Adventures by Disney: Disneyland Resort and Southern California

Adventures by Disney is a premium travel experience designed to provide immersive, family-friendly guided vacations to some of the most extraordinary destinations around the globe. Unlike typical travel packages, Adventures by Disney offers a unique blend of Disney’s renowned storytelling and local expertise, ensuring that each journey is not just a trip, but a captivating adventure. Recently our Be Our Guest Vacations agent Jamie and her family were lucky enough to experience this unique style of travel on the Disneyland Resort and Southern California adventure, and she is going to explain why this type of trip might be right for you!

Pre-Trip: Planning and Gift

One of the delightful touches of an Adventures by Disney trip is the pre-trip gift box that arrives before your adventure even begins. From customized travel gear like personalized luggage tags and water bottles to practical essentials such as travel journals and themed guides about your destination, these gifts are designed to make your preparation as enjoyable as the trip itself. Each item is not only functional but also serves as a memento, helping you get in the spirit of your upcoming adventure. For our adventure, we received one backpack per room and a water bottle, lanyard, luggage straps and tags for each guest.

When you book an Adventures by Disney trip, the excitement begins long before you even set foot at your destination. One of the highlights of the pre-trip experience is the seamless airport transfer service that your Be Our Guest Vacations travel agent will help arrange for you. This service not only eliminates the stress of navigating unfamiliar airports but also ensures that every detail is handled with care, allowing you to start your journey relaxed and ready for the adventure ahead.

Day One: Arrival and Hollywood Welcome Dinner

My family arrived in Los Angeles in the late morning, and while our adventure didn't officially start until that evening, we were able to check into our hotel (the Loews Hollywood Hotel) and meet our Adventure Guides, who gave us recommendations for lunch and sightseeing in the area that we might enjoy (we visited the Griffith Park Observatory, just a short Uber away). Later that evening, we met our fellow adventurers at a catered welcome dinner where our table won a rousing round of Disney trivia! Adventures by Disney does a great job of pairing together families of similar makeup and interests, and our group quickly became fast friends.

Day Two: Hollywood

After a group breakfast at the hotel the next morning, our group set off to explore Hollywood and learn about how Walt Disney shaped the movie industry that we have today. We visited the El Capitan & TCL Chinese Theaters, followed by a behind the scenes tour of the Jim Henson Studio Lot, where my younger son was able to participate in a muppeteering exercise with an actual muppeteer! We had an included lunch at Walt Disney's favorite spot, the Tam O' Shanter and then a stop at the Carolwood Barn at Griffith Park, where we were able to explore Walt Disney's barn that he used as a model shop and chat with several retired imagineers. The afternoon wrapped up with an ice cream social at Disney's Ghirardelli Soda Fountain that was across the street from our hotel. We had the evening on our own, but several members of our group chose to go see Inside Out 2 at the El Capitan Theater, where it had premiered earlier in the week.

Day Three: Imagineering, Walt Disney Studios, and off to Disneyland

Day two also started with a catered breakfast at our hotel, and since we were moving to Disneyland later that night, our suitcases were picked up directly from our hotel room to be moved to our new accommodations. Our first stop of the morning was the one that everyone had been waiting for: Walt Disney Imagineering! We were treated to a tour by an Imagineer, who showed us behind the scenes of how the magic is created in the Disney Parks. As guests we were not allowed to take any photos or videos inside of the building (so as not to spoil the magic), but our guides were able to take a few snapshots of us. This is another perk of an Adventures by Disney vacation - your guides are also fabulous photographers and you are given access to all of the photos of your group at the end of your adventure!

After we left Imagineering, we took a short drive to the Walt Disney Studio lot, where we had an included lunch at the Commissary (we really felt like we worked there for the day!). After lunch we were able to shop at the Studio Store, but my family just enjoyed lingering outside the Commissary and watching the hustle and bustle of the lot (we spotted a few celebrities and I had a chat with Josh D'Amaro - the Chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts). We were then taken on a tour of the studio and learned a lot about the history of the space that Walt Disney designed and built to create all of our favorite classic Disney films.

After a relaxing bus ride, we arrived at the Disneyland Resort and checked into our rooms at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel and Spa, which would be our home base for the next few days. We enjoyed a group dinner at Storytellers Cafe at our hotel and then we headed into Disneyland for the first of many visits during this adventure. The adventure included four day park hopper theme park tickets for each guest, and for this first night we had an extra special experience - a visit to Walt and Lillian Disney's private apartment inside of Disneyland.

Day Four: Disneyland and Disney California Adventure

Our morning started off early with our fabulous Adventure Guides escorting us past the crowds to be the first guests to enter Disney California Adventure where we went straight to Pym Test Kitchen for an included breakfast (it's so fun to get to order whatever you want on a Disney menu!), followed by a group competition on WEB SLINGERS: A Spider-Man Adventure to see who could sling the most webs for the highest score (spoiler alert: it was not me). We then headed backstage to view the maintenance bay at Radiator Springs Racers and talk to the imagineer that helped create the attraction. Before letting us free for a few hours on our own, our Adventure Guides let us know that we had a pre-booked Lightning Lane to ride that attraction, along with five more Lightning Lanes to use at any attraction that we wanted!

After some time on our own at Disney California Adventure, we met back up with the group over at Disneyland for reserved viewing of the afternoon parade (with churros for all!). Our guides provided each of us with gift cards for to use for our dinner that night, so we rode a few more attractions, grabbed a bite to eat, and then met back up again for reserved fireworks viewing with our group (that was quickly becoming like a family).

Day Five: Disneyland and Disney California Adventure

Our last full day once again started early, but this time our Adventure Guides were able to get us into Disneyland way before any other guests, and we were able to take as many photos as we wanted on an empty Main Street, USA and in front of an empty Sleepy Beauty Castle. Before even the early entry crowds were let into the park, we hopped in line for a few of the most popular Fantasyland attractions and we were able to ride without much wait at all! Before the regular park entry guests were able to enter the park, we were already relaxing at the Plaza Inn for Minnie & Friends - Breakfast in the Park with all of our favorite characters.

After breakfast, we took a trip over to Adventureland to go backstage at the Indiana Jones Adventure to see how the ride vehicles are maintained and tested (we were able to run the testing mechanism and make the ride vehicles move however we pleased). We then took a group ride aboard the world famous Jungle Cruise (we filled an entire boat to the brim!) before being set free for the afternoon with Lightning Lanes to use and a scavenger hunt mission from our Adventure Guides. My family took a midday break at the hotel before meeting back up with the group for dinner at Lamplight Lounge in Disney California Adventure and reserved viewing for the World of Color - One fountain show.

Day Six: Goodbyes

Our group met up for one last breakfast together at Goofy's Kitchen at the Disneyland Hotel where we said our goodbyes to our new friends and Adventure Guides and then we headed back into Disneyland for a few more attractions and an extra special lunch. Just like on our arrival, Adventures by Disney also provided us with included private car service transfers to the airport after our adventure.

Is Adventures by Disney Right for You?

This specific adventure is fabulous for Disney fans that want to learn more about the history of the Walt Disney Company & the Disneyland Resort, but there are so many other options! With destinations spanning six continents, Adventures by Disney offers something for every traveler. Whether you’re exploring the ancient ruins of Greece, going on a safari in Africa, or cruising through the fjords of Norway, there’s an adventure to suit every interest and desire.

In essence, Adventures by Disney combines the magic of Disney with the allure of global exploration, creating a travel experience that is both enriching and enchanting. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or embarking on your first big trip, Adventures by Disney promises an adventure filled with wonder, discovery, and joy. Contact your Be Our Guest Vacations agent or request a quote through our website if you would like to learn more about this extra special way to travel!