A Sweet Little Adventure Around Disneyland
Some people plan their Disneyland day around rides.
I like to pretend I’m classy and do that too… but if I’m being honest?
I plan a solid chunk of my day around churros. 😄
If you’re looking for something fun, low-stress, and totally delicious to do between Lightning Lanes and parade spots, try turning your day into a Disneyland Churro Quest—a silly little game where your family becomes official “Churro Scouts,” tasting your way around the park.
Here’s how to turn a simple snack into a whole lot of magic.
Step 1: Make Your “Churro Scout Team”
Before you even scan into the park, announce it:
“Today, we are on a CHURRO QUEST.”
Give everyone a “job”:
- The Spotter – Finds churro carts on the map or in real life
- The Judge – Gives each churro a 1–10 rating
- The Photographer – Takes a quick pic before anyone takes The First Bite™
- The Note-Taker – Jots scores in the Notes app (or just remembers them if you’re more chill than me)
No fancy supplies needed—just your phone and a willingness to share bites.
Step 2: Start with the Classic on Main Street, U.S.A.
Kick off your day with the classic cinnamon-sugar churro on Main Street.
You’ve barely entered the park, the castle is straight ahead, music is playing, and you’re already eating a churro… it sets the tone so nicely.
Have your “Judge” rate it:
- Crunchy?
- Warm?
- Cinnamon-to-sugar ratio?
This becomes your baseline churro, the one all others will be compared to.
Step 3: Turn Snack Stops into Mini Adventures
Instead of just saying, “We’ll grab a churro later,” tie each one to a mini adventure:
- Adventureland Churro: “After we survive Jungle Cruise, we celebrate with a churro.”
- Fantasyland Churro: “Post-carousel, we fuel our royal selves with churros.”
- Frontierland / Rivers of America Churro: “While we wait for the Mark Twain or watch the river, it’s churro o’clock.”
Suddenly, snack breaks feel intentional and fun—not just “we’re tired and hungry again.”
Step 4: Make It a Game with Simple Rules
To keep it playful, set a few “Quest Rules”:
- No Repeat Churros
You can’t get the same churro from the same cart twice in one day. (This forces you to explore a little.) - One Churro, Many Bites
One churro can easily be shared between a couple of people, especially kids. You’re on a tasting tour, not a sugar marathon. - Rate & Debate
After each churro, give it a number score and let everyone argue (nicely 😄). Someone will always say, “No way, the first one was better!” - Quest Complete Photo
At the end of the night, take a picture in front of the castle and have everyone hold up fingers showing their favorite churro’s rating.
Step 5: Use Churros as Meltdown Magic
Here’s where the fun meets the practical mom side of things:
- Long standby line? “If we can make it through this ride without meltdowns, churro time after!”
- Afternoon slump? Use a churro stop to regroup, drink water, reapply sunscreen, and reset attitudes.
- Sibling squabbles? Sometimes sharing one warm churro and laughing about whose tongue is the most cinnamon-coated does more than any lecture.
You’re not bribing… you’re motivating with pixie dust and sugar. Totally different. 😉
Step 6: Keep Kids Involved in the Planning
Kids love having a say in the day. Let them:
- Pick which land’s churro cart to try next
- Decide churro before ride or after ride
- Choose a fun “pose” for each churro photo (serious food critic face, churro cheers, etc.)
By the end of the trip, they’ll remember:
“That was the day we did the Churro Quest,”
not just
“We stood in a lot of lines.”
Step 7: End the Night with a “Winner”
On your way out (or while you’re waiting for fireworks), do a quick family vote:
- Best churro of the day
- Best churro photo
- Funniest churro moment (someone dropped sugar all over themselves, someone laughed mid-bite, etc.)
If you’re a scrapbooker or blogger, this is adorable content:
- Tiny collage of churro pics
- Kid quotes like, “This one tastes like happiness and cinnamon.”
Why This Little Game Matters
Yes, it’s just churros. But under the sugar, something really sweet is happening:
- You’re intentionally building memories around small moments, not just the big rides.
- You’re giving your kids (and yourself!) something fun to look forward to all day long.
- You’re slowing down enough to notice the lands, the music, the silly in-between times—not just sprinting from attraction to attraction.
A Disneyland day can feel rushed and overwhelming. Turning something simple like churros into a family “quest” adds a layer of laughter, tradition, and connection.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need color-coded spreadsheets or 27-step touring plans to make Disney magical.
Sometimes you just need:
- A warm churro
- A silly family challenge
- And a willingness to say, “Okay, which cart are we trying next?”
So next time you’re planning your park day, slip “Churro Quest” onto your mental itinerary.
Your feet might be tired by the end—but your hearts (and your camera roll) will be very, very full. 💛🍩✨
