off to a late start, you may want to stop for a quick breakfast in Downtown Disney, either at Catal Restaurant & Uva Bar or La Brea Bakery & Café. Some start the day with breakfast at a Character Buffet, where kids mingle with Disney characters. Other good options include Storyteller's Café at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel, PCH Grill at Paradise Pier Hotel or Goofy's Kitchen at The Disneyland Hotel.
Once you have passed through security, forged through the crowds, bought your ticket and walked into the park, take a deep breath. You have arrived as a welcome guest in Walt Disney's dream come true!
Everyone strolls down Main Street as the key to getting into Disneyland's other "lands." Even though Main Street doesn't have any rides per se, don't be so hasty to rush past this re-creation of a typical city's downtown, two-horse thoroughfare circa 1910. Some of Disneyland's best shopping is inside The Emporium where you can find warm clothing, souvenirs and all sorts of Disney paraphernalia.
Some families have a tradition of sitting down for an old-fashioned sundae at Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor, or buying some specialty sweets at Candy Palace and Candy Kitchen. Others are tempted to grab a hot dog and soda at Refreshment Corner while listening to a Tin Pan Alley pianist or Dixieland-style jazz band.
Main Street is also the best place to view any of Disney's spectacular parades. Parade-goers start sitting on their slice of Main Street sidewalk up to two hours in advance of the parade, and only those directly on the curb can actually sit down. It is possible to save a few seats for friends and relatives, so you can plan to take on parade duty in shifts and still enjoy some nearby attractions in Tomorrowland and Adventureland.
As you walk down Main Street, Disney's famous white-and-blue Sleeping Beauty's Castle rises up to greet you in its royal splendor. After crossing the castle's moat, complete with white swans and a singing wishing well, you have arrived in Fantasyland.
The castle's "walkthrough" now has more modern special effects technology, which tells the story of Sleeping Beauty in true Disney style. Just beyond the cool and dark castle walls is a huge and elaborate carousel with bejeweled white horses going round and round. Fantasyland is for the littlest of children, although there are some mildly scary rides for the older ones such as Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, Snow White, Mad Tea Party, Peter Pan's Flight and Dumbo the Flying Elephant.
The sleepy, but fun-for-little-ones It's a Small World is here, too, along with the very adult Matterhorn Bobsled rollercoaster — we recommend the slightly wilder left-side track for avid thrill-seekers. In recent years, Disney has built a stage in the back of Fantasyland that hosts the popular Disney Princess Fantasy Faire, an interactive photo opportunity session with some of Disney's most beloved royalty.
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Go for a spin on the Mad Tea Party |
Perhaps the best place in the park for young children is Mickey's Toontown. The outrageously lopsided and colorful buildings here are homes to Mickey and Minnie Mouse. Guests stroll inside Mickey's living room, kitchen and bedroom, and finally get to meet Mickey in person and take a picture in his cool screening room.
If you want to go straight to more grown-up action, then turn right on Main Street towards Tomorrowland. The big rollercoaster thrill ride here is Space Mountain. This fully-enclosed coaster with a cosmic theme and pitch-black corridors is arguably Disneyland's most popular attractions.
Tomorrowland is also home to Finding Nemo: Submarine Voyage, a fun underwater adventure where guests can join Nemo and Marlin on a quest designed to capture the spirit of the popular film. Gamers love the Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters ride as you spin in "star cruisers" and blast at the Evil Emperor Zurg to rack up points.
Just to the left of Main Street are Adventureland, Frontierland and New Orleans Square. All three lands are built around Walt's manmade riverfront, which offers a scenic view of Tom Sawyer's Island, along with real canoe rides, a huge white paddle boat and waterfront restaurants and rides.
Adventureland is best known for the scary Indiana Jones Adventure, easy-going Jungle Boat Cruise and sit-down Enchanted Tiki Room, where animatronic birds talk and sing.
Frontierland is home to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, a thrilling rollercoaster with a precarious mining theme. This is also the docking site for the Mark Twain River Boat ride, which actually gives you a good on-the-water glimpse of what these parts of Disneyland offer.
New Orleans Square is perhaps Disneyland's prettiest piece of real estate. Pirates of the Caribbean, which has been one of the park's most popular rides for several decades, now incorporates plenty of imagery from Disney's wildly successful films of the same name, including several appearances by Captain Jack Sparrow.
For those into fine dining, remember to book a table in advance at Blue Bayou. Featuring a dining space that rests inside the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, Blue Bayou is the only restaurant in the Disneyland park that accepts reservations. While noshing on a Southern-themed menu in an unrivaled swampy ambience complete with fake fireflies, you will be glad that you slipped away for some upscale grub in this cool and calm grotto. Blue Bayou isn't too far from The Haunted Mansion, so don't miss this not-too-scary ride that is loaded with some goofy moments, cool technology and a toe-tapping soundtrack.
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Meet your favorite characters at Disneyland |
When thinking about eating at Disneyland, remember this place is expensive. The fast food choices can do the least damage to your budget, but then you'll be eating so-so burgers, hot dogs, pizza, chicken fingers, fries and sodas. Some of the buffet-like meals at such places as Plaza Inn and French Market Restaurant make for a more substantial meal and the price is somewhat reasonable. Café Orleans is also rather reasonable and has table service, a lovely patio and a menu of soups, salads, sandwiches and crêpes.
However, it is convenient to leave Disneyland altogether for a long meal at one of Downtown Disney's more gourmet eateries such as Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen, Catal and Naples Ristorante E Pizzeria. Don't want to miss the game? You can throw back a brew and eat a steak at ESPN Zone while watching the action on huge TV screens. Or, head over to Steakhouse 55 at The Disneyland Hotel for modern American steaks, chops, seafood and sides.
Getting away from the park and the crowds can be necessary for your nerves. We recommend the ultimate relaxation of a fine dinner. Truly the best meal in the park can be had at Napa Rose. Located inside Disney's Grand Californian Hotel, Napa Rose is headed by award-winning executive chef Andrew Sutton. This California wine country-inspired restaurant offers a selection of 80 wines by the glass from a wine cellar with more than 17,000 bottles from around the world.
If you can still stand up after walking all day and then drinking some of California's best wines, go back into Disneyland at night with no set plans except to take in the scenery without the crowds and to enjoy the nightly fireworks display and its accompanying killer soundtrack.
Continue to Day 2
MORE DISNEYLAND INFORMATION |
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