Disneyland (CA)

The Disneyland No Rides/No Queues/No Stress Anti-Touring Plan (Part 4)

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By now, you’ve hopefully seen Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 of our new Disneyland touring plan that aims to take the stress of standing in lines or sitting on rides out of the equation. Though it may not be many guests’ idea of a day in a theme park, it’s perfectly possible to enjoy a full day of low-impact fun at Disneyland without experiencing any of the attractions most people associate with a visit.

Here is the final part of the plan. It focuses on the east side of the park. Despite the density of rides between Fantasyland and Tomorrowland, you can still find plenty of queue-free pastimes.

Fantasyland

  • Climb through the Sleeping Beauty Castle walkthrough, or watch the alternative experience video.
  • Toss a wish into Snow White’s well in front of the castle, and gaze at her grotto of handcrafted sculptures.
  • Cruise the Storybook Land canals or it’s a small world if the lines are short.
  • Try on some mouse ears in the Mad Hatter chapeau shop.
  • Take a break with a vendor treat (like an ear of corn) on the benches at the old motor boat dock across from the Matterhorn.
  • Stick your head in the Fantasy Faire if a show is scheduled, but don’t bother with the massive queue to meet a princess.
  • The elevated mall near it’s a small world is a convenient spot to stand for the parade or video projection show.

Mickey’s Toontown

  • Play with the interactive doodads dotted around the building facades.
  • Take a tour of Mickey and Minnie’s homes, but bail on the meet & greet if the line is out the door.
  • Walk though the cleverly decorated children’s playgrounds, being wary of bouncing babes.

Tomorrowland

  • Take the monorail to Downtown Disney for a bite or a drink, then return (remember your park ticket!).
  • Watch young padawans battle Sith Lords on Tomorrowland Terrace in the Jedi Training Academy show. Check the schedule for other entertainment on this stage.
  • Explore both levels of the Innoventions building, leaving time to take in the Asimo robot demonstration upstairs.
  • Experience Captain EO if you can endure the rock-concert volume. Ask for a non-moving seat in the back to avoid bouncing.
  • The line for Buzz Lightyear moves swiftly, and almost everyone of all ages loves it.
  • Browse the unique Star Wars merchandise in Star Traders with a life-sized X-Wing overhead.
  • Search for imaginatively groomed edible plants along the Tomorrowland walkways.

That concludes this Disneyland anti-touring plan. Did you find it helpful? What else do you think should be included? What other parks do you think could sustain a similar plan? Please let us know in the comments!

 

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Seth Kubersky

Author of The Unofficial Guide to Universal Orlando. Co-author of The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland and Beyond Disney. Contributor to Unofficial Guides to WDW and Las Vegas. Live Active Cultures columnist for the Orlando Weekly. Travel and arts journalist. Theatrical director and producer.

5 thoughts on “The Disneyland No Rides/No Queues/No Stress Anti-Touring Plan (Part 4)

  • I’d like to see one of these plans for each of the WDW parks! I’ve only been to DL once as an adult, so I don’t think I could slow down there enough to do this plan, but we go to WDW enough that I would certainly like to try it there.

    Reply
  • We seem to have different definitions for what “no rides” means.

    Reply
    • As I explain in the first part of this series, “no ride” refers to an absence of thrill rides — nothing with a height requirement, restraint system, or any uncomfortable movements. I did include a few moving attractions like the railroad, main street vehicles, and gentle boat & omnimover rides that are accessible to all and rarely have a long wait. If Dineyland still had a Peoplemover, it would be at the top of the list;-)

      Reply
  • One of the problems that my husband and I had this past fall was getting on and off rides. It wasn’t that we didn’t WANT to ride, it was just that everything went so FAST. I know we’re both older, we do have trouble bending our legs and we are not as light on our feet as we used to be.
    In addition to your Anti-Touring Plan – which is great to have for our next visit – I would like to see some kind of “easy on the legs” touring plan – which would involve sitting in-between standing etc.
    Thanks for all you do !

    Reply
  • I love this idea! I started doing this at the WDW parks. It’s quite a different day, yet it’s still fun. I find myself exploring areas that I normally would never even venture if I am rushing to all the attractions. I’d like to see more of this type of day on the touring plans options.

    Reply

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