It’s been more than a year since the Happiest Place on Earth closed its doors due to COVID-19 precautions, but at the end of this month, Disneyland will open its enchanted gates once again…for California residents. Those of us unlucky enough to live outside the Golden State only get to imagine the taste of Dole Whip, the smell of Pirates of the Caribbean (it’s a thing, I promise), and the beauty of the castle lit up after dark. However, we will all be welcomed back to that happy place eventually, and when we are, we need to be prepared to optimize our vacation according to our personalities. The Reds will gear up to get the high score on Toy Story Midway Mania!, the Blues won’t forget to pack tissues in their fanny packs for when they see the Walt and Mickey statue again, the Yellows will set their alarms for the first time since their last Disney vacation and prepare to spend $100 on food alone, and the Whites will find that perfect spot in the shade to enjoy a churro-scented breeze and watch the Mark Twain glide across the water. Whether you’ve been to Disneyland 100 times or have never been before, read on to learn more about how each Color Code personality can enjoy Disneyland to its fullest.
Yellows
“You’re dead if you aim only for kids. Adults are only kids grown up, anyway.” -Walt Disney
Giving Disney vacation advice to a Yellow feels like giving candy eating advice to a kid…Yellows were simply made for going to Disneyland. I remember going to Disneyland with my Yellow uncle as a kid. Without shame, he would belt out “Yo-ho, Yo-ho, a pirates’ life for me” alongside the animatronic Pirates of the Caribbean as we rode the ride. He’s always got some funny pose to strike right when the camera flashes on Splash Mountain, and he even hopes to go Disneyland by himself someday — he’s fun enough that he doesn’t need the company of others to be entertained. So although Yellows will have fun no matter what they do at Disneyland, I’m sure they’re always up for learning some tips to have even more fun. My advice? Instead of simply riding the rides, eating the food and browsing the shops (all good things), make Disneyland an even more interactive experience. Go on a photo scavenger hunt throughout the park, organize a flash mob, start a water fight and eat treats every hour on the hour. Just make sure whatever you are planning won’t get you kicked out of the park (don’t mind me, just a worried Blue over here.)
Reds
“The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.” – Walt Disney
Reds, you are spending a pretty penny on this Disney trip, so go into it with an agenda. Forget about wasting your time in line for the spinning teacups if that’s not your jam or waiting for three hours for fireworks just to get a good spot (it’s you, you’ll get one anyway). Make a list of all the rides you want to go on and attractions you want to see ahead of time and spend the extra cash to get a MaxPass so you can reserve your spot from anywhere in the park. Also, avoid waiting in yet another line and always mobile order your food from the Disneyland app. By doing these things, you can maximize your time and ensure multiple rides on Space Mountain, a timely Disneyland corndog to prevent you from getting hangry and a few minutes to spare for when your Blue spouse begs you to go Disney Christmas ornament shopping with them. If you’re feeling particularly up for a challenge, compete with your family members to see who can find the most hidden Mickeys throughout the park — the winner gets sole custody of a Matterhorn macaroon.
Blues
“You can design and create, and build the most wonderful place in the world. But it takes people to make the dream a reality.” -Walt Disney
Blues, you are in good company at Disneyland, seeing as Walt Disney himself was a Blue. Since Blues are all about detail, I’d suggest doing your homework ahead of time and learning about some of the facts and hidden secrets about Disneyland so you can appreciate the experience that much more when you go. One of my personal favorite facts is that when It’s A Small World was created, water from each of the seven seas was poured into the water on the ride. Also, have you ever noticed the light that is left on in the window above the firehouse? It’s there to represent the spirit of Walt Disney being alive at Disneyland. Trust me, there are a LOT of details at Disneyland just waiting for you to discover. And of course, would it be a true Disneyland experience for a Blue without spending it with those they love? Think about who your Disney dream team would be and start planning a trip with them now!
Whites
“All the adversity I’ve had in my life, all my troubles and obstacles, have strengthened me… You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you.” -Walt Disney
When you think about crowded theme parks, a slow-paced vibe doesn’t usually come to mind, but the beauty of Disneyland is that there really is a pace for everyone. I’ve got my White personality dad to thank for that. While my dad loves the Haunted Mansion and the Indiana Jones ride as much as the next guy, he finds just as much joy in a loop around the park in the train or an air-conditioned viewing of Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln. He’s one to enjoy simply being in Disneyland. I remember being 10 years old and sitting for a long time with my dad watching a Beatles tribute band in the park. All was right with the world at that moment. I believe the White personalities can have just as much fun as the Yellows — and they may even enjoy some of the same activities — but they are also going to enjoy slowing down a bit and taking in the atmosphere of the Happiest Place on Earth. My advice to the Whites is to pick a favorite spot in the park to eat a favorite treat, smell the smells, hear the sounds and watch people experience some of the happiest times of their lives.
Well, there you have it. Just a few tips for each of the Color Code personalities to make the most of a magical vacation. Are you a Disney fanatic? Let us know your personality type and your favorite part about Disneyland in the comments! ____________________________________________
Megan Christensen is a Blue who has been writing her feelings for as long as she can remember. Megan graduated from BYU-Idaho in 2014 with a degree in communication. A lifelong fan of the Color Code, she’s thrilled to be the content editor of the blog and hopes to help as many people as possible become more self-aware. When she’s not writing, Megan can be found reading, doing yoga, and spending as much time as she can outdoors.