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A visit to Disneyland is a dream for many households with younger kids. It doesn’t matter whether or not your youngsters are 5 or 15, there’s a cause that it’s the happiest place on Earth…
I, Kalyra, aged 11, had an superior time at Disney California Journey Park (DCA) in Anaheim, California. It was my favourite park throughout the Disneyland Resort, and I imagine it’s a must-do on any journey to go to Anaheim.
We bought the 10-day park hopper go which allowed us entry to each Disney California Journey Park and Disneyland Park, and we nonetheless didn’t get to do all the pieces!
I do know that having 10 days to spend simply as Disneyland is lots, and never many individuals have that luxurious, so I’ve written this information on one of the best issues to do, one of the best rides and points of interest, in an effort to plan an unforgettable day or two.
How the Disney Lightning Lane Go Works
Okay earlier than we get into rollercoasters and parades, we have to speak about one of the best tickets and passes. We had the Park Hopper go, which allowed us entry to each Disney California Journey Park and Disneyland Park, however we additionally had a Lightning Lane Go, previously known as a FASTPASS.
Lightning Lane Passes are nice at Disneyland as a result of they grant you the fascinating luxurious of having the ability to skip the queue. They’re an extra price, and you’ll select between a single or multi-use go, so you could determine which rides you need to get passes for (extra data on rides later that will help you determine).
Folks with the Lightning Lane Go get a time slot and enter the experience by way of a separate queue, so you’ll be able to keep away from lengthy traces. I like to recommend you get Lightning Lane Passes for Toy Story Mania, positioned at Pixar Pier, which at all times has lengthy traces.
To say your Lightning Lane Go, go to the world close to the experience the place you should utilize a Lightning Lane Go, put your park ticket within the machine, and out comes the Lightning Lane Go. It’s as simple as that!
The Lightning Lane Go then offers you a time to return to the experience, and while you return, you stroll straight as much as the entrance of the road bypassing all these within the basic line.
Generally if the final line is just a 10-minute wait, we’d simply keep on that line in order to not deplete our Lightning Lane Passes.
When you get the multi-use go, you’ll be able to solely get one Lightning Lane Go for every experience, and you’ll solely ebook one Lightning Lane Go each 90-minutes. So that you don’t need to waste a Lightning Lane Go on a brief line, if the following experience you need to experience has a 60-minute wait.
You’d then have to attend for 60-minutes since you wasted your go. Or come again in 90-minutes to get your Lightning Lane Go and run the chance they’d be all gone.
Lightning Lane Go do run out at common rides! There’s solely a sure variety of individuals that may go on rides all day. So that they restrict the variety of Lightning Lane Go and after they’ve all been allotted, you’re compelled to attend within the basic queue, which on the favored rides might be 1 to 2 hours lengthy.
So watch out with how you employ the Disney Lightning Lane Go. You’ll need to be strategic with them. Hopefully this information will assist you to choose your rides for the Lightning Lane Go and you’ll obtain the Disney App to begin planning your individual itinerary.
HOT TIP: You possibly can ship a runner out of your group with everybody’s park tickets to order the Lightning Lane Go for a specific experience. Nonetheless, all events have to be current within the park that day! In the event that they haven’t checked into the park by means of the doorway gates, their park tickets gained’t work to get the Lightning Lane Go!
Park Hopper Tickets
As talked about, we bought Disney Park Hopper Ticket tickets, which is one of the simplest ways to expertise Disney California Journey Park and Disneyland Park in at some point.
You should purchase a ticket for a sure variety of days, and the ticket means that you can hop between each parks.
We advocate at the very least a 4 day park hopper ticket. Two days at every park will make sure you’ll get to expertise all of the highlights in your listing with out madly speeding round.
You’ll need this time despite the fact that you may get Lightning Lane Passes, particularly when you go to throughout a busy time of yr.
We visited in September, simply after summer time break, which meant fewer crowds than regular.
The very best place to purchase your Disneyland tickets is thru Undercover Vacationer, who promote genuine theme park tickets at discounted costs. Purchase on-line and go straight to the park entrance gate – no change essential!
Unmissable issues to do in Disney California Journey Park
Now I’m going to inform you about one of the best rides and points of interest at Disney California Journey Park. To make it simpler for you, I’m going to separate them by every land.
When you’ve not been to a Disney earlier than, mainly the entire theme park is split up into zones, known as Lands.
The present lands inside Disney California Journey Park are:
- Buena Vista Avenue
- Pixar Pier
- Paradise Gardens Park
- Grizzly Peak
- Hollywood Land
- Automobiles Land
- Avengers Campus
- San Fransokyo Sq.
My private favourite lands are:
- Automobiles Land
- Pixar Pier
- Hollywood Land
So I’ll begin with them first…
Pixar Pier
Pixar Pier needs to be my primary fave land in Disney California Journey. This land is themed round Pixar movies, just like the Incredibles, Toy Story, and extra.
However can also be themed round a California Coastal Boardwalk. It has a enjoyable beachy vibe to it. It was Paradise Pier, however closed in 2018 and become all issues Pixar!
If you wish to study extra concerning the creation of Pixar Pier, remember to go to the Blue Sky Cellar. It gives a captivating perception into what went into the design and making of it.
The very best rides in Pixar Pier
IncrediCoaster
The Incredicoaster is my favourite experience within the park.
It’s a curler coaster that shoots off at first and goes actually quick across the monitor and has one loop. It performs the Incredibles theme music which makes it extra intense, and it’s a protracted experience too.
It’s tremendous enjoyable, and as soon as I bought fortunate and bought to take a seat on the entrance!
Savannah (aged 7) was about to get on the experience, however then chickened out. (Proper on the gates!)
Whenever you get off the experience, be certain that to get a Jack Jack Num Num cookie close to the doorway! They’re scrumptious, however most likely not nutritious! That’s what Mum says anyway.
Toy Story Halfway Mania
Toy Story Mania experience is like Buzz Lightyear: Astro Blasters at Tomorrowland, in Disneyland.
Besides it has all of the Toy Story characters, and it’s extra enjoyable (It’s a 4D experience too).
So that you go round in a spinning automobile and shoot issues, amassing factors alongside the best way.
I bought probably the most factors out of everybody, 100,000!
Pixar Pal-A-Spherical
Pixar Pal-A-Spherical (additionally known as Mickey’s Enjoyable Wheel) is the enormous ferris wheel that is without doubt one of the focal design factors of Pixar Pier.
I didn’t do that as a result of I hate Ferris Wheels. You possibly can select totally different rides on it: Trip in a traditional steady Gondola, or one which slides forwards and backwards on a monitor.
Excuse me? Like a traditional one wasn’t unhealthy sufficient!? A few of our crew did the swinging Gondolas and mentioned it was terrifying
Jessie’s Critter Carousel opened in 2019, so we missed that, however it might be an ideal expertise for youthful kids.
Eating in Pixar Pier
The one precise ‘Eating’ in Pixar Pier is Lamplight Lounge. We didn’t eat there (although we tried) as a result of it was at all times busy. (That’s an indication that it’s good!)
Make reservations for giant teams or if you’re going at busy instances!
In any other case there’s a rooster hut shack, Poultry Palace, the place you may get turkey legs and rooster drum sticks.
The land subsequent door to Pixar Pier, is the San Fransokyo Sq., which has extra number of eating choices.
It’s themed as San Francisco’s Pier. You’ll discover chowder in a bread bowl, Asian, and Mexican meals choices (Cocina Cucamonga Mexican Grill).
Automobiles Land
All people in our group liked Automobiles Land. All of the decorations had been for Halloween (we had been there in September) and the surroundings was made to appear to be you had been within the film; it was fairly cool.
Rides in Automobiles Land
Radiator Springs Racers
This experience is tremendous enjoyable – and quick! Attempt to beat the opposite racers to the tip of Route 66.
I like to recommend a Lightning Lane Go for this experience, particularly if you’re there at busy instances. This experience is without doubt one of the hottest!
This can be a youthful child experience, however all ages can do it! As quickly as you enter DCA go straight right here to get your Lightning Lane Go as they go in a short time and chances are you’ll miss out.
Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree
Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree is for youthful youngsters, however my youthful sister (7) actually loved it.
You sit in a child tractor, which drives round and you are feeling such as you’re getting thrown in all places.
Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters
Trip in vehicles that spin and “Dance” autonomously in patterns, with trackless GPS know-how.
The youthful youngsters liked this experience. Once more, all ages can experience too and was enjoyable for all our household!
Eating in Automobiles Land
We ate at Flo’s V8 Cafe virtually day by day we had been at DCA. It was fast and straightforward, (due to the usage of the Disneyland app) and everybody appreciated it.
And there have been gluten free choices for Mum and Dad, which is rarely simple for them in a theme park like Disneyland.
However there are different choices, like Cozy Cone Motel and Fillmore’s Style – In. We solely ate at Cozy Cone Motel for Ice Cream, so we don’t actually know what it’s like.
Don’t miss among the Automobiles characters driving round too!
Hollywood Land
Hollywood Land is themed across the golden age of Hollywood, and all issues California Tv and Cinema.
Rides in Hollywood Land
Monsters, inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue!
As quickly as we had been about to get on the experience, it broke down! And we couldn’t wait as a result of Savannah and our cousin, Brooklyn needed to do the Disney Junior Dance Get together.
Leisure and Points of interest in Hollywood Land
Savannah and our cousin Brooklyn liked the Disney Junior Dance Get together. They noticed it twice, and dragged me alongside the second time.
Savannah’s favourite half was dancing with all of the characters. I like to recommend it for youthful youngsters!
This isn’t accessible any extra, however you’ll be able to nonetheless discover Anna and Elsa right here on the Disney Animation Constructing. (I didn’t actually like that half). You too can go to the Sorcerer’s Workshop, and attempt to discover the Beast’s hidden Library.
We noticed Disney’s present: Frozen – Dwell on the Hyperion. Everybody thought it was superb however I didn’t actually prefer it, lol.
Turtle Speak with Crush
Don’t miss Turtle Speak with Crush, contained in the Disney Animation constructing! The youthful youngsters liked it, and it was fairly humorous.
Buena Vista Avenue
Buena Vista Avenue is a procuring district in Disney California Journey Park. We’re not large buyers, and prefered to spend our time on the rides, so didn’t discover this a lot.
There’s Elias & Co, a flip of the century emporium, Trolley Treats candy store, Julius Katz & Sons and Kingswell Store which has Disney themed toys, presents, and Mickey Mouse hats, and Oswald’s for retro merch.
Paradise Gardens Park
This land is what I might take into account “Basic Disney” and has rides devoted to probably the most well-known characters, similar to Goofy, Little Mermaid, Snow White, and extra.
It’s the place you’ll be able to watch the “World of Colour” nighttime spectacular present.
Rides in Paradise Gardens Park
Ariel’s Undersea Journey
Trip in a clamshell and experience by means of a the damaged hull of Prince Eric’s ship, the place you’re greeted with the music “Below the Sea” and have Ariel’s story retold as you descend underwater and journey by means of rocky underwater passages.
Goofy’s Sky Faculty
Goofy’s Sky Faculty is a curler coaster based mostly on the quick movie Goofy’s Glider. It’s enjoyable for small youngsters to teenagers and adults.
Jumpin’ Jellyfish
This can be a carousel model experience for preschoolers and small youngsters. It goes round in a circle while bumping up and down, like a jellyfish.
Golden Zephyr
This can be a classic, sci-fi wanting zephyr swing experience the place you sail across the sky in a galactic wanting gondala!
Grizzly Peak
That is an out of doors themed land designed to appear to be a tenting and mountain retreat. It’s a small land and appears like a extra fantastical model of Yellowstone!
Finest rides in Grizzly Peak
Soarin’ Across the World
That is the one experience on this land. You might be raised above the bottom infront of an 80-foot projection dome and go on a digital tour with aerial footage world wide, whereas the seat simulates the movement of flight. It’s mainly like 4D cinema.
You get to see issues just like the Nice Wall of China and the Taj Mahal in India.
Redwood Creek Problem Path
This can be a small mountaineering wall designed for babies from preschoolers as much as youngsters.
Grizzly River Run
This can be a enjoyable, whitewater rafting experience the place you splash by means of a mountain!
Avengers Campus
We didn’t go to the Avengers Campus as a result of it opened after we visited, but it surely’s the place to go if you wish to meet your favourite superheroes. We did get to experience one experience on this land as a result of it was in Hollywood Land.
Rides in Avengers Campus
Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!
This experience is so enjoyable, and terrifying!
Surprisingly, Savannah did it, and liked it! This experience was in Hollywood Land and is now within the Avengers Campus.
It’s precisely like Tower of Terror, however re-themed. I positively advocate it, and never simply as soon as!
Net Slingers: A Spider-Man Journey
Net Slingers is a singular experience the place you experience round in the dead of night in a carriage, and shoot webs at an interactive display. It’s enjoyable for all ages.
Meet the characters at Disney California Journey Park
Preserve a watch out for a few of your favourite characters in Disney California Journey Park.
We met Mr. Unimaginable, (Incredibles) Sully, (Monsters Inc) Buzz Lightyear (Toy Story), Black Panther, Groot and a lot extra!
Don’t Miss the Paint the Night time Parade
We noticed one parade in Disney California Journey Park (the park has totally different parades all year long). Paint the Night time was my favourite parade that we noticed.
This nighttime parade is superb, and VERY common. I might advocate at the very least getting seats half an hour earlier than the present begins, particularly if you’d like the entrance row.
The very best factor about this present is that all the pieces is lit up.
It’s mesmerizing watching all the brilliant and colourful floats go previous. This parade has plenty of floats, and dancers. It’s about 20 minutes lengthy.
I might advocate the later present, (10:45) as a result of there might be much less individuals, however when you have youthful youngsters or don’t need to keep out late, then do the 8:45 present.
And get a seat the place you’re looking over the Pixar Pier, it’s fairly with the ferris wheel within the background all lit up and Mickey’s beaming face on the Incredicoaster.
Another common reveals are Pixar Buddies Celebration and World of Colour Happiness.
Ideas for visiting Disney California Journey Park
- When Magic Morning hours are on at Disneyland, go to DCA. And when DCA is doing Magic Morning hours, go to the opposite park.
- Do the extra common rides first. Like Guardians of the Galaxy, Radiator Springs Racers, and Toy Story Halfway Mania.
- Put on the correct garments and footwear.
- Get the DisneyLand app to get meals sooner, discover rides and characters, and extra. You possibly can see wait instances for rides on the app and the place your favourite characters are positioned. Mum’s favourite factor on the app was ordering your meals by means of it. This saved lining up and ready for ages. Your meals usually had been prepared inside 5 minutes. Nonetheless, on our final night (Friday) the park was so busy that the wait time to order by means of the app was over an hour and so was the precise line. So we left the park to eat elsewhere.
- For one of the best expertise, time your journey to outdoors peak seasons. Peak visiting seasons are on Holidays similar to Halloween and Christmas, and through Spring Break and the summer time months (June-August).
The place to remain at Disneyland Anaheim: Disneyland Resort
We stayed on the Disneyland® Resort for one night time as friends of the lodge.
We spent the day hanging out on the pool, and occurring all of the water slides. Which was fairly enjoyable. Aside from one half when a child peed in the principle pool. Yummy. not.
The best factor about our lodge room was that on a wall on high of the beds was the Citadel, and when you flick a change, the lights come on and music performs. That half was cool.
It was additionally enjoyable to see characters within the foyer, out the entrance of the lodge, and across the pool space.
We danced with Goofy out the entrance of the lodge, and enjoying with youngsters across the pool. We additionally walked across the foyer with chip and dale, and met Minnie at her kitchen.
Staying at a Disneyland Resort Resort generally is a very costly technique to expertise Disneyland. To cut back your Disneyland prices, take into account staying at one other lodge close to Disneyland or in a Disneyland trip dwelling. We rented one which slept 9 individuals and was solely a ten minute stroll from Downtown Disney.
Video: Watch our adventures at Disneyland California Journey Park
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Extra Southern California Journey Ideas
Want extra inspiration for visiting Disneyland Anaheim and the remainder of Southern California? Listed below are another useful guides…
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Are you planning to go to California Journey Park? What’s are you most excited to do there? Tell us within the feedback!