If you're looking to hit your 10K steps and sprinkle a little magic on your walking shoes, there’s no better place than Disneyland. And let me tell you — doing Disney as a grown-up (and doing it right) is a whole new kind of joy. Think concierge perks, poolside cocktails, and knowing when to hustle and when to sit back and enjoy the ride — literally.
🏨 Stay Magical: The Grand Californian Experience
Here’s my top tip: arrive the day before and check in to one of Disneyland’s resort properties. We were lucky enough to stay at the Grand Californian on the Concierge level, and ladies, it was divine.
Picture this: a massive lodge-style lobby with a roaring fireplace and live piano music, three pools (yes, including
a waterslide), poolside drink service (hello, pitcher of mojitos!), and The Veranda — the private lounge that serves light bites and beverages throughout the day. Think beer, wine, cordials, and a snack spread that changes four times daily. Everything was delicious and served with that signature Disney smile. Oh my goodness, the lemon cookies, what a wonderful burst of flavor!
Yes, you can see the fireworks from the Veranda (although fair warning, the trees do block some of the view — the Concierge Level at the Disneyland Hotel has the best view, but that's a blog for another day!). We know not every Disney trip can be as luxurious as this, but there are many nice hotels within walking distance of Disneyland.
✨ Prepping for Magic: What to Know Before You Go
Before you dive into the Disney daydream, be smart:
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✅ Download the Disneyland App: It’s your ultimate park buddy — from maps and wait times to mobile food orders and ride bookings.
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✅ Buy Tickets in Advance: No one wants to stand in line for that and there might not be reservations available!
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✅ Reserve Your Park Dates: Especially important during peak seasons and events.
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✅ Purchase the Lightning Lane Multi-Pass: This handy feature lets you skip the standby lines for popular rides. You can book your first Lightning Lane at 7 a.m. on the day of your visit, and then another every 2 hours or after your first one is used. (Note: There's also a more premium Individual Lightning Lane for those extra in-demand rides like Rise of the Resistance.)
🍽️ Day 1: Arrival + Downtown Disney Dining
After checking in and grabbing a Veranda snack, we spent a relaxing afternoon by the pool (water slide included). That evening, we wandered over to Downtown Disney for dinner at Din Tai Fung — an upscale dumpling house that’s as much about the experience as it is the food. Reservations available on their website.
You can watch the chefs behind the glass hand-folding dumplings with absolute precision. Our server, Brandon, even mixed our dipping sauce tableside — such a treat! The mochi-covered chocolate with cream dessert? Worth every step.
We wrapped up our evening watching the fireworks from the Veranda with a cozy snack before crawling into the comfiest hotel bed for a solid night’s sleep. Trust me, you’ll need it.
🎢 Day 2: Disney Day! And Yes, It’s Worth the Wake-Up
6:00 a.m.: Rise and shine!
6:30 a.m.: Light breakfast and coffee at The Veranda.
7:30 a.m.: In line at the park gates, ready for Rope Drop (that’s Disney speak for being among the first allowed into the park before it officially opens — pro tip: this is how you beat the crowds to the biggest attractions).
Our first stop: Rise of the Resistance — a thrilling Star Wars ride that’s part immersive theater, part high-tech simulator, and 100% WOW. While in line, we booked our next Lightning Lane for the Haunted Mansion, which had already hit a 60-minute wait.
Next up: Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run. If you’ve got a full crew, ask to try Wookiee Mode — a hidden feature that turns the ride into a howlingly fun experience. (Best for those who’ve done it once or twice already!)
We stopped at Docking Bay 7 for a Cold Brew Black Caf — iced coffee topped with cocoa pebbles and cream. Sounds odd. Tastes amazing. Bao buns are a wonderful snack too!
Then on to Haunted Mansion featuring Jack Skellington's Halloween takeover, followed by a new spooky gift shop full of ghoulish goodies. We booked our next Lightning Lane for Indiana Jones Adventure (a.k.a. Temple of Doom), then rode Pirates of the Caribbean... until it stopped!
Yep — we got evacuated mid-ride. It was surprisingly fun and fascinating to see the inner workings of the ride with the lights on. And bonus: we were given a free Lightning Lane pass for the inconvenience. Disney magic strikes again.
Indiana Jones Adventure is one wild ride through a crumbling temple filled with snakes, lava, giant bugs, and just enough chaos to make you feel like an action hero — minus the hat. They have decoder cards for the symbols on the walls if you have a desire to know what messages they are giving you.
As we made our way through New Orleans Square, we paused outside the discreet door of Club 33 — Disneyland’s most exclusive (and secretive) dining experience. Originally created by Walt Disney himself as a private lounge for VIPs and corporate sponsors, Club 33 is a members-only restaurant hidden in plain sight above Pirates of the Caribbean. With its elegant décor, gourmet cuisine, and a waitlist that can stretch for years, it's the kind of bucket list dining experience we dream about — maybe one day!
At this point, I needed a snack! Jolly Holly has wonderful treats and is on the Mobile order app. I got a wonderful Matterhorn coconut macaroon with a toffee nut latte -- Delicious! PS - I got the cute Mickey Backpack on Amazon ;-)
From there, we headed over to our next Lightning Lane adventure: Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway. What a blast! This whimsical ride takes you straight into a zany cartoon world with Mickey and friends, complete with dazzling effects and unexpected twists. It's pure Disney charm with a modern twist, and we loved every second.
Afterward, we boarded the Disneyland Railroad for a leisurely loop around the park. It’s the perfect way to rest your feet, catch some hidden scenery (hello, dinosaurs!), and soak in the magic from a quieter vantage point. We hopped off at the front of the park, ready to head back to the hotel for a little R&R before our evening adventures began.
🥂 Poolside Breaks & Magic on Repeat
With a few key rides under our belt, it was time for a well-earned break. Back at the Grand Californian, I grabbed a refreshing poke bowl and relaxed by the pool. You can even bring a glass of wine from the Veranda down with you — now that’s adulting at Disney.
Be warned: around dinnertime, security lines to re-enter Downtown Disney can get long. We made it through and took the Monorail to Tomorrowland (ask if you can sit in the nose of the cockpit — it’s a hidden gem experience!).
Our evening Lightning Lane was for Space Mountain, and let me tell you — this classic coaster in the dark is just as thrilling as ever. You’re launched into a galaxy of stars, zipping and zooming through space at warp speed (or at least it feels that way!). It’s smooth, fast, and full of laughs — especially when you see your windblown ride photo afterward. Bonus: no sun hat needed in space.
Next up: Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters — part ride, part video game, and fully addictive. You board your own little spaceship, grab a laser blaster, and help Buzz defeat the evil Emperor Zurg by hitting glowing targets along the way. It’s silly fun and surprisingly competitive (yes, we may have compared scores at the end… Our group winner got the top scored by hitting the right targets - sweet!!).
Then we strolled over to Peter Pan’s Flight, a beautifully nostalgic ride that flies you over the rooftops of London and into Neverland. The queue is usually long, but around 5 p.m., when families with little ones are off grabbing dinner, the line often shortens. It’s charming, magical, and one of the original Disney experiences that still holds up — no matter your age.
We finished this round with It’s a Small World — the ultimate Disney classic. It’s sweet, iconic, and always leaves us smiling. You might even spot a few familiar Disney characters tucked among the scenes!
We capped off our evening with the Matterhorn via the single rider line, then headed back to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge for the Skywalker Saga nighttime show. Pro tip: You don’t need to pay for the $89 dinner package for a good view — standing in Batuu gives you a full show of incredible lights, music, and pyrotechnics. Afterwards, you can watch the fireworks from here as part of the Batu celebrations or head to Main Street for the full fireworks + castle projection combo. Two shows with the same synchronized fireworks - Disney magic!
🍬 Don’t Forget Your Treat on the Way Out
Before leaving, make one last stop at the Candy Palace on Main Street, where the treats are made fresh daily. My favorite? The peanut butter square dipped in chocolate — a little square of heaven to reward all those steps.
Final Thoughts: Did We Do Every Ride? No. Did We Savor Every Moment? Absolutely.
With smart planning and a few Lightning Lanes, we covered a lot of ground — 22,000 steps, to be exact! And we did it with joy, laughter, and a little luxury along the way.
Disneyland isn't just for kids — it's for the young-at-heart, the joy-seekers, and yes, the Wanderlyn travelers walking their way through life’s magic one step (and snack) at a time.
Until next time,
Eat well. Move well. Wander Well.
✨ Lyn WanderLynTravel
Check us out on Social media @WanderLynTravel
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