Many dream of going to Disneyland. From thrilling theme parks to the nostalgia of meeting your favorite characters, there is much to do in paradise.
Disney is well-known for its unique rides, but that doesn’t mean your trip is ruined if you’re not a fan of them. There are so many other exciting activities!
Here are some things you can do instead.
The World Showcase is waiting for you
In The World Showcase, you will feel like the world is in your hands. It consists of 12 different pavilions for Japan, France, Canada, Italy, China, Norway, Mexico, Germany, Morocco, the United Kingdom, and the United States, and you will get to experience each country’s culture, all in one place.
The Kilimanjaro Safari and its wild animals
In Disney’s Animal Kingdom, you can embrace the wilderness it brings with its animals. The animals there are real and you can see them up close, including rhinos, cheetahs, crocodiles, elephants, hyenas, and zebras. It will feel like you have traveled to Africa while still in the U.S.
A hunt for the Mickeys
You can ditch rides to hunt the “Hidden Mickeys” throughout the park. The “Hidden Mickeys” is a presentation of the infamous Mickey Mouse that has been subtly incorporated into the attractions and rides designs, or other spots in a Disney theme park. Plenty of them are planted in various places for you to find.
A child-friendly ride tailored for you
If you’re not entirely against rides, you can try child-friendly rides. They are not as adrenaline-packed as the other rides and you can satisfy the child at heart in you. The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, and the Jungle Cruise are not fast or scream-inducing.
You can also take charge and join the Mad Tea Party; it’s up to you how fast you spin the cup.
Bask in the beauty of the place
While people go ahead and enjoy the rides that you don’t want to take part in, you can enjoy the place itself. From the obvious, such as the Cinderella Castle, down to the minute details, such as the trash cans and the signs, it will feel like you hopped into a surreal world.
You can attend stage shows
You can go down memory lane and watch your favorite characters performing on stage. There are countless shows, such as Finding Nemo, Beauty and the Beast, and the Festival of the Lion King. You must download the My Disney app to know when and where the performance is taking place.
Hitting two birds with one stone
During holidays such as Halloween, Christmas, and other special occasions, Disneyland is prepared to present themed shows based on occasions different from the conventional ones. Going to Disneyland during that time can be a one-of-a-kind experience.
Watch a parade
Parades can be seen each morning, noon, and night, so missing out on them will be a tough task. You’ll need to pick a good spot for filming, as those get taken quickly. In addition to the regular ones, there are seasonal ones.
Ensure you don’t miss the Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade and the Move It! Shake It! Dance & Play It! Street Party.
Doing meets-and-greets
Another way to bring in nostalgia and is a good alternative to rides is seeing your favorite childhood characters in the flesh.
You can meet myriad characters such as Mickey Mouse, Cinderella, Prince Charming, Donald Duck, and many more.
Shop ’til you drop
Visiting the stores is pivotal so you can buy souvenirs for yourself and your loved ones.
While those who take rides may not be able to do their thorough work with shopping, you will be able to. Yes, the stores are similar to one another, but each has its own edge.
Satisfy your hunger
The way to a person’s heart is through their stomach, and what better way to indulge in your favorite food than with Disney-themed food?
Disneyland has countless restaurants, including Cheshire Café, Cinderella’s Royal Table, Tortuga Tavern, Pinocchio Village Haus, and Sleepy Hollow.
Charge your phone and yourself
Don’t forget to take a rest and stay hydrated. With all the picture-taking, your phone may need a charge, and Disney took care of that.
There are plenty of charging stations in the parks, usually near restaurants and bathrooms. Don’t spend a lot of time there, though; you are in Disneyland to have fun.
The mesmerizing fireworks
Seeing the fireworks in Disneyland is worth more than a thousand rides. In a scene out of a fairy tale, the fireworks color the sky, Cinderella’s Castle lights up, and Disney songs are gracefully integrated into the scene as people gather to watch and lose themselves in the beauty of it all.
You can also see Disneyland from above
Far from the screaming and fast rides, you can take the slow, serene ride on the Aerophile, a balloon ride that flies up to 400 feet above Disney Springs.
It will cost you $30, but you will get to show off that you’ve been on a ride on “the world’s largest hand-painted helium balloon.”
Enjoy the waters
You can enjoy the clear, beautiful waters at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground, where you can paddle around in a canoe or kayak. You can also rent a motorized pontoon or go fishing in Disney’s historic Seven Seas Lagoon.
Learn new skills
Disney’s on-property classes are a unique experience. You can be taught how to make a character dome cake at Amorette’s Patisserie. You can also sign up for archery or horseback riding at Disney’s Fort Wilderness.
Moreover, there are golf courses for families and beginners, in addition to “footgolf,” a combination of soccer and golf. You can find all that at Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course.
