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What You're About To Read

Welcome Back!

I hope you have had a great two weeks dreaming—and hopefully planning—your trip to the Disneyland Resort in California. If you need a refresher, you can access part one from two weeks ago.

Now that we’ve done all of the advance planning necessary, and gotten you to the front gates of this wonderland, let’s talk about touring…

“Day of” Key Information

A long-planned, very expensive day can easily be ruined with a few poor decisions. Think carefully about certain things to make sure you can maximize the fun

Get up, Boo Boo – Disneyland park hours are predictably 8 am to midnight. California Adventure changes, but often opens that early. You need to be there at park opening to minimize the lines at one or two headliners. Be at the gate waiting at least thirty minutes prior to park opening.
Get dressed – You need to be comfortable. All day. In case you aren’t from the area, the temperature might feel a little different than it does in your area, so make sure you have a layer or two for coolness, and perhaps a poncho or umbrella if it might rain. Or, be prepared to shell out $70 for that sweatshirt.
Put on your shoes – This is not the day to try out some new kicks, my friend. Wear shoes that are reliably comfortable through what will be a 15-25,000 step day. Along these lines, bring a few bandaids, just in case somebody gets a blister or two.
Pack your bag carefully – You should be bringing a refillable cup and an extra layer. While you can do this without a bag, I like to throw a few quick “line snacks” in my bag for extended wait times. The bag can also hold my phone, wallet, and anything I might purchase along the way. Disneyland (and Disney World) allows you to bring drinks and snacks into the park.

Touring Disneyland

You’ve made it! Walt’s original park! Feel the history and nostalgia overwhelm you as you walk slowly under the railroad bridges. Read the sign: ”Here you leave…” and let it wash over you. Immerse yourself in the beloved Disney bubble, it’s going to be a fantastic day!

Main Street – Its own specific area, the Main Street is home to many of the best souvenir stores on property, and is designed like a turn-of-the-century mid-western small town. Not only will the music enchant you—either piped in or live from the Dapper Dans quartet, but you will enjoy tremendous smells from The Confectionery—also piped in right on to the street! Use this time to bask in the goodness and magic that entering a Disney park entails.
Fantasyland – Home to some of the most fantastic and beautiful “dark” rides and attractions, Fantasyland is not just for young children. Enjoy the historical importance of the carousel, ride original rides like Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride and Peter Pan. While whimsical and built on a smaller scale to accommodate children, don’t discount this iconic part of Walt’s park.
Tomorrowland – When you’re ready for a little bit more adventure, look no further than Tomorrowland, home of Space Mountain and Star Tours—both way too intense for me! Other options include the family favorite Buzz LightyearAstro Blaster and the Submarine Voyage.
Adventureland – This land is home to one of the best attractions in the park: Indiana Jones Adventure. Make sure you make time for this fantastic Jeep ride of epic proportions. Much calmer, but another fan favorite iconic ride, The Jungle Cruise is in this area.
Critter Country – This small area is home to RobberBaron’s favorite: Winnie the Pooh! Another ride quite specific to Disneyland is the Disneyland Canoes, where you can paddle your way around the Rivers of America. Be prepared to get wet on that one!
Frontierland – Best known for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, this land includes a few things that frequently fall off the radar, so maybe consider them for day three of your trip. This includes riding one of the authentic boats around the Rivers of America, or even visiting and playing on Tom Sawyer’s Island for Pirate’s Lair.
Mickey’s Toontown – Completely renovated recently, Mickey’s Toontown is now home to Mickey’s Runaway Railway, a fantastic family ride using the latest in ride technology that you shouldn’t miss. Visiting Mickey’s and Minnie’s houses in this land—complete with the resident mice for photos—should be on your short list to do, as well.
New Orleans Square – Home to not only great food but the best of the best, spend time in this land for both the Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean. You can’t claim a visit to Disneyland without riding these two giants of the theme park world. Coming soon, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure—replacing Splash Mountain—will round out this area to be among the most popular on the planet.
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge – A huge, new expansion project made way for Star Wars, with incredible immersive designs and rides. The best overall attraction on the planet, in my little opinion, is Rise of the Resistance, which is worth the price of admission by itself. It uses cutting age technology and sends this non-Star Wars person into orbit every time I ride it!

Touring California Adventure

Exploding on the scene just two decades ago, the second park at Disneyland Resort started out very small, gathering many negative reviews. Disney never sits on their laurels, and has spent millions to bring this park up to the quality Disney fans expect. You can easily spend more than a day at this wonderful park, with a wide variety of activities for you to enjoy.

Buena Vista Street – Entering the park on this lovely street, you will be struck by the theming of “old Hollywood”, and tempted to peek into the interesting shops before you head off into the park. Fortunately, these shops will be open late, so keep on walking!
Pixar Pier – Maybe the Incredicoaster is too much for you, with its vertical loops, but Toy Story Midway Mania is another attraction worth the price of admission in this park. Make time to ride it more than once to improve your score. Several kiddie rides in this area will give something for everyone to do.
Grizzly Peak – Home to two incredible rides, this area includes not only Grizzly River Run—a raft ride that will leave you soaked—but also Soarin’ Around the World. You don’t want to miss either of these, while the kids explore the fantastic hands-on Redwood Creek Challenge Trail. My kids spent hours, literally, in that one part of the park.
Cars Land – A beautiful and fully immersive land, Cars Land is home to the family favorite Cars ride. While the line might be daunting, it is worth it for the great ride. Stop over at Luigi’s, too, for the younger kids to enjoy.
Avengers Campus – If you only ride one thing in this park, make it Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout. Unless you have a fear of heights, or of dropping from heights…you get the idea. My absolute favorite, it’s another “not to be missed” experience. Also in this land, Web Slingers: A Spiderman Adventure, was a surprise hit for me the first time I tried it—give it a go for the entire family.
Hollywood Land – Home to some great “Busy afternoon” rides, consider taking the young ones on Monsters Inc., or watching the adorable Mickey’s Philharmagic. Both indoors and usually with little wait, these are a great way to decompress and enjoy a nice snack.
Paradise Gardens – Designed like a boardwalk on the East Coast, this area is home to a small group of quick rides for everyone from young to old. Whether you are on the Silly Symphony Swings or the Little Mermaid, you will have a smile on your face while you enjoy the fresh air on these carnival-style rides.

Shows and Characters

Disney always has shows, fireworks and parades scheduled no matter when you are visiting. Make sure you check online before your visit, so you can plan around these amazing and included activities. For nighttime spectaculars, consider World of Color in California Adventure and Fantastic in Disneyland as “must dos” for your evenings.

Far outpacing Disney World, Disneyland has characters both on schedules and showing up unexpectedly around the parks. The most important thing to know is that NOTHING is unscheduled in a Disney park, so if you have your heart set of finding a particular character, simply ask a cast member, who will have a comprehensive, secret list of every character interaction for the day.

You gotta eat…

Whether you are a “foodie”, or a “fast foodie”, you will find tons of things to eat at the parks. Everywhere you turn, you will find innovative snacks, themed counter service meals, and extravagant restaurants. I’ve learned over the years that this topic is one that is so specific and individualized that I can’t possibly advise you.

Here’s what I will say;

Bring more money than you think you need.
Try the snacks—Disneyland has incredible snacks.
Treat yourself to something nice during your trip.
Don’t waste money on soft drinks—it simply offends me!!!!

Buy That Souvie!!!

On my worst years, I’ve skipped Disneyland all together. My best years I’ve been there around ten weekends. If you research your trip this heavily, this is probably a BIG DEAL trip for you and your family.

Buy the souvenir for yourself and the kids. Everybody needs another sweatshirt. This is one thing you shouldn’t scrimp on—just don’t order soda instead.

Take The Iconic Picture

Along the same lines, don’t skip any truly important photo opportunities. Particularly at Disneyland, where characters pop out unexpectedly right in front of you, stop your speedwalking and talk to Peter Pan for a few minutes—he’s really cool.

Don’t think “we will come back later”, because not only will you be too busy later to remember it, but Mickey will have left to go somewhere else by then.

Stop and smile. Wearing your new sweatshirt.

Schedule Your Next Visit

Magical place, ain’t it?

I’ve found over the years that I don’t dread the end of a vacation, as long as the return visit is already scheduled either on the books or in my head.

So you did summer this year…how about Christmas next? Halloween? Wednesday?

No matter when you pick, look for me. I’m like one of those characters—I just show up.

Going To Disneyland - Part 2