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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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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.

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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DCA, Disneyland, Planning

Disneyland 101

You’re going to Disneyland! How exciting! 

Planning for a Disney trip can seem overwhelming. If this is your first time visiting, it’s helpful to have a primary understanding of what makes up the Disneyland Resort. There are two theme parks (Disneyland and Disney California Adventure), three on-property hotels (Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, Disneyland Hotel and Disney’s Paradise Pier) and a shopping/dining/entertainment district (Downtown Disney). 

Let’s dig a little deeper into each category.

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