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Shawn

Disneyland, Planning, Travel

Disneyland Hotel Review – May 2022

I have stayed at the Disneyland Hotel several times before and I must admit – it really is magical. For vintage charm and a fully immersive Disney experience, I can’t think of a better option as far as on-property Disneyland hotels go. However, just like everything lately, the cost has gone up and my most recent visit had me looking at the Disneyland Hotel through the lens of – Is it worth it? Keep reading for a fully honest review of our experience…

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DCA, Disneyland, News

Nighttime Entertainment Returns to Disneyland THIS WEEK!

We are just days away from nighttime spectaculars returning to the Disneyland Resort, and today we have a first official glimpse of the Main Street Electrical Parade 50th Anniversary! Take a look at the finale float, inspired by “it’s a small world” and the art of Mary Blair.

©Disney

Starting this Friday April 22, the Main Street Electrical Parade will run twice per night (8:45P and 10:30P, times subject to change) in Disneyland.

Over in California Adventure, World of Color will make its triumphant return this Friday. These shows are sure to bring new energy to the parks (and likely bigger crowds than we’re used to seeing lately).

What nighttime show are you most excited to see? Let me know in the comments!

Animation, DCA, Planning

Movies to Prepare for Your Trip to Disney California Adventure

Disney’s California Adventure is such a fun and eclectic park. One moment you find yourself traveling back to the Southern California of Walt’s early career, the next moment you’re in Stan Lee’s extensive Marvel universe. With such a broad range of cinematic history covered in one place, here’s a guide to what to watch before your trip to get the most out of your DCA experience!

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Animation, Disneyland, Planning

Movies to Prepare for Your Trip to Disneyland

Disneyland truly has something for everyone these days – from toddlers just discovering Mickey Mouse to adults who are deep into Star Wars fandom – there is something for everyone to enjoy. However, to get the most appreciation out of your next visit, I suggest that you and your family watch the following movies to fully realize the magic.

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DCA, Disneyland, Planning

Disneyland With Babies

You may be surprised by how much you can do with a baby at Disneyland. And children two years and under are free, so that’s even more reason to bring your little ones to the Happiest Place on Earth! I happen to believe that babies at Disneyland really add to the magic. Seeing their little eyes focus and lock in on all there is to see really is a truly special experience. 

Seeing characters, watching parades and live shows are all fun for babies. And finding a spot away from the crowds and letting your little one toddle around can be a great way to spend the day. 

It’s not all just wandering around with a baby and watching from the sidelines, though. There are so many attractions that don’t have a height requirement that the entire family can enjoy, big and small! For the most part, rides that allow for all heights can also accommodate baby wearing (which is great if you have a wee one who falls asleep in their carrier, that way you don’t have to risk waking them up when you transfer them out). However, I have experienced Cast Members requesting that the baby face a certain direction or be removed entirely from the carrier – so make sure to check with the Cast Member operating the attraction and follow their guidance for the safest practice at that time. 

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News, Planning

Mask Policy Updates

Starting tomorrow, Thursday 2/17/2022, masks will no longer be required for fully vaccinated guests at indoor* and outdoor locations throughout the Disneyland Resort (and Walt Disney World). Unvaccinated guests will be required to wear masks indoors, but no proof of vaccination is required to enter the property.

This marks the first major mask policy change for the Disneyland Resort since reopening April 30, 2021 after a 412 day closure due to the pandemic.

See below for further specifics regarding appropriate mask usage.

© Disneyland

There are certain to be wildly varying opinions on this development. Personally I don’t think the time is ideal since vaccines are still unavailable to children under the age of five, and children make up a large population of visitors to these theme parks. On the flip side, I’m sure Cast Members are beyond exhausted trying to enforce these rules for the past ten months and hopefully this will take some pressure off of them.

I hope everyone practices their patience and kindness as this transition occurs. It’s also worth noting that we’ve seen things change throughout this pandemic numerous times, and what’s best for this moment may not be the same solution a few months down the road. Nothing is permanent!

What are your thoughts on this policy change?

*Masks will continue to be required for all guests in certain indoor settings such as enclosed transportation vehicles and First Aid buildings.

News, Vintage Disney

Walt Disney Obituaries

Admittedly it would be hard to sum up the impact and achievements of a man like Walt Disney with a short headline. But this Twitter thread showcases how some newspapers of the time hilariously tried after his death in 1966. I’m partial to Walt Disney: Quite a Guy!

DCA, Disneyland, Planning

What to Wear to Disneyland

An important part of a successful theme park visit is making sure you and those you are traveling with (in my case, my husband and 2 kids) are comfortable. Otherwise you’re going to be hearing a lot of complaining about being too cold/hot/wet/whatever and that can really ruin a good time!

Overall, the weather in Anaheim is really mild and pleasant. The mornings and evenings are pretty brisk all year long and the afternoons are sunny and warm. That being said, weather can be unpredictable so you want to make sure you check the forecast ahead of time so you know what to expect. In general, the monthly averages look like this:

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Animation, News, Vintage Disney

101 Dalmatians Anniversary

Today marks the sixty-first anniversary of the film 101 Dalmatians. I absolutely adore this movie. It marked a decidedly different look from previous Disney films of the time using groundbreaking Xerox animation – but Walt wasn’t such a fan.

Here’s an interesting look into some of the behind-the-scenes crew that made this underrated gem the visual pioneer it was.

Disneyland

How to Beat the Crowds at Disneyland

Sometimes there’s just no avoiding the crowds at Disneyland. Especially during summer vacation, spring break, fall break, long weekends… basically any time kids are out of school, you’re going to see a big influx of people at the parks. But there are some tips to avoid the crowds and still enjoy what the park has to offer. Explore it all! 

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