Best Disneyland Attractions & Ride Guide
Our Disneyland ride guide contains short reviews of our top picks, as well as numerical scores for every attraction in Disneyland. If you’re planning a Disneyland trip, you need to know which attractions are must-dos, and which you can skip. (Updated March 28, 2022.)
This list is broken down into three categories: Star Wars rides, iconic must-do attractions, and everything else. The first group is all of the recent additions in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Tomorrowland. The top Disneyland attractions grouping includes plenty of recognizable names, along with a few sleeper-picks that many people overlook–but are actually really enjoyable. Finally, there’s everything else–the filler, more or less.
While we don’t recommend skipping any attractions based upon the advice of others if you have the time to experience them all, if your time is limited, here are the must-see rides and attractions in Disneyland. Note that this list only covers Disneyland, the park. We have a separate review of attractions at Disney California Adventure.
Not every attraction at Disneyland is a blockbuster, “E-Ticket” attraction that draws huge crowds. While we love these big-name attractions, we feel a day at Disneyland is about variety, and some of the lesser-known attractions are also very well done, just not in a ‘knock-your-socks-off’ way. The list of “top attractions” includes everything we feel makes for a well-rounded day at Disneyland.
Ideally, you’ll have more than one day to explore Disneyland and have a separate day for Disney California Adventure (read our Disneyland Ticket Guide to determine which tickets are best), so you will be able to experience everything, not just our top picks. If you are stretched for time and only have one day for both parks, you won’t be able to experience everything on this “top attractions” list.
Numerical scores are on a scale of 1 to 10, and only take into consideration overall quality relative to that specific type of attraction. In other words, dark rides are judged against other dark rides, coasters are judged against other coasters, etc., to create a relatively level playing field. We do not take into account how different demographics will like the attraction.
Obviously, if an attraction has a height restriction that precludes kids from riding it, its “score” for them wouldn’t be as high as what we’ve listed. Likewise on attractions that are geared towards kids but may not appeal as much to adults. Here, we only consider how well done the attraction is, overall, within its category.
Star Wars Rides at Disneyland
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance (10/10) – The blockbuster of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, this is a revolutionary feat of Imagineering that redefines what a theme park attraction can be. It blurs the boundaries of queue, pre-show, attraction, and puts guests in the middle of an intergalactic adventure. We could go on and on about this mind-blowing experience and its nonstop barrage of wow-moments. For that, you can read our spoiler-free Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance Review.
However, the purpose of this post is to offer ratings, reviews, and practical advice for best experiencing the attractions in an efficient manner. Without question, this is the most difficult to do ride at Disneyland. Due to its unreliability and downtime, it involves jumping through some hoops–which are all worth it. Reading our Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance Ride Guide & FAQ before your trip is essential.
Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run (9/10) – The ‘supporting’ attraction for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is currently the only one open, which has perhaps resulted in unfairly elevated expectations for Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. It’s definitely not a perfect attraction, with the interactivity being a mixed bag and a gameplay-centric ride not being everyone’s cup of tea. Moreover, not all of the roles are of equal enjoyment. In terms of “wish fulfillment,” pilot is definitely the best option.
However, there’s a lot to like about Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run beyond the game/ride experience. The queue is beautiful, the pre-show is impressive, and stepping foot into the Millennium Falcon while waiting to board the ride is arguably the highlight of the attraction as a whole. Read our Millennium Falcon Smugglers Run Review for more feedback on the attraction.
Hyperspace Mountain (9/10) – Hyperspace Mountain is a dark rollercoaster through space, themed (lightly) to Star Wars. There are some cool details here, a blast-off tunnel, space battle, and on-board music to spice up the experience. Hyperspace Mountain is a Genie+ Lightning Lane attraction, and it’s highly recommended that you utilize it. This is basically a “Star Wars consolation prize” if lines are too long for Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run.
Star Tours: The Adventures Continue (8.5/10) – Star Tours is a flight-motion simulator into the Star Wars world with digital 3D video, Audio Animatronics characters, and in-vehicle effects. Star Tours features multiple storylines, with some 64 different experience combinations, making it an attraction you can experience again and again. It’s even been updated to fit within the ‘universe’ of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge (one of the destinations is now Batuu!) Star Tours is a must-do.
Iconic Disneyland Rides & Attractions
Pirates of the Caribbean (10/10) – Pirates of the Caribbean is a boat-ride back in time to the days when pirates ruled the Caribbean. The attractions features Audio Animatronics pirates engaging in swashbuckling mayhem. This is one of our favorite attractions at Disneyland.
Pirates of the Caribbean is considerably longer than the Walt Disney World attraction by the same name. It contains a considerable amount of detail (we recommend experiencing it more than once to take in everything), a catchy song, and lines usually aren’t too long due to its high capacity.
Indiana Jones Adventure (10/10) – Indiana Jones Adventure is a thrilling ride aboard a transport vehicle deep into the Temple of the Forbidden Eye on a daring journey in search of unimaginable rewards. Along the way you’ll incur the wrath of Mara, who will force you to encounter caverns of bubbling death, screaming undead mummies, erupting lava, evil wraiths, and giant snakes.
Everything about this attraction is excellent–it’s our favorite attraction at Disneyland. From the incredible queue to the humorous pre-show to the special effects-laden attraction itself, Indiana Jones Adventure is perfect and still cutting edge. As Sallah would (and does) say, “it is unlike anything you have ever experienced, I assure you!” This attraction is incredibly popular and routinely has long waits, making it a great use of the Lightning Lane.
Haunted Mansion (10/10) – The Haunted Mansion is a slow-moving dark ride that is home to 999 happy haunts that are dying to meet you. No further explanation should be necessary; if you aren’t familiar with the premise of the Haunted Mansion, you’re probably living under a rock. I have no interest in rock-dwellers reading this website.
For those familiar with the Walt Disney World version, a lot in the Disneyland version is the same or similar. Die-hard Haunted Mansion fans will disagree, but the vast majority of guests won’t notice many differences. If you visit between early September and the end of the year, you’ll see “Haunted Mansion Holiday,” which features a Nightmare Before Christmas overlay. It’s awesome.
Matterhorn (8/10) – The Matterhorn was Expedition Everest decades before Expedition Everest was even conceived. This rollercoaster through the yeti-guarded mountain is a thrilling attraction that most guests will enjoy. The Matterhorn received some new show scenes that are fairly cool. Genie+ is available at the Matterhorn, and it’s a good use of the Lightning Lane to avoid long waits.
Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage (8/10) – A relatively new attraction at Disneyland, the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage takes guests aboard actual submarines to find Nemo. It’s a relatively long attraction with some awesome sets and detail. The wait times can be long, the queue is incredibly boring, and there’s no Lightning Lane, but the payoff is well worth the boring wait, especially for Finding Nemo fans.
Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln (8/10) – Another Disneyland classic. This attraction is a hybrid film and Audio Animatronics performance by the famous U.S. President. It incorporates some of the best elements of Hall of Presidents and the American Adventure at Walt Disney World, including my personal favorite, the song “Golden Dreams.” Many guests, mostly communists, find this attraction boring.
We absolutely love Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln. It’s not a thrill-ride, to be sure, but it is an incredibly well-done glimpse into the history of this great nation. If you have time beforehand, check out the Steve Martin (and Donald Duck) video in the lobby created for Disneyland’s 50th anniversary.
Storybook Land Canal Boats (8.5/10) – The Storybook Land Canal Boats are a Disneyland classic. Cast Member-led boats of guests float past miniaturized versions of villages, castles, and homes of Disney characters. It’s a cute, “peaceful” attraction, not a big-budget ride that will knock your socks off.
Our favorite scene is Pinocchio’s village, because the Imagineers have designed this scene so the Matterhorn appears as another mountain towering over the village in the background. This attraction may seem simple, and it is, but that’s part of the charm. Storybook Land Canal Boats isn’t especially popular, but long lines can form because it has very low hourly capacity. We recommend hitting it early in the morning or late at night.
Casey Jr. Circus Train (8/10) – Another Fantasyland staple, the Casey Jr. Circus Train offers a scenic view of Fantasyland as guests ride aboard cars or in cages (now is your chance to finally put the kids in a cage!). It’s simple, but has a lot of appeal thanks to the great views it offers of Fantasyland, the fun music, and the whimsy of the train, itself. Even as adults, it’s a favorite attraction of ours (and we have no childhood nostalgia towards it) that is difficult to articulate the appeal of. It has a real kinetic energy and is just good, clean fun.
Peter Pan’s Flight (9/10) – Peter Pan’s Flight was re-imagined a few years ago to modernize it and add some great new effects. It’s considered a Fantasyland classic, as it takes guests in “flying” ships above London and Neverland, but really, it’s not as impressive as it sounds, especially given the hour-plus waits it regularly attracts. Flying over London is cool (and small children might actually “buy” the flying part), but that’s its big draw. We enjoy Peter Pan’s Flight, but I wouldn’t wait more than 30 minutes in line for it. If you arrive right at park opening, this is the attraction to hit first.
Splash Mountain (9/10) – Splash Mountain is a log flume ride that features a story from Disney’s Song of the South film, and climaxes with a big drop into the briar patch. There are a ton of Audio Animatronics here, and those plus the detailed environments make the attraction. The only downside is that the pacing is a bit too fast, guests get too wet, and the story is a bit disjointed. Still, it’s a must-see, and one of Disneyland’s best attractions.
Jungle Cruise (9/10) – Jungle Cruise is a boat ride through the rivers of Adventureland that encounters hippos, lions, and piranhas, among other animals and natives, along the way. However, the real highlight here is the non-stop zingers of the skippers who pilot the boats. If you don’t appreciate dry, intentionally corny, or self-aware humor, you may not like Jungle Cruise.
We’ve seen a number of guests exit the Jungle Cruise with confused looks on their faces. Jungle Cruise skippers often break the carefully-crafted illusion of Disneyland (example: pointing out the “p” breed of snake is not a python, but instead, “plastic”). Most kids won’t get these jokes, so don’t worry about that. We love the Jungle Cruise, as do most guests, but some are not fans. It’s also an attraction that is highly skipper-dependent. If you get a poor skipper, your ride will be sub-par.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (9/10) – A guest favorite, Big Thunder Mountain a rollercoaster themed as a runaway mine train on a ride through the barren landscape of the Old West. Hang onto your hats and glasses, because Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is “the wildest ride in the wilderness!”
It was refurbished a couple of years ago to add some cool new effects, plus a smoother track. Big Thunder Mountain is a Genie+ Lightning Lane attraction, and it might behoove you to use that if lines are over 40 minutes for it. There are differences between this Big Thunder and Walt Disney World’s, notably the town of Rainbow Ridge (a remnant from the classic Mine Train Thru Nature’s Wonderland attraction).
Disneyland Railroad (8.5/10) – The Disneyland Railroad is, quite simply, a normal railroad that circles Disneyland in a scenic manner. However, the Disneyland Railroad is dramatically different. Not only does it have a scene with real, live (okay, Audio Animatronics) dinosaurs called Primeval World, but it has the history of being Walt Disney’s railroad. We covered the changes to the Disneyland Railroad post-refurbishment in our Grand Circle Tour of Disneyland post. By and large, we are fans of the more engaging scenery on the new route.
Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room (8/10) – Enchanted Tiki Room is a 15-minute musical serenade from Audio Animatronics birds and offers a celebration of island romance and wonder performed in a theater-in-the-round. You’ve probably heard these catchy songs before; the fun music of this attraction, and its history, makes it an attraction not to be missed.
Snow White’s Enchanted Wish (9/10) – With the recent reimagining, Imagineers took the weakest of the Fantasyland dark rides and turned it from something dated and disjointed into something with fun flow, impressive effects, and a few magical moments. Relatively simple, but shockingly effective, improvements cause it to jump up the list.
‘it’s a small world’ (9/10) – ‘it’s a small world’ is the iconic attraction featuring the children of the world and that oh-so divisive song. Again, unless you live under a rock, you’re familiar with it. ‘it’s a small world’ at Disneyland differs substantially from the Walt Disney World version; it features Disney characters tastefully inserted into several show-scenes, an outdoor queue and facade, and other scene differences. If visiting at Christmas, ‘it’s a small world’ holiday is not to be missed.
Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride (7.5/10) – Another Fantasyland dark ride favorite, this attraction goes into the irreverent world of Mr. Toad from the Wind and the Willows. Worth experiencing for the irreverence alone. On what other Disney attraction do you go to bar, crash into a truck, and go to hell?! It would never be built in today’s politically correct era, and is worth experiencing for that alone, although the attraction itself is woefully outdated.
Alice in Wonderland (8.5/10) – Another Fantasyland dark ride that was recently re-imagined and updated, this one takes guests into the world of Alice in Wonderland. This is our favorite Fantasyland dark ride, and we’re not even fans of Alice in Wonderland. Best hit early in the morning on a fast-paced tour of the Fantasyland dark rides, as lines can get long for it later in the day due to its lower capacity.
Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin (8.5/10) – Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin takes guests aboard a dark ride voyage into Toontown in interactive vehicles (guests can spin them). Lines are often long for Car Toon Spin, making it a good Genie+ Lightning Lane attraction. It’s the only attraction worth experiencing in the Toontown land of Disneyland. (TOONTOWN IS CLOSED UNTIL MARCH 2023.)
Sleeping Beauty Castle Walk-Through (8/10) – A simple, but fun walk-through of Sleeping Beauty Castle featuring interactive “window” scenes from the film. An often overlooked, but very cool attraction that takes little time to experience and should not be missed.
Disneyland Forever Fireworks (10/10) – Fun visuals from animated films and a memorable soundtrack coupled with a few original songs and nods to Disneyland’s past plus founder Walt Disney make this a well-balanced nighttime spectacular that appeals to locals and first-timers alike. The effects are dazzling, from the colorful bursts that fit the music to the flying Nemo and Matterhorn ‘eruption’ that induce plenty of ‘wows’ from the audience at various points. The movies featured are a diverse group, from Disney classics to Pixar to even Frozen, which does not feel shoehorned into the show.
Although the core of the show is “only” a montage, this works perfectly well. This fireworks show is pure Disney magic. My sentimentality aside, I think Disneyland Forever is far and away the best fireworks show to ever be shown in a castle park. Not only should you not miss it, but you should not miss it from a variety of vantage points. See our Disneyland Fireworks Viewing Guide for recommended locations (and where to avoid).
Fantasmic! (10/10) – Fantasmic! is a musical battle between the forces of good and evil set in Mickey’s dreams (and on the Rivers of America) with stunning effects, including pyrotechnics, water, lasers, fire, and a huge dragon. If you’ve seen Fantasmic! at Walt Disney World, you haven’t actually seen Fantasmic!
The Disneyland version is infinitely better, and features a Pirates of the Caribbean battle scene (on the Sailing Ship Columbia) replacing the Pocahontas scene, huge Maleficent dragon, and other things. The new version of Fantasmic debuted last summer–here’s our review of Fantasmic 2.0. Here are our other tips for the best places to view Fantasmic, and tips for photographing it.
The Rest
Astro Orbitor (4/10) – Spinner ride similar to Dumbo, except not iconic.
Autopia (7/10) – Kids might like it as it gives them a chance to drive; lush environments and large track. The addition of ASIMO and Bird to the attraction give it new life, and really improve the experience.
Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters (7/10) – An interactive and competitive game-attraction to save the universe in this blast-em-up, ride-through adventure. It’s like a ride-through video game, and is a lot of fun. We often find ourselves riding re-riding late at night when there’s no line to see who can get the highest score. This attraction is far superior to the Walt Disney World version of the attraction.
Disneyland Monorail (7/10) – A relaxing trip around Disneyland Resort, but with a lot of glimpses of the outside world. We love monorails, but in this case, we prefer the Disneyland Railroad.
Sailing Ship Columbia (7/10) – Another relaxing float around the Rivers of America.
Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes (7/10) – Paddle an actual canoe on the Rivers of America. Not for everyone, but a lot of fun for those who enjoy this sort of thing. Definitely not an attraction you’d expect in a modern theme park.
Tom Sawyer Island (6.5/10) – Fun and highly immersive play area for kids, now featuring pirates.
Mark Twain Riverboat (8/10) – Relaxing way to float around the Rivers of America. Great way to spend a peaceful afternoon, but we recommend the Disneyland Railroad over it if you’re limited in time.
King Arthur Carrousel (4.5/10) – Garden variety carousel.
Mad Tea Party (6/10) – Gets points because it’s iconic and somewhat fun if you have the time.
Pinocchio’s Daring Journey (6/10) – Decent dark ride based on Pinocchio. Very dated, but charming.
Tarzan’s Treehouse (7/10) – Fun area that can be quickly explored as a nice change of pace from doing rides.
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (6/10) – A newer Fantasyland-style dark ride located in Critter Country that’s enjoyable, but still feels dated.
This leaves out random pieces of entertainment, character meet & greets, and a few other seasonal offerings, but it should cover every attraction listed on a Disneyland park map. We’d strongly encourage you to try everything for yourself, as your opinions might differ from ours, but if time is an issue, skip the attractions on the lower list.
Planning a Southern California vacation? For park admission deals, read Tips for Saving Money on Disneyland Tickets. Learn about on-site and off-site hotels in our Anaheim Hotel Reviews & Rankings. For where to eat, check out our Disneyland Restaurant Reviews. For unique ideas of things that’ll improve your trip, check out What to Pack for Disney. For comprehensive advice, consult our Disneyland Vacation Planning Guide. Finally, for guides beyond Disney, check out our Southern California Itineraries for day trips to Los Angeles, Laguna Beach, and tons of other places!
Your Thoughts…
Which Disneyland attractions are your favorites and which do you skip? If you haven’t visited Disneyland yet, which ones are you most excited about? If you have any questions about what else you should do at Disneyland, let us know! Share your questions and thoughts in the comments!
One does believe you’ll find that The Enchanted Tiki Room is actually 15/10.
I rode Casey Jr at Disneyland Paris as an adult a few months ago – I wanted the big pink carriage at the back, the CM told me I had to drive the train in the front… It was a good day.
See you in 5 weeks Disneyland!
2350 Five RocksRoad
Apartment 403
I will be taking my 5 year old great granddaughter to Disney for the 1st time. I haven’t been there since the late 70’s. I have no idea what to see or take her to. can someone help with suggestions please. We are going to be there only 1 day, which is optional in most of the month of May. Thank you so muchin advance.
Pam Gould
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Just check this website. It already has 1-day itineraries written out.
FYI I think you deleted Dumbo.
Great website! Just out of curiosity, I see the attractions are not ordered alphabetically nor by their “relative-to-its-type” score. So are they just ordered randomly, or is this the order in which you like them the most (Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage as your favourite attraction and so on).
I wish Disney would Offer Organic Meals 🙁
Tom, I must ask you something more important than anything I’ve asked before. I am currently planning a WDW trip for a birthday, partially based upon Epcot. However, Pirates of the Caribbean, it’s a small world, and Buzz Lightyear are pretty much our all-time favorites in Disneyland and from your (and other) reviews, the Magic Kingdom versions are all sub-par to what we’ll be expecting. In addition, I’m a huge Minnie fan so Toontown is always a must do and New Orleans Square is one of our favorite places just to be. I’m thinking for Epcot and Animal Kingdom it might still be worth it? Now this won’t be until early 2018, so quite some time, but probably not enough for HS to be… enough of a draw to make much of a difference (hopefully that was diplomatically worded enough!). We’re of the mindset you discovered later on in regards to AK, where the little details of Disney are what we love, not the fastest longest scariest coasters, so I think this is easily a full day park. All that said, should I forge forward with the WDW plan or will it end up disappointing us given how we do Disney? Thanks in advance!!! Your site has been instrumental.
Thanks Tom for the great blog posts! There is one attraction I would add – Storytelling at the Royal Theatre. My three kids are each spaced 2.5 yrs apart and they, my husband and I are completely entertained each time we see it. And the pianist who does the musical accompaniment is fantastic! (And we liked it far better than Mickey and the Magical Map which I agree was disjointed – seemed to be a way to put a bunch of rare characters together in a show.)
I actually started reading this post because I was curious about the Royal Theater shows. Is this when you have the opportunity to meet characters like Flynn Rider as well? I’ve noticed that he shows up on the Disneyland app under characters but only for extremely brief intervals, so I was wondering if this was the chance. He’s my son’s favorite. 🙂
I think the monorail appropriately addresses the existence of the outside world because it’s invention is not confined strictly to the park like all the other rides which must stay under an umbrella of facade because the monorail is like the high speed which actually incorporates the real world.
I don’t know where to post this, but will you be doing any articles on the closures planned for January 2016 to make room for Star Wars Land? I was disappointed to hear Fantasmic would be part of this as I was looking at taking a trip there next April. Kinda bummed they’re closing that during the 60th anniversary celebration and wanted to get your thoughts on it. I haven’t been to Disneyland since I was a small child, so I don’t remember it much and this trip would essentially be all new.
Love this site! I have been to DL more times than I can count; however, the most recent time was in 1980! Sad, I know. But my 1st time was a year after they opened… I was 5 yrs. old. My husband and I are traveling from the Bay Area to Southern California for the holidays in December 2015, and for our 25th anniversary (12/22) we are going to DL. Your great information has been very helpful for me. Visualizing the park after all these years has been easy. The best thing is knowing Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride is still there. My favorite!
I go to Disneyland,California in August and I’m doing research on what rides to do. So your list was very helpful. Thanks!
I am wondering if there are any roads less traveled within the park. We have enjoyed theme parks that have had walking paths that not as many people have known about. Does Disneyland have any paths like this, that we can enjoy as we move around the park…especially because we will be visiting during the crowded month of July?
What’s a good day plan of fun and romance for a couple only at Disneyland? Any ideas?
It’s our 1 year wedding anniversary.
It’s a little late for Crystle, but I personally think the only thing in Toontown worth waiting in line for is Roger Rabbit (largely because the queue for that ride is a serious contender for best theming in the entire park, though to my mind Indiana Jones just barely edges it out). If there’s no line to get in (often there won’t be), Mickey’s House, Minnie’s House, and Donald’s Boat are worth seeing once, as is the theming of the Toontown area in general. Avoid Gadget’s Go Coaster at all costs; 4/10 is FAR too generous. The ride is very short compared to the wait time, but it’s also so rough you won’t want it to last even as long as it does. If I were told “you can get into Disneyland an hour early, but you have to ride Gadget’s Go Coaster” I’d say “no thanks, I’ll wait.”
My husband and I are headed there with our 6 1/2, 5, and 2 1/2 year olds on Monday! I went back in ’87, but don’t really count that, and he’s never been before, so it will be an experience to remember for sure! Your website has been invaluable for us in our planning, thank you for taking the time to write up and review all of the rides and restaurants – and I LOVE then sense of humor in the reviews!
I am curious, do you think Toontown is worth taking the time to go see, or would it be better spent elsewhere? We will for sure be in DL for 2 days, DCA for 1, and we’re undecided on the 4th day where we’ll go. I’d love advice if you have the time.
Thanks!
I thought they closed Toon Town down for a Star Wars themed area, is this true? I’m heading there in a couple of weeks.
Toontown is still open. The rumor is that Star Wars Land will replace it, but as of now that’s just a rumor. Expect Toontown to be open the rest of the year.
we will making our first trip to DL in a couple weeks, of course during a busy time. The tickets were purchased for us because they it’s a must go place. We wouldn’t have been able to go if it wasn’t for my husband’s boss and his son. We only have one day and want to make the best of it. We still haven’t told our 11 year old that she’s going to DL! I want to see if we can get the $ for an extra day so we can get a good experience without feeling rushed or go to Disney California adventures while we are there. I did go to DW when I was little buut I don’t remember it much. I wrote down your list of things to do! Thank You! Do you think 2 days at DL would be better than 1 day at DL and 1 day at DCA??
I LOVE your site! I’ve been going to Disneyland since 1959 (yeah, I’m getting up there). I’ve also taken my children there numerous times over the years and I really can’t even tell you how many times I’ve been there. Growing up in Southern California was a blessing, at the time, even getting to go on “Grad Night.” We’ve lived out of state for many years, but Disney was always a vacation destination.
My adult daughter, my best friend (who has never been) and her 9 year old granddaughter are going next month in March. I’m treating my friend and her granddaughter, who will be having a birthday, to a experience that I know the little one will never forget. Do you have any tips on what special things are/can be done for children’s birthdays? I want this to be a special trip for both the Grandmother and Grandchild.
Again, you do an awesome job. Thanks!
I have a 9-year-old, so I know your young friend will love it! She will be old enough to ride just about anything, and young enough to just enjoy it.
You can get a birthday button at City Hall, no charge. I went once on my birthday (I got my button at the ticket window actually, so it’s worth asking there to possibly avoid the City Hall line). With the button, she will get many, many “happy birthdays” from cast members and other guests. Simple, but so special.
I’d say treat her to a kitchen sink sundae. We liked the Oswald. Big enough for all of you to share.
My 9-year-old loves pin trading. Tom has a post dedicated to that. A set of pins to bring and trade would be a neat present (if anyone is looking for ideas of what to get the birthday girl to use at DL).
I heard the Dapper Dans sing Happy Birthday to someone last time I was there.
My cousin worked on that Indiana Jones ride he talked about the HUGE party that went on the night before the ride opened. I also remember there were hieroglyphics you could decipher that I never had time to figure out. But I really liked it.
My one Disneyland tip is if you can go when it rains… shorter lines. And best of all go on Superbowl Sunday. The place is pretty much EMPTY aside from foreigners!
And yeah a lot of the rides are dated but I like them that way all that nostalgia coming back. I tip my hat to the Alice ride too brings back LOADS of memories. And lord knows it will be a sad day when I can no longer go to hell in Fantasyland.
Haha, about the rain comments. So true–Californians are deathly afraid of the rain!
It sounds as if Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride will soon be receiving a modernization, so the day you can’t go to hell in Fantasyland shouldn’t be any time soon! 🙂