Disneyland Resort Facts for Kids

For other Disneyland resorts, see Disney Parks, Experiences and Products

Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland Park

Grizzly Peak in Disney California Adventure

The Disneyland Resort is a fun place to visit in Anaheim, California. It is owned by The Walt Disney Company. This big resort has two theme parks, three hotels, and a special area for shopping, eating, and entertainment.

Walt Disney started developing the area that is now the Disneyland Resort in the 1950s. For over 40 years, it was simply known as Disneyland. When it first opened in 1955, it had Disneyland Park, a very large parking lot (about 100 acres), and the Disneyland Hotel. The hotel was owned by Disney's business partner, Jack Wrather.

Disney saw how well their idea of having many parks and hotels worked at Walt Disney World in Florida. So, they decided to do the same thing in Anaheim. They bought a lot more land next to Disneyland. This included buying the Disneyland Hotel from the Wrather company. They also bought another hotel, which they renamed the Disneyland Pacific Hotel.

After some changes to their plans for a second theme park, construction began in 1998. They built a new theme park called Disney's California Adventure Park. They also built a new hotel called Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. The Disneyland Pacific Hotel was updated and given a new theme. It was renamed Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel. A new area for shopping and dining, called Downtown Disney, was also created. You don't need a ticket to enter Downtown Disney.

During this big expansion, the name Disneyland Resort was created for the entire Disney area. The original theme park was then called Disneyland Park.

Where is Disneyland Resort?
Fun Things to Do
- Theme Parks
- Other Attractions
Places to Stay
Images for kids
See also

Where is Disneyland Resort?

The Disneyland Resort is located a few miles south of downtown Anaheim. It is close to the city of Garden Grove. The resort is surrounded by Harbor Boulevard to the east, Katella Avenue to the south, Walnut Street to the west, and Ball Road to the north. Interstate 5 is a major highway that runs along the northeastern side of the resort.

Not all the land within these streets is part of the resort. For example, some areas near Harbor Boulevard and Katella Avenue are not Disney property. Disneyland Drive goes through the resort from north to south. It helps visitors get to the Mickey & Friends Parking Structure, Downtown Disney, and the three hotels. Magic Way also connects to Disneyland Drive, making it easy to reach the parking structure, Disneyland Hotel, and Downtown Disney.

Special offramps from Interstate 5 help cars get in and out of the Mickey & Friends parking garage easily. This is especially helpful during busy morning and evening times. The official address of the resort is 1313 South Harbor Boulevard.

Fun Things to Do

Theme Parks

Disneyland Park: This is the first theme park Walt Disney ever built. It opened on July 18, 1955.
Disney California Adventure: This theme park celebrates the history and culture of California. It opened on February 8, 2001.

Other Attractions

Downtown Disney: This is an outdoor area with shops, restaurants, and entertainment. It is located between the entrances of the two theme parks and the Disneyland Hotel.

Places to Stay

Disneyland Hotel: This was the first hotel built by Jack Wrather. It opened in October 1955 and Disney bought it in 1988.
Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa: This hotel is designed in the craftsman style of architecture from the early 1900s.
Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel: This hotel has a theme inspired by the part of Disney California Adventure that it overlooks.