In case you haven’t heard, Disneyland is celebrating its 60th birthday! For this fabulous Diamond Celebration, the Disneyland Resort had pulled out all the stops. New shows, special sweet treats, and over-the-top “diamond” decorations are just a few of the things being offered to celebrate this special time. However, with all these new offerings, the already heavy summer crowds have become a bit more, well, crowded. But, never fear intrepid traveler! While you’ll definitely want to see and do all the Celebration offerings, I’m here to share some of my hard-earned knowledge of where to escape the crowd for a bit. Not that I’m that knowledgeable, but I do go to parks fairly often, I’ve stayed at the Grand Legacy At The Park, and I like to avoid crowds as much as the next guy. Without further ado, here are five places to “escape” the masses.
1. Big Thunder Ranch
This is one of my favorite places at Disneyland. This is often one of the least crowded places in the park, but don’t let that deceive you. There is still quite a bit to do here. Depending on the time of year, there are often different live musical acts. Many times there are arts and crafts projects for the little ones (usually coloring sheets—we’ve also seen masks around Halloween time and military 
themed “postcards” around Memorial Day). You can walk through Ms. Chris’s Cabin which is decorated seasonally, and is also a great place to meet characters. Jessie and Woody are often at the cabin, usually without much of a line. A variety of characters make appearances at the ranch, so if meeting characters is something you or your little ones like, this is a great place. Last time we visited, we got our picture with Roger Rabbit with no wait at all! Finally, be sure to visit the petting zoo at Big Thunder Ranch. Here you can meet goats, sheep, donkeys, and a few other critters. Be sure to peek at the animals name tags. They’re all named for Disney characters! For a really special treat, ask one of the animal handlers about the running of the goats. This little moment happens late in the afternoon, and is a lot of fun if you catch it!
2. Mark Twain Riverboat
If you’ve never taken a cruise aboard the Mark Twain Riverboat, there is no time like on a crowded day. This 12-minute ride will take you on a lazy cruise along the Rivers of America. This riverboat can sometimes get quite full, but it is large. With three levels, there is more than enough room for everyone to move about, explore the gorgeous old riverboat, or take in the scenery of the river and Tom Sawyer’s Island. There is an audio narrative that calls attention to the points of interest along your journey. Every once in a while, the riverboat will have special guests. We’ve seen the Jazz Band take a ride, and on our trip earlier this summer, we saw Tiana and Naveen among the passengers! For something really special, you can check with a cast member about visiting the wheelhouse and piloting the boat…and keep an eye out for hidden Mickeys!
3. The Animation Building
If you venture across the esplanade to Disney California Adventure, in Hollywoodland you will find the Animation 
Building, home to the popular Art of Animation, Turtle Talk with Crush, and now the home of Anna and Elsa! Seems like a pretty popular spot, right? Well, that’s because it is. But, this building holds another secret. Across from Anna and Elsa’s new greeting area is The Sorcerer’s Workshop. Venture down this path and you will find yourself in a magical workshop where you can explore the basic concepts of animation and create your own drawings. Keep going and you will find The Beast’s Library where you can discover your Disney character personality. A little bit farther and you will find yourself in Ursula’s Grotto where you can use your voice to sing or provide dialogue in a classic Disney animation scene. These magical rooms are usually lightly populated and a great air-conditioned respite on a hot summer day. And the activities are fun for big and little kids alike!
4. Flo’s V8 Diner
If you’re visiting Disney California Adventure, a cruise through Carsland is a must. This popular area is almost always crowded, but there’s a neat little area to slow down and take in the scenery. Flo’s V8 Diner is the flagship 
restaurant of Carsland. This 50s themed diner is an attraction in itself. Take some time to explore the automotive 
themed décor and the nods to the Cars movies. The real treat here is in the open patio seating. Along with the yummy food, this outdoor eating area faces Radiator Springs Racers and has a fantastic view of the Cadillac Range Mountains. This area is often much less populated than the rest of Carsland, and a great place to relax and enjoy the gorgeous Southern California weather for a bit.
5. The Grand Legacy At The Park
Sometimes we just need to get away from the hustle and bustle of a loud, busy, and crowded Disneyland. This is why it’s important to choose your home away from home carefully. The Grand Legacy At The Park is the perfect choice. While the Ramada Maingate has all the features and amenities you could want in a hotel, it has a few special perks that make those crowded days at the Parks manageable. The first is location. Did you know the Ramada Maingate is only a few minutes walk from the entrance of Disneyland? No waiting in more lines, no crowded busses, no hectic parking lots.
If you’re visiting during the summer, the pool and splash zone are a great place to cool down for kids and adults. Kids will have a blast getting soaked, while Mom and Dad can relax on a peaceful chaise lounge by the pool. When I last stayed, I really enjoyed having breakfast by the pool too! Another great idea is to spend some time in the peace and quiet of your room. Enjoy the comfy bedding, flip through the channels, surf the web, or munch on some tasty leftovers (did you know the Ramada Maingate has refrigerators and microwaves in each room?). Finally, the Grand Legacy At The Park has something really special coming soon. Disneyland’s Diamond Celebration includes the premier of new parades, new fireworks, and new shows. If you haven’t heard, these nighttime features are extremely popular. For a good view of the fireworks, people are lining up hours ahead of time. Disneyland’s Mainstreet is often heavily congested during the evening hours. But, what if there was a way to enjoy 
the fireworks from the comfort of your hotel? Well, soon there will be! When completed, the rooftop lounge of the Grand Legacy At The Park will have a great view of Disneyland’s fireworks show. You might even be able to catch a peek of the Disney California Adventure’s popular World of Color show. This lounge will offer a marvelous view into both parks, but the highlight will be the nighttime shows.
No matter when you visit the Disneyland Resort, you’re bound to run into crowds. Don’t let that deter you or scare you out of making the trip. Take your time, enjoy the environment, and when it gets too overwhelming, try to find that out of the way corner to slow down, take a breath, and remember why you came to the Happiest Place on Earth. Then jump back in the crowd and have fun!
Written by: Amy Loper
Photos by: Amy Loper
