When Can I Disney Again?
80: With ticket prices going up and my moneys ever-dwindling, all I can do is sit in all this love I have for all things Disney.
“There’s something in the air you can’t deny…”
Certified Disney Adults
Unfortunately, the job market ain’t what it should be. And our savings look a bit like one of those spiderwebbed, empty vaults in cartoons. So, we are getting by with the gifts and loans from those closest to us. An abundance of thanks to those special people. ❤️
So, it comes as no surprise that we have no Disney trip on the books.
Zach and I are definitely Disney adults, in the chillest, coolest way. Disney movies have been a huge part of both our childhoods, so going to Disneyland helps us return to each other and to our inner children. We are not planning any other getaways at the moment because our goal is to go to Disney as soon as possible.
Our honeymoon was a Disney Cruise and our first anniversary was a trip to Disney World in Florida. Since then, we’ve had at least one Disney trip a year and we definitely intended to keep it that way. Ya know, until our lives changed directions as fast as the Polar Express in that crazy cracking ice scene. (“RIGHT! LEFT!”)
Even though our last trip to Disneyland was a fantastic one, there was an air of stress and the fear of the unknown once we returned that put a dark cloud over what would usually be our paradise. To say we went hard would be an understatement. I’m sure I quoted the Disney king and queen themselves multiple times around the parks as I declared, “nothing can stop us now!”
The Worst Things About Disneyland
To prove I am not entirely biased in my opinions, here’s a totally real list of the worst things about Disneyland:
If you’re there in June, you have to be hot and sweat in your cute outfits! (But the AC in buildings is heavenly)
You need to make sure you fully break-in your shoes, but even then, blisters are almost unavoidable to me now. There’s just too many cool things you need to walk/speed-walk to.
There are some pretty long lines you have to wait in, but many of the rides are worth it and playing games and talking to the people you’re with (who you hopefully love with your whole heart) help the time pass real fast.
It’s impossible to experience all the magic Disney has to offer in one trip. You can likely hit all the rides at least 1-2 times with a 3-day park-hopper, but there is sooooo much good food. Sadly, you’ll need to choose.
It’s difficult to go to Disney on a budget. With rising prices after Covid and just too many amazing foods I want to eat and colorful merch calling my name… Choose your splurge!
Breakfast basically ends at 10am at Disney. This is difficult if you are not a morning person (as you are not awake yet), but also difficult if you’re a rope-dropper (and wake up early to get to the park to get in lines first). You must get to the park early if you want breakfast.
Okay— random take— but the toilet paper quality at Disney is not it.
There are so many experiences to choose from, it can leave you feeling overwhelmed while planning.
Magic Keys are soooooo expensive. I would definitely get one if I had a sure place to stay in Anaheim. But the price… how??
I am not allowed to reside on Main Street USA forevermore.
“Dreams of make-believe,
but will they all come true?”
Disney Vacations > All Other Vacations
Yeah, I’ll say it. The safety and all-inclusive nature of Disney parks and cruises are my favorite ways to get away. Cruises are definitely a more relaxing speed with pools, activities, and character meets, but rollercoasters, parades, and a sense of adventure in the parks is not to be dismissed. And FOOD? Don’t even get me started, my goodness…
My Favorite Disney Food
This was a tough list to figure out, but I have been dying to share my favorites. I will be adding more if I remember them. I put foods from Disneyland, Disney World, and a Disney Cruise (Boat: Disney Magic) that I would not miss when returning. And I would recommend you try these if you haven’t already!
Berry Dole Whip
Every Disney Adult loses their shit over dole whip and it’s understandable. It’s frikkin’ yummy. But, in my opinion, the other flavors are where it’s at. There are 2 places in Disneyland and one in Disney World where you can get dole whip and they will have different flavors depending on the season. But my FAVE is the raspberry or strawberry dole whip that you can find at the sit-down eatery in Adventureland in Disneyland, Tropical Hideaway. You can also grab bao buns and potstickers here!
The Ronto Wrap (Star Wars Food in general)
DO NOT SLEEP ON THE STAR WARS FOOD. It has rung true that the newer that part of the park, the better the food. And damn, is it true in Battu (both Disneyland and WDW have Star Wars). Try the blue milk (dairy-free!) at the Milk Stand, the Fried Chicken Tip-Yip with mac and cheese at Docking Bay 7, and the breakfast or (better yet: AND) the lunch ronto wrap options at Ronto Roasters. If this picture is confusing, this wrap is roasted pork, grilled pork sausage, peppercorn sauce, and tangy slaw wrapped in a pita. An awesome and filling lunch before perusing Black Spire Outfitters.
The Pizza Flop-Over
Thanks to WDW News Today, I have this yummy photo above. Zach and I chowed ours down when we got them in Toontown at Daisy’s Cafe on our last trip to Disneyland. This lunch item is packed with mozzarella, provolone, and tomato sauce with an option of adding pepperoni. Either or, it is NOT to be missed.
Calculated Breakfast = E x 2 +(B+P)/T
PYM’S TEST KITCHEN IS THE BEST. Seriously, it has so many options and the seating has lots of great views of many daytime shows. Avenger’s Campus is overall just a very well-thought out area with lots to do and easy navigation. The theming is also way too fun to pass up. Come here with your whole family and get a mega pretzel, a not-so-little chicken sandwich, or literally anything and it’ll be great. But my favorite is this awesome breakfast platter featuring 2 types of eggs, bacon, tater tots, and focaccia toast. Just eat this AFTER your Guardians Tower trip (or during your party’s trip, if you’re pregnant and sick).
Also, there was a pizza we got here during Oogie Boogie that we will never forget. PYM FAN 4 LYFE.
Schwarma
Thank you Comic book.com for this fun photo! Go to one of the two stands in Avenger’s Campus (only at Disneyland!) to find one of these yummy wraps. A great hand-held lunchy item you can scarf down as you find your next line or one you can sit on a stoop and watch the Wakanda Warriors give hope to little girls as you dip your wrap in coconut-yogurt tahini sauce.
Cozy Cone 3 Mac ‘n’ Cheese Cone
WDW News Today and many other places can get you a great photo of these pretzel cones filled with many items based on the time of year or event. I have had rad tortellini, chili CONE queso, and the bacon Mac n Cheese. All are wonderful handheld treats! And while you’re over at the Cones in Cars Land (Disneyland only!), you can grab churros, soft-serve, slushies, or popcorn. Flo’s restaurant also has a lot of options. Honestly, if you ask me, Cars Land was a mega-awesome update to the park and all the rest have been continuous winners.
The Sweet & Savory Waffle Options
If you’re wondering where to get even better info on Disney food than you’re getting from me, go to Disney Food Blog. They have people in the parks nonstop, looking for the newest flavors and rating the newest additions. But one of my favorites that you can only get in Disney World’s Magic Kingdom is Mickey Waffle with Chocolate Hazelnut Spread, Bananas, Berries, and Whipped Cream and the Mickey Waffle with Sweet-and-Spicy Maple Chicken (with a Maple-Siracha Blaze and Parsley flakes). Both of these options and the funnel cake make Sleepy Hollow a solid option for breakfast, lunch, or dessert!
Churros… Duh
You may be living under a rock if you haven’t heard the hype about Disney’s churros. They bling them out all the time, giving them flavors or special dips, but all of that is unnecessary. I get my $6 churros at least once a day at Disney. The carts are scattered around both parks, but there are easier places to find in Disneyland, that’s for sure. Always warm. Always good. Better than any other churro anywhere else. You heard me.
(Photo from Pinterest)
San Fransokyo Square
This entire area used to be an extremely MID food court and now it’s a wonderfully themed, delicious food court! Yes, the bakery with the bread bowls and free sourdough samples is still there. And the Ghirardelli’s Ice Cream is a staple, no worrries! But now, the square is beautifully themed for Big Hero 6 and even features meet-&-greets with Baymax and live music depending on when you’re there. Click here for a full download on this still-fairly-new food upgrade. They got Mexican, American, and Asian, but my favorite is probably either the spicy ramen, the spicy chicken sandwich, or the frozen margaritas! Only in Disneyland!
Rapunzel’s Fry Pan Sweet Bread
How absolutely wonderful is this display? That’s the kind of mega-themed bougie shit you get on a Disney Cruise EVERY NIGHT. And because it’s a cruise, food is included, so our table of 6 left Rapunzel’s Royal Table that night with 18 empty fry pans because WHY NOT. This mouthwatering fry bread dessert served in Punzie’s frying pan has Nutella and powdered sugar. And if that wasn’t magical enough, you get to eat it while enjoying live musical and comedy entertainment from the princess herself and the Snuggly Duckling crew, followed by lots of fun exchanges as they walk table-to-table to take photos and make jokes.
The Amaretto Soufflé
The Disney Cruise Line Blog got this great photo that we could not get as Zach was in literal heaven when they brought this over. For our last night on the cruise, we splurged and paid $30 each for the fancy experience of eating at PALO. With that $30 each, we were still able to get as many entrees and desserts as we wanted, so we felt it was well-worth the price. I remember the gnocchi I savored fondly, but Zach still talks about the dessert that took first place in his heart. This dessert combined the soufflé with an espresso gelato and a vanilla sauce in a way that made me say that Zach and the soufflé needed to get a room.
A Note About Disney Cruise Food
It’s simply the best cruise I have ever had. Disney knows its audience is not growing out of loving Disney but growing into it. There are plenty of adults out there who are more than happy spending their vacations on a Disney cruise. And for this, both the parks and cruises have upped their food game since I was younger. If it’s been 15 years since you’ve been to a Disney park or on a Disney cruise, it’s different than it was before.
And the cruises don’t have rides to keep your attention, so they have even MORE. More food. More characters. More theming. More shows. And then more food on top of that. And it’s all so GOOD! I cannot stress it enough. And for those who wish to never see children on a cruise (lol), there are so many adults-only parts of the ship where you can not only hang out with the cast members off-duty, but also dance in an adults-only club (with much alcohol) with Groot, Star-Lord, and Gamora.
I gotta admit, however, that I am a Disneyland gal through and through. Nothing beats running into Mulan as you walk into Disneyland and Mary Poppins as you hit Main Street. I know my way around Disneyland and California Adventure better than anywhere else. (Directionally challenged!) I cry at the parades and nighttime shows because my joy is so big it bursts out of my eyeballs. I run to take a photo of the animation class schedule so I can try to make it to at least 1-5 drawing classes during a trip. When I was really sick during my pregnancy with Oak, I was in Disney for a bachelorette party and I knew I could find sanctuary in the Animation Academy, where I laid on the couches and watched the huge screens and projections in the lobby.
I love the Incredi-coaster and Disneyland’s version of Pirates of the Caribbean. I love waiting in lines and being silly with friends and planning where we’re going next. I love the thrill of seeing a low wait time and speed-walking to get in line. I love getting hit with some random magic and getting a fastpass (I still love that name more) for any ride in the park. I love the music, the smells, and the safe, inclusive feeling you get being in a Disney park. Just walking down Main Street USA is enough to make a Gabby cry and dance around with glee.
“Have you ever seen
the grass so green?
Or a bluer sky?”
Oakley Needs Disney!
I’m dying to take Oakley back to Disneyland because he went when he was 1. He was not able to grasp the idea that Lightning McQueen was beside him or that a parade was happening. But now?? He would LOVE it! And it just so happens that Toontown was recently refurbished for younger kids to enjoy AND the Paint the Night parade is returning!! This parade has one of his favorite Disney characters in it: Mack from Cars! It kills me that we may not be able to bring him to Disneyland while he’s still free to tag-along, but I am trying to keep a positive outlook and stay optimistic in this time of a lot of uncertainty and dread.
In the meantime, I’ll imagine the next time we get to go to the happiest place on earth. Zach and I, hand-in-hand, happily experiencing the magic of our childhood like it was new once again, especially with Oakley experiencing it for the first time. There’s a ride Zach and I always go on as our ceremonial last ride before the park closes. It always makes me cry but also makes me so thankful to have a partner who loves things as deeply as I do.
Even though 2024 was hell and a half, I was grounded in the comfort of my relationship. When the world continued to spin, we found ourselves holding each other closer and closer. Zach has loved me and stuck with me through so much. And I can’t wait to see him smiling again, hopefully in one of his Star Wars spirit jerseys with a green milk in one hand and my hand in the other (and our little Grogu running ahead of us hehe).
“There’s a wealth of happiness and romance all in the golden afternoon.”
Weekly Subscriptions & Cancellations💁🏽♀️
the ideas and soundtracks I want running in my head, or not.
🙋🏽♀️SUBSCRIBED to:
If I could possibly, I am subscribing HARDER to Chappell Roan, for slaying and for advocating for new, young artists like herself at the Grammy’s.
My totally real story of being done dirty by the church. It’s amazing to have a podcast like this one to help make me feel less insane. Cuz damn do I feel insane!
MINT. MY GOD IT IS SAVING MY PREGNANT ASS FROM THIS PESKY NAUSEA. (I feel so privileged to use the word pesky as that is definitely how it compares to last time, so i feel thankful there.)
Good, true friends 💟
🤦🏽♀️UNSUBSCRIBED from:
Over-Identifying with fictional characters. First off, it’s unhealthy for me. Second of all, Carrie Bradshaw is not someone to look up to or try to be. Perhaps the opposite, actually. (For reference, I am on my first watch of season 4 and she’s mad at Aiden for not trusting her after she cheated…I mean, warranted!)
Pretending.
My sensitive sniffer. I am SO not a fan of being sensitive to smell during pregnancy. Everything smells gross and I can’t escape it.
Being okay with people voting for Trump. But then again, when was I ever subscribed to that?
🌻ART SHOW & TELL🌻
Now that Instagram doesn’t limit the sizes I can use, I went big for January!
Time for some TLCCC💕
Treating myself to: singing a lot. It’s actually a really great place to put my emotions and it’s a good distraction from constant nausea. (I swear, I keep thinking I’m cured and then the next day, I’m down again. I feel physically exhausted all the time. Oak may be weaning off his 2 hour naps and I have started 3 hour naps!)
Listening to: my queen, Lady Gaga, and my midwest princess, Chappell Roan. Abracadabra has literally been in my head nonstop since I heard the song for the first time.
Crafting: I think I may just need to start selling earrings!! I made some clay ones for a crafty gals night and I honestly really like making them!
Craving: Not really anything, honestly. Potatoes are my safe food, as well as black olives. Lol
Caring SO much about: my sister graduating esthetician school soon— as in, get your appointments in with her before the 20th! Ask for Roni!
Content below this line is for close friends and paid subs. Thank you!