A California Getaway That'll Make The Whole Family Happy

Forbes

a day ago

Anaheim has amusement parks and plenty of other attractions. iStock-Matt Gush
Has your child ever planned the family trip? We're not talking about the 'Do you want to go to an amusement park or the zoo?' kind of choosing, either; we're envisioning start-to-finish organizing, from the hotels to the restaurants to just about every detail in between.
It's a potentially scary thought, but it's the central idea behind the Imaginagency, 'a travel agency' run by kids (including actor Tia Mowry's little one) that puts together fun, tyke-approved itineraries around Anaheim, California, a vibrant city just over 30 minutes from Los Angeles.
The schedules from the six children include some obvious stops (Disneyland) and a few less-familiar options (a cool simulator attraction). Forbes Travel Guide loosely followed a few of these fun-filled schedules (with some elevated detours, of course) and were quite impressed with the choices. These little guides may have legitimate futures as travel professionals because they show sides of Orange County to explore that go well beyond Mickey Mouse.
Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa makes quite the splash. Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa
If we're talking about Anaheim, the conversation must involve Buzz, Belle and Black Panther in some capacity. As expected, the kids' itineraries universally agree. Disneyland celebrates its 70th year as the happiest place on Earth in 2025 with a bevy of themed rides, food items and merchandise. All the extra balloons and confetti come on top of the everyday ride highlights at Disneyland Park (Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway) and Disney California Adventure Park (Radiator Springs Racers, WEB Slingers: A Spider-Man Adventure).
Napa Rose may get a new look this fall, but it'll have the same elevated flavors. Disney
Between the two neighboring parks, there are roughly 500 acres to explore. Wherever you can save a few steps, it's wise to do so. One way to conserve is with a stay at the perfectly positioned Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. This craftsman-style Forbes Travel Guide Recommended beauty sits right in the heart of the Disney excitement. The walk from the hotel lobby to the lively Downtown Disney District is five minutes on the busiest day.
Beyond the brilliant location, the property effortlessly cares for its visitors with precision and playfulness. Never complacent, the 947-room hotel is undergoing a major renovation that promises changes to the rooms (fresh colors and carpets), reception areas (a new forest-themed club lounge) and restaurants (signature Four-Star eatery Napa Rose is getting a complete facelift). Though some updates aren't expected to be finished until 2026, any Disney dust is non-existent and most noise is kept quieter than a mouse.
Sample the city's culinary scene at Anaheim Packing District. Visit Anaheim Dining
Though many guests know about Disneyland's hand-dipped corndogs and funnel cake fries, the authentic Mexican aromas coming from Downtown Disney's Paseo may be somewhat surprising. Set in a second-floor dining room accented with tan walls and basket pendant lights, Paseo is like a night out at a trendy taqueria in Tulum. The shrimp aguachile (a spicy ceviche) is a flavor-packed starter. The roasted rainbow trout, sitting in a charred corn husk and topped with cherry tomatoes and baby corn, is gorgeous and delicious.
But even when you're nowhere near Sleeping Beauty Castle, Anaheim's flavors are fantastic. In the beloved Little Arabia District, you'll find Lebanese pastry shops and spots cooking up Yemeni meats. There's also a Zankou Chicken in an inconspicuous shopping plaza. Its menu has chicken kabobs and shawarma plates on it, just as you'd expect from any reputable Mediterranean establishment. But the star here is the spit-roasted chicken, juicy and simply seasoned in quarter- and half-chicken sizes. The meat falls off the bone, right onto the fluffy pita bread or into the house-made garlic spread.
Several of the children's outlines smartly include Anaheim Packing District on them. A Sunkist processing plant in the early 1900s, the space has been granted new life as a bright, buzzy food hall meant to show off the city's diverse tastes and local produce. With 30-plus tasty stalls covering everything from sweets (Randy's Donuts) and soul (Georgia's) to seafood (Chippy Fish & Grill) and smashburgers (The Kroft), it accomplishes its goal. Live music, in-person author events and even speed-dating sessions are helping the address evolve from merely being a culinary space into a full-on communal hangout.
Muzeo Museum is an engaging stop for the entire family. Kaz Creative Other Distractions
Muzeo Museum and Cultural Center is a short walk from Anaheim Packing District. The 25,000-square-foot space juggles two responsibilities: honestly chronicling local history, from the time of the first indigenous people 20,000 years ago through the world wars, with photos and priceless artifacts; and showcasing revolving exhibits in art, history, science and more.
One showing, 'Marvelocity: Art of Alex Ross' (through August 17), is a Spider-Man and Captain America lover's dream that looks at the artist's iconic comic-illustrating career through more than 50 original sketches. 'Lowrider Culture in the United States,' an exhibit looking at the horse-powered Latino tradition through photos and a real car display, opens on September 13.
Imaginagency's Brayden suggests Flightdeck + Rogue Racing as another great way for the family to spend an afternoon in his itinerary. Here you get behind the wheel of a fighter jet, a Boeing 737 or an F1 car via simulators equipped with the latest technologies. Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt likely needed more than the 30 or 60 minutes you're allotted to prep for their latest movie roles, but at least with this experience you feel some of the same adrenaline-pumping intensity.
Los Angeles Angels games and stadium tours are big hits. DeMarco Williams
Anaheim offers fascinating sporting opportunities, too. Less than a 10-minute drive from Disneyland is the Honda Center, home of the NHL's Anaheim Ducks from October through April. And only five minutes from there is Angels Stadium, where future hall of famer Mike Trout anchors the Los Angeles Angels. Though fans of the MLB team haven't had much to cheer about on the field lately — the Halos haven't been to the postseason since 2014 — there's plenty of excitement to be had on the all-access tour. Baseball purists will love seeing the locker room, visiting the press box and peeking into the batting cage.
At the end of the walk-through, guests receive a gift tote with a commemorative pin and an Angels hat inside. Use the latter to tip your cap to all the kids for pointing you in the right direction for your vacation and to thank Anaheim for showing you a great time in more ways than merely an amusement park. MORE FROM FORBES Forbes Forbes Travel Guide's Best Hotel Bars For 2025 By Jennifer Kester Forbes 18 Undiscovered Beach Getaways By Forbes Travel Guide Forbes 5 Best Sparkling Wine Houses In Northern California By Katie Sweeney Forbes From Anguilla To Australia, Forbes Travel Guide's 2025 Star Award Winners By Jennifer Kester