Since 1955, close to half a billion people have walked through the gates of this, the most popular tourist attraction in California. Theatrical events, rides, shops and restaurants fill the park from end to end with whiny kids and the parents who dote on them.

Disneyland Resort has been, for decades, the ultimate in Los Angeles-area tourist destinations—even though it's in Orange County and almost an hour from LA proper. For its 50th anniversary, the park has planned 18 months of extravaganzas with a new fireworks spectacular that flies Tinker Bell in an unprecedented, eye-popping manner. The most popular attractions live at the Frontierland/Adventureland/New Orleans Square border, where the Indiana Jones Adventure, the Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean are within a short distance of one another. Set locations are a good spot for the tykes to meet favorite characters, but if it's Mickey and Minnie they want, head straight to Mickey's Toontown. Next to Sleeping Beauty Castle, Disney's signature princesses of the non-half-fish variety hang out; The Little Mermaid's Ariel is relegated to King Triton's Garden (just south of the Matterhorn) for autograph signing.