The holiday season is in full swing at the Disneyland Resort. Recently, I had the opportunity to experience firsthand the magic of the season both parks have to offer by attending a special media preview. We were in for quite the treat. Nobody does the holidays quite like Disney. Both parks are decorated with thousands of twinkling lights and over 700 decorated trees can be found throughout resort. Both parks join in on the celebration with holiday twists on your favorite attractions and shows.
Disneyland
- It’s a Small World Holiday: This popular attraction is glammed up for the holidays as you take a journey and celebrate the holidays throughout the world.
- Christmas Fantasy Parade: This classic parade features all of your favorite characters all dressed up in their holiday best.
- Santa’s Reindeer Round Up: Head over to Frontierland for some one on one time with Santa and to have an up and close look at real live reindeer!
- Haunted Mansion Holiday: Jack Skellington and friends transform the Haunted Mansion to a winter wonderland sort of.. A fun twist to this classic ride.
Disney California Adventure
- World of Color: Our favorite show is revamped for the holidays and better than ever!
- Santa’s Seaside Pavilion: Make sure to stop at Paradise Pier to have your picture taken with Santa and have the kids share their list.
- “Phineas and Ferb’s Rockin’ Rollin’ Dance Party” captures the holiday spirit with holiday décor and songs throughout the day at Paradise Pier.
From having your own personal meet and greet with Santa, to watching a holiday-themed World of Color show at Disney California Adventure or even experiencing the magic of snow falling on a sunny Southern California day, the holiday season at the Disneyland Resort has something for everyone.
Holiday time at the Disneyland Resort will run through January 8th, 2012.
Aracely Worley blogs about her adventures and daytrips in Southern California at Daytrippingmom.com.
*All photos by Aracely Worley
Disney Theme Parks offer an unsurpassed entertainment value. Millions of families flock to the parks yearly because of the magic and amazing family experience. The problem with all of those folks visiting is that sometimes (especially around Christmas, Spring Break and summer) the crowds can make for an overwhelming day in long lines for short rides, with kids who have even shorter attention spans. One of the things I love about Disney Theme Parks the most is that they are not just parks full of concrete and rides, they are full entertainment experiences, down to the very last detail. Here are some different activities your family can enjoy in Disney Theme Parks across the world that offer little stress, little line waiting, and a ton of fun no matter how long the lines may be.
Hidden Mickeys
I spotted my first “Hidden Mickey” as a kid riding on the Haunted Mansion ride at Disneyland when I noticed the plates on one ghost’s place setting were arranged in the shape of Mickey Mouse’s ears! Although I didn’t know it as a child, this subtle Mickey nod and many more just like it, are all over the Disney Theme Parks. The search for these icons has become a phenomenon, with entire websites, books, and even an iPhone App (yup, there’s an app for that!) devoted to the Hidden Mickey madness. Whether or not you are ready for a full fledged scavenger hunt race with clues, maps, and apps, or just looking for a fun way to distract a couple of tired little ones in a long line, start searching for Hidden Mickeys and you won’t regret it!
A close up of the first Hidden Mickey I ever spotted, in Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion. Photo Courtesy of Flickr user BestofWDW
Catch this Mickey in line for Toy Story Mania. Photo Courtesy of Flickr user Loren Javier
Pin Trading
Pin trading is a very fun busy-day activity. The pin trading tradition began in 1999 and is a simple idea: if you own a Disney pin (only official Disney pins accepted), you can trade it with any cast member at any park and at any time for free! Pin-trading starter sets are sold in the parks, or you can buy just a single pin to get the fun rolling. Your family can decide to save up certain characters, gain a collection, or just have fun getting new pins at any stop around the park. All cast members wear lanyards with a variety of Disney pins attached to them, and if you have one to give, they are obligated to take it and offer you your choice of pins in return. As a special bonus, kids 3-12 alone can trade with cast members wearing a teal/green lanyard- they are specially designated for young guests only! You can find more information on the official pin trading site.
Ready to swap some more pins. Photo Courtesy of Flickr user wjarrettc
Character Autographs
Although lines to meet characters can get long on a busy day, they aren’t near as long as the major attractions. Buy a small notebook and a pen and take them with you on your next trip to a Disney Theme Park to make the meet and greet experience even more fun and memorable. (They also sell Disney branded notebooks at almost every store in the park.) When your child gets the chance to meet a Disney character, have them sign her book! Kids love collecting the signatures of their favorite characters and it is truly one of the cheapest and most durable souvenirs that you will ever buy. Your collection can start small, but many people find that they start hunting out more and more characters missing from their autograph books to complete their collection. A list mapping out where the characters are located in Disneyland is available, but if you are at a different park and in search of a particular character, just ask a cast member; they are incredibly helpful!
Meeting with Minnie in front of her house.
Open Play Spaces
Every Disney Theme Park across the globe has some sort of open play space for your kids to get some energy out. These breaks can be invaluable during peak visiting seasons when the crowds can seem overwhelming and intense for small kiddos. Since these play spaces are not as “thrilling,” there are usually less people and more time for your kids to just run around and play.
At both Disneyland and Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, enjoy a quick boat ride to Tom Sawyer Island, to explore a path-ridden forest full of adventure, fun and discovery. Disney California Adventure offers the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail while Hollywood Studios’ “Honey I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set” is a great running space in the midst of a park that (mostly) appeals to older kids. Animal Kingdom’s Boneyard offers a shaded place to sit down and dig through some relaxing sand! Epcot’s numerous pavilions have space to run and play, particularly the Image Works attraction which gives kids the chance to use their bodies and imaginations in some serious total-body-play. There are also a variety of smaller play spaces tucked in Disney Theme Parks and a more typical playground at all of the resorts at Disney World. If in doubt, ask a cast member for a place for your little one to run and they will point you in the right direction.
Room to run and play on Tom Sawyer Island. Photo Courtesy of Flickr user qwrrty
Looking for more information & tips on planning a great Disney vacation? Then check out these great resources!
Katie Bodell is Trekaroo’s Assistant Editor, a wife, & a mom to three sweet California girls.
Travel with kids to: CA |CO | DC | FL | HI | IL |MA | NC | NY | OR | PA | TN | TX | VA | WA
“Rooms begin at around $400 a night.” The words made my stomach twist. Yes, it is Disney and yes, it is Hawaii- but $400? Wow.
My family is on a budget (nobody becomes a travel blogger to get rich) so if we were to spend $400+ a night on a hotel after paying for flights to Hawaii, it would have to be worthy of the “big trip”. You know, the trip that you scrimp and save for. The trip that you still talk about 20 years later while you munch on turkey and yams at the Thanksgiving table. That trip.
After spending 3 nights at Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa, as part of the grand opening celebration and media event I have come to this conclusion- THE AULANI IS ABSOLUTELY WORTH THE COST. Disney knew that us fans had ridiculously high expectations for the new resort and still managed to exceed every expectation I could have had. Here are some of the highlights of this world class paradise:
The Pool Area
Everyone who has ever traveled with kids (or been a kid!) knows that nothing is more important than a great pool. Disney, who happens to know a thing or two about what kids want, created the Waikolohe Valley- a spectacular recreation area in the center of the resort. Waikolohe is Hawaiian for “mischievous waters” and plenty of water and mischief can be found throughout the valley. Two water slides start atop the resort’s “lava” outcropping and wind through rock formations. The tube slide ends with a refreshing plunge into a shallow pool and the raft slide ends in Waikolohe Stream, the lazy river. Guests floating along the stream will discover fountain springs spouting to life and float through a cavern filled with gurgling water.
Families with small children will love the zero entry pool and the Menehune Bridge, a water play structure featuring 3 slides and plenty of opportunities to get drenched. Adults looking for some quiet time will appreciate the tranquility of the Wailana Pool which is removed from the main hub of activity. Sunset lovers of all ages should definitely find time to experience the fire ball dipping into the ocean from one the resort’s two infinity spas which overlook the lagoon.
More Water Fun
As if the pools and play areas weren’t enough, Disney has given us even more reason to spend time in the water. Young snorkelers will love Rainbow Reef, a 3,800 square-foot snorkel lagoon teeming with tropical fish. For $20, guests are given snorkel gear, a flotation device, and access to the reef. I watched a preschooler float alongside his father with his face in the water, completely delighted by the fish swimming below him. If you have a sea life lover traveling with you, you may want to splurge on some time at the Makai Preserve, a conservation pool where guests can wade in alongside stingrays, starfish, and anemones.
Tip: The best snorkeling near the Aulani can be found by following the waterfront path past the JW Marriott until it ends. Then walk along the rocks at water’s edge and two coves up, just past the Paradise Cove Luau, you will find a protected cove filled with dozens of brightly covered fish. The scuba gear given to you at Rainbow Reef is yours until 5:00PM so why not make the most of it?
Of course, one water feature that can’t be overlooked is the pristine ocean lagoon that Aulani shares with neighboring JW Marriott. The water is calm, warm, and impossibly blue. While the lagoon may not be great for surfing, it is ideal for kayaking or paddleboarding. I experienced the latter and took a one hour lesson for $39.00 which I booked right on the sand at the resort’s rental stand. Paddleboarding in the calm lagoon with Aulani as my backdrop ended up being the highlight of my stay. My friendly and encouraging guide gave me all the confidence and instruction I needed to feel right at home on the longboard. He told me that children as young as six were welcome to take lessons on their own boards and younger children are happy sitting on their parent’s board while mom and dad paddle.
The FREE Kids’ Club
Most resort’s charge close to $100 a day for children to participate in their kids’ club but Aulani is not like most resorts. Aunty’s Beach House is open to potty trained children ages 3-12 and is hands down the best kids’ club I have ever seen. I would literally have to drag my children out of this place! There are games, dress-up closets full of Disney princess costumes, crafts, computers, a backyard playground, and even a movie room featuring classic Disney flicks. Did I mention it is free? There are some premium activities available for a fee, such as professional hula lessons, but kids can definitely find plenty of great things to entertain them that won’t cost a dime.
The Spa
The spa at Aulani, Laniwai, features treatments that reflect the islands such as Lomilomi massages or the Magical Niu coconut scrub and wrap (which the Vacation Gal’s Kara Williams speaks quite highly of). A hydrotherapy garden is sure to make any parent want to move in permanently, but this spa is not designed with just adults in mind. Teens will be heaven at Painted Sky, a spa designed specifically for them (aka: mom and dad are not welcome). This space is meant to be a place for teenage guests to hang out and connect so in addition to spa treatments, teens can also enjoy Xbox Kinect games, mixology stations, and a yogurt station. I am told that contrary to popular belief, the boys seem to like hanging out in the spa just as much as the girls- though they may end up passing on the french manicure.
One unique experience offered at the spa is rental of the Ohana room. Ohana means “family” in Hawaiian and here, families enjoy a group spa experience. While one parent is receiving a massage from a professional, the remaining parent and children learn how to give massage to one another. New parents can even use the Ohana room to receive massage and learn how to massage their newborn which helps aide in digestion and calm baby down for nap time.
The Details
The true Disney magic is always in the details. According to Imagineer Joe Rhode “[Disney] really tried to do things that children will notice before adults”. Case in point- little wooden menehune statues are hidden all around the resort, many of which are at a preschooler’s eye level. Authenticity was also incredibly important to Disney when designing the property. While the average guest may not realize that the hotel room drapes were designed after a traditional Hawaiian kapa cloth created by renowned kuma kapa Dalani Tanahy, the efforts towards authenticity will add an important layer to to the magic of the entire Aulani experience. It is these little details that in combination of one another, make the Aulani experience unlike any other. Here are a few more details that I especially enjoyed:
- The resort is built to reflect the topography of the Hawaiian Islands. The lobby is the high point, or mauna, and the surrounding flora reflects the lush vegetation that would grow in this ecosystem while the recreation area reflects flora that would be seen in the drier valleys. Instead of the typical array of tropical flowers leading up to the entrance, Aulani features taro fields and tropical fruit trees which reflect the island’s agriculture.
- A crib/playpen is waiting for families in the closet of every room, along with sheets and a mini-fridge. Bed rails, bottle warmers, outlet covers, booster seats, and high chairs can also be checked out from the front desk, making packing for the big trip to Hawaii a little less stressful.
- When fully completed, the resort will have 481 Disney Vacation Club (DVC) 2 bedroom suites with full kitchens and plenty of space for families to spread out. While most of the DVC rooms will be occupied by DVC owners, there will be a small percentage of these rooms available to the general public, making Aulani an ideal place (and great value) for larger families to visit.
- Aunty’s House, the Aulani kids’ club, is one of the few kids’ club in Hawaii to accept children as young as 3. In order to accept three and four-year-olds, Disney had to go through additional licensing requirements which include having a credentialed teacher on staff. Another bonus- most of the counselors at Aunty’s House have a background in youth recreation.
- Dozens of excursions can be booked at the Holoholo Tours and Travel desk in the lobby. Many of these excursions were put together by Adventures by Disney and include catamaran cruises which take families snorkeling and dolphin spotting, surf school with real Hawaii fire fighters, a cooking class in Honolulu’s Chinatown with celebrity chef Sam Choy, and sea kayaking off Oahu’s lush windward coast. These tour guides are top notch and use storytelling to add an additional element of fun and education to each experience.
- While the Hawaiian Island and culture are the focus of this resort, touches of classic Disney are still present. Mickey, Minnie and a few of their friends are on vacation at the resort so character breakfasts and photo opportunities are available. There are also a few “hidden Mickeys” to be found in rooms and around the resort. Best of all, the Disney quality that we have all grown to love and expect is present in every last aspect of the Aulani so families can book their trips with confidence.
Disclosure: I visited the Aulani as a member of the media attending the grand opening celebration. My airfare, lodging, and meals were complimentary in order to facilitate the writing of this story. Disney did not request that any specific opinion be expressed and all opinions, as always, reflect my honest opinion.
- – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – -
Sharlene Earnshaw is the Blog Editor for Trekaroo.
Travel with kids to: CA |CO | DC | FL | HI | IL |MA | NC | NY | OR | PA | TN | TX | VA | WA
Southern California is one of the theme park capitals of the world, and for families trying to do it all (or all it’s possible to squeeze in before dropping in exhaustion), at least three to five days in the area is ideal. To stretch your vacation dollar, I recommend CityPASS for your theme park ticking needs: their all-inclusive Southern California passes include one day admission to Universal Studios Hollywood and SeaWorld, one day admission at either the San Diego Zoo or Safari Park (formerly known as the Wild Animal Park), and three-day park hopper admission to Disneyland Resort. Can you get to it all? If you plan your vacation around your three days at Disney (centrally located in Anaheim), the answer may be yes. And most certainly you’ll get your money’s worth.
We used our Southern CA CityPASS while based at the Disneyland Hotel, which is only 40 minutes south of Universal Studios in one direction and 1.5 hours north of San Diego’s attractions. With such a magical place to lay our heads (and a week in which to tour parks), we enjoyed our three days in Disney with day trips to both Hollywood and San Diego (with time to soak up the sun at California beaches besides!).
Of course, to get the most from their CityPASSes, families will want to make the best use of their time, which is why my family and I were happy to engage in some on-site investigation this summer (I know, my job is rough), noting what not to miss at Disneyland Resort’s two theme parks. Below I break it down by age to ensure your family hits the highlights best suited for your school-aged kids.
Ages 6-8:
Most kids ages 6-8 are finally tall enough to ride all of Disneyland Resort’s ‘mountains’ (Matterhorn Bob Sleds, Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, and Splash Mountain), but if their daring doesn’t quite measure up, alternatives abound. Most kids this age enjoy the newly revampedStar Tours, but if Space Mountain is too much, head to nearby Finding Nemo Submarine Voyages or Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters (Disneyland). Likewise, if the rest of the family is racing to Splash Mountain, take the younger set to The Many Adventures of Winnie-the-Pooh. In California Adventure, 6-8 year olds are likely too small for California Screamin’ and Grizzly River Run, but the brand new The Little Mermaid and Toy Story Midway Mania are perfect alternatives.
Toon Town (in Disneyland) is still a hit with this age group, but go ahead and save it until after Fantasyland, where attraction lines fill up fastest. Kids can explore Mickey, Minnie, and Goofy’s houses while waiting for rides like the Gadget’s Go Coaster or Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin.
Kids 6-8 may be tall enough for the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror (California Adventure) and are welcomed on Pirates of the Caribbean and the Haunted Mansion, but beware scary images and themes. Better suited: the attractions in A Bug’s Life in California Adventure, which never get too crowded.
Ages 9-11:
Kids ages 9-11 are finally tall enough (and often daring enough) for thrill rides such as the Indiana Jones Adventure (Disneyland) and California Screamin’ (California Adventure) but are also the perfect age for Disney classics such as The Jungle Cruise (they’ll finally get those corny jokes) and Pirates of the Caribbean (Disneyland). In California Adventure, 9-11 year olds will love the midway rides such as Silly Symphony Swings and Goofy’s Flight School. Snag fastpasses early in the day for the Grizzly River Run water ride and save time during the heat of the day for the Turtle Talk with Crush show, located in the backlot (California Adventure).
Almost without exception, kids this age will enjoySoarin’ over California (California Adventure) and love the newly reinvented Star Tours (Disneyland), which features so many experience combinations, it will be different every time! If arriving in Tomorrowland early, families can ride Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters before the line lengthens while waiting for Star Tours fastpass times. Finally, for some downtime, let kids this age run loose (after establishing where an adult is located) on Tom Sawyer’s Island (Disneyland).
Ages 12+:
Kids ages 12 and up will want to hit the ground running in both parks, and often want to focus their time on the action-oriented attractions, so put their endless energy and longer legs to use snagging fast passes (with an adult) to the attractions they most want to ride (again and again). In California Adventure, they’ll likely love Twilight Zone’s Tower of Terror, Grizzly River Run, and Screamin’, but when a break is needed, will also enjoy the 3D shows in California Adventure’s Hollywood Pictures Backlot.
Kids 12 and up are also prime age for Disneyland Resort’s evening shows and entertainment. While younger kids might be better off in bed (where you might wish to be as well!), tweens and teens love the thrill of staying up late and seeing the resort lit up at night. By far the best pick: California Adventure’s World of Color, which is featured over Paradise Bay. Grab a fastpass to this show earlier in the day (by Grizzly River Run) for the best views. If you don’t have the chance to spend a separate evening to view the firework spectacular at Disneyland, know that you’ll get a partial view while leaving World of Color.
If you can enhance your three days in the Disneyland Resort with an on-site stay, you’ll save even more time commuting to and from the parks, and enjoy perks such as extra fastpasses (upon check-in) and Extra Magic Hour. Staying on-site also saves your sanity; those mid-afternoon breaks in the pool or napping in the spacious rooms will really make you feel like a…well, princess. Just minus the castle.
Amy Whitley is the founding editor of Pit Stops for Kids, a family travel resource covering kid-friendly resorts, attractions, outdoor adventures, and all the pit stops you’ll need along the way. She also writes for a number of print and online travel publications, and is a family travel expert at Best Family Travel Advice. She lives in Oregon with her husband and three sons, where they enjoy backyard adventures when they’re not traveling.
Its no secret that the Disneyland Resort is one of the popular destinations for families vacationing in the US. Millions of people have visited the parks- an estimated 15.9 million in 2009 at Disneyland alone! We know that many of those visitors are also Trekaroo members and since Disney is so popular with our readers, we decided to dedicate an entire section of our site to the resort!
One of my favorite things about the Trekaroo Disneyland Resort page is that families can review more than just the parks themselves. They are able to review rides, shows, hotels, and restaurants, allowing parents to share their experience with families across the country. We want our members to give their perspective on everything. A bold six-year-old may have a completely different experience on Pirates of the Caribbean than a timid four-year-old and we think that those differing experiences should be shared. We also want parents to weigh in on their favorite places to dine (or places to avoid) both inside the parks and at Downtown Disney. Your advice can help countless families make the most of the Disney vacations.
In addition to the reviews, the landing page will also feature fun lists such as Top Rides and Attractions for Teens at Disneyland Resort and great information like Restaurants Requiring Reservations at the Disneyland Resort as well as links to related blog posts. We encourage you to create your own Disney related lists on Trekaroo which we will share with visitors to the page.
We know that Trekaroo members will love sharing their Disney experiences and we can’t wait to read them. Put on those mouse ears and start sharing!
—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–
Sharlene Earnshaw (aka doubleadventure) is Blogger-in-chief for Trekaroo and the blogger behind Double the Adventure.
Travel with kids to: CA |CO | DC | FL | HI | IL |MA | NC | NY | OR | PA | TN | TX | VA | WA
