California’s biggest factory of dreams is presented here in miniature, with soundstages, movable props, and – of course – a studio store. A Guardians of the Galaxy–themed ride was in the works as we went to press, but for now one of the top attractions is a one-hour live stage version of Frozen, at the Hyperion Theater.

Learn how to draw like Disney in the Animation Academy or simply be amazed by the interactive Sorcerer’s Workshop, both housed inside the Animation Building.

Children can navigate a taxicab through ‘Monstropolis’ on the Monsters, Inc: Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! ride heading back toward the street’s beginning.

If you arrive early in the day, you’ll get an unobstructed look at the forced-perspective mural at the end of the street, a sky-and-land backdrop that looks, at least in photographs, like the street keeps going.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Animation Building

0.03 MILES

Here Disney animators demonstrate the process of animation in the Animation Academy, and hands-on attractions in the Sorcerer's Workshop let kids (and…

3. Disney California Adventure

0.11 MILES

Disneyland resort's larger but less crowded park, Disney California Adventure celebrates the natural and cultural glories of the Golden State but lacks…

4. Mater's Junkyard Jamboree

0.14 MILES

Tractor-towed trailers swing their way around the 'dance floor' at Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree, named after Tow Mater from the Cars movie. It's sort a…

5. Grizzly Peak

0.16 MILES

Grizzly Peak is broken into sections highlighting California’s natural and human achievements. Its main attraction, Soarin’ Around the World, is a virtual…

6. Cars Land

0.16 MILES

This land gets kudos for its incredibly detailed design based on the popular Disney Pixar Cars movies. Top billing goes to the wacky Radiator Springs…

7. Luigi's Rollickin' Roadsters

0.16 MILES

Italian roadster Luigi from the Cars films orchestrates a dance in his back yard. Humans ride inside cars choreographed to classic retro tunes like Mambo…

8. Soarin' Around the World

0.16 MILES

After checking in at the Grizzly Peak Airfield, fasten your seat belt and take off (as if hang gliding) before a giant, 80ft projection screen that really…