The Disneyland Resort in Southern California is often overlooked by East Coast and Midwestern residents who live near the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.
This West Coast resort will forever be known as the original Disneyland, and many Disney fans consider it their all-time favorite place to visit.
Disneyland was created by Walt Disney to provide a place where families could escape the hustle and bustle together while creating memories in a safe and fun environment.
So why visit Disneyland Resort when you have everything you need at Walt Disney World Resort?
With so many different experiences to offer, the Disneyland Resort should be on every must-visit list for families who love making memories through fun travel experiences.
Let’s talk about some basics you need to know before planning a trip to Disneyland Resort!
Where is Disneyland located?
Disneyland Resort is located in Anaheim, California, south of Los Angeles and north of San Diego.
Guests flying into the Southern California area have several different airports to choose from.
The most popular airport with the most flights is Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), while the easiest airport to get to Disneyland is actually John Wayne Airport (SNA).
You can pre-arrange transportation from the airport to the Disneyland Resort with a local ground transportation company that offers shuttle service, or you can choose to rent a car if you plan to explore other Southern California attractions during your visit.
How many theme parks are there in the Disneyland Resort?
Disneyland Resort is home to two immersive theme parks for families. The original park was aptly named Disneyland and featured Sleeping Beauty Castle as its central symbol.
Disney California Adventure is located directly across from the walkway that separates the two theme park entrances.
Walking from one theme park to another is a breeze, so we always recommend purchasing a park pass that gives you access to both theme parks on the same day.
What types of attractions are available at Disneyland Resort?
You'll find many attractions at Disneyland Resort that are similar to those at Walt Disney World Resort.
Classic rides such as Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Space Mountain and “It's a Small World!” can be found at Disneyland.
You can even experience Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, which includes attractions like the Millennium Falcon Smuggler's Run and the popular Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance.
There are also many attractions and theme lands unique to the Disneyland Resort.
Matterhorn Bobsleigh was Disney's first roller coaster and is a favorite among repeat guests. Additionally, you’ll find cartoon spins on The Adventures of Indiana Jones, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, Incredicoaster, and Roger Rabbit at Mickey’s Toontown.
Another unique land among Southern California theme parks is the Disney-Pixar-inspired Cars Land, which makes guests feel like they are actually visiting the town of Radiator Springs.
Avengers Park is Disney California Adventure's newest park and features many of your favorite Marvel characters, as well as superhero-themed attractions such as Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: Breakout and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.
Where to stay at Disneyland Resort?
Unlike the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, the Disneyland Resort is much smaller and offers three official Disney hotels.
Each on-site resort is located within walking distance of the theme parks and offers luxurious accommodations and, of course, Disney's signature services.
When you stay at a Disney resort, you'll continue to be immersed in the world of Disney entertainment long after you've left the theme parks.
For those looking for traditional hotel accommodations, it's easy to find a Disneyland Good Neighbor Hotel just down the street.
There you'll find many popular brand hotels, many within walking distance of the Disneyland Resort for those who don't want to drive.
What else is there to do besides theme parks?
The Disneyland Resort also features the Downtown Disney District, which features restaurants, shopping, and entertainment.
The area is just steps away from theme parks, resorts, and has a monorail station that takes you directly to Disneyland.
At Downtown Disney, you’ll find many unique restaurants, upscale shops, and of course, lots of Disney-themed merchandise!
How many days should I spend at Disneyland Resort?
I recommend spending at least 3 days at the Disneyland Resort theme parks, plus a day or two to take advantage of the hotel facilities.
You can also rent a car to explore other Southern California attractions.
Although the Disneyland Resort is much smaller and more accessible than the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, you could easily spend 3 full days at the Disneyland theme park and still not experience everything it has to offer.
For those who want to experience other theme parks in the Southern California area, don’t forget
Lissa Ryan is a Senior Travel Consultant at Kingdom Destinations, specializing in luxury family vacations. Lissa helps busy parents who want to create travel memories with their family through luxurious travel experiences, but are too busy or overwhelmed by all the effort and research required to plan the perfect vacation.
