5 Must Dos at Disneyland in One Day

Are you traveling to Disneyland for a quick trip? While Walt Disney’s original Disney theme park nestled in Anaheim, California is smaller than other Disney parks, there are still days worth of things to do here! As such fitting it all in can be tough! From rides to restaurants, to shows, and parades, seasonal events and more, here are our top 5 things to do at Disneyland in One Day, so that you can make sure you prioritize the good stuff.  

There is so much to do at Disneyland and California Adventure Park that it’s hard to figure what you absolutely must do! Especially if you’re on a budget, or trying to smash these two parks into one day! To help you get a handle on it all we’ve rounded up tips on Planning a Disneyland Vacation  to get you started.

But if you’re adding your first trip to Disneyland into a larger California trip, and need a gameplan, this priority list will help! Traveling to Disneyland is magical for kids and adults, but can also be a bit overwhelming! While technically just a theme park, each has their own theme, characters, and feel. Here’s a breakdown of 5 Things that can really make your Disneyland One Day Trip extra special. 

Watch the World Of Color Show at California Adventure 

World of Color is a gorgeous light show held at Paradise Gardens Park, inside of California Adventure Park. Using lights, lasers, fire and music, this show is set on the water and can be best viewed if you have a Lightning Lane pass to get close to the action. But, you can also just arrive early to reserve your spot around the lagoon. Offering seasonal and special overlays for this show, it won’t matter when you visit, as this is always a gorgeous show. As such, if there is one thing you plan to see/do on your Disneyland trip, this is it. Be sure to stay late enough to enjoy it. It’s beautiful, sentimental, and completely worth the wait. Showtimes 9:00 PM and 10:30 PM

Ride the Opening Day Rides at Disneyland

One of our favorite things about traveling to Disneyland for the First time is that nostalgia! Even if you’re never been there, it’s simply filled with characters and things you know from Disney films. The Disneyland Castle, Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, Jungle Cruise, and the Disneyland Railroad are all included in the lineup. Check out our Disneyland Bucket List for all the special things to add to your list when visiting Disneyland for one day.

Visit Pixar Pier at California Adventure 

Pixar Pier is all about that nostalgic boardwalk feel you may have found in the good old days! Think cotton candy while strolling along the water, and a Ferris wheel in the background. With new places to get food and other treats, play games, and enjoy rides, all themed around Pixar, Pixar Pier is bright, fun, colorful and will make you feel like a kid again. Ride the Incredicoaster, play carnival games, and check out the gift shops. You can even grab a Jack Jack Num Num Cookie! Pixar Pier has such a fun atmosphere, it’s an experience you won’t want to miss. Want to really take it in? Grab brunch at the Lamplight Lounge! With great views on the pier you’ll feel super easy and breezy before heading into your day. 

Head to New Orleans Square at Disneyland

By far our favorite area of the Disneyland Park you can revel in some of the best rides here. Including Pirates of the Caribbean, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, Haunted Mansion and Mark Twain’s Riverboat. With beautiful architecture, here you’ll be snapping pictures in between rides and snacks. Be sure to grab churros from the snack cart, and head to Tiana’s Palace for a bayou themed lunch. This area gets crowded, but it’s well worth the time and visit. This is also the location of the original Disney Club 33 created by Walt Disney himself. 

Explore Downtown Disney at Disneyland Resort

Located just between Disneyland Park and California Adventure Park is Downtown Disney. This is the public shopping center filled with restaurants, shows, live music, and access to Disney’s hotels. You can access Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel, Disneyland Hotel and Pixar Place from here. Maybe you’re looking for something to do on the day you arrive, or a day that you don’t have a Park ticket. Downtown Disney is a great spot to grab some food, get in some shopping and you can even take a ride on the monorail from Downtown Disney.

They also have performances, and seasonal events here, so head over to Downtown Disney for some food and fun. Downtown Disney is a just couple minutes walk from the Park entrances so it’s easy to hop over for a short time and get back to the Parks quickly. And it’s close to the hotels within walking distance of Disneyland Park too. 

Disneyland in One Day

So there you have it! 5 things we think you must do on your one day Disneyland trip. Disneyland may be small, but there is no shortage of things to do or magic to be found. So, if you’re visiting Disneyland for one day, be sure to make time for these things. Surely, you’ll see that coming back to the parks on a longer trip is well worth it.