What is a 'must see' at Disneyland?

[mtblujeans]

I have not been to DL since I was in high school, some 30+ years ago. DH and I will be going to DL in January. What is a 'must see' or 'must do' on our trip?

 

[kiwitravel]

There so much to see and how do you quantify it!!! We had a 14 day pass last year, went in for 10 days and never got bored!!!

Our favourites in order were
Splash Mt
Space Mt
Thunder Mt
California Scream (DCA)
Mattahorn
Buzz
Soarin (DCA)
Grizzly River Run (DCA)
Peter Pan
Winnie the Pooh
Pirates of the Carr
Turtle Talk
Mulholland Madness
Autotopia
Tower of Terror
Alladin

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

I have not been to DL since I was in high school, some 30+ years ago. DH and I will be going to DL in January. What is a 'must see' or 'must do' on our trip?

For not having been in 30 years, essentially everything is a must see or do. You just never know when that attraction that isn't the most popular will be your hidden gem.

That having been said, here are some attractions at each park that would appear on many a must do list.

DL
Indiana Jones
Matterhorn
Space Mountain
Pirates of the Carribean
Haunted Mansion
Splash Mountain
Alice In Wonderland
Peter Pan
Small World
Big thunder
Parade
Fireworks
I'm going to throw in the subs even though I haven't experienced them yet.

DCA
Soarin
TOT
Ca Screamin
Monster's Inc.
Grizzly River Run
Aladdin
Both Parades.

Are you a WDW regular?
If so, I would consider doing every attraction that isn't at WDW as well. One example not on the list above would be the canal boats. Of the rides on this list that are not significantly better or significantly different than their counterparts at WDW.
TOT
Soarin
Big thunder
Peter Pan

 

[DLR29]

At DL here are my top 10 must do's.(no particular order)

Indiana Jones
Space Mountain
Pirates of the Caribbean
Buzz Lightyear's Astroblasters
Peter Pan's Flight
Watch fireworks
Haunted Mansion
Splash Mountain
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Ride the train from Tomorrowland to Main Street (Grand canyon/primeval world dioramas)

At DCA.

ToT
Soarin
Monster's Inc.
Disney Animation/Turtle Talk
Grizzly River Run
California Screamin
It's Tough to be a Bug
Disney's Electrical Parade
I only have 8.

Also you must get a Dole Whip and/or a churro.

 

[biolabetty]

We always stop by the Golden Horseshoe to see Billy Hill and the Hillbillies, very good bluegrass music along with humor. It's a fun show.

 

[disneylandfreak]

My absolute must see is Electrical Parade, every time I see it I love it. Makes me feel young. (Not that I'm old mind you).

 

[blackjackdelta]

EVERTHING!

Jack

 

[DangerMouse]

EVERTHING!

Jack

Except maybe California Dreams

 

[Adi12982]

I'm sure there are more, but here are mine from the top of my head. . .

DL:

Parade of Dreams
Remember Dream's come True Fireworks
Fantasmic
Space Mountain
Matterhorn
Nemo Subs (if you plan right on getting there within seconds of opening)
Indiana Jones
Pirates
Haunted Mansion
Your Fav's from Fantasyland (Dumbo, etc. Relive those 30+ year old memories)

DCA:

Aladdin
Electric Light Parade
Soarin'
Screamin'
Sun Wheel (preferred non swinging, able to enjoy sights more)
Tower of Terror

 

[Chumpson]

Can't believe I had to scroll down to post 9 to see Fanatasmic listed.

I wanted to say everything as well, but will do the ones I repeated or want to do since they are new.

DL

Space Mountain
Splash Mountain
Big Thunder Mountain
Indiana Jones
Buzz Lightyear (haven't done it yet, so a must do for me)
Fantasmic
Star Tours (Star Wars Freak)
Fireworks
Matterhorn
Pirates Lair (Haven't seen it)
Nemo (haven't seen it)
Peter Pan (closed last time I went)

DCA

Soarin
California Screamin
Grizzly River Run
Tower of Terror
Alladin
Monster's Inc (again, haven't seen it)

 

[Crazy4Disney06]

My all time favorite ride at disneyland is Indiana Jones!! It's a must see for sure!

 

[Disneyenthusiast]

All of it, of course! With no small children, I would skip Toontown.

Musts:

Pirates
Indy
Fantasmic
Fireworks
Tower of Terror
Splash
Grizzly River Run
Peter Pan
Big Thunder
Soaring

 

[LoveMyLAP-BAND]

I really enjoyed the Aladdin show at DCA. They actually "fly" on a magic carpet.

And then what everyone else said.