Disneyland Fun Facts and Secrets

Here is a link to our best Tips and Tricks for getting around Disneyland on a crowded day, Disneyland discount tickets, Fast Passes and ticket packages. This free download also includes fun facts and trivia about Disneyland you may want to share. Enjoy!

Free Download - Anaheim Visitors Guide to Disneyland and California Adventure- PDF

If your looking for a Map of Disneyland go to the Anaheim Visitors Guide.

New Rides Coming to California Adventure Starting in 2010

Here are some rendering of the new rides, attractions and entrance plaza under construction at California Adventure. The rides and attractions are scheduled to open between 2010 and 2012. The new attractions include Pixar Cars Land, The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Adventure, Micky's Silly Symphony Swings and new upscale restaurants (no more hamburgers). The main attraction is the World of Color water and animation show. The World of Color viewing area model and the renderings of how the water show will look are on display in the Blue Sky Cellar in California Adventure. You can also watch a great video of how things are developing.

Southern California CityPass = Discount Disney Tickets

The Southern California CityPass is a collection of thrilling theme parks, priced nearly 30% below regular admissions, and valid for 14 days from first use. Included are a 3-Day Park Hopper to Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure, and one-day admission to Universal Studios Hollywood, SeaWorld San Diego, and a choice of either the San Diego Zoo or San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park.

Click Here for Discount Disneyland Ticket Book


All CityPass products are available at citypass.com. Booklets may be shipped direct to home or office addresses. Enjoy best value with advance purchase of an e-ticket online, saving shipping fees. And, of course, CityPass can be purchased at each city’s participating attractions.

The Best Beaches Near Anaheim CA

Here is our map of the best beaches you will want to visit after your Disney Vacation. We recommend going to the beach after Disneyland in case you get sun burned, and you will... everyone does.

So click on the link to see our recommendations for OC's and San Diego's best Beaches.

>>>CLICK HERE FOR THE BEACH MAP<<<

From San Diego Vacation

10 Hands-on Activities Kids Will Love

Here is a list of some of the favorite activities kids love to do at Disneyland.

1. Disney's Animation Academy: Located in California Adventure you and your kids can learn to draw Disney Characters in a studios setting. This is something they can do over and over with a different character each time. Younger kids (6 and under) may have a harder time keeping up.

2. Jedi Training Academy: Kids are trained as Jedi. Very popular you may need to arrive early to be apart of the show.

3. Canoes: during the summer the canoes around Tom Sawyer Island are open. This takes about 15 minutes to paddle around the lake. Kids 5 and under will wear a life jacket.

4. Innoventions: There are lots of hands on activities (computer games) that kids can play for free.

5. Celebrate A Street Party: During this parade kids are invited to be apart of the action. Kids love dancing and when the confetti canons go off they love catching and picking up the little Mickey's. This runs twice a day so check show times.

6. Toon Town: Lots of hands-on things down on the east end by the Rodger Rabbit ride. Also there is the boat next to Gagets go coaster that kids can explore

7. Playhouse Disney: Everyone sits on the floor but during the show kids can get up and dance around. Good fun for kids 6 and under.

8. Turtle Talk with Crush: Kids sit on the floor and Crush asks them questions. Very entertaining for kids and parents.

9. Redwood Creek Challenge Trail: Lots to do and explore in this playground across from Bear Rapids in California Adventure

10. S.S. Rustworthy: There are enough Water cannons, Bell-ringing, Lever-pulling and Wheel-turning activities to ensure that your child has a fun time.

Night Time Summer Shows

Disneyland has new night time summer shows that are amazing. Here are some tips to help you decide which ones to see and when.

1. Magical - the new fireworks show over Cinderella's Castle. There is only one show each night a 9:25. If your visiting for two days you may want to see this one first then head over to Fantasmic the next night.

2. Fantasmic - There are two shows each night (3 if the park is really crowded). You may be able to see the first Fantasmic show and then head over to "Magical", but don't count on getting a good spot. Overall Fantasmic is the best of the three shows. Lots of action, fire and fireworks.

3. Electrical Parade - This take place at California Adventure at around 8:45 (later if the park is crowded) You can see the Magical fireworks really well from Paradise Pier and by over by Mickey's Funwheel.

Many people save their spot with a blanket for 2-3 hours before the shows starts. You need to get there early but not 2 hours early in order to watch, only to get a seat.

Best Sit Down Shows at Disneyland

Let's face it after a few hour of walking around at Disneyland your ready to sit down in a cool place and relax. Here is a list of some of the best sit down shows where you can take a break for 15 to 30 minutes. Starting with most entertaining and popular.

Disneyland
1. Golden Horseshoe Saloon - Billy Hill and the Hillbillies (check show times to make sure you see this show and not one of the others.)
2. Jedi Training Academy (kids get to fight Darth Vader outside in the Tomorrowland Terrace)
3. Innoventions ASIMO demonstration
4. Mark Twain River Boat (not a show but you get to sit down)
5. Honey, I Shrunk the Audience (3D show)
6. Enchanted Tiki Room

California Adventure
1. Aladdin Show (check schedule online)
2. Disney's Animation Studios
A. Turtle Talk with Crush (very funny)
B. Animation Academy (Kids and Adults love drawing Disney characters)
3. Muppet Vision 3D
4. Bug's Life 3D show

How to Survive a Crowded Day at Disneyland

I just spent two of the most crowded days at Disneyland and California Adventure. The reason is that June 15-16 were the last days of summer where the many Annual Pass holder could go and California schools were all out for the summer. On the 15th they stopped letting people in at 5 p.m. but opened up again once the crowds died down.

Regardless we still had a fun day and this is how we did it.

WE ARRIVED EARLY. Arriving early is the only way to get on tons of rides before the crowds arrive. We were able to get on 14 rides in the first 7 hours from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. because we started by collecting Fast Passes quickly before they ran out. We had one person take the tickets to the fast pass machine while we waited in line for our first ride. If your staying in a hotel near Disneyland this is sure fired way to get in early.

Here are our suggestions:
Make sure you get Fast Passes for these 3 rides in this order. 1. Space Mountain. You can ride this anytime after your fast past return time and you can get your next one 1.5 hours later. 2. Splash Mountain - you want to ride early in the day in case you get wet. Don't get this first or you will have to wait 2 hours for your next Fast Pass. I always ask to ride in the back and never get soaked. 3. Indiana Jones, should be your third Fast Pass but watch the clock as these run out fast.

Some people start by going over to California Adventure and getting a Fast Pass for Soarin' over California or Bear Rapids since they are close to the entrance. Then they head over to Disneyland. Since the Fast Passes in both parks are not connected this works well if your Hoppin. In between Fast Pass rides you can get in line for The Matterhorn and other rides.

The three rides you need to go in California Adventure are. 1. Tower of Terror - this is one of the top 3 rides. 2. California Screamin' - a very fast looping roller coaster with 48" height restriction because of the loop. 3. Soarin' Over California. If you pick a 4th ride it should be Bear Rapids but make sure you want to get wet or bring a poncho. These are the main rides at CA all the others are fillers.

Once you have your fast passes you will have some down time while you wait. This is a good time to go back over to California Adventure and use your first Fast Pass. It's probably the early afternoon by now and the hot part of the day so this is when you rest up and see some shows and plan on which night time shows you want to see and when. On crowded days make sure you get your hand stamped if your Hopping between parks, even if you have an Annual Pass.

If you plan ahead you can avoid waiting in long lines or even worse getting locked out. If your going 2 or more days the second day you will be tired so you may not be able to get there as early, unless your staying in a hotel. I've even seen people use Fast Passes from the day before, by holding their thumb over the date and using them at night. ;) And don't forget to ask for a stroller pass if you have a child in a stroller, even if they are tall enough to go on the ride. there are some rides that have Single Rider Lines, Indiana Jones, Screamin', Toy Story Mania. These let you get right on in most cases and often you end up riding with someone from your group.

A Kids Day at Disneyland

I recently went to Disneyland and California Adventure with a 5 year old. It was one of the best trips I have taken. We decided to let her pick the agenda so here is how it went. After this trip I realized that the best part about going to Disneyland is going with a child and watching their shear enjoyment.

Started at California Adventure
1. Monsters Inc.
2. Bugs Life Show
3. Playhouse Disney
4. High School Musical 3 Parade

5. Tower of Terror (this one was my idea, she closed her eyes the whole time)

Moved on over to Disneyland
1. Cinderella's Castle
2. King Arthur's Carousel
3. Dumbo
4. Pixie Hollow
5. Splash Mountain
6. Winnie Pooh Ride7. Train Ride
8. Pirates of the Caribbean (again this one was my idea)
9. Main Street Theater followed by a "Apple Pie" caramel apple

By the end of the day she wanted to keep going but we were worn out.

Top 10 Kid Friendly Attractions at Disneyland

Here is our list of the top 10 attractions in both Disneyland and California Adventure that are kid friendly. (see our list of NOT kid friendly attractions at the bottom)

1. Fantasyland - pretty much all of the rides in Fatasyland are kid friendly. Snow White can be a bit scary at times during the ride. Dumbo and Peter Pan are the most popular. The castle has been re-done to add more special affects.

2. Tiki Room - Kids love anything with music. Young kids think the bird are real and that it's really raining.

3. Aladdin Show - In the Hyperion Theater in CA the Aladin show is very funny and kid friendly

4. Crush the Turtle - Located in the Animation building in the Hollywood section of California Adventure, kids love interacting with Crush the Turtle in real time. This is always funny and fun for kids and adults too.

5. Small World - Since it has been updated it's a lot of fun to see in you can find the new characters in each section.

6. Toy Story Mania - this is easy for kids of all ages to play. The line is usually 45 minutes or more so be prepared to wait.

7. Buzz Lightyear Astro Blaster - its fun but it's hard for younger kids to hit the targets with the laser to gain points. Never the less it's just a great ride.

8. Autopia - kids love to drive. They may not be able to reach the peddle but they can steer.

9. Nemo's Submarine Voyage - this is the new submarine ride with very cool special effects inside and outside the sub.

10. Monsters Inc. - this ride is fun for all ages. Takes you on a taxi ride through Monstropolis. At the end Roz ask questions of a personal nature, which an interactive element.

Young children usually find the following attractions a bit scary. Our recommendation is that if you want your child to enjoy the day don't start off with one these attractions, build them up to it or go on them last. If you take them on an easy roller coaster such as Chip and Dale, then Thunder Mountain, then they may be ready for Space Mountain or the Matterhorn later in the day.

Young kids usually 6 and under may NOT like these rides as they have scary elements.
Indiana Jones - fire and snakes
Haunted Mansion - ghosts
Space Mountain - flashing lights and darkness
Splash Mountain - big drop
Matterhorn - abominable snowmen
Pirates of the Caribbean - dark drops and scary skeletons ( I have seen young kids hold on to the corral chains at the entrance Screaming No No No! while parents try to pull them onto the ride.)