17/01/2025
As many of you know, I spent the past weekend in California visiting Disneyland for my very first time. While I did my best to post as I could, I truly wanted to be in the moment because it was such a special occasion. To walk in the footsteps of Walt, so to say, was truly a magical experience. For all of us Disney lovers out there, you know what I mean. One of my favorite moments was going into the gallery, and seeing the mortgage and the check for Waltâs greatest adventure. I donât know why that moment was so overwhelming, but it truly was. All the feels right then and there. I really just took time to walk around, absorb the sights, sounds, and smells. I didnât ride as many attractions or see as many shows, or even eat as many things as I wanted to. I was just in awe of how truly magical this place was. Honestly, unlike Walt Disney World, Disneyland is really just in the center of a city â and for them to be able to make it so you donât feel as though you are in the middle of a city, to truly be in the magic of the âDisney Bubbleâ â I just couldnât fathom how it could be. We stayed a block away from the parks and Downtown Disney â and I could hear sirens, and cars, and general community noises. Inside the âDisney Bubbleâ just⊠Disney.
I loved how quaint Disneyland is. And I genuinely mean that as a compliment, I loved being able to walk out of the gate of Disneyland and head directly across to Disneyâs California Adventure â and just take a right and be in Downtown Disney. It was easily walkable, even from our hotel. It didnât take me long to be able to navigate either park. Disneyland is set up very similar to Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World with a few extra locations. And letâs be honest, the My Disney Experience app is amazing. I still walked about the same amount of steps as I typically do in Walt Disney World per day, maybe a little less, and was still pretty darn tired at the end of the trip. But it was all worth it. I took many moments to just sit on a bench somewhere and enjoy where I was.
The food and beverages were outstanding. I didnât have one mediocre snack or meal while visiting (that happened at Fort Lauderdale airport, probably the worst meal I have ever received at a restaurantâŠ). I started with a corn dog from the Little Red Wagon in Disneyland â a recommendation from many! Oh man, that was delicious and I am not a huge corn dog fan. I devoured that whole thing, and was not hungry again for the remainder of the day. I also ordered the spicy cheese sauce for the side to dip it in. WORTH IT. Very spicy, but water handled it and took down the spice level. My next was the Beef Birria Ramen at Lucky Fortune Cookery in Disneyâs California Adventure. Iâll start by saying, Iâm a huge huge fan of ramen. The way this was put together with the beef was like a very tender spicy type pot roast meets a very beautifully put together ramen dish. All the ingredients blended together perfectly. I will forever dream about that ramen until I can go back and get it again. It was a pretty good sized portion as well, I ate about half and then brought the rest back to my husband. Honestly, he ate it cold and still loved every single bite. We dined at Earl of a Sandwich â I got a cup of chicken noodle soup and my husband opted for a warm turkey sandwich â both amazing. Not surprising though, Iâve been to the one in Disney Springs at Walt Disney World and they have always hit it out of the park. I really enjoyed the live music Tangaroa Terrace Tropical Bar and Grill at Disneyland Hotel. Add in the tiki torches, the Polynesian type atmosphere and delicious food and this location was a solid winner for us. Enough to go back twice! Our favorite was the evening we split some appetizers â the Tempura-battered Green Beans with a Togarashi Aioli and the Pork Gyoza were both the kind of apps you want to lick your fingers and the plate clean! Highly recommend, 10/10. My favorite drink of the trip was at the Lamplight Lounge â Boardwalk Dining. Again, another solid recommendation â the Find Your Spark was so delicious, it didnât take much for the bartender to convince me to talk a to-go while I walked around the park. The drink contained X-Fusion Vodka, Bacardi Raspberry Rum, Lemon Juice, (typically Watermelon Syrup⊠but Iâm not a fan of watermelon, so I requested to switch it out) Blueberry Syrup, and Sparkling Wine. Hello! Iâm Rose and so happy to be sipping THAT drink! Two was definitely plenty lol.
As I said, I didnât really go on many attractions. I was sad to see Haunted Mansion was in refurbishment, but it is what it is and it happens! Getting on the train, one of Waltâs very favorite things in life, was amazing. Sure, itâs not the most exciting ride, but I loved not only being on the steam trains that Walt loved so much, but seeing the park from a different outside view. Plus it was relaxing. Pirates was great â very similar, yet not. So, I loved the elements that I wasnât aware was coming or going to see. Of course I enjoyed the other aspects that are similar to Walt Disney Worldâs version, but itâs fun to try the unknown. Radiator Springs was my favorite, and utilizing the single rider line, I was able to ride it twice back to back! I would have gone again, but was attempting to see World of Color. Unfortunately, I arrived a bit too late to World of Color, and was unable to really see anything from the back, so decided to go on another attraction. WEB SLINGERS: A Spiderman Adventure was so much fun. I totally rocked that ride. If youâve seen me on Toy Story Mania or Buzz Lightyearâs Space Ranger Spin, you know how competitive I am in these types of rides. I crushed the other people in my car. Iâm surprised my arm didnât hurt from how many webs I was slinging for 4 minutes!
Overall, I am just thrilled to have finally been able to step foot in Disneyland. To experience the atmosphere. To enjoy the magic. I cannot wait to go back, and I cannot wait to assist with planning a Disneyland trip for others as well!
When you are ready to experience the magic of Disneyland, contact me! [email protected]
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