What Makes Disneyland So Special?

By:  Amy Krause, a Marvelous Mouse Travels agent

Disneyland, located in Anaheim, CA, is the only Disney Park worldwide that Walt Disney dreamed up, built and walked the streets of. You can feel the nostalgia and magic when you enter under the famous sign and take in the view of Main Street U.S.A. for the very first time.

Disneyland Theme Parks

Disneyland Resort is made up of two iconic theme parks: Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park.

Disneyland Park, which welcomed guests for the very first time on July 17, 1955, is home to iconic rides such as Pirates of the Caribbean, The Haunted Mansion, Matterhorn Bobsleds and It's a Small World. It's also the only Disney Park to feature New Orleans Square - one of Walt's favorite lands.

There are 10 attractions that you will only find at Disneyland Park including one of my favorites - Alice in Wonderland.

Disney California Adventure Park (often referred to as California Adventure or DCA), which debuted in 2001, is home to some one-of-a-kind attractions and themed lands such as Cars Land, Pixar Pier and the newly opened Avengers Campus. Fan favorite rides include the Incredicoaster, Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission BREAKOUT! and Radiator Springs Racers. 

California Adventure also offers great events and entertainment such as the annual Food & Wine Festival and World of Color nighttime spectacular – a water projection show where Disney and Pixar stories come to life. 

Disneyland Resort Accommodations

Disneyland Resort has three Hotels on property which keep you immersed in the magic for your entire stay.

1. Paradise Pier Hotel celebrates the heyday of California beachfront boardwalks, offers great views of Disney California Adventure Park and recently gained its very own entrance into the park, dropping you right at the base of Paradise Pier.  This hotel is currently being renovated and will become Pixar Place!

   
   

2. Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa offers Craftsman-style elegance, rooms that overlook both Disney California Adventure Park and Downtown Disney, and a private entrance to Disney California Adventure Park for hotel guests. This is the closest hotel to the theme parks.

   

   

   
   
3. A stay at The Disneyland Hotel delivers on all the magic – from firework shows on the headboards of your bed to the Monorail themed water slides in the swimming pool. 

Although the castle may not be as big as others, the nostalgia and magic that Disneyland Resort offers is unmatched at any other Disney Park. If you have never experienced Disneyland, you truly are missing out. It is worth at least one visit, or many once you fall in love with my favorite Disney park.