500-Acre Oasis of Disney Magic and Fun Provides Warm Hospitality, Classic Experiences and Unforgettable New Adventures
Photo Credit: Paul Hiffmeyer/Disneyland
On July 17, 1955, Walt Disney opened a groundbreaking new concept in entertainment called Disneyland, with the goal of being a place where adults and children, families and friends of all ages could have fun together. Today, Walt’s dream has evolved into a national treasure.
Through six magical decades, the original 18 attractions that comprised Disneyland Park have grown into the Disneyland Resort – a sprawling 500-acre resort destination featuring two renowned Disney parks, three beautiful hotel properties and the exciting entertainment, dining and retail fun of the Downtown Disney District.
Photo Credit: Matt Stroshane/Disneyland Resort
Located in Anaheim, California, approximately 25 miles south of Los Angeles, the Disneyland Resort provides guests from around the world with thrills, fun and unique Disney magic. The Resort features two theme parks, the original Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Park, along with one of the best hotels in Southern California, as named by Condé Nast Traveler’s 2017 Readers’ Choice Awards, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. The Disneyland Resort is one of the top-rated family resort destinations in the country, according to many travel surveys.
The resort continues to grow and offer magical experiences for guests all the time.
An epic new land, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, will open in summer 2019 and guests will find themselves in the middle of the action as they live their own Star Wars adventures. In the largest, most immersive single-themed land ever created in a Disney park, guests will become part of the story as they explore a remote planet full of new sights, sounds, smells, tastes and other experiences. (Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge also opens at Walt Disney World in 2019.)
As if stepping into their own Star Wars adventure, guests will be part of the action as it unfolds around them. They may choose to aid a smuggler, join the Resistance or pledge their loyalty to the First Order. In this all-new environment, the decisions guests make and actions they take may have real-time consequences as they travel throughout the 14-acre land.
DISNEYLAND
Renowned as “The Happiest Place on Earth,” Disneyland is Walt Disney’s original theme park and the centerpiece of the Disneyland Resort. Covering 85-acres, it has grown over the past six decades to include eight themed “lands” including Main Street, U.S.A., Adventureland, Frontierland, New Orleans Square, Critter Country, Fantasyland, Mickey’s Toontown and Tomorrowland.
Photo Credit: Joshua Sudock/Disneyland Resort
Featuring more than 60 adventures and attractions, Disneyland boasts some of the most quintessential Disney theme park experiences in the world including classics such as Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, Jungle Cruise, Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room, “it’s a small world,” Matterhorn Bobsleds and Indiana Jones Adventure.
With unforgettable seasonal events featuring popular shows and attractions such as Haunted Mansion Holiday, Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy, “it’s a small world” Holiday, snowfall on Main Street, U.S.A. and “A Christmas Fantasy” Parade, Disneyland is an ever-evolving experience. As Walt Disney desired, Disneyland is in constant state of “becoming” with new adventures and attractions always on the drawing board.
In 2006, Pirates of the Caribbean, the classic Disneyland attraction brought to the big screen in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, added new characters (such as Captain Jack Sparrow) from the blockbuster entertainment franchise.
In June 2007, Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage surfaced in Tomorrowland. The underwater adventure features the eight submarines of the fondly remembered “Submarine Voyage” attraction and is inspired by the Disney presentation of the Pixar Animation Studios film, “Finding Nemo.”
Phot Credit: Joshua Sudock/Disneyland Resort
In 2013, Disney Princesses began interacting with park guests in the new Fantasy Faire, a royal setting near the iconic Sleeping Beauty Castle. Guests may also see Mickey Mouse and other Disney characters in a dazzling adventure filled with music, fun and special effects at the stage show “Mickey and the Magical Map,” presented daily on the Fantasyland Theatre stage.
In 2011, guests began exploring new adventures – six new destinations in more than 50 different 3D combinations – at Star Tours – The Adventures Continue. A thrilling new adventure inspired by the film, “Star Wars: The Last Jedi,” landed at the attraction in 2017.
DISNEY CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE
Disney California Adventure, located across from Disneyland, offers guests even more fun with some of the most popular attractions and shows at the resort. Through Disney storytelling and imagination, Disney California Adventure invites guests to enjoy the wonder and beauty of California in its themed lands: the newly reimagined Pixar Pier, Hollywood Land, Pacific Wharf, Grizzly Peak, Paradise Gardens Park and two additions in 2012: the colorful and welcoming Buena Vista Street marking the entrance to Disney California Adventure, and the spectacular 12-acre Cars Land, inspired by the Radiator Springs setting of the Disney●Pixar movie “Cars.” In 2015, the Condor Flats area was reimagined as Grizzly Peak Airfield, an extension of Grizzly Peak inspired by the lush High Sierras of California.
In 2018, the wonderful worlds of Pixar came to life in new ways in the reimagined land of Pixar Pier. Celebrating beloved Pixar stories and characters like never before, this playful land features exciting themed attractions including the Incredicoaster, inspired by Disney•Pixar’s “The Incredibles” and “Incredibles 2,” Pixar Pal-A-Round and the popular Toy Story Mania!
Photo Credit: Joshua Sudock/Disneyland Resort
New eats and treats can be found at Lamplight Lounge, as well as the various new food kiosks inspired by Pixar feature films and short films. Entertainment including the Games of Pixar Pier, the musical sounds of the zany TripleDent Gum presents The Pixarmonic Orchestra and character encounters with popular Pixar pals bring incredible new ways for guests to enjoy their visit to this seaside waterfront at the Disneyland Resort. In 2019, Pixar Pier welcomes two additional attractions to complete the land: Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind and Jessie’s Critter Carousel.
In 2017, the thrilling attraction Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! opened in Hollywood Land. This epic adventure combines a breathtaking free-fall sensation with all-new visual and audio effects, including music inspired by the popular “Guardians of the Galaxy” film soundtrack.
Continuing the growth of Disneyland Resort as a multi-day, world-class vacation destination, Disney Imagineers have brought more of Walt Disney into the 60 acres of Disney California Adventure. The park celebrates the hope and optimism of California that attracted Walt to this land of opportunity in the 1920s. In 2010, the nighttime water spectacular “World of Color” debuted, with a new viewing area along Paradise Bay. In 2011, guests began taking magical journeys on The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure. In 2012, Buena Vista Street, inspired by the Los Angeles of the 1920s and ‘30s, began welcoming guests entering Disney California Adventure with the Red Car Trolley and an array of restaurants and shops.
Photo Credit: Scott Brinegar/Disneyland
Cars Land, opened in 2012, with its vast Radiator Springs landscape, “road trip”-themed restaurants and shops, and exciting attractions. Today, Cars Land features fan favorites such as the thrilling highway competition of Radiator Springs Racers, the swinging, dancing tractors of Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree, the tasty “cone-coctions” of Cozy Cone Motel and the delicious house-made pies of Flo’s V8 Cafe. In 2016, Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters introduced guests to Luigi’s cousins, miniature Italian roadsters, in a spinning festivity across a trackless “dance floor.”
One of the signature attractions at Disney California Adventure is Soarin’ Around the World, a breathtaking virtual hang gliding tour over some of the world’s most amazing landmarks and scenic wonders. Another guest favorite is Toy Story Mania!, an attraction that invites guests to enjoy a high-scoring, immersive adventure, entering a wild 4D world of game play. Along with Woody, Buzz and favorite “Toy Story” characters, special effects add a fourth dimension of fun.
Guests at Disney California Adventure experience California-style fun on such attractions as the icy-cold, white-knuckle rafting of the Grizzly River Run.
The 2000-seat Hyperion Theater presents the spectacular stage production “Frozen – Live at the Hyperion” immersing guests in the world of Arendelle with elaborate costumes and sets, special effects and scenic transformations. In the nearby Disney Animation attraction, Turtle Talk with Crush provides fun for the whole family with some interactive magic.
Guests at Disney California Adventure also may meet Anna and Elsa at “Anna & Elsa’s Royal Welcome” and encounter their favorite Super Heroes, including Spider-Man and Captain America.