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. While you don’t specifically need to understand each of the themes before your visit, it is helpful to have a basic understanding.
This post includes information about the nine lands at Disneyland, including the most popular rides, restaurants, and other things to know.
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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Main Street USA
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 how Walt viewed it, there’s a great tour you can take, called Walt’s Main Street tour. When I took this tour several years ago, we spend some time learning about Main Street, and then visited Walt’s Main Street apartment.
At Main Street USA, you’ll find the following:
- Disneyland Railroad
- Main Street Vehicles
- The Emporium
- The Plaza Inn
- Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor
- Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe
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.
Tomorrowland
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 of it feels very modern, it’s also very nostalgic.
Here are the top things to do in Tomorrowland:
- Star Wars – The Adventures Continue
- Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
- Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage
- Autopia
- Space Mountain
- Alien Pizza Planet
- Galactic Grill
- Tomorrowland Skyline Terrace
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 is Tomorrowland is Space Mountain – I even prefer it to the version at Walt Disney World.
Fantasyland
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:
- Royal Hall (where you can meet the princesses)
- 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
Many of these rides don’t use Genie+, 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.
Toontown
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:
- 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
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
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:
- Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
- Millenium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run
- Oga’s Cantina
- Savi’s Workshop
- Droid Depot
- Ronto Roasters
- Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities
- Black Spire Outpost
Currently, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance does not participate in Genie+. You’ll want to either wait in the (long) standby line or purchase the Individual Lightning Lane.
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.
Critter Country
Note that this land, which is unique at Disneyland and doesn’t exist at Walt Disney World, is currently closed for renovation. When it is open, however, attractions will include:
- Tiana’s Bayou Adventure – (opening later this year)
- Ray’s Berets – (opening with Tiana’s Bayou Adventure)
- Louis’ Critter Club / Pooh
- The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh Corner
- Davey Crockett’s Explorer Canoes
- Critter Country Fruit Cart
Adventureland
This Disneyland land is similar to the same-named version at Walt Disney World. This is the most exotic of the lands and the most exciting.
Rides and attractions in Adventureland include:
- The Jungle Cruise
- Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room
- Adventureland Treehouse
- Indiana Jones Adventure
- Tiki Juice Bar (this is where you can get one of the best treats at Disneyland – the Dole Whip)
- The Tropical Hideaway (also offering Dole Whip)
- Bengal Barbeque
Frontierland
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:
- 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 Merchantile
- Westward Ho Trading Company
Unlike Walt Disney World, the flume ride (Tiana’s Bayou Adventure) is not in Frontierland. When the ride opens at Disneyland, it will be in Critter Country, where Splash Mountain was.
New Orleans Square
New Orleans Square is another unique land to Disneyland. Like Critter Country, some enhancements are coming to New Orleans Square, requiring some sections to be temporarily closed.
When it’s fully operational, here are the attractions, restaurants, and shops in New Orleans Square.
- Pirates of the Caribbean (I love this version so much more than the one at Walt Disney World)
- The Haunted Mansion (currently closed for renovation)
- Blue Bayou – my favorite table service restaurant at Disneyland
- Mint Julep Bar – this is where you can get the Mickey-shaped beignets
- Tiana’s Palace quick service restaurant
What is your favorite land at Disneyland?
