Disneyland Diaries: A Day of Fun, Food, and Adventure

Recently, I took a trip to Orange County to visit my friend Rudy. Of course, we spent a day at Disneyland and California Adventure. I hadn’t been since I was, I think 7 years old(??), so I was really feeling the magic. From classic rides to new attractions, plus some seriously good eats, the day was packed with excitement, fun, and nostalgia.

We also splurged on the Lightning Lane, but honestly, it wasn’t worth it. Even though it was a Friday, the parks weren’t super crowded, and the wait times were never more than 40 minutes. With 11 hours to spare, we hit a bunch of rides, indulged in snacks, and soaked up every ounce of Disney magic.

Rides: From Monsters, Inc. to Mickey's Toontown

Monsters, Inc. – Mike & Sulley to the Rescue!

We started our day in Monstropolis on the Monsters, Inc. ride, and it was the perfect way to kick things off. It’s lighthearted, full of adorable scenes, and of course, Boo stole the show. I loved re-living one of my favorite Disney movies irl.

The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Undersea Adventure

Next, we slowed things down with The Little Mermaid. The ride is a colorful and vibrant retelling of Ariel’s story. I will say, however, that Flounder was a liiiiiitle bit scary looking.

Star Wars – Smuggler’s Run

One of the highlights of the day? Smuggler’s Run in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Rudy and I took on the roles of pilots, and wow, did we do a terrible job. We definitely crashed into almost everything, but thankfully, we didn’t end the mission early (a sign that you caused so much damage, that the ship can’t go on).

Indiana Jones Adventure

From there, we headed to the Indiana Jones Adventure. This ride was a bumpy thrill ride through caves and ruins, with lots of surprises. The intense decline into darkness right before a boulder was supposed to smash our car… I might have closed my eyes and screamed a little. I don’t think I was made for roller coasters.

Pirates of the Caribbean

No trip to Disneyland is complete without the classic Pirates of the Caribbean. This ride hit me with an immense amount of nostalgia, from the iconic pirate scenes to the catchy "Yo Ho (A Pirate’s Life for Me)." After the craziness of Indiana Jones, this was the perfect ride to chill out on.

Mickey’s Toontown – Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway

We wrapped up the day in Mickey’s Toontown with Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, and it was like stepping into a cartoon. It’s fun, whimsical, and everything you’d expect from a Mickey Mouse ride. Rudy shared an interesting tidbit about the ride, that it’s actually trackless and can change slightly for every ride. It was really cool being on an unpredictable ride like this.

Food Adventures: Hits and Misses

No trip to Disneyland is complete without some snacks, and we made sure to try plenty!

Pym Test Kitchen

First up, at California Adventure’s Pym Test Kitchen, Rudy tried The Regulator—a cocktail that earned a solid 9/10. But the real MVP? The Blue Hawaiian. It was easily a 10/10, with its sweet and tropical vibes, perfect for cooling down in the afternoon heat.

Pixar Pier Brewery

At Pixar Pier, we tried two different micheladas. The one with Pacifico? Soooooo good! It was easily a 9/10 for me. The cider version was good too, but it didn’t quite hit the same because it was a little too sweet—so I’d give it an 8/10.

Dole Whip

Next, we grabbed a Dole Whip at the Tiki Room. This sweet, tangy, and tropical treat was a 10/10 and tasted so good given how hot it was outside.

Main Street Corn Dog

Finally, we grabbed a corn dog from Main Street. I’d been seeing a lot of videos on Disneytok of the corn dogs so needed to try one. Unfortunately, it wasn’t anything special—just okay. A little greasy and heavy, so I’d rate it a 6/10.

Disneyland and California Adventure know how to make you feel like a kid again, and after this trip, I can’t wait for the next one. Until next time, Disney. P.S. We shouldn’t have to buy extra backs for pins in order for them to stay attached to things.