Seven of Disneyland’s lesser-known, must-do highlights

Seven wonders of Disneyland, California

1 Breakfast with the stars

Launch your day at Disneyland (the original one, in Anaheim, California) with a character breakfast at Goofy’s Kitchen in Disneyland Hotel, where the sugar and carb overload will leave you high and mighty. Hazelnut S’mores pizza for breakfast? Mickey-shaped waffles? Why not! The feast is matched only by the loopy antics of Chef Goofy’s oversized cohorts Chip ‘n’ Dale, Pluto, Mickey and Minnie as they dance around tables, delivering hugs and birthday cupcakes to wide-eyed little fans. It’s pure Disney cheese, and the perfect way to gird your loins for the mayhem to come.

2 Still plenty of splash

Splash Mountain may have changed its name and theme to keep up with modern sensibilities, but you’ll still cop an enormous soaking in the front seat. Tiana’s Bayou Adventure takes riders on a musical journey through New Orleans with Princess Tiana and characters from The Princess and the Frog (replacing Song of the South). Passing dozens of advanced animatronic figures, the single log flumes take on bucketloads of water before the final 15-metre drop and its subsequent tsunami. Don’t cover up with a plastic poncho – embrace the drenching.

3 Tricks of the trade

Need time out in air-conditioned comfort? Head to the Animation Academy at Disney California Adventure Park for a simple lesson in animation from a Disney artist. This hands-on experience gives you step-by-step instruction on how to draw a Disney character, with tricks on how to achieve that Disney flair. Classes occur every 30 minutes and there’s no need to book.

4 Unique dining experiences

A rumbling tummy doesn’t have to be sated with burger and fries, with plenty of options for healthy, palatable meals throughout the park. In Downtown Disney, feast on Din Tai Fung dumplings or Mexican fare from three outlets helmed by Michelin-starred chef Carlos Gaytan. In Bayou Country, Tiana’s Palace offers authentic Creole gumbo based on the original recipes of James Beard-awarded chef Leah Chase, the real-life inspiration for Princess Tiana. Meanwhile, in Blue Bayou – the world’s only restaurant within a theme park ride – dine on Louisiana-style cuisine as boats from the Pirates of the Caribbean glide by.

5 Paint the Night

Returning for Disneyland’s 70th anniversary, this evening parade that made its debut in 2015 is arguably one of its most dazzling, with more than 1 million LED lights flooding the parade route. Conjurer Mickey Mouse leads the magic with a wave of his wand, Elsa and Anna spread frozen fractals from their ice palace, and a neon Tinkerbell is suspended mid-air. Grab a spot near the illuminated facade of It’s a Small World for the most enchanted viewing.

6 Fireworks in another galaxy

For an intriguing aspect of Disneyland’s iconic fireworks display, head to Stars Wars: Galaxy Edge for Fire of the Rising Moons. Using the Millenium Falcon and spires of Batuu as canvases, the heroes and legends of the franchise are honoured with laser projections before the skies burst into colour to stirring selections from Star Wars film scores. Don’t forget to glance down as lightsaber-wielding superfans nerd out in the front rows, which is unintentionally hilarious.

7 Drinks and a show

The fun doesn’t have to end at closing. Continuing the story of Trader Sam, as told in the iconic Jungle Cruise ride, Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar at Disneyland Hotel is decorated island-style, with an eclectic collection of silly signs, stuffed parrots and artefacts from around the world. But the enchantment is not just in name only: drinking here is an interactive experience. Order specific cocktails, and lights flash, bells ring and volcanoes erupt as the bartenders holler and shoot water pistols. There are also sinking bar stools to contend with, and souvenir mugs to top off the experience. A Disney classic.

The writer was a guest of Disneyland Resort. See disneyland.disney.go.com