Get To Know Us From Our Disneyland Favorites
Hello travelers!
Welcome to the Disneyland section of our blog! One of the key things that we bonded over when we first became friends was our love for Disney, and that has translated to us visiting the Disney Parks together. We had the idea of posting a “getting to know us” through our favorite things at The Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California. You can agree or disagree with our takes, but you can really know a lot about a person based on their Disney preferences. We also thought this would be a fun way for us to give you some of our top recommendations.
We have a version of this on our Walt Disney World section of our blog that has some different questions, so make sure you read that once you finish this!
Favorite DLR Park
Ryan: Disneyland Park
There’s so much I could say about why I love Disneyland Park, but honestly, as cheesy as this sounds, it boils down to pure magic. As soon as you step into the park, you’re hit with a wave of nostalgia and comfort, especially as you turn the corner and see the baby castle. I’m a Walt Disney World native, so that little castle always makes me smile! I also love Disneyland Park because of its convenience! You’re not walking miles between lands or rides due to everything being close, and it makes planning things like dinner reservations a lot easier. Lastly, you can’t deny the Disney history. This was Walt’s park, vision, and execution. Obviously, it’s changed a lot, but this was the first park project he worked on, and it shows. Maybe it’s a placebo effect, but there’s a certain air in Disneyland Park that I don’t feel at the others, and I choose to believe it’s the magic from Walt.
Lillian: Disney’s California Adventure Park
While I agree with Ryan that Disneyland Park and its lovely little castle is beautiful, I truly was blown away by California Adventure when I first saw it. I love thrill rides and immersive experiences best, and this park has them in spades. I am a big Marvel fan, so Avenger’s Campus was super cool, but all of the other lands within California Adventure, most notably Pixar Pier, San Fransokyo Square, and Grizzly Peak, are also fun to walk around. Frankly, I find it unsurprising I enjoy walking into California Adventure, as Buena Vista Street and Hollywood Land remind me greatly of Hollywood Studios, my favorite Walt Disney World park!
Favorite DLR Land
Ryan: Avengers Campus at Disney’s California Adventure Park
I’ve been a huge Marvel fan since 2008 when Iron Man was released in theaters, and am still a fan to this day. Avenger’s Campus is the epitome of a Marvel fan’s dream. You have amazing attractions like W.E.B. Slingers and Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout, fabulous food at places like Shawarma Palace (I dream of that shawarma) and Pym’s Test Kitchen (I recommend the Not So Little Chicken Sandwich!), and amazing entertainment, like Dr. Strange’s intimate stage show and the Dora Milaje’s march. Not to mention, Spider Man sometimes has rooftop shows where you can see him actually fly! How cool is that? Avenger’s Campus at Disney’s California Adventure is such a great addition to the park, and I cannot wait to see what the future holds with the new attraction set to arrive around 2027!
Lillian: Cars Land at Disney’s California Adventure Park
Old me, the version of me before I visited California Adventure, would be incredibly surprised by this answer. I have never been a huge fan of the Cars franchise, having only seen the movies a handful of times. But honestly, this was one of the best themed parks in all of California Adventure. The giant traffic cones? The light show? Radiator Springs Racers?! I had such a blast walking around this park and taking it all in. It’s incredibly atmospheric, making you feel like you’ve just stepped into Radiator Springs. I truly feel like no matter what you enjoy at theme parks, you’ll find something for you at Cars Land.
Favorite DLR Attraction
Ryan: Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride at Disneyland Park
To me, this one is a no-brainer. Since I first rode the ride in 2022, I knew that this would be my favorite attraction at Disneyland. Over time, it’s become my favorite Disney attraction period. That might sound crazy, but it is true! Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride is a whirlwind, taking you through the many twists and turns of Mr. Toad’s story. The ride truly is . . . well, wild! The last scene (iykyk) is crazy and leaves you pondering, “What was this, and why is it at Disneyland?” But that’s what I love most about it! This attraction is so out there and weird, and I love that Disney still chooses to keep this beloved dark ride at their park! I also want to shout out my TikTok page because I posted a silly video of me on this ride and it got over 5 Million views and over 350,000 likes! Thanks, Mr. Toad!
Lillian: Incredicoaster
I am always one for a good coaster, and while I said in the previous paragraph that I love Cars Land and really love the Radiator Springs Racers ride, there’s something about the Incredicoaster on Pixar Pier that is unmatched. The Incredibles is definitely one of my favorite Pixar movies with its 60s retro-futurism and jazzy soundtrack, but this rollercoaster takes everything you love about the film and condense it into a supersonic, super fast rollercoaster. Dash counting down before “running” with you as you ascend into the sky always makes my heart skip a beat, and then the speed as you hurtle through tunnels and make loop-de-loops is awesome! Truly, it is a rollercoaster-lover’s dream!
Favorite DLR Resort
Ryan: Disneyland Hotel
I was very fortunate to stay at this resort during my last visit in April of 2025 with my brother, Robert, and Lillian. Honestly, it was a wonderful experience. The grounds are so pretty and really encapsulate that magical, nostalgic feeling that I was talking about earlier with Disneyland Park. We plan on writing an entire post about our thoughts on the Disneyland Hotel, so I won’t get into too much detail, but everything in the room has a purpose and a small touch of Disney to it. From the food options, to the gift shops, the pools, and the Cast Members, The Disneyland Hotel just goes above and beyond!
Lillian: Disneyland Hotel
I feel exactly the same as Ryan! We were so fortunate to stay at the Disneyland Hotel in April of 2025, and we absolutely loved our experience. It was my first time visiting Disneyland, and the Cast Members who worked at the front desk were so welcoming and excited for me; it made me feel right at home. I especially loved walking around the grounds, and one of my favorite memories from that trip was enjoying a drink at Trader Sam’s which is nestled near the hotel.
Favorite DLR Table Service Restaurant
Ryan: Carnation Cafe at Disneyland Park
There are so many amazing restaurants at Disneyland, but considering availability, atmosphere, and affordability, my pick is Carnation Cafe. The Carnation Cafe sits right on Main street U.S.A. and is so charming. Although this restaurant is classic American fare and lacks menu diversity, it still has so much to offer. You can get indoor or outdoor seating, and there are usually reservations available making it easy to snag a last minute table. The theming inside is inviting with stained glass light fixtures, wooden flooring, deep red wallpaper, and a carnation is on every table, which is a cute touch. The cafe really makes you feel like you stepped into a turn of the century restaurant. My suggestion is that you order their famous fried pickles; they are amazing! This Disneyland staple is not very fancy, but the flavors of the food and the theming will make you want to return again!
Lillian: Lamplight Lounge at Pixar Pier
This is one of the only places I remember sitting down to eat when I first visited Disneyland, so that’s saying something! Lamplight Lounge is a wonderful experience, from the atmosphere, to the food, to the waterfront views. When you first walk in, you are immediately immersed in all things Pixar with concept art and homages to Luxo Jr. (the Pixar lamp) surrounding you. We were lucky enough to be seated outdoors with views right on the water, and we each started with a drink from their extensive and eclectic cocktail menu (I had the “Over Budget” and it was delicious). The cuisine is styled after a Californian gastropub, with a menu that features sharable bites, salads, burgers, and some main plates. Like I said, when thinking about my first trip to Disneyland, this spot stands out in my mind due to the amazing service, food, and theming.
Favorite DLR Quick Service Restaurant
Ryan: Cozy Cone Motel at Disney’s California Adventure
This was a toss up between this and the Jolly Holiday at Disneyland Park, but I ended up going with the Cozy Cone because of the immersive theming. The Cozy Cone Motel is a set of 5 different food stations, each offering something different like churros, beverages, ‘popcone’, or chili ‘cone’ queso! My favorite is, of course, the bacon mac and cheese cone! This is a must-get food item whenever I am at Disneyland. I’ll be honest, it’s mostly due to the novelty! Getting mac and cheese in a cone from a restaurant that is in the shape of a traffic cone in a land themed to Pixar’s Cars? Yes. I am going to get that every single time.
Lillian: Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe
Anyone who knows me knows that I adore Mary Poppins. I grew up watching the VHS at my grandma’s house, and Julie Andrews is basically my comfort person (seriously, any movie she’s in, I love). I knew I had to experience Jolly Holiday at least once while I was at Disneyland, and I was not disappointed. Every subtle touch in the decor that was a nod to Mary was so sweet, and the food itself was absolutely delicious (order the Raspberry Rose Mickey Macaron, trust me!). I loved being able to sit outside, and we were lucky enough that a marching band passed by while we were enjoying our lunch there!
Favorite DLR Snack
Ryan: The Disneyland Churro
When I think of an iconic Disneyland snack that every visitor has to try, it is a churro. I am not being overdramatic when I say that these churros are life changing. What do I love about them? Disney knows that they are the best snack on property, so they make seasonal flavors and have carts everywhere. I have gotten to try so many various types of churros, my favorite was the tiramisu churros that I tried in 2023, a churro rolled in vanilla and cocoa sugar with a drizzle of espresso cream. I am pretty sure I got one each day I was there. I also might make an entire post about the Disneyland Churro and why you need to have them on your radar for your next Disneyland trip.They are perfectly crispy, sweet, and very easy to eat while walking around the parks!
Lillian: Lime Chicken Bao at Tropical Hideaway
This is going to sound silly, but in prepping for my first time at Disneyland, I referenced this TikTok video that I had saved for literally two years in my bookmarked folder. The woman in the video asks Cast Members what their favorite Disneyland snacks are, and one of them tells the camera that he loves the Lime Chicken Baos at Tropical Hideaway. When she tried them in the video, her face lit up and she was smiling from ear to ear at how good they were. Ever since I saw that video, I knew I had to get my hands on one of those baos. I literally dragged Ryan and his brother there, insisting we needed to stop so I could have one. Let me tell you something: that Cast Member in that video did not lie! It was genuinely some of the best food I ate in Disneyland. The combination of chicken, butternut squash, and lemongrass was heavenly. I would gladly get one every time I go to Disneyland!
Favorite Disneyland Memory
Ryan
I think my favorite memory at Disneyland was during the last trip I was there with my brother and Lillian. We have this running joke that when the three of us get together and we get an alcoholic beverage, we have alter egos who are Gen X wine aunts who are obsessed with a good glass of chardonnay. Well, our first night we were at Disney’s California Adventure, we ended the day with a nightcap from Pym’s Tasting Lab. We had to get a silly photo with our drinks and from then on every time we are on vacation together, we have to take a selfie with our drinks as our alter egos. Now, we have so many photos of us being absolutely ridiculous! I just remember that night, joking about how strong the drink was (even though it wasn’t really that strong) and walking down the path into Cars Land. Once we arrived, we heard “Sh-Boom (Life Could Be A Dream)” start to play as the Cars Land light show happened. It was so serendipitous and a memory I will never forget with my best friends in the whole world.
Lillian
When I visited Disneyland in 2025, I got to experience World of Color, the nighttime water and light spectacular, for the first time. I didn’t know what to expect, and was absolutely blown away by it! I just remember getting incredibly emotional, because I’d had a hard start to my year, and I was just so grateful that I was alive to experience it. Ryan and I turned to each other at one point, and we were both basically crying, and started to laugh because we were both so emotional! I still feel so lucky that I got to have that Disneyland trip, and I am especially thankful that I got to experience it with my best friends. <3
I hope you all got to know us a little better by seeing our Disneyland Favorites! There is so much to do at all of the Disney Parks, and we understand that it can be stressful and overwhelming trying to plan a trip. Our goal with having a dedicated page to Disney travel is to ease some of your worries. We plan on providing helpful guides, handy tips and tricks, and definitive plans to help you get a better idea of what you need to accomplish on your next trip to Disneyland.
Happiest wishes,