Disneyland is well-known for its incredibly immersive rides that take you into the worlds of your favorite Disney stories—from dark rides to thrill rides, there is something for everyone. However, beyond these, there are countless experiences you can enjoy that don't involve ever stepping foot on a ride, from memorable entertainment to incredible restaurants and character-meet-and-greets.
No matter the reason one may not want to go on any rides while at Disneyland, there is still so much to do that can easily fill an entire day.You may be wondering what this kind of day looks like and if it's even possible, but we assure you that there is more than enough to do. Without having to worry about Genie+ Lightning Lane reservations, long standby times, and effectively managing your time to get on all of your must-do rides, a lot of doors open that allow you to slow down and truly appreciate what Disneyland has to offer.
We visit Disneyland frequently and have enjoyed trips without experiencing any rides that have still been jam-packed with plenty of action. Let's dive into our favorite things that we do when enjoying a day at the parks without going on any rides!
In this article:
1. Have a Leisurely Breakfast
One of our biggest pieces of advice when it comes to starting off the day at Disneyland is to avoid sitting down to eat breakfast during the morning hours because you'll miss out on lower wait times for the park's most popular rides. However, without the pressure of needing to run from one ride to the next, you're free to sit down and eat a leisurely breakfast wherever you want!
You can grab a quick Breakfast Chimichanga at Ship to Shore Marketplace and enjoy it while looking over the Rivers of America, grab a Cold Brew Black Caf from Docking Bay 7 and stroll around Galaxy's Edge, or mobile order a coffee and a pastry from Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe and find a seat somewhere along Main Street to watch the Main Street Vehicles go by (morning is always the best time to soak in the ambiance here)! There really is something special about just taking it slow, sipping your coffee, people-watching, and enjoying the atmosphere of Disneyland. See the best breakfasts at Disneyland you shouldn't miss!
If you're planning on getting to Disneyland before park opening and just want a lighter snack to start out the day, you can also try for the First Pickle prize, which is awarded to the first person of the day to buy this food. You'll get a special celebration pin with “First Pickle of the Day” written on it! If you want to aim for this prize, go straight to the fruit stand on Main Street between Starbucks and Disney Clothiers, LTD.
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2. See Characters
Without going on rides, you have so much time to find all of the characters you want to see around the parks. Check the Disneyland app for character locations and times, then see if you can get some photos or interact with some of your favorite characters.
You can grab a photo with some classic characters on Main Street, find Alice and the Mad Hatter roaming, greet your favorite heroes in Avengers Campus, or see if you run into the Mandalorian and Grogu in Galaxy's Edge.
You may also take this opportunity to find a character who you have never spotted before! There are so many character experiences around the parks, and you can spend some time going between them and getting some great photos.
3. Enjoy Atmosphere Entertainment
Beyond the well-known entertainment like fireworks and parades, you can so easily spend hours of your day enjoying all of the Atmosphere Entertainment! This is shorter entertainment that often takes place throughout the day with times listed on the Disneyland Daily Events Schedule.
At Disneyland Park, we always stop to listen to the Disneyland Band, which will play at different areas of the park like Main Street, Frontierland, Castle Promenade, and “it's a small world” throughout the day. You can stop to listen to the Main Street Piano Player, hear the Dapper Dans sing, or make time in the late afternoon to attend the Flag Retreat Ceremony which is held daily to honor veterans.
Over at Disney California Adventure, there is plenty of entertainment to enjoy in Avengers Campus alone between the show Dr. Strange: Mysteries of the Mystic Arts, Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Dance Off!, the stunt show Avengers Assemble!, and The Amazing Spider-Man! featuring a mind-blowing stuntronic that flips through the air. You can also enjoy musical entertainment like Five & Dime or catch Operation: Playtime! – featuring the Green Army Patrol at the park.
4. Try the Seasonal Foods
If you are visiting Disneyland during a seasonal celebration like Halloween or the holidays, there is an extensive menu of seasonal foods and treats you can explore. Or, if you're visiting Disney California Adventure when there are Marketplaces offered during special events like Lunar New Year, the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival, and the Festival of Holidays, you can try the assortment of food items offered with a Sip and Savor Pass. If you're visiting during one of these events, you can easily spend a portion of your day not going on rides and just sampling some of the different foods that sound interesting to you.
Even if you're not visiting during a special event, there are still seasonal menu items offered that may catch your eye. Snacking around Disneyland and trying new things is the perfect way to pass the time if you're a Disney foodie! This is always a top activity of ours whenever we visit Disneyland as there is so much to try.
5. Watch the Parade
When the afternoon comes around, seeing the Disneyland parade is a no-brainer for one of our favorite non-ride activities. Without the need to be running between rides, you can take your time getting a snack to enjoy while you stake out the perfect spot for a little bit, then enjoy prime viewing for the incredible floats, music, and favorite Disney characters that pass by. If you want a less crowded view of the parade, we recommend getting a spot near “it's a small world.”
If you'd prefer to avoid having to wait for a good viewing spot,you may find it worth it to get a dining package from Plaza Inn so that you'll get a meal and a voucher for access to a reserved viewing area.
6. Enjoy Non-Ride Attractions
There are several attractions at Disneyland that are not considered “rides” that you can explore, from the underrated Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough that tells the story of Princess Aurora through dioramas to shows like Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln and the Enchanted Tiki Room.
If you're in Disney California Adventure, make sure to stop by the Animation Building where you can draw a Disney character in an Animation Academy class, explore the Magic Mirror Realm in the Sorcerer's Workshop, and see the entertaining Turtle Talk with Crush show. These are all great opportunities to escape the crowds and the heat!
If you're up for an adventure, you can take a raft over to Tom Sawyer Island or explore the various rooms of the Adventureland Treehouse. There are plenty of fun attractions you can enjoy at Disneyland without ever having to get into a ride vehicle.
7. Play Some Games at Pixar Pier
At Pixar Pier at Disney California Adventure, there are several games that you can play at game booths located along the Pixar Promenade. These are all really cute carnival-style games inspired by Disney and Pixar including La Luna Star Catcher inspired by La Luna, Heimlich's Candy Corn Toss inspired by A Bug's Life, WALL·E Space Race inspired by WALL·E, and Bullseye Stallion Stampede inspired by Toy Story 2. To participate in one of these games, you'll buy a token at one of the dispensing machines, then you can play for a chance to win a prize.
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8. Do Some Shopping
Of course, no Disneyland trip would be complete without looking through the merchandise at the stores. Whether you decide to wander through the shops in the parks in search of your next Disneyland souvenir, search for a Disney gift for your friends and family, or venture to Downtown Disney to explore the shops, this activity can be super fun.
Oftentimes you'll get the urge to look around a shop when you're taking a shortcut or rushing to get to your next Genie+ Lightning Lane reservation, but without going on any rides, you can spend a lot more time just strolling around on your own time and and looking at all of the delightful merchandise.
If you want a really special memory to go along with the merchandise you're taking home, consider the experiences offered in Galaxy's Edge: Savi's Workshop, where you'll construct your own custom lightsaber, and Droid Depot, where you can build your own droid!
9. Eat a Table-Service Meal
Table-service meals can often end up feeling rushed when you're planning your day around getting on all your favorite rides, but without this pressure, you can take your time really enjoying the food and the ambiance of the restaurant. There are so many great table-service restaurants at Disneyland with incredible theming and delicious menu items, and enjoying a day without rides at Disneyland means you have more time to relax and enjoy the dining experience at these. See the best Disneyland restaurants ranked for a list of the ones you can't miss!
10. See a Nighttime Spectacular
Last but not least, one of the best non-ride activities at Disneyland is watching a nighttime spectacular. Whether you choose to see the fireworks, Fantasmic!, or World of Color, all of these shows highlight Disney stories with beautiful visuals and music and are a perfect way to end your night. If you want to see both Fantasmic! and the fireworks, we recommend staying where you are when the show ends and enjoying the fireworks from the Rivers of Ameria for a unique view.
There are so many ways to enjoy an exciting and fulfilling visit at Disneyland, and even without doing any rides, there are still too many things to fit into one day! From enjoying the quality entertainment at the parks to exploring slower-paced attractions, it can be a really incredible experience to spend a day at Disneyland without rides.
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