'I just did Disneyland Resort in California with my two kids, and I've got thoughts.'

Thanks to our brand partner, Disneyland Resort

We all have childhood dreams that sneak their way onto our adult bucketlists — and for my husband and I, a family trip to Disneyland Resort in California was right at the top.

When our daughters turned five and nine, we decided they were the perfect age: Old enough to remember the trip, but still young enough to completely soak up all the magic.

We started planning — and it quickly became clear this trip was going to be a big one. Between picking rides, coordinating outfits for each day and falling deep into TikTok and YouTube review rabbit holes, the excitement in our house took on a life of its own.

So of course, I had to share how it really went — plus a few things you'll wish someone had told you beforehand.

Pack the essentials.

I figured we'd spot a few characters here and there — but I seriously underestimated just how many we'd meet, and how magical those little moments would be. In just three days, we crossed paths with 14 characters! Meeting Winnie the Pooh and The Evil Queen were definite highlights.

Make sure you grab an autograph book in advance. It makes every character meet-and-greet feel extra special and becomes a cherished memory book. Also, watching Pooh bear sign our autograph book was a moment I didn't know I needed — turns out, those big paws are very capable.

We also loved the daily parade down Main Street, U.S.A Area — a full-blown spectacle of colour, music, floats and all the crowd favourites like Moana, Elsa, Anna, Cinderella and of course, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse. Some characters even interacted with the crowd, which sent the kids into an actual squealing frenzy.

Pro tip: Arrive about 45 minutes before the parade and bring a towel or blanket to sit on, the footpath gets hot under that Californian sun.

And if your child is sensitive to sound, noise-cancelling headphones can make all the difference. My youngest is neurodivergent, and wearing them allowed her to fully enjoy the experience.

Image: Supplied.

Give yourself time to actually enjoy it.

There are a few ticket options, but we went with the three-day Park Hopper Ticket, which gave us access to both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park.

It was the perfect amount of time to explore everything we wanted to without feeling rushed or overwhelmed. It also ended up being incredible value for what we packed in, we never felt like we were missing out or running around in a panic.

And if you're planning a trip soon, now's a pretty special time to go — it's Disneyland Resort's 70th celebration with new entertainment, character moments, food, merch and magical surprises across both parks. Perfect for little kids and lifelong fans alike!

If you're travelling to Disneyland Resort from Australia or New Zealand, there's even more reason to book right now. For their 70th celebration, there's a resident ticket offer currently available on three and four-day tickets through your preferred travel partner.

Image: Supplied.

Plan your day ahead of time.

One of the smartest moves we made? Getting the Lightning Lane Multi Pass. It meant we could book ahead for rides through the Disney app, which kept us on track and helped us avoid those classic family meltdowns caused by indecision.

The best part was that the pass included professional photo ops, so we could put our phones away and actually be in the moment.

There's truly something for everyone, from the nostalgic rides in Fantasyland to the epic thrills of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge.

Each of my family member's favourites included:

• My nine-year-old daughter: The Incredicoaster — a fast, adrenaline-pumping rollercoaster in Disney California Adventure Park.

• My five-year-old daughter: Soarin' Around the World — a surprisingly immersive "hang gliding" experience complete with wind, scent and stunning global visuals. She especially loved the smell of dirt during the elephant stampede.

• My husband: Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance — like stepping into a Star Wars movie. A family-wide favourite.

• Me: Indiana Jones Adventure — fast, bumpy and a total blast.

Other favourites at Disneyland Park included Peter Pan's Flight, Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters inspired by Disney and Pixar's Toy Story 2 and The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh.

Over in Disney California Adventure Park, we loved The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel's Undersea Adventure and Monsters, Inc. Mike and Sulley to the Rescue! Inspired by the Disney and Pixar Monsters, Inc. films.

Image: Supplied.

Be prepared for the foodie moments.

As someone who's seen way too many Disneyland food reviews online, I was ready.

We ate everything from burgers at Galactic Grill in Tomorrowland to sitting down for a cool, air-conditioned break at Carnation Café on Main Street, U.S.A. And yes — the snacks lived up to the hype: churros, Mickey Mouse-shaped cookies, Dole Whip and the iconic Mickey Mouse waffles.

There were so many fun foodie moments, and it genuinely added to the joy of each day.

Image: Supplied.

The final verdict.

For us, this trip wasn't just about ticking something off a bucketlist, it was about pressing pause on everyday life and stepping into a world where joy, imagination and fun are front and centre.

Watching my daughters light up at every parade, squeal on every ride and hug characters they've adored for years… it was honestly everything I'd hoped it would be. It was pure magic — the kind you wish you could bottle up and keep forever.

If you've been thinking about going, this is your sign to book the trip.

Ready for your own Disneyland Resort adventure? Head to their website to start planning and visit your preferred travel partner to book your trip.

Feature Image: Supplied.

Both a theme park reservation and valid ticket for the same park on the same date are required for park entry. Entertainment and offerings are subject to availability, restrictions, and change or cancellation without notice. Park admission and offerings are not guaranteed. Visit Disneyland.com.au for important information before visiting Disneyland Resort in California. ©2025 Disney ©2025 MARVEL ©2025 Disney/Pixar ©2025 & TM Lucasfilm. Ltd.