The recent post on surviving Disneyland triggered an onslaught of emails and tweets (where an onslaught equals three) wanting to know more about Disney’s Fastpass system. Here you go!

The Fastpass (not to be confused with Disney’s PhotoPass) works like this: Certain rides/shows at the Disney parks (list below) offer a Fastpass option that allots a window of time for guests to return to said attraction and bypass the longer stand-by line.

If an attraction offers Fastpass there will be an area somewhere in the vicinity of the entrance or exit (some are harder to find than others) where guests can insert their admission ticket FOR THAT DAY into a machine (each person in a party needs their own pass) and it will return the admission ticket with an additional ticket that is the Fastpass.

Depending on the ride, time of day and crowd levels, the return time (an hour window issued in five minute increments) may be close to the issue time or hours later. With the exception of the World of Color show in Disney’s California Adventure, guests will not be able to get another Fastpass in the Disneyland Resort for at least two hours. Walt Disney World parks will have different rules and exceptions.

Return to the attraction during the time printed on the Fastpass and enter the Fastpass line. A Disney Cast Member (CM) will grant guests access to the line after confirming that their time is correct. (Please note, hold onto the Fastpass as they will be collected by another CM later in the queue). Fastpass holders seldom walk right onto the ride, but the wait time will be considerably less than that of guests in the stand-by line.

Here are the Disneyland Resort rides that offer Fastpass: Read More »

The White Mountains of New Hampshire

If you have kids and live in the New England area, you just have to visit the White Mountains of New Hampshire.  There are loads of summer activities for people of all ages – from toddlers to adults, that you will probably have to visit multiple times just to do everything you want to do.

This past weekend, we headed out for a long weekend to the White Mountains before the crowds hit, and tried to do as many activities as possible.  Of course, we only managed to do a few things – so we’ll be back later this season.

We started our vacation at Story Land, a theme park that my kids absolutely adore.  Even though my daughter is reaching the end of the target age for Story Land, she still had a blast.  My son, who is 4, couldn’t get enough.  We spent the whole day there, and could probably have even spent another half day there if we had extra time.

The next morning, we visited the Settlers Green Outlet Village for some tax-free shopping.  It was raining, so we waited it out while shopping.  Luckily, the rain cleared in time for our next stop, Attitash, to open.  Attitash is a ski resort in the winter, but in the summer it transforms into a full adventure park, with water slides, an Alpine Slide, bungee trampolines, a climbing wall, a kiddie pool, and a mountain roller coaster.  My daughter, the daredevil, absolutely loved Attitash, and did everything.  We didn’t bring out swimsuits, but to get full value out of the day pass, I’d recommend that you do bring them.

On that last afternoon, we went to Kahuna Laguna at the Red Jacket Mountain View Resort (where we spent our last two nights).  Kahuna Laguna, an indoor water park, was loads of fun – it’s not too crowded, and has things that appeal to all kids.  My daughter loved going on the slides, while my son preferred the adventure tower with the smaller slides.  Because it’s only open to resort guests, it’s not overcrowded, but you will have to stay at the Red Jacket to enjoy it.

We left knowing that we just have to return – there’s so much we missed this time around!

Photo credit: Jodi Grundig

Disclosure: We had complimentary passes to these activities, and received a two-night stay at the Red Jacket Mountain View Resort at no cost.

Under the Sign

There is a lot happening today at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California. Disneyland is launching their version of Star Tours 2.0 and Disney’s California Adventure is continuing its expansion with the debut of a new Little Mermaid ride.

That’s right, visitors at the Disneyland Resort are going to explore space and the deep, blue sea all in one day. That’s adventure, people!

The updated Star Tours ride will have the same amazing modifications as the Walt Disney World version at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. We’re talking 3D and multiple Star Wars experiences in each journey! I’ve heard good things.

The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Undersea Adventure is a dark ride featuring some of our favorite scenes from the movie BROUGHT. TO. LIFE. Believe it.

If you’re going to the parks today you should be prepared for some pretty big crowds, but as someone that has attended plenty of big events and special occasions at the Disneyland Resort, I can assure you that it is worth it!

Churros not included in the price of admission.

Photo from The DisneyParks Blog

Lake George Village

Memorial Day is the start of family travel season, and it’s the time when Lake George, New York really starts their summer season.  Having been there just six months ago for our family ski trip, it was surprising to see how different it is in the spring/summer time.

All of the motels along Lake George Village are open for business now, while most of them were closed for the winter months.  We stayed at the Admiral Motel, right in the village, which is a nice place for home base.  While it doesn’t have direct beach access, it does offer a bed and breakfast feel, with an outdoor pool and rooms with refrigerators. Read More »