The Disneyland Resort is known for it’s awesome rides, but there are so many other things to do there like shows, parades, and more. These are some of the most fun things to do at Disneyland other than rides.
Enchanted Tiki Room
The Enchanted Tiki Room is a fun bird show in Adventureland that is about 15 minutes long. It’s a nice break from the crowds. It’s fun to grab a Dole Whip next door and enjoy it while watching the show.
Redwood Creek Challenge Trail
Redwood Creek Challenge Trail in California Adventure is a great place for kids to run around and get some wiggles out. There’s a ropes course, slides, and you can meet Chip n Dale. This is a relaxing and quiet area. Check out more quiet spots in Disneyland here.
Meet Characters
There are characters all over Disneyland and California Adventure that you can meet. Check the Disneyland app for locations and times.
Fireworks
Disneyland does firework shows on select nights. Check the Entertainment section in the app to see when fireworks will be. They’re typically only on weekends.
Parades
Disneyland parades are a lot of fun to experience. This is another thing to check in the app under the entertainment section. They do not have parades everyday, but usually do when they have something special going like Halloween, Christmas, and Pixar Fest.
Adventureland Treehouse
Adventureland Treehouse is right next to the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. This is a walkthrough attraction where you can see rooms and different things.
Pirates Lair on Tom Sawyer’s Island
To get to Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer’s Island you’ll take a log raft across the Rivers of America. You can then explore the island, and take the raft back across the river.
Shop For Souvenirs
Disneyland and California Adventure are both full of shops where you can shop for fun souvenirs. The Emporium on Main Street, USA in Disneyland has a really wide selection of things to buy.
Eat Fun Foods
Disneyland has so many fun and unique foods to try like Mickey Pretzels, Mickey Beignets, Baymax Macarons, and more.
Mickey’s PhilharMagic
Mickey’s PhilharMagic is a 3D show in California Adventure. It’s 12 minutes long and stars Donald Duck with amazing animation and music.
Animation Academy
Animation Academy is located in the Animation Building in Hollywood Land in California Adventure. Here you can do a short drawing lesson with an animator. They have a schedule posted outside so you can see which character will be drawn at each time.
Look For Hidden Mickeys
Hidden Mickeys are all over the parks. Look for them everywhere, like this one hiding in the liquid in front of Mission: BREAKOUT! See more California Adventure hidden Mickeys here.
Disney Jr. Dance Party
The Disney Jr. Dance Party is in the Disney Theater in Hollywood Land in California Adventure. You can check showtimes in the Disneyland app. This fun show is perfect for little ones who love Disney Junior shows like Mickey and the Roadster Racers, Vampirina, and Doc McStuffins.
Turtle Talk With Crush
Turtle Talk With Crush is in the Animation Building in California Adventure. It’s an interactive show that little ones love with the turtle from Finding Nemo.
Frontierland Shootin’ Expo
Frontierland Shootin’ Expo is in Frontierland in Disneyland. It has an old west theme and lots of targets for you to aim at. This is something you do have to pay extra to do.
Royal Theatre
The Royal Theatre is in Fantasyland to the right of the castle. Here you can watch Storytelling at the Royal Theatre with characters from Tangled or Beauty and the Beast.
Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough
Sleeping Beauty Castle Walk Through is where you literally walk up and through the castle. There are images that tell the story of Aurora and Maleficent from the movie Sleeping Beauty.
Games of Pixar Pier
The Games of Pixar Pier are located in California Adventure on Pixar Pier. There are lots of different game booths where you can play to win prizes like stuffed animals. You have to purchase tokens to play.
Sorcerer’s Workshop
Sorcerer’s Workshop is another thing to do that’s located in the Animation Building in California Adventure. There are exhibitions that show how Disney animators created the characters we all know and love.
Sh-Boom Lighting
The Sh-Boom Lighting in Cars Land is a bit of a secret thing to do since not a lot of people know about it. Every night in Cars Land all of the neon lights come on one by one to the song Sh-Boom by The Chords. This is recreating a scene in the movie Cars. See more secret things to do in Disneyland here.
The Bakery Tour
The Bakery Tour is in San Fransokyo Square in California Adventure. Here you’ll see a replica of the Boudin Bakery in California and get a sample of freshly baked bread.