Disneyland
The original Disney park in California - the one Walt Disney built himself in 1955, smaller and more nostalgic than its Florida cousin.
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Illustrative image - a scene in the spirit of the place, not a photograph of it. Real photos are below.
Disneyland in Anaheim is the original, the park Walt Disney opened himself in 1955, the one he walked and refined. Together with the neighbouring Disney California Adventure, it is more compact and nostalgic than the sprawling Florida resort, and for many the more charming for its history and the sense of Walt's own hand.
What you actually see
- Sleeping Beauty Castle - the original, more intimate castle.
- The classic rides - Pirates of the Caribbean, the Haunted Mansion and Space Mountain.
- Disney California Adventure - the neighbouring park with its own thrills.
- The nostalgia - the sense of the original park Walt built and loved.
When to go
Weekdays outside school holidays for thinner crowds; the mild California climate makes any season workable, though holidays are very busy. Evenings bring the fireworks and lit-up castle.
Honest expectations
It is compact but very busy, so queues and crowds are real, and it is expensive with ticket tiers and paid line-skipping. It is smaller than Florida's resort, which suits a shorter visit. It rewards planning and an early start.
Nearby
Los Angeles, its beaches and Hollywood are a drive away; Anaheim surrounds the resort.
What to pack for Disneyland
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
