Walt Disney opened Disneyland Park in Anaheim in 1955 as the world’s first modern theme park—a living storybook he personally walked through, refined, and loved. Today, the Disneyland Resort spans two parks—Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure—plus the ever-evolving Downtown Disney District. From Pirates of the Caribbean (which inspired the film series) to new classics like Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, it’s Americana mixed with innovation.

Highlights await around every corner: Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge with its blockbuster Rise of the Resistance, Avengers Campus with live stunt shows, and nighttime spectaculars like Fantasmic! and World of Color. Seasonal overlays, from Halloween Time to the Holidays, transform rides and menus—think Haunted Mansion Holiday and a wonderland of treats.

Practical notes for 2025: most tickets are date-based, and park hopping is typically allowed after 11 a.m. Genie+ (paid) lets you reserve Lightning Lane entrances for many attractions; some top rides (like Rise of the Resistance and Radiator Springs Racers) sell Individual Lightning Lane access separately. Mobile order in the app saves time, and midday breaks back at your hotel can be a sanity saver on crowded days.

Anaheim

Home to the Disneyland Resort and a thriving local scene, Anaheim offers more than rides. A few blocks from the park, the revitalized Packing District blends a historic citrus-packing house with a food hall, craft cocktails, and live music. Breweries hum on game nights near the baseball stadium, and sleepy mornings start sweet at Japanese bakery cafés.

Top experiences include: a deep dive into Disneyland Park’s original lands, Avengers Campus hero encounters, Pixar Pier sunset strolls, and Downtown Disney’s dining and street musicians. When you need a breather, the resort hotels’ gardens and pools are built for it.

• Don’t-miss rides: Rise of the Resistance, Radiator Springs Racers, Space Mountain, Indiana Jones Adventure, Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway.
• Where to eat nearby: Anaheim Packing House (ADYA for modern Indian, Georgia’s for Southern classics, The Blind Rabbit speakeasy—reserve); Downtown Disney (Lamplight-adjacent vibes at Ballast Point, over-the-top shakes at Black Tap, ice cream flights at Salt & Straw).
• Coffee & breakfast: Okayama Kobo Bakery & Cafe (melon pan and cream-filled breads), Porto’s Bakery & Cafe in Buena Park (guava strudel, potato balls) before park rope drop.

Where to stay: For proximity and pools, check resort-adjacent hotels or family condos within walking distance. Compare rates on Hotels.com (Anaheim) or browse full-kitchen stays via VRBO (Anaheim).

Getting there: Fly into SNA (John Wayne, ~20 min), LGB (~30 min), or LAX (~45–75 min, traffic-dependent). Compare fares on Trip.com (flights) or Kiwi.com (flights). Typical domestic roundtrips run ~$150–$400 if booked 4–8 weeks ahead; rideshare from SNA to Disneyland is ~$25–$45.

Day 1: Arrival and Downtown Disney Warm-Up

Morning: Travel day. If you land early, drop bags at your hotel and hydrate—SoCal’s sun sneaks up on you.

Afternoon: Check in and wander Downtown Disney. Grab a late lunch at Black Tap (prime burger + crispy fries; share a CrazyShake if you dare). Coffee fix at Jazz Kitchen Beignets to go, dusted with powdered sugar—instant vacation mode.

Evening: Ease into the week with a pool dip, then dinner at Ballast Point (rooftop seating, IPA flights, kids’ menu). Cap it with small-batch scoops at Salt & Straw—try seasonal flavors or the honey lavender staple.

Day 2: Disneyland Park Classics and Nighttime Spectacular

Morning: Rope drop strategy: arrive 30–45 minutes before official open. Start in Fantasyland (Peter Pan’s Flight first, then Alice or Matterhorn). Mobile-order breakfast from Jolly Holiday Bakery (ham & cheese croissant, Matterhorn Macaroon) to eat while you queue for Space Mountain.

Afternoon: Score Genie+ selections for Indiana Jones Adventure and Big Thunder Mountain. Break for lunch at Tiana’s Palace (homestyle gumbo, muffuletta, and beignets). Midday cool-down: Enchanted Tiki Room with a classic Dole Whip from the Tiki Juice Bar.

Evening: Sit-down dinner at Café Orleans (the Monte Cristo with berry compote is iconic; book ahead). Stake out a hub or riverside spot for the fireworks/nighttime spectacular (seasonal showtimes). Late snack: churro cart cinnamon sugar—Disneyland’s signature scent.

Day 3: Galaxy’s Edge, Toontown, and Fantasmic!

Morning: Buy Individual Lightning Lane for Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance if available; otherwise rope drop it. Grab a cold brew Black Caf at Docking Bay 7 and pilot the Millennium Falcon on Smugglers Run. Pop into Oga’s Cantina for a reservation-only mocktail or Fuzzy Tauntaun—lively DJ Rex sets the tone.

Afternoon: Head to the reimagined Mickey’s Toontown. Ride Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway (often on Genie+), then let kids decompress at CenTOONial Park’s shaded play areas. Lunch at Red Rose Taverne (beastly-sized burgers and plant-based options).

Evening: Rivers of America come alive with Fantasmic! (check return times; arrive 45–60 minutes early for good viewing). Pre-show dinner at Blue Bayou inside Pirates of the Caribbean—candlelit tables under “night skies” feel like a film set. If late-night energy remains, hit Haunted Mansion or Pirates with shorter queues.

Day 4: Disney California Adventure—Pixar, Cars Land, Avengers

Morning: Rope drop Radiator Springs Racers (or buy ILL). Then Incredicoaster and Toy Story Midway Mania along Pixar Pier. Brunch if it’s a weekend at Lamplight Lounge (chilaquiles and a cinnamon toast cocktail; boardwalk views), or grab a Quantum Pretzel at Pym Test Kitchen for a novelty bite.

Afternoon: Avengers Campus: WEB SLINGERS (Genie+), Doctor Strange mystic arts show, and Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT! for the best screams-per-minute in the resort. Lunch at Cocina Cucamonga (birria tacos) or Lucky Fortune Cookery (pan-Asian rice bowls).

Evening: Book Carthay Circle Restaurant for seasonal California cuisine (signature biscuits with apricot butter). End with World of Color—join the virtual queue at noon for reserved viewing, or purchase a dining package. Post-show sweet: Ghirardelli sundae in San Fransokyo Square.

Day 5: Park Hop Day—Characters, Snacks, and Your Favorites

Morning: Character breakfast at Plaza Inn (classic Minnie & Friends meet-and-greets) or Storytellers Cafe at Disney’s Grand Californian (woodsy setting, table-service buffet). Use Genie+ to re-ride favorites you missed or loved most.

Afternoon: Snack crawl: Bengal Barbecue (spicy Banyan Beef Skewer), Mint Julep Bar (beignets), and a Ronto Wrap in Galaxy’s Edge. If you’re visiting in spring, sip-and-sample DCA’s Food & Wine Festival marketplaces; in fall, note Oogie Boogie Bash party nights shorten DCA hours—plan Disneyland for those evenings.

Evening: Celebrate at Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar (tropical mugs, interactive bar “storms”—21+ inside; family-friendly patio). Dinner back in Downtown Disney at Jazz Kitchen Coastal Grill & Patio (Cajun-spiced fish, crisp salads), or try the new Din Tai Fung location for soup dumplings if you snag a reservation.

Los Angeles

After five theme-park days, shift gears to LA’s cityscape—Hollywood history, modern art, and beach sunsets. From the hilltop dome of Griffith Observatory to downtown’s architectural icons and Santa Monica’s pier, this is the Southern California postcard you’ve seen on screen.

LA rewards curiosity. Detour for tacos in Boyle Heights, vinyl in Echo Park, or flaky kouign-amann in Venice. Traffic is real; group neighborhoods by day and give yourself buffers—more time to sip good coffee and watch the light change.

• Classics: Hollywood Boulevard’s TCL Chinese Theatre, the Griffith Observatory, The Broad, Walt Disney Concert Hall, Santa Monica Pier.
• Foodie picks: Grand Central Market (Eggslut, Tacos Tumbras a Tomas, Sarita’s Pupuseria), Koreatown BBQ (Park’s BBQ or Sun Nong Dan), Venice’s Gjusta for smoked fish and pastries.
• Beach time: Santa Monica and Venice Boardwalk, or head south another day for Manhattan Beach’s mellow strand.

Where to stay: For one night, choose convenience over commute: Hollywood/Los Feliz for Griffith access, or Santa Monica for beach and strollable dining. Compare options on Hotels.com (Los Angeles) or browse apartments on VRBO (Los Angeles).

Day 6: Transfer to LA, Hollywood to Griffith, DTLA Bites

Morning: Transfer from Anaheim to Los Angeles (30–60 miles). By car/rideshare, it’s ~45–75 minutes (budget $40–$90). Metrolink/Amtrak to LA Union Station runs ~45–60 minutes, ~$10–$16 per adult. Check into your hotel, then coffee at Intelligentsia in Silver Lake or Menotti’s in Culver City if you’re westbound.

Afternoon: Walk Hollywood Boulevard (handprints at TCL Chinese Theatre; peek at the Dolby Theatre). Late lunch downtown at Grand Central Market: order the bacon, egg & cheese at Eggslut, a carnitas taco at Villa Moreliana, and a pupusa at Sarita’s—share it all at the communal tables. Pop into The Broad (free timed tickets; Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirror Room often books out—reserve early) and admire Gehry’s stainless-steel curves at Walt Disney Concert Hall next door.

Evening: Drive up to Griffith Observatory for sunset city views and a quick spin through the astronomy exhibits. Dinner options: Musso & Frank Grill on Hollywood Boulevard (since 1919; martinis and steak), or in Koreatown at Park’s BBQ (prime short rib; expect a wait). Nightcap at Perch LA’s rooftop downtown for skyline lights if you’re nearby.

Day 7: Santa Monica & Venice, Then Departure

Morning: Brunch near the beach. In Santa Monica, try Huckleberry Bakery & Cafe (seasonal pastries, grain bowls) or head to Venice for Gjusta (smoked fish platters, pistachio croissants). Stroll the Venice Canals and Abbot Kinney’s boutiques.

Afternoon: Ride the Ferris wheel at Santa Monica Pier or rent bikes along the Marvin Braude path. Grab a quick lunch—Sugarfish’s Trust Me set for pristine sushi or a lobster roll at The Albright on the pier—then depart for the airport. For flights home, compare fares and times on Trip.com or Kiwi.com; allow extra time for LA traffic.

Evening: Fly out with sun in your hair and a camera roll full of castle shots and Pacific blues. If you have a late departure, squeeze in one last gelato stroll down Third Street Promenade.

Pro tips sprinkled through the week:

• Genie+ at Disneyland lets you book your first Lightning Lane once you’ve entered the park; stack return windows in the afternoon when queues spike.
• Mobile order food 30–60 minutes before you’re hungry; pick a window that matches your ride plan.
• Heat and crowds peak midday—plan a swim or nap, then enjoy lower waits late at night.
• Check the entertainment calendar for Fantasmic!, fireworks, and World of Color; showtimes vary by season.

In seven days you’ve woven a classic Southern California itinerary: Disneyland thrills, inventive dining, Hollywood icons, and beach-town ease. With smart pacing, strategic Genie+ moves, and a few well-timed snacks, this trip balances wonder and rest—exactly how vacations should feel.