Disneyland is OPEN!
Disneyland is OPEN! You can imagine my excitement when Disney announced it’s welcome of out-of-state guests. I was first in line for tickets the opening day, June 15th. I rounded up my favorite Disney loving friends and headed to Anaheim for a few days of magic.
With the current regulations, it’s a little different to get a ticket to the park. First, you check out the calendar to see what dates are available. If you see the date you want, you purchase a ticket, then make a reservation. Some reservations allow either park entrance and some require a certain park to be entered first in the day. Our reservation started at Disney California Adventure and we were able to enter Disneyland after 1pm.
I didn’t care which park I entered, as long as I got to go in! Pluto greeted us as soon as we entered the gates.
My friend Erica of Happiest Tees on Earth dressed us in her new “So Happy to Be Here” tees, which, was exactly how I felt. So Happy to be there!
My mom and daughter Ally took off shortly after the photo to get in line for rides. I like to take in the sights, check out the treats, say hello to characters and ease into the day. Really don’t care how many rides I get on, literally just happy to be there!
First stop: Trolly Treats! Always have to check out the bakery assortment. Disney’s newest treat is the watermelon caramel apple, but I was on the hunt for my favorite S’mores square…which I didn’t find. I’ve heard not all of our favorite treats are back at the parks just yet, but will return in the coming months.
There are truly only two rides I HAVE to go on when I visit and the top of that list is the IncrediCoaster. If you haven’t been, it’s a MUST! (The second is Thunder Mountain Railroad in Disneyland).
There’s nothing like taking off at the speed of light, whipping around the top of the park, entering a tunnel filled with the smell of COOKIES, and finishing off the thrill with an upside down twirl, with your eyes watering because it goes so fast. And if you want the best experience, my personal rule when riding is, “First Row or I don’t go!” The first row is the fastest and the most fun!
The heat was a bit much for us Seattle girls, so we took a quick lunch break at the Alfresco Tasting Terrace. Alfresco Tasting Terrace is currently only available to Legacy Passholders and their guests for a limited time. This enchanting outdoor restaurant—with one-of-a-kind park views and inspired beverage and dining menus—makes an ideal retreat to cool off and enjoy some delicious food. Be sure to make reservations via the Disneyland app prior to your arrival to enjoy this special terrace.
After cooling off, we hit this fun hidden photo opp located in Radiator Springs. When you walk to the end of the street, head left! (If you head right you’ll enter the line for Radiator Racers, which is another must!)
A bit past 2pm, we headed to Disney. By this point we had melted in the sweltering heat, got drenched on Grizzly River Run (a must if it’s a warm day) and exhausted any option of looking photo ready. But it didn’t’ stop our excitement to be back on Main Street!
With character meet and greets still paused, Disney is offering a new way to experience the characters. I actually really love it! Just past the entrance to the park, several characters including Minnie and Mickey themselves were greeting guests at the train station.
Disneyland was covered in patriotic flags, which I hadn’t seen done before. It was so cute and colorful! Perhaps because it’s close to the 4th of July?
If you haven’t been to Star Wars Land, you’ve gotta go. I have to admit, I’ve never seen a Star Wars movie, but appreciate every detail in Galaxy’s Edge. It’s phenomenally imagined. You really do feel like you’ve been transported to another land!
Chewy was out saying hello to his guests and Storm Troopers guarded the ships from the upper levels.
Sleeping Beauty’s castle looked as sparkly and magical as ever. Be sure to snap a photo in front of the castle, either with your personal phone, or take advantage of the Disney Cast member photographer using your Disney App. There are several photo ops throughout the park with Disney photographers standing by to capture the magic. You can download the whole album of photos taken during the day for $19.99.
Late in the afternoon we went live on my Instagram audience, to include everyone in the excitement and buzz at the Castle and a trip to get a Dole Whip, which come in a billion different flavors and combinations now!
I’m certain that Disneyland really is my Happiest Place on Earth. I’d prefer a cooler day (temps were triple digits) but I drank water all day and invested in a cooling towel (Get one, they work!) and don’t regret a single second spent at the parks. After 14 months of being away, it was so magical to see everyone smiling, having fun, enjoying treats and laughing on rides. It’s just exactly what everyone needs. I already can’t wait to go back. Even in the heat…