A friend of ours was visiting Disneyland this past week and on her blog gave thanks to a friend who had recommended using the FastPass system. I was pretty sure this friend had been to Disneyland in the past year or so, and never thought to mention FastPass to her. I figured she knew! Then I got to thinking about this. Even people who have been to Disneyland several times have not done everything, seen everything, or know about everything. This is especially true for families with young children who have their hands full just keeping track of the kids! Others get into a pattern of doing the same attractions, maybe even in the same order, and don't necessarily notice if something new has appeared.
Where am I going with this? Ah, right.....my point is that if you do notice something you don't understand, or have a question about anything, don't simply wonder - ask a cast member! They are there to help us all have the best experience we can - and they are a wealth of information! See a FastPass sign and don't understand how to use it, or the advantages it can provide? Just ask! Of course, be polite, and do remember to say "thank you." Cast members deal with a lot of tired, cranky people by the end of the day, so your smile and kind words can mean a lot.
When I was a kid, I loved going on the Pirates of the Caribbean (still do!), but I wondered how people got to eat inside the ride. What had they done to deserve such special treatment? I finally asked a cast member and found out that The Blue Bayou Restaurant's dining area was what I was seeing. That was the place for me! I still love it there!
You never know what time-saving tip, shortcut, advice or trivia you might gain if you just ask!
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Showing posts with label Disneyland tips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Disneyland tips. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Balance Between Good Parent and Sensible Parent
I was thinking about eating habits at Disneyland the other day, and thought of an experience I wanted to share with other parents. As most may know, food is really expensive at the Disneyland Resort. Also, kids are picky. While on vacation, we tended to go by the "one a day" rule. That is, we'd have a breakfast of yogurt drinks, granola bars, fruit, a bagel, or something similar in our hotel room, know we'd have some snacks during the day, and try to get in, on average, one good meal per day. That meant a full sit-down meal, even if it was just a cheeseburger, fries and a drink. (Although, for our family, pasta is more certain to make our kids happy!) This is a reasonable strategy, and helped us keep from spending a ton of money on food.
Thinking over that though, this is not the best strategy for all kids,and sometimes wasn't the best for ours. Our kids can be really hit and miss with eating. Just because they usually like chicken nuggets doesn't mean they will today, or just because I buy a $10 cheeseburger meal does not mean they will eat it even though they like some cheeseburgers sometimes.
It feels like a good parenting thing to do to make sure the kids sit and eat a real meal. Why? Maybe the sensible thing is to let them have 2 yogurt parfaits, 3 cheesesticks, a carmel apple and milk over the course of the day. Steady input keeps their blood sugar at a more constant level, and making sure kids do not go too long without food lest crankiness set in is really important. It's also sensible to not have to argue over eating while on vacation. I don't really want to have to constantly remind my kids to eat that kid's meal I just spent $10 on and waited in line for 25 minutes for. It's not worth a fight, or the stress it will cause.
Maybe it is more important, when possible, for everyone to get something they will be happy eating, at least part of the time. If that means the adults go to a place they enjoy eating and order the kids nothing but 2 slices of cheese and some applesauce, because that is what they will eat, then so be it! Don't see 2 slices of cheese on the menu? If they have cheeseburgers, they have cheese, and most places will figure out a way to give you what you want. (Particularly at a sit-down restaurant.) Maybe the kids don't have to eat "real food" at the real restaurants. It might not be so bad for them to get just fries or dessert while the parents enjoy a nice meal, and they can have some "real food" later (or earlier). That way, the cost of a full meal for the kids is not wasted when all they do is pick at it, and everyone is much happier!
What is the point of all this rambling? Be flexible! You are on vacation. Don't force your regular eating preferences and rules into what is really an un-natural eating situation - few selections, all overpriced. Sometimes being a good parent means breaking out of the regular rules and doing what is most sensible at that moment in time.
Thinking over that though, this is not the best strategy for all kids,and sometimes wasn't the best for ours. Our kids can be really hit and miss with eating. Just because they usually like chicken nuggets doesn't mean they will today, or just because I buy a $10 cheeseburger meal does not mean they will eat it even though they like some cheeseburgers sometimes.
It feels like a good parenting thing to do to make sure the kids sit and eat a real meal. Why? Maybe the sensible thing is to let them have 2 yogurt parfaits, 3 cheesesticks, a carmel apple and milk over the course of the day. Steady input keeps their blood sugar at a more constant level, and making sure kids do not go too long without food lest crankiness set in is really important. It's also sensible to not have to argue over eating while on vacation. I don't really want to have to constantly remind my kids to eat that kid's meal I just spent $10 on and waited in line for 25 minutes for. It's not worth a fight, or the stress it will cause.
Maybe it is more important, when possible, for everyone to get something they will be happy eating, at least part of the time. If that means the adults go to a place they enjoy eating and order the kids nothing but 2 slices of cheese and some applesauce, because that is what they will eat, then so be it! Don't see 2 slices of cheese on the menu? If they have cheeseburgers, they have cheese, and most places will figure out a way to give you what you want. (Particularly at a sit-down restaurant.) Maybe the kids don't have to eat "real food" at the real restaurants. It might not be so bad for them to get just fries or dessert while the parents enjoy a nice meal, and they can have some "real food" later (or earlier). That way, the cost of a full meal for the kids is not wasted when all they do is pick at it, and everyone is much happier!
What is the point of all this rambling? Be flexible! You are on vacation. Don't force your regular eating preferences and rules into what is really an un-natural eating situation - few selections, all overpriced. Sometimes being a good parent means breaking out of the regular rules and doing what is most sensible at that moment in time.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Disneyland Packing Tip
Hey there! Now that summer season is over, those without children may be thinking about a somewhat quieter trip to Disneyland. Or perhaps, those with children would like to take them out of school for a couple of days now that the crowds won't be quite so overwhelming for everyone. Great! Any time is a good time for Disneyland!
Seems like this is also a good time for another quick tip. This one is about packing. It works best with children's clothes, but can work on some adult items, too. For each day you will be gone, pack an entire outfit into a large Ziplock bag - pants, shirt, underwear, socks. Each morning, all your child, has to do is grab a bag and start getting dressed (or you can grab it for dressing the younger ones) - no wondering where the socks have gone or what shirt goes with what shorts. The bag can be saved and taken into the park for a variety of reasons: storing leftovers or sticky candy to be eaten later, stash a wet or dirty shirt that you've replaced with a new souvenir shirt, put your camera in it on Splash Mountain...etc. Not only does sorting clothes into bags save time and energy when it is time to get dressed, it makes the clothes easy to pack into the suitcase!
Happy packing!
Seems like this is also a good time for another quick tip. This one is about packing. It works best with children's clothes, but can work on some adult items, too. For each day you will be gone, pack an entire outfit into a large Ziplock bag - pants, shirt, underwear, socks. Each morning, all your child, has to do is grab a bag and start getting dressed (or you can grab it for dressing the younger ones) - no wondering where the socks have gone or what shirt goes with what shorts. The bag can be saved and taken into the park for a variety of reasons: storing leftovers or sticky candy to be eaten later, stash a wet or dirty shirt that you've replaced with a new souvenir shirt, put your camera in it on Splash Mountain...etc. Not only does sorting clothes into bags save time and energy when it is time to get dressed, it makes the clothes easy to pack into the suitcase!
Happy packing!
Friday, September 28, 2007
Quick Disneyland Tip for Big Groups
This is a fun thing I've seen large groups, actually, even small families do to help keep the group together and easy to spot: All wear matching T-Shirts. You could get them at Disneyland on Main Street and put them on right away, or buy them for use the next day, or purchase before your trip. This might be the best option if you want to choose a really bright color that will be easiest to spot. I've seen fun ones celebrating someone's birthday that were customized with a message like "I went to Disneyland for Erin's Birthday," or "Jane turned 25 at Disneyland."
Matching T-shirts are also useful if, God forbid, your child gets lost. You can easily point a Cast Member to another member of the family and let her know the child was wearing a shirt just like that one. (Having a recent picture of each child with you is also a good idea.) Usually the child has just gotten captivated by something and has wandered a little too far, and an easy-to-spot T-shirt will be a good way to track him down!
Matching T-shirts are also useful if, God forbid, your child gets lost. You can easily point a Cast Member to another member of the family and let her know the child was wearing a shirt just like that one. (Having a recent picture of each child with you is also a good idea.) Usually the child has just gotten captivated by something and has wandered a little too far, and an easy-to-spot T-shirt will be a good way to track him down!
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Real Disneyland Advice to a Friend
Ever wonder if bloggers are their "real selves" when they blog? Well, today I have opted to share an email that I sent to a friend who asked me for Disneyland advice for her family of four. You may recognize some of the tips that I have shared on this blog.
So, here it is, what I really told a friend:
------
OK - this is long, but here are some considerations that will affect your budget/price:
You have a few different good options. You can book through the Disneyland Resort site and pick a Good Neighbor Hotel to save big
bucks over the Resort hotels. Their process assures you have considered everything - airfare, airport transportation, Resort tickets and you'll usually end up with some package perks. If anything goes wrong, their customer service takes good care of you:
http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneyland/en_US/home/home?name=HomePage
Price is usually pretty competitive.
Great rates are available through Getaway Today:
http://www.getawaytoday.com/
You may have to do some things on your own, such as arrange for a
shuttle. I've not used them, but recently did some price comparisons, and they were the best. I have read this is often true.
Orbitz.com and Expedia.com are both reliable and depending on when you are traveling, may have great rates. You will need to buy resort tickets on your own, unless you specifically book a package deal that includes them. (I am not sure if they always offer packages with tickets, or not.)
Sometimes AAA (if you are a member). Costco.com or Alaska Air has
really good deals.
Depending on how much time you plan, I would check the Disneyland
site, Getaway and Orbitz, just so you know you did some price comparisons. If Disney is close, go with them for the peace of mind.
For us to go for a family of four, staying at the Disneyland Hotel for 6 nights near Christmas, we'd be looking at about $3600 for air, transportation, hotel and tickets through Getaway.com. You could do it for at least $1000 less by staying at a less expensive hotel. We've decided that we are spoiled and don't want to do it that way ever again since we go for the total experience, not just the park.
A top choice is Candy Cane Inn. Good rates. Decent breakfast included, plus rooms have refrigerators and microwaves, as I recall. Nice toddler-size pool and within about a 2 block walk to Disneyland, without crossing a busy street. They also have their own free shuttle. We did not like that one bed is right next to the window - bathroom in the back of the room - motel style - so you get noise from the parking lot and people passing by your window. A lot of people do not experience this problem, but we did. This is a motel, but it is consistently within the top 5 hotels/motels near Disneyland according to
TripAdvisor.com. They are a great place to research hotels in all
price ranges.
Look for a hotel that offers its own shuttle and that is close enough you could walk if you wanted to. I personally have not enjoyed it when we relied on the local bus transportation system, ART. (Anaheim Resort Transit.) Some people don't mind it.
Depending on your boys themselves, I would plan on taking 2 umbrella strollers. You can use them in the airports and all throughout the park, and if they do get lost or stolen,
you aren't out much. Normally its not a problem. Last year, when
K was 4, he used the stroller a lot. It just makes it easier when they are tired, or when crowds are heavy, such as after a parade - put 'em in and push your way forward - easier than them getting stepped on.
I like to be sure the hotel also has a refrigerator - that way you can keep leftovers for another meal, or order a pizza, and know you don't have to throw away leftovers. You could also buy some milk and cereal,or whatever, at a local convenience store.
Food is expensive. A bottle of water at Disneyland will cost you about $4.00. A burger around $8-9. CandyCane Inn is within walking distance of a Denny's, a McDonald and a Subway, for less expensive options. If you are going for more than a couple days it may be worth ordering through Albertsons.com or Safeway.com and having some easy food and water delivered to your room. We often got away with under $100 per day for food by taking our own snacks, water and relying on delivered food or the hotel's continental breakfast. (Candy Cane Inn's had a bit more
than just muffins and donuts - a variety of cereal, bagels and cream cheese and oatmeal, as I recall.)
Souvenirs are up to you, of course,but they add up fast. Expect everything to cost more than you think it should. I have heard of people that budget $1000 per day for food and souvenirs. Right. I wish!
You may find some other useful information on my Disneyland blog:
http://www.disneylandfamilyvacation.blogspot.com/
Let me know what you decide...or what the two of you decide, rather :)
-Dakota
So, here it is, what I really told a friend:
------
OK - this is long, but here are some considerations that will affect your budget/price:
You have a few different good options. You can book through the Disneyland Resort site and pick a Good Neighbor Hotel to save big
bucks over the Resort hotels. Their process assures you have considered everything - airfare, airport transportation, Resort tickets and you'll usually end up with some package perks. If anything goes wrong, their customer service takes good care of you:
http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneyland/en_US/home/home?name=HomePage
Price is usually pretty competitive.
Great rates are available through Getaway Today:
http://www.getawaytoday.com/
You may have to do some things on your own, such as arrange for a
shuttle. I've not used them, but recently did some price comparisons, and they were the best. I have read this is often true.
Orbitz.com and Expedia.com are both reliable and depending on when you are traveling, may have great rates. You will need to buy resort tickets on your own, unless you specifically book a package deal that includes them. (I am not sure if they always offer packages with tickets, or not.)
Sometimes AAA (if you are a member). Costco.com or Alaska Air has
really good deals.
Depending on how much time you plan, I would check the Disneyland
site, Getaway and Orbitz, just so you know you did some price comparisons. If Disney is close, go with them for the peace of mind.
For us to go for a family of four, staying at the Disneyland Hotel for 6 nights near Christmas, we'd be looking at about $3600 for air, transportation, hotel and tickets through Getaway.com. You could do it for at least $1000 less by staying at a less expensive hotel. We've decided that we are spoiled and don't want to do it that way ever again since we go for the total experience, not just the park.
A top choice is Candy Cane Inn. Good rates. Decent breakfast included, plus rooms have refrigerators and microwaves, as I recall. Nice toddler-size pool and within about a 2 block walk to Disneyland, without crossing a busy street. They also have their own free shuttle. We did not like that one bed is right next to the window - bathroom in the back of the room - motel style - so you get noise from the parking lot and people passing by your window. A lot of people do not experience this problem, but we did. This is a motel, but it is consistently within the top 5 hotels/motels near Disneyland according to
TripAdvisor.com. They are a great place to research hotels in all
price ranges.
Look for a hotel that offers its own shuttle and that is close enough you could walk if you wanted to. I personally have not enjoyed it when we relied on the local bus transportation system, ART. (Anaheim Resort Transit.) Some people don't mind it.
Depending on your boys themselves, I would plan on taking 2 umbrella strollers. You can use them in the airports and all throughout the park, and if they do get lost or stolen,
you aren't out much. Normally its not a problem. Last year, when
K was 4, he used the stroller a lot. It just makes it easier when they are tired, or when crowds are heavy, such as after a parade - put 'em in and push your way forward - easier than them getting stepped on.
I like to be sure the hotel also has a refrigerator - that way you can keep leftovers for another meal, or order a pizza, and know you don't have to throw away leftovers. You could also buy some milk and cereal,or whatever, at a local convenience store.
Food is expensive. A bottle of water at Disneyland will cost you about $4.00. A burger around $8-9. CandyCane Inn is within walking distance of a Denny's, a McDonald and a Subway, for less expensive options. If you are going for more than a couple days it may be worth ordering through Albertsons.com or Safeway.com and having some easy food and water delivered to your room. We often got away with under $100 per day for food by taking our own snacks, water and relying on delivered food or the hotel's continental breakfast. (Candy Cane Inn's had a bit more
than just muffins and donuts - a variety of cereal, bagels and cream cheese and oatmeal, as I recall.)
Souvenirs are up to you, of course,but they add up fast. Expect everything to cost more than you think it should. I have heard of people that budget $1000 per day for food and souvenirs. Right. I wish!
You may find some other useful information on my Disneyland blog:
http://www.disneylandfamilyvacation.blogspot.com/
Let me know what you decide...or what the two of you decide, rather :)
-Dakota
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Finding Balance at Disneyland
I have started back to law school this week. I find I am on a ride of a non-theme-park nature. For the rest of the year life will consist of nearly full-time work, 12 credits of law school classes, and precious little family time. This brings to mind a concept simple in theory, difficult in practice: BALANCE.
Balance is a wonderful thing to have in life - balance between work and personal life, earning money and spending money, taking time for your partner and time for your kids...etc. Balance can also be something to strive for on your Disneyland vacation.
Before you surf on to your next favorite blog, convinced that I am cracked, give me a moment. Many of us spend hours upon hours standing in lines at Disneyland, even with the FastPass system, right? We are all about experiencing as many attractions as possible. There's nothing wrong with that, but when was the last time you stopped to watch a show? The entertainment is great at Disneyland and Disney's CA Adventure. Breaking up your day by mixing in some entertainment along with your thrill rides can be one way to achieve balance.
Another way is to really think about how you are spending time with your family. Is everyone enjoying themselves? Balancing rides, shows, parades, shopping and eating to meet the desires of every member of your family is important. Also, down time is really important, especially during busy seasons in the parks. Consider if your family would enjoy the evening parades and rides on Pirates and Splash Mountain more if you spent a couple hours in the afternoon at your hotel's pool rather than surrounded by the Disney crowds. Sometimes to get the best quality time at Disneyland, you have to sacrifice some quantity, depending on your family's needs.
Balance is a worthy goal in all areas of life, even at Disneyland. It's something to think about, right?
Balance is a wonderful thing to have in life - balance between work and personal life, earning money and spending money, taking time for your partner and time for your kids...etc. Balance can also be something to strive for on your Disneyland vacation.
Before you surf on to your next favorite blog, convinced that I am cracked, give me a moment. Many of us spend hours upon hours standing in lines at Disneyland, even with the FastPass system, right? We are all about experiencing as many attractions as possible. There's nothing wrong with that, but when was the last time you stopped to watch a show? The entertainment is great at Disneyland and Disney's CA Adventure. Breaking up your day by mixing in some entertainment along with your thrill rides can be one way to achieve balance.
Another way is to really think about how you are spending time with your family. Is everyone enjoying themselves? Balancing rides, shows, parades, shopping and eating to meet the desires of every member of your family is important. Also, down time is really important, especially during busy seasons in the parks. Consider if your family would enjoy the evening parades and rides on Pirates and Splash Mountain more if you spent a couple hours in the afternoon at your hotel's pool rather than surrounded by the Disney crowds. Sometimes to get the best quality time at Disneyland, you have to sacrifice some quantity, depending on your family's needs.
Balance is a worthy goal in all areas of life, even at Disneyland. It's something to think about, right?
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Enjoying Disneyland from a New Perspective
Disneyland is for everyone, but not everyone enjoys it in the same way. Last year, on our kids’ first trip to Disneyland, we made an important discovery: kids enjoy different things than we do. This is no less true at Disneyland than in the rest of life. (You enjoy that gourmet meal, but the kids are great with mac and cheese for the fifth night in a row!) As an older child, teen and ABC (Adult Before Children – I just made that up – like it?), I was all about the rides, or as Disney prefers, “attractions.” The goal, particularly as an adult appreciating a few days away from work and trying to cram as much in as possible, was going on my favorite attractions again and again and again. Once, my wife and I went on Splash Mountain 7 or 8 times in 2 days, during a very busy weekend in the park. How we managed it was by getting lucky and going 5 times in a row during the late Fantasmic! showing.
Our children, ages 1 and 4 last year, were not really old enough for many attractions, so rides were not the biggest part of their Disney adventure. They liked them, for certain, but even more, they loved the characters and the parades, and even their favorite “rides” were character-based (Buzz Lightyear, Winnie the Pooh). Our son totally delighted in getting autographs and pictures taken with all of his favorites, and made it a mission to find characters he’d never even heard of before. Both kids loved the parades – the larger than life characters, floats and music. I couldn’t remember ever in my life slowing down long enough to watch a full parade, other than the Main Street Electrical Street Parade. Seeing this part of the Disney experience through my children’s eyes was refreshing and magical. Watching the sparkle in my son’s eyes as he met Disney princesses was heartwarming beyond belief. Slowing down to enjoy what I’d previously considered only peripheral aspects of Disneyland has changed my entire way of experiencing the park.
Sure, I still MUST go on Splash Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, and the Haunted Mansion, but now I see the benefits of sitting down on the curb to enjoy the parade, or rushing over to take advantage of a photo opp. with Mickey, or just feeding the ducks down by the Hungry Bear Restaurant. It’s all part of the magic and there is no “right way” to enjoy Disneyland. If you find yourself frazzled and not enjoying yourself, stop where you are, alter your plans a bit, and just enjoy what is around you. Maybe you’ll discover the Penny Arcade that you’d never stepped into in your rush to get to Indiana Jones, or a little table in New Orleans Square where you can sip on a mint julep and listen to some live jazz. Soak up what’s around you and you are sure to have a good time.
Our children, ages 1 and 4 last year, were not really old enough for many attractions, so rides were not the biggest part of their Disney adventure. They liked them, for certain, but even more, they loved the characters and the parades, and even their favorite “rides” were character-based (Buzz Lightyear, Winnie the Pooh). Our son totally delighted in getting autographs and pictures taken with all of his favorites, and made it a mission to find characters he’d never even heard of before. Both kids loved the parades – the larger than life characters, floats and music. I couldn’t remember ever in my life slowing down long enough to watch a full parade, other than the Main Street Electrical Street Parade. Seeing this part of the Disney experience through my children’s eyes was refreshing and magical. Watching the sparkle in my son’s eyes as he met Disney princesses was heartwarming beyond belief. Slowing down to enjoy what I’d previously considered only peripheral aspects of Disneyland has changed my entire way of experiencing the park.
Sure, I still MUST go on Splash Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, and the Haunted Mansion, but now I see the benefits of sitting down on the curb to enjoy the parade, or rushing over to take advantage of a photo opp. with Mickey, or just feeding the ducks down by the Hungry Bear Restaurant. It’s all part of the magic and there is no “right way” to enjoy Disneyland. If you find yourself frazzled and not enjoying yourself, stop where you are, alter your plans a bit, and just enjoy what is around you. Maybe you’ll discover the Penny Arcade that you’d never stepped into in your rush to get to Indiana Jones, or a little table in New Orleans Square where you can sip on a mint julep and listen to some live jazz. Soak up what’s around you and you are sure to have a good time.
Monday, August 13, 2007
Lockers in Disneyland
I've never rented a locker in Disneyland, but I have friends who swear by it. You'll pay $7-15, depending on the size of the locker, but that price is easily recovered if your stashed sweatshirt saves you from purchasing even one new one at $40. Consider this - after the sun goes down, it can get downright cold in the Happiest Place on Earth, especially if you've gotten wet on Splash Mountain, or watching Fantasmic! Unless you had a stroller with you, you probably do not want to lug around sweatshirts for the whole family all day. Instead - rent a locker, put in sweatshirts, maybe some water bottles and non-perishable snacks, and you've saved a ton of money for the day!
Lockers can be found both in Disneyland and CA Adventure near the main entrances. I've heard they fill up fast, but can't confirm that from firsthand experience. To be safe, grab one as you are going in the park.
Lockers can be found both in Disneyland and CA Adventure near the main entrances. I've heard they fill up fast, but can't confirm that from firsthand experience. To be safe, grab one as you are going in the park.
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Top 10 Not-So-Common Not to be Missed Things in Disneyland
by Dakota D
There is a lot of advice about what attractions not to miss when visiting Disneyland. It’s easy to figure out you need to visit Splash Mountain, Indiana Jones Adventure, the Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, the Matterhorn, and a host of other attractions whose order will vary by individual. What if you are more into appreciating the subtleties of life, or just aren’t much into rides (even if they are called “attractions”)?
Here’s a “Do Not Miss” list for you:
1. Churros – delightful deep-fried donut-like pastries that are long and filled with cinnamon-sugary goodness.
2. The Penny Arcade on Main Street – old-time movie machines with flip-pictures and a light bulb, penny smashers for low-cost souvenirs, old-fashioned sports games that were precursors to pinball, and a fortune-teller.
3. Fantasmic! – Wonderful live-action water and light show put on, literally, on the Rivers of America. Great effects and wonderful music! (Beware - if you are very close to the river's edge, you may get wet.)
4. Mint Juleps – a no-alcohol version of the southern treat, served up in New Orleans Square.
5. The Disneyland Railroad – not only a great way to get around the park, but a relaxing way to unwind as you see glimpses of various lands. Look out for dinosaurs! (Don’t worry – nothing jumps out at you, it's just a diorama.)
6. Disney Dollars – trade in your “real world” money for the local currency. No exchange fee and these dollars are fun to shop with or to save as souvenirs. They are available at all Guest Relations areas in the Disney parks, and some other resort locations. If you have a Disney Store in a mall near you, you can get them there too, in preparation for your trip. Some folks like to use them to save money - exchange "real" cash for Disney Dollars and you can't spend them anywhere else until your trip!
7. Dole Whips – delicious frozen pineapply wonders that are served outside the Enchanted Tiki Room. They are sort of a cross between pineapple sorbet and soft serve ice cream. (I used to think they were healthy. I found a list of ingredients. Uh, not so much, but they are still delicious!)
8. “Partners” Statue and surrounding mini-statues in rotunda in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle – features bronze sculpture of Walt and Mickey, and smaller statues of other Disney favorites. A wonderful tribute to this amazing team. Be sure to look around and enjoy the view from this scenic area.
9. New Orleans Square – not only the home of pirates and grim grinning ghosts, but here you will find really great architecture and French Quarter atmosphere. Enjoy a mint julep (item #4) and spend some time soaking up this small, but detail-rich area.
10. Disneyland at Night – the fireworks are great, but so are all of the lights, sounds and smells that happen after dark. It’s really beautiful – take the time to notice and enjoy the magic.
There is a lot of advice about what attractions not to miss when visiting Disneyland. It’s easy to figure out you need to visit Splash Mountain, Indiana Jones Adventure, the Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, the Matterhorn, and a host of other attractions whose order will vary by individual. What if you are more into appreciating the subtleties of life, or just aren’t much into rides (even if they are called “attractions”)?
Here’s a “Do Not Miss” list for you:
1. Churros – delightful deep-fried donut-like pastries that are long and filled with cinnamon-sugary goodness.
2. The Penny Arcade on Main Street – old-time movie machines with flip-pictures and a light bulb, penny smashers for low-cost souvenirs, old-fashioned sports games that were precursors to pinball, and a fortune-teller.
3. Fantasmic! – Wonderful live-action water and light show put on, literally, on the Rivers of America. Great effects and wonderful music! (Beware - if you are very close to the river's edge, you may get wet.)
4. Mint Juleps – a no-alcohol version of the southern treat, served up in New Orleans Square.
5. The Disneyland Railroad – not only a great way to get around the park, but a relaxing way to unwind as you see glimpses of various lands. Look out for dinosaurs! (Don’t worry – nothing jumps out at you, it's just a diorama.)
6. Disney Dollars – trade in your “real world” money for the local currency. No exchange fee and these dollars are fun to shop with or to save as souvenirs. They are available at all Guest Relations areas in the Disney parks, and some other resort locations. If you have a Disney Store in a mall near you, you can get them there too, in preparation for your trip. Some folks like to use them to save money - exchange "real" cash for Disney Dollars and you can't spend them anywhere else until your trip!
7. Dole Whips – delicious frozen pineapply wonders that are served outside the Enchanted Tiki Room. They are sort of a cross between pineapple sorbet and soft serve ice cream. (I used to think they were healthy. I found a list of ingredients. Uh, not so much, but they are still delicious!)
8. “Partners” Statue and surrounding mini-statues in rotunda in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle – features bronze sculpture of Walt and Mickey, and smaller statues of other Disney favorites. A wonderful tribute to this amazing team. Be sure to look around and enjoy the view from this scenic area.
9. New Orleans Square – not only the home of pirates and grim grinning ghosts, but here you will find really great architecture and French Quarter atmosphere. Enjoy a mint julep (item #4) and spend some time soaking up this small, but detail-rich area.
10. Disneyland at Night – the fireworks are great, but so are all of the lights, sounds and smells that happen after dark. It’s really beautiful – take the time to notice and enjoy the magic.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Keeping Cool at Disneyland
A friend just got back from Disneyland and was expressing "sticker-shock" to me - $4.00 for a bottle of water, $56 for a McDonalds meal for her family of four (not including drinks), $3 for a soda. Again, you have to go in knowing it is going to be expensive and you may have to say "no" to a lot of things you might, in a different location, say "yes" to. Anyway, one of the best tips that came to me as we were talking is the following:
You know those spray bottle that you fill with water and there is a fan on the top so when you squirt the bottle the water comes out as a cool mist? Disneyland price: $17. I was quite sure I could easily come up with something less expensive on-line within minutes. I did not. I came up with similar items for $20. However, my friend and I are both sure we've seen them at local stores for only a few bucks a piece. Would they withstand being packed in your luggage and do you have room? Your call - but those water misters sure are nice!
Other places to cool off - the water rides - Splash Mountain in Disneyland and Grizzly River Run in CA Adventure. Also the Puddle Parks in CA Adventures. See last week's post about kids running around. Also, thank God, or Walt Disney, that the attractions are air-conditioned. Get on a long ride, such as It's a Small World or The Pirates of the Caribbean, and you'll be feeling fine for a good 11 minutes! Take in a Show, such as Aladdin in CA Adventures, and coolness is yours for 45 minutes!
You know those spray bottle that you fill with water and there is a fan on the top so when you squirt the bottle the water comes out as a cool mist? Disneyland price: $17. I was quite sure I could easily come up with something less expensive on-line within minutes. I did not. I came up with similar items for $20. However, my friend and I are both sure we've seen them at local stores for only a few bucks a piece. Would they withstand being packed in your luggage and do you have room? Your call - but those water misters sure are nice!
Other places to cool off - the water rides - Splash Mountain in Disneyland and Grizzly River Run in CA Adventure. Also the Puddle Parks in CA Adventures. See last week's post about kids running around. Also, thank God, or Walt Disney, that the attractions are air-conditioned. Get on a long ride, such as It's a Small World or The Pirates of the Caribbean, and you'll be feeling fine for a good 11 minutes! Take in a Show, such as Aladdin in CA Adventures, and coolness is yours for 45 minutes!
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
A Disney Tip Worth Remembering
I promised tips, here's a big one: Bring at least a couple of bottles of water with you into the park. Are you supposed to? Technically, probably not, but we've been searched and never had them taken away. Disney does not want to be responsible for heat stroke and dehydration. Is there water in the park? Sure - but it will cost you $3-4 per bottle. It will be cold and wonderfully delicious, and we found ourselves doing this a time or two on the really hot days. Still, tossing a bottle or two of your own into the diaper bag will save big money if you are going to be in the park for a few days. Plus, once your bottle is empty, you can either refill it with water from a fountain or faucet, or use it so the kids can split the bottle you just shelled out $3.50 for. (You know they won't share nicely, and half will end up spilled unless they each have their own container.)
Just got into town and don't know where to get water? Ask at your hotel. There may be a convenience store nearby, or your hotel may offer bottled water for less than you'd pay in the park. Want to know what we do? We order two cases (yes, cases) of water bottles from Albertsons.com, along with other groceries we'll use during our stay, and have them delivered to our hotel on the day they arrive. Each of us can then grab a bottle of water to drink anytime we want (the local water is not great if you are not used to it) and we can take a couple to the park each day.
Did you catch the Albertson's.com idea there? More on that one to come, but let's just say the $10 delivery fee is well worth having some easy food available in your room.
Just got into town and don't know where to get water? Ask at your hotel. There may be a convenience store nearby, or your hotel may offer bottled water for less than you'd pay in the park. Want to know what we do? We order two cases (yes, cases) of water bottles from Albertsons.com, along with other groceries we'll use during our stay, and have them delivered to our hotel on the day they arrive. Each of us can then grab a bottle of water to drink anytime we want (the local water is not great if you are not used to it) and we can take a couple to the park each day.
Did you catch the Albertson's.com idea there? More on that one to come, but let's just say the $10 delivery fee is well worth having some easy food available in your room.
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