In 2025, Disneyland Park will celebrate its 70th anniversary! Disneyland has grown so much in those seven decades, adding new experiences all the time. We encourage you to do and see it all, but that can take awhile! If you have just a short amount of time to visit Disneyland Park or are looking to focus your visit, this list is for you. We have our top 5 quintessential Disneyland Park experiences. We think these five experiences capture the spirit of the “Happiest Place on Earth,” Disneyland Park.
Fantasyland, The Heart of Disneyland
In our article What to Do First at Disneyland Park, we suggest starting your day in Disneyland day in Fantasyland. We recommend this for strategic reasons (we lay those out in that article), but also because we think Fantasyland is a quintessential Disneyland Park experience.
This charming land is located in the heart of the park and holds a high concentration of Disneyland’s earliest attractions. This is a land dedicated to magic, imagination and “happily ever after.” If you want to experience rides related to Disney’s early classic films; if you want to see characters wandering about and if you want to find attractions that people of all ages can experience together, head to Fantasyland.
As we mentioned, we do recommend heading to Fantasyland first thing in the morning. Around midday, Fantasyland can get rather congested, because it does sit at the heart of the park. Fantasyland is also beautiful and less busy after dark, but do keep in mind that portions of it close during fireworks shows.
Whenever you go to Fantasyland, be sure to catch a ride on Dumbo for us, and look out over the heart of Disneyland Park.
The Disneyland Mountain Range, Quintessential Disneyland Thrill Rides
From sweet and smaller-scale rides, we are going to take you to Disneyland’s signature thrill rides. If you are looking to throw your hands up on some roller coasters, the “Disneyland Mountain Range” holds a quintessential Disneyland experience for you.
We are talking about Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Matterhorn (Mountain) Bobsleds, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure (formerly Splash Mountain) and Space Mountain. Why is there a mountain in space? We do not know, but it is so fun that we are not complaining.
”Disneyland Mountain Range” is not an official term, but it is a fun one. These rides are fast, thrilling and have some big drops. They also all have a minimum height requirement.
If you have a shorter roller coasters lover, try Chip ‘n’ Dale’s GADGETcoaster: it still has a minimum height requirement, but it is fairly low at 35 inches.
If you are not a roller coaster fan but still like thrills, you may want to check-out the three Star Wars themed rides Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run and Star Tours – The Adventure Continues. Note that the last of these three is in Tomorrowland and not Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
Finally, Indiana Jones Adventure is another amazing thrill ride that is not in the “mountain range.” This might be the most intense ride in Disneyland Park—perhaps tied with Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance—and it so not for the faint-of heart (or people under 46 inches).
Nighttime Spectaculars and Daytime Shows
Speaking of fireworks, no one does firework shows and nighttime spectaculars like Disney.
The image of fireworks lighting the sky above Sleeping Beauty Castle is iconic Disneyland, but fireworks are far from the only nighttime entertainment at Disneyland Park. In fact, the fireworks themselves are usually integrated into a larger show with music, elaborate projections and pyrotechnics.
Fireworks do not happen every evening at Disneyland, but some kind of nighttime entertainment does. Whatever is happening, we think it is worth your time to enjoy the show. Main Street U.S.A. is the classic place to view these shows, but if you want a less crowded space, you can find alternative viewing locations in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, on the shores of the Rivers of America and in front of “it’s a small world.” Check the entertainment schedule for your visit. Make a plan for what you want to experience, but remember that fireworks do sometimes get canceled based on weather conditions.
Fantasmic!, which takes place on the Rivers of America, is probably the ultimate nighttime show at Disneyland Park. Disney’s Hollywood Studio’s at Walt Disney World in Florida has its own version of Fantasmic!, but it really is a different experience. Florida’s Fantasmic! happens in a amphitheater, but Disneyland transforms the Rivers of America into its own kind of stage. There is something magical about seeing this space is a new and dramatic way.
That said, viewing Fantasmic! from this amazing—but ultimately makeshift—area can get tricky crowd-wise. If you are concerned about having a good spot to view Fantasmic!, you may want to consider a dining package.
Alternatives to Disneyland’s Nighttime Spectaculars
If it is just not practical for your family to stay in Disneyland Park late enough to view the nighttime spectaculars, there are some good alternatives.
First, remember that you may be able to catch some of the fireworks from outside the park. You will miss the projections and the soundtrack, but you can see the fireworks from the Esplanade or even from your hotel. Depending on where you are staying, this might be a practical alternative for you.
You can also opt for some daytime entertainment instead. Check the entertainment schedule for your visit to see if there is a daytime parade happening in Disneyland Park. While they may not have the same iconic status as Disneyland fireworks, we think the parades are just as spectacular. Plus, the performers do a great job with crowd interaction. Our kids love that.
In fact, there is great entertainment happening all day at Disneyland Park. You can find much of it listed on the entertainment schedule, but you might also encounter some spontaneous entertainment, like the Pearly Band riding King Arthur Carrousel. Disneyland Park might be best known for its rides, but make some time for the shows too!
The Disneyland Railroad: A Grand Circle Tour of the Magic
Certainly a variety of Walt Disney’s own experiences influenced the creation of Disneyland Park. One that is well documented is the Carolwood Pacific Railroad: the elaborate 1/8 scale railroad Walt Disney ran in his own backyard!
Walt Disney’s backyard hobby grew into the Disneyland Railroad. 5 authentic steam trains circle Disneyland Park while showing passengers scenes ranging from a prehistoric land of dinosaurs to Mickey’s hometown.
We think the Disneyland Railroad is a quintessential Disneyland experience for several reasons. The railroad has a direct connection to Disney history and the history of the United States. It has been in the park since Disneyland’s earliest days, and it captures Walt Disney’s love of innovations that bring people together. It is also just a great way to see Disneyland Park. Want to get the lay of “the land” from a comfortable seat? Take a “grand circle tour” on the Disneyland Railroad.
You can board the Disneyland Railroad at any of four stations. The train stations are located on Main Street U.S.A., New Orleans Square, Mickey’s Toontown and Tomorrowland. The track makes a closed loop, so you can board and disembark anywhere you wish (just remember where you parked your stroller), and even use the Disneyland Railroad as a means of transportation.
We think all portions of the track are interesting for their views of Disneyland Park, but there is a particularly interesting stretch just after Tomorrowland station. Before you reach Main Street U.S.A., you will travel into a show building with dioramas of the Grand Canyon and Primeval World – Land of the Dinosaurs. The later includes audio-animatronic dinosaurs!
It may not be the most thrilling ride, but if we had to pick just one quintessential Disneyland Park experience, it would be the Disneyland Railroad.
Have a Bite to Eat and Enjoy Quintessential Disneyland
After listing off all the great things to do in Disneyland Park, our last piece of advice may seem counter-intuitive, but stick with us!
Everyone has to eat. We encourage you to grab a tasty treat somewhere in Disneyland Park and just sit. Take a moment to relax and enjoy your food and drink while you take in the sights, sounds and smells all around you. Disney Imagineers have created immersive experiences in every land of Disneyland Park. Even food is part of that experience, and it is so much better than what you probably imagine theme park food to be.
So, snag a Ronto Wrap in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and listen to the mysterious beasts of Batuu creeping through the forest. Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe makes for a sweet stop on the equally sweet Main Street U.S.A., so linger and sip your coffee as the trolley dings by. Or, you could grab an iconic Dole Whip and find a seat among the singing birds and flowers of Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room. For the ultimate in Imagineered dining, try the Blue Bayou, and for detailed tips on planning your dining, see How to Save Money & Eat Well with Disneyland Dining Tips.
Whatever you decide to eat, we encourage you to stop and enjoy Disneyland Park as it comes to life around you. You might just find your own quintessential Disneyland experience.
Thank you for reading about our top 5 quintessential Disneyland experiences.
We hope you have found this helpful. For further help planning your Disneyland trip, check-out our Step-by-Step Disneyland Prep. Please also consider subscribing to our free newsletter to get future articles right in your inbox. Thanks again for reading!
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