From Betsy Malloy,
Your Guide to California Travel.
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See It Now: Take a Photo Tour

Get Oriented: Disneyland Map

"Mic-key-Mouse! Mic-key-Mouse!" The chanting starts on the tram before you can see the Disneyland gates. Excited children pull their parents along like a tugboat in the harbor. Picture-taking starts before people get inside the gates. The words over the entry tunnel read: "Here you leave today and enter world of yesterday, tomorrow, and fantasy." As they pass through that tunnel, children stop whining and grumpy parents are transformed. It's Disneyland, and after fifty years, it's still the Happiest Place on Earth.

The granddaddy of all theme parks is still one of the most popular. The fundamental Disneyland California experience is a retelling of a popular Disney story: a ride through Snow White's house or the Pirates of the Carribean's lair, watching inventor Wayne Szalinski shrink (and blow up) the kids, dog and audience or careening through the Temple of Doom. Heavy on rides that the whole family can enjoy and with only a few screaming roller coasters, Disneyland is perfect for a family getaway.

Why All the Fuss?

We rate Disneyland 4.5 out of 5. Maybe it's the lingering effect of a baby-boomer's childhood spent watching Walt Disney every Sunday night, but we're hooked, and judging from the smiles on the faces of the thousands of people we've seen there, so are a lot of other people. If it weren't for the crowds, we'd rate it 5 out of 5.

Others may disagree. You can see what other people think, then bookmark this page and after you've been there, come back and tell us what you think.

What do you think of Disneyland California as a tourist destination?

• 0 = Yuck! Just say no to this flea-bitten tourist trap
• 1 = So-So More fun than a night in jail, but you might enjoy a good nap more
• 2 = OK Some people find it interesting. I didn't
• 3 = Good It's not a big deal if you miss it
• 4 = Great I really liked it. I think you will, too
• 5 = Awesome! It's a must-see sight I recommend to everyone

The Complete Disneyland

It can take several days to see all the attractions at Disneyland if you go without a plan and wait in all those interminable lines. That's why Disney invented multi-day passes, after all. If want to use an informal approach, allow at least three days if you want to see everything. On the other hand, you can have more fun in less time if you use Ridemax to minimize waiting and experience everything Disneyland has to offer in about a day and a half. Add a little extra time if you're traveling with children who want to meet a lot of Disney characters.

• Disneyland Rides : Find out which ones are best for kids, cool places on a hot day, learn about height restrictions and plan your fun.

• See it Now: Pictures of Disneyland can show you what to expect.

• Tips for a Trouble-Free Visit : Get organized, stay comfortable and take care of your special needs.

• Disneyland Tours: A great way to make your visit more fun.

10 Things You Need to Know About the Disneyland California Resort

• How to get tickets and ticket discounts.
• When to Go
• Where to Stay
• Costs and Saving Money.
• Weather and Packing
• How to Stay Out of Line
• How to be a Smart Disneyland Visitor
• How to Get to Disneyland
• Meeting the Disney Characters
• Disneyland at Christmas and Halloween