There are two types of people in this world: those who have been to Disneyland... and those who want to go so badly and are just waiting for the right time. Disney is so popular that everyone wants to see the magic for themselves.
Once you get some time off work, figure out the perfect time to go, and have some money saved for a vacation fund, there's only one thing left to do: make sure that you know what your expectations are.
There are tons of resources available for people who haven't been to Disneyland before. But the most helpful resource would be actual pictures from people who have been there.
Here are 20 real tourist photos of Disneyland that'll give you a clear idea of what to expect.
20 This Guest Got An On-The-Go Dining Pass But Couldn't See Anything
It's good to know that sometimes, even if you buy a pass at Disney, it might not make your experience any better.
According to this Trip Advisor review, "We arrived 30 minutes prior to the show and we were literally stuck behind a tree with all the people who got normal fast passes and didn't pay for the dinner experience."
19 People Say It's Just As Fun When It Rains
You might think that going to Disneyland in the rain would be a real shame. You would have a terrible time walking around, people would be in bad moods, and you would miss out on a lot because of the weather.
Thankfully, as we can see from these pictures that people posted on Reddit, people say that it's just as fun when it rains.
18 This Guy Got Lime Jello And Rice
It's pretty confusing to think about someone being served lime jello... and rice, too. What do these things have in common with each other. Nothing, right?
This guy posted this picture of his Disneyland meal on Reddit and it really doesn't make any sense. We guess that you have to expect the unexpected anywhere that you travel.
17 One Fan Shared That They Felt A Bit Lost And The Food Quality Is Hit Or Miss
As the blogger behind Touring Plans shared, "It took a couple days for me to get my bearings, but even then I was still out of sorts from not knowing where everything was. I suppose this is how most Disney parks visitors feel the first time they visit!"
They also wrote that while their sandwich was awesome, some other food wasn't that good at all.
16 It's Okay To Get Strangers To Snap Your Pic (And Wear Walkable Shoes)
The blogger behind Whiskey Tango Globe Trot shared that they asked strangers to take photos of them when they went to Disney by themselves.
It's nice to know that this is possible because you might want to go on your own, too. It seems like everyone is friendly and wants to experience the magic, too. This blogger also shares that you should wear walkable shoes.
15 If You Ask, You Can Experience A 'Tender Ride'
If you haven't been to Disneyland before, you might have never heard about a "tender ride." It's really cool.
Someone shared this pic on Reddit and said that they got to do this. A commenter explained that you sit in the front of the ride "with the engineer and fireman" and this allows you to interact with the crowds at Disneyland, too.
14 Yup, There Are Going To Be Crowds
Before you go to Disneyland for the first time, you definitely have this question on your mind: are there going to be crowds?
It's not awesome to be around so many people, but after seeing these two pictures, we at least know the truth. The majority of the time, there are going to be crowds at Disneyland. But we can smile through it and know that it's just part of the experience.
13 Disneyland Has An Old-Fashioned Train Track Which Looks So Cool
There are so many parts to Disneyland that it might be impossible to see it all during your first (or even second) trip there. That means that it's even harder to know what to expect before you actually go.
Thankfully, we have tourist photos, and this one from Reddit shows us how cool this old-fashioned train is. It would be worth the trip just to see it in person.
12 The Parades Are All They're Cracked Up To Be
What about the various parades that are often underway during your trip to Disney?
According to this Reddit post, the Pixar Play Parade is really great and definitely worth seeing. They posted, "I saw the Pixar Play Parade and it’s better than the original one. I recommend you see it the next time you go to Disneyland."
11 There Are A Lot Of Mickey Mouse Ear-Shaped Foods
If you want to go to Disneyland, then you're definitely a Disney fan, and you probably love Mickey Mouse. How could you not?!
Well, thanks to these photos that tourists posted to Pinterest, you can see that there's a lot of food with Mickey Mouse ears. What great (and delicious) news.
10 You Can Grab Starbucks Coffee At Disney (And The Service Is Quick)
Wondering what your options for hot caffeinated beverages at Disney are? Just because you're at Disney doesn't mean that you have to stop drinking your beloved Starbucks coffee.
It's awesome to know that not only is there a Starbucks at Disney, but someone shared on Reddit that the service is really quick, too.
9 Sometimes There Is Construction
It's totally possible that you could go to Disneyland and a ride that you were anticipating going on isn't there. That's because it could be under construction.
A tourist posted this photo to Reddit with the caption, "What ride is missing?" Someone replied, "It’s getting the same treatment as Dumbo; full teardown, inspection, and rebuild."
8 People Actually Had To Wait On This Ride Because It Was Raining
Sure, people say that Disney doesn't lose any of its excitement or beauty in the rain.
But it's also true that once, people had to wait on a ride because it was raining. Someone shared on Reddit, "We got stuck just before the loading/unloading area last night just before close...20 minutes of being trapped in your seat while it pours rain on you might sound fun but I assure you it's not haha."
7 The Hotels Are Pricey But The Views Are Awesome
People often advise that you should stay outside of the Disney parks because the hotels on the property are so expensive. But as this Reddit user shared, the views are going to be totally amazing.
They posted this photo with the caption, "Our view from our hotel room at the Paradise Pier Hotel last week. Looked incredible at night!"
6 Check Out The Haunted Mansion In The A.M.
So you want to see Disney's Haunted Mansion What do you do when there are always tons of people around?
Take a page out of this Reddit user's book and go see it in the a.m. They captioned this photo with, "While the Mansion was closed this morning, I took advantage of not having any crowds around and took this through the fence." It's a perfect idea.
5 Sometimes You See A Character Just Walking Around
Did you know that sometimes, you might see a character just walking around during your Disneyland trip?
A Reddit user shared this pic and someone commented that the Disneyland Hotel's Thanksgiving meal has some "rare characters... so I wouldn’t be surprised if some of them make a quick jaunt through the Park before hitting storage again."
4 Yup, People Really Do Get Engaged At Disneyland
You might be wondering if a lot of couples really do get engaged when they're at Disneyland.
Well, as it turns out, this really is a super popular spot to ask someone to spend the rest of their life with you. A guy shared the image on the left on Reddit and wrote, "So I popped the big question in front of the castle yesterday and she said yes!"
3 But You Could Find Someone Refusing To Leave The Same Spot For Hours
People on Reddit talk about "the Disney lounge" and say that every once in awhile, you come across someone who is seriously staying put in the area that they have chosen. In this case, the guy was literally just lying down in the middle of this crowd of people, and he didn't want to go anywhere.
2 Your Kids Could Have An Even More Magical Time
Everyone talks about the magical fun that can be had at Disney, and as it turns out, sometimes kids can have an even better time if they're picked to be the "Imaginary Pal" one day.
One mom shared on Reddit, "We got fast passes for Emotional Whirlwind and Pixar Pal-A-Round, a free treat from Bing Bong’s and preferred viewing of World of Color!"
1 There Can Be A Lot Of Strollers Everywhere
Per Disneyland.disney.go.com, really big strollers aren't supposed to be used at the park.
But a Reddit user posted this photo and said "My favorite ride: dodging strollers!" It's helpful to know that you might experience the same thing. Thankfully, you can grab a coffee and then you won't mind the crowds so much.