Ptown Out of Town| Disneyland and Universal Studios

I went to Disneyland during the holidays- the place deemed as “Happiest Place on Earth”, and Universal Studios. I brought back amazing memories, handy tips, and the best attractions.

Must-See Attractions:

1. Space Mountain (Disneyland):
This legendary roller-coaster takes you on a wild ride through the stars- all in the dark.

2. Guardians of the Galaxy (Disney California Adventure)
Feel your stomach drop in the dark in this bone-chilling drop tower ride. While waiting in line, observe hair-raising artifacts (don’t forget to take pictures) and blood-curdling simulations. The ride itself is in a cart with around sixteen people, so don’t worry, you will have others to scream with.

3. Studio Tram Tour (Universal)
This one-hour tram ride opened in 1986, and has been delighting fans of Hollywood ever since. Embark on a journey through the secrets of film-making, frightening simulations, and through water.

4. Shows
Universal Studios and Disneyland offer a variety of shows- don’t miss them! In my opinion, they were even better than most of the rides. I would recommend watching Fantasmic (Disneyland), parades (Disneyland), Water World (Universal Studios), and Special Effects (Universal Studios).

5. Indiana Jones (Disneyland)
Help save Indiana Jones on a fast-paced thrill ride through a cursed temple. Experience sudden drops, hissing reptiles, and virtual objects flying towards you.

6. Forbidden Journey
Make your way through the classrooms and corridors of Hogwarts while waiting in line. During the ride, sit back and enjoy a journey of spine-chilling dementors and golden snitches.

1. Arrive when the park opens

It’s Los Angeles! The weather’s warm, the sun is shining, and sleeping in is inviting. However, most park-goers had the same idea as you, so coming in at 11 am will only earn you long wait times.

Disneyland and Universal Studios are notorious for selling goods for almost triple their original price. That includes water, pizza, and sweatshirts. So, pack a lunch and spend the money you save on worthwhile souvenirs. If you end up ordering in the parks, you can save valuable ride time by ordering through their respective apps. Beware! Some foods may look good (like the Mickey Pretzel below) but have bad taste.

Want to ride Guardians of the Galaxy? 2hr wait. How about ride Space Mountain? 3hr wait time. Okay, what about the short, sweet Minion Mayhem? 1 hr wait time. Rides are at most only 3 minutes long, so go single-rider if you can. However, because many rides don’t offer single-rider lines, you can get the FastPasses. They will not only save you from many long lines, but they can also guarantee a great view of eye-catching shows, like the legendary Fantasmic.

Dole whip- Hurry up to the Tiki Juice Bar and get your dole whip- a juicy, frozen pineapple sorbet-like treat.

Disney California Adventure

Red’s Apple Freeze- Found at Cozy Cone #4, try this refreshing drink on a hot day.

Universal Studios
Butterbeer- It’s The Wizarding World of Harry Potter! What better way to celebrate than by enjoying the legendary butterbeer. You can buy it frozen or just cold.

I hope you enjoyed reading about my experience! If you plan to go to Disneyland, Disney California Adventure, or Universal Studios, I hope you now have some idea about what to expect and must-dos.