Sometimes a little spontaneity is just what you need… and that’s exactly how this Design Around the World- Disneyland trip happened! Josh and I booked a last-minute getaway to Disneyland in California—just the two of us—and it ended up being one of the BEST days ever!
We hit the parks running (literally!) and somehow managed to do 25 rides in one day, ate more Mickey-shaped snacks than I care to count, and stayed almost until closing at 11:15 pm.
Let’s just say—it was pure magic… and a little chaotic in the best way possible. Here’s the recap of that epic day:
Highlights + Hilarious Moments
Tiana’s Bayou Adventure (aka Splash Mountain 2.0)
We got soaked. Like, head-to-toe soaked. I was very offended by it. 😂 But also? TOTALLY worth it. It’s beautifully done and gave us one of the best laughs of the day.
Chewbacca Twin Moment
Josh is 6’6″… and apparently the exact same height as Chewbacca. Who knew? It made for a hilarious photo op and a few confused kids thinking he was Chewbacca.
R.I.P. Mickey Ears #1
My beloved Mickey ears flew off on Guardians of the Galaxy (aka Tower of Terror). Don’t worry, I grabbed a new pair immediately. Josh even wore Mickey ears for the day too.
Snacks, Snacks, Snacks
From Mickey beignets in the Rise of the Resistance line to a pink Mickey macaron, and of course, two churros (because it’s not a Disneyland trip without multiple churros). Our favorite? The guava cream cheese dip with a churro. Do not skip it.
Autopia
Josh barely fit in the car (his knees were to his ears!), but it was a must-do for the laughs.
First-Time Experience
Even though we’ve been to Disneyland before, we did a couple of things we’d never done:
Tom Sawyer’s Island
We took the raft over and explored the caves, rope bridges, and trails. It was honestly so fun and peaceful!
The Train Ride
Why haven’t we done this before? It was such a cool way to see the park from a whole new angle.
Favorite Rides
Even though Josh really dislikes It’s a Small World, I couldn’t help but drag him on. I’m convinced the song is genius—it lives in your head forever.
We ended the night with a total classic: Peter Pan’s Flight. Pure nostalgia, and still magical even after a full day.
Full YouTube Episode Coming Soon!
We’re sharing our full day—from soaked shoes to magical night skies—in an upcoming episode on my YouTube channel. You can subscribe here so you don’t miss it:
👉 youtube.com/carinagardner
Disneyland without kids? 10/10 recommend.
It felt like we were dating again, only with a lot more churros and Mickey ears involved.
Hope you enjoyed Design Around the World-Disneyland! Until the next stop in our Design Around the World adventures…