Disneyland
Disneyland, located in Anaheim, California, is the first Disney theme park ever built — and the only one designed and completed under the direct supervision of Walt Disney himself. Since opening in 1955, it has become one of the world’s most iconic family destinations, bringing Disney stories to life through immersive lands, beloved attractions, and magical experiences.
History & Background
Built in just over a year, Disneyland revolutionized the amusement industry by introducing the concept of the theme park, where storytelling, design, and character interaction shape every detail. It originally opened with five lands and now includes nine: Main Street, U.S.A., Adventureland, New Orleans Square, Critter Country, Frontierland, Fantasyland, Mickey’s Toontown, Tomorrowland, and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
Ticket Prices & Packages
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1-Day Tickets: Start at $104 (varies by date)
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Park Hopper Option: Add-on available for access to both Disneyland and California Adventure
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Multi-Day Tickets: Discounted rates available for 2–5 day passes
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Magic Key Passes: Several annual pass tiers are available (availability varies)
Opening Hours & Best Time to Visit
Disneyland is open year-round, with hours typically from 8:00 AM to 12:00 AM, though this may vary seasonally.
Best times to visit:
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January to early March (lower crowd levels)
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Mid-September to early November (before the holiday season begins)
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Tuesdays to Thursdays are generally lighter in terms of crowds
Special events include:
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Halloween Time at Disneyland (Sept–Oct)
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Disneyland Holiday Season (Nov–early Jan)
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Disneyland After Dark ticketed events
Top Rides & Attractions
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Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance – Fully immersive, story-driven ride
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Indiana Jones Adventure – Jeep-style journey through booby traps and temples
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Space Mountain – An Iconic indoor space coaster
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Haunted Mansion – Spooky slow ride with ghostly charm
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Pirates of the Caribbean – Classic dark ride with immersive sets
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Big Thunder Mountain Railroad – Runaway train through the Old West
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Matterhorn Bobsleds – The world’s first tubular steel coaster
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It’s a Small World – Global peace and music boat ride
Don’t miss: Fantasmic! and the nighttime fireworks above Sleeping Beauty Castle.
Family & Kids Rides
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Dumbo the Flying Elephant
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Peter Pan’s Flight
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Alice in Wonderland
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Storybook Land Canal Boats
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Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway (new in Toontown)
Play areas and character meet-and-greets can be found throughout the park.
Dining Options
From snacks to sit-down meals, Disneyland covers every craving:
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Blue Bayou Restaurant – Dine inside the Pirates of the Caribbean ride
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Plaza Inn – Famous for fried chicken and character breakfast
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Ronto Roasters – Quick service with Star Wars flair
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Bengal Barbecue – Skewers and grilled eats in Adventureland
Many spots offer mobile ordering, allergy-friendly, and vegetarian/vegan options.
Hotels & Accommodation
Disneyland Resort offers three official hotels:
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Disneyland Hotel – Iconic and centrally located
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Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa – Upscale with direct park access
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Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel – Being reimagined as Pixar Place Hotel
There are also dozens of Good Neighbor Hotels nearby with shuttle access and budget options.
Getting There & Parking
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Address: 1313 Disneyland Dr, Anaheim, CA 92802
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Closest Airports: John Wayne (SNA), LAX, Long Beach (LGB)
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Parking:
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Standard: $30
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Preferred: $50
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Oversized Vehicle: $35
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Public Transit: ART (Anaheim Resort Transit) serves local hotels and areas
Tips for Visiting
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Use the Disneyland app for mobile food orders, Lightning Lane, and wait times
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Arrive early for rope drop and shorter morning queues
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Genie+ is worth it for popular rides like Rise of the Resistance and Indiana Jones
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Water bottle refill stations are scattered across the park
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Weather in SoCal changes — bring a light jacket and sunscreen