Disneyland—the most magical place on Earth. It’s more than just an amusement park; it’s a feeling. From stepping onto Main Street to snapping pictures with Mickey Mouse or just riding attractions, there’s nowhere quite like it. It’s the cheerful music, the sweet scent of churros (or popcorn, depending on where the wind is blowing), and the Castle shimmering in every light, making every moment feel like pure magic.
The rides are amazing (we’ll get to that), but just being at Disneyland is an experience like no other. And if you’re thinking of visiting soon, here’s what’s new, the best times to go, and why it still holds the crown as the most magical place on Earth!
New at Disneyland: Tiana’s Bayou Adventure!
Okay, so major update—2025 is the year we finally say goodbye to Splash Mountain (RIP) and say hello to Tiana’s Bayou Adventure! If you like princesses and water rides, you’re going to love this. It’s got animatronics, a whole new storyline with Tiana, and a jazz-filled soundtrack. Oh, and yes—you’re still getting drenched at the end, because some things never change. :)
It’s one of the biggest ride transformations in Disney history, and it will be so fun to try!
Best Times to Visit Disneyland in 2025
If you want to avoid the biggest crowds (and get on your favorite rides faster), aim for:
- Weekdays in mid-January to early March (post-holiday peace)
- Late April to early May (before the summer rush)
- September after Labor Day (back-to-school slowdown)
If you don’t mind a packed park but want that full-on Disney magic, holidays like Halloween and Christmas bring the best seasonal overlays and special events. Because Halloween is iconic—Haunted Mansion Holiday? A masterpiece. And Christmas is unreal—fake snow on Main Street? Christmas decorations galore? There’s nowhere better.
✨ Pro Tip: Genie+ is super helpful so you don’t have to wait in long lines!
Get the Disneyland App—It Will Save Your Life
If you don’t have the Disneyland app, what are you doing? You can:
- Check wait times – key for planning out your day.
- Find food – seriously, this is a game changer when you’re starving and need to locate the nearest churro stand immediately.
- Mobile Order like a pro – skip the lines and order food ahead of time. No more waiting in line for Dole Whip!
- Book Lightning Lanes – if you’re using Genie+, you’ll need the app to grab ride reservations before they disappear.
Hidden Gems You Can’t Miss
Disneyland has so many little details that people overlook. Here are a few hidden gems that make your trip even better:
The Magic Key Holder Lounge: If you (or someone in your group) has a Magic Key pass, check out the exclusive lounge for passholders. It’s a great place to take a break from the crowds.
The Pickles: Disneyland pickles are elite. If you’ve never had one, you’re missing out.
Fantasmic! The nighttime show on the Rivers of America has music, the fire-breathing dragon, and the Mickey vs. villains battle!
Character Interactions in Galaxy’s Edge: The Star Wars characters walk around and interact with guests like it’s real life.
Indiana Jones Messages: Inside the queue, the walls are covered in symbols written in Mara language—and they mean something! With a guide, you can decode secret messages left behind by past adventurers.
New Orleans Square Ghostly Whispers: Stand near the second-story windows, and you might hear ghostly conversations from inside, adding to the eerie charm of the Haunted Mansion.
Galaxy’s Edge Hacking: Use the Play Disney Parks app to “hack” into droids and control panels around Batuu, triggering lights, sounds, and secret transmissions from the Resistance and First Order.
Matterhorn Basketball Court: Deep inside the mountain, cast members have access to a hidden break room with a small basketball hoop—because even yetis need to shoot some hoops on their break.
Main Street’s Party Line: Pick up the antique phones inside some Main Street shops, and you’ll hear old-timey conversations from a 1920s-style gossip hotline!
I mean, how cool is that?
Why Disneyland Will Always Be Special
Yes, the rides are incredible. Space Mountain still delivers that exhilarating rush, Pirates of the Caribbean is as classic as ever, and Matterhorn is thrilling. But Disneyland is more than just its attractions—it’s an atmosphere. It’s a feeling. It’s getting your favorite Mickey-shaped snack, watching fireworks over the castle, and feeling like a kid again no matter how old you are.
Disneyland is a place where magic takes over for the day. And no matter how many new rides come and go, that’s the feeling that will always make it the happiest place on Earth.
