Article by Gabriela Medina
One of the many great things about Disney is that it is a magical experience for EVERYONE! Those who say that Disney is just for kids are totally wrong and that truly is because of the inclusivity that Disney has to offer. It is designed to be a memorable time for all. From the youngest of explorers in diapers to the oldest space rangers in another galaxy, there is enough Disney magic to be spread for all ages. It’s called “The Happiest Place on Earth” for a reason and to my understanding, the age limit does not exist.
Although we love the little ones in our lives and traveling to the parks with them is guaranteed a fun time, it is okay to ditch the kids (on a school day of course) and still have an exciting time at Disneyland. All you need to do to prepare for a wacky or mellow time at Disney is grab a few friends and make your way to this magical place.
For the most part, most Disney adults have grown up watching all of the classics and have grown fond of the movies we know and love today. That must be why Disney adults are actually so involved in the theme parks.
As a millennial myself, Disney was a huge part of my life and the older I got, I realized that it was its own movie genre that I knew was never going to fade from my past. It’s exciting to see how younger generations are able to grow up with the same films and characters we loved watching as kids. Maybe it was being able to escape into a world of fantasy for a bit, or being able to resonate with some of the characters we saw, that made us feel happy and safe.
You can expect to see some of your favorite characters walking around the parks, and seeing them live and in person can definitely bring butterflies to your stomach. Like any Disney trip, you might want to plan accordingly, especially since you get to do all of the things your kids wouldn’t want to do.
Starting with your Disney ootd (outfit of the day) of course! There are so many great photo opportunities, and you’ll look back at these pictures for the rest of your life, so why not have an iconic outfit to go with that memory. Besides, you’re guaranteed to receive compliments from other guests, Cast Members, and even some of the characters!
It’s fun to be festive, and if you can get a group of friends to dress up with you, you’ll already be off to a good start. Usually, a character t-shirt and fun accessories like ears and/or a hat are a go-to, but lately “Disneybounds” have been becoming more popular. A Disneybound is when you dress up as one of your favorite characters from head to toe. Since adults are not usually allowed to dress up in costumes at the parks, they take on a more creative approach when it comes to their wardrobes. After all, Disney is a staged production, and the show must go on!
Once you and your friends have arrived in your stylish attire, there’s no doubt that one or more members of your party need coffee to get the day started. Luckily, there are a couple of Starbucks located in the Downtown Disney District, one on Mainstreet U.S.A, and one on Buena Vista Street, all within the Disneyland Resort in California.
Being in the park has such a heartwarming feeling, and when you’re an adult, you too will feel like a kid on the playground. Especially when you get to go on the bigger rides like one of my personal favorites, Big Thunder Mountain. Here are two tips that I highly recommend when being on “one of the wildest rides in the wilderness.” Tip one: the moment you see the goat, don’t take your eyes off of it until you can’t see it anymore. Why? I’m not entirely sure, but for some reason, you’ll get a boost of adrenaline the second it disappears from your sight and it always works. Tip two: scream at the top of your lungs on the entire ride even when nothing big is happening; it just makes it that much more fun, and it can be pretty funny. By the end of the ride, your throat will definitely burn but it wouldn’t feel right any other way since the adrenaline will still be rushing through your body. I actually recently told my friend this before his trip to Disney and he can confirm it was a very different experience! He said it just became one of his favorite rides and he’s going to make sure he does that every time he goes on it now.
There’s no doubt that with all that walking, especially during a hot summer day, you’ll want to skip out on a drink (an alcoholic drink). Although alcohol is not allowed past the entrance at Disneyland Park, there are three locations (two without a membership) where boozy beverages can be purchased: Blue Bayou Restaurant, Oga's Cantina, and, of course, Club 33. However, even though alcohol can be purchased at these locations, you will not be able to walk around with the beverages, unlike in Disney’s California Adventure (DCA).
DCA is more adult-friendly, whereas Disneyland is more family-friendly. With that being said, DCA has a wider selection of alcohol locations, including bars like the one at the PYM Kitchen in the newest Avengers Campus. Maybe keep cool at the Adorable Snowman Frosted Treats stand where you can get an alcoholic or non-alcoholic frozen treat. I was a fan of the non-alcoholic options before they were added to the menu, but now I enjoy the “It’s Chile-Lime Mango Margarita!”
Disney days are always fun days, but really, the day is what you make of it! Whether that’s a day at the parks with the whole family or with some of your favorite pals, the goal is to create happiness and make it a memorable one. Embracing your inner child is not a bad thing. There is a time and a place to feel like a kid, and the magic of Disney will always allow it. After all, Peter Pan told Wendy, “Don’t grow up! It’s a trap!”
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