How to Spice Up Anaheim's Disneyland and California Adventures for Couples: Insider Tips

Whether going to celebrate a birthday, an anniversary, or on your very first date, Anaheim’s Disneyland and California Adventures provide the largest playground that could liven up any long standing relationship, spark a new one, or just be an adventure for both parties involved. Unfortunately, the crowds of both parks make it somewhat of a challenge to have a romantic and adventurous date, but I have devised the best tips to help couples navigate through both parks to have the maximum positive experience.

Buy tickets beforehand. Purchasing at the ticket booth is very expensive, plus there are no discounts like AAA or Southern California. If you are a resident of Southern California, you will be able to purchase two of the annual passes, Southern California Select or Southern California. If you go on a weekend, these annual passes will most likely not work, since there are block out dates. For purchasing tickets outside the park, go to your local Costco for a deal; if you are a student, most colleges offer discounts to students.

Decide if you and your date want to see the new World of Color show. Since the show is new, the demand to see it is high. If you wait till the day of, you could be waiting in a line for more than an hour and not get the best seating. The best way to view this show is to purchase a picnic meal from Disney that comes with prime seating. For $14.99 to $16.99 (depending on the day you go), you get a pre-packaged picnic meal with the best seating possible that only requires you to be there ten minutes before the show starts.

Make reservations for any special type of dining ahead of time. A week before arrival, make dining reservations for any restaurant in either park that is difficult to obtain the day of. This includes the World of Color picnic baskets and Pirates of the Caribbean’s Blue Bayou.

Be prepared for a $15 parking fee (and this continues to climb). When I first got my pass, it was $10! Unbelievable.

If you park in the structure, a tip that most individuals do not know about is that on your parking pass, there is space to mark down which floor, column, and space you parked at. For example, Mickey E6. Once you fill it out, keep it on you to refer to when you leave. Searching for your car in the huge structure after a long exhaustive day will surely ruin your date. Avoid the disaster, and use the parking pass.

Pick up the event times for the day. This will help you figure out when to avoid certain areas of the park, and when you want to see a show.

Insider tip: In Disneyland, the stores are connected in two major blocks on both sides of Main Street. If it gets too crowded, opt to walk through the stores.

Get the Best Fast Passes First. Fast passes enable you to cut the line on specific rides with some conditions: you can only have one fast pass per a ride at a time, and you can only use your fast pass at the time specified on the fast pass (i.e. you can’t use it until 3:35 PM).

Insider tips:

• The fast pass has a starting point and ending point; any Disney employee will allow you to still use the fast pass hours after the ending time has lapsed as long as it is on the same day. Don’t throw away any fast pass that has “expired.”
• Be smart with your time. Read the fast pass—occasionally, some fast passes will allow you to get another fast pass for another ride before the starting time has been met. Also, it is not smart to get a fast pass that is for 7PM when it is only 10AM. That means until 7 you cannot get another fast pass, which means more of your day will be spent in line.
• The Disney and California Adventure Rides that are a fast pass-must are:

1. Splash Mountain, Disneyland . Never wait in this line. It is typically over an hour, and with a fast pass the wait is generally 15 minutes.
2. Space Mountain, Disneyland . Only get this fast pass if it is at a decent time from when you get it, otherwise you waste your day. This ride typically takes over an hour, and fast pass will take 20 minutes at most.
3. Tower of Terror, California Adventures . This fast pass is closed a lot of the time, but when it is open, rarely anybody uses it; therefore, it is usually only an hour behind from when you pick it up.
4. Indiana Jones, Disneyland . This ride can take up to an hour; the fast pass is not the best, since there is a decent line inside the ride that you don’t see until you enter. It can take up to 15 minutes to 30 minutes.

For the romantic date….

• Autopia, Disneyland. If the wait is less than 20 minutes, this ride is worth it. A recommendation: ride together in one car and decide who is the driver (separate is never fun, plus you rarely get to actually race against the other vehicle because they put you behind one another on the same track).
• Big Thunder Ranch, Disneyland. Near Thunder Mountain, this attraction gives you the opportunity to pet goats and sheep as well as take some funny photos with the props provided.
• Haunted Mansion, Disneyland. Nothing but a little scare in a slow moving doom-buggie to romanticize the date.
• It’s a Small World, Disneyland. The slower the ride, the better. Here you can play a game of spotting your cultural backgrounds and recently added characters—see who can pick out the most. I’ll give you a hint Pinocchio, contrary to popular belief, is not in Germany. Happy hunting.
• Jungle Cruise, Disneyland. The jokes might be repetitive and slightly awkward, but the sounds of the water and the animatronics of the animals are fun to look at. This is definitely a relaxing boat ride that should bring some laughs, at least, some awkward ones if any.
• Pirates of the Caribbean, Disneyland. This classic ride is definitely a dim-lit mood setter with treasure for all to see.
• Storybook Land Canal Boats, Disneyland. The boats might be small, but the miniature towns of Cinderella, Aladdin, Little Mermaid, and more classic Disney characters are a delight!
• Disney’s Aladdin- A Musical Spectacular, California Adventures. For not having to pay for admission into this theater, it is well-produced with jokes constantly being updated. This is a show for all ages.
• Mickey’s Fun Wheel, California Adventures. Boarding a non-moving compartment is more romantic than one that rocks on this ferris wheel. Just wait to see what I mean.
• Soarin’ Over California, California Adventures. In this ride, both you and your couple will be flying high over scenic views of orange groves to the coast. You will feel the wind in your hair, and the salt in your mouth.
• Toy Story Mania!, California Adventures. This 3-D ride allows you to compete against your partner for shooting moving targets. A little competition always spices up any relationship.

For the adventurous/whirlwind date…

• Alice and Wonderland’s Mad Tea Party, Disneyland. This spin-tastic teacups ride will make anybody laugh and enjoy themselves.
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Disneyland. “Hold on tight cause this yer ride is the wildest in the wilderness” – doesn’t need any more explaining than that.
• Captain EO Starring Michael Jackson, Disneyland. This 3-D show will give anybody that much needed Jackson fill for the day. The King of Pop will bring on the fun.
• Indiana Jones Adventure, Disneyland. This is one bumpy car ride of adventure with giant snakes and the heroic Indiana Jones there for the rescue.
• Space Mountain, Disneyland. With the music, the speed, and the lights, this ride is sure to get the adrenaline pumping.
• Splash Mountain, Disneyland. Remember to get a fast pass for this one. My favorite ride of Disneyland; this ride offers entertainment with cartoonish characters, plot, intrigue, and a large drop. Hold on tight to your date as you both plummet to the bottom.
• California Screamin', California Adventures. This is the only ride in both parks that is an upside down roller coaster. Enjoy!
• ElecTRONica, California Adventures. This attraction pays homage to the new movie TRON:Legacy and features a live House DJ, vintage arcade games, and lively performers. You can dance to house beats with your partner, or just watch little kids dance (seriously, the cutest thing ever). 
• Grizzly River Run, California Adventures. This water ride is the best at night since the caves make it that much harder to see in the dark. Tip: Go to the nearest store and ask for a bag to put your purse, wallet, keys, cell phones, camera, jackets, etc in. Disney has yet to master putting plastic compartments in their water rides.
• The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, California Adventures. Nothing like a plunge to bring you closer together; hold onto any loved ones before entering into another dimension.

• Astro Orbitor, Disneyland. This ride was built for an adult plus one child. Two adults make for a very uncomfortable ride. Not worth it.
• Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters, Disneyland. Same thing as Toy Story Mania! but without the 3-D and other features. It is just not up to par, and therefore wouldn’t waste my time.
• Casey Jr. Circus Train, Disneyland. Built for little kids in mind, there are only a few spots for adults to sit comfortably. Avoid.
• Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes, Disneyland. Nobody likes doing work on their vacation. What looks like fun wears out within the first five minutes. Don’t bother with canoeing on your date.
• Enchanted Tiki Room, Disneyland. Although an original attraction, this show is too much on the cheesy side that it becomes uncomfortable.
• Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage, Disneyland. The submarines are just too small and stuffy. You will find yourself squished shoulder-to-shoulder with people you don’t know, and with wafts of unusual smells filling up the small cabin; especially true when it is a very hot day outside.
• Matterhorn Bobsleds, Disneyland. You would think a ride where you have to semi-sit on your partner’s lap would be romantic. Wrong! The track makes the ride too rocky, and men complain that it hurts them...well…I’ll let your imagination fill in the rest.

• Blue Bayou, Disneyland. This moonlit setting restaurant will set the mood. Remember to book ahead; it is not worth waiting in line to dine. Also, book an early lunch, late lunch, or late dinner to feel less rushed; and request to sit near the water (might not be possible, but worth a try). The restaurant is pretty loud, therefore it is hard to hear one another.
• Carnation Café, Disneyland. A create spot to eat at during parade time. Plus, their pretzel bread is amazing.
• Pacific Wharf Café, California Adventures. Boudin Bakery at your doorsteps, order delicious salads and soups in huge bread bowls to eat near the waterfront.
• Wine Country Trattoria at the Golden Vine Winery, California Adventures. For a relaxing lunch or dinner without leaving the park, opt for this restaurant. When you eat here, you don’t even feel like you are in an amusement park, definitely a secluded restaurant for wine lovers.
• Catal, Downtown Disney. Located in Downtown Disney, this second-story restaurant provides the perfect terrace to see the fireworks show. Make reservations on the patio a half an hour before the firework show starts. You won't hear the music, but you won't be knee-to-knee with strangers on hard,cold asphalt like the rest vying for good firework seating.

Buy your date something small to remember the day. The best stores for adults are:

• The Disney Gallery, Disneyland
• D Street, Downtown Disney
• World of Disney, Downtown Disney
• Off the Page, California Adventures