Do you remember the first time you went to Disneyland? Or maybe you’re looking forward to that first visit with your family. Looking back or imagining what’s to come - Mickey Mouse ear hats and headbands, matching family shirts, Chip ‘n Dale on Main Street, U.S.A., all the rides and delicious snacks, right in front of you.

We always recommend checking out some classic Disney cartoons, documentaries and films before you arrive so everyone can make the connections when they see it in real life! Before you know it, you’ll be watching those magical moments from the screen unfold into real life at Disneyland Resort.

Let’s get started with the magic of Disney childhood favorites and an entire universe of Disney, Marvel, Pixar and Star Wars adventures.

It would be impossible to list all of the movies and shows that relate to Disneyland, but these are some of the best Disney history shows on Disney+ to get your feet wet.

The Reluctant Dragon (1941) - A look inside the Disney Studios and the creative process of Disney films. It is a precursor to the thought around Disneyland and the basis by which Walt Disney used the magic of movie making to dream of Disneyland!

The Imagineering Story, Episodes 1 - 5 (2019) - A great look into the history and creative process that inspired Disneyland. You will also experience Joe Rohde (retired), who is a legendary lead imagineer at Walt Disney Imagineering.

Disneyland Around the Seasons (1966) - Kids get to meet Walt Disney and see some of the creative processes in the early years at Disneyland.

Decorating Disneyland (2017) - A great show about the creative minds that dream up amazing seasonal decorations and themes during some of your favorite times of the year. Read more about the Holiday Season at Disneyland here.

Walt Disney Animations Studios started in the 1920s producing short films until it entered feature productions which is so much of what it is known for today.

There are too many to list here, but they give a great history into Disney art and animation, not to mention introducing families everywhere to the "Fab Five:" Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Pluto and Goofy. Let’s take a look back at past and present productions to help you better appreciate the attractions and characters.

Steamboat Willie (1928) - The very first Mickey cartoon that premiered to the public. Steamboat Willie was not the first Mickey movie to be made; the first was actually “Plane Crazy.” But, Steamboat Willie was the first cartoon that included music and sound. It made a big splash to audiences in New York and the rest, as they say, is history.

In addition, there were several Disney movies that came before Steamboat Willie. Animated characters appeared with a live action actress in the Alice Comedies (1923) and Oswald the Lucky Rabbit was a cartoon before Mickey was born (1927).

Where to find these references at Disneyland Resort:

• Steamboat Willie and Plane Crazy can both be seen on Main Street, U.S.A. inside the Main Street Cinema.
• On occasion Steamboat Willie dressed in black and white, just like in the film can be found at Mickey’s House in Mickey’s Toontown.
• Meet Oswald the Lucky Rabbit on occasion at California Adventure’s Buena Vista Street.
• You can visit Oswald's Service station in California Adventure Park on Buena Vista Street.

“Mickey’s Rival” (1936) - The film introduces audiences to Mickey’s nemesis Mortimer Mouse. Ironically, Walt’s original name for Mickey was Mortimer but his wife, Lillian, disliked the name and suggested Mickey instead. Mortimer tries to win the favor of Minnie in this classic Mickey cartoon.

Where to find this reference at Disneyland Resort:

In California Adventure, look for Mortimer’s Market—an homage to Mickey’s archenemy.

“The Three Little Pigs” (1933) - The classic tale of the three little pigs named Fiddler, Fifer, and Practical and built their homes out of straw, sticks, and bricks.

Where to find this reference at Disneyland Resort:

In California Adventure, look for “Fiddler, Fifer, and Practical," a cafe that honors the three little pigs.

“The Beezy Bear” (1955) - A fan favorite where Donald Duck and the bear help a well meaning park ranger clean up a dirty park.

Where to find this reference at Disneyland Resort:

• Look for Beezy’s likeness across from Soarin’ Around the World in California Adventure.

Now that we have a little Disney history covered, let’s take a quick look at all the movies you can watch on Disney+ that coordinate with Disneyland Park rides and attractions.

• Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1938) - Snow White’s Enchanted Wish in Fantasyland.
• Dumbo (1941 - animated), (2019 – live action) - The classic flying elephant attraction in Fantasyland.
• Fantasia (1940) - The basis for the amazing waterside nighttime speculator Fantasmic!
• Pinocchio (1940) - Pinocchio’s Daring Journey in Fantasyland.
• Ichabod and Mr. Toad (1949) - Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride in Fantasyland.
• Alice in Wonderland (1951) - Alice in Wonderland and the Mad Tea Party in Fantasyland.
• Peter Pan (1953) - Peter Pan’s Flight in Fantasyland.
• Sleeping Beauty (1959) - Sleeping Beauty Castle at the center of Disneyland. Many Disney fans stand in awe that the castle was premiered to the public at Disneyland’s opening, four years before it premiered in the movie theater.
• The Many Adventures of the Winnie of the Pooh (1977) - The attraction of the same name can be found in Critter Country in Disneyland.
• Star Wars (1977) - You could spend days watching the entire Star Wars film franchise, Disney animated shows like Clone Wars or opt for some of the original Disney+ series like Andor and The Mandalorian. Even some basic Star Wars knowledge will help you enjoy a trip to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. We also suggest you check out Episodes 7 and 8 which follows the storyline in Galaxy’s Edge.
• Who Framed Roger Rabbit? (1988) - Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin is located near the entrance to Mickey’s Toontown Disneyland Park.
• The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) - Haunted Mansion Holiday, the overlay that appears at Disneyland during Halloween Time and Holidays at the Disneyland Resort.
• Toy Story (1995) - Experience the Toy Story films in real life on Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters in Tomorrowland.
• Finding Nemo (2003) - Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage (formerly 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: Submarine Voyage) in Tomorrowland. Fun fact: Disney produced a live action thriller called 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. The Captain of the Nautilus submarine was Captain Nemo.

While there are many rides made after movies, only a few hold the title for first being a Disneyland attraction. These rides are so intertwined with American pop culture that Disney made movies (and sometimes series of movies!) after the attractions themselves.

• Pirates of the Caribbean (2003) - All Pirates of the Caribbean films were based off the original Disneyland attraction. Captain Jack Sparrow was later added to the ride and not part of the original.
• Jungle Cruise (2021) - Jungle Cruise is such a popular ride in Adventureland, Disney decided to expand the storyline into a live action film. Unlike Pirates, the movie’s stars have yet to be incorporated into the attraction itself.
• Haunted Mansion (2003 and 2023) - Haunted Mansion in New Orleans Square

We love seeing Disney history and future fused into the modern park at California Adventure. Here lives many pieces of Pixar, Marvel and classic Disney in a whole new way. Here is a list of movies you can watch on Disney+ that coordinate with California Adventure Park rides and attractions.

• Luxo, Jr. (1986) - Luxo, Jr. is the logo for Pixar, and his likeness is seen on the Pixar Pier sign as you enter this area of Disney California Adventure Park.
• Knick Knack (1989) - The fun little snowman has his own shop on Pixar Pier, plus you'll find him in a snow globe on a shelf on Route 66 in Cars Land.
• The Little Mermaid (1989) - The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel’s Undersea Adventure in Paradise Gardens Park.
• Toy Story (1995) - Experience the Toy Story films in real life via Toy Story Midway Mania! and Jessie’s Critter Carousel.
• Finding Nemo (2003) - Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! and Turtle Talk with Crush both in Hollywood Land.
• The Incredibles (2004) - The Incredicoaster on Pixar Pier.
• Cars (2006) - An entire land in California Adventure! Cars Land, which features Route 66 and all your favorite shops and diners from the film. You can ride Radiator Springs Racers,
• Luigi's Rollickin Roadsters and Mater's Junkyard Jamboree.
• Marvel (2010) - This year marks the first Marvel film released under Disney ownership, although Marvel has been around much longer. Vist the entire land, Avengers Campus, dedicated to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
• Frozen (2013) - Character meet and greets inside the Animation Building in Hollywood Land.
• Inside Out (2015) - Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind is located on Pixar Pier.

Now it’s time to choose your adventure and make lasting memories with family and friends at Disneyland Resort.

We would love to help build those memories at Get Away Today! The quality of the experience and the magic certainly linger as families recall their time at the Happiest Place on Earth! Our experts at Get Away Today Vacations will help you build an experience your family will never forget! Book online or call a travel expert at 855-GET-AWAY.