From Castles to Cruising: Our Disneyland + Royal Adventure
To preface—I’ve never sailed with Royal Caribbean, and it had been 23 years since my one and only trip to Disneyland. As a travel advisor, loving travel is in my nature. So when I was offered a free Preview Cruise aboard the west coast launch of Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas, I jumped at the opportunity! After all, how can I sell a product I haven’t experienced myself?
And since the ship was sailing out of Los Angeles, skipping a visit to Disneyland during their 70th Anniversary Celebration would’ve been a crime against pixie dust.
Disneyland: A Return to Magic
Disneyland was absolutely incredible. The magic and theming felt instantly familiar, especially if you’ve been to Magic Kingdom. We arrived around 2 p.m.—just in time to catch the Celebrate! Cavalcade, featuring classic favorites like Chip and Dale, Goofy and Max, beloved princesses, and of course, Mickey and Minnie. A delightful surprise? Duffy the Disney Bear—Mickey’s teddy bear and best friend—took center stage! You rarely see him featured at Walt Disney World, so it was a sweet touch.
We soaked in the magic of attractions like The Haunted Mansion, Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway, and Indiana Jones Adventure. Most memorable of all was Galaxy’s Edge, an identical twin to the version at Hollywood Studios in Orlando. We booked the Docking Bay 7 Nighttime Gathering package for reserved viewing of Fire of the Rising Moons—a unique fireworks experience where the sky lights up behind the mountains of Batuu. As a Star Wars fan, this is a can’t-miss moment.
The night wrapped up with the Paint the Night Parade, led by a dazzling Tinker Bell. Thousands of LED lights sparkled as Disney and Pixar favorites danced down Main Street. Magic Kingdom has its work cut out to match this one!
Disney California Adventure: A First-Time Wonder
The next day, we ventured into Disney California Adventure—my very first visit. Exploring Radiator Springs, Pixar Place, and the Avengers Campus was pure joy. As a fan of all three, it felt like stepping into my own dream lineup. I especially loved seeing Soul, Inside Out, and Up! characters in the Better Together: A Pixar Pals Celebration! parade.
Unfortunately, jet lag caught up with me by 5:30 p.m., and I headed back to the hotel for a quick nap before World of Color – One. Spoiler: I slept through my alarm and didn’t make it back. Guess I’ll just have to go again—what a shame, right?
All Aboard Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas
Next up: the inaugural sailing of Ovation of the Seas—the largest cruise ship on the west coast! While three nights isn’t long for a cruise, it was just enough to get a taste of what Royal Caribbean has to offer.
I appreciated the accessibility of bars and quick service spots throughout the ship—you never have to hike to the top deck for a drink or snack. I also toured various stateroom categories, and let me just say: Royal brings the royal treatment when it comes to suite life.
I even developed a newfound respect for buffets (something I never thought I’d say), though the specialty dining experiences were the true stars for any foodie.
Entertainment onboard was original and top-tier, and the surprise Shondaland guest panel celebrating 20 years of storytelling was an unexpected highlight. Compared to Disney Cruise Line, the vibe felt more relaxed and low-key—no characters to chase down for photos, which was both strange and refreshing.
A Final Stop: LA Highlights + Airport Transfer
We wrapped the trip with the Los Angeles Highlights with Airport Transfer excursion—a great option if you have several hours before a mid- to late-afternoon flight. The tour included Griffith Park and Observatory, a photo stop at the Hollywood Sign, the Chinese Theatre, and the Farmers Market. Our guide shared wonderful insights into LA life, making the experience both fun and informative.
Final Thoughts
This vacation left me wanting more. I’m already looking forward to trying another Royal Caribbean cruise, maybe on an Oasis or Icon-class ship, to get a feel for how different ships compare.
And while I have a Disney Cruise, a Celebrity Alaska cruise, a New York trip, and over a week in St. Thomas lined up in the next year… I’m still trying to find a way to sneak another Disneyland visit onto the calendar. I can’t wait to get back to the west coast magic!