As I prepared to head back to the Disneyland Resort after being away for nearly two years, I started to put together a list of some of the things that I missed in the parks…some of my favorite things about being at Disneyland that I definitely needed to make a priority on my first visit back.

I’ll be back in the parks more often going forward, but there are certain things that I want to do and see sooner, rather than later, so I had to prioritize.

Here is my list of 5 favorite Disneyland things (I’ll let you know how I did at the end):

5: Main Street, U.S.A.

The first time I walk through the gates of Disneyland Park, I want to spend way too much time on Main Street. This is the heart of the park and I need to let it flow through me…the music, the sounds of the Main Street vehicles, the crowds, the smells…just everything that IS Disneyland starts on Main Street.

4. Ice Cream Cone from Gibson Girl

I know there isn’t anything different about the ice cream at Disneyland compared to what you can get in your local grocery store, but it is a special treat when you combine it with the fresh waffle cones and the fact that you’re enjoying it on Main Street . My go-to flavor is mint chip…except during the holidays when they roll out the candy cane ice cream. Yum!

3. Guardians of the Galaxy - Mission: BREAKOUT!

There is so much punctuation in the title of that attraction, and it’s been so long since I typed it I had to look it up to confirm that I got it right. I was close. There will always be those hardcore Twilight Zone: Tower of Terror fans who miss that attraction at Disney California Adventure, but for me, this update exceeds the original…which doesn’t happen often. This is my favorite attraction at California Adventure and I look forward to that adrenaline rush and crazy random soundtrack.

2. Space Mountain

If you know me at all, you know that this is (and always will be) my favorite attraction at the Disneyland Resort. While Mission: BREAKOUT! does have the adrenaline rush and great music, Space Mountain combines both of those with a touch of nostalgia. This really should be my first attraction.

1. Churro

You know I couldn’t just leave it at one food item. I need (not want…need) a Disneyland churro. Not one of the fancy-flavored ones. Just the warm, crunchy, cinnamon goodness of a Disneyland churro. It will be even better if I can enjoy it on Main Street, U.S.A.

I know this is a fairly random list, but then again, I’m a fairly random person and probably left some important things out.

So how did I do with my list on my first trip? Not very well, actually.

I had a great first trip back to the Disneyland Resort, but I only knocked out two from my favorites list.

I enjoyed plenty of time on Main Street, U.S.A. on my first morning there. The hustle and bustle of the area was invigorating. Before that though, I managed to sneak into Disneyland for a couple hours in the evening of my travel day and grabbed myself a Disneyland churro. It had to be done.