Disney’s magic is unlike anything else. Here’s what you don’t want to miss!
1. You can step into your favourite Pixar movie.
Pixar Pier at Disney California Adventure Park is a whimsical boardwalk packed with rides and attractions. You’ll spot characters and cheeky references to your favourite movies like A Bug’s Life and Wall-E. Just opened in 2018, it features four Pixar-themed “neighbourhoods”: a Toy Story-inspired neighbourhood, an Inside Out hub, an Incredibles area (complete with a reimagined roller coaster, the hilariously named Incredicoaster) and a fourth space devoted to smaller, much-loved Pixar stories. Plan your route by taking in the whole thing from the Pal-A-Round, a leisurely ferris wheel that gives riders panoramic views of the park.
2. Brunch with your favourite Disney friends.
Grab a tiara and break out your best princess dress…you may just meet one! Disneyland offers heaps of chances to greet your favourite characters and one of our favourites is over a meal. It’s a fantastic way to meet a whole group of characters without any queues or hunts through the park for a favourite. You could make friends with Minnie Mouse, Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Fairy Godmother, Captain Hook, Rafiki and special guests who hop by since they’re in the park. You could even get a rare treat like Piglet or Pinocchio! And whatever you do, don’t miss the Mickey-shaped waffles!
3. Live out your Star Wars adventure.
Disneyland Park is getting raves for its newly unveiled Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge*, a whole new part of the park. It’s hard to believe what fans will get to do! Fly the Millennium Falcon on a thrilling interactive smuggling mission in a crazily realistic simulator, says House of Travel’s Bridget Fogarty. Then join the Resistance in a massive battle against the First Order in the soon-to-be-opened Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. To really claim your fandom, build your own custom light saber at a clandestine shop in grand Force tradition (Don’t worry - it’s TSA approved!). And for the fan that has it all: Design, assemble and activate the customised Droid you’ve always wanted. Good luck explaining THAT on your immigration form.
* These experiences are incredibly popular and subject to capacity. We recommend going early for your best chance of a place.
4. The classics are always getting a revamp.
For as much as pint-sized Disney fans adore the newest Disney/Pixar characters, a touch of nostalgia never goes amiss. Those of us who grew up in the golden age of Disney won’t want to miss Alice in Wonderland: You’ll be led down a rabbit hole and into the wonderfully weird world of Alice. There’s also Snow White’s Scary Adventures, Peter Pan’s Flight and Pinocchio’s Daring Journey. And we couldn’t let you go to Disneyland without recommending the classic Haunted Mansion. First opened in 1969, it’s a genuine golden oldie. Home to 999 epic haunts, you’ll be just as jumpy as its first visitors.
5. The Rider Switch Service is incredible.
Disneyland’s Rider Switch Service allows you to tag team the ride with another caregiver. So if one of the kids doesn’t meet a height requirement, or just isn’t up to the ride, one adult can wait with the wee one while the rest of the group tackles the attraction. When the first group returns, swap spots so the waiting adult can experience the ride right away – no returning to the end of the queue! Even Up!’s Carl Fredrickson would admire that genius!
6. FASTPASS and MaxPass make everything easy.
Less time waiting in line means more rides and more fun! Disneyland Resort is BIG. DisneyFASTPASSService is the easiest way to experience as much of the magic as you can cram in before the clock strikes midnight. To use, look out for the FASTPASS sites near the entrances of selected attractions (at both parks). The best part? It’s FREE with all tickets. Or to really simplify, ask your consultant about MaxPass. Using MaxPass, you don’t need to physically check in at a ride until it’s your turn: Just put yourself in the virtual queue on the Disneyland app. The what? Glad you asked...
7. There’s an app which makes things even easier.
Download the Disneyland app and easily check wait times, make dinner reservations, review PhotoPass Photos, use MaxPass, check menus and place orders, locate your favourite characters and find what you’re looking for quickly with GPS-enabled maps. With free WiFi at hotspots throughout the parks, it’s easy to connect for whatever you need!
8. Guardians of the Galaxy is your must-see attraction.
Anyone who’s seen the movie can’t miss the attraction: Guardians of the Galaxy - Mission: BREAKOUT! Located in Disney California Adventure Park shouts out many of the characters from the movie in a ride that’ll really push your limits. Not for the weak-kneed, it’s full of huge drops and pitch darkness. The real difference (and the reason why Disney excels with theme park rides) is in the detail. Although you’’ start with a quick zip up, there are six different randomised adventures on the ride. That means it’s likely to be different every time you try it. Our favourite part? Listen out for the classic rock songs which are as much part of the ride as the free-fall drops. Tune in and hold onto your ice cream, thrill-seekers!
9. The fun doesn't stop at night!
No way. Not at Disneyland Resort. Even when the sun sets and the rides close, the entire park is pulsing with magic. Watch unforgettable scenes from Disney and Disney-Pixar films stream across a massive water screen in Disney California Adventure Parks’ World of Colour. Grab an ice cream and take in the brilliant lights and iconic music on an unforgettable wander through the park. Plus, at Disneyland Park, join Mickey Mouse as he dreams up heroic adventures and battles diabolical villains in the night-time spectacular Fantasmic! And if blue milk isn’t quite the drink you’re after, don’t miss the outta this galaxy cocktails at the new Oga’s Cantina in Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge*, where you can toast your skills on the Millennium Falcon – or pop a cork to your patience on the Mad Tea Party.
* These experiences are incredibly popular and subject to capacity. We recommend going early for your best chance of a place.
