Disneyland and Downtown Disney

Disneyland

Disneyland getaways are the best kind ever! Even if you want to make it a Disneyland Vacation, and stay a WHOLE week... no one will hold it against you!

Disneyland is in Anaheim, California. You will find it right next door to Downtown Disney and California Adventure. When you're at Disneyland you will have lots of family fun during your entire stay!!

From the Main Street Parade or the Nighttime Fireworks Show... all the way to Toon Town, there is fun for everyone in the family! Especially when we start talking about roller coasters... you know I'm first in line for those!

The best and most classic roller coasters are The Matterhorn and Space Mountain. I remember when I was just barely tall enough to ride Space Mountain, that was the best Disney trip ever! My love for roller coasters was born!

Disneyland has many age appropriate activities from toddlers to grandparents.

Depending on the age level of your group, you might feel like you need extra time to enjoy the attractions.

Guided Tours are offered at Disneyland and California Adventure. These can be a great addition to multiple day vacations or for frequent visitors looking for something new. Park admission is required for most tours and some discounts are available for certain season pass holders, AAA members or Disney Visa Card holders!

Here are some travel tips to know before you go!

TRAVEL TIPS:

Annual Passport- is expensive... but if you plan on taking the kids several times a year, it will pay off. Southern California residents can purchase a "Select Annual Passport" at a reduced cost!

Park Hopper (multi-day) Tickets- a little pricey but can be a good deal in the long run. Read the fine print for expiration of your Park Hopper Ticket and make sure you can complete your visits in the time frame specified. The other half of the Park Hopper Ticket is for California Adventure. You can purchase a single day or multi-day hopper ticket.

Guided Tours- reservations should be made up to a month ahead of visit to park to ensure availability. Ask about discounts and age/size and other restrictions for tours.

Parking- be prepared to pay $12.00 to $17.00 to park. It depends on the type of vehicle you drive. SECRET TIP ON PARKING= You can park up to one hour before Disneyland opens! Park before the long lines start and get into the park before the rush!!

FASTPASS- it's FREE and easy to use. The purpose of FASTPASS is to save your spot in line so you don't have to wait... What a great idea!! To top it off, this service is FREE!!! Certain attractions provide this service, like Space Mountain and Splash Mountain. Look for the display, get your FASTPASS ticket, and return during the time listed. It is that simple and that easy!!

Take a backpack and wear comfortable shoes- even if your kids are a little older and can handle a lot on there own, you still need portable storage! Your family will be sure to buy little trinkets, shirts and funny hat ears... Worst case scenario, Disneyland offers Package Check Service at 3 different locations.

Shopping- did you forget to buy a souvenir? Now the park is closed? Don't worry! Main Street shops stay open after the park closes!! They don't stay open for long, but long enough for last minute shopping!

Parade events- some are seasonal and some are year round. Be sure to check the schedule when you enter the park. Get a front row spot/seat early for the best view!

Food and drinks- in general you can't take anything into the parks (including California Adventure). You need to purchase all food and drink items in the park. Be prepared to purchase all drinks and meals/snacks.

Pet accommodations- if you happen to have Fido or Fi-fi with you on your trip (your dog or cat), don't worry... you have options. Disneyland Kennel Club has Day Time accommodations available (no reservation necessary) for $20.00/day. Please call the Disneyland Resort Guest Information line (714) 781-7290 for current vaccination requirements.

Don't forget about Seasonal Celebrations! Disneyland offers

Halloween Time and Holidays in the Park.

These events are a lot of fun because the park is decorated to reflect the season. The whole park gets transformed, it's an amazing sight to see all of the changes that take place. If you have an Annual Passport/Season Pass, check your black out dates and plan a day trip!

Bottom line... have fun and enjoy your day trip at the most magical place on earth!!

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Downtown Disney

There are so many options for a day trip when you go to Downtown Disney. It's a great place for a family afternoon lunch or for nighttime entertainment for tweens to adults.

Explore the Build-A-Bear Workshop and take home a new cuddly friend, Check out the Rainforest Cafe for a bite to eat and then off to the AMC Theatres for the latest blockbuster movie!!

The best part about Downtown Disney is... there is no admission price, it's FREE!

Looking for some nighttime fun? Consider going to the House of Blues, Anaheim. It is in the middle of down town and offers a great entertainment experience for dining, cocktails, and live music and dancing. This restaurant is also a venue for popular singers and bands. Be sure to check out if admission is required for their performances.

ESPN Zone is also a favorite for kids... and adults! There are too many TV's to count and so many games to play you don't know where to start. The food is pretty good and the atmosphere is great!

TRAVEL TIPS:

Parking- you park in a special parking lot that is SUPER CLOSE to the entrance and it's FREE for the first 3 hours!!! You will park in the open parking lot off of Disneyland Drive.

Parking Validation- if you need more than 3 hours of free parking, you can get an additional 2 hours validated by AMC Theatres or for sit down/table-service dining at one of the many restaurants in down town. Then you pay $6.00 for each additional hour.

Access to the Parks- you have access to the front entrance to Disneyland or California Adventure, just in case you change your mind and want to enter the parks. If you decide to do this, DON'T FORGET ABOUT YOUR CAR, YOU NEED TO RE-PARK IT or be ready to pay enormous parking fees!

OPEN EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR- ever wonder what kind of day trip you could take your family on for one of those holidays that everything else is closed? Now you know!

I'm partial to down town because I took my Mom here for Mother's Day, and I plan on taking her back! We ate lunch, strolled through the shops and had a great time... you will too!!

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