Last summer, theLiving With The Magic Vacationsteam embarked on an unforgettable adventure at the Disneyland resort in sunny Southern California.
Let me tell you, it was pure magic from start to finish!
For some of us, it was our very first visit, while for others, it was a heartwarming return to our beloved happy place. Each day was filled with enchantment as we delved into the wonders of Disneyland and California Adventure. We had the incredible opportunity to meet beloved characters, indulge in delicious snacks, and gather invaluable information to ensure we can plan the most magical vacations for our clients. It was a truly immersive experience that left us brimming with excitement and inspiration.
Get ready, because we’re armed with even more knowledge and passion to make your travel dreams come true!
Here are our top FIVE reasons why we think the flight out west is totally worth it!
PARK HOPPING: The main entrance to Disneyland is just a short 100 steps away from the main entrance to California Adventure. This means that park hopping is not only super convenient but absolutely essential!
Here’s the plan:Start off in one park, where you can meet all your favorite characters and experience must-see attractions. Then, hop on over to the second park in the evening to catch an amazing show and wrap up the day in style! While we typically advise our Walt Disney World clients against park hopping due to the added expense, at Disneyland, it’s one of our top recommendations! It’s a magical way to fully immerse yourself in the Disney experience.
CHARACTERS:Guess what?Disneyland takes the character experience to a whole new level, setting it apart from Walt Disney World! Brace yourself for some extra special and magical moments.Picture this:Peter Pan and Captain Hook engaging in an epic sword fight, Belle casually strolling through Fantasyland with a book in hand, or even a delightful tea party with the Mad Hatter, Alice in Wonderland, and Merida.
Here’s the best part:At Disneyland, characters roam around freely and interact with guests. Say goodbye to those long, traditional character queues; here, you’ll have the chance to encounter your favorites in unexpected and enchanting ways. Although there are still a few characters you can line up for, it’s these unique character experiences that made us absolutely fall head over heels for Disneyland!
It’s a whole new level of magic and immersion!
ATTRACTIONS: Did you knowthat the idea for Disneyland first sparked in Walt Disney’s mind while he was sitting on a park bench, observing his daughters joyfully riding a carousel? He had a vision of a park where he could actively partake in the attractions alongside his kids, rather than merely observing from afar. That’s why we adore Disneyland for families with little ones – there are more than 40 attractions that have no height requirements! This means the entire family can embark on exciting rides together and indulge in the pure magic and joy of it all.
But here’s the best part:Even if you have older kids, fear not! Disneyland and California Adventure have plenty of thrilling adventures to offer the most daring of souls. From family-friendly attractions to adrenaline-pumping experiences, there’s something for everyone in the family to enjoy at the Happiest Place on Earth!
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WALKABILITY:Guess what?Not only is Disneyland a stone’s throw away from California Adventure, but the Disney resorts are also conveniently located nearby! Imagine this: at the Grand Californian Resort and Spa, you have access to a private entrance that leads straight into California Adventure. How cool is that? And that’s not all. Just outside Downtown Disney, you’ll find the monorail waiting to whisk you away to your magical destination. Plus, the Disneyland Hotel is just a few short minutes away. Staying in the magic has never been easier!
But wait, there’s more!As a bonus, guests staying at one of the Disneyland Resort hotels get to enjoy admission to Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure Park a whole 30 minutes before the general public. This means you can have early access to select attractions, dining, and shopping locations, giving you a head start on creating unforgettable memories. It’s all about adding that extra touch of magic to your stay at Disneyland!
THE SoCal EXPERIENCE:While we totally understand that staying at Disneyland for an extended period would be amazing, we typically recommend that guests spend around 3-4 nights with 2-3 days at the parks. This allows for a well-rounded Disney experience while still leaving room for more adventure. We know that some families have a long journey out West and might want to make the most of their trip by adding extra attractions. Luckily,Southern California offers a plethora of exciting possibilities!
How about a visit toUniversal Hollywoodfor the ultimate studio tour, where you can explore the iconic Wizarding World of Harry Potter or immerse yourself in the brand new Super Nintendo World? If you’re up for exploringLos Angeles, there are famous attractions, iconic sites, and even the chance to catch a glimpse of celebrity homes on a glamorous tour.
And here’s an extra special treat:You can visit the park where Walt Disney first conceived the idea for Disneyland. It’s a piece of history you definitely don’t want to miss! If you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, why not take a scenic drive down to San Diego? With so much to see and do, you could easily spend weeks exploring the wonders of Southern California. The possibilities are endless!
This week Living With The Magic Vacations is visiting Southern California!
While we have a strong love for Walt Disney World, we went back to where it all started…DISNEYLAND (ok our 90’s hearts may have also led us to Universal Hollywood and Super Nintendo World too) and we are loving it!! While our hearts forever remain in Walt Disney World, there’s tons to love about Disneyland for families!
When it comes to enchanting experiences, both Disneyland and Walt Disney World are renowned for creatingunforgettable moments.However, there are distinct differences that make each resort a unique and captivating destination.
Disneyland,located in Anaheim, California, holds the honor of being the original Disney theme park, with Walt Disney himself envisioning its creation. It exudes a delightful, intimate atmosphere, as it encompasses two enchanting parks – Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park. Its charm lies in its rich history, classic attractions, and the ability to walk in Walt’s footsteps. While the sheersize and diversity of experiences at Walt Disney Worldprovide an immersive and grand-scale adventure,Disneyland offers something more quaint and low-key!So, whether you seek the nostalgic charm of Disneyland or the vast wonderland of Walt Disney World, get ready for unparalleled magic as we delve into what sets these two iconic destinations apart.
When it comes to enchanting experiences, both Disneyland and Walt Disney World are renowned for creatingunforgettable moments.However, there are distinct differences that make each resort a unique and captivating destination.
Disneyland,located in Anaheim, California, holds the honor of being the original Disney theme park, with Walt Disney himself envisioning its creation. It exudes a delightful, intimate atmosphere, as it encompasses two enchanting parks – Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park. Its charm lies in its rich history, classic attractions, and the ability to walk in Walt’s footsteps. While the sheersize and diversity of experiences at Walt Disney Worldprovide an immersive and grand-scale adventure,Disneyland offers something more quaint and low-key!So, whether you seek the nostalgic charm of Disneyland or the vast wonderland of Walt Disney World, get ready for unparalleled magic as we delve into what sets these two iconic destinations apart.
The size of Disneyland may be smaller compared to its Walt Disney World counterpart,but it’s precisely this intimate scale that contributes to its uniquely enchanting atmosphere. The compact layout allows for a more immersive and walkable experience, making it easier to navigate between attractions and create lasting memories in a shorter amount of time.
With Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park in close proximity, visitors can enjoy the excitement of hopping between parks seamlessly and immersing themselves in a multitude of magical experiences. The smaller size also means thatDisneyland often feels more intimate, allowing guests to connect with the nostalgia of Walt Disney’s original vision and appreciate the park’s rich history. From the iconic Sleeping Beauty Castle toWalt’s original Main Street, the cozy size of Disneyland invites visitors into a whimsical world where dreams come true.
When we talk about Walt Disney World, we are big proponents of staying on site. With more than 46 square miles to navigate, staying onsite is a must. Due to the small nature of Disenyland, and only having three onsite resorts, staying offsite is actually a great option!There are a variety of hotel chains just steps from the main gates which offer visitors choices when it comes to prices, amenities and location. While we still love staying onsite (our resort, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa, even has its own entrance into Disney California Adventure Park)… We do love having options!
For many, a trip out west is a considerable amount of time and money.
With just 2 parks, we often recommend a Disneyland stay of 3 to 4 days…but what else?Southern California offers so much to see and do, we recommend exploring!! Southern California is a dream destination for those looking for the perfect combination of sun, sand, and city life! From Universal Hollywood to the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Beverly Hills, the Getty Center, Venice Beach boardwalk and so much more, we could easily plan a 2 week vacation and still not see it all!
Do you have a Cars fan in your life? A trip to Disneyland’s California Adventure is definitely a must-do for you! My 19-year-old has been a fan of all things Cars since the first movie was released in 2006 and has been wanting to visit Cars Land since it was first built. I am so glad we finally had the chance to experience this as a family so we could watch my son enter Cars Land for the first time! Memories like these are what I love… the first glimpse of things they love or are in awe of are memories you won’t soon forget!
When you first walk into Cars Land, it really does look like Radiator Springs has come to life in Southern California. From Flo’s V8 Cafe to Cozy Cone Motel and everything else in the land, the Imagineers did an amazing job capturing the film and bringing it to life! My Cars fan especially loved the Sarges Surplus Hut; we visited a variety of times to look at the miniatures they had set up in the shop!
For your Cars fans, make sure to start your engines on Radiator Springs Racers. Here you race through Radiator Springs with another car next to you. Each time you ride can be different since there are different scenes to go through depending on which side of the track you are on. Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters and Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree are great attractions for the youngest members of your family.
You need to make sure to visit this area twice during your day at California Adventure. Daytime brings out the residents of Radiator Springs for you to take your picture with, but visiting in the evening is the best time as it will feel like an entirely different experience. At dusk, the lights will turn on for the evening, bringing the area to life with music and flickering lights – just like in the movie! We went back even later for the full effect when it was dark and the whole area was lit up!
While you may think the movie Cars is for kids, all ages will love stepping back in time to visit Radiator Springs in Cars Land!
Kelly Van Eerden- Jenison, MI
Lead Travel Advisor
Hi! I’m Kelly Van Eerden, a Lead Travel Advisor with Living With The Magic Vacations. I currently live in Jenison, Michigan with my husband, daughter, and son.
We love traveling as a family because it gives us time to spend time together without all the activities that life with older children brings. Walt Disney World will always have a special place in our hearts as one of our first family vacations, but we also love exploring new destinations! Some of our favorite places to visit have actually been new to us in the last few years. We took our first Disney cruise in early 2020 and my kids fell in love with cruising. We have also visited Universal (both Hollywood and Orlando) and Disneyland recently, and we all found something to enjoy. We love the thrills that the Universal parks offer as well as the Marvel and Cars Land at Disneyland.
MagicBand+ will make its momentous West Coast debut when it launches at the Disneyland Resort on Oct. 26, 2022. This marks a huge milestone in resort history, as Guests will soon discover for the very first time how this wearable technology will enhance their experience and unlock a new dimension of Disney storytelling at the Happiest Place on Earth.
Eligible Cast members, Magic Key holders and Disney Vacation Club members will have the opportunity to be among the first to purchase MagicBand+ at the Disneyland Resort from select locations and get a first look at its features before the official launch! Starting Oct. 19, select merchandise locations around the Disneyland Resort will have MagicBand+ available for purchase with the presentation of a valid photo ID plus a valid company-issued ID, Disney Vacation Club membership or Magic Key pass. From there, Guests will be able to set up their band and try it out in the parks (valid park admission and reservation required)!
“Hands-free convenience and enhanced park experiences
We previously shared how the easy-to-use features of MagicBand+ will provide seamless and hands-free convenience during your visit. With a tap of their band, Guests will be able to enter the Disneyland Resort theme parks (valid park admission and reservation required), easily check in at Lightning Lane entrances (separate Lightning Lane entry required) and link photos from a Disney PhotoPass photographer to their Disney account.
MagicBand+ will also unlock a new dimension of Disney storytelling, coming alive with color-changing LED lights and haptic vibrations during select park experiences and entertainment. For example, Guests may discover MagicBand+ adding surprising and magical touches to certain entertainment at Avengers Campus in Disney California Adventure Park!
At night, MagicBand+ will dazzle along with nighttime spectaculars as it illuminates and pulses in sync to special moments during “World of Color” in Disney California Adventure Park, “Fantasmic!” in Disneyland Park and other select nighttime shows throughout the year. MagicBand+ will also interact with the two recently announced nighttime spectaculars debuting on January 27, 2023 as part of the Disney 100 Years of Wonder anniversary celebration: “World of Color – One” at Disney California Adventure and “Wondrous Journeys” at Disneyland.”
At Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Disneyland, Guests will be able to use MagicBand+ to seek virtual bounties hidden across Black Spire Outpost in the Star Wars: Batuu Bounty Hunters interactive quest. Then, when they find their bounty, they can use the Play Disney Parks app’s augmented reality thermal viewer to reveal who’s hiding in the shadows.
Guests can use MagicBand+ at both Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort, with varying features and experiences between the two destinations . All these features are just the beginning of the fun at the Disneyland Resort – more MagicBand+ innovations and experiences will be introduced in the future.
Stylish assortment of collectible designs
Beginning Oct. 26, MagicBand+ will be available for all Guests to purchase at the following locations:
Downtown Disney District: World of Disney, Disney’s Pin Traders
Disney California Adventure Park: Elias & Co., Trolley Treats, Oswald’s, Seaside Souvenirs
Hotels of the Disneyland Resort: Disney’s Fantasia Shop, Mickey in Paradise, Acorns Gifts & Goods
Your Living With The Magic Vacations Travel Planner can provide you with more information on purchasing and using this amazing new option for Disneyland guests!
As can be expected, Disney continues to make changes and improvements to its new Genie services.
Today Disney announced that at Disneyland, Disney Genie+ will now be $25 per day when purchased in advance as an add-on with a new ticket or vacation packages. Single-day purchases for Disney Genie+ through the Disneyland app will begin at $25 per day, and may vary by date, based on demand.
Walt Disney World didn’t escape this change in price and it was announced that Disney Genie+ will vary in price based on the date a guest is visiting. That means guests visiting during higher peak times may be charged more than $15 per person, per day. Disney is reporting that during higher peak times Disney Genie+ can run as high as $22, and somewhere in between on other dates (plus tax; prices subject to change beyond October). As a reminder, single-day purchases of Disney Genie+ at Walt Disney World Resort are only available directly through the My Disney Experience app on the guest’s date of visit.
Our expert Travel Planners are standing by to help you with your next Disney vacation and navigating Disney Genie+! We know it can be confusing and overwhelming, so let us take all the mystery away!
Book now through June 6, 2022; travel must be completed by June 10, 2022.
Interested in creating a vacation package? Consider adding theme park tickets and park reservations to this room offer. Staying at a Disneyland Resort hotel makes it easy and convenient for you and your families to check off popular must-dos from your lists! You can team up alongside some of you favorite Super Heroes at Avengers Campus in Disney California Adventure Park, experience your very own galactic adventure at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Disneyland Park, and more.
Plus, each day during your stay at a Disneyland Resort hotel, you’ll receive welcoming amenities with distinctive Disney touches that will enhance you overall experience.
Savings based on the non-discounted price for the same room type at the same hotel for travel most Sunday through Thursday nights from April 11 through June 9, 2022.
Book now through June 6, 2022; travel must be completed by June 10, 2022.
Premium room types included in this offer are Premium, Deluxe and Woods/Garden/Courtyard rooms; select Concierge rooms; and Paradise, Artisan, Junior and Family suites.
Not valid on previously booked rooms.
Advance reservations required.
Subject to availability as the number of rooms allocated for this offer is limited.
Excludes applicable fees and taxes.
Limit 2 rooms per reservation, and occupancy restrictions apply per room.
Additional per-adult charges may apply if more than 2 adults per room.
Not valid in combination with any other hotel discounts or offers.
Subject to restrictions and change or cancellation without notice.
Separate theme park admission and theme park reservation for the same date and same park is required to enter a theme park. A hotel reservation does not guarantee theme park access.
Visit Disneyland Updates for important information to know before visiting the Disneyland Resort, including the latest information on face coverings.
