Help choosing a 2-day Disneyland plan: focus on food, shows, and comfy pacing (no kids)
Planning a quick Disneyland Resort weekend as a reset and could use some advice. It will be two adults in our early 30s, no kids. We care more about atmosphere, food, live entertainment, and a few must-do rides than trying to marathon the whole resort. I've done WDW a few times for work, but Disneyland is newer to me, so I want a realistic plan that still feels special.
We have two full days, probably one day per park with no park hopper. We're staying off-site but close enough to walk. We like casual dining and snacks, want to catch at least one nighttime show, and prefer a comfortable pace with breaks. We're okay buying Lightning Lane if it helps, but we do not want to spend the day glued to our phones.
My questions:
If you could only do one nighttime show at Disneyland and one at DCA, which would you pick for first-timers and why?
What are your top 3 food or snack priorities in each park worth planning around? Not necessarily the hardest reservations, just the can't-miss bites.
Any low-stress strategies you recommend: rope drop versus a later start, when to take a midday break, and what areas of the park you like to group together?
If you had to pick five rides per park that best represent each park, not just the biggest thrills, what would they be?
For context, we love people-watching, live entertainment, and cozy spots to sit with a drink or treat. Thanks in advance for any recommendations!