In our last Neverland News we re-introduced you to the idea of Disneyland® Resort, Walt Disney World® Resort’s older brother on the West coast.
For part 2 of our series on Disneyland® Resort, Magic Maker® Brenda Wenk is going to give you a look at Walt Disney’s dream realized, Disneyland® Park.
How did Disneyland® Park come to be? Walt Disney frequently visited Griffith Park in Los Angeles with his two daughters. As he sat on a bench watching his girls ride the merry go round, this visionary imagined a place where families could enjoy rides and attractions together. As a proven master storyteller, Walt created the first theme park ever, Disneyland® Park, which opened on July 17, 1955.
Both Disneyland® Park and Magic Kingdom® Park at Walt Disney World® Resort have a similar footprint. You enter the park via either of two tunnels beneath the Walt Disney World Railroad. You arrive at Town Square on Main Street, USA, at the southern end of Main Street. Note the Fire Station on the southwest corner of Town Square. Walt and his family had an apartment above the Fire Station. A lamp burns in the window in his memory.
You may opt to board the Walt Disney Railroad and take the Grand Circle Tour to get a feel for the layout of this park (enjoy the surprises between the Tomorrowland Train Station and the return to Main Street.) In the Opera House, you may view Disneyland: The First 50 Magical Years narrated by Donald Duck and Steve Martin. Steve Martin was a cast member in Main Street Magic Shop at Disneyland® Park! Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln is housed in the Opera House as well along with a bench from Griffith Park! There are many shops to wander through, including Disney Gallery, Celebration Custom Printers, Disneyana, Fortuosity Shop, 20th Century Music Company and the Market House (this shop has cold and allergy meds under the counter.) There is a small porch with chairs outside the China Closet where you may sit and people watch. Eateries include Carnation Café that takes reservations for priority seating. Look for Oscar, a cast member with short white hair in a chef’s hat – he is the longest serving cast member in Disneyland® Park! Plaza Inn is a cafeteria/buffet that hosts a character breakfast. On Main Street, USA, you will also find Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor, Jolly Holiday Bakery, Little Red Wagon and Refreshment Corner.
From Main Street, you will see Sleeping Beauty Castle just beyond the hub at the north end of Main Street. From the hub, you can head to Adventureland , Frontierland, Fantasyland, or Tomorrowland. You must go through Frontierland to access New Orleans Square and and Critter Country. Toontown is north of Fantasyland.
How about an overview of each land?
Adventureland is home to the Enchanted Tiki Room and the Jungle Cruise. Exclusive to Disneyland are Indiana Jones Adventure (FP) and Tarzan’s Treehouse. You can get a Dole Whip fix at Tiki Juice Bar or eat at Bengal Barbecue.
New Orleans Square boasts E ticket rides Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean. The façade of the Haunted Mansion was finished in 1963, but the ride did not open until 1969. Walt vowed that the exterior of the mansion would be pristine. He is quoted as saying, “We will take care of the outside and let the ghosts take care of the inside.” In September of each year, this ride gets a Nightmare Before Christmas overlay. Pirates of the Caribbean opened in 1967, shortly after Walt died in December of 1966. This ride is longer and more elaborate that its sister ride in Walt Disney World® Resort. New Orleans Square has great shops including Mlle. Antoinette’s Parfumerie where you can purchase two exclusive Disney fragrances. A portrait artist sets up shop in this area. There is fine dining at Blue Bayou where you can watch the boats from Pirates of the Caribbean float by. Café Orleans offers French and southern cuisine with lovely outside dining. French Market is a cafeteria/buffet style restaurant. Royal Street Veranda offers clam chowder and gumbo in bread bowls. You may want to search out the Mint Julep Bar for nonalcoholic juleps, coffee and beignets. There is a private club known as “33” housed in this square past the Blue Bayou entrance. Want to join? There is a 14 year waiting list!
Northwest of New Orleans Square is Critter Country where you will feel that you are in the backwoods. While here, you can paddle in Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes around Tom Sawyer Island, visit The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, or take the plunge at Splash Mountain (FP.) Hungry Bear Restaurant serves burgers, salads and such. If you dine here, look for the Disney feral cats! Soup and baked potatoes are available at Harbour Gallery.
Frontierland pays tribute to the old American West and covers the most acreage in Disneyland® Park. In this land, you may ride Big Thunder Railroad (currently being refurbished,) board the Mark Twain Riverboat or Sailing Ship Columbia, go to Frontierland Shootin’ Exposition, explore the Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island, laugh and dine at the Golden Horseshoe Stage, or walk the serene Big Thunder Ranch trail with its cabin, petting zoo and Big Thunder Ranch Barbeque. Fantasmic! is staged on the Rivers of America in this land. River Belle Terrace offers breakfast, lunch and dinner. From here you can view Fantasmic! Note: get tray, napkins, etc. before ordering. Stage Door Café has chicken nuggets, fish and chips and corn dogs. Rancho del Zocalo features Cal –Mex treats.
On to Fantasyland, the heart of the park! Several rides and attractions are repeated in Magic Kingdom® Park and several are exclusive to Disneyland® Park. Decide which of the following are must dos for you: Alice in Wonderland, Casey Jr. Circus Train, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Fantasy Faire where you meet Disney princesses, “it’s a small world,” King Arthur Carousel, Mad Tea Party, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, Matterhorn Bobsleds, Peter Pan’s Flight, Pinocchio’s Daring Journey, Pixie Hollow where you meet Tinker Belle and friends, Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough, Snow White’s Scary Adventure, Snow White Grotto and Wishing Well, or Storybook Land Canal Boats. Village Haus Restaurant offers burgers, flatbread pizzas, chicken sandwiches and salads. Snacks are available at several venues.
Mickey’s Toontown is an immersive cartoon world. The toons allowed visitors starting in 1993. You may visit Chip ‘n Dale Treehouse, Donald’s Boat, Gadget Go Coaster, Goofy’s Playhouse, Mickey’s House, Minnie’s House, and Roger Rabbit’s Cartoon Spin. Food is available at Clarabelle’s, Daisy’s Diner, and Pluto’s Dog House.
Tomorrowland celebrates Walt’s belief in the future and his push towards progress and ongoing improvement. This land houses Astro Orbitor, Autopio (the original version of the Tomorrowland Speedway in Magic Kingdom,) Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters, Disneyland Monorail (2.5 miles compared to WDW’s 14.7 miles) where you can still ask to ride up front, Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage, Honey I Shrunk the Audience/Captain EO, Innoventions, Jedi Training Academy( check the Times Guide for times, then hang out around Tomorrowland Terrace. Listen for the Star Wars music and look for the Jedi Master who will ask for volunteers), Space Mountain and Star Tours. Get FastPasses for these last two rides or take advantage of your Magic Morning privilege. Dining includes Redd Rockett’s Pizza Port which you should bypass if you are impatient and head to Tomorrowland Terrace for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Check the Entertainment Times Guide for parades, fireworks and character meet and greets to get the most out of your visit to Disneyland® Park!
As you can see, there is a lot to see and do at Disneyland® Park! While there is something to be said for walking in Walt’s footsteps, there is also an incredible land full of amazing attractions and entertainment that you just have to experience for yourself!
Contact your Magic Maker® today to learn more about the ins and outs of Disneyland® Park, and how it may just be the perfect getaway your family was looking for!
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