Disneyland opened July 17, 1955 and in 2019 welcomed nearly 19 million visitors, making it the second-most-visited theme park in the world, followings its younger sibling, Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom.
Walt's original park is considered by many the "original" theme park, inspiring countless imitators around the world. Visitors to Walt Disney World may find Disneyland tiny in comparison, but this park is jam-packed with attractions, including the new Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge land as well as the original Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, and the world's first tubular steel roller coaster, Matterhorn Bobsleds. And if you manage to do everything here, the Disneyland Resort's second gate — the Disney California Adventure theme park — lies just steps away from the park entrance.
Some locations may not be available due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Our recommendations below come from our annual survey of Theme Park Insider newsletter subscribers. Locations with star ratings ★ ranked especially highly among our readers. Click here to subscribe to our free, twice-weekly email of theme park news and to participate in the next ranking survey.
Haunted Mansion
Dark ride located in New Orleans Square
Also recommended:
Matterhorn Bobsleds
Roller coaster located in Fantasyland. Height requirement: 42 inches
It’s A Small World
Indoor boat ride located in Fantasyland
Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blasters
"Toy Story"-themed interactive dark ride located in Tomorrowland
Peter Pan's Flight
Dark ride located in Tomorrowland. [Includes potentially offensive imagery.]
Rafts to Pirates' Lair on Tom Sawyer Island
Boat ride to a playground located in Frontierland
Mr. Toad's Wild Ride
"The Wind in the Willows"-themed Dark ride located in Tomorrowland
Mark Twain/Sailing Ship Columbia
Boat rides around the Rivers of America in Frontierland
Other notable attractions include the Disneyland Railroad, which stops on Main Street USA and in New Orleans Square, Toontown, and Tomorrowland; the Tarzan Treehouse walkthrough in Adventureland; the Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes and Winnie the Pooh dark ride in Critter Country; the Alice in Wonderland, Pinocchio's Daring Journey, and Mr. Toad's Wild Ride dark rides, Dumbo the Flying Elephant and Mad Tea Party spinners, Casey Jr. Circus Train, Storybook Land Canal Boats, and King Arthur Carrousel in Fantasyland; Gadget's Go Coaster and the Roger Rabbit's Car-Toon Spin dark ride in Toontown; and the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage, Disneyland Monorail, Autopia mini-cars, and Astro Orbitor spinner in Tomorrowland.
Disneyland Band
Marching band appearing on Main Street USA
Disneyland's daily parade is Magic Happens, which ran only for two weeks before the park closed due to the pandemic.
Other notable shows include the Fantasy Faire Royal Theatre next to Sleeping Beauty Castle and the Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse meet and greets in their houses in Toontown.
Dining
Top recommendations
Blue Bayou Restaurant★ ★
Table service inside Pirates of the Caribbean in New Orleans Square
Plaza Inn
Cafeteria serving fried chicken and pot roast on Main Street USA
Cafe Orleans
Table service in New Orleans Square
Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo
Counter service located in Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge
Ronto's Roasters
Counter service sausage wraps in Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge
Rancho del Zocalo
Counter service southwestern fare located in Frontierland
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