Hi,
We had a GREAT time in Disneyland. It felt rushed and there was a ton of walking but it all seemed worth it. I took my kids there for the very first time as a surprise birthday present.
Sunday:
We reached on Sunday around 4 pm and checked into the hotel. We were tired and didn't do much other than take a stroll in Downtown Disney and saw where Goofy's Kitchen is.
Monday:
We had a reservation at 7:30 am at Goofy's Kitchen. We made it in time. We saw Baloo, Aladdin, Aurora, Chip, Dale, Goofy, Pluto, a character I didn't recognize. They all came to our table (except Goofy who was stationed at the entrance) and interacted with the kids. Baloo was the most endearing and Aladdin the most charming. The cast members brought beautiful cup cakes for the kids and sang Happy Birthday. The Mickey Mouse waffles were yummy. There was an abundance of food.
Next we headed over to California Adventure. I didn't have the time to read these boards in detail to plan out our itinerary but were very lucky to have lined up behind a family who had a son the same age as my kids. She told us about California Soaring, Autopia in Disneyland and Toy Story Midway Mania.
This is the order in which we did rides/shows on Monday.
1. Got a Fastpass for World of Color (Got in blue section)
2. Soaring over California - One of our favorite so repeated it the last day as well
3. Toy Story Midway Mania in Paradise Pier
4. Mickey's Fun Wheel - chose the stationary gondola
5. Got fastpasses for Goofy's Sky School
6. Saw Pheneus and Ferb show on the plaza
7. Waited in line for Jumping Jellyfish but it closed due to technical difficulty
8. Kids rode golden Zephyr with grandma and Dad while I went to collect the lanyard and pin offered by our travel agent.
9. Rode Goofy's sky school - kids went twice since grandpa was resting at the hotel and got an extra FP.
10. Lunch
11. Ariel's underwater adventure
12. It's Tough to be a Bug - loved this one too!
13. Stood in line for Aladdin, about 20 minutes early but already people in line; we had the preferred seating from our travel package so the view was wonderful. - LOVED the show
14. Stepped into Blue Cellar
15. Bakery Tour
16. Dinner
17. World of Color - We showed up around 7 and there were hundred or so people lined up already. We didn't have a great view. We put our kids on the shoulders and they were able to see the images projected on the water. It was cold that evening and we were tired already. I think a rested soul would enjoy the show more. But it was beautiful.
Tuesday:
We had one day of magic morning but decided to sleep in today. We went to Disneyland this day (probably started around 10 am). Took the monorail to Tomorrowland with the first stop at Jedi Training Academy. Got FP for Autopia on the way.
1. Jedi Training Academy - We had them watch one show first to get familiar so that they will not be scared. Both kids got picked. I had them wear Star Wars t-shirt and had them sit on two different sides of the center entrance. They had a blast!
2. Autopia - It was tough for the kids to push the pedal so the accompanying adult stepped in. They loved this and repeated it the last day there.
3. Spent some time in the Innovations building.
3. Got a FP to Space Mountain while waiting for Jedi Training Academy. Rode Space Mountain. It wasn't that comfortable for me. Kids thought it was cool (though they were definitely uncomfortable).
4. lunch
5. Finding Nemo submarine - 30 minute wait - It was all right
Headed over to Fantasyland. Loved the streets and the buildings there.
No Coronation at Disney Princess Fantasy Faire
6. Peter Pan's Flight - it's cute
7. Sleeping Beauty Castle Walk through - my daughter freaked out a bit and refused to look in at the darker windows.
8. Alice in Wonderland Ride - liked this very much
9. Mad Hatter's shop - kids bought their souvenirs here.
10. Lined up in front of the 'It's a small World' for the Soundsational parade. We got there around 6:30 for the 7 pm parade and had the best view. We loved it - the floats were elaborate, the characters were in close proximity, the music was familiar from the Disney movies. This is the first time we saw Mickey and Minnie, and Donald. Loved seeing Mary Poppins as my kids love the movie.
11. After the parade went in line for It's a small World - It was breathtaking. The splash of color, the beauty of the scenes, and the dolls decked out in their national costumes, and the song, though on repeat, was catchy none-the-less. Not be be missed, outside and inside.
12. Took the train and saw grand canyon, dinosaur land, Zippady- doo-dahed thr
ough splash mountain.
13. Went out of DL for dinner today. This was a small Indian place serving 'Dhaba' style greasy, spicy, finger licking good Indian food. It's called Punjabi Tandoor and it's located on Suite A, 327 South Anaheim Boulevard.
Wednesday:
Had a ticket for Toontown Madness, essentially an earlier access to Toontown.
1. We were sworn in as honorary citizens of toontown. Micky, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, Donald Duck, Chip and Dale were there.
2. Minnie's house tour
3. Mickey's house tour and picture with Mickey
4. Picture with Minnie
5. Picture and many hugs with Goofy
6. I went to get FP while grandparents stayed with kids in toontown. My kids loved toontown and could have spent more hours there. It's charming because of the smaller size of buildings and hidden 'treasures.'
I scored FP for the family to Indiana Jones, Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (had a FP ticket from the hotel good for two FP so this allowed me to get 3 FP, also this hotel ticket gave me earlier return times).
Took the train to New Orleans
7. Haunted Mansion - Needed to carry my daughter as she freaked out by the sinister sounds.
8. Pirates of the Carribean
9. Lunch
10. Splash Mountain - I was nervous but the 50 foot drop gets over before you know it and it was actually fun (it was a HOT day so perfect to ride it that day)
11. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. The 'Unofficial Disneyland Guide' had a comment from a visitor which made me nervous but I found it to be a fun ride and we rode it again since we had 3 extra passes from the grandparents not taking this ride.
12. All members participated in Indiana Jones Adventure - It was over so quickly.
13. Kids rode Splash Mountain again
14. Went out of DL for dinner to a middle eastern restaurant. The food was delicious. Papa Hassan's located at 882 S Brookhurst St.
Thursday:
This was our last day here. We took advantage of the magic morning entrance. Since we were checking out of the hotel we couldn't make it right when it opened. Fastpass machines aren't operational before the park opens at 9 am. We saw Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Mary Poppins, Chip and Dale etc. posing for pictures and autographs.
1. Star Tours - Stood in line for 30 minutes to see Star Tours
2. Got fast passes for Autopia
3. Rushed over to CA to see 'Soaring over California' again - barely any line
I went back to DL and got FP for Star Tours and Roger Rabbit's Cartoon spin. DH went to get FP for California Screaming.
4. Hollywood backlot - kids loved learning to draw Mickey Mouse from a real artist at the Animation Academy. They saw Turtle Talk with Crush. Sorcerer's workshop was closed.
5. Kids went to ride California Screaming with DH.
Then we headed back to DL
6. Kids went on Star Tours with DH
7. Autopia
7b: Took grandparents to the canal boat ride in Fantasyland - it is charming.
8. Roger Rabbit's Cartoon Spin
Started back home around 3:30 pm. Traffic was horrendous! But once out of LA it was smooth sailing.
My kids asked if we can come back to DL every year!!!! We probably will but there are so many wonderful attractions in Southern California that we may not spend several days here.
It was definitely a 'ride' visiting the place of the past, the future, and the fantasy. We will be back again.
We had a GREAT time in Disneyland. It felt rushed and there was a ton of walking but it all seemed worth it. I took my kids there for the very first time as a surprise birthday present.
Sunday:
We reached on Sunday around 4 pm and checked into the hotel. We were tired and didn't do much other than take a stroll in Downtown Disney and saw where Goofy's Kitchen is.
Monday:
We had a reservation at 7:30 am at Goofy's Kitchen. We made it in time. We saw Baloo, Aladdin, Aurora, Chip, Dale, Goofy, Pluto, a character I didn't recognize. They all came to our table (except Goofy who was stationed at the entrance) and interacted with the kids. Baloo was the most endearing and Aladdin the most charming. The cast members brought beautiful cup cakes for the kids and sang Happy Birthday. The Mickey Mouse waffles were yummy. There was an abundance of food.
Next we headed over to California Adventure. I didn't have the time to read these boards in detail to plan out our itinerary but were very lucky to have lined up behind a family who had a son the same age as my kids. She told us about California Soaring, Autopia in Disneyland and Toy Story Midway Mania.
This is the order in which we did rides/shows on Monday.
1. Got a Fastpass for World of Color (Got in blue section)
2. Soaring over California - One of our favorite so repeated it the last day as well
3. Toy Story Midway Mania in Paradise Pier
4. Mickey's Fun Wheel - chose the stationary gondola
5. Got fastpasses for Goofy's Sky School
6. Saw Pheneus and Ferb show on the plaza
7. Waited in line for Jumping Jellyfish but it closed due to technical difficulty
8. Kids rode golden Zephyr with grandma and Dad while I went to collect the lanyard and pin offered by our travel agent.
9. Rode Goofy's sky school - kids went twice since grandpa was resting at the hotel and got an extra FP.
10. Lunch
11. Ariel's underwater adventure
12. It's Tough to be a Bug - loved this one too!
13. Stood in line for Aladdin, about 20 minutes early but already people in line; we had the preferred seating from our travel package so the view was wonderful. - LOVED the show
14. Stepped into Blue Cellar
15. Bakery Tour
16. Dinner
17. World of Color - We showed up around 7 and there were hundred or so people lined up already. We didn't have a great view. We put our kids on the shoulders and they were able to see the images projected on the water. It was cold that evening and we were tired already. I think a rested soul would enjoy the show more. But it was beautiful.
Tuesday:
We had one day of magic morning but decided to sleep in today. We went to Disneyland this day (probably started around 10 am). Took the monorail to Tomorrowland with the first stop at Jedi Training Academy. Got FP for Autopia on the way.
1. Jedi Training Academy - We had them watch one show first to get familiar so that they will not be scared. Both kids got picked. I had them wear Star Wars t-shirt and had them sit on two different sides of the center entrance. They had a blast!
2. Autopia - It was tough for the kids to push the pedal so the accompanying adult stepped in. They loved this and repeated it the last day there.
3. Spent some time in the Innovations building.
3. Got a FP to Space Mountain while waiting for Jedi Training Academy. Rode Space Mountain. It wasn't that comfortable for me. Kids thought it was cool (though they were definitely uncomfortable).
4. lunch
5. Finding Nemo submarine - 30 minute wait - It was all right
Headed over to Fantasyland. Loved the streets and the buildings there.
No Coronation at Disney Princess Fantasy Faire
6. Peter Pan's Flight - it's cute
7. Sleeping Beauty Castle Walk through - my daughter freaked out a bit and refused to look in at the darker windows.
8. Alice in Wonderland Ride - liked this very much
9. Mad Hatter's shop - kids bought their souvenirs here.
10. Lined up in front of the 'It's a small World' for the Soundsational parade. We got there around 6:30 for the 7 pm parade and had the best view. We loved it - the floats were elaborate, the characters were in close proximity, the music was familiar from the Disney movies. This is the first time we saw Mickey and Minnie, and Donald. Loved seeing Mary Poppins as my kids love the movie.
11. After the parade went in line for It's a small World - It was breathtaking. The splash of color, the beauty of the scenes, and the dolls decked out in their national costumes, and the song, though on repeat, was catchy none-the-less. Not be be missed, outside and inside.
12. Took the train and saw grand canyon, dinosaur land, Zippady- doo-dahed thr
ough splash mountain.
13. Went out of DL for dinner today. This was a small Indian place serving 'Dhaba' style greasy, spicy, finger licking good Indian food. It's called Punjabi Tandoor and it's located on Suite A, 327 South Anaheim Boulevard.
Wednesday:
Had a ticket for Toontown Madness, essentially an earlier access to Toontown.
1. We were sworn in as honorary citizens of toontown. Micky, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, Donald Duck, Chip and Dale were there.
2. Minnie's house tour
3. Mickey's house tour and picture with Mickey
4. Picture with Minnie
5. Picture and many hugs with Goofy
6. I went to get FP while grandparents stayed with kids in toontown. My kids loved toontown and could have spent more hours there. It's charming because of the smaller size of buildings and hidden 'treasures.'
I scored FP for the family to Indiana Jones, Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (had a FP ticket from the hotel good for two FP so this allowed me to get 3 FP, also this hotel ticket gave me earlier return times).
Took the train to New Orleans
7. Haunted Mansion - Needed to carry my daughter as she freaked out by the sinister sounds.
8. Pirates of the Carribean
9. Lunch
10. Splash Mountain - I was nervous but the 50 foot drop gets over before you know it and it was actually fun (it was a HOT day so perfect to ride it that day)
11. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. The 'Unofficial Disneyland Guide' had a comment from a visitor which made me nervous but I found it to be a fun ride and we rode it again since we had 3 extra passes from the grandparents not taking this ride.
12. All members participated in Indiana Jones Adventure - It was over so quickly.
13. Kids rode Splash Mountain again
14. Went out of DL for dinner to a middle eastern restaurant. The food was delicious. Papa Hassan's located at 882 S Brookhurst St.
Thursday:
This was our last day here. We took advantage of the magic morning entrance. Since we were checking out of the hotel we couldn't make it right when it opened. Fastpass machines aren't operational before the park opens at 9 am. We saw Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Mary Poppins, Chip and Dale etc. posing for pictures and autographs.
1. Star Tours - Stood in line for 30 minutes to see Star Tours
2. Got fast passes for Autopia
3. Rushed over to CA to see 'Soaring over California' again - barely any line
I went back to DL and got FP for Star Tours and Roger Rabbit's Cartoon spin. DH went to get FP for California Screaming.
4. Hollywood backlot - kids loved learning to draw Mickey Mouse from a real artist at the Animation Academy. They saw Turtle Talk with Crush. Sorcerer's workshop was closed.
5. Kids went to ride California Screaming with DH.
Then we headed back to DL
6. Kids went on Star Tours with DH
7. Autopia
7b: Took grandparents to the canal boat ride in Fantasyland - it is charming.
8. Roger Rabbit's Cartoon Spin
Started back home around 3:30 pm. Traffic was horrendous! But once out of LA it was smooth sailing.
My kids asked if we can come back to DL every year!!!! We probably will but there are so many wonderful attractions in Southern California that we may not spend several days here.
It was definitely a 'ride' visiting the place of the past, the future, and the fantasy. We will be back again.
Thanks for sharing , where did you eat in DL/DCA??? We want reviews!!! Also in WDW Jedi Training Academy kids aren't 'picked' they give numbers and kids know that they have a spot at a specific show. A little more fair then the pick me , pick me that used to go on.
