A Ride-Free Day at Disneyland
by Autumn Hilden
AllEars® Guest Columnist
Feature Article
This article appeared in the December 8, 2015 Issue #846 of ALL EARS® (ISSN: 1533-0753)
Editor's Note: This story/information was accurate when it was published. Please be sure to confirm all current rates, information and other details before planning your trip.
These days, getting the most for your time and money at Disneyland is more important than ever. The quest for "value" can lead to a lot of hustle and bustle around the parks, fueled by the need to conquer it all. But sometimes what you're paying for is a relaxing and enjoyable day — and getting that can mean prioritizing things other than rides. Things like atmosphere and entertainment. Or, maybe you're just not into rides and wait times, or you can't ride for health reasons. Don't turn down that trip to Disneyland just yet!
Especially during crowded holiday seasons, there's plenty to do instead.
Attractions
To begin your ride-free day, hop on one of the many different types of Main Street vehicles and go for a short tour. Anything with horses is obviously awesome, but you'll find a double-decker bus and an old-fashioned fire truck as well (ring the bell on the latter). When you've seen the front of Disneyland from a fresh perspective, head over to the Main Street Cinema and check out the early days of Disney. There you'll find Mickey Mouse cartoons, including Steamboat Willie, the one that started it all. The short animations feature all kinds of silly gags that still hold up. One thing that doesn't hold up: a very different type of Mickey Mouse, especially when it comes to his affection for Minnie. We're glad Mickey has evolved with the times.
Frontierland is another great spot for fun without rides. Try your hand at the Shootin' Exposition or go pet the goats, sheep, donkeys, cow, and horses at the Big Thunder Ranch — while it lasts. The ranch is closing its doors soon to make way for Star Wars Land.
Disney California Adventure (DCA) has some low-key attractions to enjoy as well. Start by taking a seat on the Red Car Trolley. The car itself offers a snazzy little ride, and seeing the stops along the route from a slightly elevated, gentle rumble makes it all fresh and new. From the trolley station, visit the Animation Academy, where you can learn to draw Disney characters in an inspiring setting. The 360-degree display of animation and music from Disney and Pixar is not to be missed.
When you've worked up an appetite, get a quick snack of free sourdough bread on the Boudin Bakery Tour. It's been recently updated to be more interactive and open. But let's be real, it's all about the soft, tangy bread sample.
Entertainment
Many people schedule their Disneyland trips around the shows at the resort. The big spectacles in particular always wow huge crowds, especially with the recent additions and updates for the Diamond Celebration. At Disneyland, Paint the Night, the new nighttime light parade, runs just ahead of the Disneyland Forever fireworks. One agonizing wait along the curb will get you both shows. Just be warned, there is A LOT going on for Paint the Night. If they could do it, they did, so be prepared for some sensory overload. And a tip for the fireworks: hang around after they're through in order to hear two special songs composed just for the 60th. "Step into the Magic" as a soaring ballad and "Kiss Goodnight," a beautiful, grown-up lullaby, are worth the wait.
Of course the old standbys are still running too. Mickey's Soundsational parade marches through the park in the daylight, and Mickey and the Magical Map unfolds at regular times throughout the morning and afternoon in the Fantasyland Theater. At DCA check out the Pixar Play Parade. It's pretty easy to get good seats for, so there's little wait involved. And of course at night, get crazy at the Mad T Party with dancing, drinks, and more geometric print costumes than you've seen together since the late ‘80s.
If you love craning your neck to barely see movie clips you already know by heart, make sure to get a Fastpass for a World of Color viewing. Otherwise, just look forward to when they incline the viewing area so the show is actually visible to people under six feet tall.
And, definitely do your best to get a seat at the last remaining shows of the Hyperion Theater's spectacular production of Aladdin. It's 45 minutes of topical humor, puppets, and lightning-fast dialogue that will make you long for the 2D days of Disney animation.
Streetmosphere
Maybe you're not into huge crowds and waits. Don't fret, there's still a ton to do at Disneyland. What Disney calls "streetmosphere" happens all around the parks when popup experiences, entertainment, and meetings surprise and delight guests. When you're not focused on checking rides off your to-do list, you'll actually be free to enjoy the efforts of all the creative artists throughout Disneyland. Keep an eye out for spontaneous musical performances, sketch comedy, improv, character encounters, face painting, caricature drawing, and more. In Disneyland, most of the streetmosphere is concentrated on Main Street and in Frontierland, with sprinkles in Fantasyland and New Orleans Square. Over at DCA, look for it all over. The Mariachi Divas that play and sing in the Pacific Wharf are especially good.
Downtown Disney and Other Diversions
Don't forget about the goings on in Downtown Disney if you're at the resort for a day without rides. There you can shop and eat, but you can also catch a movie or tour the Grand Californian Hotel and the Disneyland Hotel. Pop into ESPN Zone for some arcade action, or, at night, listen (or dance) to the live music that dots the district.
In Disneyland, check out the Disney Gallery for a look at art from the parks' history. Or, settle in at Alfresco Tasting Terrace in DCA and enjoy a flight or two of wine.
If none of those things makes for a happy day at Disneyland, probably the best thing to do, if you're just there to soak up the atmosphere, is to people-watch. Grab a seat on Main Street's little front porch, about halfway down the way on the right-hand side, and look at all the crazy people frantically trying to squeeze every last drop of life out of the park. You can always do that next time!
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RELATED LINKS
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Unexpected Delights: Accidental Memories and New Family Traditions
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Autumn Hilden is a Los Angeles-based writer and editor. She has worked for Disney Publishing Worldwide and The Jim Henson Company and is currently writing books for young adults. Autumn grew up taking family photos in front of the waterfall pool at the Polynesian Village Resort and selecting "desert" for the final flight on Horizons. She now embraces Disneyland as her happiest place on Earth. You can follow her on Twitter here.
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Editor's Note: This story/information was accurate when it was published. Please be sure to confirm all current rates, information and other details before planning your trip.
