Mainstreet USA
This 1900 turn-of-the-century reproduction of a Middle American small town is more than just where guests enter and exit Disneyland. Beginning at The Main Street Station of The Disneyland Railroad and continuing down Main Street with its shops and eateries the attention to detail is amazing. Every aspect of the very real buildings along with their furnishings is accurate for of the period. Guests can either walk down Main Street or catch ride on a horse drawn trolley, as they make their way towards Sleeping Beauty Castle.
Most of Disneyland’s services are located on Main Street.
Included here is a list of those services.
- Disneyland Railroad: Board one of the authentic steam driven old-fashioned trains for the grand-circle tour of the Disneyland Park, with stops at New Orleans Square, Mickey’s Toontown / Fantasyland and Main Street station.
Adventureland
This land with its rhythmic beat of jungle drums and lush tropical landscaping
received a high tech facelift with the introduction of Indiana Jones Adventure.
- Tarzan’s Treehouse: Introduced in 1999 following the release of the Disney
animated film Tarzan it replaced the longstanding Swiss Family Robinson
Treehouse. Here in this immense and detailed multi-leveled home built in a
banyan tree the animated digs of Jane and Tarzan are brought to life. There is
a great deal of walking both up and down over some not so even pathways as
guests move through this walking tour.
- The Enchanted Tiki Room: Not a bad bet on a hot day particularly when you are
in need of a break in a cool and comfortable spot. Here the Audio-Animatronic
Enchanted Tiki Birds perform their musical revue.
- Jungle Cruise: Having Long been considered a must see this perennial favorite
is however beginning to show it’s age. An outdoor jungle cruise that works its
way through a twisting and winding waterway, while the cast member skipper
entertains guests with often funny or at least amusing patter. For an enhanced
experience and one in which this attraction’s age will not be as apparent try
it at night.
- Indiana Jones Adventure: Simply Disney at its best. The Disney imaginers have
pulled out all the stops employing every special effect trick in the book to
provide a first rate attraction. This combination of track ride and motion
simulator takes guests on a harrowing adventure and escape worthy of a Harrison
Ford stunt double. Great theming throughout the queue area and a pre-show
worthy of the actual ride itself will help make the often-long wait bearable.
* Minimum height requirement 46 inches
New Orleans Squares
This land with its theming and architecture that is set during the earlier days
of its namesake can be entered from both Frontierland and Adventureland, but
not directly from the central hub. If you never visited New Orleans during the
1800’s (who has) it won’t make any difference, because by the looks of things
apparently neither did the designers.
- Disneyland Railroad: Board one of the authentic steam driven old-fashioned
trains for the grand-circle tour of the Disneyland Park, with stops at New
Orleans Square, Mickey’s Toontown/Fantasyland and Main Street station.
- The Disney Gallery: A collection of art, models and sketches that document
the development of Disneyland. Also presented are some ideas that never made it
past the drawing board. Located on the second floor of the Pirates of the
Caribbean attraction this often over looked hidden treasure makes for a nice
relaxing visit and look back on the history of this special theme park.
- Pirates of the Caribbean: This indoor adventure boat ride takes guests past
scenes of Audio-Animatronic pirates and the villagers that they are plundering.
Great special effects to be enjoyed by guests of all ages, although the dark
waiting area and subterranean atmosphere might be frightening to pre-school age
children.
- The Haunted House: Perhaps no other attraction at Disneyland rivals the
attention to detail and the special effects seen in this long time favorite.
Guests ride in "Doom Buggies" along a conveyor belt and are treated to more fun
than scare. Younger children are often more frighten by the pre-show than
anything actually experienced during the ride itself.
Critter Country
Similar in theming to Frontierland guest enter this area by way of New Orleans
Square. A recently completed renovation has given this land some cosmetic
changes and some functional improvements to its attractions. In addition the
closure of Country Bear Playhouse in favor of a future attraction will
disappoint some and largely go unnoticed by others.
- Splash Mountain: Indoor/outdoor water flume adventure ride that climaxes in a
five-story drop and the triumphal return of Brer Rabbit. Riders are treated to
over 100 Audio-Animatronic characters that are scattered over the half mile
journey all telling the story of Brer Rabbits adventure.
* Minimum height requirement 40 inches
Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes
Outdoors scenic boat ride aboard canoes that guests provide the paddle power
to. Offers a unique perspective of the waterways around Tom Sawyer Island.
Open seasonally
Frontierland
Complete with a Wild West saloon, shooting arcade and even a frontier fort to
explore this is the Disney Dads favorite of all the lands at Disneyland.
- Big Thunder Mountain Railroad: Ride the runaway mine train through and around
this Disney Mountain, which creatively depicts the Gold Rush era. This tame
roller coaster is more thrill than scare and a not to be missed attraction.
* Minimum height requirement 40 inches / 102 cm
- Mark Twain Riverboat: Guests are invited aboard this large riverboat for an
outdoor scenic boat ride, which offers a unique perspective of Frontierland and
New Orleans Square, as it travels the waterway around Tom Sawyer Island. Here
again the attention to detail found aboard this steam-driven sternwheeler is
extraordinary and worth the time to explore.
- Frontierland Shootin' Exposition: This electronic shooting gallery is one of
the few attraction not included in price of admission to the Disneyland. Big
hit with the kids even though it is target practice only and no prizes are
awarded.
- The Golden Horseshoe Stage: This is a live western song and dance show that
runs a little over a half hour with seating on a first come first serve basis.
Great hit with the adults in the group but can run a little long for the kids.
Light fare available for those who can eat and tap their feet at the same time.
- Sailing Ship Columbia: This awe-inspiring replica of a 1700’s three mast
merchant ship is one of four differently styled watercraft that circumvent the
same waterway. However with the exception of the Mark Twain Riverboat this is
where the similarity ends. Again much like the Mark Twain Riverboat the
attention to detail is worth the trip aboard. The scenic trip around Tom
Sawyers Island is a mere bonus.
* Open seasonally
- Tom Sawyer Island: Raft to Tom Sawyers Island
Take the time to explore this getaway especially if you have school age
children. The kids can run around freely while mom and dad recharge their
batteries.
Fantasyland
With Sleeping Beauty Castle as its backdrop this land will enchant and delight
guests of all ages, although you will find the attractions (with the exception
of Matterhorn Bobsleds) geared mostly for the pre-school and grade school age
in your group.
- Disneyland Railroad: Board one of the authentic steam driven old-fashioned
trains for the grand-circle tour of the Disneyland Park, with stops at New
Orleans Square, Mickey’s Toontown/Fantasyland and Main Street station.
- It's a Small World: This is an indoor boat ride with a world brotherhood
theme that may appear somewhat dated. Despite this and the mind-bending song
that will reverberate in your head for weeks it still holds a nostalgic appeal
and is worthwhile. A great place to cool off and the quick loading format
ensures that the wait is never very long.
- Peter Pan's Flight: This indoor ride takes guests in flying pirate ships over
the familiar and well-designed sites from the Peter Pan story. Due to this
attraction’s enduring popularity lines build fast so consider heading to this
one early.
- King Arthur Carrousel: A merry-go-round that is truly worthy of Disneyland.
The elaborately painted horses and the familiar Disney tunes make this a
delight to the senses, especially at night.
- Snow White's Scary Adventure: This indoor ride takes guests in old mining
cars past scenes from this Disney classic.
- Dumbo the Flying Elephant: A midway type ride made special by Disney Magic.
This irresistible flying elephant has been delighting children year after year.
- Mad Tea Party: Riders sit in spinning teacups with Alice in Wonderland’s Mad
Hatter as the backdrop. Here again Disney has taken an ordinary carnival ride
and made it special. Waits can be long due to the loading time and in the end
may not be worth it.
- Alice in Wonderland: Guests ride along a track in caterpillar cars and are
treated to the familiar story of Alice in Wonderland. This is an enchanting
ride with a couple of surprises along the way. Unfortunately waits are often
long, which is probably no surprise.
- Casey Jr. Circus Train: A miniature train ride (average sized or larger
adults beware) that is a long time favorite. Guests are treated to
extraordinarily landscaped scenes that depict miniature towns and farms.
- Matterhorn Bobsleds: Guests will enjoy the Alpine theme of this is a roller
coaster thrill ride that begins in the queue area and then whisks past you as
you hang onto your bobsled.
Waits build quickly so if it is a hang onto to your hat thrill your after head
to this one as soon as the park opens.
* Minimum height requirement 35 inches
- Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride: This carnival type track ride leads guests through the
dark and occasionally allowing for glimpses of its rather nondescript scenery.
- Pinocchio’s Daring Journey: This is still another track ride in the dark that
struggles to tell the story of Pinocchio trying to find his way home. The story
line is so poorly presented that you find yourself caring less whether
Pinocchio makes it home and more about whether the ride will ever end so you
can move on with your life.
- Sleeping Beauty: This walk through exhibit is a great escape from the crowds
and the heat and a real treat for the children in the group. Guests walk
through Sleeping Beauty Castle and are reunited with the familiar story line
from the Disney Classic.
- Storybook Land Canal Boats: If you were too large to comfortably fit in one
of the cars on Casey’s train, but would still like to see some exceptional
landscaping and miniaturization, then this is your chance. Guests will past by
the same scenes depicted along Casey’s Train ride but this time you won’t have
to be hunched over.
- Fantasyland Theatre: Guests can take advantage of some first rate musical
stage productions at this newly renovated amphitheater. Show times are
published daily in the park guide booklet.
Mickey's Toontown Fair
This land is not connected to the central hub area. It is however accessible by
pedestrian pathway from Fantasyland. Guests can also find easy access after
disembarking from the Disneyland Railroad at the Fantasyland station.
Here you will find an opportunity to meet any number of Disney characters all
day long. Mickey himself can be found, where else but at Mickey’s house for a
character greeting and photo opportunity.
- Minnie's House: A self guided walking tour through Minnie's house with Minnie
often there to greet guests.
- Toontown Hall: Several of the Disney Characters including Donald and Pluto
can be found here.
- Mickey's House: A self guided tour through Mickey's house with a photo
opportunity with Mickey himself.
- Donald's Boat: Kids are automatically drawn to this interactive playground
featuring a boat owned by Donald. They can be seen and heard running and
playing with thankfully no organized line or waiting area to deal with.
- Gadget’s Go Coaster: This creatively themed and visually appealing attraction
draws kids to it like a magnet, which makes it hard to pass up.
Very short roller coaster ride that clocks in at under 60 seconds of thrill.
This less than a minute of Disney magic can cost upwards of an hour or more
wait during peak times. Now your rational mind might be telling you that it is
simply not worth the wait.
However, unless you want to come off like the grinche that stole Disney you can
either lie to your children by telling them that Mickey’s Toontown suffered a
terrible industrial accident and will be closed for the duration of their
childhood or you can beat it over to this attraction just as early as you can.
- Chip ‘n Dale’s Treehouse and Acorn Ball Crawl: An often-overlooked
opportunity to just let the kids have fun in this play area that consists of a
treehouse, slides and ball crawl.
- Goofy’s Bounce House: Children’s play area that consists of a padded inflated
enclosure that will accommodate only a dozen or so kids at a time. Since every
kid worth their salt will want to throw away three minutes of his or her
childhood on this one the waits can be excruciatingly long.
* Height requirement of 52" or less; age requirement of three years and older
- Jolly Trolley: Guests ride along in a trolley that finally finds it’s way
back to where it started. An admittedly fun but nonetheless frivolous way to
take a tour of Toontown.
- Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin: A wild track ride in the dark that allows
guests to spin their way past some really decent special effects. The down side
is that the story is only loosely held together and the spinning really
subtracts from the experience.
Tomorrowland
A look at the future as it was promised to us and displayed on drive-in movies
screens of the 1950’s. Complete with a bungling scientist, rocket ships and
space heroes this land is pure fun and entertainment with no apologies made.
Thanks to an extensive makeover completed in 2000 it also now enjoys a new
found dignity that had been gradually ebbing away over the decades.
- Disneyland Railroad: Board one of the authentic steam driven old-fashioned
trains for the grand-circle tour of the Disneyland Park, with stops at
Fontierland, Main Street station and Fantasyland.
- Tomorrowland Autopia: Drivers move along on a guided track in the gasoline
powered miniature race cars at just a little under ten miles an hour. A real
yawn for adults unless you have a young future Indy driver seated next to you
then it is pure magic watching the excitement on their faces.
- Innoventions: This walk through exhibit houses different hands-on
presentations of the near future in technology for our everyday lives. A full
appreciation of these exhibits requires a commitment in both time and
participation.
- Astro Orbiter: When is a carnival ride not a carnival ride? When it affords
you a spectacular view of Disneyland. Despite the view and the thrill it still
might not merit the wait however. Slow loading causes the waits to be
excruciatingly long most of the time.
- Honey I Shrunk The Audience: Not to be missed 3-D film that borrows its
characters and story line from the Disney feature film Honey, I Shrunk the
Kids. Special "special affects" from moving seats to a smoke filled theater
greatly enhance the experience.
- Space Mountain: To classify this attraction simply as a roller coaster in the
dark, while accurate is a vast understatement. Creatively themed to simulate a
space flight to the furthest reaches of the galaxy with all its teeth rattling
jerks and turns has thrilled generation after generation of guests.
* Minimum height requirement 40 inches
- Star Tours: Themed after the Star Wars movies this attraction is non-stop
action and thrill from the moment you are buckled into your spacecraft. Piloted
by an android on his first flight with passengers your simulator/space craft
with all its banking, turning and special effects will leave your believing you
really travel at the speed of light.
The ultimate Star Wars thrill ride, continuous 10 minute adventures
* Minimum height requirement 35 inches
- Starcade: A large but typical arcade full of electronic games that will keep
the kids busy as long as the quarters last.
- Disneyland Monorail System: This futuristic transportation system can be used
to transport guests from a busy & crowded theme park to the relative calm
and tranquility of the Disney hotels and Downtown Disney. Even if your escape
is just long enough to enjoy a more relaxing lunch than can be found in the
park it will have been worth the effort.
- Fantasmic! : Guests are treated to this multi-media presentation on nights
that the theme park is open late. Mickey reprises his role as the Sorcerer’s
Apprentice from the classic film Fantasia. Amide laser images, fireworks,
special lighting and a musical score that is first rate Mickey leads the battle
of good over evil.
We could back a truckload of superlatives up to this one and would not be over
doing it. This is simply the best out door spectacular to be found at any theme
park anywhere.
25 minutes (weather permitting)
Located at the end of Tom Sawyers Island with viewing available from
Frontierland and New Orleans Square waterfront.
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