Ultimate Disneyland & LA Adventure: Trip Highlights

Intro

It had been a while since I had not been in the West Coast, specifically at Disneyland, so I booked myself a quick getaway from my hometown of New York, and see what’s new in the happiest place on Earth. I was also excited to try some restaurants in the Los Angeles area, that had been recommended by Keith of the Try Guys in their section Keith Eats Everything. In this blog, I will show the travel part of this trip, and in the upcoming ones I will show both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure. Let’s go to LA!

From New York to California

When I booked this trip, I tried to make it the easiest to get to Disneyland. From LAX at nighttime is very complicated, so my goal was to book a flight that would get me to SNA John Wayne/Orange County Airport, which is just a few minutes to the park. The problem is, not many flights go there from New York, unless there’s a connection, so that I did. But first, to take this flight, I had to go into Newark Penn Station via PATH, and then Uber to the EWR Newark Airport.

I was flying to Seattle first, where I had been just a couple of years ago for an Alaska Cruise, so I took advantage of the time difference and the long flight to get myself a long nap while on the plane. Alaska Airlines was really great during this flight. Landed in SEA Seattle/Tacoma airport, and time to switch terminals to get to my flight to SNA.

I know it might be faster just to flight from New York to LAX, and then Uber or take some sort of transportation to Disneyland, but the thought of doing that around midnight does not seem right to me. I already did it years ago, and it was not pleasant. Los Angeles area is not very late night friendly, let’s say it that way. The Orange County airport being so small, was very easy to just leave and take an Uber to my hotel close to Disneyland.

Got the hotel, and checked in. From just outside of my room, I was able to see the Moon Eclipse from March 14, 2025.

I stayed up just to get to see the blood Moon and it was incredible.

A taste of Hollywood

The next 2 days I had the greatest time at the Disneyland parks, and you will see all of it in the upcoming posts. For now, I had to leave and my flight back to NYC was from LAX, not without checking out some spots all over the Los Angeles area. Originally, I had planned to stay the night in Hollywood, but I thought the trip was already too long and cancelled the hotel and moved up the flight for later later tonight.

From the Anaheim area, it is very easy to get into Los Angeles using the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner.

From the Union Station, I took the subway to go for a bit to Hollywood, and the infamous Walk of Fame. It had been a minute since I had been here. Not exactly my favorite place in this city haha, where I usually come just for the parks. I will be coming back for Universal later this year.

There was a Marathon this day, so I was afraid that many roads would be closed, but apparently it cleared up pretty fast. I stayed around the Ovation Hollywood Mall while drinking a cold brew from Starbucks.

Time to go into Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, oh wait, it’s actually the original TCL Chinese Theatre lol.

Exploring the Restaurants

My first stop in the restaurant tour for the recommendations by Keith from the Try Guys, was Honey’s Kettle Fried Chicken, located in 9537 Culver Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232. I had never been to this town, so I too the subway the closest I could, and then Uber to this location.

It was a sunny warm day, compared to the ones we’ve had during the Disneyland days. I ordered the 3-pieces fried chicken, and the serving was massive. I was not able to finish it, but the whole thing was just amazing. I would entirely recommend this place, it’s so good. It tastes like homemade.

My next destination was way further, and for that, I Ubered to the closest train station. Took a long ride up to the South Pasadena train station on the subway. It was soooo long haha. But when I got out, I liked how cute it looked. It was a completely different scenery compared to Culver City, or Hollywood, or even Anaheim.

From here, I ubered to my next restaurant in this series: Lunasia Dim Sum House. Located in 500 W Main St, Alhambra, CA 91801, this is a Michelin star restaurant, which does not look like once you walk into the mini mall it is located, but do not let it full you.

Once inside, you have to use their website to order and pay from your table, kind of like what they use in Universal.

I was still very much full from the fried chicken, but I got the crab buns…

… and the shrimp dumplings. Both dishes were so good. The dumplings basically melted in my mouth, the crab bun were good but did not eat them all, I was definitely super full.

United Club at LAX

From the restaurant, it took me forever to get to LAX, but combining subway and Uber, I was able to make it on time. It had been a productive day after all, having been in different parts of the Los Angeles area: Anaheim, Downtown LA, Hollywood, South Pasadena, Culver City and Alhambra.

I was rushing to get to LAX, because I wanted to try the United Club, for which I had a free pass, and I had tried before in Mexico City. That one had a lot to improve, but I still liked the food and drinks offered.

On the other hand, this one in Los Angeles really blew my mind. It was huge! I mean it makes sense that the biggest airports would get the biggest lounges, but this was not what I had in mind. Ok, time to check what they had to offer.

I got myself some decaffeinated drinks, and a couple of beers, all included with the entrance to the lounge, since I was planning to sleep on this red eye flight to New York.

And also, despite still being a little full from all the food I ate today, I was able to make myself a plate. Even though it was ok, I much preferred the food in the Mexico City United Club lounge.

Boarded my United flight back to Newark, and slept during most of it. With the arrival in the Newark International Airport, it was time to say bye to this quick trip into the West Coast. But, there are still 2 more posts coming for Disneyland and DCA. Stay tuned!