11 Must-Do’s at Disneyland and California Adventure (Including Hidden Gems)
Need ideas for the best things to do in Disneyland and California Adventure?? Well, look no further- I’ve compiled a list of 11 of my favorite must-do’s, including a few hidden gems for you to check out!
1. Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough
This hidden attraction inside Disneyland’s own Sleeping Beauty Castle allows guests to explore and take in the classic fairytale of Princess Aurora from the 1959 animated film. As you walk through the castle, up and down corridors and stairs, you can see 3D displays, special effects, and sounds from this beloved story.
This amazing activity is suitable for all ages, but it does include dark, tight spaces and stairs throughout. This attraction has been open since 1955, but has been updated over time. It does have limited hours due to closures for nighttime fireworks performances.
To explore more of the history and facts about the Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough, check this link out!
2. Snow White’s Grotto
Tucked away in the greenery and trees just right of Sleeping Beauty’s Castle lies Snow White’s Grotto, complete with beautiful sculptures of Snow White and Seven Dwarfs. In fact, these eight sculptures are the same height size as each other, which made Snow White seem fairly short. In order to solve this problem, Imagineer and Disney Legend John Hench used forced perspective by putting Snow White at the top of the grotto, making her seem further away and larger than she actually is.
Accompanying the grotto is a beautiful wishing well. This was Walt Disney’s idea- he wanted an area where coins used for wishes could be collected and donated to charities. If you listen closely, you can sometimes hear an echo of Snow White singing in the wishing well, as she does in the film. If you can’t hear it, I recommend just singing yourself so it will echo and feel like Disney magic.
One of my good friends, Grace, also has a Disney Account on Instagram! She has a lot of cute photos of her in Snow White’s Grotto- and she’s super knowledgeable when it comes to this area and Disney too!
3. Tom Sawyer’s Island
Have you ever wondered if you could actually go to that island that’s right in the middle of New Orlean’s Square? Well, you actually can! You can ride a log raft across the Rivers of America in order to go explore Tom Sawyer’s Island! This island is the perfect place for any adventurers and explorers!
On the island, there are forts, bridges, “haunted” caves, quiet pathways, and even hidden pirate treasure! This attraction was inspired by Mark Twain’s novels of Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn and their carefree adventures as pirates. Walt Disney loved Twain’s novels, so he designed this thrilling island himself!
Tom Sawyer’s Island does close fairly early, since it’s a daytime only attraction and the Fantasmic nighttime show does include the use of the island. Make sure to check the times that this will be open, and to go early enough in the day to experience it!
Here’s a video showing a few highlights and the caves that you can explore on Tom Sawyer’s Island!
4. Club 33
Hidden inside the streets of New Orleans Square is one of the most exclusive VIP club restaurants in the world: Club 33. Membership is VERY limited, and so it can be quite difficult to get inside. In order to become a member, you must fill out an application and join a waitlist that is said to be almost 10 years long. So, unless you’re a celebrity, President of the United States, dignitary, or famous business leader, you’re probably out of luck.
HOWEVER, anyone and everyone can still visit the Club 33 Door! This door just looks like a simple, unassuming door compared to the rest of Disneyland, but it hides one of the most private dining clubs ever. After its opening in 1967, it was the ONLY place in Disneyland that sold alcoholic beverages. Since then, things have changed- there are also other locations of Club 33 at Tokyo Disneyland, Shanghai Disneyland, and each of the four parks of Disney World.
Honestly, just the door by itself is worth checking out- I highly recommend it! It’s so unique and cool, and you never know who you might see around there!
5. Disneyland Railroad
If you ever need a place to rest your legs and feet after walking around all day, but you still want to be experiencing something- Disneyland Railroad is the attraction for you! This train ride is about 20 minutes long, round trip- and I personally think it’s one of the coolest things about Disneyland! Not only can you use this as a way to rest, but it’s also a super useful way to travel between different areas of Disneyland Park! There are 4 different train stations where you can get on or off: Main Street USA, New Orleans Square, Mickey’s Toontown, and Tomorrowland! Trains arrive at each stop every 5-10 minutes, so you’re never waiting long in that line either!
In between the different train stations, you can view various attractions, landscapes, dioramas, and even dinosaurs! This is a great attraction for the whole family- from little children who can’t sit still, to even your Grandpa in his wheelchair- it’s handicap accessible and suitable for everyone!
I’ve included this video by Document Disney if you need any more convincing!
6. Toon Town Interactive Areas
In ToonTown, there are many different wild things to do- but the Interactive Areas definitely win the most creative and fun award! Throughout the city area of ToonTown, there are interactive doors, handles, buttons, switches, goofs and hijinks everywhere! Some of my favorites are the stretchy jail bars, electric shock door handle, and firehouse pump! Each of these goofs make fun noises or lights!
This area is perfect for both kids and those who are still kids-at-heart! Everything is super photo worthy, and it’s a great place to just run wild and let your inner child loose!
With the new updates and renovation to Disneyland’s ToonTown, everything looks refreshed! There are even fun little easter eggs hidden that reference other classic Disney films, such as this Alice In Wonderland reference to the door handle!
7. Animation Academy
This is probably my personal favorite attraction and thing to do at any Disney Park! The Animation Academy is a hands-on experience where you learn how to draw a Disney character from a Disney animator. This workshop is set up like a class- where you have step by step instructions on how to draw characters- and you get to keep your drawings at the end! Such a fun, free souvenir that is unique to just you- the artist!
Each class is 30 minutes long, and you draw one character every thirty minutes! There are no reservations required, there is a walk-up line that forms about 10-15 minutes before the next class starts inside the Disney Animation Building in California Adventure. Everyday there are many different character classes, some being more difficult than others. Cast members post a unique daily schedule of which characters are being drawn, and when at the beginning of each day. Make sure to check this out- it’s such a unique experience!
8. Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop
Located in Pacific Wharf at DCA is Ghirardelli’s Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop. There, they serve world-famous hot fudge sundaes, shakes, ice cream cones, and hot drinks- all made with actual Ghiradelli chocolates! Ghirardelli chocolates are a symbol of California, as the company was created in San Francisco in 1852. So, of course California Adventure had to include one of the most successful, iconic chocolate companies ever since it was made in California!
If you’re needing an extra treat to help you through the day- I’d highly recommend coming here and trying one of their extravagant sundaes or shakes! A new feature that is now offered is called “Create Your Own Quake Shakes,” where you pick out your own chocolate squares, give them to a Cast Member, and they create a custom shake for you! Disney Food Blog recently tried this out and reviewed it in 2019, and needless to say, they loved it!
9. Redwood Creek Challenge Trail
In DCA’s Grizzly Peak, there is a wilderness adventure area that has unique experiences for everyone in the family! From traverse climbing, natural rock slides, spirit caves, ropes courses, tire swings, rock climbs, log slides, to training towers- there is something for everyone here! There are very few height and age requirements that you can check out at this website:
This is a great area to let your hyper little ones full of energy run around and get tired- and you can even join them too! This area does close early when it gets dark, so I recommend checking it out in the daytime. It’s a nice shaded area with a lot of trees and benches- so it’s a great area to rest your feet too!
10. Bakery Tour
Did you know that you can go on a bakery tour at Disneyland? It’s true! You can see how world-famous San Francisco sourdough bread is made at the Bakery Tour in Pacific Wharf. Not only can you have a sample of freshly baked bread from a working replica of San Franscio’s Boudin Bakery, but you also learn from digital hosts on video about how this bread is made!
Pacific Wharf is a great area for tasty food, and the sourdough bread and different soups and pastas that they serve are delicious! I highly recommend you check this out!
11. The Beast’s Library
Last, but not least, is another one of my favorite hidden gems in Disneyland California Adventure: The Beast’s Library! Located in the Disney Animation Building, past the Sorcerer’s Workshop, you can find this beautiful room that is designed after the Beast’s library in Beauty and the Beast. In here, there are several chairs surrounding open books that allow you to take a picture and a quiz to find out which Disney character you are! There are both hero and villain options, so it’s even fun to take multiple times too!
This room does have different lighting and animations that change about every five minutes, going back and forth from dark and light. In this room, you can see a portrait of Prince Adam, before he becomes the Beast, and the rose right underneath it. As the last rose petal falls, if you listen carefully you can hear Belle’s voice saying “I love you” to the Beast, causing the room to transform and become light again. This is truly one of the best interactive, magical places in Disneyland- it makes you feel as if you are in the movie!
Not only is this Beast’s Library super neat and beautiful, but it is not very well known since it's so hidden! It’s the perfect place to get away from the crowds, and cool off in an air-conditioned building. I love this area, and I HIGHLY SUGGEST you check it out!
