So Im finally getting around to blogging about our trip. Ive tried to give a few tips from our experience for any of you who want to plan a trip! I hope they help! Or, you can just scroll to the bottom and see the pictures:)
I booked our trip through Alaska Airlines. Their website was easy to use, the people I talked to on the phone were SO helpful, knowledgeable, and actually seemed (acted) excited for us and our trip. The emails they sent with all of our trip details were super detailed and helpful, they walked us through everything. I highly recommend booking through them. I did a lot of my research about the park on the actual Disneyland website, but booked through Alaska. You can get your park hopper tickets, plane tickets, hotel, shuttle, charater breakfast...you name it, through them.
We flew out Tuesday and after getting settled into our hotel we were able to walk over and enter the magical gates of Disneyland by about 4:00p. We had purchased a 4 day Park Hopper pass because 3-6 days were all the same price.
TIPS:
We stayed at the
Best Western Park Place. It was literally directly across the street from Disneyland, the closest hotel there is. This really was a huge plus. The rooms were just fine, and the hotel staff was nice. The continental breakfast was stupid, but we survived. It was clean fully stocked, just cheap food and bad coffee. Heck, it was free.
We took the Disneyland Shuttle bus from the airport to the hotel (and back). I highly recommend this. Your options will tend to be this bus or a personal shuttle van. Though the bus makes several stops at other hotels, you DON'T HAVE TO USE CAR SEATS. Which means, we didn't have to lug them around at all. They stayed at home! This is huge when you are traveling with little ones, strollers, suitcase, etc. Two bulky car seats are a pain to have to transport everywhere you go.
When we first got into the park we rode the train that circles the perimeter of the park. This was perfect because Landon got to SEE all of the magical paradise we would venture into for the next three days. His eyes were huge, but nothing compared to his smile:)
Day two we got up and went into the park. I was surprised how many people were there! I told Kirk, and I will tell you, I cant imagine going during an "on" season. There was enough of a crowd during the off season! Some things that helped us get around despite all the people were a few apps I downloaded on my phone.
Walkee Disneyland iGuide- This gives you a map of the park, which can you chose to see attractions, character meets, dining, bathrooms, etc for both Disneyland and California Adventure. You can star the ones you want to do, and check them off once you do them. It gives you descriptions of each ride, height requirements, if they are scary, etc. You can click on each dining option and it gives your full menu, price range, and reviews. Its great to go on ahead of time and star where you want to eat so you don't have to decide when you get in there. This app also has a list of Wait Times. You can easily click and see what the wait time is for rides and know which one you should venture to. By using this app we were able to get on every ride in less than 15 minutes. We also took advantage of the
Fast Pass for two of the longer rides we wanted to go on. It will show you park hours, events happening and when and where. I looked up all the parades/shows/etc before hand and figured up what was happening when so that I could map out what day we would see what and put it into our planner to make sure we got to see everything.This app was $4.99 and so worth it.
On Wednesday we did the Character Dining at Goofy's kitchen. It was a little spendy ($38/person), but it's vacation. You're going to spend money somewhere! Landon had a great time, got to meet a lot of the characters there so we didn't have to wait in the lines that instantly form every time a character steps out into the park. They came to the table, signed his autograph book, and took pictures. There was music, Landon danced with Pluto, and the food was good and plentiful. The other option is at Ariel's Grotto, which is where all the princesses are. Obviously, we figured Goofy's was a better choice for us. After dinner we rode the Monorail (in the captains cabin right up front!) back to Disneyland and caught The Magic, The Memories and You show which is a fun lights/music/slideshow of pictures from the park through out the day, displayed on It's a Small World. Long, tiring day, but so fun.
We got one early entrance on Thursday which was fun to, literally, be the first ones in the park. Considering we lost one of our tickets so I had to get there early to have them re print it and the lady told me that early entrance would be at 7:00 that day, and it was actually 8:00. We waited by the gate for an hour before anyone else. Kind of cool being the ONLY ones at Disneyland, I guess:)
We also enjoyed Disney Jr. Show, Mickey's Soundsational Parade and the World of Color show at California Adventure. Thanks to the Walkee App, I knew to go right into California Adventure when they opened and get a Fast Pass for the World of Color show. This got us right up front to watch it that evening. The parade was classic and so fun. It may have been one of all of our favorite parts. Kirk and Landon got ice cream and I got my traditional root beer float and sat on Main Street for the show. We saved this for Friday, so it was one of our last things to do. It was a fun way to end the trip.
Overall, it was a fun trip. Landon has pretty over stimulated and tired, but had a great time. He would get really nervous on each ride, but end up enjoying it (although never admitting it). I personally heard him give a few "woo hoo!"s on Star Tours, so he wasnt fooling anyone:) Lydia just looked wide eyed at everything and was such a happy little girl. She went on every ride with us except Splash Mountain, Matterhorn, Screamin Railroad, and Star Tours. She loved Its a Small World, and HATED the carousel! Landon's favorite was the Tea Cups and the Carousel. He also loved the Toy Story ride at California Adventure, but unfortunately the line was so long the whole time, we only did it once (right at opening).
Kirk and I were exhausted! We were in the park 4 days, which for us and the age of our kids, was plenty. We packed PB&Js for lunch each day and snacks for the kids so we only ended up buying dinner each day. Between all of our food, drinks, souvenirs, etc. we spent $290 out of pocket during the trip.
I hope this was helpful! I know when I was planning any tips and experience people had to share were super helpful, so I thought Id try and take the time to share my tips in case it helps any of you.!
Now onto the pictures....
Their first look at Disneyland
Landon on the carousel
Pluto
These two BONDED on this trip, let me tell you.
My and my lovey in Toon Town
Goofy dressed up for Halloween
Lydia waiting for brother and daddy to get done with the Tea Cups....again.
Goofy's Kitchen for our character meal
Our princess with Aladdin.
Landon and Minnie
Ummm....Lydia and Minnie. This is how she was for most of the characters, ha! (p.s. Please ignore the light reflection making my nose look HUGE!)
This might be my favorite picture of the trip. Check out how my daughter is scowling at Belle!
An attempt at getting my kids, in their ears, in front of the castle. Ya. Right.
the traditional castle picture
(drum roll please.......) Landon and Woody!!!!
And Buzz!!!!
Waiting for the parade.
"Hey look mama! It's the Lion King!"
Mickey himself!
Landon on the Tea Cups, his favorite ride.
Lydia sportin brother's sunglasses, and feeling pretty cool doing so.
As we are leaving the park: "So Landon, did you like Disneyland?"
