Halloween at Disneyland

Two Days of Pure Disney Magic

We just wrapped up 48 hours at Disney, and it did not disappoint! This time of year the parks are fully decked out for Halloween, which makes everything extra spooky and so much fun.

We stayed at the Grand Californian (my favorite!), which is connected right to the parks. A total game-changer for those early mornings and late-night exits with tired kiddos.

Day one, we logged almost 30,000 steps (yes, my legs were feeling it!) because we always hit rope drop. If you’ve never done it, I highly recommend,  those first few hours are blissfully quiet before the mid-morning rush.

Every year we splurge on Lightning Lane and honestly, it’s worth every penny. You can practically skip your way through the park with minimal waits. We also book the dining package at Plaza Inn for the parade. This is hands down our kids’ favorite part of Disney, and having reserved seating means no waiting hours to snag a spot.

We plan our trips through our Disney travel agent, Katie (@mybestdisneyself), and she makes it all so seamless. Hotel, car service, stroller rentals, dining packages, even hard to get reservations. And the best part..Her services are totally free!

People always ask me what the “right” age for Disney is. This was our third trip, and honestly? Anytime is the right time. When they’re little, the magic is so real it will make you tear up watching them experience it. As they get older, they just get to enjoy more rides and stay up later! The magic never fades.

And of course, no trip is complete without snacks! Our must-haves: Mickey beignets at Mint Julep and Dole Whip cups at Tropical Hideaway.

If you’ve been on the fence about booking Disney, take this as your sign. It’s one of the few places where kids really do come first, and seeing the joy on their faces is worth every step, every line, and every late night.