A Day at Disney

I am 24 years old and I’m still totally obsessed with Disney. Judge all you want but I’m like 99% sure that most of you have exactly the same feels. I mean when I hit play on a Disney movie and see Tinkerbell fly over the arch of the castle I just about lose my mind. Being totally jealous of Cinderella’s high heels? Been there, bippity boppity done that. Crushed hard on Li Shang in Mulan? Zero shame.

Okay, maybe a little shame. But not much.

My mom and I had already settled on spending a very entrepreneurial Mother’s Day weekend at Create & Cultivate in LA, but we decided to raise the stakes and also hit up Disneyland while we were down South. I’ve been to Disneyland a few times over the last five years or so, but with friends or with a larger chunk of our family. It was so nice to be able to spend a day reliving all my old childhood memories, just me and my mom, while prancing around wearing ridiculously awesome Minnie ears.

disneyland

disneyland

Main Street (the entrance to Disneyland) is probably one of my favorite parts of the park. This little strip feels less fantasy and more old (but real) world. I’m obsessed with the vintage logos and aesthetic, the shops, and the endless amounts of sweets! Mom and I spent some time wandering around and ended up buying some Wonderland teas and honey spoons. Super sweet and super tasty. I’m also kind of a churro fiend so definitely indulged from one of the awesome looking snack carts. Even the popcorn stand looked pretty. Disney, you’ve done it again.

disneyland

disneyland

KB totally bought me an awesome pair of leopard print ears on our last trip to Disney, but Mom and I hit up the Mad Hatter hat shop anyway because we knew we wanted some special headgear to remember our trip by…and boy was it special. I would agree that my choice of over sized Minnie bow borders on the ridiculous, but my mom’s Malificent horns really pushed the envelope. I was snapchatting (@blondebagel) for like a full hour laughing as she proudly scared all the children around her. I’ve never seen an accessory bring so much joy to anyone in my entire life.

I also just have to take a moment to give my mom a shout out for being brave and free enough to wear that hat. How many of us can say we don’t care what people think of us? And trust me – she got some sideways glances. Instead of feeling silly she proudly walked around laughing maniacally as if plotting how to prick Sleeping Beauty’s finger all over again. You rock, Mama!

disneyland

disneyland

disneyland

We have a Disney tradition in our family – every time you enter Disneyland you must eat at the Blue Bayou. the Pirates of the Caribbean ride is one of my all time favorites and the Blue Bayou totally captures all the magic of the ride itself. Tables are nestled along the faux swampland and you dine with string lights overhead and boats passing by. My family loves the Blue Bayou and as soon as I knew Mom and I were spending a day at Disneyland I booked us a table at our favorite restaurant in the park – a full two months in advance. The Blue Bayou doesn’t play around, my friends. It’s actually kind of hard to get in!

disneyland

disneyland

The wait (and the cash) are totally worth it! I swear we had luck on our side because we got placed at a table right on the edge of the water – best spot in the house! And okay admittedly the food isn’t five star dining but I’d say it’s better than anything else you’re going to find in a theme park. I ordered the salmon and Mom had steak, both meals paired with a fancy mocktail (because adult beverages are reserved for California Adventures only).

Does anyone else have Disneyland traditions? I love that my family has this one and indulging in a Blue Bayou lunch just me and my mom is something I’ll totally never forget.

disneyland

We thought we’d be adventurous (eh, eh?) and do a park hopper pass to allow us to skip over to California Adventures. If I’m really honest I’m not a huge California Adventures fan. I’m less of a roller coaster/traditional theme park kind of girl and more into the magic of Disney, so it’s not my favorite place to be. Mom on the other hand went bananas for the Soarin’ Over California ride. She made me go on it twice. And okay I’ll admit – that ride does kind of rock.

disneyland

disneyland

Mom and I had such an awesome time at the Disney parks over Mother’s Day weekend and it made me stop and think about how crazy important it actually is to get some alone time in with your family. My parents drove me a little nuts when I was growing up (and I’m sure I drove them nuts right back), but as I’ve gotten older I’ve really missed having their company. It was really fun to have one on one time with my little mama in a place that made me feel like a kid (her kid) all over again.

And my dad couldn’t resist texting me old photos of Mom and I at Disneyland together while we were at the parks. Lookin’ good, 1999.

Have you been to Disneyland? Do you have any traditions? What’s your favorite ride? Tell me in the comments below!

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