Disneyland Park, California - Travel Guide and Recommendations for Rides

A visit to the Disneyland Park in California is a Dream come true for me and my inner child. A visit which brought the curiosity and ecstasy of my inner ME and it was the most needed visit at the right time to free up my mind. I can’t thank enough my friends who made this trip possible. I truly deserved such freaking party amidst all chaos, twists and turns life offered me. It was a one day trip and I should say it’s not enough to enjoy the thrill and beauty of the park. I highly recommend two days visit if you would like to enjoy every ride the park offers and visit leisurely. But then, we were on a stringent schedule, hence planned only a weekend in Los Angeles and we had two great landmarks to visit in our schedule – Disney Land Park and Universal Studios.

After such exhilarating experience, here I am to share my experience of my visit to the Disney Land Park and I assure you it won’t be another ordinary travelogue with the information about rides and present you another guide map, here.

Read about the first part of the Travel guide here

These recommendations are my personal opinion and we visited most of the rides unique to the park. And you can disagree with me here because I know personal opinion and interests differ

Karthi’s 1 Day visit Disney Land Park – Order of visit

Adventure Land
New Orleans
Frontier Land
Fantasy Land
Tomorrow Land
Mickie’s Toon Town

Adventure Land

Jungle Cruise (4/5) – A 7-minute lively journey in a boat to discover nature and world’s most exotic locales. The journey features – The Mekong River, The Nile River, The African Congo and The Amazon in South America. Watch out for the locales, wild animal creatures and witness their culture. And watch for your skipper’s jokes.
Indiana Jones Architecture (5/5) – Adventurous ride where you take the help of Indy to escape from the supernatural pull of the gates of doom, which is beyond your imagination. Encounter a venomous snake on your journey in the temple of Forbidden Eye. And there is only one to save you – Indiana Jones
- Not recommended if you are afraid of darkness and not for kids who are scared of wild sounds, sudden drops, and darkness
The above mentioned two spots are the rides available in the Adventure Land. The other attractions are walkthrough attractions
- Enchanted Tikki Room – Witness the technology – Audio-animatronics and watch out for the macaws singing classic medley of songs inside the Tiki Room
- Tarzan’s Treehouse – Climb up the tree and visit Tarzan’s house

New Orleans Square

Pirates of the Caribbean (5/5) – My favorite and not to be missed if you love Pirates and their stories. Watch out for the Pirates Grotto, Town Square, Battle Field, Burning City and the Dungeon while singing their anthem. I personally loved the battlefield and it’s beyond words. One has to experience to visualize it.
Haunted Mansion (4/5) – Transports to the world of ghosts and spirits through a gloomy doomed buggy. Witness the Ghost world and I am sure it will send chills down your spine
The other attraction in this land is Disney Rail Road. Use Rail Road for your commute between different lands

Critter Country

Splash Mountain (NV) – I really wanted to experience this water-based ride but unfortunately, the ride is closed for maintenance
Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes (NV) – Again, the ride is closed for maintenance on our day of visit due to strong winds. These Canoes are real 35- foot long canoes and powered by Paddles
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (NV) – Travel in an over-sized beehive and enjoy the stories of Winnie the Pooh

Frontier Land

The land comprises on many rides and believe me, most of the rides are similar which sails along the Rivers of America
Mark Twain Riverboat (3/5) – Sail along the Rivers of America in the 19^th century inspired Mark Twain River Boat. Witness the Tom Sawyer Island, mountain lions, scenic waterfalls and Native American Village
Sailing Ship Columbia (3/5) – The ride is similar to the Mark Twain Riverboat and it sails along the Rivers of America
Mark Twain Riverboat and Sailing Ship Columbia are similar rides. It’s just the boats are different. Choose any one of the rides in order to save time. You will visit the banks in a 19^th century inspired Mark Twain boat in the former whereas you will ride in an 18^th century inspired Columbia ship in the latter
Big Thunder Mountain Rail Road (3/5) – Adventurous rides where you will travel through the mountains, experience thunders, and sudden twists. I highly recommend not spending time for this ride if you have already visited multiple theme parks. And such rides can be experienced in every adventure theme parks
Pirates Lair on Tom Sawyer’s Land (3/5) – Sail in a log raft to the Tom Sawyer’s Island and explore the Island. This is a walkthrough attraction and you will visit Dead Man’s Grotto, Smuggler’s Cove and castle rock
I didn’t visit Frontier Land Shooting Exposition, Fantasmic, and The Golden Horseshoe Stage

Fantasy Land

It’s a Small World (5/5) – Never, Never Miss out this! The Happiest Ship that ever sailed across the 7 continents! Watch out the culture differences of the seven continents and end your journey with the famous characters. I am awestruck with the detailing in the design of the rides. The vibrant colors and the peppy song will bring joy and you will never want to end the ride. But, then, it’s a small world after all!
Peter Pan’s Flight (4/5) – A fantasy land classic where guests are taken in flying ships above the streets of London and Nether Lands. I really enjoyed the ride but the wait is longer. The normal wait time for the ride is an hour which made me restless and I have to give 4 for it. If you visit Fantasy Land in the morning, then this is the first ride one should take.
Matterhorn Bobsleds (4/5) – Spine chilling thrilling ride on a spline that sleds on snow-capped Switzerland’s Famous Mountain – Matterhorn. Again, skip this ride as it is similar to the roller coasters in every adventurous theme park.
Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride (4/5) – A one-of-a-kind drive. Drive in a motorcar madly through the countryside and just believe your driver, Mr. Toad, you will get out safely.
Alice in the Wonderland (4/5) – Travel in an oversized caterpillar and explore the wondrous animated Wonderland of Alice. Travel down the tunnels, escape from the dreaded Queen of hearts and attend the birthday party at the end.
Snow White’s Scary Adventures’ (4/5) – Travel in a mine craft into the dark haunted forest and witness the seven dwarfs save their queen and YOU!
Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough (4/5) – A walk through attraction where you walk along the path of a beautiful castle which narrates the story of sleeping beauty and don’t miss the 3D actions displayed through the window.
Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique (2/5) – Turn your kids into royal Princess
King Arthur Carrousel (NV) – We didn’t take the carousel as it can be enjoyed in every theme park.
Mad Tea Party (2/5) – Ride where you will sit inside the teacups and move zig zag according to the music. We didn’t take this ride as it can be enjoyed in a normal adventurous theme park
Pinocchio’s Daring Journey (NV)
Theatres – Royal Hall, Royal Theatre and Fantasy Land Theatres. Watch out for live shows
Not working – Casey Jr.Circus Train, Dumbo the wild elephant and the Storybook Land Canal Boat

Tomorrow Land

Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage (5/5) – Embark on the submarine expedition; Follow Marlin and Dory to find Nemo and his friends. I loved it and the visual representation of the underwater world is just beyond imagination and words. I highly recommend this voyage and if you have seen the movie, then you will enjoy it to bits.
Space Mountain (4.5/5) – Blast off on the high speeding rocket through space and travel beyond the galaxy; View the futuristic world and space stations
Disney Land Monorail (4/5) – Take a ride in the high speed “green” train at Tomorrow Land or at Disney Downtown District and enjoy the 2.5-mile journey with the beautiful vistas.
Autopia (3/5) – Similar to Go Karting which you can do in any adventure/theme park.
Star Wars Launch Bay (3.5/5) – If you are a fan of Star Wars, then experience behind the scenes of Star Wars, film properties, and videos.
Star Tours – The Adventures Continue (4.5/5) – Take a ride to the hyperspace in the 3D motion simulated flight.
Astro Orbitor (NV) – Adventure ride designed in a way that you sit in a helicopter and it goes up and down at a high speed.
Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters (NV) – Exciting ride into the space based on the film series – Toy Story
Theatres – Tomorrow Land Theatre – where live shows of Star Wars are performed
Disney Railroad (4/5) – Ride the railroad while enjoying the breathtaking views of the Present and the Past – The Grand Canyon and The Land of Dinosaurs.

Mickie Toon Town

Chip ‘n Dale Treehouse (NV) – A Walk through attraction
Donald’s Boat (NV) – A walk through attraction and play area for Kids
Goofy’s Playhouse (NV) – A walk through attraction and family attraction
Mickey’s house and Meet Mickey (3.5/5) – A walk through attraction and meet Mickey
Minnie’s house (3.5/5) – A walk through attraction and meet Minnie
Gadget’s Go Coaster (3.8/5) – A usual roller coaster ride for Kids
Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin (4/5) – Hop on a toon cab and embark on a journey of the Toon town

These are my personal opinions and I skipped most of the roller coasters/other rides which I can enjoy in any adventure parks. Yes, we do have a theme park – Kennywood in Burgh and Cedar point is close by. We planned to cover every unique ride of the Disney and we did cover most of them except one or two.

The plan was simple to enjoy unique rides in Disney which provide one-of-a –experience- kind and highlights of the Disney land like Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, Finding Nemo, Pirates etc.

Now, that wraps up the post about my experiences and recommendations for the Disney Land Park in California and wait for the post about The Universal Studios!