Time is at a premium for the masses when inside of theme parks. I don’t mean to brag, but we get to be in the parks pretty often and enjoy slowing down once inside of them. Getting to go to Disneyland as much as we do helps us stumble upon things that get overlooked. This post lists ten underappreciated Disneyland things that we wish everyone could experience.

Before we get to the list, let me reiterate that this comes from a place of privilege. While we love everything on the list below, it’s hard to justify experiencing some of it when you have 2 days in the park every few years and you could pick something smaller instead of riding Indy or Space Mountain. While the title of this post states that these are things “Everyone Should Try” that’s just not a reality because the things at Disneyland that get the right amount of appreciation are also excellent. It’s a great theme park!

The hope is that this list could be something to check off over multiple trips. Maybe you’re looking to have a quieter park day once per trip or want to enjoy something you’ve never done at Disneyland, the picks below might fit that bill. Some of these underappreciated things are quieter alternatives to what the park offers while others are simply things that everyone should try to experience at least once.

As always, these picks are my opinions. I’m all ears on other favorite Disneyland things that people find underappreciated. Let us know what you think in the comments. Let’s get to the list!

A Relaxed Rope Drop

Rope dropping Disneyland is delightful no matter how you slice it. And don’t get us wrong, it is the best time of day to get the most popular attractions done via the standby line. I’d never really considered getting to the park for opening and then going at a slower pace until recently when we showed up and used the beautiful Californian morning for a nice stroll. Grab a coffee and a pastry and enjoy Disneyland in the morning light! Hopping on a couple of rides that have no wait should be thrown in there too. While I think having a great plan for the morning is important if you’re trying to maximize time, enjoying a quiet morning in the park without an agenda is such a treat.

Ride the Main Street Vehicles, Especially the Omnibus!

It is scientifically proven that riding the omnibus down Main Street will make you a happier person. No, I’m not able to share the statistics and data with you, it’s classified, but just trust me on this one. Disneyland has a number of Main Street Vehicles that will pick and drop guests off at the ends of Main Street. We highly recommend catching a ride on one at some point. While the omnibus is our favorite, you can’t go wrong with any of them.

The Grand Circle Tour on the Disneyland Railroad

We’ll stick on Main Street for an underrated attraction. The Disneyland Railroad is a phenomenal ride that has stood the test of time. Quite a few people use the train as a way to get from one spot to another. We don’t recommend that, as it’s just not very efficient in that way. What you should do is take the entire loop, seeing Rivers of America in all its glory before getting to Primeval World and the Grand Canyon Diorama. Grab a drink and enjoy the leisurely, iconic ride around the park.

Chimichangas!

Turkey Legs and other snacks get the hype but the Disneyland Chimichanga has my heart. This isn’t overly healthy (some would say not healthy at all but we all need fiber) but is a cheap meal that you can’t really go wrong with. Yes, it’s just beans in a deep fried tortilla. No, I don’t know why it tastes so good to me! But this is the most underrated snack at Disneyland.

Listen to the Jazz Band at Tiana’s Palace

Tiana’s Palace isn’t underappreciated but it does happen to be one of the best counter-service spots in all of Disneyland Resort. Timing up your meal there with a performance by Jambalaya Jazz Band though? That’s an elite pairing that not enough people are seeking out. New Orleans Square in the evening when music is being played has a different energy and is one of my favorite areas in the park.

Ride on the River

Not far from Tiana’s Palace are Disneyland’s riverboats, the Mark Twain and Sailing Ship Columbia. We prefer a ride on the Mark Twain around sunset but you can’t go wrong with either. This is a Disneyland Railroad situation but on water, offering a different perspective of the park in a slowed down environment. Both boats have a lot of history and have become more of a unique ride now that Magic Kingdom has closed down their river. If the riverboats weren’t enough options then the canoes and Tom Sawyer Island are also a delightful time that’s off the usual Disneyland path.

Main Street Cinema

This little cinema on Main Street doesn’t take long to explore but it’s well worth stopping in and seeing the history. Currently showing is an ode to the Sherman Brothers titled The Last Verse but the building changes out films fairly often. No matter what’s playing, take 5 or 10 minutes and go watch a few bits of history inside of an iconic building.

An Outdoor Ride During Fireworks

Yes, if you have limited time then you should absolutely watch the fireworks from Main Street. It’s a quintessential Disneyland experience. But if you’ve been there and done that then timing a ride on Big Thunder Mountain or a few other outdoor attractions while the fireworks are going off is a surprising and joyful experience. Pro tip: If you’re traveling with a group, don’t tell them that this is your plan. Surprise fireworks while on a fun ride? It doesn’t get much better!

Fantasyland Focus

We love Disneyland’s Fantasyland. There are so many dark rides compared to other theme parks. Some are a bit rundown and they might not be mind blowing attractions at this point but they are still a blast. As you, and your group, get older, Fantasyland can get a little lost among all of the thrill rides. It’s nice to step back in time, enjoy Alice, Toad, Peter Pan, Canal Boats and Teacups (among others), thoroughly experiencing the classics.

Closing Down the Park

We’ll bookend the list with rope dropping and closing down. We actually do have this as part of our Disneyland itinerary. The last hour inside of Disneyland is a great time to get on as many rides as possible. Do that! But once the rides shut down, we recommend having a slow stroll back to the gates. There’s a little bit of pride that comes with being one of the last people in the park and the empty photos look beautiful. As always, be respectful to security. I love getting a glimpse of Fantasyland as it’s cleared out before heading to the castle and then down Main Street. Galaxy’s Edge is also beautiful around closing. Wherever you find yourself when the clock strikes midnight, take your time and look around. This will be one of the most peaceful parts of the day and you can soak in the atmosphere before going to bed.

What do you think is underappreciated at Disneyland? Let us know your thoughts, along with any questions you might have, in the comments below! If you are planning a trip to Disneyland Resort then check out our planning guide. Looking for discount Disneyland tickets? Check out this site! If you enjoy what you are reading here on Wandering in Disney please share this post with your friends, as well as like our social media pages. You can also subscribe to the blog via WordPress or email. You can do all of that on the right side of this page. Thank you for reading, we really appreciate it!