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Home » Travel » Disney

Going To Disneyland | Taking Teens To Disneyland + California Adventure Park

By: T Worthey  »  Updated: January 14, 2019  »   View our disclosure policy

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Are you planning a trip to Disney soon? Going to Disneyland in one day is doable, and I’m sharing how we did both parks in the same day. As well as tips on taking teens to Disneyland and their favorite rides and things to do. 

Are you planning a trip to Disney soon? Going to Disneyland in one day is doable, and I'm sharing how we did both parks in the same day. As well as tips on taking teens to Disneyland and their favorite rides and things to do.

Going To Disneyland | Taking Teens To Disneyland + California Adventure Park

Fresh off another family vacation to California, I’m reflecting on our time spent at Disneyland. One tradition we put in place several years ago when planning family trips is to involve the kids. The boys, especially our youngest son, Zayd’n, loves to get in on the planning. The twins don’t give as much input (meh, teens), but they all agreed that they wanted to go to Disneyland. 

My boys are out of the stage of being excited about going to Disney for the kiddie rides, meeting characters, and believing in the magic of Disney. The thing is, the magic of Disney is real. And you can’t escape it, regardless of your age. Do teens still love going to Disney?

Do teens love Disneyland?

Yes, teens still enjoy Disney, including the OG- Disneyland. As we started to plan our trip, Zayd’n (an almost teen) was super excited about going to Disneyland and seeing Mickey. I was kind of surprised at how excited he was, and in Zayd’n fashion, he expressed it as, “Mickey is the OG. I gotta go see my dawg, Mickey!” 

Best things for teens to do at Disneyland

Knowing we only had one day to do both theme parks Disneyland and California Adventure Park, we had to plan carefully. We’ve been to both parks several times, so we focused on our favorite rides and some of the new attractions. 

  • The character meet and greet for Black Panther was #1 on our list. 
  • Derrick and I wanted to get in on the foodie scene while the Food and Wine festival was going on. 
  • And of course, the rides. 

Rides for Teens at Disneyland

Best Rides at Disneyland and California Adventure Park for Teens

While teens may not get excited about going to Disney for the characters and the shows, they go for the rides. Here’s a list of rides teens like at California Adventure Park and Disneyland.

  • Big Thunder Railroad
  • California Screamin’ (new name Incredicoaster) {a favorite}
  • Grizzly River Run {another favorite}
  • Guardians of the Galaxy Mission: Breakout {a favorite ride!}
  • Haunted Mansion
  • Indiana Jones Adventure
  • Jungle Cruise
  • Matterhorn Bobsleds
  • Mickey’s Fun Wheel
  • Radiator Spring Racers {super fun and a favorite}
  • Soarin’ Around the World {a classic and a favorite}
  • Space Mountain {one of our favorite rides}
  • Splash Mountain {another favorite}
  • Star Tours- The Adventures Continue

Rides like Dumbo, It’s a Small World, the show Fantasmic! are rides we go for the nostalgia. With teens, they are there for the excitement, the thrill, and of course, the food. 

What to do at Disneyland and California Adventure Park in One Day

What to do at Disneyland and California Adventure Park in One Day

Here’s a look at our day at Disneyland and California Adventure Park. Early on a Friday morning, we all climbed in the 2017 Kia Sedona (which is a beautiful, stylish mini-van), buckled in, and headed to Disneyland.

Doing Disneyland in the Kia Sedona

Everyone was excited. The weather was perfect, a breezy, warm 72-degree California day. It’s important to get to the park early if you plan to only spend one day at Disneyland and California Adventure Park. After quickly parking and making our way past security, we were on the tram to the entrance. 

What to do at Disneyland and California Adventure Park in One Day

California Adventure Park closes early, so I recommend starting there. We started with hopping on some of our favorite rides listed above. As soon you as enter the park, start with getting your Fastpasses. Radiator Spring Racers is a popular (and super fun) ride, so I highly recommend getting a Fastpass for this ride. 

What to do at Disneyland and California Adventure Park in One Day

Guardians of the Galaxy Mission: Breakout is another ride you should obtain a Fastpass for as soon as you get to the park. 

What to do at Disneyland and California Adventure Park in One Day

Pixar Pier was under construction during our visit, but now it’s open! The FastPass (available by standby as well) will come in handy here using it to get on Toy Story Midway Mania. California Screamin’ is another favorite of ours and under a new name: Incredicoaster. 

If you have time before heading over to Disneyland, two other classic rides worth hopping on are Soarin’ Around the World and Grizzly River Run. 

What to do at Disneyland and California Adventure Park in One Day

Getting a pair Rose Gold Minnie Mouse ears was on my bucket list. 

 

best things to do with teens at Disneyland

After spending time in California Adventure Park, we headed to Disneyland around 2 p.m. The goal was to spend the rest of the day, then catch the fireworks before heading back to our vacation home. Taking a picture in front of the castle is always a must, and thankfully all children cooperated. 

Best things for teens to do at Disneyland

Rides we recommend getting Fastpasses for are Space Mountain and Splash Mountain. Big Thunder Mountain is another fun ride to try at night. And of course, we had to take in a parade. Fantasmic is back at Disneyland, and it’s a popular show. You can get a Fastpass for this attraction or take the risk of standing in line to get into this show. If you have time to do the Haunted Mansion, Jungle Cruise, and It’s a Small World, those are always classic favorites. 

Fun things to eat at Disneyland Resort + California Adventure Park

Best Places to eat in California Adventure Park

There are so many awesome things to eat at Disneyland and California Adventure Park. We grabbed a delicious pizza for lunch, but throughout the day continued to eat a few well-known Disney food items. 

Best Places to eat in California Adventure Park

Who can resist a good turkey leg? Disneyland was where we grabbed a few while waiting for the parade to start. 

Best Places to eat in California Adventure Park

With the Food & Wine Festival going on, Mexican Street Corn was one of the items we had to try. We loved it so much, we went back and got another one. 

Best Places to eat in California Adventure Park

Churros is another foodie bucket list item our family loves. 

Rose Macaroons at Disney

A new item at Disneyland + California Adventure Park is the Rose Gold Macaron. It’s filled with a strawberry compote and lemon verbena buttercream, and it’s so good! Plus, it’s a great Instagrammable foodie photo.  

Where can you find Disney’s Rose Gold Macaron? You will find them at both Disneyland Resort and California Adventure Park. (Starbucks locations within the parks carry them, as well as, Jolly Holiday Bakery, Clarabelle’s Hand-Scooped Ice Cream)

Best Pixar Fest Food to try

Another must-try spot in California Adventure Park is the Adorable Abominable Snowman Frosted Treats. I went there a few times during Pixar Days, but this is a permanent spot so you’ll be able to enjoy frozen treats again and again. 

best food places in Disneyland

One other fun food item I have to mention is the beignets. Besides going to New Orleans to get the best beignets, Disney is the second best option for the best beignets. And in Disneyland (Cafe Orleans), you can get Mickey shaped beignets. 

best things to do with teens at Disneyland

It is possible to do both parks in one day with a concrete plan and everyone onboard with this plan. It’s important to sit down as a family and decide what rides are a must, what experiences to try, and what food you want to eat while at Disneyland and California Adventure Park. Now with Star Wars Land opening at Disneyland in June, the parks are going to seriously packed. 

If you’re not interested in Star Wars Land, then you may get lucky to have less wait time on other rides. (maybe?!)

Best family vacation ideas for teens

We love Disney. As the boys get older, they haven’t got tired of going to Disney and look forward to each trip; making a new adventure as a family. Disney is the place where all the magic happens. Yes, even the magic can happen with teens. With so many things to do for every generation, Disney is the place where families can go to create memories that will last forever. 

Ready to plan your Disney trip? Be sure to read some of my tips below

45 Best Walt Disney World Travel Tips

12 Bucket List Things to do in Disney’s Animal Kingdom

7 Cool Things For Adults To Do At Disney

Black Panther Character Meet And Greet | Everything You Need To Know

Our Reasons Kids Should Plan a Vacation | Anaheim Vacation Tips

Why Every Kid Should Go To Disney At Least Once In Their Life

7 Ways To Make Disneyland More Enjoyable

Visiting Disney World On A Budget With Kids

 

Pin it to your Disney board! 

Are you planning a trip to Disney soon? Going to Disneyland in one day is doable, and I'm sharing how we did both parks in the same day. As well as tips on taking teens to Disneyland and their favorite rides and things to do.

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