Did you know that Disneyland California was the first theme park opened by the Walt Disney Company, way back in 1955 and that it was designed by Walt Disney himself?! In fact, it was the only Disney park that he stepped foot in! If you’re a Disney fanatic, you simply have to tick this location off your bucket list.

Our guide to Disneyland Resort in California is perfect for first-time visitors and gives you all the information you need to make the most of your trip, including guides to the parks, where to stay, and a little bit of insider knowledge.

Whether you’ve already booked your trip to California or you’re considering it, we’ll help you to prepare. Read on to find out everything you need to know about one of the happiest places on earth – Disneyland California!

There are some rides you might recognise from the other Disney resorts, including Dumbo the Flying Elephant, “it’s a small world”, and Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway. There’s also the famous daily Magic Happens Parade, which sees Disney Characters taking to colourful floats through Disneyland Park. You’ll have the opportunity to meet some of the Disney Characters, too, at meet and greets throughout the parks.

Disneyland California is a walkable resort, with Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure Park, and Downtown Disney all close to each other and connected by the Esplanade. If you do decide to stay in an off-site hotel, a lot of these offer a shuttle service to the theme parks and Downtown Disney.

We recommend spending at least three days at Disneyland Resort in California to get the most out of the parks. You could visit for longer to take it at a more relaxed pace.

Disneyland Resort in California features:

• 2 theme parks – Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park
• Downtown Disney – an entertainment complex featuring shops and restaurants
• 3 hotels - Disneyland Hotel, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, and Pixar Place Hotel

Before you jet off to sunny California, you’ll need to do a bit of planning to ensure you have the best holiday ever. Booking your hotel, buying your park tickets, and planning your travel are some of the first things to tick off your to-do list.

Then, it’s time to get the countdown going and get packing!

How to get to Disneyland California

From the UK, you’ll need to fly to California. Where you’re travelling in the US will determine the airport that you fly into. If you’re just visiting Disneyland Resort in California, then Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is probably the most convenient. There are direct flights to here from major UK airports, including Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, and Manchester.

Once you’re in California, there are several ways to get to Disneyland California:

Disneyland California hotels

Next up on our list is one of the most important elements when booking any holiday – your accommodation. At Disneyland Resort in California, you can choose from staying at one of the on-site Disney hotels, off-site hotels, or accommodation rentals.

Staying at one of the Disney hotels gives you some fantastic benefits, including early entrance to the parks¹. However, these hotels tend to be more expensive when compared to off-site hotels. Some of the off-site hotels in the area are also a shorter walking distance to the theme parks.

There are three Disney hotels to choose from at Disneyland California:

Disneyland California tickets

To save time and money, we recommend buying your Disneyland California tickets before your holiday. Buying in advance means you don’t need to go to the ticket office at the park to pick them up, and you’ll get the best deals.

You can choose from a Hopper ticket, which allows you to go between the two parks as you like, or a one park per day ticket, where you can just visit one park on each day.

At AttractionTickets.com, we offer 10 options for Disneyland California tickets:

What to pack for your Disney holiday

The next thing on the list once the hotel and park tickets are sorted: packing! Here are some of the things that we recommend you bring with you to Disneyland Resort in California:

• Shorts and t-shirts
• Sun cream
• Sunhat or cap
• Trainers, closed sandals, or good walking shoes
• Umbrella, waterproof coat, or poncho
• Reusable water bottle
• Solar power bank

Top tip: Pack lightly if you’re planning to do a lot of shopping once you get to Disneyland California. Leave some space in your suitcase, or maybe even bring a separate empty case with you! There’s lots of Disney merchandise for collectors here!

This section of our guide will give you an idea of what to expect when you arrive in California and some top tips for making the most of your trip to Disneyland.

Disneyland California dining

Disneyland Resort in California has some incredible dining options across Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure, Downtown Disney, and the hotels. There’s something to suit every taste, from snacks such as corn dogs to fine dining.

Dining is split into three categories at the resort:

Fantasmic! Dining Packages

Fantasmic! Dining Packages are a great way to enjoy a delicious dinner while you watch Fantasmic!, an incredible night-time show starring the main attraction himself, Mickey Mouse! With dazzling special effects, live performers, and amazing pyrotechnics, this show is not to be missed.

Restaurants offering Fantasmic! Dining Packages:

• Café Orleans
• River Belle Terrace
• Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante

Top Disneyland tips for first-time visitors

• Breeze through the security line: only bring with you what you’ll need for the day, and bring a bag with minimal zips and compartments to make the security experience as quick as possible
• Arrive early: one of our top tips for every Disney park across the world! The shortest wait times are in the morning, so the earlier you get there, the more you’ll be able to experience
• Use Rider Switch: If you have younger children that can’t or don’t want to ride, you can take turns riding without having to queue up again

If you’re ready to start planning your dream trip, get your Disneyland California tickets today and get ready to enjoy the magic.

_{¹Valid park admission is required in addition to your hotel booking. Early park admission is always subject to availability}