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When you think of visiting Disneyland Resort in Southern California, you are probably thinking of the two theme parks – Disneyland Park and Disney’s California Adventure. But, within the parks, there are distinct themed lands.
Disneyland Park is divided into nine themed lands, and understanding how those lands are laid out can make your day much easier. Some lands are best for toddlers, some are better for thrill rides, and others are worth visiting for food, shopping, or atmosphere. In this guide, I’ll walk through each Disneyland land, what to ride, where to eat, and how I’d prioritize it for a family vacation.
| Disneyland Land | What It’s Known For | Notable Attractions, Restaurants, Shops, or Experiences | Good to Know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Street USA | A turn-of-the-century-style street with special meaning because Disneyland was the only Disney theme park Walt Disney directly supervised. | Disneyland Railroad, Main Street Vehicles, The Emporium, The Plaza Inn, Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor, Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe | Main Street is a great place to soak in the classic Disneyland atmosphere. I usually recommend saving most of the shopping for later in the day so you don’t have to carry bags around the park. |
| Tomorrowland | A mix of futuristic and nostalgic theming, with a strong focus on rides and attractions. | Star Wars – The Adventures Continue, Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters, Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage, Autopia, Space Mountain, Alien Pizza Planet, Galactic Grill, Tomorrowland Skyline Terrace | Tomorrowland is a good land to prioritize if rides are important to your family. Space Mountain is one of my favorite attractions in this area. |
| Fantasyland | One of the most magical Disneyland lands, especially for small kids and Disney fans. | Royal Hall, The Royal Theatre, Peter Pan’s Flight, Snow White’s Enchanted Wish, it’s a small world, Mad Tea Party, Alice in Wonderland, Matterhorn Bobsleds, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, Pinocchio’s Daring Journey, Casey Jr. Circus Train | Fantasyland has many classic Disneyland attractions, but many of them do not use Lightning Lane. It’s a good area to visit early in the day, especially if you want to ride several attractions with shorter waits. |
| Mickey’s Toontown | A fun area for younger kids to explore, with rides and interactive spaces. | Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, Chip ’N’ Dale’s GADGETCoaster, Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin, CenTOONial Park, Mickey’s House, Minnie’s House, Donald’s Duck Pond, Goofy’s How-to-Play Yard | Mickey’s Toontown is especially fun for families with younger kids, but it’s still worth visiting even if your children are older. There are rides, character homes, and playful areas to explore. |
| Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge | Disneyland’s newest land is an immersive area with character interactions, rides, shops, restaurants, and souvenirs. | Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run, Oga’s Cantina, Savi’s Workshop, Droid Depot, Ronto Roasters, Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities, Black Spire Outpost | This is one of the most immersive lands at Disneyland. Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance does not participate in Lightning Lane Multi-Pass, so you’ll need to plan for standby or Individual Lightning Lane. Reservations are also recommended for Savi’s Workshop and Droid Depot. |
| Bayou Country | The renamed former Critter Country, updated with the introduction of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. | Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, Ray’s Berets, Louis’ Critter Club, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh Corner, Davey Crockett’s Explorer Canoes, Hungry Bear Barbecue Jamboree | Bayou Country includes a mix of former Critter Country favorites and newer additions inspired by Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. It’s a good area to visit if you want to experience one of Disneyland’s newest updates. |
| Adventureland | One of the most exotic and exciting Disneyland lands, similar to the same-named land at Walt Disney World. | Jungle Cruise, Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room, Adventureland Treehouse, Indiana Jones Adventure, Tiki Juice Bar, The Tropical Hideaway, Bengal Barbeque | Adventureland has several classic Disneyland experiences, along with some great snack options. If you’re looking for Dole Whip, both Tiki Juice Bar and The Tropical Hideaway are located here. |
| Frontierland | A land reminiscent of the old pioneer days, with several attractions, restaurants, and shops. | Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Mark Twain Riverboat, Tom Sawyer Island, Columbia Sailing Ship, The Stage Door Cafe, The Golden Horseshoe, Rancho del Zocalo, River Belle Terrace, Pioneer Mercantile, Westward Ho Trading Company | Frontierland is home to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, along with boat rides, restaurants, and shops. Unlike Walt Disney World, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is not located in Frontierland at Disneyland. |
| New Orleans Square | A unique Disneyland land with popular attractions, restaurants, and shops. | Pirates of the Caribbean, The Haunted Mansion, Blue Bayou, Mint Julep Bar, Tiana’s Palace | New Orleans Square is one of the most distinctive areas of Disneyland. It’s home to popular attractions, favorite dining spots, and Mickey-shaped beignets at Mint Julep Bar. |
Disclosure: We’ve received complimentary admission in the past but have also paid our own way. This post contains affiliate links, and a purchase/click through one of these links may result in a commission paid to us at no additional cost to you. All opinions are my own.
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Disneyland Park has nine themed lands: Main Street, U.S.A., Adventureland, Frontierland, Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, New Orleans Square, Bayou Country, Mickey’s Toontown, and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Each land has its own mix of rides, restaurants, shops, entertainment, and family-friendly planning considerations.
As you enter the park through the main entrance, you’ll be in Main Street USA. This area of the park is reminiscent of a turn-of-the-century street. Since Disneyland park is the only Disney theme park that Walt directly supervised, this land has a special meaning to Disney fans.
If you are interested in learning more about the history of Main Street USA and Walt’s perspective on it, there is a great tour available, called Walt’s Main Street Tour. When I took this tour several years ago, we spent some time learning about Main Street, and then visited Walt’s Main Street apartment.
At Main Street USA, you’ll find the following:
I typically walk past most of the shops in Main Street USA in the morning and visit later in the day. The Emporium is one of my favorite shops at Disneyland, so I always stop in.
Don’t Miss: The Emporium is one of my favorite shops at Disneyland, and I always make time to stop in. Main Street USA is also a great place to enjoy the classic Disneyland atmosphere, especially because Disneyland was the only Disney theme park Walt directly supervised.
Skip If Short on Time: I usually walk past most of the Main Street shops in the morning and save them for later in the day. That way, you can start your park day with attractions and come back to shop when you are ready for a break.
Tomorrowland is one of my favorite lands in all of Disneyland. This land is focused on our visit of tomorrow from the past. While some aspects feel very modern, others are also nostalgic.
Here are the top things to do in Tomorrowland:
During my visits to Tomorrowland, I typically focus on the rides and attractions. I don’t generally eat there (unless I need some water or a quick snack). My favorite ride in Tomorrowland is Space Mountain – I even prefer it to the version at Walt Disney World.
Don’t Miss: Space Mountain is my favorite ride in Tomorrowland, and I even prefer it to the version at Walt Disney World. If your family enjoys rides and attractions, this is a good land to prioritize.
Skip If Short on Time: I don’t usually plan meals in Tomorrowland unless I need water or a quick snack, so this may not be the land where you need to spend a lot of dining time.
Fantasyland is the most magical of the Disneyland lands. If you are visiting Disneyland with small kids (or are a huge Disney fan), this is where you’ll spend a lot of time.
Attractions and restaurants in Disneyland include:
Many of these rides don’t use Lightning Lane, so I like to ride them early. Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride and it’s a small world are my nostalgic favorites – I typically ride these during each of my Disneyland vacations.
Don’t Miss: Fantasyland is one of the most magical Disneyland lands, especially if you are visiting with small kids or are a big Disney fan. Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride and it’s a small world are two of my nostalgic favorites, and I typically ride them during each Disneyland vacation.
Skip If Short on Time: Many Fantasyland rides don’t use Lightning Lane, so I recommend riding your must-do attractions here early. If you are short on time later in the day, you may not want to wait for every single Fantasyland ride.
Although I don’t have young kids, I love visiting Toontown at Disneyland. I still miss its (much smaller) counterpart at Walt Disney World – Mickey’s Toontown Fair.
Toontown offers a few rides and some fun areas for younger kids to explore:
Don’t Miss: Mickey’s Toontown is especially fun for younger kids, with rides and play areas including Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, Chip ’N’ Dale’s GADGETCoaster, Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin, CenTOONial Park, Mickey’s House, Minnie’s House, Donald’s Duck Pond, and Goofy’s How-to-Play Yard.
Skip If Short on Time: If you don’t have young kids, you may not need to spend as much time exploring every play area. However, I still love visiting Toontown, even without younger children.
The newest land at Disneyland, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, is a must-visit, even if you aren’t a Star Wars fan. It’s an immersive land featuring character interactions, rides, shops, and restaurants.
Attractions, shops, and restaurants include:
Currently, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance does not participate in Lightning Lane Multi-Pass. You’ll want to either wait in the (long) standby line or purchase the Lightning Lane Single Pass.
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge offers some of the best souvenirs at Disneyland. You can, and should, make reservations at Savi’s Workshop and Droid Depot if you want to build a lightsaber and/or a droid.
Don’t Miss: Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is a must-visit, even if you aren’t a Star Wars fan. It’s one of the most immersive lands at Disneyland, with character interactions, rides, shops, restaurants, and some of the best souvenirs in the park.
Skip If Short on Time: Of the two attractions, I’d skip Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run.
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With the introduction of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, Critter Country was renamed to Bayou Country. This area includes elements from Critter Country, as well as new ones.
Don’t Miss: Bayou Country includes Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, along with elements from the former Critter Country and some newer additions. It’s worth visiting if you want to see how this area has changed.
Skip If Short on Time: If Tiana’s Bayou Adventure isn’t a priority for your group, this may be a land where you spend less time compared to some of the larger attraction-heavy areas. Keep in mind that you will get wet (probably very wet, based on my experience).
This Disneyland land is similar to the same-named version at Walt Disney World. This is the most exotic and most exciting of the lands.
Rides and attractions in Adventureland include:
Don’t Miss: Adventureland is one of the most exotic and exciting lands at Disneyland. Don’t miss classic attractions like The Jungle Cruise, Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room, Adventureland Treehouse, and Indiana Jones Adventure.
Skip If Short on Time: I personally skip the Jungle Cruise, because the lines are always so long.
Frontierland is another Disneyland land with a counterpart at Disney World. Like the WDW version, this Frontierland is reminiscent of the old pioneer days.
You’ll find the following attractions and restaurants in Frontierland:
Unlike Walt Disney World, the flume ride (Tiana’s Bayou Adventure) is not in Frontierland.
Don’t Miss: Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is one of the major attractions in Frontierland. This land also includes classic Disneyland experiences like the Mark Twain Riverboat, Tom Sawyer Island, and the Columbia Sailing Ship.
Skip If Short on Time: If your group is focused mainly on rides, you may not need to spend as much time browsing the Frontierland shops.
New Orleans Square is another unique land at Disneyland. Here are the attractions, restaurants, and shops in New Orleans Square.
Don’t Miss: New Orleans Square is unique to Disneyland and has several favorites, including Pirates of the Caribbean, The Haunted Mansion, Blue Bayou, Mint Julep Bar, and Tiana’s Palace. Blue Bayou is my favorite table-service restaurant at Disneyland, and Mint Julep Bar is where you can get Mickey-shaped beignets.
Skip If Short on Time: If you don’t have time for a table-service meal, you may want to save Blue Bayou for another visit and focus instead on the attractions or a quicker stop at Mint Julep Bar or Tiana’s Palace.
What is your favorite land at Disneyland?
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