Disneyland Mickey's Halloween Party Tips

Its that time of year again! Halloween time at the Disneyland resort! I went around this time and had a blast. If you're a fan of fall or Halloween, this is one of the best times to go to Disneyland. Not only is Disneyland in September less busy, its still quite warm.

Halloween Parties at Disneyland usually start mid to late September, and if you can I highly recommend making a Halloween Party one of your days in Disneyland.

Halloween Party entry is basically the same as a park entry ticket. Halloween Parties start at 7 p.m., at which time regular park guests must leave Disneyland (they may still visit California Adventure park) Halloween Party guests also gain early entry to the park, allowing you to start your day around 4 p.m.

Halloween costumes are encouraged during these parties and even adults are allowed to dress as Disney characters! They just have one condition- you don't do autographs or pose for photos as if you were the character. They also ask you not bring anything sharp or wear masks that would make it difficult to breathe. Basically use your brains! Its still California- it's going to be hot out! And there are children in the park, so dress appropriately.

There are several things that are exciting about Mickey's Halloween Party. First of all, there are meet and greets with villains and other Halloween characters. If you want to meet Jack and Sally, I either recommend starting with this or doing it at another time- ie not during the Halloween Party. Their line will be constantly long during the party.

Villains also do meet and greets in the Main St. Square right near the entrance to Disneyland, and I suggest getting the jump on these as well if its something you want to do.

Trick or Treat lines are the next cool thing about the party. It doesn't take long to fill your complimentary treak or treat bag from these lines. They have both healthy treats and normal candies, pretzels, etc. I got a huge mix and variety of candy and treats and I only went through about three treat lines. It doesn't take long to fill your bag, so I'd save going to get treats until later at night.

The Halloween Party is also a great time to get on some rides that tend to be busier- with the exception of Haunted Mansion of course, this one is still quite busy during the party. So get on a bunch of rides during the party!

You can find various entertainment around the park during the party as well, but by far the best entertainment is the Halloween fireworks! This past year, Zero flew over the castle and there was plenty of fire, and some fireworks I had never seen before. The fireworks alone are more than worth going to the Halloween party.

So, all in all, this is my recommended plan of action for the Halloween party:
1. Start with any character meet and greets you want to do.
2. Ride the rides that tend to be busier on regular park hours
3. Save trick or treating for close to the end- it won't take long to get plenty of candy!
4. Make sure not to miss the Halloween fireworks. They are a real treat.

How and where to get character photos in Disneyland

Characters can be fairly elusive in Disneyland- they don't have a comprehensive app like Disney World to tell you when characters will be present. Thankfully, Disneyland's website now lists approximate times and locations to find characters. I wanted to bring some of my own insight to this and help you and/or your little ones make the most out of finding characters in a less typical situation.

1- Finding Mickey and Minnie
There are a plethora of places to find Mickey and Minnie. The biggest one is their homes in Toontown- all you need to do is take a tour of their home and wait in line to get your photo with them! They aren't always guaranteed to be here- but it is certainly your best chance at finding them.

You can also find these two at the character breakfasts- these include breakfast at the Grand Californian, Paradise Pier, and at the Plaza Inn. If you're looking for the most character variety, Plaza Inn is your best bet.

Sometimes, you may also find them in the plaza of Main St. right when you enter Disneyland park. I've only seen these two available to meet and greet on Buena Vista St. as far as California Adventure goes.

2-The gang
You can also find most of the main gang somewhere in Toontown at different points of the day- I've seen Goofy outside of his house, Pluto outside of the jail, etc. These guys will also be found on Main St, most commonly near the fire hall.

I've seen a few of them at the character breakfasts as well.

If you're lucky you can catch Goofy as a conductor outside by the World of Color fountains- I believe it's a fun way they test the fountains to make sure they are working for each night's show!

I've also seen Pluto near Soarin' in California Adventure.

A secret spot I've happened to see Chip n' Dale is the big empty space right near the Hollywood Tower of Terror! You may spot other characters here as I believe it is close to a backstage area for cast members.

Oswald is easy to spot as he is usually on the main st into California Adventure- definitely in the shade if it's hot out. I found him hanging out there mid day, not far from the shop that sells only Oswald merch.

3- Princes and Princesses
The biggest spot Princesses do meet and greet is at the Fantasy Faire- but these lines can get quite long and I wouldn't say its the most unique experience to meet the Princesses.

The best place to find the main Disney Princesses is at Ariel's Grotto when you book a meal there. Be warned, this place is ALWAYS busy so you do need to make reservations. You won't find the Princes here, but you can see Ariel, Belle, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, and Snow White. I believe some of these Princesses can also be seen at the Plaza Inn, depending on the day.

Another place you can find these gals is right inside the entrance to Disneyland Park. Sometimes they can be found under the shade of the trees near the flower arrangements.

Tiana can be found in New Orlean's Square- because of course that makes the most sense. I've seen her on the raised platform near the Rivers of America and I've also seen her on the staircase hidden in between the shops.

Merida still has her own meet and greet spot near it's a Small World, unless that has changed recently.

Anna and Elsa can be found at their Royal Welcome in Animation Academy in California Adventure. As far as I'm aware the line is constantly long for this and its the only place to see them. Whereas Olaf can be found outside in Hollywoodland.

Jasmine can only be found with Aladdin at Aladdin's Oasis- along with Genie at times and even Jafar. It's never known who will be here at any given time- and I've rarely seen them here on hot days.

4- Disney Jr.
These characters are most commonly found outside the shops near the Disney Jr. Stage or outside Disney Jr. Itself.

5- Sulley and Mike
These two have their own special meet and greet spot not far from their ride- before you get into the Mad T. Party area, there is a small apartment made to look like it is from Monsters Inc. If Sulley or Mike are doing meet and greets, you will find them standing here. I've never seen them at the same time, just one or the other.

6-Marvel Superheros
Most commonly found in Tomorrowland, but apparently they can now be found in Hollywoodland as well. I believe that is a recent development.

7- Character breakfasts, a good chance to see rare characters
Paradise Pier's Breakfast roster includes Stitch! So if you're looking for him, make sure you book this breakfast. I don't believe I have seen him elsewhere, but I wouldn't put it past him to be at Plaza Inn every now and then. I've also seen Daisy here, and she seems to be a more hard to find member of the gang.

The Grand Californian Sports more rare characters- especially those from Brother Bear. There isn't a plethora of characters here, but the food makes it well worth a visit.

I haven't been to Goofy's Kitchen- but I imagine you'd see Goofy here no matter what!

Plaza Inn has a great roster too- the time I was there I saw Captain Hook, Eeyore, The Fairy Godmother, Minnie, and more! I believe a lot of them change day to day but it is fairly certain you will see Minnie here no matter what.

8-Seasonal Events
If you go during a certain season I can almost guarantee you will see more of the rare characters. Halloween you will spot more villains, as well as Jack and Sally. Christmas tends to bring out some more rare characters, and the gang in special costumes. But also consider events such as Valentine's day- where you will find some special characters out just for the day.

This has been my guide to find characters more outside of their norm locations. Hopefully my experiences can help you find who you're looking for in the parks!

                                                   Meeting Minnie at the Plaza Inn!

Best Photo Spots in California Adventure

Hi and welcome to the companion list of the best photo spots in Disneyland, and today we are covering California Adventure park.

1- In front of Carthay Circle Restaurant
a short walk down Buena Vista St. when you first enter Disneyland will find you at the Carthay Circle Restaurant. This is a great piece of Disney history as its design and name are based on the movie theatre where Snow White was first shown, the true start of Disney films.

2- Walt and Mickey Statue on Buena Vista St.
I love this statue, where Walt looks like he's just arrived in Cali, Mickey and his suitcase in tow and his coat over his shoulder.

3- In front of the Hyperion
The Hyperion is a huge theatre where they used to perform the Aladdin show for many years. It is now home to a Frozen stage show, which I haven't had the opportunity to see for myself. We won't get into the debate about the show changing, as I know there are people that both love and hate Frozen now making its way into so many places in the parks.

4- At the end of Buena Vista St.
Here, right next to the Hyperion, you will find an illusion painting that makes it look as if the street continues for a long distance, making it a good photo op!

5- On Route 66 in Cars Land
If you can, take this photo at night! The bright neon of this street at night is incredible- it feels like you have stepped right into the Cars movie.

6- The walkway next to Radiator Springs Racers
they did an awesome job recreating the landscape of this ride and there are plenty of awesome photo spots along this walking path.

7- Cove Bar at Paradise Pier
If you're wanting the best view of Paradise Pier in your backdrop, snag yourself a seat at the Cove Bar. Not to mention, they have some of the best food and drink this side of the park. (did somebody say cocktails?!)

8- World of Color Viewing area
This area will get you a great photo of Mickey's fun wheel during the day! Not to mention there isn't a lot of foot traffic on these boardwalks, ensuring you can get an uninterrupted photo.

9- Entrance to Paradise Pier
At the start of the boardwalk there's a great photo op- as there is a sign for Paradise Pier! At night, its even lit nicely, making it a good photo spot both day and night.

10- Under the replica San Fran bridge
this one's hard to miss- as you will see it right as you come into the park!

11- Bridge entrance to Pacific Wharf
This is another great spot thats well lit at night- great for a photo both day and night!

12-In front of the Bear at Grizzly River Run
Pretty self exploratory- great shot to take in front of a huge wooden bear statue! A great way to get a "before" shot before getting on Grizzly River Run.

13-In front of Ariel's Undersea Adventure
The building for this ride is gorgeous! You can get a good photo under the giant dome or in front of the beautiful glass windows on the side.

14- The exit of the Art of Animation building
this is a cute little photo op because the wall reads "... and they all lived happily ever after" a very sweet and very Disney sentiment.

15- Inside the main room of the Art of Animation building
This room is breathtaking, showing a panoramic of images and video from different classic Disney films, accompanied by a song from the film. It changes about every minute or two and besides photos its the perfect place to relax and take a break.

Photos you need to take in Disneyland

Hey all! I'm back with some more info on Disneyland, and today I'm covering good spots to get your photo taken in the park. We will cover some of the biggest ones as well as some lesser known areas.

1- the classic, in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle
The only problem is, it can be hard to get this photo depending on the time of day. There's always a lot of people crowded around here trying to get this opportunity. For a fresh take, try taking the photo closer to the bridge and from a lower angle, or even go back into the garden where the Walt and Mickey statue is- it will be less crowded here and you may even get more of the castle in your shot!

2-On Main ST, USA
Try getting this photo at either the busiest or least busy time of day! Other people won't ruin the shot, it will just show how this truly is the happiest place on earth. Get yourself in the middle of main st to pose.

3- The fire hall on Main ST
When you first enter the park and go through the tunnel, you will be at the tail end of main st in a plaza. On the west side you will see the fire hall- the location of Walt's private apartment! He used to turn the light on in the top window so that workers of the park would know when he was visiting.  This is an excellent opportunity to take a photo- since Walt's passing, they always leave he light on in his apartment- symbolizing that he is with the park in spirit.

4- the flowers at the entrance to Disneyland
This is another classic- here you will see the flowers have been grown into a design, which is usually the shape of Mickey's head! Its a great photo opportunity, but I recommend doing this later in the day so you aren't trying to wait in line or beat a crowd of people to the punch. This is actually also a great place to find a couple of characters to take photos with- Mostly Disney Princesses. This is the place I actually found Ariel and had one of the best interactions with her.

5- Finding Nemo lagoon
This lagoon is so pretty- and if you love Finding Nemo, you can get a shot of yourself with the seagulls from the movie. You will also have plenty of time to take this photo if you're waiting in line- this ride can have long wait times during the day!

6- Entrance to Tomorrowland
Here at the entrance to Tomorrowland, there is a rather large ride called the Astro Orbiter, which is complete with a sign for Tomorrowland!

7-The Sword in the Stone- in front of King Arthur's Carousel
A few times a day, there is an event involving the sword in the stone- otherwise, its a great place to take a photo, and try your hand at removing the sword! You can also get a shot of the carousel in the background.

This photo is a young me on my first visit to Disneyland- still one of my favorite photos from the trip!

8-At any of the Disneyland Railroad stations
You usually have to wait for the train anyway- so take some time to stop and pose in front of the station!

9- Toontown Entrance
Since the entrance to Toontown is under a tunnel, this is a great spot to get some photos taken . Above the tunnel there is a sign for Toontown as well as a population counter that's a little wacky!

10- Mickey and Minnie's homes
If you're having trouble getting a photo with Mickey or Minnie, go through the tour of their homes in Toontown and if you're lucky Mickey or Minnie will be waiting at the end to take a photo with you! The line can sometimes be long, which also leaves you plenty of chances to take photos inside their homes.

11- Around the gag shop
Toontown is full of silly photo opportunities, such as bending jail bars, weights stuck in the ground, and gas pumps that are actually fish tanks! Take a minute to wander around here and take a silly photo or two- it's never to busy to get a few in.

12- Eating a Dole Whip
a Dole Whip is without a doubt a quintessential element of any Disney trip. Dole Wips + Tiki Room= Happiest day ever! You can get a Dole Whip while waiting for the Tiki Room- this area is full of Tiki statues and will make for a great photo.

13- The Rivers of America in New Orleans Square
The front paths closest to Rivers of America usually aren't too crowded- and if you catch this right you can also get the Mark Twain Riverboat or the Pirate ship in the background!

14- The stairs in New Orleans Square
Tucked away in the shops of New Orleans Square, there is a set of stairs! You can't ascend them all the way, but you can get a nice photo here as well as a break from some of the crowds. The odd time you may also find Tiana here.

15- Club 33
Club 33 is more well known than it used to be. If you don't know what Club 33 is, its an exclusive restaurant inside Disneyland, where only members of Club 33 can eat. Members include mostly the wealthy or families that have had a membership for a long long time- the waiting list is quite long to get in the club and the club fees per year are quite hefty. Regardless, you can find the entrance to Club 33 hiding in plain sight next to the Blue Bayou Restaurant.

These are some of the best photo spots in Disneyland- be sure to look out for my guide for California Adventure as well as a future guide to finding Characters for photos.

Disneyland Diamond celebration and ride tips

If there's one thing to know, it's that any crowd forecasts or ride closure expectancy calendars will not necessarily be accurate for this year at the Disneyland Park.They planned refurbs to take place before the 60th celebration was underway to ensure that maximum rides could remain open for the remainder of the year. Therefore, you can safely go any time of year and assume that the rides will be open.

Of course, there are often ride closures during the day. What you have to remember is that these rides are on all day, almost every single day. There is bound to be some mechanical issues or a problem every now and then. What I recommend in this case is that if the line is short, stand in line for a little while. When we went to Disneyland in June 2 years ago, Splash Mountain's line was constantly a few hours long. Which makes sense because of the weather. However, one day, the line was unusually short. So, we overheard that the ride was closed down. I told my husband that we should wait in line as it probably would not be long, as I could hear that they were already doing testing within the ride. And to our surprise, within ten minutes the ride was functional and there were only about 20 people ahead of us in line!

And of course, I always recommend getting fast passes for the busiest rides of the day. Matterhorn doesn't have fast pass option, so I always recommend making a beeline for that ride first thing in the morning. Finding Nemo also doesn't have a fastpass, so I always make that my second ride of the day to ensure shortest lines for both.

If you're a big fan of Indiana Jones, I highly recommend getting a fast pass for this ride. It routinely has some of the longest wait times in all of Disneyland Park. Another good option is to try and get in line during a parade or other show when the lines are destined to be short. Of course, other big fast pass musts are Radiator Springs Racers, Space Mountain, and Tower of Terror. And during the hot months, add Splash Mountain and Grizzly River Run to that list.

In hot seasons, I recommend avoiding waiting in line too long in Jungle Cruise. It is an all outdoor queue, and can get extremely hot when packed full of people. Same goes for Toy Story's midway Mania. If you can, I would ride these in the early morning or evening when the heat is not as severe outside. In fact, riding jungle cruise during the fireworks can be an awesome experience!

If you're looking for a quick way to cool down, I can always suggest Pirates. It's refreshing and relaxing and even if the line is long it usually moves quite quickly. Same goes for the Haunted Mansions. These rides are designed to take a large amount of people better than any ride.

The best rule of thumb is that if there are some rides you absolutely want to do that day, then get up and get to the park as early as you possibly can.

During the 60th anniversary, it's going to be a little more tough to predict how busy it will be. But you can bet that any long weekend and the Christmas season will be busier than ever, so avoid these times at all costs. September is generally a low season month and it is another reason I chose to go at this time. I have only experienced Disney at high volume times so I will be interested to see the difference. If you are debating between Christmas and Summer, I vote summer. While it can be quite hot, the lines are significantly shorter than in the Christmas/New Year's window. Any time this year will be special because of the Diamond Celebration,

Going to Disney World - Part 2!

So, on our second full day at the parks, we decided to make our way to Animal Kingdom! I got fast passes for Expidition Everest, Dinosaur, and Killimanjaro Safari! We started our day off by making our way to the safari, because I hear that this is the busiest attraction.

A lot of people seemed to have the same idea as a few dozen people were ahead of us and also headed for the safari! Thankfully we didn't have to wait long as we got there right around park opening. The great thing about the buses is that I firmly believe there isn't a bad seat on it. This experience was far beyond the level of going to a zoo to see animals. Here, you could see the animals had tons of space to roam freely, and it was exhilarating to take a trip trough their home instead of staring at them in cages. The best thing about the safari is that there are so many animals you have a chance to see something new every time you go.

From there, we decided we would take in the sights around the park before having some lunch in Dinoland U.S.A. The themeing at Animal Kingdom is quite unique and itr really did feel like we were in another place.  We had lunch at restaurantosaurus as my husband is a HUGE fan of dinosaurs. We both got the mac and cheese hot dog. It was prerty good, but I felt it could use a bit more flavor.

                                                              Mac and Cheese Hot dog.

                                                    Restaurant interior.


Then we rode dinosaur, which was scary but fun! (I don't recommend this for the little ones that sxare easily) as most of the dinosaurs are harmless, but one dinosaur in particular is quite large and 'chases' after you, even blowing air in your face!  However, despite its age, dinosaur lovers will feel transported in time and abosultely love this  ride.

                  Dinosaur's line up was quite long after lunch- this one is worth getting a fast pass for!


We had a few more hours before expidition everest (which I was sure I would back out of, as roller coasters of that level terrify me) so we took the train to the Rafiki area. It was neat as there are some scientests actually working there on different thinga, and through glass windows they can see you and comminucate what they are working on and answer your questions. This is when the rain really began to pour. Ideally, we should have hid out at the rafiki building, but we did not expect it to rain ao long. We made our way back to the train starion, getting soaked in the process.  The train is in open air but is thankfully covered, so we remained relatively dry on our way back. Thunder and light ning was starting and our expedition everest fastpass was approaching. We ducked into a store which was aboslutely packed.

                                     Needles to say, my husband got a little soaked in the rain!

That's the one problem with animal kingdom: there is almost nowhere to hide from the inevitable rain.  Every single store was packed, so we made our way from store to store until the rain passed. We headed for expedition Everest, but it was still not in service due to lightning being close. I really appreciate their concerns for patrons safety on the outdoor rides, and we decided to wait in the fast pass line for them to start up again. An hour later, we were able to ride. I was extremely nervous. I would say I had fun, despite screaming my face off the entire time. Though I don't think I could ride it again, I'm proud to say I did and didn't chicken out.

After this, we decided to see the last showing of festival of the lion king, which had to be my favorite show in the entirety of Walt Disney World. There's circus acts, amazing singing, and Simba, Timon, and Pumbaa all make an appearance! This show is truly phenomenal and I cannot recommend it enough if you're making a visit to animal kingdom.

                                          Hands down one of the best shows in Disney World!

We finished out day off with dinner at the rainforest cafe. It was our first time eating there, and I was afraid it would be overrated, sacrificing good food for theming. I was pleasantly surprised to say I really enjoyed my meal and the staff despite feeling quite ill that evening!

Without further ado, here are some recommendations for Animal Kingdom:

1. Pack a good raincoat and don't wear runners (summer)
2. Make your way to killimanjaro safari right away
3. Check the festival of the Lion King showtimes and make sure you see one!
4. Ride expedition everest, even if you're a little scared.
5. Get a great adult drink in Dinoland U.S.A if your day has been hectic!
6. Take the time to walk the trails around the safari. There are some great animals you can see there, including gorillas!

What to Pack for Disneyland - Winter or Summer

Having been to Disneyland park in both summer and winter, I can now say that you need quite a different packing list for each occasion. Winter in California is very moderate temperatures. I don't believe that it ever dropped below zero anytime we were there (but it did SNOW once!) but you want to come prepared, especially if you still want to risk a ride on Splash Mountain.

                                                          Winter in Disneyland can be quite nice!

Here are my tips for packing for a WINTER trip to Disneyland:

Now, winter can flip flop a lot in California. Some times, it was very cold and we needed hoodies, jeans, and sneakers; other days, it was so warm that we were wearing shorts and flip flops (still with hoodies in the AM) So here is a list that I recommend fulfilling to ensure all your bases are covered:

-one light hoodie
-one thicker, warmer hoodie
-tank top to wear under in case of weather changes
-jeans
-one pair of shorts or capris
-sneakers (regardless of weather, always the best option for lots of walking)
-sandals or flip flops (great as long as you don't wear them every day!)
-water bottle (I recommend no more than two unless you have a stroller for storage)
-a backpack to fit your needs
-autograph book and long pen (like the ones they sell in the park with Mickey's silhouette on the end- the longer the pen the better so costumed characters can grip it easier!)
- this isn't a packing item, but if you're celebrating a special occasion, be sure to notify someone so you can get a button to wear!)
-sunglasses
-I also recommend putting some of your spending money on a Disneyland gift card, which you can have delivered to your hotel room

These things plus your own essentials will make the perfect list for going to Disneyland in Winter.

Here is my SUMMER Disneyland packing list:
-one pair of jeans
-a few pairs of shorts or capris
-at least one sundress or skirt (if you are a girl)
-SUNSCREEN (OR you will burn. I forgot sunscreen for half of one day and I got a wicked sunburn.)
-sunglasses; it's bright out there!
-tank tops and t-shirts
-lots of hair ties for anyone with frizzy or long hair
-a rain coat in case there is rain forecasted for when you plan to be there. preferably a cheap poncho or something of the like so you can carry it in the backpack.
-sneakers (regardless of weather, always the best option for lots of walking)
-sandals or flip flops (great as long as you don't wear them every day!)
-water bottle (I recommend no more than two unless you have a stroller for storage)
-a backpack to fit your needs
-autograph book and long pen (like the ones they sell in the park with Mickey's silhouette on the end- the longer the pen the better so costumed characters can grip it easier!)
- this isn't a packing item, but if you're celebrating a special occasion, be sure to notify someone so you can get a button to wear!)
-sunglasses
-I also recommend putting some of your spending money on a Disneyland gift card, which you can have delivered to your hotel room.


I hope you find these lists somewhat insightful and let me know if there is anything you would add!
(and yes, I know these lists are not made for families with children!)

Planning our first trip to DisneyWorld

Welcome all!

I have been to Disneyland three times, and since Disney World is currently having a 30% off hotels during summer, we decided to book a trip to Disney World in Orlando! It's quite a long ways for us, and unfortunately both our flights there and home have layovers, but it saved us heaps of money on a trip that would normally have cost twice as much.

Ever since our Honeymoon in Disneyland last June, going back has been on our minds. But neither of us have been to Disney World, and everyone says it's worth going at least once to experience it. I know it is quite a lot bigger and will be a daunting task, so we gave ourselves an extra day if there is a particular park we find we need to visit twice. We will also be visiting the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, as I am one of the biggest Harry Potter fans there is. (Not going to lie, I am looking forward to this the most.)

We are hopeful that the seven dwarves mine cart ride will be open the time we get there so we can give a full report on the experience and the finally completed new Fantasyland. (So exciting!) We will also be trying to focus a major part of our day in Animal Kingdom on the Dinoland U.S.A (my husband LOVES dinosaurs.)

We weighed the options between going to Disneyland and going to Disneyworld and going to Disneyworld was almost the same cost, except it also includes food! That meant that even though we will have painful flights and long days, it will be very worth it. In my opinion, the option for 30% off a hotel in Disney World is worth even more than the free dining they tend to offer once a year during particular low seasons.

As people native to Alberta, I'm sure going to Florida in the middle of summer is going to be very hard on us, so i'm going to be sure that we each have a water bottle, and stay hydrated. We have a mini- backback that we took to Disneyland that we might use again, though my husband said he wouldn't mind carrying a larger backpack this time around (more room for our autograph book and his pins!)

We are going to be staying at Disney World's Carribean Beach resort, which i found to be reasonably priced and more central of a hotel to all the parks compared to the other moderate resorts. At the time of booking, I found that there was not significant enough of a price difference between the value (ie; All Star Music, All Star Movies, etc.) and the moderate resorts for me to take the lower price option. Plus, going to a moderate versus value hotel fills me with the hope that there will be a few less children hanging around. That and from what I can assume about transporting to each park is that having a closer hotel will be much nicer.

That said, I'm still working out the logistics for planning to get to Universal Orlando, but as soon as that is booked I will be doing a post on all the different options, the one we decided to go with, and why.

Travelling to Disneyland- Food tips for Disneyland Park (and some Cali Adventure)

A great place to eat in Adventureland is Bengal Barbeque. It always gets great reviews and I can see why. The prices are fair and the meat will be great fuel for your day. (Try the bacon-wrapped Asparagus!) I recommend visiting Bengal BBQ at lunch or dinner, whichever time you tend to eat a smaller meal will be the better time to visit. Don't miss a trip to the dole cart and the Tiki room! It's a good place to get a break, sit in a cool dark place, and rest your feet. You can't have a Disneyland experience without a delicious Dole Whip! (unless you hate pineapple, of course.)

                                                         Husband's first Dole Whip!

If you're looking for a nice cold treat and you're sick of eating Mickey ice cream, go for a frozen banana. They are a healthier alternative and stay cold for a lot longer. We both enjoyed frozen bananas while watching Mickey's Magical map (which is a good show to see any time of day.) Frozen bananas are coated in chocolate and nuts, so beware if you have any allergies. You can find many carts around Disney that sell these frozen treats.

If you're looking for a quick and reasonably priced lunch, grab a corn dog. But not just any corn dog! There is a cart located next to the Plaza Inn, on the very end of main street. They batter them fresh and it is hands down one of the best corn dogs I've ever had.

Another great quick and reasonable lunch can be found at Daisy's Diner in ToonTown. They serve personal pizza with appleslices, and last time I ate there I believe it cost 8 dollars. The pizza is so delicious that my mom, brother and I ate there almost every day on our first trip to Disneyland!

If you don't have breakfast booked and you want something quick to eat so that you don't miss the short AM lines, hit up Tomorrowland Terrace. They have lots of choices for a quick breakfast there,but the breakfast burrito was our personal favorite. (and very filling for a moderate price!)

If you're looking for a quiet, out of the way location to eat a quick dinner, try The Hungry Bear Restaurant. They make really decent burgers, but the best part is that their sitting is located in Critter Country; right in the back corners of Rivers of America, where you can watch ducks swim as you eat. You can even catch a glance of them preparing boats for the Fantasmic! show.

Cars Land recently opened in California Adventure, and if you like this movie, I suggest you go check it out! It looks exactly like Route 66 from the movie! The best part is the Cozy Cone motel, where you can get all sorts of food in cones! They have chili, popcorn, and our favorite, Churro Bites. If you like churros but want a unique experience with them, this is the place to go. You get a hearty helping of bite sized churros along with delectable dipping chocolate. (Which is how churros are meant to be enjoyed.) Another great thing they offer here that you can't get anywhere else is Ramones "Pear O'Dice" Soda. As you can imagine from the description, this soda is meant to be pear flavored, yet it is bright purple. My favorite color! I highly recommend this drink, as we went to Cars Land three times through our visit just so we could have a taste of this drink.

                                                         Ramones "Pear O'Dice" Soda!

Another great thing to mention is that eating early will almost always benefit you. We tried to grab dinner around 4:30 anytime that we didn't have reservations. Restaurants, even quick service ones, can get busy quickly after 5:00. As for lunch, the best time to eat will probably be around 11 am, or 1:30- 2 pm. We are early eaters, so we always stuck to earlier meals!

Travelling to Disneyland- Dining Tips and planning time wisely in Cali Adventure

We purchased the dining plan that was available for Disneyland last year- which included one snack, and two quick service meals per day for the four days you spend in the park. It also included three character dining vouchers.

The character dining vouchers were most valuable for us. We purchased our Vacation package about three months before our actual departure date- so I got to planning right away.

I decided most, if not all of our first day should be spent in Disneyland park, as my husband had never been there. I planned our meals based on where I hoped we would be each day. The first night we arrived, we had no dining plans and didn't want to use a park ticket- so we visited Downtown Disney for dinner. We decided to go to Uva, and we sat outside since the weather was amazing.

Dinner drinks at Uva!

I had the greek option, and my husband had their salmon burger- which he couldn't stop talking about! It was all very delicious and a great way to start our first evening in Disney! We took it easy and simply wandered Downtown Disney for a few hours- visiting all the shops and even buying some sparkly Minnie Mouse ears for me.

The next day, we headed for Disneyland park. Even though we had early entry with Magic Morning, we still had to wait in a short line. I insisted we rush straight to the Matterhorn- as I knew lines were always long and this was our best chance to get on without delay! He had a hurried view of Main Street and Sleeping Beauty castle before riding Matterhorn and Finding Nemo! Then we finally stopped at the Tomorrowland main commissary for a breakfast burrito. I had never had one, but I have to say it was delicious! Decently priced and very filling. Our dinner was at Ariel's Grotto, however, so we headed over to the other park in the evening to make our reservation.

This is the only character dining experience I DO NOT recommend. The food was very mediocre, even compared to the quick breakfast burrito we had at the beginning of our day! The waitress almost didn't serve us alcohol (we had valid ID- but I suppose she had never seen an ID from AB before, and told us that next time we should bring our Passports into the park! - um, what?! no way!! I would NOT risk losing my passport just so someone can believe that my MARRIED husband and I are old enough to order a sangria and cider.) Dinner service was slow- and without the vouchers it would have been way to expensive to even consider compared to the food quality. BUT; if the main Princesses are on your MUST SEE list, then this is the perfect place to see them. We were seated outside so it wasn't nearly as noisy (and near the cool water, which was lovely) but we were some of the last to see the Princesses! I have to say, my husband was pretty happy to see Belle, and I was glad to meet Ariel when we first came into the restaurant.

The downside of meeting Ariel before you sit is that it makes waiting for your table a long process- we showed up half an hr early as requested and weren't seated until half an hr after our reservation- that's an hour wait!

Dessert at Ariel's Grotto was the only thing worth photographing- Lava Cake!

Now, we went in mid-June, which is usually considered busy season, but our bus driver told us that the shuttles were unusually empty the past few days, and I could tell in the park. I have only ever been to Disney around Christmas- and the crowds were definitely crazier than they were during our honeymoon.

The next day we had breakfast at the Grand Californian Hotel- and met characters such as Koda, Chip n' Dale, and other outdoor animals! (I hadn't seen brother bear at this point, so I had no clue who Koda was!) 

The food was OUTSTANDING. Even months after we were pining for their shredded hashbrowns. I would eat there just for the food, not to mention the atmosphere. Our sever was very friendly and attentive, and it was a buffet, serve yourself setting. It was a great way to start a day we planned to mostly spend in California Adventure.

Here's where I want to mention that I highly recommend starting off your day with fast passes- specifically for hot new attractions such as Radiator Springs Racers- this ride was so popular that fast passes for an entire day would be gone within the first hour of the park opening- madness! (Needless to say, we weren't willing to wait three hours to get on this ride, so we didn't experience it.)

But I also recommend getting a fast pass for Hollywood Tower of Terror (another missed due to very long wait times) and the roller coaster. These rides tend to have the longest wait, as well as Grizzly River Rapids (in the summer of course.) Planning to get these fast passes will ensure you can get on all the best rides.

Don't overlook Toy Story- Midway Mania! It is one of the most fun rides in California Adventure, and to my knowledge they don't offer fast passes, but it's worth a wait.

Ariel's Undersea Adventure- a new addition to California adventure!

Protip- on a hot day, don't be afraid to visit this ride multiple times- it's nice and cool because it's supposed to simulate being under the sea, and the wait time is never long thanks to it's design (constantly moving clamshells, just like in Haunted Mansion!) Not to mention the animatronics will wow you over and over!

My favorite night spent in California Adventure- my husband surprised me with a reservation at Wine Country Trattoria- which come with preferred front row World of Color fast passes! The food was divine- and while we paid with our own money for this meal, the $120 we spent was well worth it for the Filet Mingon and Lamb Shank we had! (Also, the server here didn't have an issue with our Government issued ID, THANKFULLY!)

Filet Mingon

Lamb Shank

If you only have time to see one show in Disneyland/California Adventure, World of Color has to be it. It was the most amazing experience i have ever had in my entire life. The strides that Disney has taken in technology are amazing, and it's definitely showcased here! Set to music from some of their most popular movies, thousands of water fountains shoot out beams of colored water, and they even project scenes from famous movies onto the water! My favorite had to be the addition of fire during a rendition of "He's a Pirate" from POTC! It still brings tears to my eyes to think of this show.

Travelling to Disneyland for a Honeymoon- Staying on Disney Property

Hello to all out there in the great big internet!

I love to travel and haven't been able to do too much of it, until now. This is a blog I want to use not only to document my life, but also my travel and travel tips.

My husband and I visited Disneyland last June for our Honeymoon. We decided we couldn't wait very long and went two days after our wedding.

Our wedding was in Canmore, AB, Canada. We live in Calgary, which is about an hour away. (I will write another post detailing my wedding, planning, and estimated costs!)

So, we stayed in Canmore one more night after the night of our wedding, then checked out with what friends stayed behind, and made the journey back to Calgary. We trusted our possessions that we weren't taking with us to my husband's sister, and she dropped us off at my mothers'. We were on a tight schedule, so as soon as we got back into Calgary we headed straight for the airport. (I had made MR. and Mrs. shirts that said "Just Married" on the back in Disney writing. It made the long day of travelling a little easier!

We got to the airport about two hours before our flight, just in case. We were flying on a Monday, and I wasn't overly concerned about large volumes of people taking flights. We got through customs within an hour (They didn't have many officers working at customs, so this part took the longest.) It's always a little tense when you're going to a new country, as they always try to make you feel uncomfortable. But we simply explained that we were going to Disneyland for our Honeymoon and the officer was a lot more cheerful :)

While waiting for our flight, we decided to get some sushi at the only airport restaurant we could access from international flights. Surprisingly, it was delicious!

This was the first time my husband was going to Disneyland, and only the second time he had been on a plane and left the country! So he was very nervous as airports are still a mystery to him, as well as the process of checking bags and going through customs. I had been to Disneyland twice before, and I have taken planes more times than I can count in my life (first time was at 2 weeks old!)

I was giddier than a schoolgirl, as I knew how amazing Disneyland was. The second I found out that my father was giving us our dream honeymoon as a wedding gift, I became obsessed with planning our trip.

We booked through the Disney Travel CO. ( disneyland.disney.go.com ) Which offers bookings from cities in Canada and the U.S. This came with a few extras, including the shuttle to and from the airport being free, cute CARS themed luggage tags, and a lanyard and pin each (which definitely fueled my husband's eagerness to collect pins!) I found that prices on travel websites were not significantly different enough for me to book elsewhere.

We booked a hotel on Disney property, at the Paradise Pier hotel. We also purchased the dining plan offered at Disneyland, as my father wanted to cover our food costs. I'm going to spend a little time talking about our hotel, and then about the Disneyland dining plan (which has changed since we went.)

This was my first time staying on Disney property while going to Disneyland. It may cost a bit more, but in my opinion it was worth it. You get alternating magic mornings at both parks EACH DAY- rather than just one if you book at a good neighbor hotel. Also, if you need a nap or simply need to shower and change because of how warm it is that day- you're only a short walk away. Paradise Pier is the cheapest of all the hotels on Disney property- and I expected it to always be busy and have kids running through the hallway- much to our surprise it was lovely and quiet, and we had an amazing view of California Adventure and World of Color!

 a nighttime view from our room!

It also seemed to me that to match the beach theme of Paradise Pier that they kept the hotel a litter warmer and more humid inside- it was an interesting touch and it's great for your lungs! The bed was very comfortable and I loved the scent of the complimentary shampoo, conditioner, and body wash that I took all the little samples home!

Since we were staying on Disney Property, my husband was also able to surprise me with a Chocolate Lover's gift basket! It was amazing and adorable! Disney hotels offer all sorts of room surprises that you can custom make- or choose from a pre-selected basket, that will be in your room on any of the days that you are in the hotel. You can find their options for In-Room Celebrations Here.

-I believe the one my Husband ordered for me was called "Cheers for Chocolate" and includes a little plush Mickey, three chocolate bars, chocolate covered jelly bellies, an assorted box of chocolates, milk chocolate covered pretzels, milk chocolate malt balls, and chocolate covered nuts. (now replaced by caramels). These are an unnecessary expense, but can really surprise a loved one and make their visit extra special.

My last tip for staying in a Disney hotel is that you shouldn't be afraid to mention if you are celebrating something! Often they might give you something special or a button to show everyone what you are celebrating! Wearing the "Just Married" Buttons will get you a lot of attention and a lot of congratulations! I swear that we got over 200 words of Congrats in the time we were in Disney! We felt very special!