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…
Walt Disney’s lifelong obsession with trains became an integral part of Disneyland’s landscape. In the early years of park operation, Disneyland ran two separate train systems – the Disneyland Railroad and the Viewliner. But Walt’s interest in transportation technology extended beyond trains. Disneyland also boasted a riverboat, smaller boat cruises, canoes, cars, rockets, and an […] Read more…
Even with all of Disneyland’s chaos, Critter Country somehow manages to stay a serene little land. This little forest tucked behind New Orleans Square boasts waterfront views, a confectionary, a mountain, and in between…tons of little details. By Winnie the Pooh, little cottages surround the creek. Near the Hungry Bear, statues and signs invite you […] Read more…
Mickey’s Toontown has the reputation of being a “little kid” land. So many guests completely skip this section of the park, thinking they have nothing to see or do. Which is such a shame! Aside from the land’s exciting Car Toon Spin, this land has some beautiful spaces to explore. Visit Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald, […] Read more…
There’s something so inspiring about seeing photos of Walt Disney in Disneyland. Though he will always be better known for his movies, Walt’s true passion project was the original Magic Kingdom. In his later life, he devoted virtually all of his creative energy into a magical place where kids and adults could share in magic. […] Read more…
When I think of Hollywood Land in California Adventure, I think of neon lights, palm trees, and glamorous building facades. Basically – it’s all about the details! The sidewalks, window displays, and street signs all pay tribute to the heights of old Hollywood. No matter where you go in Hollywood land, magical little details await. Read more…
When you’re shrinking to the size of a bug, details matter. That’s why no matter where you go in A Bug’s Land, you’re sure to find amazing little features that fully immerse you in the land. From the towering clovers to the plant roots built into walls, every inch of A Bug’s Land helps create […] Read more…
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Disneyland is magical all year long, but there’s just something extra special about the holidays. From Main Street‘s glittering tree to Frontierland‘s rustic garlands – I can’t get enough of the holiday decor. But the cheer extends beyond the decorations – Main Street USA offers hand-pulled candy […] Read more…
In the next few months, Paradise Pier will disappear into the Disneyland history books. This massive 14-acre land will split in half. Some of the space will maintain its turn-of-the-century charm, while the rest will become a Pixar wonderland. Though I think this is actually a very positive change for California Adventure (see my original […] Read more…
When the sun sets at the Disneyland Resort, most visitors start streaming back into Disneyland. It’s a shame, though, because California Adventure does neon lights like nobody else! Paradise Pier was one of my favorite places to spend the evening in California Adventure. The gorgeous glow brought new life to the boardwalk, and of course…World of […] Read more…