While Disneyland is a sight to behold for Disney aficionados, the “Happiest Place on Earth” can be a bit overwhelming for introverts.
I’ve been going to Disney parks for decades, and as a bit of an introvert myself, these are some of the rules I’ve learned to follow at Disney’s original park.
Be Aware of Size
When Disney’s first generation of Imagineers designed and built Walt Disney World, part of the mission statement was to build something that dwarfed Disneyland. This didn’t only mean the massive overall size of the resort, but also within the Magic Kingdom itself. The Florida park features expanded walkways, wider sidewalks, larger buildings, and generally a more extravagant footprint.
While theme park aficionados can debate whether this larger-than-life approach is better or worse than the “charming” Disneyland, it presents a larger issue for introverts. Introverts used to the sprawling Magic Kingdom may find Disneyland a bit claustrophobic and “on top of them”, especially when crowded.
Maybe Avoid the Castle Grounds in
These differences between the Magic Kingdom and Disneyland are perhaps most blatantly on display around the park’s respective castles. Whereas the Magic Kingdom’s Cinderella Castle is surrounded by the large Fantasy Gardens, Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland is smaller, as is the space around it.
These smaller grounds, combined with the fact that Sleeping Beauty Castle is one of the most Instagrammed and photographed spots on the planet can lead to the area warming with crowds – an introvert’s nightmare – especially during the early morning hours. Maybe swing by later in the day for photos.
Watch Fantasmic from Afar
Unlike the Walt Disney World version of Fantasmic, which takes place in a massive amphitheater at Hollywood Studios, the Disneyland original takes place on the park’s Tom Sawyer Island and Rivers of America, with crowds watching from the banks of the river in Frontierland. In other words, there are no seats, simply a large crowd packed in to watch the show.
You know? Real fun for an introverted person. We’d advise picking out a spot that’s a bit back from the main crowd.
Introverts visiting Disneyland need to keep these rules in mind when visiting Walt’s original theme park. Stay tuned to AllEars for more Disney tips.
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What are your Disneyland tips? Let us know in the comments below.
Confusing general claustrophobia with introversion. Being an introvert means you don’t care for interacting with people, it isn’t about being around people or in close quarters with other people. You don’t have to speak to anyone at Disney if you don’t choose to, regardless of your proximity to them. In my opinion, anyone can have a great time at Disney, regardless of personality, no rules needed.
I have a better idea. Don’t go.