Best things to do in Anaheim

The "happiest place on earth," Disneyland Park consists of eight themed "lands" and a number of backstage areas. As you explore the 34 hectares (85 acres), you'll encounter roller coasters and boat rides, indoor and outdoor games, live shows, award-winning eateries, and a range of eclectic shops. If you'd rather not walk everywhere, stop at all eight lands via the narrow-gauge railroad that circumnavigates the park. As you travel through the magical worlds dreamed up by Disney, look for hidden representations of Mickey Mouse inserted subtly into the attractions' design and environmental decor. Conceived and built under the direct supervision of Walt Disney, this amusement park boasts the largest cumulative attendance of any theme park in the world--having welcomed more than 650 million visitors since it opened in 1955. It also gave rise to its relative, Disney World, in Florida.

Spend a day of thrill-seeking adventure at Disney California Adventure Park. Located adjacent to Disneyland Resort, the theme park offers over 29 hectares (72 acres) of attractions and entertainment dedicated to the history and culture of California. Fly high above the California orange groves and Napa Valley in the simulated Soarin’ Over California ride, or tear down the rushing rapids of the Grizzly River Run. To wind down, grab an ice cream and stroll down the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, or take a relaxing ride on the Ferris wheel, enjoying views of the entire park. Discount tickets are available online if purchasing more than a one-day pass.

Build your own Lego experience at LEGOLAND California, a theme park opened in 1999. Modeled on the original Lego-based park in Denmark, this venue was the first of its kind outside of Europe. Divided into several themed sections created entirely out of the Lego brand's popular building blocks, the park offers about 60 rides and attractions, designed primarily with children under 12 in mind. Young visitors can spend hours immersed in the Lego fantasy world of the play areas and wave pools, or take roller coaster and boat rides through models of medieval castles and islands populated by giant dinosaur toys. Older visitors can explore over a dozen restaurants, with menus covering everything from light snacks to gourmet meals for the health-conscious.

A bustling promenade offering shopping, dining, and entertainment, Downtown Disney District is an outdoor area within the sprawling Disney resort in Anaheim. Often called the resort's "shoppertainment center," the area lies between two theme parks and their hotels. Opened in 2001 as part of the resort's massive expansion, this entertainment district encourages extended stays in the popular Disney-themed entertainment complex. The district provides free parking for up to five hours, so you can take your time to enjoy a hearty meal and a few cocktails at an open-air cafe, shop at one of the largest Disney stores in the world, or explore a range of outdoor entertainment options, nightclubs, and movie theaters.

Let someone else do the driving while you indulge in tasting some of the finest wines produced in Southern California. Apart from visiting top wineries, guided tours include sightseeing in the beautiful Temecula countryside from the comfort of a private limo bus, a jeep, or a 100-year-old cable car. Through a fully narrated tour, a knowledgeable guide and an experienced driver will keep you off the beaten paths, while sharing interesting facts about wines and the area. They will also teach you how to get discounts and better samples and keep your purchases safely stored during the trip. Appetizers and lunch are generally included in most tours, which last from three to six hours.

Hold onto your hats as you take the plunge on the world’s first looping roller coaster at Knott's Berry Farm. Originally a small California berry farm, the amusement park features over 65 hectares (160 acres) of thrill rides, water attractions, and games and arcades, spread throughout six themed areas. Speed down rushing rapids at almost 3.6 m (12 ft) per second on the Timber Mountain Log Ride or enjoy panoramic views of the park and surrounding area from 55 m (180 ft) up in the air on the Sky Cabin ride. Fast track tickets are available for an extra charge if you’d like to avoid long wait times for rides.

Rejoice at the sight of frolicking marine creatures on a whale and dolphin watching safari off Dana Point. Let your captain take you to some of the best locations for spotting different kinds of marine mammals, as you learn about the diversity of the underwater life from a live commentary by an onboard naturalist. You'll get some of the best views of whales, sharks, and sea lions through underwater viewing pods on the lower deck. For a more intimate experience, join a small group for a catamaran safari. Tours range from 90 minutes to 2 hours.

Heisler Park is the place to spend a day by the ocean. The park is on the cliffs above the sea, and from there you can easily access the beach below. Picnic areas and barbeque stands make the park a great place for family gatherings. There are numerous benches, pathways, and grassy areas. Many artists flock to the park to draw inspiration or display their talent. Pets are welcome, and you'll see plenty of people walking their dogs. Public restrooms are available, and you can find places to park on the streets bordering the park.

Walk above the dessert canyon walls and along the creek bed under the canopy of oak trees at Oak Canyon Nature Center. Watch for birds as you hike the well-marked and easy trails. In the spring, you can see prickly pear cacti, poppies, and other budding plants along the canyon walls. Visit the interpretive center to learn more about the area. Make sure to bring a hat and apply sunscreen before heading on the Roadrunner Ridge trail.

Disney's Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular was a Broadway-style show based on Disney's 1992 animated film Aladdin with music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Howard Ashman, Tim Rice and Alan Menken.It was performed inside the Hyperion Theater in Hollywood Land at Disney California Adventure from 2003 to 2016. In September 2015, it was announced that the show's final day of performance would be January 10, 2016. The show was then closed on January 11, and was replaced by a musical stage show inspired by Disney's 2013 animated film Frozen, which premiered in May 2016.A version of the show continues to play on board the Disney Cruise Line ship Disney Fantasy.HistoryThe production is a Broadway-type show. Many of the scenes and songs from the movie are re-created on stage and some of the action spills out into the aisles, such as Prince Ali's arrival in Agrabah on elephant back.At Disney California Adventure, the 45-minute production took place in the 2,000 seat Hyperion Theater, located at the end of Hollywood Land. While most of the show was scripted, the Genie's dialogue often changed to reflect current events in the news and popular culture. The musical replaced the venue's previous show, The Power of Blast, which played from 2001 to 2002.