In about a week, my husband and I will be on our way to Disneyland. For a few years now, I’ve been wanting to attend the annual  Disney Social Media Moms conference. This year, my faith, trust, and pixie dust came through, and I received an invitation. I still pinch myself every now and again just to make sure the invitation wasn’t some part of a crazy dream sequence or something. I am beyond excited.

My family was already planning on taking a Disney vacation in August when I received the invitation. Since my children have never been to Disney, and since I have never been to a blogging conference, we wanted to really honor both experiences – so we could all fully enjoy them. While I cannot wait to experience Disneyland through the eyes of my children later this summer, I am truthfully SUPER excited to be going kid-free for the conference. My husband and I are going to have one heck of an awesome 4 day date!!

Most people visit Disneyland with young children. However, there is SO much at Disneyland for adults. This trip will be our third trip to Disneyland together without kids – and we couldn’t be more excited to see and do some of the things that a few of our children may be more hesitant to try in August.

Since we will have limited time in the park together, I wanted to come up with my personal Top Ten list. First let me say that ALL of Disneyland is magical, and I highly recommend seeing and doing as much as you can while you are there. There is no other experience like it in the world. These however, are my personal favorites.

Grown UP Disney Things

1. Space Mountain

I’ve been to Disneyland 7 times, and have only ridden Space Mountain ONCE! I am SO excited to ride it again. Space Mountain is a roller-coaster experience like no other. Riding in the dark, the twists, turns, and drops are often unexpected – only adding to the thrill of the ride.

2. Pirates of the Caribbean

I love this ride. Not only is it LONG (*nearly 16 minutes!), the animatronics are absolutely incredible. You find yourself completely immersed in a story – surrounded by amazingly life-like figures at every turn. Even though we’re sure to ride this more than a few times this summer, I am very eager to ride it again. It’s an absolute “must-do” for all Disneyland guests.

3. Soarin’ Over California

This is probably my favorite ride at not just California Adventure,but in all of Disneyland. The imagineers outdid themselves with Soarin, as you genuinely feel as though you are flying over California orange groves, or over snowy slopes. The ride is also equipped with a smell experience – adding to the realism. Keep your eyes open for the final scene – it’s a real bang!

4. Radiator Springs Racers

This will be our first time experiencing Cars Land at Disney’s California Adventure. This is a highly popular ride (Fast Passes quickly sell out!), and we are making it a priority to grab one so we can race through Radiator Springs together.

5. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

This is my husband’s favorite ride at Disneyland. Our first trip to Disneyland together, we went on this ride four or five times in a row! (*Lots of rides become less busy during night-time shows like Fantasmic,and allow you to hop right back in line!) This ride features the thrill of a roller coaster with the fun and magic of Disney. The backdrop for the ride is super cute. I also enjoy the way the pace of the ride changes a few times.

6. The Haunted Mansion

Grim grinning ghosts come out to socialize at The Haunted Mansion. This is a ride with so much detail, and so many things to look at as you ride. This is also one of the rides at Disneyland where they make waiting fun! Knowing that the ride may be too much for my kids to handle, I definitely want to take the opportunity to hop into my Doom Buggy and ride it now!

7. California Screamin’

California Screamin’ is Disneyland’s first “traditional” roller coaster. It has a great “take-off” and features a series of terrific hills and an upside down loop. We love it!

8. The Matterhorn Boblseds

Would a trip to Disneyland be complete without a ride on The Matterhorn Bobsleds? Keep your eyes open and try to spot the Yeti/Abominable Snowman lurking inside the mountain! You’ll also want to watch the mountain throughout the day,as you can often spot mountain climbers and/or favorite Disney characters scaling it!

9. Splash Mountain

Though I will need to time this ride correctly (*so I don’t show up at a conference event soaking wet!!), this is a can’t-miss ride! Splash Mountain is not just a fantastic log ride with a well-known drop. It’s also an adorable and immaculately decorated ride. I especially love the final scenes (after the big drop). If you want to avoid getting soaked, try to sit towards the back!

10. Eat!!

Disneyland knows how to do dining! There are SO many incredible options at Disneyland,and I am excited to get to sit and eat a meal without our kids. We are planning on enjoying a restaurant or two that we normally wouldn’t be able to go to if we had all four kids with us.

Honorable Mentions

Grizzly River Run

If I didn’t have conference events to attend, this would be near the top of my list. This is a fantastic water ride, and I absolutely love the drop and feel of the rapids. However, the last time my husband and I went to Disneyland, we seemed to be incredibly bad luck. Every time we went on this ride, our raft got hit with the intermittent geyser. We were drenched every single time.

Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters

While this ride may be geared towards children – I have a score to settle! Last time, the competition between my husband and I got pretty intense on this ride – and I am determined to beat him! This is a fully interactive ride that keeps score for you as you shoot at targets throughout the ride. See if you can beat your seat-mate!