Welcome to the Disney Parks Moms Panel, Julie. I'm excited to hear you'll be taking your first trip to the Disneyland Resort with your son in October. I recently took a mother-daughter trip to the Happiest Place on Earth with my 14-year-old and it was such a lovely bonding experience for us.
For first-timers, I recommend checking out "
Planning Your Disneyland Resort Visit" page on the Disneyland for good tips in planning some fun-filled days at the parks. There are useful information for lodging, dining, services available to Guests, and even a link to offers & discounts when available.
There are some must-do's that my own teenager enjoys. In Disneyland Park, be sure to experience Hyperspace Mountain, Indian Jones Adventure, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Matterhorn Bobsleds, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Haunted Mansion. At night, don't miss "Paint the Night" parade, full of catchy tunes and mesmerizing LED lights! At Disney California Adventure Park, check out Soarin' Around the World, Radiator Springs Racers, Toy Story Midway Mania!, and Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.
For your dining pleasure, there are some great food and treats to be found at both parks. We love Cafe Orleans (try their delicious Pommes Frites), Cozy Cone Motel (we love the Chili Cone Queso and Chicken Verde served in bread cone), Corn Dog Castle (the hot link corn dog is pretty tasty), and Mint Julep Bar (you can order Mickey-shaped beignets here too!) For a nice table service, we enjoy Wine Country Trattoria, Blue Bayou Restaurant, as well as Carthay Circle Restaurant.
I hope this information is helpful in getting you started on your vacation planning. As always, please stop by the Panel if you have more questions for us! We are here to assist you in planning a magical trip with your son, Julie.
Wishing you a magical day,
Kiki