Disneyland for adults?

I grew up watching various Disney shows as a child and dreaming of going to Disneyland. So for me, it was number one on my list when I finally got to LA as an adult. It was still number one when I went back thirty years later. I had a wonderful time on both visits.

Only you can decide if Disneyland is for you. I do think the original park is the better option for everyone because it’s the classic Disney experience. I would suggest reading up on the attractions at both parks and see what appeals to you or if it appeals to you. One day is probably enough, but again, this is a personal choice.

Be prepared to open your wallet and just let the money flush out while at Disneyland. First, they charge ridiculous amounts to enter the park. Then you discover that you will be in lines up to 2 hours each for some rides, or you can pay another $100 to get a genie pass and go in shorter lines.

I loved Disneyland as a kid, but really don’t like how it has changed over the years to one big money pit that unsuspecting people fall into.

If you are going to invest that high amount of money in going to Disneyland and California Adventure Park then take more than one day to explore them. Maybe one day each park.

Frankly, with the long lines and waiting, you couldn't pay me to go there now.

We have been to Disneyland recently, in 2021 and frankly, it had changed quite a bit since our last visit. They had ditched the fast pass and used the genie thing, which was not user friendly. We had to ask a castmate how to go on the rides, since we hadn’t done our research and didn’t realize how much had changed, it took her 15 minutes to explain to us how to go on the rides!!🤪
Despite all that, we still love Disney, but Carol Now Retired is correct, bring a fat wallet! Cost for both parks for 3 adults a whooping $1,000 including an overnight at Holiday Inn Express nearby.
We did both parks, Disneyland and California Adventure in one day. Got there at opening and left at closing.

Don't underestimate the driving times in the LA area. You mention also doing Universal Studios in the San Fernando Valley so no matter where you are staying that is going to be a lot of freeway time. With 3-4 days I wouldn't do both Universal and Disney (if you had young kids it might be different). Disneyland is a much smaller property than Disney World so always feel more crowded. Some adults have dreamt all their life of going to Disney, and some adults love it, but I am getting the sense that you just think maybe you should go and not that it is a burning desire. If that is the case I think you will not feel it was good use of your time or money.

Labor Day is Monday Sept 2nd next year which is a school/work holiday for almost everyone so take that into account with planning. Early Sept will be hot, possible very hot at inland locations. Both Universal and Disney are far enough inland that they will be much hotter than coastal areas, so also take that into account and check the forecast for the exact locations not just "LA" weather. Check Anaheim for Disney and Studio City for Universal.

I prefer to spend my hard-earned money in other ways. To me, Disney anything has gotten way too expensive. In addition to the ride lines, there are the food lines. If you want to eat in a restaurant you need to reserve well ahead of your visit.

I went there as a kid--I think 10 years old? But as an adult I am not a "ride person" and not into big crowds of people so the idea kind of turns me off. Is it worth it to go and just walk around? Can't really see it being at the top of my travel list these days.

My husband recently spoke to a woman who spent several years as a princess cast member and her observations of what it was like to work there (customer behavior, underground tunnels, cast member drama, wearing the costumes, what you are allowed to say and not say) was fascinating.

We've been to Disney with our kids and without and always love it. It's been a few years for us so read up before you go because planning has become critical. I'm not sure, but I think Disneyland may still have a reservation system to book your entry time.

If you take a look at the website Mousesavers you can find out a lot about the new Genie app. We have always had fun at Disney even as adults, but I must admit that app sounds to me like it would change the experience. I would also recommend that you take a look at the Unofficial guide to Disneyland ( latest version 2024). There have been a lot of changes to the parks with a lot more added costs and I suspect reading it could give you a sense if you would still enjoy it.

Thank you all so much for the valuable input! This place is such an incredible resource.

Having never been before, I won't experience the disappointment of how it has changed but appreciate the honest feedback.

Lisa, thanks for telling me about the Unofficial Guide. I didn't know about it. I have borrowed it from the library and finding it very helpful.Lots of good tips so far. Have bookmarked Mousesavers as well.

Carol Now Retired, thanks for the tip about the Genie pass. I had read about it in the Unofficial Guide but there is something similar for ride planning (and better I think) through touringplans.com that I may use so that we can see as much as possible in both parks in 1 day. Disneyland Park is more appealing to me that DCA.

Syd, we do plan to do Universal as well so I think one day ( maybe with a Park Hopper) will be enough. There are a lot of other things we want to do with the week along the coast. Thanks very much for the tip about Labour Day. I thought we only celebrated that In Canada. .

Thanks again everyone for taking the time to comment.

Disneyland is more fun than an E ticket!
(Who remembers?)

I remember the ticket books from the last century, lol.

I was there in Jan 56, just six months after it opened the previous July. We were there last month. It has changed but still great fun especially for the three granddaughters with us. Ya, it is expensive but what isn't these days. We have lift passes approaching $200/day when I can remember paying $25/day. Lot of negative comments above that are not deserved. No real problems with lines for food and a decent range of prices. Actually thought the food was much better than in the past at Disneyworld. Not going every month but every other year is fine.

Disneyland is more fun than an E ticket! (Who remembers?)

I remember having one E ticket left and having to choose to re-ride the Haunted Mansion or the Pirates of the Caribbean. Now that was vacation stress.

Oh Allan, do tell! Which one won?

Embrace the child within!

You will go to Prague, Dubrovnik, Venice ... But not the original Disneyland? Makes no sense.

Oh Allan, do tell! Which one won?

Haunted Mansion, and it still would win to this day even though we took a short break when my kids were small because they refused to ride because I couldn't convince them it wasn't really haunted.

Haunted mansion is my favorite ride!

I have to add to this thread regarding Disneyland.
Our family loves Disneyland ( or used to love it, anyway). When I was a child, my family used to go most summers for one day (1970's-80's). It was a special and magical place. As an adult, I couldn't wait to take our family. My husband and I and our three daughters would go every summer, often purchasing season passes for the year. It was a sacrifice, but doable. We'd stay in neighboring hotels, and take snacks and drinks to avoid eating at the park(s). Downtown Disney was a treat, and we'd plan to eat one meal out daily. Two years ago we took my mom for her 70th birthday. It was expensive, but we could still find 3-day park hoppers for about $330 for adults, and we stayed at our favorite off-site hotel. The fast-pass was still a free service, so we utilized it as much as possible. Fast forward to today (02/20/24): I was hoping to surprise our family with tickets this summer. I was floored when I checked the prices for a 3-day park hopper with a genie pass. The cost for an adult, 3-day park hopper with Genie+ is $550! How are the parks always, always full?! I'm just shocked. We can fly roundtrip to Hawaii for less! Disney, I'm out.

Pollymartin, I keep hearing about people coming to California from afar who are absolutely shocked at the cost of the park. I am grateful that there are only two of us going for a single day. Otherwise, it wouldn't be doable.
Can I ask which of site hotel you stayed at?

We’ve stayed at the Candy Cane Inn close to the park entrance many times. For an off-site hotel it is nice.

Use Booking.com to find a hotel you like.

After our obligatory trip with our kids, we ditched them for our next trip there. To be perfectly, honest, my wife and I went twice after without them and would go again in a heartbeat. (Don't tell them)

Just to add, there is a lot of good information on the disboards.com.

When we were tweens/teens, my parents alternated passes for Disney one year with Knotts the next. The parents would take turns dropping us off in the summer so we could dance and have fun (but not TOO much fun). Sometimes one of the moms would spy on our group to keep us from getting naughty, lol.

Hi there! SoCal girl here (born and raised in Anaheim). Disney is wonderful and absolutely worth visiting. I’m lucky enough to have grown up here with plenty of family and friends who have worked at Disney and have signed me in over the years.

If you must do a park, I recommend Disneyland over DCA. If you’re willing to do something with a bit more thrill, Knotts is a few miles away and less expensive. Personally, I’d skip Universal Studios and do either both Disney parks or Disneyland and Knotts.

In Anaheim, visit little Arabia for delicious Middle Eastern food, or Cortina’s for some decent Italian food. The best Italian Ice this side of the Mississippi can be found at Joe’s Italian Ice (about 5 minutes drive from Disney). Try at all costs to avoid eating anywhere near Disney. It is insanely overpriced and there are much better options within a few minutes drive.

You mentioned you will be LA based, “LA” is massive. In terms of reach, someone in Thousand Oaks can say they’re in LA, but the distance is pretty far from being in Downtown LA. I would advise you to really narrow down your search to something closer to Long Beach, north Orange County, or actual Los Angeles if you’re looking to do Universal and Disney.

Traffic is HUGE factor to take into consideration. If Disney opens at 9 or 10, and you’re coming from north LA, you’re going to sit in some heavy morning traffic for a while. Being from SoCal, I tend to measure distance by the minute, not the mile. So if your destination looks like it’s 30 miles away, consider sitting in the car for at least an hour, if not more, depending on the time of day.

I currently live on the border of Orange County (about 17 minutes north of Disneyland) and Los Angeles County (about an hour southeast of Universal) and am very familiar with all of Orange County (including Laguna Beach) and Los Angeles County. Feel free to message me if you have any questions about the city you decide on for home-base or things to do and see.

If the expense doesn’t bother you, then I certainly would go. My son and wife went for 3 days on their honeymoon and had a great time. I haven’t been for years. I’m afraid the sticker shock is too much. when I put together a trip for my singles church group, the group rate was about only $10.80

Ditto.....

If you like doing research, check out Disney Tourist Blog by Tom Bricker. He researches everything you can think of and stays updated. He and his wife (and now his baby) visit both WDW and Disneyland/California Adventure frequently as it’s now his job. He does research on dates and times that are most busy as well as updates on park changes.

I have been to both and though DisneyWorld was better.

Still, my kids are grown and have children. Frankly, you couldn't pay me to go there now. Crowds and lines are terrible.

I had read about it in the Unofficial Guide but there is something similar for ride planning (and better I think) through touringplans.com that I may use so that we can see as much as possible in both parks in 1 day. Disneyland Park is more appealing to me that DCA.

A note on this- TP has a data driven tool to help you plan order of rides to minimize wait times. It is NOT the same nor can it save you same time as Genie+ to have lightning lane access. I wouldn’t do DL without Genie+ for a single day trip. Using both together would be ideal!

Disneyland has changed a lot since the pandemic and one thing I don't see mentioned here is that you need both a ticket AND a reservation to enter the park(s). Ticket prices are less expensive (relatively speaking) on days when they aren't expecting as large a crowd, so if your schedule is flexible, pick the cheapest date available in your week. If you aren't really interested in California Adventure, then don't buy a Park Hopper pass. They are more expensive because they cover both parks.

If you want to skip lines, then you need the Genie+, which costs $30 per person per day, and that doesn't include the "Lightning Lane" rides which have additional costs per ride--check ahead to see if any of the rides you're interested in have the additional fee so you don't spend $30 only to find the ride you want costs an additional $10. All the rides are still free, you just have to decide whether you want to wait in line or pay extra.

However, if you just want to be able to plan your day, then download the free Disneyland app, which has a free Genie (no "+") section that lets you plan your day in advance. You tell it what things you want to do, and it sets up a logical order in which to do them. Also gives you a heads up on which lines are shorter, ordering food, and other things on the actual day of your visit. I've heard, however, that it's not very user friendly, so you ought to add it to your phone now and play around with it or it might not be useful to you on the day of your visit.

One thing that hasn't changed is that it pays to get to the park right when it opens. Lines tend to be shorter in the first hour or two, even during the crowded season.

Our friends like to stay at the Candy Cane Inn that Susan mentioned. It's close enough to Disneyland to walk there, which means you don't pay to park ($35), and you don't have to wait for a shuttle to take you back to your hotel.

Have fun!

My favorite part of visiting Walt’s world is standing outside and waiting for Moms, Dads and their children to exit Mr Toads Wild Ride.

Why?

The screaming children and the parents yelling at one another.

How do parents NOT remember the ride ends in Dantes Inferno a.k.a. hell. ??!!

Sciencegrrl, thanks for the tip about disboards.

Misstlc12, thank you for all that great info and your offer to provide more. We are staying at the Adler A in Hollywood while in LA but will stay the night before and after Disney in Anaheim. Thanks for the restaurant suggestions. Universal is a must for us for Harry Potter alone.

Patty, thanks for the link to that blog. I will definitely check it out. I used crowdcalculator.com to select our Disney/Universal days but will compare that against his info.

Mary57, I am so overwhelmed with the various pricing options for Disney. It is a bit insane to have not one but two upgrades to skip lines IMO.I still don't understand the difference between Genie Plus and Lightening Lane....I will take Leslie's advice and download the app to see how reasonable what we want to do in a single day is and if we have to upgrade I will.

Thanks again everyone for the helpful advice.

@bxrlover--I looked at pricing for the first week of September, and Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday have $109 tickets (I selected one park, no add-ons), while Friday they shoot up to $152!

@Claudia--my oldest son was just saying that Mr, Toad was the only "dark ride" in Fantasy Land that he liked as a child, despite the end in Hell. (Dark rides being those inside buildings as opposed to Dumbo, the carousel, and the teacups.)

I still remember the B tickets marking Snow White as "scary"....

My first time to Disneyland was when I turned 40. Our kids were teenagers, and we had a fantastic time. I am nostalgic, so my favorite park is still Disneyland. It also has my favorite ride - Indiana Jones, which I’ve ridden 115+ times during my seven times at the park. Yep, I get a bit crazy in that one - LOL! (When my husband would leave to play golf, I had two tickets to obtain Fast Passes!)

The oldest rides weren’t designed with optimized process flow, so the queues go very slow in that area. I go to that section later in the evening when less smaller kids’ families are in line.

I like to stay at the Tropicana which is just across the street from the entrance. No need to take a shuttle, etc.

You've got a lot of responses, but I'll put my two cents in as a former SoCal resident...

We had a season pass to Universal Studios, you can easily see everything there in one day, including shows and the studio tour. As has been mentioned, LA traffic is INSANE. We lived in Torrance and it never took less than an hour to drive to Universal Studios. Each way. Just be prepared for longer travel times than you think are possible.
As for Disneyland, I think it can be a lot of fun as an adult, but I would avoid it in the summer time and around big holidays. It's always busy, but it is insanely busy during winter break and thanksgiving break (3rd week of November), and pretty busy all spring with all the spring breakers. First weekend of Sept and last weekend of May are holiday weekends too! If it's not super busy season, I'd go and only do Disneyland (not California Adventure) for a day. If it is peak busy days, I'd skip it.
I'll throw out some things that I loved when I lived there: The LaBrea Tar Pits (I believe they have a month free admission day, if that happens to coincide with your visit https://tarpits.org/).
If you are going to be further south, near Long Beach or in that area, the Cabrillo Aquarium was our favorite. It's small, but very cool, extremely inexpensive, and right on the beach. There's tons of cheap parking (like $1 per hour, which is great for SoCal) and if you time you visit for low tide, there are terrific tide pools right there. We always brought visitors there. https://www.cabrillomarineaquarium.org/

Have a good trip and enjoy the sunshine!!