Disneyland - A Land of Magic and Dreams - Part 1

“Here you leave today and enter the world of yesterday, tomorrow, and fantasy.” - Walt Disney

If you ask about me to anyone who has known me for even half of a second, they will tell you that my number one favorite place in the entire world is Disneyland. Disneyland and California Adventure hold a very special place in my heart, and many of my dreams can come true amongst its magical grounds. From the starlit galaxies of Space Mountain to the calm serenity of the Storybook Land Canal Boats, every time I go, I feel more and more like the princess I have always wanted to be. Disneyland means everything to me, and today, I’d like to share some of that love with you.

Every year, my grandfather, one friend or sister, and I go to Disneyland and California Adventure theme parks for a total of 4 days, from the flight there to the flight home. Our first time going, we went with my best friend in the Springtime, towards the end of May. The second time, we went for my birthday at Halloweentime, at the end of October, with a friend I had at the time. The third time, we went at Christmas of 2017 with that same friend. Then, in 2018, we went twice: the first time with that aforementioned friend in April, and the second time at Halloweentime with my younger sister. It is and always has been a wonderful chance to spend time with friends and family, and has become the special thing that me and my grandfather share. Disneyland holds a lot of memories for me, my most important being those of my grandfather. Seeing him hobbling with the speed of a hare to the elevators of the Tower of Terror, well nothing beats that. Nothing except maybe watching him hollering on Radiator Springs Racers!

For my Disneyland series, I would love to talk about my last trip to Disneyland and California Adventure (October 2018), share some of my photos, and my personal travel plans that I use every year. In Part 2, I will be talking about the best parts of both parks, my tips and tricks for the best way to experience the rides if you’re like me and more interested in those. In addition, I will be up front and detailed about the costs of a typical Disneyland trip that my family takes.

Please keep in mind that these trips are paid for by my grandpa. I am in no way, shape, or form rich or swimming in any sort of money, as I am a student and artist. This trip is a trip my grandpa takes me on 1-2 times per year. Thank you for understanding~

I last went to Disneyland two weeks before my birthday, in October of this year. I decided to invite my younger sister, Serena as we both had been to Disneyland many times without each other. I thought it would be a wonderful opportunity to spend some one-on-one time with her while also getting to be in my favorite place. We were so excited to go. She came down on the train one day before the flight and we spent the day taking pictures and window shopping with my Aunt Megan, and then we had a sleepover at home. The next day, we, together with our grandpa, went to the airport for the long-awaited flight! It was on this flight that I tried brie cheese for the first time, which was amazing for me because with my disorder, I am terrified of trying new foods. Now I love brie cheese, especially the spreadable kind~

When we got to the airport, we took a shuttle bus to our hotel, after which we ate a delicious lunch with grandpa. Then, grandpa went up to the hotel room to relax while Serena and I took an Anaheim shuttle to an outdoor mall called the Outlets at Orange. This is one of my favorite parts of the trip, and in previous years, I have gone to the Dave & Buster’s there and played in the arcade for almost 3 hours!! After we got a little bored, we headed back to the hotel and watched South Park for the rest of the evening. The next morning was D-Day - Disney Day - so it was important for us to get some good rest!

Disneyland is my favorite park, and usually we go there first but this year, I felt like saving the best for last. We chose California Adventure first because of the new Incredicoaster, which is a roller coaster themed after the Disney movie The Incredibles. I was so excited to go on it, it was all that I could talk about. We headed for the Tower of Terror (now newly named Guardians of the Galaxy: Breakout! However my grandpa and I still call it by its namesake) and had the time of our lives, as we always do. Tower of Terror is my grandfather’s absolute favorite ride, so part of the reason why I chose California Adventure park first was so he could ride it sooner. Turns out he likes to save best for last though because he said, “Next year we’re going to Disneyland first.” One thing he did like was the restaurant we ate at, which was Italian and over near Pixar Pier. We had reservations and I got the best rib-eye steak imaginable. We also had a buffet breakfast reservation at the Storyteller’s Cafe in the Californian Hotel, something we do absolutely every year.

Throughout the day, we took a lot of pictures and rode as many rides as we could. We even checked out a gorgeous little area called Beast’s Library--don’t miss it! I won’t bore you with too many details because it would take the magic out of the experience for you, but I will share some pictures below:

The highlight of California Adventure was that when we were at the park during the day, the Incredicoaster was out of order almost the entire day! We didn’t get to ride it at all during the daylight hours and if it weren’t for me vigilantly checking their app all day, we wouldn’t have gotten the chance. Luckily, right around 10pm, the ride opened and we waited in the single riders’ line. It was amazing, and it’s something I definitely plan to do as many times as possible when I go next time.

The next day we went to Disneyland park and it was perfect, though a bit overcrowded due to Halloween. Another issue was the temperature was hotter than previous years. But I felt like a true princess in my Liz Lisa Dress-Up Doll Print dress, so I was happy. We went to our reservation at the Carnation Cafe for breakfast that day, and thanks to my savviness, I had brought peanut butter all the way with me so I could have my Mickey Mouse-shaped waffle :) It was delicious, too.

 (featuring my beloved peanut butter xD)

Throughout the day, we actually didn’t get to do too many rides because of the lines, but thanks to the MaxPass, we were able to do all of the rides we loved most at least once. We ate dinner at Jazz Kitchen, and then Serena and I were able to go back to the park that night and do every single ride possible, including Thunder Mountain Railroad and the infamous Splash Mountain. The only bummer was that the Matterhorn was closed for refurbishment, so I definitely plan to go on that ride multiple times next time I go.

The best part had to be my rice krispy treats though.

I loooooove my rice krispy treats.

All-in-all, it was a beautiful trip and one that is at the top of my list for best trips I have taken to the park. Partly because of family, partly because of Liz Lisa, and partly because of the magic of Disney, I was able to have a memorable experience that I will always cherish. I dream of one day being able to go to the park 3 times or more per year, and I also have something to admit. Something that I yearn for so badly but as I get older and go through more bad, toxic relationships, seems to drift further and further away . . .

I dream of being proposed to in front of the castle. I hope one day a man will love me enough to want to give me that, to let me have this one dream. I desperately want to stand in front of Sleeping Beauty’s castle, dressed head to toe in Liz Lisa, feeling and looking beautiful, and turn and see whoever my prince is down on one knee. It’s childish and silly because I don’t think I will ever have it. As hopeful as I am, I just have had so many bad relationships that have reinforced my belief that I myself am bad, and that I’m not good enough to deserve it.

But still, I have hope. I have hope that the man my mother has been praying for will show up one day and grant me this one wish. Wishes are meant to be granted, no matter how silly or how childish.

Thank you so much for tuning in to Part 1 of my Disneyland series, and I shall see you in Part 2!




Until next time,




HoneySweetCutie