Old, young, in-between, it’s hard not to fall under the spell of the Happiest Place on Earth.

One of the key reasons people keep coming back to Disneyland Resort —and staying longer once they’re there—is that Disneyland Resort keeps adding, expanding, and improving with new rides and attractions, like the newly revamped Disney California Adventure.

That massive overhaul includes the spectacular Cars Land, where you step into the zoom-zoom world of Radiator Springs, as seen in the Disney/Pixar Cars movies. Ride racecars through red rock country, chug on baby tractors, and more in this no-detail-forgotten experience, especially suitable for little ones. California Adventure has also given its entrance a major overhaul, now inviting visitors to stroll down classic Buena Vista Street, capturing the charm of 1925 Hollywood—as experienced by a young Walt Disney when he first came to Tinseltown decades ago. Be sure to stay after dark to see the incredible World of Color water and light spectacular, recreating scenes from Disney and Pixar movie favorites.

New is cool, but a big part of Disneyland’s charm is it’s ability to keep refreshing favorites, like the classic submarine ride, now updated to be the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage. Longtime winner Pirates of the Caribbean has injected some movie-hipness by adding a goofy, dreadlocked Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp style) popping up unexpectedly throughout the ride. Always popular Star Tours ride has new twists and turns, and end-of-the-night fireworks displays that change throughout the year.
 

Magic Numbers: Disneyland has welcomed more than 500 million guests since opening on July 17, 1955.

Photo by Harriot Manley/Sunset Publishing