Springtime at Disneyland is full of magic and one of my favorite times to visit; the weather is fantastic and the trees are beautifully blooming. As Annual Passholders we try to make a trip down from Northern California each season. We were invited and hosted by Disney on this trip to check out all of the new attractions being rolled out this season, all opinions expressed are my own.
What to See at Disneyland
This spring there are even more magical happenings at Disneyland that you don’t want to miss! Here are our top three favorite things to catch on your Disney trip:
The Magic Happens Parade
Who doesn’t love a Disney parade? You can find me humming the parade tunes long after we have returned home from our trip. The Magic Happens parade is a brand new parade that we saw when it premiered earlier this month. You can catch the parade twice daily (once at 3:30pm and again at 6pm). People were lining up early, so grab your popcorn and find a great viewing spot. We watched the parade by It’s a Small World. The floats and costumes in this parade are so colorful; we were “oohing” and “ahhing” over each one.
Disney parades always feel so immersive, this parade was even more magical as I noticed lots of interaction between the cast members and the crowd. We all had different favorite floats; Frozen was my daughter’s fave, my son loved the Moana float and characters and my jaw was practically on the floor when I saw the Coco float. All so stunning!
Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
The Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance ride opened mid-January in Galaxy’s Edge. After we went on this ride I thought to myself, how can I convey what we just experienced in writing? The Disney Imagineers have outdone themselves on this ride as there is really no way I can do it justice with words; you must experience it to believe it!
The ride does have a height requirement of 40 inches; luckily my young padawan and little rebel spy made the cut! Rise of the Resistance does currently operate via virtual queue; meaning you need to download the Disney app and get a boarding pass (you need to do this right when the park opens for your best chance). While this is the case now, the boarding process may change as the weeks go by. Check out the Disneyland site for the most updated information for your trip.
Mickey’s Mix Magic
While, Mickey’s Mix Magic isn’t ‘new’ (it was originally here for the celebration of Mickey and Minnie during their 90th birthday) it is back and a must-see! The kids loved the lights, projections and sounds of this magical display. We watched the projections and danced to the tunes next to It’s a Small World (much less congested than by Sleeping Beauty’s Castle or Main Street USA). Have your cameras ready for a fun surprise during “Let it Go”; you don’t want to miss the look on the kids’ faces! On certain nights, Mickey’s Mix Magic coincides with fireworks, making it even more spectacular! Check the showtimes here.
What to Do
Character Breakfasts
We have experienced almost all of the Disneyland character breakfasts (the only one we have yet to try is Goofy’s Kitchen). They are all so different and fun, it is really hard to choose a favorite. Our kids love interacting with the characters and have been bringing an instant camera and autograph book with themselves for years! I love watching them create and preserve these memories. Here are our two favorite breakfasts we have experienced:
- Storyteller Cafe
- Located at the Grand Californian has an adorable adventure march led by Mickey, Minnie and friends. Kids are welcome to join in, shaking maracas and marching around the restaurant for this adorable breakfast break.
- Buffet breakfast foods and a made-to-order omelette station. Don’t miss the kids’-favorite: cereal milk!
- Pricing is $35-$59.99 per person.
- Napa Rose: Disney Princess Breakfast Adventures
- Located at the Grand Californian Hotel. The Disney Princess Breakfast Adventures treats its guests like royalty! This is a splurge-worthy experience perfect for a special occasion. Adults are offered sparkling wine upon entrance and children get to choose an autograph book and pen. Then you are taken to a lounge where you can play tic-tac-toe while listening to live music.
- The princesses all make their rounds during the three-course meal event. The first course is an appetizer tier (the servers are all so gracious and happy to bring seconds of any delicious treats you loved). The second course is a buffet with many options (the short ribs were our fave!). The third course is a dessert course garnished with pixie dust (edible glitter).
- The adventure is wrapped up with gifts (choice of a princess crown necklace with Swarovski crystals or a shield and sword), story time with Belle and a special princess meet-and-greet and photo opportunity.
- The pricing is $125 per person.
California Food and Wine Festival
The California Food and Wine Festival is back at Disney California Adventure! My favorite way to experience this festival is with the Sip and Savor Pass Each which includes 8 coupons redeemable for select food and beverage offerings (excludes alcohol) at participating locations during the Festival. The pass is $56 and Annual Passholders do receive a discount. Our favorite tastings were:
- Brunch Fried Chicken & Waffle Sandwich with Mimosa-inspired Slaw and OJ Bubbles
- Seared Verlasso® Salmon with Lemon Pea Purée, Black Rice and Meyer Lemon Relish (Gluten-Friendly)
- Grilled Shrimp Tacos on Jicama Tortillas (Gluten-Friendly)
- Impossible™ Meatball Submarine (Plant-Based)
- Beer-battered Fish Tacos, with Karl Strauss® Follow the Sun Pilsner-infused Batter
Quick tip: Choose the shortest line and place your order for any kiosk! You then can take your receipt for pick up. This saves so much time and not everyone knows about it!
How to Make the Most of Your Disney Trip
Max Pass
The Max Pass is a must-have for your trip to Disneyland. It saves time, allowing you to secure return times on the Disneyland App without having to physically walk to that ride to access the Fast Pass kiosk. Also included are all of your downloadable images from the Disney PhotoPass photographers and attractions like Radiator Springs, Splash Mountain and more. Take a picture of the code on your image from the attraction and enter it into the Disney App, your image will appear shortly.
Baby Care Centers
There is a Baby Care located in each park and it was where we would go when I needed to change my kids when they were younger. It was also where I would go to nurse or pump privately.
They also have high chairs, microwaves and bottle warmers that are available for use. I remember how worried I was about losing a bottle/running out of wipes when my kids were babies. Good news– If you lose a bottle/pacifier, need more wipes or diapers…the Baby Center has you covered and you can purchase those items here! Their vending machine offers:
- formula
- baby food
- juice
- diapers
- wipes
- sunscreen
- pacifiers
- bottles
- bandages
- over-the-counter medication
The family restroom located in the Baby Center in the Disney California Adventure park has the only non-self-flushing toilet in the park (this was a big deal for my daughter when she was younger!).
Quick tip: This is where lost children are taken to be reunited with their families. While this is scary to discuss, it gives me piece of mind to know the protocol in such an event.
Here are some more of our favorite shots of our trip:
What is your favorite season at Disneyland? Do you have plans to visit soon?
With love,
Shahla
Leave a Reply