Disneyland Family Vacations: The Happiest Place on Earth
“Here you leave today and enter the world of yesterday, tomorrow and fantasy”
It’s probably fair to say that you’ve heard of Disneyland. It was the first of the modern family amusement parks and it is still the best. Sure, other places might have a few more bells and whistles, but for history, detail, magic and fun, you can’t beat Disneyland. It is the family vacation.
Disneyland was founded by Walt Disney as an alternative to the existing parks of his time. He wanted someplace clean and fun where kids could be kids and adults could escape from the pressures of their daily lives. He wanted a place where reality was checked at the door, or gate as the case may be. It worked and it is still working today.
Located in Anaheim, California, just south of Los Angeles, the park is popular with both locals and tourists. It can be visited in one day- one hurried, tiring and frustrating day, or it can be done at a slower pace. Combine the park with the second gate, Disney’s California Adventure, the Downtown Disney entertainment area and some quality hotel time, and you can stretch it for a week.
Disneyland is divided into different themed areas, each connected via the hub in the center or the railroad that runs mainly along the perimeter of the public areas of the park.
The areas consist of Main Street, U.S.A., Adventureland, Frontierland, Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, New Orleans Square, Critter Country and Mickey’s Toontown.
Each different land offers a variety of rides, shows, shops, dining and opportunities to meet and greet an array of Disney’s famous characters.
Disneyland has numerous spacious and clean restrooms, a quiet area for those with small children, first aid, assistance for guests with disabilities, lockers and anything else one might need while away from home.
Of note for parents traveling with children that do not meet the height requirements on some rides, ask a cast member about a child swap voucher which will allow one parent to ride while the other stays with the kid(s). Then the second parent may access the same ride through a much shorter line than the main queue.
Updated park hours, ticket prices and special events can be found here. Driving directions are available here.
Read of my personal experiences at Disneyland here.
All photos by Whit Honea.
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28 Responses
Do you know if Disneyland has an equivalent of Disneyworld’s Pleasure Island?
They have clubs and dining at the Disneyland Resort Downtown Disney zone. House of Blues, ESPN Zone, and Catal restaurant are my three favs, not always in that order.
Jack,
Like John said, there is a Downtown Disney area, but not a Pleasure Island per se. The restaurant/bars are mixed in with the family fare. Still lots of fun!
Never been to California, but had a wonderful holiday a few years ago in WDW Florida.
My best moment was when my 9 year old daughter, who declared she was too old for princess, was in speechless awe when she met Cinderella
I live close to Disneyland so I’ve been there too many times, maybe once a year, and i use to have a pass and went nearly every weekend for a year. Lately though, it’s been way to crowded to have any fun, lines are 3hrs long and staff have been rude and cranky and the food is so small and so expensive and the major fun rides are usually closed for some reason so its a bummer and waste of money. My favorite part however is the Ice Cream Parlor/candy Store, it smells so good, it smells like Vanilla ice cream and cotton Candy and happiness.
We love Disneyland and are actually going in a week!! The child swap voucher is a VERY helpful tool!
Critter Country? hmmm. We have been to WDW Orlando several times and I look forward to going to CA at some point to check out the theme park there. Thanks for the handicap accessible tips and the child swap voucher hint- both are good to know!
Ahh the wonders of Disney. The guides give tips everytime we pass by something. Like how at a certain angle the little mermaid has a crown.
Disney is always a good choice, but for nostalgia and a less expensive option for the younger ones, I prefer Knott’s Berry Farm. We’ve had good luck getting coupon savings every time.
Being a Right-Coaster, we now tend to go to WDW in Florida, but when on business trips out west, I always try to schedule in time for a day at Disneyland to as you said, “get away from it all” even if for a little while
I can’t wait to get to Disneyland some day. Regarding Pleasure Island, by the way, I think WDW is doing away with it in favor of more family restaurants that might happen to bars too.
I grew up in Southern California and went to Disneyland several times a year for most of my pre-20’s life. I’m looking forward to taking my kids in a few years when they’re both old enough to appreciate it!
MFS,
We’ve been taking our boys since day one, well maybe month 6, but you get the idea. Having watched both of them in action I can honestly say that kids appreciate Disneyland a lot earlier than people tend to think. Granted, they can’t do as much, but the wonder and magic is very obvious.
Around 2-years-old they really start to get it (and kids under 3 are free!)
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