Last Updated on September 8, 2025 by Steph
I didn’t have my first Disneyland experience until I was almost 40 years old. Growing up, our family was not the type to plan big family trips to theme parks. We camped on Minnesota’s North Shore every summer and spent our winters rushing from one hockey tournament to another. Could I have written a more Minnesotan opening? But that doesn’t mean I didn’t grow up watching Beauty and the Beast and wishing for Belle’s library or singing loudly to all the Little Mermaid songs.
The cool thing about Disney movies is that they are enjoyable long after your childhood years have passed. I was excited to find out if the parks were fun for adults, too. I had a great experience adulting at Disney World, so when the chance to visit the original Disneyland in Anaheim came up, I wanted to see how it compared.
My First Disneyland Experience
We visited Disneyland in early December, and the weather reminded us that California isn’t always hot and sunny. There was a thick marine layer further inland than it usually is, but we had dressed for the weather. We drove up from San Diego early to beat traffic and be there when the park opened.
The day warmed up, but a midweek trip with lower temps helped keep the crowds at bay. We were able to get on all the rides that we wanted without too much waiting. It was easier than I expected to park and get into the theme parks. I was overall impressed by the entire operation. So let’s dive into some of my personal favorites from my first Disneyland experience, along with some advice if you are planning your own trip there.
Disneyland Favorites
Princess Tiana’s Bayou Adventure
We were lucky enough to be among the first visitors to experience the remodeled Bayou Adventure. It was Splash Mountain, but now the entire ride is themed after my current favorite Disney movie, The Princess and the Frog. When we visited, you could join an online queue. That’s common for new rides, but now you can just do a standard FastPass for the ride or wait in the line.
I will warn you that it is a water ride and you will likely get wet. The cooler temps made it a bit uncomfortable for the hour after the ride, and we found a sunny bench to sit and dry off. But the music and scenes were fantastic, and I loved this ride.
Scoping Out Details in Toon Town
Disneyland is one of the only parks where you can visit Toon Town, made famous by the movie Who Framed Roger Rabbit. The details in this section of the park were outstanding. You feel like you’ve stepped into a cartoon. There are fun illusions that make great photo ops. It’s the perfect spot to connect with the classic Disney cartoon characters.
Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railroad
This ride is located right in the center of Toon Town. It was built during the pandemic when the park was closed down, so it’s still fairly new. You’ll go through a history of Mickey Mouse while waiting in line to board. On the ride, you’ll visit Mickey, Minnie, and all of their friends in different scenes. I thought it would be a very slow ride, but some parts had me laughing out loud. The section where you dance with Daisy definitely had us hanging on.
Desserts Galore
When you spend the day on your feet walking laps around the park, it’s essential to get plenty of sugar into your body. It’s part of the experience. Our dear friends advised us that the churros next to the Haunted Mansion are the best, so we tried those and were not disappointed. I also had to get the Mickey Beignets from the Mint Julep Bar. I was covered in powdered sugar the rest of the day. And then to finish up the sugar rush, I enjoyed a Dole Whip. Don’t make me choose my favorite (but it would be the one that made the biggest mess).
Oga’s Cantina
If you’ve ever seen the Star Wars movies, you’ve probably wished you could step foot in one of these strange places featured. Oga’s gives you that opportunity. It’s a bar located in the middle of the Star Wars section of the park, and it requires a little wait during the busiest times of day. Once inside, you can choose between non-alcoholic or alcoholic drinks. The price tag is not cheap, but it’s a fun experience with so much to look at inside. I enjoyed the Outer Rim, and it was a nice way to get out of the sun for a bit in the middle of the day.
The Rise of the Resistance
Disneyland has added or updated quite a few rides in the last decade. This was the one we were told to visit first thing in the morning to avoid long lines. We rushed there when the gates opened and only had to wait about 20 minutes. In true Disney fashion, you’re entertained even while waiting in line. It’s all part of the story. You don’t have to be a Star Wars fan to enjoy this, but fans will not be disappointed.
Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run
A more classic Star Wars ride at Disneyland is Smuggler’s Run. Riders choose between three different positions, and each is responsible for completing their tasks while riding. If you are visiting with competitive family members, this might be a fun way to see who is cut out for space exploration. I will warn you that it’s an older ride and there’s more jerking around, which might be tough for anyone with neck or back issues.
Art Gallery on Main Street
When you need a break from rides and desserts, there is a really cool art gallery on Main Street near the entrance gate. It features original drawings from illustrators, and it’s cool to walk around and explore. There are items from the Disney Museum that rotate through the gallery as well. It was one of the coolest things we saw in the park, but that might have been the nostalgia and the fact that my husband went to art school for animation.
How to get to Disneyland
I mentioned that we drove from San Diego. If you’ve never been to Southern California, it’s important to understand how bad traffic can be. We left at 5:30 AM to beat some of the heavy traffic and then left just at the beginning of the afternoon rush hour. Plan for travel time if you are driving.
You can also stay near Disneyland. We’ve stayed at this hotel on previous road trips, and it’s a nice property walking distance from the parks. You can also splurge on the full experience and stay at one of the three stunning Disney properties.
Final Thoughts on My First Trip to Disneyland
This Disneyland visit was much different than the adult trips I’ve taken to Disney World. It was just a day trip from San Diego. We were at the park for about eight hours and did everything we wanted, including a holiday parade and the Enchanted Tiki Room show (that I think most people should just skip). I had a blast, and I’m so glad I got to experience this park. It felt nostalgic.
This would be a fun addition to a Southern California trip, but I don’t know that I would recommend traveling with the whole family just to visit Disneyland. There’s so much to do in Los Angeles and San Diego that I think just one day at Disneyland is perfect. I would return if we were meeting my nephews or had an extra day in LA, but I would be totally content if that were my only Disneyland experience.
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