The world's first Disney park, Disneyland is located in Anaheim, Orange County (California), approximately fifty kilometers southeast of Los Angeles. Inaugurated in 1955 under Walt Disney's direct supervision, it remains to this day the only park personally designed by him. The Disneyland Resort complex now encompasses two parks (Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure), a shopping and dining district (Downtown Disney), and three hotels.

Why Visit Disneyland

Nicknamed "the happiest place on Earth," Disneyland distinguishes itself from its successors (Walt Disney World, Tokyo, Paris, Shanghai) through its role as the original template. Several historic attractions exist nowhere else in their original form, such as Matterhorn Bobsleds, the world's first steel roller coaster, or the Enchanted Tiki Room, the world's first show to use audio-animatronics technology.

The park remains human-scaled compared to its Asian counterparts or Walt Disney World in Florida: it can be explored entirely on foot, and most themed areas are accessible within minutes of one another. It is also the only Disney park where Walt himself resided: his private apartment, preserved as it was, remains above the Main Street fire station to this day.

Park History

The idea took shape in Walt Disney's mind in the early 1940s, following several visits to amusement parks with his daughters. He envisioned a family-friendly, clean, and themed destination, worlds away from the carnival fairs of the era. The chosen site in Anaheim occupied former orange groves. Construction began in 1954 on a tight schedule.

The park opened its doors on July 17, 1955. The opening day, broadcast live on television, would go down in history as Black Sunday: asphalt melting in the heat, plumbing issues, counterfeit tickets in circulation, and attendance far exceeding projections. Despite this chaotic start, the park quickly established itself and redefined the entertainment industry.

New areas were added over the decades: New Orleans Square in 1966, Critter Country in 1972, Mickey's Toontown in 1993, and Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge in 2019. The second park, Disney California Adventure, opened in 2001 right across from the historic entrance.

Themed Areas and Signature Attractions

Fantasyland

The heart of the park, dominated by the Sleeping Beauty Castle, the centerpiece visible from the entrance thanks to the forced perspective of Main Street USA. You'll find Peter Pan's Flight, It's a Small World with its hundreds of animated figures, and The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, suited for young children.

Frontierland

An evocation of the American West. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, a family-friendly roller coaster winding through a gold mine, and the Mark Twain Riverboat, a steamboat navigating the Rivers of America, are the two main attractions.

Adventureland

A world of tropical exploration. The Jungle Cruise is hosted by a skipper with B-grade jokes, while the Enchanted Tiki Room retains its historic status as the first audio-animatronics attraction. Tarzan's Treehouse offers a pleasant vantage point over the park.

New Orleans Square

A recreation of 19th-century New Orleans. Pirates of the Caribbean inspired the eponymous film franchise. The Haunted Mansion houses, according to park lore, 999 resident ghosts—with always room for one more.

Tomorrowland

A retro-futuristic vision of the future. Space Mountain offers a roller coaster journey through the darkness, and Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blasters will delight fans of interactive family games.

Mickey's Toontown

A cartoon universe dedicated to classic characters, notably featuring Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway and Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin.

Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge

The newest area, opened in 2019. Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run offers interactive piloting of the spacecraft, while Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance is considered one of the most technically sophisticated attractions ever created by Disney.

Must-See Attractions

• Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage: a journey through yellow submarines alongside underwater scenery.
• Matterhorn Bobsleds: a replica of the Matterhorn housing the world's first steel roller coaster (1959).

Disney California Adventure Park

The second park, accessible from the same entry plaza, celebrates California culture and history. Three areas stand out: Pixar Pier, inspired by Pixar films; Avengers Campus, dedicated to the Marvel universe; and Cars Land, which faithfully recreates Radiator Springs with its reconstructed Route 66. A "Park Hopper" ticket is required to move between parks on the same day.

Practical Information

Tickets come in 1 to 5-day options, with variable pricing depending on the season (low, moderate, or peak). Budget accordingly per adult per day, adjusted for the season. Children under 3 enter free. Advance ticket booking is mandatory for most dates.

Disney offers a paid skip-the-line system (formerly Genie+, renamed Lightning Lane in 2024), accessible via the Disneyland app. Its value depends heavily on daily attendance. The official Disneyland app is moreover essential on-site: it displays real-time wait times, show schedules, and allows you to order at restaurants.

The park generally opens in the morning and closes late in the evening, with variable hours depending on the season. Check operating hours on the official website before your visit.

When to Visit Disneyland

Crowding is the determining factor. The busiest periods correspond to American school holidays (summer, Thanksgiving in late November, Christmas and Easter breaks), during which wait times can exceed two hours at popular attractions.

The best windows to visit are late January–February (outside President's Day), May before summer vacation, and September–early November (outside Halloween). Temperatures are mild and crowds moderate. Halloween (September–October) and the Christmas period (mid-November to early January) offer special park theming, but come with significantly higher attendance.

How to Get There

From Los Angeles

Anaheim is about 45 km southeast of Los Angeles. By car, expect 45 minutes to 1.5 hours depending on traffic, which is often heavy. Several parking lots are available around the Resort. By public transit, the Metrolink commuter rail line or Amtrak Pacific Surfliner service connects Union Station to Anaheim's ARTIC station, from which Anaheim Resort Transit (ART) shuttles reach the parks.

From the Airport

The most convenient airports are John Wayne Airport (SNA, 20 km away) and Long Beach (LGB). Los Angeles International (LAX) remains the most served for international flights, but requires at least an additional hour of travel time.

On-Site

Numerous Anaheim hotels within a radius of 1 to 3 km offer shuttle service or are within walking distance. The three official Disney hotels have direct access to the Resort.

What to See in the Region

If you extend your stay in Southern California, several sites are worth visiting near Los Angeles. You can explore the upscale residential neighborhoods of Beverly Hills and Bel Air, or venture further east toward the dramatic landscapes of Antelope Canyon in Arizona for a striking contrast with the Disney universe.

Plan Your Trip

Disneyland fits easily into a broader itinerary in California or along the West Coast. To plan a custom trip combining parks, major cities, and natural wonders, consult our trips to the États-Unis.