On Sunday we fly to the land of magic, Disneyland. I’m equal parts excited, and equals parts can-not-wait-for-the-flight-to-be-over-already. I know we’re going to have the very best time once we’re there, and it’s we’ll be making life-long memories. You know, good stuff.
One of my favourite things to do with travel now, is to ask the people who have traveled before me for their tips. So this is what I’m doing here. If you’ve been to Disneyland, please tell me everything I need to know. And also, is In & Out burger as good as people say? Should we try that?
Tell me all the things! Please. xx
In-N-Out Burger is amazing, and one of the mail things I miss about living in California. They’ve got a “secret menu” you can check out on their website – the menu visible in store is fantasticly simple for the indecisive. If you like carmelized onions, you must try a cheeseburger AND fries “animal style”!
A fantastic tip that I’d learned before I headed off to Disney World last time (they do it at Disneyland, too) is stay hydrated! I know bottled water is usually godawful expensive in most theme parks, but you can get a large cup of water for free at any location that sells fountain drinks in cups.
And I believe they sell Dole Whips at Disneyland, too 🙂
It is a truly amazing place … however you will get completely suck in the shops. It will seem like a good idea at the time (a great idea in fact!) but you don’t need Mickey & Minnie on everything. The cutlery with the little cutouts is so cute and good quality though!
It’s a small world will get stuck in your brain FOREVER.. never never queue up for that! That said though you totally have to do it.. it’s a right of passage!
Oh enjoy! You MUST have breakfast with Minnie and Friends inside the park. My husband and I did it a few years ago and although we looked a little out of place being the only ones without kids we both LOVED it! Enjoy x
I was just there this past weekend, and go a few times a year.
-take advantage of fast passes. You can have a fastpass for a a show (fantasmic or world of color), and one ride at a time.
-get a fastpass for radiator races in California adventure park. And get it early, they go fast and the line without a fastpass gets realllllly long.
-dole whip. Or dole whip float. Get one.
-pack a water bottle and refill it, there are water fountains all over the place.
-enjoy yourself! Disneyland is such a magical place. I love watching all the little kids and their excitement.
We have been 3 times (twice to California and once in Paris). Each time we have been our kids have been really young (my eldest is only 5 now). So we spent the most part of our time in Fantasy Land. It was pre-Frozen 😉 I am sure your girls would love to meet Tinkerbell and the Princesses, so taking the time to meet them would be magical! Tea Cups, Small World, Carousel, Flying Dumbo…. Ahhhhhh makes me want to return now… the kids have such and great time.
We are the Disneyland Queens…seriously, I think if you look closely at my blood platelets you would find Mickey Ears. I’ve been over 100 times. Things not to miss…Small World, Tiki Hut (get a Dole Whip while you are there) The Jungle Cruise, The Haunted Mansion. Those are all kid approved as well all the rides in Fantasyland. If you have kids who are more adventurous then there is Indiana Jones, Pirates of the Caribbean, Space Mountain and Splash Mountain. Whatever you do, do a “Land” at a time. Don’t skip all over. Hit one land and do all you want to do in that land first before moving onto the next. If you have kids that need to run then take the raft over to the island…it’s a good place for them to run and play and get some energy out. If you have a small one you can do “rider share” which is when one parent goes and then the next parent goes after the first one is done with the ride. Have Mint Juleps in New Orleans Square. The Plaza for a character breakfast. Bengal BBQ for kabobs. Many will tell you to wait in front of the castle for fireworks but, actually, in front of Small World is the best place. Definitely take the train for a full trip around the park at least once and if you take the Monorail anywhere ask to sit up front with the driver. If you stay till the end of the night then make your way to Toon Town by 15 minutes before closing hour…then wander, slowly, back up to the front. You will get to see and photograph the park while it’s nearly empty. It’s very cool. Pace yourself. Take time to just sit and people watch. If you go to Downtown Disney then make sure to stop in at the Jazz Kitchen for Beignets (pronounced Ben-yays). AH-mazing little donut type treats. The Rainforest Cafe is a fun time for the entire family as well. Hope this helps! We are going in about a week ourselves and can not wait!
i’ve been to disneyworld, disneyland and eurodisney. eventually i’d love to get to the 3 in asia too. i’m definitely not a disney queen though and i love your suggestions! especially the one to get pics of the nearly empty park. thank you for sharing!
Yes! I’m vegan but I remember how good In & Out is!! I’m so excited that you’re coming to Disneyland. My husband is recovering form hip replacement surgery or I’d chase you down. 😉
You’re getting a lot of advice so all I’ll say is if you’re staying on property take advantage of the early magic hours. Get fast passes for Carsland Racers early before they’re gone. ‘Lunch’ at the Carthay Circle restaurant in California Adventure park is not crowded. A few secrets:
Ice water is free at all restaurants and counter service.
Fast Passes are awesome.
The dinner or dessert package for Fantasmic is worth it.
Storybook Boats are adorable but uncomfortable to ride in. 😉
The Minnie and Friends character breakfast at the Park Plaza Restaurant is fun.
http://simplesojourns.com/2012/03/disneyland-mark-twain-wheelhouse.html
http://simplesojourns.com/2012/03/disneylands-lilly-belle.html
Have so much fun Chantelle!!!
Sooo exciting! Hopefully you’re going to California as Disney California Adventure Park is absolutely amazing. I’ve got a few tips on my blog particularly around Fastpasses & staying in Anaheim: https://thenectarlist.wordpress.com/
One thing I’d recommend is go to Disneyland first, and then across to Disney California Adventure. We went the other way and Disneyland is soooo old and outdated in comparison. So maybe going there first won’t dull the magic as much!!
First of all, it will never be a once in a lifetime trip. Trust me on that, you will love it so much, you will want to go back again and again! We went for the first time in 2005, we will be going for our 5th time this August and I cannot wait!
Take time out, rest periods with the children is a good idea, it is impossible to do everything, the place is vast! The children will love the characters you meet, take an autograph book and a bit pen and get their autographs as well as having your photo taken with them.
Haunted Mansion is one of my favourites, the Peter pan ride is good for children as well. Watching Wishes in the evening at Magic Kingdom – the fireworks over the castle is a must!
So much I could say, so little time, but most importantly have fun!!
Hugs xx
Not an expert at all, we have only been once (Oct 14 with miss 6, miss 4 and mr 1).
Our best tips:
There are heaps of great “daily schedules” on Pinterest I found before our trip that give great plans for the day for certain age groups, what to do, where and what time, all chronologically! Study up!
An ABSOLUTE MUST DO is the “Bibbity Bobbity Boutique”. Make a booking for early morning and they will get to enjoy the look all day. Get the whole shebang – the “princess package ” I think! The girls will be highly flammable all day but the smiles will last long past the glitter coming out of the hair (and the lipgloss off the lips!).
The only way to enjoy Disney is to embrace it: the fun, the expensive, the gimmick. Do that and you will have the absolute best time!
And yes, In and Out burger….MUST DO!! Certainly over McDonalds.
Go to the Tiki Lounge for your Dole Whip as soon as it opens, the lines there can be as long as the rides, if not longer. Definitely make the most of Magic Hour, choose the rides you want to go on and get Fast passes as soon as the park opens and if there are any restaurants you really want to go to, book before you go. I hate scary rides so I loved all the baby ones. Small World is my favourite. The railroad is a great way to see the park and give your feet a rest. Have the best time. It really is magic xx
Enjoy! I have been outside the gates but not inside. Decided to leave it to when I had kids to take with me. 😀
Dole Whip! You must have a Dole Whip!!!!!!
Consider that done. Will be doing it today. 🙂
Hope you guys are having fun!!!
I’ve been to Disneyland twice…as an adult…before kids – so I don’t have much to add there. However – my husband often talks about flying back to the States just for an In n Out burger!
OK, the In & Out burger must happen. I think I’ll grab us dinner there on the way home. 🙂
Chantelle, I am a DISNEYLAND fanatic. Check out my blog post I shared in March. It’s all things Disneyland… http://insidemycrazybeautifulworld.blogspot.com/2015/03/all-things-disneyland.html
the lines will be LONG and the girls will be antsy but, yes you will have an amazing time! haunted mansion is not scary at all and is nice and cool. we also love pirates of the caribbean and winnie the pooh. one good thing about pooh is that there are interactive things while you wait in line. and if the girls are familiar with the mickey mouse clubhouse cartoon, they’ll probably love the stage show. it’s another nice break. as others have mentioned, the price of bottled water is ridiculous. we always carry our brita sports bottles with a built in filter. makes it easy to fill up at any water fountain. i love these for traveling in general. they’re easy to carry through the airport and on the plane (just remember to have it empty when going through security!). you can find them at target since you don’t have time to order online. https://www.brita.com/water-bottles/sport/
and YES to In-N-Out. always.
Use the fast pass system it saves a lot of time! 🙂
Thank you! x
check out DLR Prep School for all the best tips!!
http://www.dlrprepschool.com
http://www.photographybyjaana.com
Thank you. Will take a look. x
Try to have dinner with the princesses, it’s an amazing dinner and afterwards we got to watch the fireworks in the front row. Yes, the fireworks are TOTALLY worth seeing- it’s amazing how you get to see all of the characters. Don’t be afraid to get the mouse ears, you’ll thank me later- years of memories to come. I also agree with Paula about the fast pass system, you’ll save yourself YEARS of time. THE BEST PART EVER is the California ride where you get to pretend fly over California, and smells the scents of Cali and it feels like you’re actually flying- don’t miss this. Other than that, try to have lots of fun, though it’s impossible to be sad there. Don’t forget to feed the kids beforehand and maybe get lunch during.
This is really great advice. Thank you so much. x