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Natali Carrera

Natali Carrera is a devoted coffee addict who also loves her nine-year-old son, husband of 14 years and bargain hunting at Target. She works full time with ValleyPBS as their Director of Educational Services and is also a freelance writer and YouTube vlogger (as a hobby). She's been told "bubbly" is the best descriptor of her personality, though she wonders if what people really mean is that she talks too much. Natali is a lifelong Fresno resident and Fresno State grad.

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Latest posts by Natali Carrera (see all)

• Fresno Foodies Get Ready: Three delicious picks for December - December 6, 2018
• Lydia and Pearl Market lets you shop local for a great cause - November 29, 2018
• Locally owned Brix + Barrel makes buying small-batch Central CA wines easy - November 23, 2018

Lately, the local news has been sharing a multitude of images of families enjoying snow play in the nearby mountains. It’s pretty great to live as close to a winter wonderland as we do, yet not have to deal with the hassle of shoveling our driveways, here in Fresno. In addition to the beautiful, freshly snow-capped mountains to our north and east we have the advantage of being near one of our nation’s most-beloved destinations – the Disneyland Resort!

Think for a minute now with me – when was the last time you went to Disneyland? Did you have an amazing time? Did you take your kids? Your grandkids? Your nieces and nephews? Now, think – when was the last time you went with just your spouse, your best friend or your grown-up crew? I bet it’s been a long time! In fact, for some of you – I bet your answer might even be “never.”

So, for 2016, I would like to challenge you to do something for yourself – go to Disneyland without kids and simply enjoy being a kid again at Disneyland. Yup, that’s right. I’m encouraging you to go to Disneyland without your kids. Why? I could give you ten great reasons at least. In fact, I will.

Ten Reasons You Deserve a Grown Up Disney Trip in 2016
1. You deserve to go on all of your favorite rides without worrying about height restrictions. Yes, your toddler is adorable! However, she is totally salting your Indiana Jones game. Oh, and even when you have taller kids – they typically don’t have the patience for some of the cool park museum exhibits – when you go without kids, you can enjoy looking at all of these displays for as long as you like!

2. You should get to determine your park schedule based on how tired YOU are for a change – not anyone else’s nap schedule or “witching hours”. Stay in the park late. Stay until they kick you out at midnight! You can nap the next day. We know you won’t throw a tantrum in the middle of Mainstreet U.S.A. (Right? We’re trusting you…)

3. It’s romantic. You rarely take a date night with your significant other – make up for that with a full day or weekend date in a place where you can both be carefree and relive some of your fondest childhood memories.

4. It’s a lot cheaper to buy yourself two churros in one Disney day than it is to buy two churros for yourself and your kids. Plus, this leaves you money left to get a Dole Whip outside of the Tiki Room, too.

5. When you’re with adults – it’s totally fine to get in the single rider line and board your favorite rides faster. When you’re with kids, it’s frowned upon to ditch them and ride rides alone. Go figure. 😉

6. You work hard all year either at work, at home or both. You’ve earned a day to throw your responsibilities to the wind and your hands in the air – while riding Thunder Mountain Railroad. 6a. Don’t you think you owe it to all of your fellow Americans who live much further from Disneyland, to go and enjoy the park since it’s relatively in your backyard? I mean – poor Oklahomans. It’s just not fair to them, ya know?

7. Your metabolism isn’t what it was when you were a kid in Disneyland, but it’s ok – because on a Disney day, you’ll walk so much, you’ll burn off your fried park fare anyway! So go ahead, have a corn dog – a Disneyland corn dog is one of the best corn dogs you’ll have anywhere!

8. You’re likely easier to please than a group of kids – and you probably won’t even beg anyone for ten souvenirs. A trip to Disneyland for yourself isn’t as expensive as you might think. Use Hotwire.com to get a cheap last minute room, Uber to the park to save on parking ($4-6) and pack snacks in a backpack to save money in the park – Disneyland is fine with your bringing outside food. If you’re traveling with other grown-up friends, split the cost of a room and gas. Choose a room with free breakfast for even more bang for your buck. If you’re a Golden One Credit Union or CA School Employees Association member, you can get discounted park tickets through either organization.

9. It doesn’t make you a bad parent to go to Disneyland without kids. In fact, if you come home happier and less stressed, it’ll make you a better parent!

10. Life is short. Tomorrow isn’t promised, but if you go to Disneyland, Tomorrowland is. If you don’t make it a point to enjoy your life now, eventually, it will pass you by. So go on, hop in the car and ride Space Mountain twice for me, ok?

My husband and I recently went to Disneyland just the two of us, for the first time in 15 years. We had such a wonderful time, and despite the holiday season crowds, we both experienced moments of wonderful, childhood nostalgia and utter joy while zipping around the Matterhorn and watching the fireworks show together. Disneyland is as magic now, in its 60^th year, as it’s ever been and if I’m being honest, after this last trip, I can’t wait to return. In fact, maybe we’ll even be nice and take our kid next time. 😉

Tips from our recent trip:

• Download the Disneyland app in advance, you’ll be able to see live ride wait times on your phone, as well as make reservations at popular restaurants like the Blue Bayou and plan your day.
• Try a Mickey beignet at Café Orleans (or Jazz Kitchen Express in Downtown Disney) – they’re delicious!

• If you’re planning to purchase souvenirs, consider getting them in Downtown Disney, at the World of Disney store, after your park day, since you can go there for free (and park free for two hours) so you don’t use precious ride time shopping.
• The Double Tree by Hilton was a great place to stay and provided a complimentary and delicious breakfast, as well as easy transportation to the park for just $129/night. If you want to really do a budget stay, the Travelodge on Ball Road is within walking distance to Mickey’s Parking Garage, where you can easily catch the tram into the park, and costs well under $100/night. We’ve stayed there in the past and it was perfectly clean, safe and convenient. Nothing fancy, but you’ll be in the park all day anyway – you just need a place to sleep!
• Get your Space Mountain Fast Passes early in the day to ensure you’ll have a chance to ride – they tend to run out and the lines remain long throughout the day.

Disclaimer: All opinions are my own, this is not a sponsored post, I just think everyone deserves a Disney day to themselves and I’m so glad we were able to take one! -NC