Hi everybody! I’m back in Vancouver and it feels oh so GOOD to be home. I had an amazing vacation, thank you all for sharing the birthday love with me. 🙂 I soaked up all of the vitamin D (and vitamin SEA) that I could when I was in California. I tried to bring some sunshine back to Vancouver, I swear! 😉 My amazing family decided to take me to Disneyland for my 29th birthday – my sister actually surprised me there for the day!! Can you believe it? Gary AND his parents were ALL in on it. My sister Steph caught it all on tape.

If you’ve ever been to Disneyland, you know what a MAGICAL place it is. It’s so fun for kids and adults alike! It was Gary’s parents first time EVER in Disneyland. So goes to show, even 60 year olds aren’t too old for their first time in Disneyland!! There are snacks, games and of course, RIDES! Below is a list of my favourite rides, as well as some must-know insider tips for your best Disneyland experience!

MY FAVOURITE RIDES:

The Storybook Land Canal Boats: I loved floating around with Gary in a picturesque river. Talk about romantic!

Mickey’s Fun Wheel: At night, this Ferris Wheel is visible from across the park! There’s something so peaceful about riding the Ferris Wheel and admiring all of the lights across the park.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad: This rollercoaster is exhilarating! This ride features tight turns and rocky cliffs that feel frighteningly real. 😉 (in the best way possible!)

Pirates of the Caribbean: This was an amazing ride for the entire family! It was the right amount of scary and exciting – making it the perfect ride to start off with!

Mad Tea Party: I loved being able to spin around in beautifully decorated teacups! This ride was aesthetically pleasing and made me feel like a kid again. <3

FOR FOOD:

I’m obsessed with the Gibson Girl ice cream parlour. Their mint chocolate chip and almond mocha fudge flavours are so decadent and their portions are HUGE. It’s definitely something to treat yourself to when at Disneyland.

To say Gary loved the candy store is a huge understatement. We may or may not have picked up a lollipop just for him to enjoy on our way over to California adventure. 😉

For dinner, the Wine Country restaurant is a great option for those who would like a nice dinner and a drink. This is one of the only places where alcohol is served. I saw quite a few Mama’s enjoying a well-deserved glass of wine! 😉

NATALIE’S DISNEYLAND TIPS:

Bring your walking shoes! I brought my comfy (and cute) Saucony sneakers. Disneyland veterans know that you need to be prepared to put on some km’s at the park!

Don’t forget to buy a pair of Mickey or Minnie Mouse Ears. These ears are inexpensive, but oh so cute in your photographs. You can’t go to Disneyland without a souvenir right?!

Arrive early! Disneyland is usually packed, you should always expect a long wait time for rides. If you arrive early, you can bypass a little bit of that initial wait time. I would say arrive at least an hour before the park opens. Here’s a list of park hours and more details.

The Pixar Fest is on from now until September 3rd. Gary’s parents were blown away with the detail and how elaborate Disney gets with their floats.

Make sure to plan ahead by downloading the Disneyland app HERE. I love how it has features like the fastpass, it actually shows you the wait times so you can plan your day. It will also show you where the characters are so you can make sure to get a photo with Mickey or Minnie! <3

I feel like I discover an amazing new attraction every time I go to Disneyland, I love the variety! I’m so grateful that I was able to celebrate my 29th birthday at such a special place. Sharing this experience with my family made for such a memorable birthday. Disneyland makes ANY occasion feel like a celebration!

Do you guys have any Disneyland tips to share? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.

Xx, n

Photography by Jessica Nettles Photography.