If you’ve ever stopped to watch the fireworks or a nighttime parade, you know how stunning Main Street USA looks after sunset. But I personally like Main Street best after the shows, when the crowds start fading and you’re surrounded by dazzling marquees. (If you’ve never done it – I highly recommend an Omnibus ride […] Read more…
Long before the days of Disneyland, when Walt first began his career as an animator, he met a woman named Lillian Bounds. Walt and Lillian married in 1925, and together, the Disneys built an empire. While Walt was the creative force behind the animation studio, and later the theme park, Lillian was his unwavering support […] Read more…
When the sun sets in Disneyland, the park’s atmosphere completely changes. Most lands glow by lamplight, and landmarks and buildings sometimes overlooked during the daytime get their moment in the spotlight. In Frontierland, Big Thunder Mountain and the Golden Horseshoe light up the town square. The waterfront quiets down, making Frontierland feel like the quieter, […] Read more…
I know I’ve said this before, but I love hanging out in Critter Country. This little land tucked by the Rivers of America makes the perfect place to eat, explore, or just relax under strung lights. Once the sun goes down, crowds lighten up in Critter Country significantly, making the space all the more peaceful. […] Read more…
In California Adventure, Grizzly Peak offers an escape from the chaos of the other lands. Despite its thrill rides and massive playground, Grizzly Peak somehow remains peaceful, quiet, and somewhat isolated from the rest of the park. Visitors disappear into a redwood forest, thanks largely to the immersive details throughout the land. Every rock and […] Read more…
In the 50s and early 60s, Walt Disney became one of Disneyland’s most frequent visitors. He loved roaming his park, dreaming up new ideas and seeing the joy in visitors’ faces. Sometimes, this visits came with a bit of fanfare and attention. But other times, he was quietly wandering, hiding largely in plain sight. Note: […] Read more…
If I had to pick a land I typically race through the fastest, it would be Tomorrowland. Between fast passes, quick bites to eat, or Monorail rides, I’m never staying still in Tomorrowland for long. It’s a shame though, because Tomorrowland has so many stunning little details. Each section of the land features beautiful plants, […] Read more…
For a long time, I breezed right through Frontierland on my way to Big Thunder Mountain. But over the years, places like Rancho del Zocalo and Tom Sawyer Island drew me in. The island, the riverfront, and the town square that make up Frontierland tell a story of the wild American west. And the magic of […] Read more…
With the news that we’re experiencing A Bug’s Land‘s last season, I’ve been pouring through my photo albums and admiring this special land. No other land at the resort uses such intricate forced perspective from top to bottom. Sure, the attractions don’t have the same draw as neighboring lands, but the appeal here comes from […] Read more…
Main Street USA has an impossible task: this land has to instantaneously transport you into another world, leaving normal life behind. So how does this busy little street pull off such a feat? The little details. Every square inch of Main Street USA carefully works together to create an illusion. Visitors to the street immediately […] Read more…
Legend has it Walt Disney used to stroll around Disneyland in the mornings before park opening (a.k.a his morning constitutional). Those of us fortunate enough to visit Disneyland during a quiet morning know how peaceful and beautiful the park is in the early hours of the day. On the morning before Disneyland opened to the […] Read more…
During the day, Tomorrowland’s color scheme is a bit more subdued than its neighboring lands. But after sunset, the land comes alive in full neon color. The dramatic architecture and lagoon glow from sundown until park close. At night, Tomorrowland’s energy explodes, drawing in visitors from all over the park. Here are just a few […] Read more…
Buena Vista Street is California Adventure’s grand entryway. This land celebrates life in California as Walt first experienced it, upon moving west in the 1920s. The balconies, staircases, and open windows along the street make it feel genuinely homey, as though guests are merely busy residents going about their days. Here are a few of […] Read more…
Is there anything more quintessentially Disneyland than Main Street USA? This beautiful turn-of-the-century town mixes the old and new: horse-drawn carriages, a steam engine railroad, gas street lamps, and specialized projections in the evening. As visitors explore Main Street, they visit a nostalgic place they never knew, but feel like they remember. Here are a […] Read more…