Was it better than staying home? Part 4 - Disneyland
May 4th 2008 09:17
The theme at Disneyland for 2008 is the year of a million dreams and it really is true. I went to Disneyland six times before I was seven years old, so the memories were childish but cherished. Would it still be magical?
I have to admit that I remembered it being bigger. Tinkerbell's castle seemed much smaller this time and the Resort wasn't quite as huge as I'd remembered, but everything else was as good or better than my memories.
Before we left Australia, I'd spent many hours researching the best itineraries. I even borrowed the Unofficial Guide to Disneyland from the local library and poured over it religiously.
By the time we got there, I was so over all the planning, I abandoned it completely. Yes, we are the family who went to Disneyland with no plan at all.
We were incredibly lucky on our first day to win dream fast passes, which gave us access to the fast pass queue on seven major rides at Disneyland and five at California Adventure Park.
We packed our own sandwiches and snacks. Contrary to what you might read, you are allowed to take food in, just not big cooler bags and picnics.
We expected the children to get tired and to go back to the hotel for a rest, but they just kept going. We left our room at 9am and said goodbye to Disneyland at 10pm. The next day, we did it all again.
There are too many highlights, but I will say that Space Mountain was my favourite ride when I was seven and it still is. What a buzz. Disneyland has everything - music, thrills and magic. I could go there every year and never get sick of it.
We finished our two day visit with a character meal at Goofy's Kitchen, at the Disneyland Hotel. The children were thrilled to meet Goofy, Pluto, Minnie Mouse and Peter Pan. Their father was quite pleased to meet Princess Jasmine from Aladdin.
Disneyland is really the place of a million dreams.
My three tips:
Book a hotel as close to the entrance as possible. We stayed at the Desert Inn and Suites right across the road, but any of the other hotels on Harbor Boulevard would be equally as close.
Go at an off peak time of year. We went in April, but not near Easter. We also went on weekdays. If Disneyland is not busy, you don't need all the strategies on how to avoid massive queues.
Buy an autograph book. The kids love to get the characters' autographs as well as a photo.
I have to admit that I remembered it being bigger. Tinkerbell's castle seemed much smaller this time and the Resort wasn't quite as huge as I'd remembered, but everything else was as good or better than my memories.
Before we left Australia, I'd spent many hours researching the best itineraries. I even borrowed the Unofficial Guide to Disneyland from the local library and poured over it religiously.
By the time we got there, I was so over all the planning, I abandoned it completely. Yes, we are the family who went to Disneyland with no plan at all.
We were incredibly lucky on our first day to win dream fast passes, which gave us access to the fast pass queue on seven major rides at Disneyland and five at California Adventure Park.
We packed our own sandwiches and snacks. Contrary to what you might read, you are allowed to take food in, just not big cooler bags and picnics.
We expected the children to get tired and to go back to the hotel for a rest, but they just kept going. We left our room at 9am and said goodbye to Disneyland at 10pm. The next day, we did it all again.
There are too many highlights, but I will say that Space Mountain was my favourite ride when I was seven and it still is. What a buzz. Disneyland has everything - music, thrills and magic. I could go there every year and never get sick of it.
We finished our two day visit with a character meal at Goofy's Kitchen, at the Disneyland Hotel. The children were thrilled to meet Goofy, Pluto, Minnie Mouse and Peter Pan. Their father was quite pleased to meet Princess Jasmine from Aladdin.
Disneyland is really the place of a million dreams.
My three tips:
Book a hotel as close to the entrance as possible. We stayed at the Desert Inn and Suites right across the road, but any of the other hotels on Harbor Boulevard would be equally as close.
Go at an off peak time of year. We went in April, but not near Easter. We also went on weekdays. If Disneyland is not busy, you don't need all the strategies on how to avoid massive queues.
Buy an autograph book. The kids love to get the characters' autographs as well as a photo.
Mickey is everywhere
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