Disneyland is such a magical place full of even more magical opportunities that are only accessible after you buy your ticket! So make sure that you get those ahead of time to save some cash and headaches. We’ll talk about strategies for those in just a second; First, let's talk about the type of tickets because Disney has a ticket for every need and budget.
The first thing to remember is that California Adventure and Disneyland are two seperate parks, which means that they require two separate tickets. So that leaves you with two options for being tickets: You can buy individual tickets to each park for specific days or you can buy a park hopper ticket. With a park hopper ticket you can go between the two parks as much as you want to daily for each you have a ticket. Park hoppers are more than daily tickets to each park but park hopping does have its advantages. For example, if one park is really crowded you have the ability to “hop” to the less crowded park. The other benefit is being able to eat wherever you want or crave. The choice is yours, but we always choose park hoppers to have the flexibility. The other option for tickets to Disneyland are annual passes which are just that, passes that you use annually. Disney offers different tiers for their annual passes which have different blackout days and parks. One big advantage for annual passes is obviously that you can go as much as you want during the year, which is good if you are going for an extended period of time, live close, or want to visit multiple times a year. Another advantage is that annual pass holders can get discount at various shops and restaurants, which is pretty cool. So no matter how you decide to get your tickets, make a plan, and then go and enjoy!
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It should be no surprise that Disney has lots of security throughout their parks and properties. On average, Disneyland draws in 44,000 people a day, which is a lot of people walking through those turnstiles! That’s also a lot of churros because let’s face it, a day at Disneyland is not complete without a churro. So safety for all those people is one of Disney’s top priorities because they want all 44,000 of those people to stay safe in their parks. Afterall, Walt wanted a place where the whole family could come and have fun, and part of having fun is not having to worry about you and your family’s safety.
Before you even walk onto the Disney property you have to go through a security checkpoint. They are located at all entrances of the Disneyland resort, including the loading area for the tram (from the parking structure) , the bus unloading zone and all walk in entrances. So no matter how you arrive, you’ll have to go through security. But don’t worry, it’s not a painful experience and with a few tips, it will be a breeze. Tip #1: Factor in time for going through security. Yes, you have to go through security just like everyone else. Depending how busy this is, the longer it can take, but I would factor in at least half an hour to get through it. So if the parks opens at 8 and you want to get into the park at 8, arrive by at least 7:30 to give yourself plenty of time to get through security. Tip #2: Have your bags ready and unzipped when you get to the security guard. The security checkpoint is usually no more than a security guard looking into and feeling you bag IF you have one. They will ask you to open all zippers and punches when you get to them, so save a little time and do it beforehand. It will save you both some time. They may also use a stick to gently move things around and sometimes will even pick it up to feel it. If you have cases or pouches inside your bag, they may ask you to take them out and open them. I usually carry a first-aid kit in my backpack and from time to time they ask me to remove and open it for them so they can check it. Tip #3: You may have to go through a metal detector. Last time we were their only randomly selected guests had to go through the metal detector. Just follow the directions and it will take an extra two seconds so no worries. It is not as intense as going through airport security, so for example you will not have to remove your shoes. Tip #4: Don’t try to bring in things that you aren't supposed to. They will make you return the item to your hotel room which will waste your time, security's time, and the time of everyone behind you. Not cool. So, good luck getting through security, and we hope this helps you get to your churros faster! Have you dreamed of meeting your best friend (aka, your favorite character) from your childhood? Have you ever wanted to see Mickey Mouse, Winnie the Pooh, or Mr. Incredible? Good news - they are all at Disneyland! You almost can’t miss seeing a character in the park when you visit. Some of them have designated spots, and others wander around certain lands or areas. You can always approach them, or get in line to meet them if you so wish! You never know who you will see; From Walt Disney’s Mickey Mouse, to the Disney princesses, to the new Pixar characters, they are all there! In fact, if you download the Disneyland app and look under Attractions, you will see there is a Characters option, where you can scroll around and see which characters are out that day, where they are, and what times they are there for. You might see Goofy in Toontown, Alice and the Mad Hatter in Fantasyland, Woody and Jessie on Pixar Pier, or Mickey Mouse marching around! And you might be surprised - even as an adult there is a magical joy that comes from seeing a smiling, bouncing someone who is waving to you. There is nothing like getting a hug from Minnie Mouse or Chewbacca! So don’t cut out the characters completely from your Disneyland experience, they bring an added piece of magic you will love to your experience! If you use your Disneyland app to plan ahead to meet characters, or participate in any character dining experiences, you will find they are a natural part of the Disney magic and experience.
Recommendation: Our favorite character dining restaurant and experience is at Goofy’s Kitchen in the Disneyland Hotel. You start out meeting and taking a picture with Chef Goofy (or Chef Mickey as we met last time), and then after you are seated and are eating, different characters come to your table will visit you, play with you, and take pictures with you! It may be Alice having a tea party with your little ones while you eat, talking to Sleeping Beauty, or jumping around with Pluto. And have no worries, all the characters you see around will come to your table, they rotate through so they don’t miss anyone. Disneyland is different from other amusement and theme parks because you CAN bring in small backpacks and bags into the park and on the rides. If everyone or almost everyone in your group has a small backpack or drawstring bag to wear, you’ll be able to keep a water bottle or two and some snacks in it. The smaller the backpack the better because it makes getting on and off the rides much easier. We’ve noticed the bigger the backpack is, the more it gets caught on everything getting on and off the rides. You also do have to go through security before entering the Disney property, where they will search your backpack. So the more stuff you have, the longer it may take to get through security. We promise it is worth it to have both!!
With hot days and being on the move all day, staying fueled is very important. We enjoy taking drinks and snacking in the lines, and it keeps us going; Plus it saves time because you are standing around anyway. Disneyland also has water fountains all around it, so we can all refill our water bottles throughout the day for free. (Drinks and snacks can add up fast in Disneyland, you’ll save time and money if you have your own). Some rides, like Pirates of the Caribbean, even have water fountains in the line que! One thing to consider is to freeze one bottle and then bring one unfrozen water bottle. That way the frozen one keeps the other one cool and towards then end of the day you still have one bottle full of cold water! Flavoring packets for water are also a good way to keep fluids in you and change it up from drinking just water. The types of snacks you bring in can be your own preference, but some good ideas might be granola bars, protein bars, fruit snacks, chips, crackers, or anything else that can stay good all day. You can bring in sunscreen if you want to, but we usually just put some on in the morning before we leave our hotel room, and are fine for the day. Disneyland has a lot of indoor lines and rides, so you won’t be outside all day like you are at other theme parks. Other than snacks and water, you will want your phone, your Disneyland ticket, and some cash or a card if you want the freedom to buy souvenirs when you come to Disneyland. A portable charger isn’t a bad idea if you are worried about your phone’s battery life, though you can also rent them throughout the park. Basically, less is more in what you bring into the park. Alright so you just planned your trip to Disneyland in sunny Southern California and now you might be asking yourself,” what should I wear?” The answer really is whatever is comfortable for you in warm weather and being on your feet all day. There isn’t a one size fits all when it comes to dressing for Disneyland.The average weather in is 70 and 90 degrees. Here’s all the average temperatures by month according to the NOAA: Now these temps are the average. We have been there on a few occasions when the weather has been much warmer and much colder. So be prepared for those situations as well when you are planning your wardrobe for your trip. We like to wear shorts and lighter colors, which makes sense because for most of the year the temps allow for that. I really like breathable workout shirts because they look stylish and also help me stay cool and wick any sweat. Bonus, they also help wick water whenever I get wet on a ride (and if you go during the hotter months, you will get wet on the water rides). On the days where we are going to be taking some nicer or professional pictures, my go to are tech polos or golf polos. They deliver all the pros of the gym shirts but they look a little nicer for the pictures. More important than threads are your kicks because your pair of shoes will make or break your day at Disneyland. Flip-flops are ok to wear to the swimming pool, but you won’t want to wear them around Disneyland.They just don’t provide enough support for walking around all day and it will be easier to stub your toes getting on/off rides all day. Tennis shoes or nice Chaco style sandals are best. Make sure to break your shoes in before you go or else you will be miserable! A normal day in Disneyland consists of walking 5 to 10 miles on average as we went over in our last post (in case you didn’t read it and go back if you didn’t!). Hiking shoes are heavily discouraged by us because you will be in pavement all day (and hiking shoes on pavement suck) and hot weather in hiking shoes is no fun. If you read our last post, then you started to get an idea of how much the Disneyland Resort has to offer, and if you didn’t, make sure to check that out so you know how much awesomeness is packed into it all! The Disneyland Resort is about 510 acres in size, which is pretty big when you think about it, but what that really equates to is you walking A LOT. Be prepared to walk around 10 miles a day if you are going at a moderate pace. That number could vary depending on how long you stay in the park, if you are hopping between Disneyland and California Adventure, or visiting Downtown Disney. You should also consider if you are staying at a nearby hotel and walking into the resort or if you are using the parking garage. Typically, we average about 10 miles though, and that’s with both staying at a nearby hotel as well as using the parking garage. So getting into shape is a definite must if you want to really enjoy your Disney time, because the less focused on how sore or tired you are, the more you can focus on how delicious the churros are!
So what can you do to enjoy the most out of Disneyland? Practice walking! Or some sort of cardio workout to help you get into shape. If running or jogging is your thing, more power to you! I don’t enjoy either of those, but I love hiking. My wife and I will do a fair amount of hiking before we head to sunny California on our Disney trip. We all also do hiking because it helps us adjust to carrying a backpack around, which is something we always take with us into the parks. Just going for walks periodically before your trip will help you get used to walking around Disneyland all day long (and remember all day at Disneyland is 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. for most of the year). Getting into shape doesn’t cover just walking around, though that’s the bulk of it; It will also get you into shape for standing. You will do lots of standing in line while visiting the Disneyland Resort. From getting through security, waiting to get onto rides, and even waiting to order food will require various amounts of waiting. Prepare to be on your feet for a long time while being there, and your experience will be as enjoyable as it will magical! Everyone has heard of Disneyland in some capacity and it’s even become an American icon, but why go there? After all, Disney is for kids! Nothing could be further from the truth because Disneyland has something for everyone at all ages to enjoy.
Walt Disney said in his Disneyland opening day dedication speech: ”To all that come to this happy place, welcome. Disneyland is your land.” In this opening line, Walt Disney himself says that Disneyland belongs to everyone and should be enjoyed by everyone. Which is pretty darn cool, because that’s what his vision of Disneyland was. Walt imagined a place where everyone in the family could enjoy despite their ages. That means he wanted something that everyone could enjoy. With that being said there is so much to do at Disneyland that literally anyone could have fun there, so don’t be worried about not having a good time! For example, if thrill rides are your thing, Disneyland and California Adventure have some pretty sweet thrill rides that will get your adrenaline pumping! Two or our favorites are the Incredicoaster and Guardians of the Galaxy Mission Breakout. The Incredicoaster is an “Incredibles” themed roller coaster that launches you from 0 to 60 mph in just 4 seconds! The ride covers more than 6,000 feet of track where you are helping the Incredibles family catch Jack-Jack before he causes too much mayhem. It also boasts the only inversion at the Disneyland resort and at one point smells like num-num cookies (which you can buy just outside of the line). Guardians of the Galaxy Mission breakout is an accelerated drop ride that is themed to the infamous movie, “Guardians of the Galaxy.” In this ride, the Guardians have been captured by the collector and are held prisoner. They need your help to help break them out so they can return to helping out the galaxy. The ride consists of scenes showing the Guardians and playing popular music from the past 40 years. There are four different scenarios that you can experience, so make sure you ride it more than once! Are thrill rides not your thing? No worries! Disyneyalnd has so many other mellow rides for any age to enjoy! For example, the infamous Pirates of the Carribean, which takes along the adventures of swashbuckling pirates. Even at 25 years old, I LOVE THIS RIDE! It is so much fun to pretend to be a pirate and be apart of their amazing adventures. Another great ride that everyone can enjoy is Peter Pan’s Flight. This is such a visually stunning ride. You board a pirate ship that whisks you away into the storyline of Disney’s Peter Pan movie. You follow Wendy and Peter as they fly through London and then off to NeverLand. Disney recently did an update to the ride that includes new LED lights and a new paint job that makes every scene look like you are in it. So don’t miss that one no matter what! There are many other dark rides throughout both Disneyland and California Adventure that are family-friendly, as well as unforgettable experiences that you will want to ride over and over! If theme-park rides aren’t your go-to, have no fear, the food does not disappoint! The Disney theme parks were created to have a little bit of something for every member of the family, every age, and you won’t find the food and treats that you can find at Disney’s resorts anywhere else! The statistics will stun you when you learn how many of their famous treats and made fresh and daily, all year round. From sweets to bread to meals of every kind, there is always something new to try with the food all around the Disney parks! We would HIGHLY recommend not leaving out the food as part of your Disney experience. Disney also includes many different plays, shows, and character meet and greets. My wife did not attend Disneyland until our honeymoon, and she surprisingly LOVED meeting the characters! So don’t automatically “cross out” something you assume you wouldn’t enjoy. The shows in Disneyland range from casual street performers to parades, to short plays you can sing along to, to the amazing show held in the Hyperion in California Adventure (more details about that are included in our “Frozen Fun” blog). So don’t count yourself out of Disney yet, you might surprise yourself with what you like! Unless you live under a rock, you’ve probably seen the new Frozen 2 trailer, and was it good! We are definitely excited for the newest film in the Frozen line-up and to see what kind of adventures await Anna and Elsa! IF you haven’t seen it, we’ll put it down below so you can be brought up to speed on all things Frozen.
Since we all have Frozen on our mind, we wanted to cover one of our favorite things to do while visiting the Disneyland Resort, which is seeing Frozen at the Hyperion in California Adventure. If you’ve never seen this showing of Frozen you are missing out on one of California’s best gems. The Hyperion Theater’s showing of Frozen is about an hour and includes all of your favorite scenes and songs from the movie. The quality of the show is incredible and does not disappoint! You will be blown away by the special effects and the actors’ talent. Disney did not spare any pixie dust when creating this musical! A few things to note about the Hyperion Theater: 1. Food and drinks are allowed inside the theater, so don’t be afraid to bring some snackage with you! Who doesn’t want to watch Elsa and Anna while eating a churro? Food is also sold inside by cast members which usually include movie theater staples, including popcorn and pop. This is important to know, especially if you have kids with you. 2. There are no bathrooms in the theater…so plan accordingly. Our best advice is to use the bathroom before you hop in line. 3. There are three different types of seating, and the lower down and closer to the stage you want to be, the earlier you need to be in line. The seating options include Orchestra, Mezzanine, and Balcony. Orchestra is the bottom floor, Mezzanine is middle floor seating, and the Balcony is the top. Don’t worry if you don’t get there as early as you like though, ANY seat has a great view!! (We have sat in all three and give them all a thumbs up). 4. Check out the Disneyland for Hyperion showtimes of Frozen. During peak season, there are typically three shows a day with showtimes around 12:00, 3:00, and 5:00, but you'll want to double check before you head over there. 5. Don’t plan on missing it!! This show is DEFINITELY worth the time, and also provides a break from the heat during the summer, as well as a break from your feet. Here’s the trailer for you to check out if you missed it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwzLiQZDw2I&t=4s Never been to Disneyland? You’re not alone. More people than you know don’t go to Disneyland until they are adults. Are you wondering where to start? From the rides to the food to the entertainment, you need to know what’s available and what YOU want to do! Here’s some quick ideas when you’re planning for you or your family’s first time:
1. Make sure you have a plan. There is A TON to do, and having a list of what you want to do will help you better organize your time while you are there, and make the most of your magical trip! For example, what entertainment, rides, or food do you MOST want to try? If you have kids, keep in mind that some rides have height requirements, and it may be beneficial to factor that into your planning. 2. Plan early/book early. The farther in advance you plan, the better your experience will be! If you’re worrying about trying to find a last-minute hotel room, or deciding how many days you will spend at Disneyland and how many tickets you need, you’ll miss all the magic and excitement that comes from planning and anticipating your trip. Not to mention, you may not get the hotel you want to stay at, along with other amenities if you don’t book in advance. (Consider getting your tickets, booking your hotel, and making a budget in advance. At least 6 months+.) 3. Be prepared with your backpack, and what you take into the park. Disneyland allows you to bring one backpack/bag per person into the park. This is helpful because you bring in what you think you will need from water to snacks to sunscreen, as well as other small items. However, if you don’t plan what you will be bringing in, your bag might be a mess, or won’t hold the items that you will end up wishing you had thought to pack. So pick your bag when you’re packing, and plan what items you want to have with you! 4. It’s OK to buy meals in the park. Many people think that it will save time and money to leave the park to eat, but it really doesn’t. You will waste time and energy leaving the park and walking to another place to eat when you’ve already paid to be in the park and many restaurants outside of Disneyland aren’t much cheaper. Also keep in mind you have to go through security every time you re-enter the park. Plan to budget in eating at least one meal in the park (you can pack snacks to cover you the rest of the day if you so choose). The food really is part of the experience! It isn’t like fair food, but real, amazing-quality food. Disney Food Blog on youtube has recommendations on food in the park if you are interested in planning specifically what you will be eating before you get there. It’s also good to note that reservations are highly encouraged for many of Disneyland and California Adventure’s sit-down reservations, especially with large parties, as they fill up fast! You can book up to three months in advance (more information on Disney’s website). 5. Disneyland has something for every member of the family. The beauty of Disneyland is that it is meant for all ages, for the whole family. No matter what your stage in life or the size of your family, there is something for everyone! It’s worth doing a little bit of research to find what kinds of rides, entertainment, and experiences are available at Disneyland to find ideas about what will work for you and your family. 6. Get in shape! Be prepared for long days and lots of walking at Disneyland. You will also be on your feet standing in line as well. The more walking and exercising you can do to prepare, the more pleasant your experience will be! For example, we like to take lots of walks together when we know we will be going to Disneyland soon to get more used to being on our feet. It never hurts to prepare physically. Good luck planning your first trip and let us know in the comment section if we missed anything! Bozeman, Montana may seem like a far away distance from Orange County, and maybe it is at a 16 hour drive. But if there is one thing that is special about the happiest place on earth, is that Disney happiness never ceases to spread all across the globe. We may live a thousand miles away from our favorite place (aka, Disneyland), but that doesn’t stop us from researching until we have exhausted all the internet has to offer!
Do you live close to a Disney resort? Lucky you! Do you live not-so-close to a Disney resort? No worries! There are still many ways to keep up the Mickey magic:
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AuthorMy name is Tyler and my wife, Jordan, and I are so excited to share some tips and tricks about Disneyland so you can enjoy every magical minute of it! Archives
December 2019
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