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Disneyland

Anaheim, California

Description

Location: Disneyland is located just off I-5 in Anaheim, California, one hour south of downtown Los Angeles. You can get driving directions by clicking the Disneyland link on Theme Park Insider's Google map of U.S. theme parks.

History: Disneyland opened in a nationally-televised ceremony on July 17, 1955. (The telecast was co-hosted by future president Ronald Reagan.) It is Disney's original theme park and the only one visited by Walt himself. After a lackluster opening day plagued by hot weather, Disney went back to work on the park and it became one of the most popular theme parks in the entire world.

Hours: http://disneyland.disney.go.com. Disneyland is open 365 days a year. The Fourth of July and the days between Christmas and the Rose Bowl Game are the busiest days of the year.

Tickets: Order online. Always try to buy your tickets in advance, to save time when you get to the park. If you live in Southern California, read our advice on whether you should buy a Disneyland Resort annual pass.

Reservations: Your admission ticket allow you to get one, free FastPass ride reservation ticket at a time. If your reservation time is more than two hours in advance, you may make get a second FastPass after two hours. FastPass is available on selected popular rides. You might not need to use FastPasses on less crowded days, but expect long stand-by lines if you choose to go on a FastPass ride at mid-day without a FastPass ticket.

You can call (714) 781-DINE to make advance reservations for the Blue Bayou Restaurant inside Pirates of the Caribbean.

Strategy: Arrive at least 30 minutes before opening, then head toward the Matterhorn, veering to your right, for the quickest path to the Submarine Lagoon. If you are one of the very first people into the park, consider riding Finding Nemo first, but be aware that a significant majority of people entering the park are heading straight there as well. If the line is greater than 60 minutes consider riding it later in the day. Then either head to Fantasyland if you have toddlers or to get a FastPass for Indiana Jones if you do not.

If you have toddlers, in Fantasyland ride Dumbo, Casey's Jr. Circus Train and Peter Pan's Flight, in that order. Then ride the other Fantasyland rides, finishing with It's a Small World.

If you do not have toddlers, after doing Indiana Jones head to Splash Mountain, then work your way back from the Haunted Mansion to Pirates to the Jungle Cruise. Cross over to Tomorrowland; get a FastPass for Space Mountain, then ride Buzz Lightyear while you wait. Go to the park's other attractions at your convenience after that.

Remember that many rides will stop distributing FastPasses after 4pm, so plan accordingly. -- Last edited by Robert Niles

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Attractions

Adventureland(Rating)(Height)
Indiana Jones Adventure946
Enchanted Tiki Room8
Jungle Cruise8
Tarzan's Treehouse5
Critter Country(Rating)(Height)
Splash Mountain940
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh6
Fantasyland(Rating)(Height)
Matterhorn Bobsleds835
Alice in Wonderland8
Peter Pan's Flight8
Storybook Land Canal Boats8
it's a small world8
Mr. Toad's Wild Ride8
King Arthur Carrousel8
Dumbo the Flying Elephant7
Mad Tea Party7
Pinocchio's Daring Journey7
Snow White's Scary Adventures7
Casey Jr. Circus Train6
Frontierland(Rating)(Height)
Fantasmic!9
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad940
Mark Twain Riverboat9
Tom Sawyer's Island8
Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes7
Sailing Ship Columbia7
Main Street USA(Rating)(Height)
The Disneyland Story8
Disneyland Railroad8
Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln
New Orleans Square(Rating)(Height)
Pirates of the Caribbean9
Haunted Mansion9
Tomorrowland(Rating)(Height)
Space Mountain940
Disneyland Monorail8
Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters8
Finding Nemo: Submarine Voyage8
Star Tours740
Autopia7
Astro Orbitor7
Honey, I Shrunk the Audience6
Innoventions5
Toontown(Rating)(Height)
Roger Rabbit's Car-Toon Spin8
Minnie's House7
Mickey's House7
Gadget's Go Coaster735

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Dining

Adventureland(Rating)
Bengal Barbecue8
Critter Country(Rating)
Hungry Bear Restaurant7
Fantasyland(Rating)
Village Haus Restaurant5
Frontierland(Rating)
River Belle Terrace9
The Golden Horseshoe8
Rancho del Zocalo7
Stage Door Café5
Main Street USA(Rating)
Plaza Inn9
Blue Ribbon Bakery9
Carnation Café9
Refreshment Corner8
New Orleans Square(Rating)
French Market Restaurant8
Blue Bayou Restaurant8
Café Orleans7
Club 33
Tomorrowland(Rating)
Redd Rockett's Pizza Port8
Tomorrowland Terrace7
Toontown(Rating)
Daisy's Diner5
Pluto's Dog House4

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