Experience the Magic in Every Corner of Anaheim, Both In and Out of the Park
Calling all Disney dreamers! When it comes to any trip to the OG Magic Kingdom, the planning piece is crucial. And as magical as Disneyland always is, creating an itinerary can be daunting. Lucky enough, all you have to do is be ready to rally! We took care of the planning for you and mapped out all Anaheim’s must-do activities. From where to stay, play, eat and explore, Anaheim is full of Disney-adjacent experiences both in and outside the park—not to mention the sweetest treat and eats (don’t skip No. 6)! Even locals will find a hidden Mickey or two in our insider’s guide. Follow our treasure map, but warning: there’s enchantment in every corner. Disneyland Vacation in Anaheim
Stay at The Anaheim Hotel
The Anaheim Hotel offers a front-row seat to the magic without the mayhem of Disneyland crowds. Kids love being Mickey’s next-door neighbor, and parents love the peace and quiet of being outside the park—two of the many reasons this AAA Three-Diamond property is a Top-Family Friendly Hotel on Tripadvisor! The walk to the park is only eight minutes, and this midcentury modern hideaway boasts state-of-the-art Topgolf Swing Suites as well as the largest pool in the Anaheim Resort District. Rooms have a nostalgic charm with patio views of Guardians of the Galaxy Mission: Breakout! Pack your imagination and your bags for a fun-filled weekend in the park paired with family-friendly accommodations at The Anaheim Hotel. Stay for three nights (which pairs perfectly with a three-day Disney pass) and you’ll get a complimentary Topgolf Swing Suite session, 10% off food and beverage, and a welcome gift with The Anaheim Hotel’s Stay and Play package.
Local Insight: The Anaheim Hotel’s pool deck boasts a magical view of Disneyland’s fireworks show!
Breakfast at 8th Haus Cafe
Like preparing for an adventure, a day at Disney calls for the proper fuel. Start your morning at 8th Haus Cafe, which is less than 15 minutes away from the hotel and Disneyland Park. This quaint cafe has more than meets the eye. While unassuming on the outside, the interior’s living-room-like feel makes it the perfect place for sipping coffee and indulging in a tasty brunch. Styled bookshelves and fiddle leaf trees make the dining room as cozy as home, but the menu is nothing like anything you can cook in the kitchen. Themed and colorful menu items like Dole Whip and Galaxy Mimosas, Ube Waffle and Cookie Butter Latte ensure no magic is missed out on!
Shop for Vintage Disney Treasures at Thriftyland101
Search for treasure at Thriftyland101! Merch from Disneyland gift shops can cost a bounty, so opt for one-of-a-kind finds at this Disney-exclusive secondhand store. They have everything from Dumbo stuffed elephants, princess T-shirts and even millennial VHS tapes for those who kick it old school. At Thirftyland101, Disney lovers can find unique merch no one else in the park will be wearing, and the prints are actually vintage. Pop by before your Disney day to find just the right OOTD. Some even say Thriftyland is the happiest store on Earth!
Ride Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
Disneyland’s newest attraction opens later this year: Tiana’s Bayou Adventure! This “Princess and the Frog”-themed water ride is a revamp of the beloved Splash Mountain attraction in Critter County. The musical journey will feature everyone’s favorite sing-alongs from the movie along with thrilling plunges throughout the bayou. Hop aboard a river raft to spot familiar faces and scenes that tell the love story of Tiana and Prince Naveen. Of course there will be ties to New Orleans’ Mardi Gras festivities, and keep an eye out for hidden Mickeys! Disney-goers must be 40” to ride.
Fried Chicken at Plaza Inn on Main Street in Disneyland Park
Main Street USA is serving up fried chicken, Mickey-style! As comforting as mom’s home cooking, Plaza Inn’s three-piece fried chicken dinner brings back all the childhood nostalgia. The outside skin is crispy and herb coated, the inside’s juicy and tender and a plate fills you up for the entire day. However, you may just want to wait a while before the teacup ride! Each meal is served with creamy mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables and a house buttermilk biscuit. Passholders love Plaza Inn for family-friendly American fare, and there are even kid-sized chicken dinner plates.
Chile-Mango DOLE Whip at The Tropical Hideaway
It’s not a true Disney day without DOLE Whip from The Tropical Hideaway in Adventureland. Refreshing, tangy and sweet, these iconic yellow soft-serve cups are the ultimate summer delight. For a little spice and a whole lot of flavor, order a swirled cup of Chile-Mango DOLE Whip. This colorful concoction is back for the summer! Mango and pineapple DOLE Whip is spiraled with a chamoy syrup and zesty chile-lime seasoning before being topped off with fresh pineapple, jicama, cucumber and mango chunks. If you’re not into spice, stick with the classic, but this tropical treat is one of the park’s most popular.
Play Topgolf Swing Suite at The Anaheim Hotel
If you’ve still got swing in your step, or should we say arm, head to Anaheim’s only Topgolf Swing Suite after your day in the park. The Anaheim Hotel’s industry-leading Full Swing simulators opened in the spring and are raising the bar for hotel entertainment. Pro 2.0 Series Widescreen Simulators help golfers improve their swing using technology PGA Tour pros train with. It’s a thrill to tee off and equally as entertaining to watch! Each bay can seat six, so it’s roomy enough for your whole crew. Suites aren’t just for golfing either—each screen is loaded with an assortment of virtual games for family-fun entertainment.
Shopping at Anaheim GardenWalk
Find eats for a foodie, entertainment for thrill-seekers and live bands for music fanatics all in one place at the Anaheim GardenWalk. This family-friendly shopping center in the heart of the resort district is home to nightclubs, interactive entertainment and art galleries. Test your wits at Mission Escape Games, reach new heights at the Flightdeck Simulation Center and check the calendar at the House of Blues for touring artists. Disney lovers will love Dara Beauty for princess-inspired jewelry, and shoppers can even be pampered like Sleeping Beauty with royal manicures and makeovers.
Bowling at Splitsville Luxury Lanes
If you have time to spare, find your lane at Splitsville! Splitsville Luxury Lanes offers a nostalgic yet modern twist on the classic bowling experience. The atmosphere is retro-inspired but the technology is state of the art. Lace up in their vintage lobby that parallels bowling alleys from the late ‘70s, then explore 20 lanes, over 25 big-screen TVs and second-story views of the Downtown Disney District. Bowling works up an appetite, so when your crew gets cravings, enjoy American bites from the on-site kitchen that are in a league of their own. Splitsville’s menu is designed to satisfy any craving, from smashburgers to sushi. That’s just how Splitsville rolls.
Dinner at The Pizza Press at The Anaheim Hotel
Pizza always hits after a long day on your feet. We know kids can be picky, but we assure you that only the strongest soldiers can resist the slices at The Pizza Press at the The Anaheim Hotel. Made-to-order pizzas have a crispy thin crust that you can customize to your liking, salads are always made fresh and the wings are to-die-for, so definitely order a dozen. Wash it down with a craft beer and call it a day!
Local Insight: The Pizza Press is open for late-night snacks and room service at The Anaheim Hotel. Pizza in bed? Sounds like the best decision of the day
Catch the New and Improved Fantasmic! in Frontierland
As if Fantasmic wasn’t fantastic enough, Mickey and friends have revamped this legendary water show to dazzle Disney-lovers with live performances, cutting-edge projections and superb pyrotechnics. It starts with Mickey fast asleep, dreaming of being the Sorcerer’s Apprentice. Scenes from “Fantasia” dance across water screens while sparks light up the sky. Expect pink elephants, swashbuckling pirates, princesses and iconic moments from Disney favorites. We won’t spoil how it ends, but be sure to stake out a seat in front of Rivers of America early on for a front-row seat to the show. The magic starts at 9 or 10:30 p.m.
Nightcap at Strong Water
Pirates of the Caribbean isn’t Anaheim’s only shipwreck. Sailors 21 and up can hop aboard a sunken schooner at Strong Water to find themselves in an undiscovered tropical treasure. Wood-paneled walls create the ship’s underwater bunker, and vintage artifacts from global destinations fill every nook. Sip on rum-based cocktails under dim lights and sway away to the tropical tunes. It’s as thematic as Disneyland itself, except this hidden wreckage is adult-exclusive. And this isn’t the owner’s first rodeo when it comes to immersive experiences. Ying Chang and Robert Adamson first founded Strong Water’s sister speakeasy, The Blind Rabbit, before expanding out to sea.
