3 Best Sights in Disneyland Resort, Orange County and Catalina Island

The sprawling Disney California Adventure, adjacent to Disneyland (their entrances face each other), pays tribute to the Golden State with multiple theme areas. Take your park experience to the next level of fun with Play Disney Parks, a mobile app with entertaining games, activities, and trivia. Admire the vintage art-deco architectural shops and dining venues along Buena Vista Street and learn about movie magic at Hollywood Land.

Avengers Campus is home for a new generation of superheroes, focusing on the characters of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Ride on Web-Slingers: A Spider-Man Adventure, where guests of all ages can help wrangle Spider-Bots while wearing 3D glasses and accumulate points. Screams can be heard around the park from the free-falling Guardians of the Galaxy--Mission: BREAKOUT! See your favorite characters from several hit Pixar films when crossing over Pixar Pier. Ride the superfast Incredicoaster, and collect points playing along the interactive Toy Story Midway Mania ride. Stop to win a prize playing games at the carnival area in Pixar Pier. The 12-acre Cars Land features Radiator Springs Racers, a speedy trip in six-passenger speedsters through scenes featured in the blockbuster hit. The Single Rider Lane saves time to experience the thrills quicker. At night the park takes on neon hues as glowing signs light up Route 66 in Cars Land and Pixar Pal-A-Round, a giant Ferris wheel.

Cocktails, craft beers, and premium wines from California are available in the Pacific Wharf dining area. This area in the park is being reimagined into San Fransokyo from the movie Big Hero 6, where East meet West. There is a place to meet Baymax, plus new dining and shopping venues. Live nightly entertainment features a 1930s jazz troupe and seasonal entertainers throughout the year. The MagicBand+ is a new way to unlock Disney storytelling. This hands-free wearable on your wrist enhances your park experience in exciting new ways with color-changing and gesture-recognition features. Certain rides have Lightning Lanes with Disney's Genie+ to save time in line. Be sure to stay for the World of Color-One, a light-and-sound show celebrating Walt Disney's 100 Years of Wonder storytelling.

Disneyland is the only place where guests visit nine imaginative lands, from a galaxy far, far away in the Star Wars land; to a world of pirates in search of Jack Sparrow from the Pirates of the Caribbean series; and ride the Storybook Land Canal Boats, passing miniature replicas of animated Disney scenes from classics such as Frozen and Alice in Wonderland. Beloved Disney characters appear for autographs and photos throughout the day; times and places are posted at the entrances and on the Disneyland mobile app. Live shows, parades, strolling musicians, fireworks (on weekends and during the summer and holidays), and endless creative snack choices add to the carnival atmosphere. You can also meet some of the animated icons at one of the character meals served at the three Disney hotels (open to the public, but reservations are needed). Belongings can be stored in lockers just off Main Street while stroller rentals, wheelchairs, and Electric Conveyance Vehicles (ECV) are at the entrance gate as convenient options for families with mobility challenges. The park's popularity means there are always crowds, especially during the holidays and summer months, so take advantage of the Disney Genie+ and Lightning Lane to spend less time waiting in lines. Some rides offer Single Rider Lanes which are also much shorter. Also be sure to make dining reservations at least three weeks before your visit to guarantee a table without a wait. The park is expertly run, with perfectly maintained grounds and a helpful staff ("cast members" in the Disney lexicon).

The exciting Downtown Disney District is a walking promenade filled with international dining, shopping, and lively entertainment that connects the resort's hotels and theme parks. More than a dozen new and reimagined establishments include the popular Asian restaurant Din Tai Fung, specializing in Taiwanese soup dumplings, and grab-and-go Earl of Sandwich along with the sit-down Earl of Sandwich Tavern. Jazz Kitchen Coastal Grill & Patio offers Southern-inspired food and live music on welcoming patios, verandas, and dining rooms. Be sure to try their signature seasonal flavor beignets that can be dipped, drizzled, and sprinkled. Southern California's iconic Porto's Bakery and Cafe offering Cuban-California--inspired pastries, desserts, and specialty items is set to open later in 2023. Enjoy a cold beer at Ballast Point Brewery and gourmet burger at Black Tap Craft Burgers. Save room for sweet treats at Salt and Straw for gourmet ice cream flavors such as honey lavender and oat milk and cookies, and Sprinkles for decadent frosted cupcakes.

Disney merchandise, souvenirs, and artwork are showcased at the brightly lit World of Disney store. At the megasize LEGO Store there are bigger-than-life LEGO creations, hands-on demonstrations, and space to play with the latest LEGO creations.

All visitors must pass through a security checkpoint and metal detectors before entering.