How to plan the perfect Disneyland DATE NIGHT!
If you look for it, love is all around the Disneyland Resort. Famously coupled characters like Mickey and Minnie greet guests, sweethearts munch on tasty heart-shaped cookies, and the Lilly Belle train car, named after Walt’s beloved wife Lillian, transports visitors around the original magic kingdom. So whether you’re arranging a 10th-anniversary trip or a first date, Disneyland is a great place to show someone a good time. The beautiful scenery, thrilling adventures, and delicious food are sure to win anyone’s heart. Following these tips and tricks for a perfect date night at Disneyland might just land you your own “happily ever after.”
If “the way to someone’s heart is through their stomach,” there are plenty of ways to get to someone’s heart at Disneyland. Although, none is better than New Orleans Square’s Blue Bayou. This tranquil waterside eatery is a MUST for a Disneyland date night. While chowing down on authentic Louisiana jambalaya, enjoy the firefly-lit ambiance of a nighttime dinner on the river. Watch the Pirates of the Caribbean boats, along with all your worries, slowly pass you by to the tune of crickets and banjos. Then, wash down your southern-style feast with a refreshing mint julep. Blue Bayou is far and away the most memorable dining experience at Disneyland, and although it comes at a hefty price point, your date will agree it was well worth it. The one headache you’ll have to go through in this stress-free paradise is the process of getting in. Mark your calendar 60 days in advance and set the alarm for 3 am PST because these reservations are depleted immediately upon release. Although you can keep checking the Disneyland app to see if more reservations open up, don’t count on it. If you missed the reservation window, your best bet is to go to the hostess stand in New Orleans Square and ask if stand-by is available. With some luck and Disney magic, you may get a bayou-themed banquet.
Although food is a close second, nothing brings people closer like a dreadful fear of death. Scary theme park rides and romance have always gone together, and there are a few rides at Disneyland that will have you and your date latched onto each other in a state of horror-induced paralysis. The Haunted Mansion in Disneyland’s New Orleans Square is a “spooktacular” ghoul-filled experience that will have you wanting to never return to the unearthly manor… until your next visit. As you ride in an intimate dune buggy across the inner workings of the estate, you’ll find shaking doors, moving paintings, floating heads, and dancing ghosts. You’ll be stuck to your partner throughout the dimly lit journey, praying the undead don’t pry you out of your vehicle. Though, if you visit the parks from around Halloween to Christmas time, Disneyland transforms the ride into a more child-friendly “Haunted Mansion Holiday” with the theme of Nightmare Before Christmas taking over. In this case, I recommend riding Disney California Adventure’s Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT instead. This exhilarating escapade might not be as spine-chilling as Haunted Mansion, but your screams will be heard from miles away. As you assist the Guardians of the Galaxy on an operation to escape from an intergalactic fortress, you’ll find yourself reaching the top of the 183-foot tall building and catching a glimpse of a beautiful view of the parks. However, don’t blink because before you know it, you’ll feel your stomach rise and your body drop. All the way down, over and over again, you freefall as your mission becomes compromised. Screaming at the top of your lungs and fearing for your life is the perfect trauma for you and your date to bond over.
Although you won’t forget the calming atmosphere of Blue Bayou or the stunning view at the top of Mission Breakout anytime soon, there’s nothing better to jog up your memory and remind you of your perfect night than something you can see, feel, or even wear daily. There are many romantic souvenirs available at Disneyland that will show someone how much you care about them. A charming and sometimes inexpensive gift perfect for a date night is jewelry. There are a plethora of jewelry options at Disneyland, from necklaces to bracelets to earrings, all with varying styles and themes. Picking the perfect jewelry piece for your date can be romantic and serve as a tangible memory of your special time together at the most magical place on Earth. Once you land yourself a second date using these tips, be sure to snag an accompanying jewelry box (pictured) sold at Cristal d’Orleans.
With limitless options of rides, restaurants, and entertainment to choose from, planning a Disneyland date night can seem more menacing than the Haunted Mansion’s permanent residents. But, with these tried and true strategies for a fun and memorable Disneyland date, Minnie Mouse won’t be the only one giving you a kiss goodnight.
Leave the Kids Behind and Try These Delicious Adult Disneyland Drinks
Children aren’t the only ones to enjoy the magic of the Disneyland Resort. Adults have been flocking to the “world of yesterday, tomorrow, and fantasy” to rekindle their childhood spirits, and Disney knows it. In 2019, Disneyland finally caved after 64 years and began selling alcohol to regular patrons of the park. Although its neighbor, Disney’s California Adventure (DCA,) has been serving alcohol since its opening in 2001, Disneyland’s recent rule change signifies a larger shift at the parks. The Happiest Place on Earth has been catering more to its adult audience, and I for one, am here for it. Today, I’m breaking down the top Disneyland Resort drinking destinations.
Star Wars fans have had a lot to celebrate recently. In addition to being able to pilot the Millennium Falcon, you can also now grab a drink from an intergalactic saloon near you. Oga’s Cantina is an elusive hideout for the galaxy’s most hardened criminals, and just so happens to be located on the planet of Batuu (Disneyland’s Galaxy’s Edge.) Although Oga’s unique concoctions are more style than substance, the atmosphere of her intergalactic tavern is not to be missed. Dance to otherworldly rhythms as the robot DJ, Rex, spins up stellar tunes from a Galaxy far, far away. Enjoy your drinks and unearthly appetizers from the comfort of your booth that looks strikingly similar to the one Han may or may not have shot Greedo first from. Among Oga’s alcoholic selections is the Fuzzy Tauntaun, which you must try at least once. On top of the Cîroc Peach Vodka, Bols Peach Schnapps, and orange juice, you’ll find “Buzz Button Tingling” Foam. After just a single sip, you’ll begin to feel a supernatural sensation on your lips. While the cantina’s drinks seem to be more for your Instagram feed than your taste buds, the immersive atmosphere makes this place a MUST-DO for any “Disney Adult” looking for a fun time.
The next Disneyland drinking destination is a little more exclusive. Open only to Disneyland’s annual passholders, DCA’s Magic Key Terrace is a Disney Adult’s dream. Located above the criminally underrated Wine Country Trattoria, Magic Key Terrace is Disney’s answer to passholders’ requests for more perks and exclusive experiences in the parks. Having recently undergone an expansion and design upgrade, the atmosphere of the private pub is chic and comfortable. In addition to being a nice getaway from the hustle and bustle of other eateries, Magic Key Terrace’s delectable appetizers and tasty cocktails make this establishment a great option for an adult-only Disney day. I recommend winding down with a pairing of their moderately sized charcuterie board and one of their Sunshine Plaza Signature Cocktails. The “5… 4… 3… 2… 1” blending Captain Morgan Spiced Rum, Bols Blue Curaçao, coconut-pineapple cream, and fresh lime juice is my go-to drink of delight.
While the last two establishments require intricate planning to get reservations, the final drinking destination on this list is accessible to anyone and everyone. Located at the Disneyland Hotel, Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar does not require a park ticket to enter. Inspired by Disneyland’s Jungle Cruise ride, this tropical tiki bar serves palatable Polynesian grub, like teriyaki chicken and pupu platter. Wash down these tasty bites with one of its specialty cocktails like the Krakatoa Punch or Hala Kahiki, featuring pineapple rum, lemon juice, honey syrup, falernum, and Peychaud’s Bitters. There must be irony in the fact that Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar, which many frequent parkgoers consider their favorite bar, costs $0 for admission. Apparently, a bar’s exclusivity does not always mean quality.
Would Walt Disney be ashamed of how many delectable drink options there are at his parks today? Perhaps, but after seeing how much adults spend at these fine destinations, Disney shareholders are just the opposite. Disneyland’s recent catering to its adult audience has done wonders for the parks and helped change its reputation from a kiddie park to a place of legitimate adult fun. With these three bistro options at your disposal, you’re sure to have a fun, drink-filled day at the Disneyland Resort!
Three Moments Disneyland Wishes You’d Forget
The memories you make at the Disneyland Resort are meant to last a lifetime… or are they? Through the years, there have been several unsavory circumstances in the park that Disney would deem far from magical. Although Disney loves to boast about its park’s long history of entertaining millions of guests, some moments in Disney’s history have been purposefully hidden from the public. Today, I’m unearthing the strangest moments at the Disneyland resort that they’d wish you’d forget.
The opening day of Disneyland in Anaheim, California was a day of celebration and chaos. Infamously remembered as “Black Sunday,” the July 17, 1955, opening was riddled with issues resulting from Walt’s rushed construction plans. On the 110-degree summer day, water fountains were inoperative, women’s heels were getting stuck in the melting pavement, restaurants ran out of food, and rides broke down. Of the 5,000 guests invited to attend the grand opening, a baffling 28,000 showed up. Outside the magical gates, swindlers were selling counterfeit tickets which the freshly hired ticket booth operators happily accepted. Weighed down by the influx of people, the Mark Twain Riverboat even began to sink. To add insult to injury, the entire thing was nationally televised. Ninety million people (one in two Americans) tuned in to the then-highest-viewed broadcast in television history. Despite the pandemonium, including Walt accidentally locking himself inside his Main Street apartment, the park was an instant hit. By Fall, Disneyland reached its one-millionth guest and the rest is history.
The country was experiencing a difficult time in the summer of 1970 as over 300,000 American troops were aiding the war efforts in Vietnam. With this massive effort, came massive protest. A movement of “yippies,” or politically active youth, swept the nation. Anti-war signs could be read, and chants could be heard on practically every street in America. Main Street was no exception. When Disneyland got word of a planned protest at the Happiest Place on Earth, they went all out to protect the place Mickey Mouse calls home. On August 6, 1970, over 300 “yippies” made their way into the park, ready to cause trouble. Unbeknownst to them, over 150 officers in riot gear were prepared for anything as they waited secretly behind the historic shops and restaurants on Main Street. Covert security forces were also placed strategically throughout the park. The protestors’ first course of action was something the pirates of the Caribbean would be proud of. The group climbed aboard the now-defunct Chicken of the Sea restaurant’s pirate ship, smoked marijuana, and began chanting “Ho-ho Ho Chi Minh, Ho Chi Minh is gonna win!” In their pot-infused wisdom, they decided upon a new target: Tom Sawyer Island. They climbed down from the pirate ship’s sails and aboard rafts headed to the isolated hideaway. Upon arrival, they claimed the island as their own and raised the Viet Cong flag. Once tired of their newfound nation, they made their way back to Main Street where brawls began to break out between protestors and guests. In total, 23 people were arrested and the entire park, harboring 30,000 visitors, was evacuated. The park was shut down five hours early, which puts the day in rare company. Other unexpected closures include the day following John F. Kennedy’s assassination and September 11th, 2001.
The final chapter of this abnormal anthology includes another, less righteous, political protest. In February 2019, the upcoming election was weighing heavy on people’s minds. Would America right the ship, or would it fall victim to another four years of our first orange president? Two men visiting Disneyland on February 13, 2019, were rooting for the latter. Upon boarding the Mark Twain Riverboat, these two scoundrels made their way to the boat’s second-floor viewing area while carrying a suspiciously large piece of red, white, and blue fabric. As the boat took off from its port and slowly sailed past New Orleans Square, the men suddenly draped the fabric over the ship’s side for all to see. Parkgoers were shocked to find a giant flag with the words: “Re-elect Donald J. Trump. Keep America Great! 2020” mutilating the side of the beloved Disneyland boat. As the men and onlooking parkgoers exchanged insults, security quickly shut down their political charade. The two men were apprehended, escorted out, and issued a formal trespassing warning. Notably, they were not permanently banned from the park, probably to avoid a politically infused PR scandal. Turns out, one of the men pulled a similar stunt at Walt Disney World’s Splash Mountain by holding up a “Trump 2020” banner and was promptly ejected. Take a hint mister!
In a land full of memories, these Disneyland moments have been all but forgotten. If you’ve never heard of any of these events before, Disneyland’s PR team deserves a raise. And, if you’re visiting the resort any time soon, let’s hope you encounter Mickey Mouse and his friends and not a “yippie” protester or flag-bearing Trump supporter. Also, bring your own water as even if the fountains are working, trust me, you do not want to drink the abhorrent Anaheim water.