Hi Melissa,
Welcome back to planDisney! I see it’s been a while, so thank you for trusting us again with your planning questions. I really went down the rabbit hole for this one, so let's get into it!
PARK DAYS
You can absolutely get through the Disneyland Resort in two days. I recommend prioritizing rides that are unique to Disneyland Resort, like the Matterhorn Bobsleds, Indiana Jones Adventure, Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!, the Incredicoaster, and Radiator Springs Racers, etc.
If you’re not sure you can fit everything in, I highly recommend upgrading to a Park Hopper ticket. I love bouncing between Disneyland and California Adventure because it gives me so much more flexibility with my plans.
Hot Take: I don’t like to Park Hop at Walt Disney World. I’ll rally if I must, but if I had it my way, I’d spend the entire day in one park. However, at Disneyland Resort… I’m Team Park Hopper all the way! Park hopping is super easy when both park entrances are just a short walk from each other.
HOTELS
Honestly, I haven’t stayed off-site before. That said, Disneyland does offer a list of Good Neighbor Hotels. These are Disney-approved hotels that are generally close to the resort. You can browse the list to see if any catch your eye or use any hotel rewards you may already have.
I know you mentioned looking for a more budget-friendly option, but it never hurts to check the
Offers and Discounts page on the Disneyland website to see if there are any hotel deals available.
CHARACTER DINING
My favorite character dining option is actually not in the parks; it’s at
Storytellers Cafe, located inside the Grand Californian Hotel. I went there on a whim with my daughter for breakfast, and we had a blast! The food was great, and the characters came by our table multiple times. In the past, it was only a character breakfast, but in recent years, they’ve started offering brunch and dinner options with characters, too.
DINING OPTIONS
Here are my top 4 favorite places to eat:
#1 Carthay Circle Restaurant – California Adventure (Table Service)
#2 Pym Test Kitchen – California Adventure (Quick Service)
#3 Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo – Disneyland (Quick Service)
#4 Lamplight Lounge – California Adventure (Table Service)
BONUS TIP: Food & Wine Festival
If you’re planning to visit in March, you’ll likely be there during the
Food & Wine Festival at California Adventure! It’s a foodie’s paradise with over 100 food and beverage options to try. I recommend getting a Sip and Savor Pass to save on a select number of food items (alcoholic beverages not included). Be sure to check the
2025 Disney Parks Foodie Guide for a full overview.
My personal favorites from this past year were the Musubi Fried Rice and the Cherry Cobbler Pot de Crème. Fingers crossed they return next year!
I hope this was helpful, Melissa! I have so much more I could say, but I’ve maxed out my character count—oops! Feel free to follow up if you have more questions. I’d be happy to help.
Have a magical vacation!
– Melinda