The Original Disneyland and
Disney’s California Adventure
Dominate the Scene in California

 

Featuring Two Distinctly Different Theme Parks,
a Shopping Complex, Dining,
Entertainment, and Three Resort Hotels

 

Disneyland Park has attracted millions of visitors since it first opened its doors more than 50 years ago. When you enter Disneyland, the cares and worries of the day are left behind. Once you enter Disneyland Park, you’re transported to a fantasy world where elephants can fly and pirates serenade.

Disneyland California is most certainly a land of enchantment where children and the young at heart find that dreams really do come true. Disneyland Park is a seamless blend of yesterday, today and tomorrow. Smiling train conductors, marching bands and the clip-clop of horse drawn carriages bring you back to carefree days. You can also rocket through the galaxy, board a runaway train or trek through the jungle. Laughter is always in the air, with friendly smiles all around. The secret to Disneyland is its ability to change yet, remain the same. As Walt Disney said “Disneyland will never be completed. It will continue to grow as long as there is imagination left in the world.”

(Left to Right) Steve Zall, Disneyland Regional Market Publicity Manager John McClintock, and Sid Fish  -Photo by Mark Eades

DISNEYLAND RESORT

OPENING DAY (1955) – This is a rare color image of opening day taken outside the Main Entrance of Disneyland.

DISNEYLAND

Opened: July 17, 1955

Walt Disney’s first theme park anywhere has eight themed lands with dozens of attractions built around wonder, fantasy and fun: Main Street, U.S.A.; Adventureland; Frontierland; Fantasyland; Tomorrowland; New Orleans Square; Critter Country; and Mickey’s Toontown.

ATTRACTION HIGHLIGHTS:

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Enchanted Tiki Room, Jungle Cruise, Peter Pan’s Flight, Pirates of the Caribbean, Big Thunder Mountain Mine Train, Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, The Haunted Mansion, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, Matterhorn Bobsleds, It’s a Small World, Disneyland Railroad, Indiana Jones Adventure, Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage, Autopia, Mad Tea Party, Disneyland Monorail System, Alice in Wonderland, and Star Tours.

 

ICONIC ENTRANCE – Inspired by the iconic Pan Pacific Auditorium, turnstiles set the stage for the entrance to Disney California Adventure park. Buena Vista Street transports guests to Los Angeles as Walt Disney found it when he first arrived in California, with buildings inspired by structures that existed during the 1920s and ’30s – including the Pan Pacific Auditorium.

DISNEY CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE

Opened: February 8, 2001

Explore 7 exciting lands that bring to life Disney and Pixar stories and characters through amazing attractions, entertainment and dining: Buena Vista Street; Cars Land; Grizzly Peak; Paradise Pier; Pacific Wharf; A Bug’s Land; and Hollywood Land.

ATTRACTION HIGHLIGHTS:

California Screamin’, Radiator Springs Racers, Soarin’ Around the World, Mickey’s Fun Wheel, Grizzly River Run, Red Car Trolley, Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue, Flik’s Flyers, Golden Zephyr, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters, Toy Story Midway Mania!, and The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Undersea Adventure.

 

Downtown Disney District Lights Up the Night –Downtown Disney, an energetic avenue leading to the entrances of Disneyland and Disney California Adventure parks, is a lively, colorful array of innovative restaurants, interesting shops and dynamic entertainment venues. With live entertainment, lush landscaping and innovative architecture, Downtown Disney is the ideal location for a shopping spree, a dining excursion or simply a stroll through a unique Disney environment.

DOWNTOWN DISNEY DISTRICT

With 300,000-plus square-foot of live entertainment, lush landscaping and innovative architecture, Downtown Disney District is the ideal location for a shopping spree, a dining excursion or simply a stroll through a unique Disney environment. Downtown Disney, a public esplanade leading to the entrances of Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Parks, offers a lively, colorful array of innovative restaurants, interesting shops and dynamic entertainment venues.

SHOPPING HIGHLIGHTS:

Starbucks, ESPN Zone, House of Blues, La Brea Bakeryâ„¢ Café, The LEGO Store, Rainforest Café, Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen, Build-A-Bear Workshop, AMC Theatres, World of Disney Store, Catal Restaurant & Uva Bar, Tortilla Jo’s, Naples Ristorante e Pizzeria, and Napolini.

The Disneyland Hotel includes decor inspired by Disneyland park in the rooms, a pool-and-slide water play area that evokes the early years of Disneyland, and the new poolside Tangaroa Terrace restaurant and Trader Sam’s bar, inspired by classic features found in Adventureland.

DISNEYLAND RESORT HOTELS

HOTELS: Three resorts owned and operated by the Disneyland Resort (includes Disney Vacation Club properties).

TOTAL NUMBER OF HOTEL ROOMS: 973 Disneyland Resort hotel rooms, including 50 two-bedroom equivalent Disney Vacation Club units.

Disneyland Hotel — 973 rooms

Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa — 948 rooms

Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel — 481 rooms

 

Disneyland Resort Celebrates 61 Years of Fun and Innovation with
Anniversary Celebration

 

Guests Have One Last Chance to Enjoy
All the Magic of the Diamond Anniversary Celebration, through Sept. 5, 2016

 

‘FROZEN — LIVE AT THE HYPERION’ — A new theatrical interpretation for the stage based on Disney’s animated blockbuster film, Frozen is now playing at the Hyperion Theater at Disney California Adventure Park. The show immerses audiences in the emotional journey of Anna and Elsa with all of the excitement of live theater, including elaborate costumes and sets, stunning special effects and show-stopping production numbers.

 When Walt Disney opened Disneyland Park on July 17, 1955, it had 18 attractions, no Disney hotels and little but orange groves surrounding it. Today, as the Disneyland Resort marks its 61st anniversary—and the ongoing Diamond Celebration—the original theme park has expanded to become a world-class family resort destination. With six decades of inspiration and innovation, the resort now includes two renowned Disney theme parks, nearly 100 exciting attractions, three hotels and the shopping, dining and entertainment district known as Downtown Disney.

Disneyland commemorated its role as the original Disney theme park with festivities that included the Disneyland Band, the “Happiest March on Earth” down Main Street, U.S.A., and a cast of 61 Disney characters at the Disneyland Train Station.

KRISTOFF TAKES ANNA TO THE TROLLS IN ‘FROZEN — LIVE AT THE HYPERION’ — A new theatrical interpretation for the stage based on Disney’s animated blockbuster film, Frozen is now playing at the Hyperion Theater at Disney California Adventure Park.

Final Weeks of Diamond Celebration Entertainment: Guests visiting the Disneyland Resort today and through Sept. 5, 2016, will have one last chance to enjoy the dazzling Diamond Celebration, with all its magic, sparkling décor and after-dark entertainment. Three spectacular shows were created for the milestone 60^th anniversary: the brilliant “Paint the Night” parade, the immersive “Disneyland Forever” fireworks show and the memorable “World of Color — Celebrate! The Wonderful World of Walt Disney.”

ANNA AND ELSA IN ‘FROZEN — LIVE AT THE HYPERION’ — A new theatrical interpretation for the stage based on Disney’s animated blockbuster film, Frozen is now playing at the Hyperion Theater at Disney California Adventure Park.

All-new Entertainment: The Resort’s newest attractions can be found at Disney California Adventure Park: “Frozen–Live at the Hyperion,” a new, theatrical interpretation of Disney’s animated blockbuster film, told with a cast of beloved characters, stunning special effects and show-stopping musical numbers; and Soarin’ Around the World, where guests let their imagination take flight in an epic reimagining of the classic attraction, Soarin’ Over California.

A Place Where Dreams Come True: The popularity of Disneyland through the past 61 years celebrates Walt Disney’s dream of a place where family members of all ages can have fun together in a safe, clean atmosphere that emphasizes imagination and extraordinary guest service. Since 1955, dignitaries, heads of state, celebrities and more than 750 million guests have passed through its gates.

‘WORLD OF COLOR – CELEBRATE!’ The popular, nighttime spectacular ‘World of Color’ at Disney California Adventure park continues with the new ‘World of Color – Celebrate!’ This fun-filled presentation takes guests on an inspirational journey celebrating Walt Disney and his dream of Disneyland park. This story is brought to life with fountains, animation and live-action film, lasers, special effects and a stirring musical score. Celebrating 60 years of magic, ‘World of Color – Celebrate!’ is one of three new, nighttime spectaculars that immerse guests in the worlds of Disney stories like never before.

As part of the tribute to opening day, July 17, 1955, a recording of Walt Disney’s speech was played: “To all who come to this happy place—welcome!  Disneyland is your land. Here, age relives fond memories of the past, and here youth may savor the challenge and promise of the future. Disneyland is dedicated to the ideals, the dreams, and the hard facts that have created America, with the hope that it will be a source of joy and inspiration to all the world.”

With that as its goal, Disneyland transformed the amusement industry. It delivered an entirely new concept in family entertainment: a “theme park” where rides, shows and characters become part of a total storytelling environment.  Creativity, technology and innovation continue to bring stories to life, while fulfilling Walt’s promise that “Disneyland will never be completed … as long as there is imagination left in the world.”

At Disney California Adventure Park

ELSA’S CORONATION IN ‘FROZEN – LIVE AT THE HYPERION’

 “Frozen — Live at the Hyperion,” a new musical adaptation based on Disney’s animated blockbuster film, is performed daily at the Hyperion Theater. The show brings to life the timeless story of Anna, Elsa, Kristoff, Sven and everyone’s favorite snowman, Olaf, in a spectacular musical stage production. From the moment the curtain rises, guests are mesmerized by this heartwarming tale of two sisters who learn that their love for each other is what matters most. With a cast of beloved characters, an engaging story and unforgettable songs, audiences can expect an incredible theatrical experience that will delight the entire family. The show is directed by Liesl Tommy, who was recently nominated for a Tony Award® for her Broadway show “Eclipsed.” The story’s endearing characters of Olaf and Sven are brought to life on stage through the creative efforts of master puppet designer Michael Curry, who co-designed with director Julie Taymor the puppets of “The Lion King” on Broadway and many other Disney parades, shows and projects.

Soarin’ Around the World – Your imaginations can take flight in this entirely new epic reimagining of a classic attraction. Beginning June 17, get ready to soar over the Great Wall of China, glide over the windy peak of the Matterhorn in Switzerland and sail over Australia’s majestic Sydney Harbor. Located in the Grizzly Peak Airfield area of Disney California Adventure, utilizing the very hanger where Disney’s original “Soarin’ Over California” attraction first flew, this next generation flight is an exhilarating aerial adventure that immerses guests in a global multi-sensory experience, complete with stunning sights, spectacular sounds and even subtle scents.

LUIGI’S ROLLICKIN’ ROADSTERS

 In Cars Land, the sensational Radiator Springs Racers and exuberant Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree have been joined by a new attraction. The fun-filled Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters attraction at Casa Della Tires dances with joy as Luigi’s cugini (cousins) have come from Carsoli, Italy, to celebrate Race Day in Radiator Park guests hop aboard miniature Italian roadsters, in the style of late 1950s micro cars and groove with Luigi’s singing in a precision-choreographed dance across a trackless “dance floor.” Each car has its own routine, so guests can enjoy different ride experiences during each dance.

Capturing the excitement of “Captain America: Civil War,” Captain America is making appearances in Hollywood Land at Disney California Also swinging into Hollywood Land is everyone’s favorite web slinger, your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man.

 

At Disneyland Park

Exciting Star Wars experiences in Disneyland Park celebrate the Star Wars film saga.

STAR WARS SEASON OF THE FORCE AT DISNEYLAND PARK — As the Force awakens at the Disneyland Resort, Star Wars Season of the Force brings exciting new experiences to Disneyland Park to celebrate all things Star Wars. Season of the Force in Tomorrowland entertains fans of the famous film saga and guests looking forward to the future Star Wars-themed land. Among the elements entering this galaxy are Star Wars Launch Bay, an interactive space in the newly named Tomorrowland Expo Center; Star Wars: Path of the Jedi, a cinematic overview of the Star Wars saga; a new adventure in Star Tours -The Adventures Continue, and the reimagined attraction, Hyperspace Mountain.

Star Wars Launch Bay invites guests to visit a Star Wars-themed cantina, discover authentic replicas of film props, and encounter Star Wars characters such as Chewbacca, from the light side, and Kylo Ren from the dark side.

The Star Wars-themed transformation of Space Mountain into Hyperspace Mountain thrusts guests into an X-wing Starfigher battle as they race through the darkness. The experience is enhanced by a thrilling soundtrack, inspired by the Star Wars films’ musical themes and re-orchestrated to match every move in the attraction.

At the Star Tours — The Adventures Continue attraction, guests encounter an exciting adventure and characters from “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” while journeying aboard a Starspeeder 1000.

‘JEDI TRAINING: TRIALS OF THE TEMPLE’

Guests relive stories from the Star Wars saga — or discover them for the first time – through the short “Star Wars: Path of the Jedi” film which connects iconic scenes from the iconic films in fun ways.

The popular interactive show Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple has been reimagined with Darth Vader and the Seventh Sister Inquisitor from the popular Disney XD series Star Wars Rebels.

Additional highlights of a summer visit to Disneyland include unique limited-time opportunities to experience favorite attractions in new While the Disneyland Railroad is temporarily closed, guests at the Main Street and New Orleans Square Train Stations can get up-close with the historic steam engines that have circled Disneyland park for decades and learn about them firsthand from Disneyland Railroad engineers. Limited-time experiences for the Mark Twain Riverboat and Sailing Ship Columbia are also planned this summer.

60th Anniversary Diamond Celebration Spectaculars Continue

The stunning entertainment found every year at the Disneyland Resort is now even more dazzling with Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration, continuing through Sept. 5, 2016.

 

The sparkling “Paint the Night” parade builds on the tradition of breathtaking nighttime parades in Disneyland Park that began with the “Main Street Electrical ” Illuminated almost entirely by LED lights, “Paint the Night” is a state-of-the art, vibrant wonder that immerses guests in the magical, luminescent worlds of many Disney and Disney●Pixar characters, including Ariel, the Little Mermaid; Woody and Buzz Lightyear from “Toy Story”’; Lightning McQueen from “Cars,” Disney Princesses and Mickey Mouse and his pals.

The “Disneyland Forever” fireworks spectacular entertains guests from the tips of their toes to the sky high above, surrounding the audience with music, dazzling visual projections and other special effects that bring the pyrotechnics to life in surprising Guests may enjoy the projections from multiple locations, including Main Street, U.S.A., and Small World mall.

‘DISNEYLAND FOREVER’ SPARKLES IN THE NIGHT SKY — ‘Disneyland Forever,’ a new fireworks spectacular at the Disneyland Resort, illuminates the sky above Sleeping Beauty Castle. ‘Disneyland Forever’ transports guests into the worlds of beloved Disney and Disney/Pixar films through traditional pyrotechnics, innovative projection mapping technology and surprising special effects.

At Disney California Adventure, “World of Color — Celebrate! The Wonderful World of Walt Disney” is a fun-filled version of the popular, nighttime “World of Color” Award-winning actor Neil Patrick Harris joins Mickey Mouse on a magical water canvas, bringing to life the remarkable story of Walt Disney and The Happiest Place on Earth with animated imagery, live-action film, fountains, lasers, special effects and a stirring musical score.

 

Disneyland Diamond Days, an exciting text-in-for-a-chance-to-win sweepstakes, awards daily and weekly prizes as part of the Diamond Weekly prizes include authentic one- and two-carat diamonds custom engraved for Disney — one-carat diamonds are paired with a stay in the Disneyland Dream suite — as well as a one-of-a-kind dazzled Mickey Mouse ear hat adorned with crystals and a white gold plated, silver emblem with a large topaz and smaller pavé diamonds; and private experiences in the park such as a Breakfast in Mickey’s Toontown or an exotic Jungle Cruise Dinner. The available prizes vary each week. Daily prizes also are awarded during the Diamond Celebration, and each daily prize package for that day includes an individualized tour of the parks with dining, preferred access to select attractions, and VIP viewing at some of the dazzling nighttime spectaculars. Daily prize winners must be present on the Disneyland Resort premises at the time of entry and at the time of prize redemption in order to be able to enjoy these special experiences, and theme park admission is not necessary to enter or win the sweepstakes. More details, including a complete list of prizes, may be found at http://www.Disneyland.com/DiamondDays.

Themed Dining and Other Experiences

Any visit to the Disneyland Resort becomes more special with themed dining and refreshments, and the resort presents some tasty surprises this summer. At Disneyland, the Star Wars-themed menu at Galactic Grill includes the Darth Tamale, a First Order Specialty Burger with Angus beef and chorizo on a dark bun, and The Pastry Menace éclair. Plaza Inn is ideal for family dining with a menu that features fried chicken, pot roast and made-to-order Children and the young at heart are delighted to encounter Disney characters at the “Minnie & Friends Breakfast in the Park” at Plaza Inn, one of several character meals at the resort.

At Disney California Adventure, the recently opened Smokejumpers Grill inside Grizzly Peak Airfield fires up delicious burgers and other favorites, all served in a themed environment. The popular Cove Bar along Paradise Bay serves beverages and appetizers in an expanded patio The elegant Carthay Circle Restaurant continues to provide an ideal location for fine dining and adult relaxation in its lounge. And guests who want to meet Disney Princesses will find them at the character dining at Ariel’s Grotto.

PRINCE HANS MEETS ANNA IN ‘FROZEN – LIVE AT THE HYPERION’

The Disneyland Resort features two spectacular theme parks — Disneyland (the original Disney theme park) and the reimagined Disney California Adventure Park — plus three hotels and the Downtown Disney District, comprising unique dining, entertainment and shopping experiences. The Resort’s hotels are the luxurious, 948-room Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, which also features 50 two-bedroom equivalent Disney Vacation Club units; the magical, recently renovated, 975-room Disneyland Hotel — both AAA Four Diamond properties — and the 481-room Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel with its “day-at-the-beach” fun. For information on attractions and vacations at Disneyland Resort, visit Disneyland.com, call (866) 43-DISNEY or contact local travel agents.

Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, is open daily year round. For more information call 866-603-4763 or visit www.disneyland.com.