Greetings, Nic, and welcome to planDisney! Golly, the idea of your husband experiencing the Disneyland Resort for the first time warms my heart. Let's make sure you both have the best trip ever!
While there isn't exactly an event or service you can book for a personalized welcome to the park, I have some ideas to make the visit special. One of the first things I suggest you do is pick up a "1st Visit" button for your husband. The buttons are usually found at City Hall on Main Street, U.S.A. and at many retail shops. Throughout the day, you two may get warm greetings from Cast Members, Characters, or other Guests who notice him wearing it.
This past spring, my dad visited Disneyland for the first time in years. One of the best things we did to maximize our time in the park was to purchase
Lightning Lane passes for the family. You can even go big and purchase the
Lightning Lane Premier Pass, which gives you ultimate flexibility in accessing shorter queues at popular attractions. Make sure to visit a mix of attractions, from classics full of nostalgia to newer ones that use state-of-the-art technology. My dad was absolutely dazzled by
Rise of the Resistance!
I also recommend making a
reservation for a table-service restaurant, like Blue Bayou or Lamplight Lounge. Start looking for reservations 60 days out to secure a table. Additional reservations can be released at any time, so keep checking if there's a location you are particularly interested in. For full immersion in Disney magic, consider
Character dining!
You can also choose to end your day in style with a dining package for a nighttime spectacular. There are a few to choose from, and you really can't go wrong with any of them. I adore the
World of Color Dessert Party.
Nic, ahead of your trip, create a checklist of experiences you’d love to share. To get you started, here are a few of my favorite things to do around Disneyland between attractions. You can add these to your own list and use the
Disney Genie Service to plan a fun-filled day!
- Have a Mickey Mouse Waffle
- Watch the Disneyland Band perform
- Enjoy a Dole Whip in the Enchanted Tiki Room
- Walk through Sleeping Beauty Castle
- Ride one of the vehicles on Main Street, U.S.A.
- Visit the Audio-Animatronics fortune tellers
- Take photos with Mickey and his pals
- Visit PhotoPass locations to take a few photos together
- Explore Tom Sawyer Island
If you happen to be visiting
during the holiday season, which runs from November 14, 2025, through January 7, 2026, there will be even more magic to behold. One of my all-time favorite experiences is when "snow" falls from the sky as part of the
"Believe...In Holiday Magic" Fireworks Spectacular. The first time I experienced it is still so vivid in my mind. Don't miss that!
Nic, I hope your visit to the Disneyland Resort is full of special moments that you and your husband will remember forever! Please reach out if you have any other questions – we'd be happy to help!
Your pal,
Kriss