Disneyland may seem small compared to Disney World, but believe it or not, it’s jam-packed with so many amazing things to do, as well as some incredible food and drinks to try, that it’s pretty easy to miss awesome experiences during your visit.
That’s why to help you make the most of your next (or first ever visit) to Disneyland and California Adventure, I’ll provide you a list of worthwhile things you must do or try during your next visit to the park.
From one-of-a-kind rides and attractions to experiencing delicious food and drink options, this bucket list will ensure that you leave Disneyland without feeling like you missed something important.
So with that being said, here’s my ultimate Disneyland checklist.
Disneyland Bucket List
Here’s everything you gotta do during your next visit to Disneyland:
- Try every flavor of Dole Whip at Tropical Hideaway
- Get an original churro
- Laugh at some dad jokes on the Jungle Cruise
- See how fast you can spin your teacup at the Mad Tea Party
- Take a relaxing ride around the park on the Disneyland Railroad
- Check out Walt Disney’s Griffith Park Bench in the Opera House which is where he dreamt up the idea for Disneyland
- Break your back on both sides of the Matterhorn Bobsleds
- Ride the original It’s a Small Work (preferably during Christmas season)
- Ride the second-best Space Mountain at any Disney Park
- Take a relaxing ride at the Autopia
- Devour a hand-dipped corn dog from the Little Red Wagon
- Ride Haunted Mansion during both Christmas and Halloween
- Eat 6 Mickey Beignets and wash it down with a Mint Julep
- Ride Indiana Jones Adventure
- Ride on Walt Disney’s last ever attraction, Pirates of the Caribbean
- Ride Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway
- Ride Alice in Wonderland
- Get a Cold Brew Black Caf with extra sweet cream cheese
- Try a Green or Blue Milk
- Pilot the Millennium Falcon at Smuggler’s Run
- Try one of the seasonal soups and sandwiches from Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe
- Escape the First Order at Rise of the Resistance
- Build a lightsaber at Savi’s Workshop
- Try some unique adult concoctions at Oga’s Cantina
- Snack on a Ronto Wrap from Ronto Roasters
- Sit near the boat launch at Blue Bayou restaurant
- Eat lunch at the Plaza Inn and order the fried chicken
- Sit in the last row of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
- Glance at Walt’s Apartment
- Take a crazy drive on Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride
- Take a ride on the Disneyland Monorail
- Score 999,999 on Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
- Enjoy a Monte Cristo sandwich while people-watching at Cafe Orleans
- Try a seasonal funnel cake from Hungry Bear Restaurant
- Visit during a special event (such as Sweethearts Night)
- Share a Turkey Leg from Edelweiss Snacks
- Watch Fantasmic
- Watch the fireworks
- Experience the Enchanted Tiki Room
- Ride all of the original opening day attractions
- Take a ride on the Mark Twain Riverboat
- Get a workout paddling Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes
- Skip the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage
- Enjoy some barbecue skewers from Bengal Barbecue
- Compare the beignets from Ralph Brennan’s at Downtown Disney to the ones at the Mint Julep Bar
- Visit Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto at the Disneyland Hotel
- Dine at Club 33
California Adventure Bucket List
Here’s everything you gotta do during your next visit to California Adventure:
- Ride Guardians of the Galaxy Mission Breakout (or better, ride it during Halloween)
- Watch Spider-Man swing above Avengers Campus
- Check out Avengers Assemble
- Visit Avengers Campus and try to spot as many heroes as you can
- Watch Dr Strange’s Mysteries of the Mystic Arts at night
- Get first place on Radiator Springs Racers
- Visit Radiator Springs at night
- Attend Goofy’s Sky School
- Enjoy a Cozy Cone snack (ice cream, churro, chili cone queso, popcorn, or cocktail)
- Learn how to draw like a Disney Animator at the Animation Academy
- Get the highest score of the day on Toy Story Midway Mania!
- Get the bulgogi burrito from Lucky Fortune Cookery
- Try some tiny and massive foods at Pym’s Test Kitchen
- Get an arm workout at Web Slingers: A Spider-Man Adventure
- Try every booth during their food festivals throughout the year
- Ride Soarin’ Over California during the spring
- Drink a Michelada with Golden Road Mango Cart
- Go on the swinging version of Pixar Pal-A-Round
- Try the Quesa Birria from Cocina Cucamonga (pretty good for Disney food)
- Eat a seasonal churro
- Try a Chili Lime Corn on the Cob
- Get a free sourdough bread sample from the Bakery Tour
- Drink as many seasonal cocktails as you can
- Attempt to finish a Choco-Smash Candy bar by yourself
- Sit in the outdoor patio at Lamplight Lounge and crush a plate of Lobster Nachos
- Order a secret cocktail at the Lamplight Lounge
- Dine at the Secret Room inside of the Lamplight Lounge
- Watch World of Color
- Visit during Oogie Boogie Bash
- Stay at the Grand Californian Hotel so you can get direct access inside the park
- Take a Disneyland VIP Tour
Did I miss something on my Disneyland bucket list? If so, please leave a comment below.
Thanks for reading, and hopefully, you’ll be able to check every single one of these items off this list sometime soon!
Other Disney Bucket Lists
- Disney World Bucket List
- Disney World Food and Drink Bucket List
- Disney Cruise Bucket List
- Disneys’ Aulani Resort Bucket List
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