The Disneyland Resort, a true World Destination

Here's an overview of the resort's attractions and hotels

List of Disneyland's theme parks, hotels and more!

And yet, not everyone knows the significance of the term "Disneyland Resort" yet, because that's a fairly recent label that's been applied to this venerable travel destination. In the "old days" (meaning "before 2001") There was just Disneyland Park and its accompanying hotel.

Not so any more! The name "Disneyland Resort" was coined as a term to use for ALL the attractions in Disney's Anaheim cluster...and here's what they are---

1.) Disneyland Theme Park, the magical amusement park which "started it all!"

2.) Disney's California Adventure theme park, a 2nd theme park which was added to the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California in 2001. Rides and attractions celebrate the state of California's terrain and industries...and so THAT'S why it's called "California Adventure."

3.) Downtown Disney District, a family hot spot that's lined with stores, restaurants and entertainment options. Admission & parking are free...plus the Downtown Disney District stays open later than either of the two theme parks. What's NOT to like?

4.) The Disneyland Hotel, Disneyland Anaheim's original hotel. What started out as a one-story motel-like structure several decades ago has evolved into a popular hotel complex consisting of 3 separate high-rise buildings---which nearly always stay full year-round!

5.) Disney's Grand Californian Hotel, a new luxurious hotel which was added to the Disneyland Resort in 2001. Guests enjoy a Western lodge-like atmosphere, are pampered with amenities, and even have their own private entrance into the California Adventure theme park!

6.) Paradise Pier Hotel, the 3rd and final Disneyland Resort hotel, was purchased from another company rather than built by Disney. Thus, prices are lower; many guests prefer "real" Disney magic. Nevertheless, you'd never know that the attractive Paradise Pier Hotel wasn't Disney-built, because it's cute decor and stunning views of the California Adventure theme park make this a wonderful place to stay.

On this page, we'll talk further about these 6 elements of the Disneyland Resort. Then, you can pick which of them you'd like to discover more about...and follow the links on this page to find entire sections of information about each one of these topics. There are over 100 Disneyland Resort pictures tucked into these sections of the website...pictures of everything from the rides you'll go on, to the beds you'll sleep in, to the food you'll eat!

The Disneyland Resort -- Fabulous Disneyland Park!

At the top of this page, you see a picture of Disneyland's Matterhorn mountain---a scale replica of Switzerland's Matterhorn...and a true symbol of Disneyland Park. Just to spot the Matterhorn from the freeway as one approaches the park makes the pulse race and the fingertips tingle with anticipation!

Inside these pages, you'll find photos and descriptions of all the famous themed areas that have become household words over the years---Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, Frontierland, Adventureland, Main Street, New Orleans Square, Disney's Toon Town, and Critter Country.

Here are the Disneyland Park pages you may enjoy reading on this website:

• Disneyland Park overview: Before you can figure out what attractions you'll want to see at the Disneyland amusement park, you need to know how it's laid out. Learn about Disneyland's various themed areas on this page! Or, if you're already familiar with them, then you might prefer skipping ahead to a page which covers your own favorite "land." These pages are:
  • Fantasyland, part 1, where you'll see pictures and discover little-known fun facts about the child-oriented Fantasyland themed section of Disneyland Park.
  • Fantasyland, Part 2, where you'll see photos and find still MORE fun facts about the Fantasyland rides!
  • Fantasyland Shopping, where you'll discover unique and beloved Disney gifts and souvenirs you'll want to pick out while visiting the park.
  • Mickey's Toon Town, the fun and fanciful "land" that's home to Mickey Mouse!
  • Tomorrowland, where the future happens today!
  • New Orleans Square, California's own French Quarter replica!
  • Adventureland, Disneyland's jungle-themed area that's the most exotic place many Angelenos may ever visit!
  • Frontierland, the themed area that's a tribute to the USA's Wild West days of yore.
  • Critter Country, home to Winnie the Pooh & his friends, and the popular Splash Mountain log flume ride.
  • Main Street USA, replica of a North American urban scene from 100 years ago.

Disneyland discounts, hours, holidays

Discover practical information to help make your trip a whopping success!

Holidays at Disneyland Park

Do you love holidays at Disneyland Park? You'll find plenty of Disneyland holiday pictures on this website, as well!

DISNEYLAND PARK HALLOWEEN PICTURES: You may enjoy seeing Disney Halloween characters, activities & attractions on the following pages: (1.) Disneyland Halloween Events; (2.) Woodys Halloween Roundup pics; (3.) Holiday Haunted Mansion pics; (4.) 3D Nightmare Before Christmas Haunted Mansion, part 2; (5.) Disney Pumpkins. Or, you can get tips on Disney Halloween costumes on the Making or buying a Disney Princess Costumes and Captain Jack Sparrow costumes pages of this site!

DISNEYLAND PARK CHRISTMAS PICTURES: You'll see pictures of Disneyland's overwhelmingly beautiful Christmas Castle, snow, parade and decorations on the following pages: (1.) Disneyland Christmas Activities & Attractions; (2.) Disney Christmas Parade pictures; (3.) Disney Holiday Parade pics, pt 2; (4.) Disneyland Park's Christmas Fireworks & Snow (5.) Santa's Reindeer Roundup pictures; (6.) Small World Holiday Pictures; and our (7.) New Year's Eve at Disneyland page.

Disneyland Resort -- Disney's California Adventure Theme Park!

Opening in 2001, the Disney California Adventure Park got off to a slow start. In fact, during its entire first decade, it received less than half of the visitors than it's older sister, Disneyland Park.

To build attendance, Disney's California Adventure embarked upon a $1 BILLION dollar spending spree to add new attractions. In the past several years, a new Toy Story-themed ride has opened, and the Paradise Pier section of the park has been remodeled. But, these changes didn't really boost attendance very much. Finally, however, an attraction was added that DID stir up some major buzz among theme park lovers. What was the new attraction added in 2010 that made such a big difference?

The World of Color water and light show was the great new attraction which has boosted Disney California Adventure's attendance figures significantly...and has finally made "DCA," as many people call the park, a must-see theme park. The World of Color puts any water show or light show you've ever seen to shame...being bigger, more spectacular, more clever, and any other superlative you'd care to name. It's the "shock and awe" version of water & light displays everywhere, and the only real drawback to it is the show's immense popularity; it's crowded!

But even though "World of Color" put the Disney California Adventure Park on many people's must-do list, there are many other attractions to enjoy. Your kids will love the adorable "Bug's Land" kiddie ride area. Guests of all ages will enjoy the Broadway-style production of "Aladdin, the Musical," created to the tune of a $million$-plus budget! And, nearly all ages will want to visit "Soarin' Over California," the popular attraction that will make you feel as if you're taking a tour of California by air.

In addition, more attractions from the park's 5-year expansion plan will soon be opening. A fanciful "Little Mermaid" ride is the new, must-see ride for 2011; and in 2012, the new "Cars Land" opens---an entire new themed area based on the hit Disney-Pixar movie, "Cars."

If you're wondering when you may plan your visit, you may find out the Disney California Adventure Park's hours of operation for the next 30+ days on our Disney California Adventure Hours page.

Disneyland Resort -- Downtown Disney Shopping and Entertainment District!

You're looking at the beautiful, lushly landscaped Rainforest Cafe in Downtown Disney, Anaheim. The Disney Resort just "feels" more complete with the addition of Downtown Disney, which was completed around the same time as Disney's California Adventure.

Downtown Disney, Anaheim is the Disney Resort's dining-shopping-entertainment complex. You'll love the variety of restaurants, plus there are BOTH family-oriented AND parent's-night-out activities to enjoy. (For example, Anaheim's House of Blues restaurant and concert venue is located here in Downtown Disney, Anaheim.) So...what will be YOUR favorite stores and restaurants here? Catch some clues by using the following link to this website's "Downtown Disney" pages!

Disneyland Resort -- 3 Great Hotels!

The Disneyland Hotel is where you'd stay at the Disneyland Resort if you want all the Disney touches in your room---themed bedspreads, paintings--and even coat-hooks, are the order of the day here. But, if the Disneyland Hotel is where you desire to stay on your family vacation getaway, do PLAN AHEAD! Book in advance, because this popular resort hotel fills up in advance!

Use the following link to see the Disneyland Hotel pages now!







The Disneyland Resort's Grand Californian Hotel is a masterpiece of California Craftsman architecture. Inside, the tall atrium lobby reminds the visitor of a log-hewn national park lodge...particularly the Lodge at Yellowstone. A roaring fire blazes in the fireplace, and large, cozy chairs beckon the weary to come "set a spell."

Rooms on the Disney's California Adventure side of the hotel have a spectacular view of that park.But, of course, the guests on the other side of the lodge have a Downtown Disney view. Also, guests at the Grand Californian Hotel have their very own "puts-you-right-there" entrance to the Disney's California Adventure action.

Find out all about this Grande Dame by using this link to the Disney's Grand Californian Hotel page of this website!



Now we've come to the last component of the Disneyland Resort...the Paradise Pier Hotel. It's the least-known hotel at the resort, possibly because the Paradise Pier Hotel focuses on the business traveler.

While all of the Disneyland Resort Hotels offer meeting rooms and facilities, the Paradise Pier Hotel is actively marketed to business groups. The rooms have the touch of Disney...but are more restrained, and not at all "kiddish," for the purpose of helping the adult traveling alone to feel more at-home

Talk about a view! The Paradise Pier Hotel is directly across a small street from the Paradise Pier themed area of Disney's California Adventure---a particularly colorful section of the park that was built to be as much eye-candy as functioning park rides. At night, with the park's thousands of lights, it's a dream to behold.

Can't wait to learn more about this fun hotel? Just use the following link to head to the Paradise Pier Hotel page of this website!




Also in this "Disneyland Resort" section, you'll be able to find out information about Disneyland's "Good Neighbor Hotels." The Good Neighbor Hotels lie off of the Disneyland Resort property in the surrounding city of Anaheim, California...but some of the Good Neighbor hotels are just as close to the Disneyland Park turnstiles as the Disneyland Resort Hotels are! Other "Good Neighbor" hotels are a bit farther away...but they are all fine hotels that have been inspected and approved by Disneyland personnel...to make sure that they'll give you good service and a great place to stay on your Disneyland theme park trip. Use the following link to see the Disneyland's "Good Neighbor" Hotels page of this website now!

Explore a Disneyland Park topic:   Disneyland Overview ::   Fantasyland, Pt 1 ::   Fantasyland, Pt 2 ::   Fantasyland Shopping ::   Mickey's Toontown ::   Tomorrowland ::   New Orleans Square ::   Adventureland ::   Frontierland ::   Critter Country ::   Main Street pt 1 ::   Main Street pt 2 ::

Find Disneyland General Information:   Disneyland Operating Hours ::   California Adventure hours of operation ::   Disneyland Discount Tickets for out-of-town guests ::   Disneyland Discounts for Local Residents ::   Disneyland Maps, Address and Phone Numbers

Plan a different Southern California activity:   Attraction discount tickets ::   Attractions Overview ::   Beaches ::   Camping ::   Christmas Fun ::   Family Fun Centers ::   Halloween Fun ::   Hollywood fun ::   Parks ::   Restaurants ::   Road Trips ::   San Diego Fun ::   Shopping ::   Outlet Shopping ::   Theaters ::   Theme Parks ::   Water Parks ::   Zoos ::

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