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10 years of Shanghai Disneyland: You don't want to miss this!
Discover Shanghai Disneyland and its 10th anniversary, from shows to merchandise!
As a true Disney fan, I've been dreaming of it for years: the original Disneyland Anaheim in the United States visit. During our road trip through the American West Coast, we will, of course, stop in Anaheim, California, for an extended visit to Disneyland Resort Anaheim. We will spend two full days immersed in the magic of Walt Disney's very first park, Disneyland Park, as well as the adjacent Disney California Adventure Park. In this report you will read all about my experience during my visit to Disneyland Anaheim, just an hour's drive from Los Angeles.
Today is the day we Disneyland Anaheim go visit! As soon as we walk up Main Street U.S.A., I feel it immediately: there is a different kind of magic here. Everything oozes history, from the classic facades to the upbeat music floating down the street. It almost feels like Walt Disney could walk around the corner at any moment. And somewhere that is true: this is the only Disney park that he himself opened and attended regularly.
We start with breakfast at the atmospheric Carnation Cafe, a popular restaurant on Main Street. Here they serve classic American dishes, favorites of Walt Disney and Disney waffles in the shape of Mickey. I ate a Mickey waffle myself. Now we are really ready for the day!
With a full stomach, we plunge into the first attractions, some classics. In Frontierland, we jump into the mine carts of Big Thunder Mountain, and continue our way to another iconic attraction: Pirates of the Caribbean. Did you know that this was the last attraction Walt Disney personally participated in before his death? Surely that made this ride extra special.
The last attraction for the morning is Haunted Mansion, which has a very different look here in Anaheim than in Walt Disney World. The exterior is inspired by an elegant southern mansion, a style that fits perfectly with the original character of this park. In between, it's also time for a snack, because yes: when you're at Disneyland Anaheim you have to enjoy the food too! My choice? A delicious Mickey Pretzel.
Want to know more about the differences between Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort? Then read all about Disneyland Anaheim.
In the afternoon, too, we stayed right in the Disney flow and of course that included even more snacks. I could not resist the Mickey beignets in New Orleans Square: airy, warm, with a thick layer of powdered sugar (and yes, it was everywhere). For lunch, by the way, there are plenty of fine spots, too. For example, you can enjoy them at Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe, of the famous grilled cheese with tomato soup. But secretly the Dole Whip and corn dog from the Little Red Wagon also beckoned.
After recharging, it was time to dive into Fantasyland. Everything here feels classic and lovingly handcrafted. We took a ride on the Matterhorn Bobsleds, a unique attraction found only in Anaheim. Did you know that this was the world's very first roller coaster with a steel track AND that it was inspired by the movie ‘Third Man on the Mountain’ produced by Walt Disney himself?
After this, we went from the classic attractions to a whole new futuristic area. Our next destination was Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, which you'll also find in Walt Disney World. As soon as you enter you step right into the movies, everything is built so realistically. In this area you will also find Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. This attraction must be done! It is quite an experience, from the beginning to the end. Even if you have less with these movies, it is definitely recommended.
As the sun slowly sets over the park, everything feels that little bit more magical. We end our evening with a ride on the iconic Jungle Cruise, an attraction that has been there since opening day in 1955. Did you know that Walt Disney originally wanted real animals in this attraction, until a biologist explained to him that they mostly sleep during the day? Now it is the jokes, not the animals, that make Jungle Cruise so legendary!
After the ride, we'll join Cafe Orleans in New Orleans Square. The setting is cozy, the view of the river beautiful and the food is delicious. The monte cristo sandwich here is also a crowd favorite!
And then: the highlight of the evening. We find a good spot by the water for the evening show Fantasmic!, an absolute must-see. This spectacular show takes place on the Rivers of America. Here you will experience a show full of Disney characters, water and projections. When you think you've had it all, a pirate ship literally sails by! Magical, surprising and a perfect ending to an unforgettable day at Disneyland Anaheim.
After such a magical first day at Disneyland Park, it's time for something completely different: Disney California Adventure Park. Where Disneyland feels classic, cozy and nostalgic, this park is tougher, more modern and slightly more adventurous. Think Pixar, Marvel, California-vibes as well as a lot of adrenaline. And yet: everything is still 100% Disney.
We hesitate for a moment ... do we start at the futuristic Avengers Campus or go straight to the sun-drenched Pixar Pier? The lure of superheroes wins. We walk full of energy toward the imposing tower of Guardians of the Galaxy - Mission: Breakout! This attraction is the Marvel version of the old Tower of Terror and lives up to its name. This attraction has no less than 6 different storylines. This makes it extra fun to go multiple times!
After this, we walk toward Pixar Pier, a colorful and playful waterfront promenade. There you will find one of my favorites: the Incredicoaster. This roller coaster is not only fast (one of the fastest in all American Disney parks!), but also wonderfully themed with scenes from The Incredibles. This themed area can only be found in this park, so this roller coaster can already be off my bucket list!
After all that violence, it's time for a road trip, in a race car that is. Radiator Springs Racers is without a doubt one of the park's finest attractions. You drive through the beautiful landscape of Cars Land, meet Lightning McQueen and end up in a real race! Did you know that this was the most expensive attraction Disney ever built until the opening of Rise of the Resistance? And it shows, because all the details are impressive!
After all the action in the morning, it's time for some rest and, of course, some food! We have lunch at the Lamplight Lounge, an atmospheric waterfront restaurant at Pixar Pier. The view alone is fantastic, but the interior is also full of subtle references to Pixar movies. The food is surprisingly good: creative dishes, cocktails and really a quiet moment in the park. (Tip: reservations are recommended, as this is a popular spot!)
After lunch, we hiked on to Grizzly Peak. The most ‘natural’ area of the park. Here it feels like you are suddenly walking in the middle of a national park, complete with pine trees, wooden bridges and waterfalls. A wonderful place to catch your breath or get wet if you dare to take on the rafting attraction Grizzly River Run. In fact, most of the people we saw came out soaked!
What makes the afternoon extra special are also the unique encounters with Disney characters that you can only find in Disney California. In Carsland, we were lucky enough to meet Takel, and in Avengers Campus something truly spectacular happens: Spider-Man flies (literally!) through the air during an acrobatic stunt show! This is a hyper realistic robot launched meters high through the air. Very cool to see in real life!
By evening we still had energy left for a few final favorites. First, Soarin’ Over California, this one was high on my list! What a wonderful, soothing experience. Soaring over orange fields, the coastline, national parks and even Disneyland itself ... a goosebump moment!
Afterwards, we still went wild at Toy Story Midway Mania, where I fanatically tried to win. Before ending the day, we couldn't resist picking up a few more souvenirs. You know how it is: suddenly you have to have that one mug, pin or Minnie ears. And honestly? The merchandise is all too nice not to buy.
To end the day, we gather at the waterfront for the spectacular evening show World of Color. As soon as darkness falls, the show erupts in an explosion of lights, music, fire and more than 1,200 dancing fountains. Projected scenes from famous Disney and Pixar films appear on the water, accompanied by an impressive soundtrack. It's not a standard fireworks show, but an experience I wouldn't have wanted to miss!
After two full days at Disneyland Anaheim, I can only say one thing: this was SO much more than a theme park visit. The original Disneyland exudes history and charm, while Disney California Adventure surprises with a totally different ambiance. Together, for me, they are the perfect combination of nostalgia, adrenaline and magic.
Whether you've been to a Disney park before or this will be your first time, this resort feels special. Small enough to be manageable, big enough to fully immerse you. I really felt everywhere that this is where it all began. Should you visit the theme parks in California you really can't skip this one!
Whether you dream of a road trip down the American west coast or come especially for Disneyland Anaheim, at Florivida you've come to the right place. As Disney specialists, we know exactly how to make your trip unforgettable!
Whether you prefer to travel with your own chosen party or join us on a group tour, we make sure everything is right. From the best tickets and hotels to extra park days, transfers or the perfect combination with Universal Studios. Your only job is to enjoy! Check out our travel or schedule an appointment in with us!
Discover Shanghai Disneyland and its 10th anniversary, from shows to merchandise!
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