Travel

Disneyland California: Overview for Families

From Teresa Plowright, former About.com Guide

Visitors to Disneyland Resort in California will want to know about the Disneyland Park theme park (the original Disneyland, more often thought of as "The Magic Kingdom") and the newer Disney California Adventure theme park which opened in 2001 and started an extensive makeover in 2007. In addition, three Disneyland resorts and the Downtown Disney area of shops and restaurants are adjacent to the theme parks, in an easily walkable area.

Trip Planning

Photo courtesy of Disneyland Resort.

All Disney theme parks have official websites. But in addition, dedicated fans maintain high-quality "unofficial" websites which are great sources for practical tips and advice.

Overview and Tips

California Adventure, Paradise Pier, Mickey's Fun Ferris Wheel. Photo © Teresa Plowright.

California Adventure, Paradise Pierl. Photo © Teresa Plowright.

About.com's Guide for California Travel provides all the essentials for planning your trip to Disneyland. She also has photos, maps, and more -- Disneyland California.

Visitors' Guide

Sleeping Beauty Castle. Photo courtesy of Disneyland Resort.

Readers can also find FAQ's for beginners, best times to visit, "Tips and Tricks", a dining directory and more from About.com's Guide for Los Angeles Travel.

World of Color, at the Disney California Adventure Theme Park

Photo courtesy of Disneyland Resort.

World of Color is a dazzling attraction and a major step in the $1.3 billion expansion of Disneyland California Adventure. Location is in Paradise Pier, a boardwalk-themed area that has the excellent California Screamin' roller coaster, the fun Toy Story Mania attraction, and Mickey's giant Ferris wheel. World of Color combines 1200 water fountains dancing with color and a 300-foot-wide "water screen" that displays animation projected onto mist (similar to the Fantasmic! show.) This nightly spectacular has fire and music, too.

Best Times to Visit

Pixar Parade in Disney California Adventure. Photo © Teresa Plowright.

Choosing a time to visit a theme park means considering four factors: crowds and weather (- bet you thought of those already); park hours, which vary widely at different times of year; and special events such as parades and fireworks, which likewise vary widely at different times of year.

Tips for Using Fastpass

"Partners" Statue, Walt and Mickey. Photo © Teresa Plowright.

Fastpass -- available to any Disneyland theme park visitor -- is a great way to minimize standing in line for popular attractions.

Disneyland Apps

Mad Tea Party, classic attraction in Fantasyland. Photo © Teresa Plowright.

About.com's Guide for California Travel shares her favorite helpers for the iPhone, such as a Wait Time and Locator app. She includes other mobile web sites too that can be accessed from any web-enabled mobile device.