Exploring Disneyland

Exploring Disneyland

Main Street, U.S.A.

Walt's hometown of Marceline, Missouri, was the inspiration behind this romanticized image of small-town America, circa 1900. It opens half an hour before the rest of the park, so it's a good place to explore if you're getting an early start to beat the crowds. The sidewalks are lined with a penny arcade and shops that sell everything from tradeable pins to Disney-themed clothing and photo supplies. Main Street Cinema offers a cool respite from the crowds and six classic Disney animated shorts, including Steamboat Willie. There is rarely a wait to enter. Board the Disneyland Railroad here to save on walking; it tours all the lands, plus offers unique views of Splash Mountain and the Grand Canyon and Primeval World dioramas.

New Orleans Square

A mini-French Quarter with narrow streets, hidden courtyards, and live street performances, this is home to two iconic attractions and the Cajun-inspired Blue Bayou restaurant. Pirates of the Caribbean now features Jack Sparrow and the cursed Captain Barbossa, in a nod to the blockbuster movies of the same name, plus enhanced special effects and battle scenes (complete with cannonball explosions). Nearby Haunted Mansion continues to spook guests with its stretching room and "doombuggy" rides (plus there's now an expanded storyline for the beating-heart bride). Its Nightmare Before Christmas holiday overlay is an annual tradition. Don't forget to check out the beautiful animation art at Disney Gallery, where free tours (no reservation required) are available in the afternoon. This is a good area to get a casual bite to eat; the clam chowder in sourdough bread bowls, sold at the French Market Restaurant and Royal Street Veranda, is a popular choice.

Frontierland

Located between Adventureland and Fantasyland, Frontierland transports you to the wild, wild West with its rustic buildings, shooting gallery, mountain range, and foot stompin' dance hall. The marquee attraction, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, is a relatively tame roller coaster ride (no steep descents) that takes the form of a runaway mine car as it rumbles past desert canyons and an old mining town. Tour the Rivers of America on the Mark Twain Riverboat in the company of a grizzled old river pilot or circumnavigate the globe on the Sailing Ship Columbia, though its operating hours are usually limited to weekends. You can also raft over to Tom Sawyer Island from here for an hour or two of climbing, hiking, and exploring. If you don't mind tight seating, have a snack at the Golden Horseshoe Restaurant while enjoying the always-entertaining comedy and bluegrass show of Billy Hill and the Hillybillies. Children won't want to miss Big Thunder Ranch, a small petting zoo of real pigs, goats, and cows beyond Big Thunder Mountain.

Critter Country

Down-home country is the theme in this shady corner of the park, where Winnie the Pooh and Davy Crockett make their homes. So does Splash Mountain, a classic flume ride accompanied by music and appearances by Brer Rabbit and other characters from Song of the South. Don't forget to check out your photo (the camera snaps close-ups of each car just before it plunges into the water) on the way out. The patio of the popular Hungry Bear Restaurant has great views of Tom Sawyer's Island and Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes.

Adventureland

Modeled after the lands of Africa, Polynesia, and Arabia, this tiny tropical paradise is worth braving the crowds that flock here for the ambience and better-than-average food. Sing along with the animatronic birds and tiki gods in the Enchanted Tiki Room, sail the rivers of the world with joke-cracking skippers on Jungle Cruise, and climb the Disneyodendron semperflorens (AKA always-blooming Disney tree) to Tarzan's Treehouse, where you'll walk through scenes, some interactive, from the 1999 animated film. Cap off the visit with a wild jeep ride at Indiana Jones Adventure, where the special effects and decipherable hieroglyphics distract you while you're waiting in line. The kebabs at Bengal Barbecue and pineapple whip at Tiki Juice Bar are some of the best fast-food options in the park.

Fantasyland

Sleeping Beauty's Castle marks the entrance to Fantasyland, a visual wonderland of princesses, spinning teacups, flying elephants, and other classic storybook characters. Rides and shops (such as the princess-themed Once Upon a Time and Gepetto's Toys and Gifts) take precedence over restaurants in this area of the park, but outdoor carts sell everything from churros to turkey legs. Tots love the King Arthur Carousel, Casey Jr. Circus Train, and Storybook Land Canal Boats. This is also home to Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, Peter Pan's Flight, and Pinocchio's Daring Journey, classic, movie-theater-dark rides that immerse riders in Disney fairytales and appeal to adults and kids alike. The Abominable Snowman pops up on the Matterhorn Bobsleds, a roller coaster that twists and turns you up and around a made-to-scale model of the real Swiss mountain. Anchoring the east end of Fantasyland is It's a Small World, a smorgasbord of dancing animatronic dolls, cuckoo clock-covered walls, and variations of the song everyone knows by heart. Across the way, little princesses and knights can partake in a coronation ceremony, dancing, and storytelling by a Disney Princess at the Disney Princess Fantasy Faire. Check the daily guide for times.

Mickey's Toontown

Geared toward small fry, this lopsided cartoonlike downtown, complete with cars and trolleys that invite exploring, is where Mickey, Donald, Goofy, and other classic Disney characters hang their hats. One of the most popular attractions is Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin, a twisting, turning cab ride through the Toontown of Who Framed Roger Rabbit? You can also walk through Mickey's House to meet and be photographed with the famous mouse, take a low-key ride on Gadget's Go Coaster, or bounce around the fenced-in playground in front of Goofy's House.

Tomorrowland

This popular section of the park underwent a complete refurbishment in 1998 and continues to tinker with its future with the regular addition of new or enhanced rides. The newest attraction, Finding Nemo's Submarine Voyage updates the old Submarine Voyage ride with the exploits of Nemo, Dory, Marlin, and other characters from the Pixar film. The interactive Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters lets you zap your neighbors with laser beams and compete for the highest score. Hurtle through the cosmos on Space Mountain, refurbished in 2005, and take a shuttle ride on Endor in Star Wars. There are also mainstays like the futuristic Astro Orbiter rockets, Innoventions, a self-guided tour of the latest toys of tomorrow, and Honey, I Shrunk the Audience, a 3-D film featuring Rick Moranis. Disneyland Monorail and Disneyland Railroad both have stations here. There's also a video arcade and dancing water fountain that makes a perfect playground for kids on hot summer days.

Besides the eight lands, the daily live-action shows and parades are always crowd pleasers. Fantasmic! is a musical, fireworks, and laser show in which Mickey and friends wage a spellbinding battle against Disneyland's darker characters; and the daytime and nighttime Parade of Dreams features just about every animated Disney character ever drawn. Arrive early to secure a good view; if there are two shows scheduled for the day, the second one tends to be less crowded. A fireworks display sparks up Friday and Saturday evenings. Brochures with maps, available at the entrance, list show- and parade times.

Characters appear for autographs and photos throughout the day; guidebooks at the entrances give times and places. 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). Belongings can be stored in lockers just off Main Street; purchases can also be sent to the package pickup desk, at the front of the park. Main Street stays open an hour after the attractions close, so you may want to save your shopping for the end of your visit.