Disneyland California – Tips for your First Time

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Written By Carlos Braga

Yours first time in Disneyland California it needs to be unforgettable. So, check out the main tips to enjoy the trip to this amazing park.

Furthermore, it was the first park created by Walt disney.

In this way, it contains several options for entertainment.

Disneyland California

The Disney parks California has two theme parks, three hotels, a convention center and the Downtown Disney.

In the latter, there are several shops, bars and restaurants.

Although many people think that its location is in Los Angeles, it is actually 43 kilometers from the city, in Anaheim.

Thus, the duration of the trip by car is usually about an hour.

disneyland california
disneyland california

Disneyland is the company's first park in the world, it is a smaller version of the famous Magic Kingdom.

It opened in 1955 to be Walt Disney's dream come true to build a magical fairytale world.

That way, there are several areas of the park to enjoy the tour.

Its retro decoration is a great highlight in the park.

So, check out its main divisions:

The parks are smaller compared to those of Orlando.

However, it is a unique experience for anyone planning to travel to the West Coast of the United States.

Its castle is the smallest of all, but it retains its charm as it belongs to Princess Aurora, Sleeping Beauty.

Also, there are the famous toys Space mountain and Haunted Mansion.

Space Mountain at Disneyland California
Space Mountain at Disneyland California

How does this part of Disney work?

The city of Los Angeles tends to have a lot of traffic, so it is recommended to look for accommodation closer to the Disneyland Resort.

The recommendation is to stay three days in the city of Anaheim to enjoy the beautiful beaches, shopping centers and nearby destinations such as San Diego and Palm Springs.

In addition, around the resort there are several good and cheap hotels to stay close by.

disneyland california hotel
disneyland california hotel

To enjoy the best attractions, nothing better than a map to define your route, which is why accessing the app is recommended.

Therefore, in addition to Disneyland, there is California Disney Adventure Park, which has its decor focused on Californian culture.

Guardians of the Galaxy Attraction at Disneyland California
Guardians of the Galaxy Attraction at Disneyland California

Thus, there are several extreme rides such as the roller coaster that goes to Paradise Pier.

There is also Cars Land which resembles Route 66, as well as Hollywoodland.

What are the tips for enjoying the first time at Disneyland California?

Yours first time at Disneyland California needs to agree to the first details. In this way, it is essential to follow good planning on the trip so that your experience is optimal.

Therefore, a couple of days are recommended to enjoy the two Disney parks.

Therefore, during the week in off-season times, the parks are usually quieter to visit.

Main Street USA - Disneyland California
Main Street USA – Disneyland California

Check out the main tips to enjoy your trip:

  • Schedule a day for each park;
  • Stay in Anaheim;
  • Download the Disneyland app;
  • Take the Disney Max Pass;
  • Schedule meals with the characters;
  • Watch the Extra Magic Hour;
  • Explore unique areas and attractions;
  • Pay attention to the schedules;
  • Go to the closing show;
  • Stroll through Downtown Disney.
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To enjoy every moment of the park, it is essential to wake up early to enjoy the attractions.

Also, you need to save extra money for food, souvenirs and some extra expenses.

With this, it is essential to know the exclusive rides and areas of Disney California, as there is always something new in all the parks for the whole family to have fun.

It is important to get to know Disney's fantasy world on site, so it is essential to organize yourself for this incredible tour.

Downtown Disney
Downtown Disney

To define your itinerary, learn the main details according to the tips and enjoy your trip.

1- Is one day to enjoy each Disney park enough?

It is possible to schedule to enjoy a day in each park with good planning.

Therefore, it is important to remember that Disney California is divided into two parks, Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park.

The two are located opposite each other, but to get to the entrance, you need to go through Downtown Disney, the famous shopping center.

Mickey's ToonTown at Disneyland California
Mickey's ToonTown at Disneyland California

As it has several attractions, it is impossible to see everything in one day.

In this way, it is necessary to leave one day for each park, but to know it calmly, it could even be three days.

In addition, it is essential to arrive very early, before the parks open to avoid long queues.

Its opening time is 8 am, so it is recommended that you arrive at 7:30 am to organize yourself in advance.  

2- Importance of accommodation the first time at Disneyland California

To avoid wasting too much time, it is essential to stay in the city of Anaheim, as it is a way to enjoy more of the parks.

Despite being close, Los Angeles has very bad traffic, being a big city.

In addition to being very tiring to leave the park late and having to face an hour's drive to the city, the best thing is to be close by and rest after a long day of sightseeing.

In addition, accommodation in Los Angeles is much more expensive, which makes the city of Anaheim cheaper.

With that, the experience of walking to the parks is an incredible feeling, as parking is also charged and is usually very crowded.

And rest assured that we have a post entirely dedicated to lodging close to Disneyland California parks.

So, always know how to plan correctly. 

3- How to Use the Park App the First Time at Disneyland California?

When going through first time at Disneyland California it is important to know that there is an application to make life easier for visitors.

In this way, it is possible to check the main information about the park.

Thus, you can see the opening hours of the place, know the waiting time in the queues, in addition to looking at the shows and attractions.

It is also possible to book restaurants to avoid long waiting hours.  

4- What is Disney Genie+?

We've talked a few times here about Genie+ because it's the same system used in Orlando parks at Walt Disney World.

He's Disney's new queue jumper, which replaced FastPass +.

They have some fundamental differences, the main one being the fact that Genie+ is paid and you can now only make your appointments on the same day of the visit.

Contact us to learn more about our Virtual Guide, where we book Genie+ attractions for you.

Mickey's ToonTown at Disneyland California
Mickey's ToonTown at Disneyland California

5- First contact with characters at Disneyland California

Disneyland California offers several options for getting in touch with the characters for the first time.

Therefore, it is possible to schedule a meal with them through five options.

It is an attraction that allows a great experience, especially for children.

To take advantage of this opportunity, you must have a valid ticket to access the site.

Undoubtedly, it is a moment that will be memorable for everyone.  

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6- How does Disney's Extra Magic Hour work?

before your first time at Disneyland California it is important to know about Extra Magic Hour.

Therefore, there are extra hours of access to the parks that guests are entitled to, in addition to normal opening hours.

Cars attraction at Disney California Adventure
Cars attraction at Disney California Adventure

Thus, it works as an exclusive access that can be sooner or later.

So if you are staying in one of the Disney hotels, you need to know the right days and times to take advantage of this benefit.

7- Exclusive first-time attractions at Disneyland California?

The parks at Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park have some standout unique attractions.

There are some similar to the one in Orlando, but the ideal is to check out the new experiences for those who have already visited Disney World in Florida. Check out some:

  • Car Land;
  • Mickey's Toontown;
  • Paradise Pier;
  • Mickey's Ferris wheel;
  • The Hollywood Tower Hotel.
Cars Land at Disneyland California
Cars Land at Disneyland California

Mickey's Ferris wheel is the most famous in the park and is located in the Paradise Pier area.

Thus, Cars Land, inspired by the movie Car, makes you feel like you are on Route 66 itself.

Meanwhile, Mickey's Toontown is possible to explore the city of the characters of that universe.

Mickey's ToonTown at Disneyland California
Mickey's ToonTown at Disneyland California

Therefore, the Hollywood Tower Hotel is the famous plummeting elevator, which became an attraction in the film Guardians of the Galaxy. 

8- Why know the opening hours of the Disney parks?

It is essential to know the opening hours of the Disney parks, as there are attractions that tend to close at different times.

Therefore, finding out about this is important so as not to leave some areas for the end and run the risk of missing out on the activity.

Cozy Cone Motal at Disneyland California Adventure
Cozy Cone Motal at Disneyland California Adventure

Also, nearly all Paradise Pier attractions close at closing time.

However, the Mickey's Toontown area ends before Disneyland Park closes its doors. 

9- First time closing show at Disneyland California

At Disneyland California there are two park closing attractions.

Therefore, there is Fantasmic at Disneyland Park and World of Color at Disney California Adventure Park.

The first is the same as Hollywood Studios from Disney World in Orlando.

World of Colors - Disneyland
World of Colors – Disneyland

Thus, it is a show that mixes projections, staging and lots of lights, as it tells an adventure story.

The second is a Disney California exclusive show and shows a great colorful spectacle.

10- How to enjoy Downtown Disney?

Stroll through Downtown Disney's shopping hub on your first time at Disneyland California it is essential entertainment.

Therefore, it is right at the entrance of the two parks and it is necessary to go through it.

Downtown Disneyland
Downtown Disneyland

In addition, it is essential to have a good meal in one of the restaurants and cafes with the soundtrack of Disney songs.

Finally, take the opportunity to go to the shops to buy gifts and souvenirs from the parks.

Is it worth visiting Disneyland California?

Without a doubt, Disneyland California is really worth visiting for several reasons.

After all, it was the first park and it was built by Walt Disney himself, who had the dream of building a magical place.

In this way, it has the advantage of being very close to the city of Los Angeles and knowing the famous city of cinema.

As a result, not only children, but also adults have fun with the park's main attractions.

I hope again that this post helped you in your research for your trip to Disney or Orlando.

As a way to help us keep the blog going, we just ask you to help us by sharing this publication and subscribing to our social networks as Facebook, Instagram or Youtube channel.

In addition to helping us, we are sure that there you will find hundreds of useful posts for your trip!

About the Author Carlos Braga:

Unparalleled experience in Orlando and Disney! As a former Universal Orlando team member and a passionate devotee of the magic of Disney, I have become a true Orlando travel expert. Before becoming a renowned travel consultant dedicated to Orlando, I had already made hundreds of visits to the parks, cultivating my knowledge and passion mainly over the last 7 years as a consultant and specialist in Disney travel.

My journey into this enchanted world began in 1995, when I took my first trip to Orlando. Since then, my love for Disney and the city has only grown. In 2023, we celebrate the sixth anniversary of 'Partiu Disney Parks', consolidating our role as one of the main sources of information about Disney and Orlando Parks.

During these six years of existence, we have continued to offer quality and updated content, being the reliable source for all those looking for essential information to plan their trip to Disney and Orlando. With my vast experience and passion for this magical destination, I am here to guide you every step of the way towards the most incredible Orlando and Disney experience!

I hope again that this post helped you in your research for your trip to Disney or Orlando.

As a way to help us keep the blog going, we just ask you to help us by sharing this publication and subscribing to our social networks as Facebook, Instagram or Youtube channel.

In addition to helping us, we are sure that there you will find hundreds of useful posts for your trip!

About the Author Carlos Braga:

Unparalleled experience in Orlando and Disney! As a former Universal Orlando team member and a passionate devotee of the magic of Disney, I have become a true Orlando travel expert. Before becoming a renowned travel consultant dedicated to Orlando, I had already made hundreds of visits to the parks, cultivating my knowledge and passion mainly over the last 7 years as a consultant and specialist in Disney travel.

My journey into this enchanted world began in 1995, when I took my first trip to Orlando. Since then, my love for Disney and the city has only grown. In 2023, we celebrate the sixth anniversary of 'Partiu Disney Parks', consolidating our role as one of the main sources of information about Disney and Orlando Parks.

During these six years of existence, we have continued to offer quality and updated content, being the reliable source for all those looking for essential information to plan their trip to Disney and Orlando. With my vast experience and passion for this magical destination, I am here to guide you every step of the way towards the most incredible Orlando and Disney experience!

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