Dr. Bee’s Top 5 Bougie Experiences—Disneyland & California Adventure
My friends are always asking me, what are the bougie things to do at Disneyland. They often have trouble finding things to do for adults, but I personally think Disneyland is actually for adults! I remember when my daughter was an infant, she cried so much and I just remember feeling like it was super hard to take a vacation because I was worried about her crying. Then one day, we went to Disneyland! She cried some, but her spurts were so much less—and for the first time, I actually felt like I was on vacation too. Over time, I started to pay attention to all of the luxury and adult things that are offered so my husband and I started to take Disney trips without the kids. So—here are my top 5 bougie experiences that I love to indulge in when I go to Disneyland/California Adventure.
5. Have a Night Cap at Hearthstone Lounge
The Hearthstone lounge is the main bar and lounge in the Grand Californian. The lounge has high ceilings with an upscale woodcarver’s glamping vibe and feels very grandiose but relaxed at the same time which is perfect for a bougie night cap .You can choose to sit at a dining table, the bar, fire side, or relaxed and intimate on couches You can enjoy drinks and bites all the way until midnight. The vibe is perfect for meeting up with a friend or (or your brother) or to have a spontaneous date with your partner. This bar is also well known for its “Secret Menu.”
During my most recent visit, Disneyland was celebrating the Season of the Force. I personally enjoyed the Resistance and the First order, the Galaxy princess, and the Grogu shot From the secret menu. You can find drinks from the secret menu by doing a search on Instagram or TikTok (don’t wait too long to try a drink as the menu is constantly changing!) But if you do let get around to researching before you stop by, just know that the regular menu is great too! I recently enjoyed the delightful citrus-habanero wings and cheese & charcuterie board pair d with the Bubbly Rougue which includes Ketel One Grapefruit Rose Botanical, Moet & Chandon Imperial Brut Champagne and lemon juice.
You can make a reservation to the Hearthstone lounge, but typically you don’t need one for late night. If you are driving to the Grand Californian solely for this experience, a reservation would allow you to valet park at the hotel. You can otherwise park in the downtown Disney parking area. I personally think the lot that is next to Pixar Place hotel is the closest since it’s right across the street. Also, since the lounge is located in the Grand Californian hotel, you don’t need a park reservation to go to this lounge.
4. Indulge at the World of Color Dessert Party
The World of Color is just an amazing night time water and lights show that is unmatched! Getting a great view can be a bit tricky and if you’re any amount of bougie like me, you know the perfect view is everything! At $89 per person this experience is a bit of a splurge. But for the bougie busy mom, we know it’s so much better to have seats, service, and comfort after a long day in the park. This splurge comes with: A selection of desserts and cheeses, unlimited soft drinks, hot cocoa, and bottled water (for adults, 2 adult drinks) it also comes with reserved seating in the World of Color preferred viewing area at Paradise Gardens Park, where you can sit at a table with folding chairs or a high-top table with director chairs. I mean, these really are the best seats in the house. A separate theme park reservation and valid admission for Disney California Adventure on the same date of your reserved dessert party is required for each Guest ages 3 and older and is not included in the World of Color Dessert Party package.
If going with little ones, I highly recommend making the little ones take a nap midday since check in for the party is at 8pm and the show doesn’t start until 9pm. It may also be a good idea to bring a blanket or jacket if the evening is chilly. I
3. Enjoy Dinner at Carthay Circle
Carthay Circle is California Adventure’s premier fine dining location. The restaurant is a replica of the iconic Carthay Circle Theatre in Los Angeles which was the location where Disney’s first feature-length film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, premiered there in 1937. The restaurant is decorated with with artifacts and photos, giving us the glamour of Old Hollywood. From a food standpoint, I recently enjoyed the charred certified angus New York with fingerling potatoes and ate off my husbands plate and we enjoyed the miso glazed sautéed fish of the day. We were this close to getting the signature thick cut pork chop. Because my kids are also bougie and it wasn’t a Disney adulting trip, they did have the kids filet As a California native (living in Elk Grove which is less than 2 hours away from Napa) I can be a bit of a wine snob—let me just say there is an extensive wine list and high quality classic old Hollywood cocktails.
Unlike the hearthstone lounge, you do need a reservation here. The window opens up 60 days in advance and these reservations go fast! Disney recently added a walk up list option where you can add your party to the list. This could work for the downstairs cocktail lounge, but I wouldn’t chance it if you are with a large group.
2. Food and Wine festival
The Food and Wine festival at Disney California Adventure is a bougie foodie’s dream celebrating California’s cuisine! It occurs every year from the beginning of March to mid April. You can purchase food items from various festival marketplaces or use sip and savor pass to taste your way through the park. The sip and sip and savor pass provides a super convenient way to enjoy or share 4-8 food items and non-alcoholic beverages. You can purchase a pass at any of the market place stands. Magic key holders receive a discount on the 8 item pass. When you decide to try a dish, you will scan your pass as a form of payment and you enter the four digit code found on the back of the pass. Because the food list is so expansive, I highly recommend reviewing the food offerings and locations online before going to the park so you have an idea of what you want to try. It can otherwise get a bit overwhelming. When you are in the park, you can pick up a free food and wine passport to keep track of the food you tried.
The festival is packed with live entertainment at the backlot stage and Paradise Garden stage. You can also watch culinary demonstrations with local and visiting chefs. You can reserve a spot at the Carthay circle food and wine pairing where a wine maker discusses the wines and California cuisine or you can reserve an experience at a beverage education seminar. There’s so much to do, taste and see!
1. Stay at the Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
I mean, with “Grand” in the name, what’s not bougie about it? This hotel impressive at every turn—it has a Craftsman-style elegance, paying attention to every little detail. There are premium accommodations ranging from rooms to multi-family size suites with top notch service. I can attest to this level of service as During our recent stay we had an issues with one of our rooms and it was immediately resolved while we were at the park. I’ll post a walk through of the 3 bedroom suite on my YouTube Channel. Besides the premium accommodation, the hotel has a wonderful pool. You can sit in a luxury poolside lounging chair or rent a canbana while the kids go down one of the slides—there are life vests available for even the littlest ones and there are life guards on duty. You can order food and drinks poolside from the Craftsman Bar & Grill and your food will be delivered to you while you continue to relax. The pool also provides luxury towel service. Ok, I could go on and on about the pool but there’s much more to this hotel. It’s the location of the Tenyana Stone Spa. This 6,000 square-foot premium facility is the perfect place to rejuvenate with luxurious body treatments, facials, massages. You can indulge in the steam rooms. You can also enjoy hair, nail and makeup salon services. There are also teen spa services. The spa also has wellness offerings including group fitness classes like paddle board yoga, and early morning power walking through the park. The hotel is also the location of the Napa rose restaurant which is a Napa theme fine dining restaurant ( reservations needed) and also the princess breakfast The Story Teller Cafe which provides character breakfast is in the hotel.
A major plus is the ability to utilize the convenient hotel entry to Disney California Adventure Park. This is even more convenient when hotel guests can enter the park early through morning magic hours If you are looking for something to put you in the Christmas spirit, a stay at the Grand Californian will take you there. The lobby is transformed with Christmas decor and massive beautifully decorated Christmas tree.
