1 Day Disneyland and DCA Itinerary
The first time Nevaeh and I went to Disney’s California Adventure, we ended up being done before the park day was over, so on our second trip out, we decided to do both Disneyland and DCA in one day.
Here’s how we made the Perfect 1 Day Disneyland and DCA Itinerary.
Disneyland
Main Street USA
Main Street, USA, is the heart of Disneyland, setting the tone for the magical day ahead. While there are no rides here, the area is packed with shopping, dining, and a rich history. One of the most memorable features is Walt’s Apartment, located above the fire station. Walt used it as a personal retreat, and the lamp in the window remains lit in his memory today.
Main Street is the perfect spot to grab breakfast at Carnation Café and shop for unique souvenirs at the Emporium.
Pro-Tip: Don’t weigh yourself down early in the day. If something catches your eye, you can ship your purchases home or have them sent to your hotel if you are staying on-site. This way, you won’t have to carry everything around while enjoying the rest of the park.
Tomorrowland
We opted to skip most of Tomorrowland during our visit since many attractions, like Space Mountain and Star Tours, are also found at Disney World, and we were on a tight schedule. While it’s a great area for those who love classic sci-fi and futuristic vibes, we prioritized experiences unique to Disneyland.
For those with more time, the Monorail offers fun diversions, and the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage is also worth a look.
Also, if you’ve never been to Disney World, here are my recommendations:
Space Mountain
This indoor roller coaster takes you on a high-speed journey through a dark, star-filled galaxy, with twists, turns, and dips that create the sensation of hurtling through space.
It’s a classic Disney attraction, and while there’s a similar version at Disney World, the Disneyland experience has its unique touches. For example, the ride vehicles seat passengers side-by-side, creating a different experience from the single-file seating in Florida. The most distinctive feature is the onboard soundtrack. Magic Kingdom’s version lacks music during the journey.
Buzz Lightyear
Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters is a fun, interactive dark ride in Tomorrowland. Guests can join Buzz Lightyear to battle the evil Emperor Zurg.
Riders have laser blasters to shoot targets throughout the ride, earning points. The attraction features a space-themed environment, colorful neon scenes, and moving targets, making it both challenging and entertaining.
Unlike the Disney World version, Disneyland’s Astro Blasters allow riders to pick up their blasters for a better aiming experience.
Fantasyland
Fantasyland at Disneyland is a whimsical area inspired by classic Disney animated fairy tales.
The land is centered around Sleeping Beauty Castle, which acts as its grand entrance. The charming village setting was revamped in 1983 to a Bavarian-style motif, creating a storybook feel.
Visitors enjoy gentle rides, character meet-and-greets, and iconic landmarks like the King Arthur Carrousel. Here’s more in-depth information about where we spent our time.
Matterhorn bobsled
This was the first ride we rode of the day.
The Matterhorn Bobsleds, inspired by Switzerland’s Matterhorn mountain, was the world’s first tubular steel roller coaster. The ride features two intertwined tracks that wind through icy caverns, caves, and waterfalls, offering a thrilling experience with sudden drops and sharp turns.
A standout feature is the Abominable Snowman, who makes multiple appearances to surprise riders. The coaster’s layout allows for moments of daylight and dark, immersive sections, and you get a splash-down without getting soaked.
Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride
Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride is a whimsical dark ride that takes guests through Mr. Toad’s chaotic and comical adventures.
Inspired by The Wind in the Willows segment of Disney’s 1949 film, the attraction features Mr. Toad’s misadventures as he drives recklessly through the English countryside, careening through a library, barn, and even a courtroom. The ride ends in a surprising twist, as guests find themselves in a fiery “hell” scene, making it one of the more unique and unconventional rides in Fantasyland.
A variation of the attraction also existed as an opening-day attraction at Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World from 1971 until 1998. This particular attraction was the draw to visiting the one at Disneyland because Brandon used to love it as a kid. His father still tells the story of making it a point to ride it with him. So, in a way, this ride has family ties to it.
Sleeping Beauty castle
Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland is a walkthrough attraction where guests can explore scenes from the classic 1959 film Sleeping Beauty.
As you journey through the castle, you’ll see dioramas depicting critical moments from the story, like Maleficent’s curse and Princess Aurora’s awakening, accompanied by special effects and storytelling elements.
The castle itself is considered an iconic Disneyland landmark.
Frontierland
Frontierland at Disneyland was one of the park’s original themed lands when it opened in 1955.
It was designed to transport guests back to the American Old West of the 19th century, featuring rustic architecture and attractions inspired by the frontier era.
Early highlights included the Mark Twain Riverboat and Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes. Over the years, it evolved with the addition of rides like Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.
The area retains its classic Western charm while incorporating newer elements to keep the spirit of adventure alive.
We skipped most of this area because many of the rides were at Disney World, and we had done it before. It was essential to stay on target to hit many Disneyland-specific rides on our 1 Day Disneyland and DCA Itinerary. If you have more time, I recommend checking out Big Thunder Mountain.
Big Thunder Mountain
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is a thrilling, Western-themed roller coaster in Frontierland, designed to resemble a runaway train journey through an abandoned mining town.
The ride features sharp turns, sudden drops, and immersive scenery, including red rock formations, gold mining equipment, and animatronic animals.
Inspired by the American Southwest, the attraction offers a combination of excitement and storytelling, making it a beloved classic since its debut in 1979. It’s often called “the wildest ride in the wilderness!”
Bayou Country
When we went, this area was not open, but I wanted to chat about it quickly. You’ll understand why.
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure is an upcoming attraction at Disneyland, set to open on November 15, 2024. It will replace the former Splash Mountain, transforming the classic log-flume ride into a new experience inspired by Disney’s The Princess and the Frog.
The adventure will follow Princess Tiana and her friends as they prepare for a special Mardi Gras celebration featuring music, animatronics, and an immersive bayou environment. While the iconic splash drop will remain, the new theming will bring a fresh story and atmosphere to the ride.
New Orleans Square
New Orleans Square at Disneyland is a charming, French Quarter-inspired area that brings the spirit of New Orleans to life with its wrought-iron balconies, jazz music, and gas lamps.
It opened in 1966 and was the first new land added to Disneyland after its opening.
The area features iconic attractions like Pirates of the Caribbean and The Haunted Mansion and dining options like Blue Bayou Restaurant, which offers a unique indoor dining experience overlooking the Pirates ride.
New Orleans Square does a great job of capturing the lively ambiance and mystery of New Orleans. As with many things we’ve mentioned, we skipped most of this, but here are some highlights if you have more time.
Haunted Mansion
The Haunted Mansion at Disneyland is a spooky yet playful dark ride that has been delighting guests since 1969.
It takes riders on tour through a haunted estate filled with 999 “happy haunts,” featuring eerie effects, ghostly animatronics, and a humorous tone.
The iconic stretching room and Doom Buggy vehicles add to the immersive experience, and the ride’s soundtrack, including “Grim Grinning Ghosts,” enhances the spooky atmosphere.
Pirates of the Caribbean
Pirates of the Caribbean is a beloved dark ride in New Orleans Square that takes guests on a swashbuckling journey through a pirate-infested Caribbean port.
The attraction features detailed scenes with animatronic pirates, lively music, and plenty of mischief, all set in a realistic waterway.
Originally opened in 1967, it inspired the successful film franchise and continues to enchant visitors with its classic storytelling, immersive atmosphere, and the iconic tune, “Yo Ho (A Pirate’s Life for Me).”
Adventureland
Adventureland at Disneyland is themed around exploration and exotic locales, evoking the spirit of early 20th-century jungle expeditions.
Opened in 1955, it aims to transport guests to faraway lands filled with lush greenery, tropical plants, and mysterious adventures.
The area features classic attractions like the Jungle Cruise, known for its humorous skippers, and the Enchanted Tiki Room, a musical animatronic show. The addition of Indiana Jones Adventure in 1995 brought an extra dose of thrill, making Adventureland a must-visit for explorers of all ages.
This is the one area we skipped that I would spend more time in if it were available. Here’s what I would have seen and done.
jungle cruise
The Jungle Cruise is a classic Disneyland attraction that takes guests on a humorous boat ride through exotic rivers worldwide. This ride features animatronic animals, dense jungle scenery, and a lively skipper who delivers corny jokes and puns throughout the journey.
Its blend of adventure and comedy, with scenes depicting encounters with elephants, hippos, and headhunters, makes the ride enjoyable. I recommend NOT telling the people you’re going with what to expect on this one because it’s quite fun if you don’t know what’s happening.
I say this because we went on the ride at Disney World, and our skipper started to get on to Breanna, which upset me until Vaeh said, “It’s okay, Mom. ” As the ride went on, I started to understand.
Think Disney-rated Dick’s Last Resort.
tiki room
The Enchanted Tiki Room at Disneyland is a whimsical, tropical-themed show that debuted in 1963 as the first attraction to feature Audio-Animatronics. It brings to life a lively cast of singing birds, flowers, and tikis, with José, Michael, Pierre, and Fritz as the main hosts.
The 15-minute show features catchy tunes like “The Tiki Tiki Tiki Room,” creating a fun, upbeat experience for all ages. Located in Adventureland, the attraction offers a charming escape from the park’s hustle and bustle.
I love, love, LOVE the Tiki room. I saw it twice the last time we were at Magic Kingdom.
Adventureland treehouse
Disney’s Swiss Family Robinson inspires the Adventureland Treehouse at Disneyland and features a multi-level structure built within a giant tree.
It allows guests to explore the Robinsons’ imaginative living quarters, including a kitchen, living room, and bedrooms crafted from salvaged shipwreck materials.
Originally named the Swiss Family Treehouse, it was later re-themed as Tarzan’s Treehouse before being updated to its original adventure theme in 2023.
The attraction offers a blend of nostalgia, exploration, and stunning views of Adventureland.
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland is an immersive, 14-acre land that brings the universe to life.
The area is set on Batuu and features the bustling outpost of Black Spire, where guests can interact with characters, explore markets, and enjoy themed food and drinks.
The land’s intricate details and authentic atmosphere make it a haven for Star Wars fans and newcomers.
Again, we opted not to do any rides, but Nevaeh went to Ronto Roasters and had a ronto-less garden wrap for lunch.
If you want to know more about the rides in Galaxy’s Edge, here’s where you can find it.
Disney’s California Adventure
Buena Vista Street
Upon entering Buena Vista Street in Disney California Adventure, you’ll be transported to the 1920s and ’30s Los Angeles, inspired by the era when Walt Disney first arrived in California. We were lucky to spot Mickey Mouse near the entrance—a delightful welcome! One of the perks of Disneyland is the abundance of character meet-and-greets, often more frequent than at Disney World.
Shop at stores like Elias & Co. and snack on sweet treats at Trolley Treats while enjoying the retro atmosphere.
Grizzly Peak
Grizzly Peak evokes the feel of a rugged, forested area inspired by California’s National Parks. It exudes an outdoor adventure vibe while still maintaining that Disney charm. Nevaeh and I even saw Chip and Dale here the first time we came.
grizzly river run
Grizzly River Run is a white-water rafting ride. Guests board circular rafts, navigate through roaring rapids and scenic rock formations, and plunge down a waterfall.
The ride’s goal is to mimic the excitement of a real white-water rafting adventure. We rode this the first time and were completely drenched the rest of the day, so if you ride this, be prepared to get wet.
soaring around the world
Soaring is one of Bre’s favorite rides, and I will give a major shout-out here- Nevaeh skipped our favorite ride (Mission Breakout) so that we would have enough time for her sister to ride this one.
This ride is a flight simulator that takes you on a scenic journey over different famous landmarks around the globe. You experience the sensation of flying over places like the Great Wall of China, the Eiffel Tower, and the African Savanna. There is even the feeling of wind in your face!
Hollywood Lane
This was another area we skipped for the day, but I want to talk about the Animation Academy. If you have a budding artist who dreams of being a character designer, this is a must-do.
Here, you can have a hands-on experience drawing beloved characters from different movies. A Disney artist will guide participants through the step-by-step drawing process, teaching different techniques. Nevaeh and I did something similar to this at Animal Kingdom in 2023.
Avengers Campus
Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout
When we first rode the Tower of Terror in 2020, I was hooked. I hate drop rides, but this one has me hooked. It’s probably the best ride at Disney parks.
Although Mission Breakout is similar as far as the ride, it’s the storyline that gets changed up. Instead of an abandoned hotel journey, this storyline takes you into the world of the Avengers- the Guardians are being held captive. Rocket and the riders must save them.
Like Disney World’s Cosmic Rewind, there is a solid musical lineup with six variations.
Web Slingers: A Spider-man Adventure
In this interactive 3D ride, guests team up with Spider-Man to help capture rogue spider-bots causing chaos. There is gesture-based technology to “sling webs” with hands, scoring points by stopping the Spider-Bots through the experience.
I also want to add that when we rode it – I beat Nevaeh!!!
Cars Land
Radiator Springs Racer
Radiator Springs Racers takes guests on a scenic journey through the infamous Radiator Springs, featuring familiar characters like Lightning McQueen and Mater.
Riders board cars and cruise through the stuffing desert
Pro-Tip: Be sure to check out the miniature model of Radiator Springs inside the shop when you get off the Radiator Springs Racer. It is super cute!
San Fransokyo Square
Most of our DCA time is spent at San Fransokyo Square and Pixar Pier, next to each other.
Opening on August 31, 2023, this area is new to Disney’s California Adventure and blends elements from Big Hero 6’s San Fransokyo’s fusion of San Francisco and Tokyo.
Naturally, visitors can enjoy Japanese and American-inspired cuisine and meet Baymax while enjoying the lively streets.
Aunt Cass’ Cafe
We ordered dinner here, and we had big bowls of ramen and a chicken sandwich that was a bit too spicy for me. As mentioned above, you can order both American and Japanese-style food.
Pixar Pier
Adorable Snowman Frosted Treats
We did our rounds a bit backward from how I am writing this, going to Pixar Pier first and then to San Fransokyo Square. Both times we’ve been to Disney’s California Adventure, we have stopped here and gotten a lemon dole whip. Nevaeh got the snow-capped one with white chocolate on top, and I’ve been wanting to try the chili lime mango one but haven’t been brave enough to try it yet. Maybe next time?
incredicoaAdoster
The Incredicoaster is a high-speed roller coaster featuring a storyline from the Incredibles.
The ride takes you on a chase to help the Parr family catch Jack-Jack, who’s causing chaos with his powers.
It features a killer launch, steep drops, and a fully looped ride, making it one of the fastest attractions at Disney’s California Adventure.
Ugh. This ride is easily my second favorite and so close to my favorite. Can you smell the cookies?
Pixar Pal-A-Round
This iconic Ferris wheel has not one but two types of gondolas: traditional stationary ones and swinging gondolas that slide on curved tracks, which are a lot more fun.
If you want stunning views of the park, this goes high enough up that you will be entranced.
Lamplight lounge
This one is extra special because we’ve been wanting to go there since we went the first time.
Lamplight Lounge is a restaurant you will want to revisit time and time again because the seating is excellent both inside and outside. Inside, there is concept art of different characters, and you can get coasters that are drawings from the concept art that the animation teams created.
Food options include burgers and seafood—including lobster nachos! I have heard the cocktail menu is superb as well.
Tip: You can book dining and experiences sixty days in advance—I recommend doing so with this restaurant.
Paradise Gardens Park
World of Color- One
This should be your final stop for the night. The nighttime watershed combines fountains, lights, music, and projections. It celebrates Disney classics like The Lion King, Moana, and Star Wars with an overall theme that one small action can make a difference.
Just don’t stand right up front… you WILL get wet.
Final Thoughts on Disneyland/DCA Guide
As I wrote this article, all I could think was, “Man, we need to go back. We missed so much!”
Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure have rides- but it’s the immersion of the rides that makes me want to go back time and time again.
I hope this helps you fill in plans for your first, or even next, 1 Day Disneyland and DCA itinerary.
