Today is Disneyland’s 65th Anniversary, and although the park is still closed, I wanted to share my five favorite things about Disneyland Park. If you have never been to Disneyland before, you should put it on your bucket list because Disneyland truly is the Happiest Place on Earth.

5. Toontown

Call me crazy, but I have always been a big fan of Toontown. I was so upset when Disney World closed their version of Toontown in 2011, but love visiting Disneyland’s Toontown. Inspired by the movie Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Toontown is where you can find the Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin. There are so many fun photo opportunities in Toontown, and you can meet even meet Mickey Mouse in his house! In 2022, Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway will be opening in Disneyland’s Toontown.

4. New Orleans Square

If I had one wish for the Magic Kingdom at Disney World, it would be that Disney would build a New Orleans Square. New Orleans Square at Disneyland is, hands down, my favorite area of the park. I love the sounds of New Orleans, the rides (Pirates and Haunted Mansion), and the FOOD. Blue Bayou and Cafe Orleans are some of the best restaurants on Disneyland property, and we eat at both of them every time we go. I’m hoping that when the Magic Kingdom changes Splash Mountain, they can add a New Orleans Square area as well.

3. Walkability

I grew up a “Disney World Kid” and worked at Disney World, so taking a bus/boat/monorail to get to a park or hotel is reasonable to me. It is incredible how easily you can walk from hotels or Disney California Adventure to Disneyland Park! Disneyland is also pretty small, so it’s not exhausting to walk through the whole park without a break. I always tell clients that if they are intimidated by Disney World and “seeing it all,” Disneyland is a great option for a first time Disney experience

2. Food

Disneyland Park has some of the best food of any Disney Park in the United States. There, I said it. When we go, we have a hard time deciding where we want to eat, because there are so many good options. My favorite place to eat in Disneyland, as I mentioned before, is Cafe Orleans in New Orleans Square. Their Pommes Frites and Monte Cristo Sandwich are to die for, and I make my husband take me to Cafe Orleans on every trip.

1. History

My very favorite thing about Disneyland is it’s history. I always joke with my husband that one that makes Disneyland incredible is that Walt Disney himself walked through that park. I love how tiny the queues are in Fantasyland, I love knowing that Walt Disney had an apartment there, and I love watching Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln. There is so much history in Disneyland Park, and I love that.

There are so many things that I love about Disneyland Park that it was hard to narrow it down just to five. I will add that when you walk into Disneyland, you honestly feel the magic. This magic has been flowing from that park for 65 years, and I have hope that when Disneyland reopens, we will still feel that.

Sending love and magic.

(I am a travel agent, so if you are planning a Disney trip, feel free to reach out for me for a free Disney quote. It is completely free to book your vacation through me, so email me at leslie@minnievanmom.com.)