May 16, 2026 – May 17, 2026 Day 3

Finally — Disneyland day is here! Yves and I packed our things while we waited for his soon-to-be husband, Josh. From Temecula, Anaheim is about a 1.5 to 2 hour drive, and we left around 5pm to check in to our motel first.

Yves and Josh, thank you so much for squeezing me into your Disneyland itinerary! It means the world to me. Love you both! 🏰❤️

Where We Stayed: Motel 6 Anaheim

Motel 6 Anaheim
💵 $120 USD (~₱7,400 PHP)
🛏️ 2 double beds, ref, CR with bathtub, simple but clean amenities
🚗 Free parking
📍 10-minute walk to Disneyland — super convenient!
No elevator, but honestly the location alone makes it worth it. Upon checking in, it was getting colder at night — good thing Auntie Baby gifted me a windbreaker!

Dinner: Céntrico at Downtown Disney District

Before the big park day, we walked over to Downtown Disney for dinner at Céntrico –  an open-air Mexican restaurant and cantina from Michelin-starred Chef Carlos Gaytán, right in the Downtown Disney District.

I ordered the Quesabirrias for $23 USD (~₱1,400 PHP). It comes with corn tortilla, lamb birria, Oaxacan cheese, avocado mousse, cilantro, and red onion. Honestly, it wasn’t quite to my liking, but the Mexican street corn was really good! I’ve had better Mexican food elsewhere, or maybe I just didn’t order the best thing on the menu. The place wasn’t too crowded and the wait was manageable, which was a relief.

I also treated myself to a Dubai chocolate macaron for $10 (~₱618 PHP) from a nearby stand called Kayla’s Cake. A sweet little indulgence!

Disneyland: The Full Experience

Park Hours: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM (we stayed for the full day including the fireworks show!)
Entry: When you arrive, you scan a QR code to enter. Quick and seamless.
Ticket Cost: ~$200 USD (~₱12,000 PHP) per person

Lightning Lane Multi Pass — A Must-Buy!

Cost: $45 USD (~₱2,780 PHP)

If you’re serious about making the most of Disneyland, buy the Lightning Lane Multi Pass. It lets you book a Lightning Lane entry for select rides, skip the long queues, and schedule your rides one at a time through the Disneyland app. It’s a total game changer — no waiting in line for hours!

What’s included with Lightning Lane Multi Pass:

1. Access to Lightning Lane entrances at select attractions
2. Unlimited Disney PhotoPass digital downloads, including ride photos and photos taken by Disney photographers throughout the park
3. Disney PhotoPass Lenses (fun AR effects you can add to your own photos via the Disneyland app)

Pro tip: Book one ride at a time and select your next one after using your current slot. Plan strategically and you’ll fit in so many more attractions in a single day!

Rides We Went On

Hyperspace Mountain — A Star Wars-themed seasonal overlay of the classic Space Mountain. You’re launched into hyperspace dodging TIE fighters and X-wing starfighters with John Williams’ iconic score blasting. So immersive and thrilling! (Check the Disneyland app to confirm if Hyperspace Mountain is running during your visit — it rotates back to regular Space Mountain at certain times of the year.)

Haunted Mansion – A classic Disney dark ride through a spooky 999-room haunted estate filled with ghosts, ghouls, and eerie surprises. It’s more fun and whimsical than actually scary.

Matterhorn Bobsleds — A classic Disneyland roller coaster that sends you through the icy tunnels of a snow-capped mountain while a Yeti lurks in the dark. One of the most iconic rides in the park!
Indiana Jones Adventure — Hop on a jeep and journey through an ancient cursed temple alongside Indiana Jones himself. Expect bumpy twists, close calls, and lots of thrills. A must-ride!
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad — A mild but super fun train ride through a wild west mining town. Keep an eye out for the goats hanging out along the tracks — one of the fun little surprises along the way! A great ride for all ages and a classic Disneyland experience. Not too intense, just a good time! 🐐
Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway — This ride is all about fun, color, and music, you’re literally dancing and enjoying the show from inside a cartoon world.
Mad Tea Cup Party — Warning: if you have motion sickness, think carefully before getting on! You spin round and round continuously. Still a fun and iconic Disney classic though!
Meet & Greet Photos 📸 — Got photos with Pooh and Mickey Mouse! There’s nothing quite like meeting Disney characters up close. Truly a full-circle Disney moment!

Disneyland Souvenirs

Of course I had to get the iconic yellow Mickey Mouse headband, a must when visiting Disneyland! I also picked up a special “My First Visit” pin badge to commemorate my very first Disney experience ever in California. If it’s your first time at Disney, make sure to grab one — the cast members and even fellow guests acknowledge it, and it makes the whole experience feel even more special.

Disneyland Food

Baked Mickey Mouse Pretzel — $10 USD. A must-try Disney snack! Soft, warm, and shaped like Mickey’s iconic ears. So worth it.

Bengal Barbecue — Yves pre-ordered here and got the beef skewer: sweet, spicy, tender, and incredibly juicy. We were lucky to find seats since the area was packed. Pre-ordering your Disneyland meals through the app is a smart move, it saves so much time, especially on busy days. Highly recommend it!

Don’t Miss: The Parade & Fireworks Show

The Disney character parade is absolutely magical –  seeing all your favorite characters come to life is something else entirely. And staying until 10PM for the fireworks show? Every bit worth the long day. The sky lights up beautifully over the castle and it’s the perfect way to end a Disneyland day.

California Adventure: The Other Theme Park

Right beside Disneyland is Disney California Adventure, a completely separate theme park with its own rides and experiences. No castle here, but it has its own charm and a very different vibe. Look out for the iconic Pixar Pal-A-Round (formerly Mickey’s Fun Wheel) — a massive ferris wheel with a giant Mickey Mouse face at the center, located at Pixar Pier. It’s one of the most recognizable landmarks at the resort!

Important note: Your Disneyland ticket does not automatically include California Adventure, it requires a separate ticket or a Park Hopper add-on.

P.S. Exciting news for future visitors — Porto’s Bakery is opening a location in Anaheim, just outside of Disneyland! It was still under construction when I visited, but by the time you read this it may already be open. Porto’s is a beloved California institution known for their incredibly affordable and delicious pastries, cakes, and cheese rolls. I’d definitely visit once I’m back in Cali.

Final Thoughts on Disneyland

It is Disneyland’s 70th anniversary and it was awesome! We were in the park from the moment it opened at 8AM all the way to the 10PM fireworks — a full 14-hour Disney day! I honestly didn’t feel the jet lag at all because I was running on pure excitement and Disney magic the entire time.

Yves was understandably exhausted by the end, it really is a marathon of a day! We had to check out early the next morning since they had work. But it was absolutely 100% worth every step.

The best way to experience Disneyland? Go with people who genuinely love Disney. Josh and Yves made sure we got the absolute most out of the day — from Lightning Lane strategy to knowing which rides to prioritize. It truly makes all the difference.

My top Disneyland tips:

1. Buy the Lightning Lane Multi Pass — fewer queues, more rides
2. Pre-order food through the Disneyland app
3. Stay for the parade AND the fireworks show. don’t leave early!
4. Wear the most comfortable shoes you own, you will walk A LOT

5. Grab a “My First Visit” pin badge if it’s your first time — it’s a special touch
6. Check the Disneyland app for seasonal ride overlays like Hyperspace Mountain before your visit

Up next: The day after Disneyland and the rest of our America road trip adventures!

Watch out for my YouTube videos soon, search @wheresniskie to find me! And for up-to-date travel updates, follow me on Instagram @niskieroams. See you there! 📸🎥

Love,

Maria