How to take in the sights and sounds of Disneyland

Hey all you fans of Mickey! So you’ve planned a visit to Disneyland! You’ve made it known to everyone you are going, you’ve contacted a Disney Specialist travel agent to do all the boring booking part for you, including booking your ‘Priority Seating’ dinner reservations. Now you are on your way!

You have arrived at the ‘Happiest Place on Earth’, what should you do first? last? That’s what I’m here to help you with. Well at least share my Must Do’s. I’ve been to Disneyland more times than I should admit to.

First things first, get in front of the floral arrangement in front of the train station and get you a picture! Collect your Photo Pass, or even better purchase your Photo Pass+ before even going to parks, so that you can use it for the rest of your trip. Don’t worry the photographer will also take your picture with your personal camera. Do It! You will love having the Photo’s available later on to purchase, sometimes making excellent Christmas Cards. Also know that you can pre-order the PhotoPass CD. If you do this and you make sure to take advantage of all the photography opportunities you can score an excellent deal!

Once you’ve walked under the train trestle, follow my lead and look to your left. Right next to the City Hall is the Fire Station. The top floor is Walt Disney’s apartment. Give him a quick hello, friendly wave, and perhaps a Thank You. If you are close enough you will notice that there is an oil lamp in the window. This lamp is always on, symbolizing Walt Disney’s spirit is always around. Quick note, don’t freak out if it’s out, that only means that one of the Disney Family is visiting the park and Walt’s spirit resides with them.

Head Down Main Street towards Sleeping Beauty’s Castle, I always save the shops for on the way out. I personally always buy more than I should and I don’t want to be held up, there are things to do and see!!!

I start with a general list in my head of what’s first. Typically I head towards the left of the castle to hit up Jungle Cruise and Indiana Jones first.

What rides are the must do’s??
• Jungle Cruise
• Indiana Jones (FastPass)
• Big Thunder Mountain (Fast Pass)
• Splash Mountain (Fast Pass)
• Space Mountain (Fast Pass)
• “NEW” Star Tours (Fast Pass)
• Pirates of the Caribbean (Save this till around dinner time)
• Haunted Mansion
• Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage
• It’s a Small World (of course – sorry for the song being stuck in your head too)

So you have your rides in mind. Head off and get a fastpass for one ride and then jump in line for another. Couldn’t be easier. Try to stay nearby the rides. For instance, get yourself a fastpass to Indiana Jones then hit the Jungle Cruise.

Where should we eat?

I am generally satisfied with any meal I have at Disneyland. This park tends to have pretty darn good food when you go looking for it. My favorite restaurant overall is “Blue Bayou“.

But you don’t want to eat at Blue Bayou every meal? Here’s some other options:
• Cafe Orleans – Excellent Gumbo
• Plaza Inn – Great Breakfast buffet with Characters
• Big Thunder Ranch BBQ – Includes a Show
• The Golden Horseshoe – Get yourself a Sundae here!
• Carnation Cafe – Good breakfast spot

As a frequent visitor to Disneyland I never truly feel I’ve done it all until I see a Parade, Fantasmic!, and the Fireworks. Without these magical pieces of the visit I would be incomplete. I fully encourage, almost demand, that you see at least one parade, the Fantasmic! show and stay for the Fireworks!

After the Fireworks, head back to Main Street and get you some souvenirs.

There are of course many, many, many, more things to do at Disneyland, however this list is simply DisneyDaniels’ MUST DO’s!

I hope you find this information fun, new and worthwhile.

Related articles

• Ratatouille Ride is Coming to Disneyland Paris (chipandco.com)
• Secrets of Disneyland’s Main Street, USA (chipandco.com)

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