Disneyland/Universal Hollywood
From Walt Disney World to Disneyland: Why I Fell in Love with the Happiest Place on Earth
Day 1: First Impressions of Disneyland
An early morning flight meant I could maximize my first day in California. After dropping my bags at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, I headed straight into Disneyland.
One of the first things I noticed was how Lightning Lane works differently than Walt Disney World. Instead of making selections before entering the park, you scan into the park first and then begin booking your Lightning Lanes. It was an easy adjustment and worked really well throughout our trip.
Walking down Main Street, U.S.A. was such a unique feeling. It felt familiar, yet completely different. Sleeping Beauty Castle is much smaller than Cinderella Castle in Florida, but it's absolutely beautiful and full of charm.
I honestly wanted to not love Disneyland...
But I absolutely did.
We spent the afternoon experiencing attractions that are unique to Disneyland, while also riding familiar favorites that have their own special twists. It's amazing how many attractions are different versions of rides I already know and love.
That evening we enjoyed reserved viewing for the Paint the Night Parade, and it completely exceeded my expectations. The music, lights, floats, and energy made it one of my favorite nighttime parades Disney has ever created.
Of course, Disneyland was open until midnight, so we squeezed in one more attraction before finally calling it a night after nearly 24 hours awake!
Day 2: Characters, California Adventure & Lots of Snacks
We started the morning with breakfast at Storytellers Café, one of my favorite character dining experiences from the trip. The food was fantastic, and I loved that the characters came right to our table. It made for a relaxed breakfast where we could enjoy great food without spending valuable park time waiting in character meet-and-greet lines.
One thing I really appreciated throughout Disneyland Resort was how often you see characters simply out and about in the parks. Instead of needing to stand in long lines for many character interactions, you'll often spot your favorite Disney friends strolling through the park, greeting guests, or stopping for quick photos. It creates such a fun, spontaneous atmosphere and makes the parks feel even more magical.
After breakfast, we headed into Disney California Adventure, and I was immediately struck by how different it feels from Disneyland Park. While Disneyland is filled with nostalgia and classic Disney charm, California Adventure has its own unique vibe with immersive lands, thrilling attractions, and incredible food offerings. It truly feels like you're visiting two completely different parks during one vacation.
Thanks to Lightning Lane, we were able to experience attraction after attraction with very little waiting. We packed so much into the day while still taking time to slow down and enjoy the atmosphere. Of course, we couldn't resist trying plenty of the delicious snacks throughout the park—because no Disney day is complete without treating yourself!
One of the biggest highlights for me was Cars Land. Pictures simply don't do it justice. Walking through Radiator Springs feels like stepping right into the movie, and Radiator Springs Racers quickly became one of my favorite attractions of the entire trip. Avengers Campus was another standout, bringing the Marvel universe to life with incredible details, entertainment, and experiences you won't find at Walt Disney World.
By the end of the day, I realized just how much California Adventure has to offer. It's not a park to rush through—it's one to explore, experience, and truly enjoy. Between the attractions, entertainment, food, immersive lands, and all of the magical character moments around every corner, it easily became one of my favorite parts of visiting Disneyland Resort.
Day 3: Learning to Better Serve My Clients
Before I dive into the day, I have to take a moment to say thank you. This incredible Disneyland experience was an earned trip as a Top Disney-producing travel advisor, and none of it would have been possible without my amazing clients. Every family, couple, and traveler who trusts me to help plan their vacations is the reason opportunities like this happen. I am truly grateful for each of you. Your support allows me to continue learning, growing, and experiencing these destinations firsthand so I can bring the very best knowledge, recommendations, and service back to every client I work with.
The morning began with a hosted breakfast followed by Disney training designed specifically for travel advisors. I love opportunities like this because travel is always evolving, and I believe there's always something new to learn. Every training session, site tour, and firsthand experience helps me better understand the destinations I recommend so I can confidently create vacations that are the perfect fit for each family.
After training, we toured additional Disneyland Resort hotels. One thing that really stood out to me was how incredibly walkable everything is. With the parks located right next to each other, many nearby hotels are just a short walk away. Families with little ones can easily head back for naps, pool breaks, or an afternoon rest without folding up strollers or waiting for buses. That convenience is a huge advantage for many families and something I'll definitely be sharing with my clients.
Before the evening ended, we squeezed in a couple more attractions before attending a special Top Producer dinner with fellow advisors. It was a wonderful evening celebrating achievements while connecting with other passionate travel professionals who share the same goal—creating unforgettable vacations for their clients.
We wrapped up the night at Trader Sam's Enchanted Tiki Bar, and it absolutely lived up to the hype! Between the interactive atmosphere, fun surprises, and lots of laughs, it was the perfect way to end another incredible day at Disneyland Resort.
Day 4: More Resort Tours & World of Color
The morning was spent touring additional resorts around the Disneyland area, giving me even more firsthand knowledge to help clients choose the right accommodations for their family and budget.
We had more park time to enjoy attractions and of course snacks!
That evening we experienced the World of Color Dessert Party.
Having reserved seating while enjoying desserts made watching this incredible nighttime spectacular even more enjoyable. The combination of music, fountains, projections, and Disney storytelling is truly unforgettable.
Day 5: No Rope Drop Needed
One of the biggest surprises of this trip?
I never felt like I had to rope drop.
Using Lightning Lane strategically allowed us to experience everything we wanted—and even ride some attractions twice—without the pressure of arriving before sunrise each day.
After another morning in Disneyland, we made our way to Hollywood to begin the next part of our adventure.
We checked into the Universal Hollywood area, enjoyed a welcome dinner at Universal CityWalk, explored a bit, and called it an early night before another busy day.
Agents get to join the fun!
Before we headed to Hollywood, I had the opportunity to welcome two of the agents from my team who joined me for the second half of the trip. One of the greatest blessings of this career isn't just helping clients create unforgettable vacations—it's having the chance to mentor and support other agents as they build businesses they love.
Watching them experience these destinations firsthand, ask questions, learn the details that make a difference, and grow in confidence was incredibly rewarding. I truly love pouring into others, sharing what I've learned, and helping them become the best travel advisors they can be. When my agents grow, our clients benefit from even more knowledgeable, passionate professionals who are committed to creating amazing vacation experiences.
I'm so thankful they were able to join me, and I loved getting to experience Universal Hollywood, site tours, and everything else together. Moments like these remind me why I love what I do—not only do I get to plan dream vacations, but I also get to help others build careers that allow them to make those dreams come true for families every single day.
Day 6: Exploring Hollywood
The day began with site tours of local hotels, giving us a chance to experience several great options for clients staying in the Hollywood area. In the afternoon, we climbed aboard an open-air Hollywood bus tour, which was such a fun way to see the city. From famous landmarks and iconic neighborhoods to filming locations, it gave me a whole new appreciation for everything Hollywood has to offer.
One of our favorite hotel visits was the Beverly Garland Hotel. We loved the atmosphere so much that after our tours were finished, we went back that evening for drinks and dinner. It was the perfect place to relax after a busy day of exploring.
As a bonus, the Beverly Garland Hotel is only about a three-minute walk from the famous Brady Bunch house, so of course we had to go check it out! It was such a fun stop, especially for anyone who grew up watching the classic show.
One thing this day really reinforced for me is that Hollywood is so much more than just Universal Studios. While the theme park is definitely a highlight, the area is packed with sightseeing opportunities, great restaurants, museums, iconic filming locations, and unique experiences that make it well worth spending several days exploring. I would absolutely recommend treating Hollywood as its own destination, with Universal Studios being just one part of the adventure.
Day 7: Universal Studios Hollywood
Our final day was spent exploring Universal Studios Hollywood.
While the park is smaller than Universal Orlando, it offers several unique attractions and experiences you won't find anywhere else. Even rides that exist in Orlando often have noticeable differences, making them fun to experience again.
With Express Pass, we spent very little time waiting in line and were able to enjoy nearly everything the park had to offer.
Without question, the Studio Tour is the must-do attraction. Getting a behind-the-scenes look at working movie sets and famous filming locations is something you simply can't experience anywhere else.
Final Thoughts
This trip completely changed my perspective on Disneyland.
I arrived expecting to compare it to Walt Disney World.
Instead, I discovered that Disneyland has its own personality, history, and charm that makes it incredibly special.
Whether it's the walkability of the resorts, unique attractions, incredible entertainment, or the nostalgic feeling of visiting Walt Disney's original park, Disneyland offers an experience that every Disney fan should have at least once.
As a travel advisor, there's nothing more valuable than experiencing these destinations firsthand. Every resort tour, attraction, restaurant, and training allows me to better match my clients with vacations that fit their travel style, budget, and dreams.
If Disneyland, Universal Hollywood, or a California vacation has been on your bucket list, I'd love to help you plan it. My concierge travel planning services are complimentary, and I'd love to help make your next adventure unforgettable.
