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Anaheim, set in the heart of sunny Southern California (aka SoCal), is renowned as the home of the iconic, OG Disney experience: Disneyland Resort. Crafted from the imagination of the legendary Walt Disney himself, and located around 45 minutes’ drive from LAX airport, Disneyland Resort features iconic theme park rides and a cast of beloved characters. Its long-standing reputation as ‘The Happiest Place on Earth’ means it’s a dream destination for families, Disney enthusiasts and thrill-seekers alike.
Visitors to Anaheim are always delighted to discover that this destination offers so much more besides a deep dive into all things Disney: it’s a vibrant city with a huge assortment of activities and attractions. Our ultimate guide to Anaheim will show you why it’s the perfect base for an unforgettable SoCal adventure… but be warned: you may find that your seven-day holiday is suddenly not nearly long enough!
First time visitors to Anaheim might be surprised to discover that the Disneyland Resort in California is actually home to two Disney Theme Parks: the original Disneyland Park, and the neighbouring Disney California Adventure Park. Together, these two Theme Parks, along with the Downtown Disney District, offer days of enchantment and wonder, which is why most people tend to spread out their visit across 3 or more days.
Disneyland Park, Anaheim
Disneyland Park is where the magic begins. It’s a place where you can meet beloved characters like Mickey Mouse, Olaf and Tinker Bell, and explore classic attractions such as Pirates of the Caribbean and the Haunted Mansion. Take a peek into a fantastic future in Tomorrowland, where you can ride the Space Mountain roller coaster, or venture off on an epic adventure with Mickey and Minnie Mouse themselves on Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway in the bright and colourful Mickey’s Toontown.
Don’t miss the chance to experience the excitement of attractions like Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Indiana Jones Adventure or the thrilling Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run™ in the out-of-this-world Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge™. And be sure to take a spin in the much-loved teacups at the Mad Tea Party. Don’t forget to leave plenty of time to catch some of Disneyland’s famous entertainment including high-energy parades, and thrilling night-time spectaculars such as Fantasmic!
Disney California Adventure Park
Disney California Adventure Park
Next door at Disney California Adventure Park, you will find even more excitement with attractions like Soarin’ Around the World, Incredicoaster and Radiator Springs Racers. For Super Hero fans, Avengers Campus is a must-visit, featuring the Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! Ride featuring 6 different ride profiles, and the high-energy WEBSLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure attraction. Plus, there are plenty of opportunities to high-five your favourite superheroes.
Disney California Adventure Park is also where you’ll find most of your Pixar Pals including the Toy Story gang, and the emotional Inside Out crew. And when the sun sets, don’t miss the mesmerising dancing fountains of the one-of-a-kind World of Color – ONE night-time spectacular.
Downtown Disney District
If you’re looking to take a break from the excitement, head to the Downtown Disney District to enjoy Disney-inspired dining, shopping, and entertainment. From gourmet restaurants and casual dining to unique shops and live shows, it’s the ideal spot to unwind while soaking up the Disney atmosphere.
An Extra Sprinkling of Disney Magic
Keep an eye out for seasonal events like Halloween Time, Holidays at Disneyland Resort and the Lunar New Year Celebration. Disneyland Resort also has a beloved Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival each March/April. It’s a culinary smorgasbord that celebrates the best produce in California.
Your personal travel manager can help you create a special Disneyland package that will make your visit even more special. As well as arranging pre-booked Lightning Lane Multi Pass for reduced wait times on popular attractions, you can choose from three unique hotel options within the Resort that offer exclusive perks such as Character Dining and early entry to the parks.
Knott’s Berry Farm
Knotts Berry Farm, Anaheim
Just 15 minutes by car or Anaheim Regional Transport bus from Disneyland Resort, you’ll find California’s first-ever theme park, Knott’s Berry Farm, which first opened as a berry farm in 1920 and added its first major ride in 1960. You can still ride the legendary Calico Mine Ride, but you’ll also find newer, adrenaline-pumping rides like the epic Ghostrider Wooden Roller-Coaster, or the super-charged Xcellerator. Knott’s Berry Farm offers a combination of big-time thrills, and family friendly favourites, so it’s perfect for visitors of all ages.
Take in a live show featuring Snoopy and the rest of the Peanuts gang, and feast on the park’s famous fried chicken or Boysenberry Pie. If you’re visiting between May and September, you can also head next door to Knott’s Soak City Waterpark, where you can cool off amidst 15 acres of slides, rides and a two-million litre wave pool.
Shopping Extravaganza
Anaheim is a shopper’s paradise, with a diverse array of retail experiences to suit every taste and budget. If you’re looking for high-end designer labels, head to South Coast Plaza in nearby Costa Mesa. It’s the largest shopping centre on the United States’ West Coast, with a huge variety of luxury brands from Alexander McQueen to Zimmerman, as well as department stores like Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdale’s and Nordstrom.
Fashion Island in nearby Newport Beach is an open-air shopping experience packed with upscale boutiques and restaurants. If you’re a bargain hunter, you will love Citadel Outlets and Outlets at Orange, where you’ll find discounted prices on popular brands like Nike, Calvin Klein, and Tommy Hilfiger. The Outlets at Orange sit just 10 minutes by Anaheim Regional Transportation bus from Disneyland Resort, and Citadel Outlets offers the popular Shop Until You Drop Off at LAX tour with Karmel Shuttle for those looking to fill their final day in Southern California before their late-night flight home.
Coastal Escapes
Newport beach
Anaheim is just 20 minutes’ drive from the stunning Pacific coast. You can take a road trip along the scenic Highway 1 route from Long Beach to Dana Point, stopping off at iconic locations like Newport Beach, Huntington Beach and Laguna Beach to enjoy sunbathing, surfing or simply taking in the breathtaking views. It’s the perfect day-trip.
For those wanting to venture out onto the water, then the Catalina Express offers daily ferry services to the stunning Mediterranean inspired island of Catalina, which sits just 45 minutes from Long Beach. The ferry terminal is a quick 20-30 minute drive from Anaheim, or Extreme Tours offers a day-trip that includes transport to the ferry, ferry tickets, and sightseeing experiences such as ziplining or glass bottom boat tours once you arrive.
Live Sports and Outdoor Activities
Angel Stadium
Anaheim is a hotspot for affordable live sports experiences, with several major stadiums located just ten minutes’ drive from Disneyland. Catch a live game of baseball or ice hockey and cheer on the Angels or the Anaheim Ducks, the only sports team created off the success of a major movie franchise (yes, the movie came before the team).
There are also more than 30 golf courses dotted around Orange County, plus a wealth of hiking and cycling trails in the surrounding hills, so you are spoilt for choice when it comes to opportunities for fun and adventure in the outdoors.
Nightlife, Dining and Entertainment
Views of the fireworks at Disneyland
Head to the Anaheim Packing House or SteelCraft Garden Grove to enjoy a culinary collective of artisan dining options or sample the wares from more than 20 breweries along the region’s Craft Brewery Trail. Treat yourself to a flight simulation experience at Flight Deck or browse for unique collectibles among the antique shops of Old Towne Orange.
Evenings in Anaheim offer high adventures at fun-filled dinner shows such as Pirate’s Dinner Adventure or Medieval Times. The region’s vibrant and diverse night life offers everything from rooftop bars with views of the fireworks at Disneyland, to tiki bars like Strong Water and Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar.
Anaheim’s central location makes it an ideal base from which to explore the rest of Southern California. There are plenty of great accommodation choices in the region that offer spacious rooms and great value for money. Be sure to allow time during your holiday to enjoy the amazing facilities that many of the properties offer, including kids’ activity zones and fun-filled water parks.
Because popular Los Angeles attractions like Universal Studios and Hollywood are just 45-90 minutes away, Anaheim can be a wonderful home base for your entire holiday, so you don’t have to worry about repacking and relocating. Heading south from Anaheim, the fun and excitement of LEGOLAND is also an easy day trip, or you can travel a little further down the coast to enjoy favourite San Diego highlights such as the San Diego Zoo and SeaWorld.
From the thrilling theme parks to amazing retail therapy and beautiful, golden beaches, Anaheim is a spectacular choice for an unforgettable holiday. If you’re ready to start planning your own amazing holiday in Southern California, talk to your personal travel manager today.
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