10 Things to Do at Disneyland If Rides Aren’t Your Thing

Sunny Chanel
Jan 03, 2017

One of the biggest complaints people have about Disneyland is having to wait in those oh-so-torturous lines for (okay, we admit — pretty amazing) rides. Sure, there are fast passes, but if you have no patience for waitin’ or don’t love rides in general, then you might think that the Disneyland experience just isn’t for you. But you know what? Some of the BEST times at the happiest place on Earth happen not on rides but while you’re seeking out the non-attraction magic that’s around every bend. Here are 10 ways you can have an AH-MAZING time at Disney parks without going on a single train, roller coaster or fairy tale-inspired ride.

View this post on Instagram

🌵🌵🌵 #HiddenMickey #RadiatorSpringsRacers #RadiatorSprings #CarburetorCounty #CarsLand #Disneyland #DCA #DisneyCaliforniaAdventure #DisneyMagic #DisneySide #AnnualPassholder #Cactus

A post shared by April (@makeitblue_april) on

1. Look for all the hidden Mickeys. All over Disneyland, California Adventure and Disney World, you can find *hundreds* of hidden Mickeys, from landscaping to motifs on wallpaper to tiny little Mickeys hidden on signs. Some are obvious; others are obscure. There are a couple of different books you can pick up on Main Street that will assist you with your quest (AKA give you clues on where to find them). This challenge will totes keep you and your eyes busy ALL day.

View this post on Instagram

Breakfast, anyone? #Mickey #waffles (Photo: @eddieestrada)

A post shared by Disneyland (@disneyland) on

2. Eat *all* the Disney-inspired foods. Forget any and all diets in Disney territory and indulge in Disney delights all day long. Start off with a classic Mickey waffle (it’s a MUST), grab a freshly dipped corn dog or one of those MASSIVE turkey legs for lunch and then indulge at the beautiful Blue Bayou (located in the Pirates of the Caribbean) for dinner.

View this post on Instagram

Fun drinks! 🌀💗🌀💗🌀💗🌀💗🌀💗🌀💗🌀💗🌀💗🌀💗🌀💗🌀💗🌀💗🌀💗🌀💗🌀💗🌀💗

A post shared by Mr PricklePants (@disneyland_mrpricklepants) on

3. Try some of the enchanted drinks. While Disneyland is dry (unless you can somehow finagle an invite to Club 33), you’ll need to go to one of the hotels or California Adventure to get your drink on (in moderation of course). Grab a seat at the Carthay Circle for a classic cocktail or craft beer, visit Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar for a tropical elixir or hide out in the Cove Bar and order one of the drinks from their secret menu, like the Neverland Tea or the multi-hued Fun Wheel, above.

4. Trade Disney pins with the characters. Disney pins add so much flair (and a bit of whimsy) to your fave jacket, but if you’re like most, you can’t stop at just one. Next thing you know, you’re galavanting around the park with a lanyard laden with all sorts of pins around your neck. Pin trading will keep things interesting. It’s a way to exchange pins with cast members who display their pin collections that are up for grabs. You can even trade with characters to get special cast pins or Hidden Mickey pins. So cool. Warning: If you end up with 10 pounds of pins on your jacket, you may have gone too far.

View this post on Instagram

Not sure who had the most fun today...kind of think it was me. 🐭❤️@disneyland

A post shared by Kourtney Kardashian (@kourtneykardash) on

5. Meet the characters (selfies optional). If you think that meeting characters like Minnie, Mickey, Elsa or Anna is just for little ones, you’re wrong. Way wrong. The characters we all know and love are there for everyone to engage with. Not only will you be charmed by coming face to face with an IRL version of your fave Disney characters, but it’s pretty much the best photo op ever.

View this post on Instagram

Some day I'll walk into a shop and say, "I'll take one of each please."

A post shared by Rosella Weeding (@mydisneylandfun) on

6. Hit up the Disney gift shops. It’s pretty much impossible to walk out of Disneyland empty handed. Iconic hats, adorable shirts, retro posters and various kitchen tools will tempt you at every turn. While many of the shops sell similar things, there are a few places that have unique offerings, such as Disneyana or Off the Page (splurge-worthy original art), or head to the Mad Hatter for a fresh pair of ears.

View this post on Instagram

Dapper Dan chaos #dapperdans #barbershopquartet #disneyland #mainstreetusa #christmastime #christmasdappers #homefortheholidays #atlantictopacific #trafficisterrific #chaos #anarchy #wherearewegoing #confused #dapperjimdrives #beepbeep

A post shared by @ rapunzelnrum on

7. Enjoy all the Main Street bands. There may be a whole lot to see at Disneyland, but there’s also so much to hear. Throughout the lands, there are extremely talented musicians playing a variety of genres of music, from Dixieland to Pirate songs to the catchy ditties performed by the world-famous Dapper Dans. Spend the day searching out music and actually staying put to hear the band’s sets.

View this post on Instagram

she's a funny girl that Belle 🌹

A post shared by Jesse Rhian 🎆🏰 (@fantasmia.jpg) on

8. Catch a hilarious show. Entertainment is a BIG deal at Disneyland, and the production level is way impressive. Currently, you can be delighted by The Royal Theatre presenting Beauty and the Beast and Tangled (it’s hilarious), the cameo-heavy Mickey and the Magical Mapand the brand new (and epic) production Frozen — Live at the Hyperion. A big perk of seeing a few shows? You get to sit down for awhile!

View this post on Instagram

You bet I made Bloody Mary's and brought them to the pool #bloodymary #disneygrandcalifornianhotel #grandcalifornian #disneyland #disneylandresort #disneybooze #pooltime #sundayfunday #dapperday #dapperday2016

A post shared by Amanda McConnell (@amandamcconnell_) on

9. Disney resort it UP. To have an amazing time, you don’t even need to have a ticket to the parks (seriously). Sometimes, you just need to chill at the hotel all day and soak in the sun (and the Disney magic). All three of the Disneyland resorts (Disneyland Hotel, the Grand Californian and the Paradise Pier) have pools and various perks. For an epic afternoon, book a cabana at the Disneyland Hotel, sip on a few fruity cocktails and relax. Throw in dining in their restaurants (taking in a character meal or two for added pixie dust), get a massage at the spa at the Grand Californian and take a hotel tour (and learn about all those added touches). Perfect day — done.

View this post on Instagram

We found Patrick's house from the book! #disneyland #littlemanofdisneyland #adventureland #leprechaun #missionaccomplished #disneybucketlist #playyourlife

A post shared by Avalina Sabrina (@pocahotassinator) on

10. Seek out all those tiny, amazing Disney details. Many visitors get lost in the shuffle of going from ride to ride, never stopping to appreciate all the amazing little details Disneyland has integrated into everything. Don’t be that person. Take your time and soak it all in. Find the cute leprechaun house in Adventureland, check out the ancient petrified tree by the Rivers of America and read the windows on Main Street that pay tribute to the Imagineers that created all the Disney magic.

What’s your favorite thing to do at Disneyland? Tell us @BritandCo!

(Featured photos via @disneyland)

Not Close With Your Family? Here's How To Have a Joyous And Connected Holiday Season

Last year, some of us celebrated the holidays apart from our families for the first time. COVID has brought with it many changes, some of them arguably positive (like increased flexibility to work from home), some difficult (such as the realization of vastly different political and social views between family and friends), and some horrible (obviously, the health implications of a global pandemic). However, for some of us, celebrating the holidays without family members isn't exclusively due to COVID. In addition to so many of us living in different areas than our families of origin, some of us simply don't have close bonds with the people we grew up around. Sometimes, this can cause loneliness.

If you're not close with your family members, the holidays can be a difficult time. This is doubly true if you don't have a close circle of friends to call upon. But make no mistake, if this sounds like your situation, you're not alone — there are thousands of other people going through the same struggles you are. We sat down with Irad Eichler, founder of Circles, a website that connects people who are sharing similar struggles, like heartbreak, grief, or loneliness. Here are some of Eichler's tips for coping — and even thriving! — during the holiday season when you're not planning on spending it with your family, for one reason or another.

Don't Fall For "Perfect Families" On Social Media

Laura Chouette

The first VERY important step to having a joyous holiday season when you're going it alone is to stop believing the narrative that others' family situations are perfect, Eichler says.

"Remember people only post a moment in time, and only the moments when they look their happiest and best."

In addition to the fact that everything you see on social media is curated for the 'gram, it's also important to remember that by focusing on what others have and you lack, you risk failing to see the great things at play in your own life.

"These holiday periods can become a time of focusing on who and what we don't have, rather than who or what we do, and can cause a negative spiral into depressing and dreadful feelings of inadequacy," says Eichler.

Gratitude is the reason for the season, after all. So instead of only seeing the negative, try some gratitude journal prompts to help you focus on what's actually really wonderful about your life right now.

Make An Effort To Deepen New Connections

Joel Muniz

While it may seem like everyone has friends and family to spend time with during the holiday season, that doesn't mean no one is available for deepening a blossoming relationship or new friendship.

"Make a list of people you can or would like to connect with, and try to reach out to at least one of them," advises Eichler.

Reaching out doesn't have to mean a big plan or an hour-long conversation. Even a quick text letting a friendly coworker know you're thinking about them can go a long way toward deepening the relationship and moving it in the direction of closer friendship.

Don't have an acquaintance in mind? Then it's time to make new acquaintances. What's more in line with the Christmas spirit than attending a Meetup or event full of people eager to make new friends?

"Join groups with similar interests to yours, such as hiking, baking, or games. Push your boundaries and be brave - you might find new people who have much in common with you."

Give Back

Priscilla Du Preez

The holiday season is a great time to focus on giving back to your community, and coincidentally, acts of generosity and kindness are known to reduce loneliness and help people feel happier. One study found that knowing a few of your neighbors and doing small acts of kindness for them — such as cheering them up, listening to them, mowing their lawn, providing advice about local business recommendations and job opportunities, and chatting over the fence — was statistically correlated with feeling less lonely and having a lower risk of depression.

Helping out elderly neighbors can be a particularly gratifying way to give back.

"Notice older lonely people in your neighborhood or community who might have no family at all, and offer to help them," says Eichler. "These can become mutually meaningful connections, and help you 'adopt' a grandparent."

Connect With Others Online

Thought Catalog

Finally, use the Internet for its highest and best purpose: to connect people. Whether you're using Meetup to find in-person events, digital forums for having conversations about special interests, or programs like Circle for getting support from others in your situation, the opportunities to create new connections are practically endless.

"There are many interest groups that can be found digitally, where or any person can connect with others in the same life stage, going through the same challenges, or who would like to explore the same interests," Eichler states. "Meaningful connections can be formed easily in these circumstances. The Internet enables us to find and connect to people all over the world who fit this, and to whom we can become more easily attached, as we are able to find people with the exact interests that energize us."

If you're struggling with loneliness, you're not alone. Connect with our digital community of makers and creatives here at Brit+Co by following us on IG and signing up for our newsletter!

This post has been updated.

relationship advicewellnessfriendshiprelationshipsholidays

Zach Bryan & Brianna Chickenfry's Break Up Is COMPLICATED — Here's What To Know

Zach Bryan and Brianna "Chickenfry" LaPaglia's explosive breakup is everywhere right now. From his seemingly one-sided social media posts to all the bombshell revelations she keeps dropping, it's clear this split is NOT amicable. Both parties are dropping tons of lore, info, and everything in between — including new music?! — right now, so it makes sense if you can't keep up. Luckily, I'm here to help break this breakup down for you! Here's everything you need to know about Zach Bryan and Brianna Chickenfry's relationship...or lack thereof.

Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

October 22, 2024 – Zach Bryan Announces His Breakup With Brianna Chickenfry

On October 22, 2024, after some recent speculation that Zach Bryan and Brianna Chickenfry split up, Zach took to his Instagram stories. The country star said, "Addressing something: Brianna and me have broken up with [each other] and I respect and love her with every ounce of my heart. She has loved me unconditionally for a very long time and for that I'll always thank her."

He continued, noting, "I have had an incredibly hard year personally and struggled through some pretty severe things. I thought it would be beneficial for both of us to go our different ways. I am not perfect and never will be. Please respect Brianna's privacy and space in this and if you have it in your heart, mine too."

To wrap it all up, he closed by apologizing to his fans. He said, "With everything I am and to anyone I let down, I am sorry. I try my best in everything. I failed people that love me and mostly myself."

www.youtube.com

- YouTube

Brianna hopped on her own Instagram stories shortly there after. She posted, "Hey guys I'm feeling really blindsided right now. Gonna hop off social media for a while and attempt to heal privately, when I'm ready I'll be back and ready to talk. I love you guys so much thank you for all of your kind words. Remember you are so loved and everything's always gonna be okay 🫶"

The Brianna got on Youtube next, posting a raw, emotional video about the situation. Sitting on the floor of her bathroom, she opened up as much as she could in the moment about her breakup. She said, "I just woke up to Zach posting on his Instagram that we broke up and I had no idea that post was going up. He didn't text me, he didn't call me. I just woke up to a bunch of texts, like, 'Are you okay?'"

Brianna, with her teary eyes and red face, explained she's been crying for "five days straight." She said, "I'm at the point where it's like, how can you give someone everything and love them so unconditionally, like through stuff that you shouldn't because you just love them and you want them... like you see the good in them?"

The internet personality said that this is all "so embarrassing" and "really, really heartbreaking." She elaborated that the couple broke up on October 21, but wanted to process on her own and "didn't want it to be public."

Much like her Instagram story, she told her audience that she'll come back when she's ready.

www.youtube.com

- YouTube

November 7, 2024 — Brianna Claims Zach's Emotionally Abusive, Wanted $12Mil NDA

Well, it appears this week, Brianna decided she's ready. On Barstool Sports' BFF's Pod November 7, 2024, Brianna gave an inside look at the breakup unlike any other. Not only did she claim Zach was abusive, but she also alleged that he offered her a $12 million NDA to "not talk about the relationship."

After saying it's been the hardest year of her life, she said. "I'm still scared right now because I'm scared of him. My brain's rewired and I'm scared to make him mad and last week, I didn't want to talk about it 'cause I was scared."

Brianna then described the alleged emotional abuse. She noted that everything was cyclical and that he would build her up only to break her back down again. "There was always another excuse as to why he was treating me so poorly and why I'm crying myself to sleep every night, why he's screaming at me," she said. "And then you wake up, it's the apology, it's the 'I'm going to be better like I need you in my life,' but if you've been through this — I don't expect people to understand emotional abuse if you haven't been through it. I hope you never have to go through it but if you've been there you know what I'm talking about."

Not only does Brianna allege she was offered an NDA, but she said that other women that came before her had to sign their own agreements. She declined the offer because she didn't want to "sign away [her] experiences and what [she] went through to protect someone that hurt [her]." She also wanted to share this experience for other women who've suffered something similar.

And when it comes to the logistics of losing out on the famous lifestyle and alleged $12 million? She said, "It was never about the money — I was with the dude because I loved the dude."

Jason Kempin/Getty Images for Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival

November 8, 2024 — Zach Quit Touring Amid Abuse Allegations

On November 8, 2024, Zach posted on Instagram — where he clearly loves to share all his big news — that not only is his new single "High Road" out today, but that he's also ending his tour early. Read his full statement here:

After not being home for a year and a half I drove out to my mothers gravestone in the dead of night a few days back on familiar Oklahoma roads and I came to realize just like in the past, that she never would call me again

Told her I quit touring because I got accepted to get my masters in Paris next year, I told her I was back in Oklahoma, told her about all my best friends in New York and all the nights we howled with the moon, told her about the immeasurable laughter my band and me have shared these last five years, all the calluses on my finger tips, every tear shed, told her about making it on The Rolling Stone and most importantly told her about porch swinging with my beautiful sister.
I wrote the chorus for this song a month or two back and finished it when I realized I was blessed with all these things.

I figured it was about time I released it.

Thank you guys for listening to ‘This Worlds a Giant’ last night and thank you to all the people who love me; who have truly carried the weight with me.

Seems that all these Quiet Dreams have gotten much too heavy but I’m home now and I’ll hold you through the pain.

High Road is out today and I appreciate all of you"

Looking to stay up-to-date on all your fave celebs? Follow us on Facebook for more!

celebritiescelebrity newscelebrity breakupscelebrity couples

83 Budget-Friendly Finds Under $30 That'll Have You Gifting Ready This Season

Discover 83 Amazon products under $30 that are nothing short of pure gold. From stylish fashion finds to the latest beauty trends, these steals offer exceptional value without compromising on quality. We always ask, what's better than the perfect gift? Well, it's the gift that also doesn't break the bank! We're confident you'll find something in here to at least appease a few loved ones this holiday season.

Thanks for reading about our favorite finds from across the internet! FYI: We participate in affiliate programs and may get a share of the revenue from your purchase.