If you look for it, love is all around the Disneyland Resort. Famously coupled characters like Mickey and Minnie greet guests, sweethearts munch on tasty heart-shaped cookies, and the Lilly Belle train car, named after Walt’s beloved wife Lillian, transports visitors around the original magic kingdom. So whether you’re arranging a 10th-anniversary trip or a first date, Disneyland is a great place to show someone a good time. The beautiful scenery, thrilling adventures, and delicious food are sure to win anyone’s heart. Following these tips and tricks for a perfect date night at Disneyland might just land you your own “happily ever after.”
If “the way to someone’s heart is through their stomach,” there are plenty of ways to get to someone’s heart at Disneyland. Although, none is better than New Orleans Square’s Blue Bayou. This tranquil waterside eatery is a MUST for a Disneyland date night. While chowing down on authentic Louisiana jambalaya, enjoy the firefly-lit ambiance of a nighttime dinner on the river. Watch the Pirates of the Caribbean boats, along with all your worries, slowly pass you by to the tune of crickets and banjos. Then, wash down your southern-style feast with a refreshing mint julep. Blue Bayou is far and away the most memorable dining experience at Disneyland, and although it comes at a hefty price point, your date will agree it was well worth it. The one headache you’ll have to go through in this stress-free paradise is the process of getting in. Mark your calendar 60 days in advance and set the alarm for 3 am PST because these reservations are depleted immediately upon release. Although you can keep checking the Disneyland app to see if more reservations open up, don’t count on it. If you missed the reservation window, your best bet is to go to the hostess stand in New Orleans Square and ask if stand-by is available. With some luck and Disney magic, you may get a bayou-themed banquet.
Although food is a close second, nothing brings people closer like a dreadful fear of death. Scary theme park rides and romance have always gone together, and there are a few rides at Disneyland that will have you and your date latched onto each other in a state of horror-induced paralysis. The Haunted Mansion in Disneyland’s New Orleans Square is a “spooktacular” ghoul-filled experience that will have you wanting to never return to the unearthly manor… until your next visit. As you ride in an intimate dune buggy across the inner workings of the estate, you’ll find shaking doors, moving paintings, floating heads, and dancing ghosts. You’ll be stuck to your partner throughout the dimly lit journey, praying the undead don’t pry you out of your vehicle. Though, if you visit the parks from around Halloween to Christmas time, Disneyland transforms the ride into a more child-friendly “Haunted Mansion Holiday” with the theme of Nightmare Before Christmas taking over. In this case, I recommend riding Disney California Adventure’s Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT instead. This exhilarating escapade might not be as spine-chilling as Haunted Mansion, but your screams will be heard from miles away. As you assist the Guardians of the Galaxy on an operation to escape from an intergalactic fortress, you’ll find yourself reaching the top of the 183-foot tall building and catching a glimpse of a beautiful view of the parks. However, don’t blink because before you know it, you’ll feel your stomach rise and your body drop. All the way down, over and over again, you freefall as your mission becomes compromised. Screaming at the top of your lungs and fearing for your life is the perfect trauma for you and your date to bond over.
Although you won’t forget the calming atmosphere of Blue Bayou or the stunning view at the top of Mission Breakout anytime soon, there’s nothing better to jog up your memory and remind you of your perfect night than something you can see, feel, or even wear daily. There are many romantic souvenirs available at Disneyland that will show someone how much you care about them. A charming and sometimes inexpensive gift perfect for a date night is jewelry. There are a plethora of jewelry options at Disneyland, from necklaces to bracelets to earrings, all with varying styles and themes. Picking the perfect jewelry piece for your date can be romantic and serve as a tangible memory of your special time together at the most magical place on Earth. Once you land yourself a second date using these tips, be sure to snag an accompanying jewelry box (pictured) sold at Cristal d’Orleans.
With limitless options of rides, restaurants, and entertainment to choose from, planning a Disneyland date night can seem more menacing than the Haunted Mansion’s permanent residents. But, with these tried and true strategies for a fun and memorable Disneyland date, Minnie Mouse won’t be the only one giving you a kiss goodnight.