Disneyland, California is considered by many to be the most magical place on earth — but is it?
Short answer.
Yes.
Long answer.
Yes — especially if you are an adult from the Sunday night Walt Disney/animated Disney movie VHS era, and a lover of all things nostalgia.
But it is not only the nostalgia-factor that makes Disneyland truly the most magical place on earth. It is the fact that everything is just so perfect. I have been to the park twice now as an adult and have felt the magic from the moment I entered to the moment I left, never having that behind-the-curtin-wizard-of-oz moment that we come to expect as adults.
There is nothing to dull the shine — not even the long lines, because even when standing in line there are things that surprise and delight.
There is also something special about the fact that this park is the only one that Walt actually built himself (he died before his second park was built) — he was a man with incredible vision.
Believe it or not (despite the paragraphs above) I am not a Disney super fan — I don’t own Mickey ears, I really don’t watch many of the newer movies, and I haven’t been to Walt Disney World.
But, I have traveled to many different popular tourist spots all over the world, and can genuinely say that there are very few that live up to the hype like Disneyland does.
A few of my favourite things about Disneyland
The beignets
If you purchase one (admittedly overpriced) dish while at the park, make it the large, fresh warm, melt-in-your-mouth beignets that can be found at the Mint Julep Bar in New Orleans Square. (Check out this map for the exact location).
Main street shops
As any Disney Park documentary will tell you, every aspect of the parks are planned to ensure that the there are enchanting views no matter which way you look. And there is no better view than when you first enter the park and walk up the always-clean Main Street USA with the castle framed at its end.
One thing I always enjoy doing when visiting the park, is spending some time weaving my way through the shops, cafes and restaurants along this street. Looking for souvenirs and just enjoying the warmth and comfort that comes from these spaces.
Wandering through the park when the sun goes down
When the sun sets, the park lights up and, if it’s even possible, the place becomes even more magical. Each area has unique light installations that give the park a totally different feel than it has in the daylight.
Adventureland, Frontierland, New Orleans Square
These three “lands” are my favourite places in the park. They evoke that old-school Disney feeling — think Swiss Family Robinson, Tom Sawyer, and Indiana Jones.
Though lovely to just wander around, they also contain my all-time favourite rides — Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and the Pirates of The Caribbean. These two are my favourite because, you guessed it, the nostalgia factor. But I also just throughly enjoy the adventure that is evoked when riding them.
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
Star Wars is a newer addition to the park, and I am not going to lie — they did it right. It is truly immersive and has a bunch of unexpected moments throughout the various buildings, installations and rides.
Olga’s Cantina is definitely worth the wait — the drinks are fantastic and the space itself is a lot of fun.
Check out the Park’s website for more info to help you plan your own trip!
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Meet The Author
Lindsay Shapka is an avid traveler and the creator of The Anthrotorian — a website dedicated to sharing travel tips, stories about adventures, culture quirks, artists you should know, fascinating bits of history, and more!
She is also an artist, marketing specialist, editor, and freelance writer who has work featured on websites, blogs, and in magazines like National Geographic Traveler.
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