Collecting scares with Mike and Sully

Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California is the pinnacle of family vacation spots (at least on the west coast).  In addition to the original Disneyland there is a second gate, Disney’s California Adventure (DCA).  It is a relatively new theme park, and it has its critics.  In fact, it has so many critics that Disney’s California Adventure is being overhauled with a budget bigger than the one that financed its creation.  There is hope and change in the air.

The entrance to DCA is just a matter of feet from that of Disneyland but the two parks couldn’t be further apart, figuratively.  While Disneyland is the classic standard and the maker of the magic, the theme of the newer park is slightly less so: California.  This is the beginning of the end for those that just drove hours through the actual state of California to get there.  My family likes to look at it differently.

These are the jokes, folks.

Sure, the idea of additions and renovations is exciting to us (We’re big fans of the newest attraction Toy Story Mania which thrills my wife just as much as it does my 2-year-old.  If this is a sign of things to come then sign us up!), but we really enjoy the park in its current state as well (hey, that’s like a pun!).

Disney’s California Adventure offers family activities from the very young to adult.  There are shows, rides and interactive areas geared at the Playhouse Disney set, the adventure seeking school-aged kids and the thrill-loving teens.  There is also a full bar, a winery and a beer cart for the grown-ups.

DCA hosts an annual food and wine festival, a half-marathon (runs through park and other parts of the resort), a very fun Halloween celebration (Mickey’s Trick-or-Treat Party runs on various nights during the month.  A separate admission is required.) and a rowdy but safe New Year’s Eve bash.

Basically, the entire Disneyland Resort, which includes Downtown Disney and three hotels, can be as family-friendly or as romantic as you want it to be.  We go for both.

The park hours are shorter than those of Disneyland and vary by season as well as day of the week.  Services within the park include lockers, strollers, wheelchairs, first aid, ATM and communication assistance.

I recommend purchasing a ticket that allows you to enter both parks in the same day.  It cost a little more, but the options that it allows you with regard to planning your activities is well worth it.

All Photos: W & T Honea

“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.