The Best of Disneyland

Disneyland is a place full of memories. Some are fond, some aren’t. It evokes nostalgia and is quite good at bringing people back over the years. I’d like to take the time to talk about my favorite attractions, areas, and whatnot of this quirky theme park.

#8: Mickey’s Toontown

To kick this list of favorites off, I’ll discuss the place that I have little-to-no experiences with and memories of: Mickey’s Toontown. This area is in the far back of the park, making it one of the areas that gets little traffic (at least from me). Additionally, given it appeals most to the young demographic, it makes sense. I’ve only had one reason to go there, and I’ve never had a reason or desire to go since: food. One glorious Disneyland day I was perusing the areas in search of a place to eat. Almost everywhere had long lines that I wasn’t keen on waiting in. I had the idea of visiting a place I’d never visited before, a place that’d unlikely have as many people, and so I went to Toontown. When I arrived I was first met with gratification: the one and only spot providing food had a line less than 6 or so people long. I took up the end of the line and waited. It moved quickly up, and soon enough I’d become the very next one in line after the mother and child who was maybe 4- or 5-years-old ahead got their food. Time went by. The better part of an hour elapsed. It was then that I’d grown what may politely be called impatient. ‘What on Earth could one-and-a-quarter people have ordered to take longer to prepare than the previous families?’ I thought to myself. The hour passed. By then, I was baffled. Mystified. Some might’ve even said I was miffed. I looked the area up and down, checking the faces of some who’d gotten in line behind me. No one looked confused or even mildly interested in the wait. I started to think there was some sort of prank going on. ‘Either this mother and child ordered what’s left of the restaurant’s stock, or I’m getting punked,’ I thought. I faced forward and ignored my stomach. This was no longer a matter of hunger in the way of energy: this was hunger for knowledge. I had to know what the mother had ordered for herself and the child. I don’t know how much more time passed; my estimate is something nearing another half hour. And then, the mystery that had kept me in line for over an hour was revealed to me as the mother and child walked away with their order: an 8 fluid ounce carton of milk.

#7: Fantasyland

Ah, Fantasyland. It holds the central area of the park along with its iconic castle. When people think of Disneyland, the image of those spires are sure to come to mind. To many, it’s the jewel in the crown of Disneyland. To me, it’s a crossroads. Of course, I’ve ridden the teacup ride, the 'It’s a Small World’ ride, and the Peter Pan ride. None have appealed to me, much for the same reason Toontown’s rides haven’t appealed to me, as they’re tailored to a younger crowd. One of the only rides that stuck out was Snow White’s in which the known story unfolds except for a strange gap in which Snow White recovers from the curse and the good guys prevail over evil—the ride went from Snow White falling to the curse and then turning a corner to show she’s suddenly all better and with the prince and the ride is over. Yep, the rides aren’t very interesting to me. Somewhat of an exception is the Matterhorn Bobsleds, though I’m neither interested nor disinterested in it. If it’s a short line, I’d go on it. If not, I’ll skip it. The Matterhorn’s bumpiness tends to sway me towards skipping even when the line is short. As for dining, the area is always packed so I’ve never wanted to eat there. It’s also typically had people taking photographs, and I’m not keen on being in the background of a photo eating.

#6: Main Street U.S.A.

The entrance to the park is one I’m fond of thanks to its artistry in setting the mood. When I walk down it, it feels like I’m falling into the ‘Disneyland mindset.’

It gives me a chance to check out shops and parades or whatever is going on as well as get accustomed to the crowds. Restaurants here feel much more appealing due to the area feeling like it is a shopping district. While it’s not an area I’ve experienced rides, it’s one that I’m fond of simply for being more than iconic or a pathway to get to better places.

#5: New Orleans Square

Two rides stand out as ones I always put on my checklist of things to do when at Disneyland: the Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean rides. Haunted Mansion is one of those that I’m always gonna go on when the line is short, no matter how many times I’ve already done it. The area is also one of the nicer areas to simply sit on a bench, take a break from walking, and watch people and things go by; seeing the water and boats of Frontierland is also fun. And all that I hear about the Blue Bayou Restaurant is fun in itself even if I’ve never seen it. Part of what makes Disneyland fun is that it has places like that, a sense of mystery that can be explored if you choose to. I haven’t chosen to, as maintaining that mystery seems a lot more fun than attempting to get a reservation.

#4: Tomorrowland

It’s got Space Mountain, the theater, the Star Tours ride that seems to have been updated a few times and I can’t remember what each exactly was like (I remember the oldest version being about following a random robot on its first job or something and that being my favorite compared to the newer versions but it still being fun), and a place to get pizza (though otherwise dining isn’t great). What makes it less appealing is it’s usually too crowded for my liking and the aesthetic being the future isn’t really my thing, but it’s definitely a place I put on my checklist of places to go to.

#3: Adventureland

Another two rides stand out that make up what this area is to me: the Jungle Cruise and Indiana Jones rides. What makes this area stand above the others is the Indiana Jones ride itself. It’s unique compared to other adrenaline-fueled rides like the Matterhorn or Space Mountain, in that it’s somewhere between those and the leisurely follow-a-plot rides like Snow White or Peter Pan. More of what makes it great is the atmosphere of the line itself from the outside to the inside. There’s not much else to say about it, other than it’s another must-see whenever I go to Disneyland.

#2: Frontierland

All right, so for me this is kind of a tossup between Frontierland, Tomorrowland, and Adventureland. In terms of the more fun rides, Adventureland is more of my favorite. In terms of atmosphere, both Adventureland and Frontierland top Tomorrowland.

In terms of the dining, well, Frontierland has the number one restaurant for me in the entire park: The Golden Horseshoe. It’s as close to an olden (romanticized) tavern scene as I’ll get, and I like it a lot for that. Add in the occasional performances going on, and it’s usually going to be fun in addition to appetizing. Anyway, back to the rides. I’ve never actually taken either of the boat rides and that island at the center of the water is another mystery for me. The Big Thunder Mountain Railroad ride is really the sole ride I go to here, and it’s simply fun.

#1: Critter Country

All right. Okay. So. This is, maybe, a weird place to put as my number one favorite place in Disneyland. But here’s the thing: none of the other areas have Splash Mountain. You might be thinking, ‘Huh? Why would you go there when there’s that iconic, timeless Haunted Mansion ride just around the bend?’ I’d say, “Huh? What do you mean ‘the Haunted Mansion ride is right there’? What do you mean ‘iconic’? What do you mean ‘timeless’? Splash Mountain is, and its existence to Disneyland is like that of God to all of creation.” I’d further question, in your heart of hearts, whether you’ve never walked along having a so-so time and then a familiar tune wafted to your ears; and the tune, it wasn’t just familiar, it’s welcoming; it was saying to you, “Hello. I’m here. I’m home. Come see me.” You could say the tune is repetitive and annoying. I’d say it’s all right to be wrong. You could say there are better rides out there. I’d say it’s all right to be wrong. You could say Splash Mountain isn’t that great. I’d say it’s all right to be wrong.

I’m aware that Splash Mountain will be closing next month for it to be changed to a Princess and the Frog ride. It’s sad, but good things don’t last forever. And, I don’t doubt the ride will be fun in its new form. I’ll always have the memories of the catchy music and silly characters and plot that went along with the ride. Anyway, I’m putting Critter Country at the top of my list because of the Splash Mountain that I know and love. If changes in Disneyland make my list obsolete in however long (let’s say, the next month), so be it. Some other fond things about the area is the Winnie the Pooh ride (my guilty pleasure) and the Hungry Bear Restaurant.

Thus concludes my list of my favorite places in Disneyland. There’s a newer Star Wars area that I’m not counting since I haven’t been there (nor do I remember what was there before Star Wars). I don’t know why, but I had a drive to just talk about Disneyland. So yeah.