DISNEYLAND

The Happiest and Most Tiring Place on Earth

Photo disclaimer: I edited the power lines out the header photo of the Disney castle because I kept staring at it.

Disclaimer: I attended the park before the incident where a lady died from an allergic reaction, and Disney attempted to get it thrown of court because her and her husband signed up to a Disney + trial. They seem to have withdrawn this, but please be careful with your allergies.

I have a confession to make. I am a Disney adult. So it goes without saying that Disneyland is indeed one of my happiest places on Earth. Here was my experience in spending one day in Disneyland, Anaheim during December 2023 including accessibility tips for those who need it. I am using the term ‘Disneyland’ to also refer to the second theme park California Adventure.

TLDR:
Pace yourself and book things in advance

Getting There

Public Transportation from Los Angeles

For Metro Bus, take line 460 to get directly to the park.

For trains (Amtrak or Metrolink), make your way to Anaheim station, then transfer to the Anaheim Resort Transportation (ART) shuttle.

Driving and Parking

I will casually flex that I rented a Tesla during my LA trip because I became a car person during Covid for some reason.

Driving and parking meant the most sense to me, because of the limited time we had, I wanted to make sure a big chunk of the day wasn't spent in public transport.

Follow the signs as you approach the resort to the parking locations:

  • Mickey & Friends Parking Structure

  • Pixar Pals Parking Structure

  • Toy Story Parking Area

Prices are $35 per car of motorcycle or more if you use a tractor for some reason.

Disabled Parking is available if you need to be close to the entrance and have a valid placard. Normal parking rates apply.

If you have trouble remembering where you parked, you can use the ‘Car locator’ feature on the Disneyland app to save your parking details.

I parked at the Toy Story Parking Area where it was a bit further away because the others got filled up early. You won’t be able to escape the shuttle bus from the parking lot. I was impressed with how they managed the line for people with accessibility needs.

Drop-off and Pickup zones

You can use a rideshare zones or if you have friends to pick you up who aren’t going with you to Disneyland at Download Disney District and Harbor Boulevard.

Getting AROUND

There are thankfully a few options for getting around.

Disneyland Railroad

If you get tired, the Disneyland Railroad loops around the park so you can cut down on steps or exertion of energy. Stops are at Main Street USA, New Orleans Square, Mickey’s Toontown and Tomorrowland.

I have also seen other patrons hire a mobility scooter, which I was very jealous of should have done to save myself some pain the next day.

Mobility Devices

You can of course bring your own mobility device including wheelchairs and scooters. Disney’s website refer to Electronic Conveyance Vehicles, which make them sound fancy scooters. Manual wheelchairs are also available at the stroller shop, just outside the main entrance.

Your own device should also not exceed 36” in width and 52” in length and be single rider. I did see a mobility scooter with two people on it which did look like a lot of fun, but I advise against that for safety reasons.

Rides and Attractions

The good thing about Disney of course you don’t have to be an adrenaline junkie to enjoy the rides.

They are pretty good at gauging the ‘thrill levels’ of each ride on their website.

Depending on the ride, you can get:

  • Wheelchair to seat transfer

  • Disability Access Service (DAS), where if you can’t wait in a conventional queue due to a disability, you can

  • If you use a mobility device, you can receive a return time comparable to the current standby wait at select attractions

  • Use the Rider Switch service to take turns waiting with friends, family or acquaintances who can’t ride, which means your party won’t have to wait in line again.

I am basically scared of everything, so from an adrenaline-challenged perspective, here are micro reviews of each ride I went on:

  • Soaring above the World - 10/10, I am lame, I got teary when the 'Soarin' Around the World' ride at California Adventure featured Sydney Harbour, where I'm from.

  • Haunted Mansion - One of the highlights, since I redeemed myself from the time I went to the Paris Disneyland had a panic attack because I thought there was going to be a drop.

  • Pirates of the Caribbean - there is a wee-bit of a drop but worth going for an OG experience since it was one of the last rides Mr Walt Disney himself oversaw.

  • Mickey Mouse Railroad escape - Plenty of speed and definitely a highlight.

  • Star Tours (Star Wars flight simulator) - avoid if you have social anxiety issues, as you will have to work as a team with some randoms if you don’t have a crew big enough.

Shows and Entertainment

Accessible seating is available at all shows and entertainment venues but I would arrive early to chat to a Cast Member for assistance.

And if you’re a bit jumpy, they are pretty good about advising if a show has features like strobe lights, loud noises and other effects. So bring your favourite fidget toy and ear muffs.

Tip for seeing the end of day fireworks: You may have to stand around for a while to get a good spot, but if you struggle with this, a cast member told us to watch near the ‘It’s a Small World' ride where there’s a bit more space.

Accommodation

As expected, it's expensive to stay at a Disneyland branded hotel. For this reason we stayed elsewhere in LA but it was painful getting home afterwards since I was tired.

It is definitely a bucket-list item of mine, so if you happen to splash some cash, let me know how it goes because I am curious, but also, they have really accessible ways of getting you to and from the park including having more hours before the general public are allowed in so you can take your time.

If you do, Disneyland Resort Hotels offer accessible rooms and services with roll-in showers and grab bars if required.

Dining

  • Reserve at 60 days before your trip for bookable dining options

  • Beware of allergies

I am still scarred for life for when I went to Disneyland Paris and I went to the Ratatouille-themed Remy restaurant and was excited that I could be a tiny person amongst giant plates and then said my allergies and basically got shrink-wrapped airplane food. I get there was next to no chance of cross-contamination, but at what cost? At what cost?

I am aware Disney has since been in hot water for trying to get a man who tried suing them for not catering to his wife’s allergies, and her tragic and avoidable passing, only for them to try and say that he had no right to sue because of they had a Disney+ trial subscription. These are dark times we live in. After hearing about this, I felt more awkward about taking so long to write this blog. That, and I am generally tired.

Accessibility-wise, there generally are accessible seating areas. Large print and braille menus are available for those with visual impairment, or you can use the Disneyland app for audio menus.

REST ROoms

I swear half of my brain space travelling with a disability is being aware of when and where I can use a restroom at all times. Here’s where to go: Single-stall companion restrooms if you require more space for people with disability and free essentials for people who menstruate or require incontinence supplies.

FOR THOSE WITH SENSORY ISSUES

Disneyland can definitely be overwhelming because of the noise and commotion, but there are a few ways you can cut down on these effects. If you have earplugs/noise cancelling earphones, I encourage you to bring those, as well as any fidget/calming toys.

As for the support available in the park, there are designated quiet areas to take a break.

Some attractions and shows have a lot of visual effects and lighting that may trigger any photosensitivity issues. They are pretty good at pointing those out.

FOR THOSE WITH Visual and Auditory Issues

There is a bunch of support available if you have visual or auditory issues which you can grab from Guest Relations at City Hall:

  • Assistive listening devices

  • Devices that describe visual elements of park attractions

  • Braille and tactile maps