Disneyland Date – 12 Awesome Ways to Experience Disneyland Without the Kids

I love Disneyland. Who doesn’t? I have happy and memories of going as a child to Disneyland and DisneyWorld. Those memories have always been something that I have reflected on as an adult and I have always looked forward to brining my own children to Disney and share with them the joy I experienced when I was young.

However, my husband had never been to Disneyland before, and we decided that we wanted to experience Disneyland together before we have children. It would make a wonderful date for us. We love theme parks, and I knew that my husband would love Disneyland.

I have to suggest and advise to spring for the park hopper. I know that it makes it a more expensive ticket, but it is so worth it to see California Advernture if you have not been before. Or, you can go for two days, and spend one at Disneyland and the other at California Adventure, but it is a must see park.

I was excited to visit Disneyland because it has been over 20 years since I had been, and I was super excited to see Califorinia Adventure because it wasn’t around way back when. I must say, if you are going to Disneyland on a date with your significant other, or just want to make it a day without the kids, California Advernutre is the place to be. Disneyland seems that it is geared towards parents with little kids, and California Adventure is for the older kids and adults, at least that was our perception.

California Adventure was such a fun park, and they did a really great job with it. We decided to go to there first because it closed an hour earlier than Disneyland. It was a good decision to go there first in the morning because it was not as crowded as Disneyland at that time. Later in the day we noticed the crowds coming, and that is when we headed back over to Disneyland.

Since it was just the two of us, we were able to see and do everything we wanted in both parks. We had a great time, and it is definitely not just for kids. There are so many things to do as adults. Here are some awesome things to do on your date sans kids at Disneyland and California Adventure:

1. Disney’s Grand California Hotel  – This hotel is luxury at its finest. They have gorgeous rooms and a fabulous spa that can relax you from all that walking around. It is right on the park with your own special entrance, beautiful pools, and fine dining with lots of options to choose from.

2. Napa Rose – Located in Disney’s Grand California Hotel, you don’t have to stay at the hotel to eat here, but reservations are recommended. This is a fine dining restaurant from Award-Winning Cuisine by Chef Andrew Sutton who wanted to bring the flavors of Napa valley.

Entrées include grilled wild monkfish “osso bucco” with shrimp and mussels, cedar-roasted duck breast with truffle pumpkin purée and herb-roasted Colorado rack of lamb with a light-as-air jalapeño-cheddar popover. For an even more gourmet experience, sit at “The Vintner’s Table” and enjoy a 4-course tasting menu that changes weekly to reflect the freshest flavors of the moment.

3. Wine Country Trattoria, a laid-back eatery in California Adventure that has the look and feel of a Napa Valley cafe. It serves beer, wine and food. It is surrounded by grapevines and is (mostly) kid free to sit, relax and enjoy some vino.

4. Beer – In California Adventure they had beer stands to just grab a cold one and sit. We grabbed some Blue Moon beer at Bayside Brews. We found a spot of tables that had some live music. It was very entertaining to take a break from all that walking, sit and enjoy a beer while listening to some big band music.

5. Blue Bayou is the restaurant that is very romantic inside the ride of Pirates of the Caribbean. It is dark, and I heard the food is great! New Orleans/Cajun-style restaurant that is said to be one of Disney’s most romantic restaurant.

6. Cove Bar – Full service boardwalk bar that is located upstairs at California adventure. They are usually on a wait, but if you get there before meal times, it won’t be too long, and you might even be able to find a space at the bar without waiting at all. Colorful cocktails and lobster nachos are what will be worth the wait.

7.  Train ride for two. Approach the conductor at Main Street Station and ask if you can ride it. Once the next train comes, you’ll be escorted past security to the front of the Tender where there is a special (albeit small) seat for two.

8. Through Walt’s Eyes Walking tour  – 3 1/2 hour walking tour through the park with tons of facts and tips about the park. Not recommended to do with kids. For ages tweens and above.

9. Fast passes. Fast passes are your best friend wether you are there with your kids or not. They help you get on the rides without waiting in line and through the park at warp speed. You put in your ticket and it will spit out a card with a timeframe to come back and ride the ride without waiting in line. This is optimal with just the two of you because you can go on as many rides as you want without worrying about kids needing anything to hinder you from getting to your ride in time.

10.  California Adventure Adult Rides: Don’t miss- California Screamin’ roller coaster, the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror (my fave) and Soarin’ Over California.

11. Disneyland adult rides: Don’t miss  – Space Mountain, Indiana Jones Adventure and the Matterhorn Bobsleds

12. Disney’s World of Color at California Adventure – A beautiful water show that is premiered after sunset. It is in the lake and has a wonderful display that you can enjoy from many of the bars or restaurants while enjoying your cocktail or wine.