Showing posts with label disney family vacation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label disney family vacation. Show all posts
Friday, February 22, 2008
Enjoying the Magic as an Adult
Wow - life has been busy, but never too busy to think about Disneyland, or work it into a conversation! I had lunch with a well-known attorney in my field of interest yesterday. Everything was going very well - good conversation, shared interests....and somehow the conversation turned to a trip she'd made to Disneyland. We shared a few ride experiences, and she admitted that she is not a big fan. We compared our history with Disneyland - age when first went, amount of times visited and such, and came up with a theory that if you visit when you are really young, you are more likely to be in love with it. (Although my Wife didn't go for the first time until after she was 30, and was quickly hooked!) She first went as a rebellious pre-teen and thought she was "way too cool" to like Disneyland....so that set the stage. I went a lot as a child since we lived close by for a couple years, plus had family in the area that we visited even after we moved away from California. We did find common ground in the joy that we both felt when taking our kids to Disneyland. There is nothing like experiencing the Magic through the eyes and hearts of your own children.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Disneyland Vacation Planning DVD
This weekend our 2-year-old found the Disneyland Vacation Planning DVD in our drawer of puzzles and videos.
"Me watch Disneyland!" she proclaimed, handing the disc to me.
I plugged it into the player and soon, we were reliving the magic :) The Magic Hat at the Disneyland Hotel, the Disneyland Railroad, the characters, the restaurants...I confessed how I was trying to find a way to get us there for Christmas.
"We just go! Go Disneyland now!" says our daughter, full of answers.
I would love to have just booked the trip then and there, but alas, my practical side says - pay off the last Disneyland trip first! The quest for cash continues.....
"Me watch Disneyland!" she proclaimed, handing the disc to me.
I plugged it into the player and soon, we were reliving the magic :) The Magic Hat at the Disneyland Hotel, the Disneyland Railroad, the characters, the restaurants...I confessed how I was trying to find a way to get us there for Christmas.
"We just go! Go Disneyland now!" says our daughter, full of answers.
I would love to have just booked the trip then and there, but alas, my practical side says - pay off the last Disneyland trip first! The quest for cash continues.....
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Real Disneyland Advice to a Friend
Ever wonder if bloggers are their "real selves" when they blog? Well, today I have opted to share an email that I sent to a friend who asked me for Disneyland advice for her family of four. You may recognize some of the tips that I have shared on this blog.
So, here it is, what I really told a friend:
------
OK - this is long, but here are some considerations that will affect your budget/price:
You have a few different good options. You can book through the Disneyland Resort site and pick a Good Neighbor Hotel to save big
bucks over the Resort hotels. Their process assures you have considered everything - airfare, airport transportation, Resort tickets and you'll usually end up with some package perks. If anything goes wrong, their customer service takes good care of you:
http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneyland/en_US/home/home?name=HomePage
Price is usually pretty competitive.
Great rates are available through Getaway Today:
http://www.getawaytoday.com/
You may have to do some things on your own, such as arrange for a
shuttle. I've not used them, but recently did some price comparisons, and they were the best. I have read this is often true.
Orbitz.com and Expedia.com are both reliable and depending on when you are traveling, may have great rates. You will need to buy resort tickets on your own, unless you specifically book a package deal that includes them. (I am not sure if they always offer packages with tickets, or not.)
Sometimes AAA (if you are a member). Costco.com or Alaska Air has
really good deals.
Depending on how much time you plan, I would check the Disneyland
site, Getaway and Orbitz, just so you know you did some price comparisons. If Disney is close, go with them for the peace of mind.
For us to go for a family of four, staying at the Disneyland Hotel for 6 nights near Christmas, we'd be looking at about $3600 for air, transportation, hotel and tickets through Getaway.com. You could do it for at least $1000 less by staying at a less expensive hotel. We've decided that we are spoiled and don't want to do it that way ever again since we go for the total experience, not just the park.
A top choice is Candy Cane Inn. Good rates. Decent breakfast included, plus rooms have refrigerators and microwaves, as I recall. Nice toddler-size pool and within about a 2 block walk to Disneyland, without crossing a busy street. They also have their own free shuttle. We did not like that one bed is right next to the window - bathroom in the back of the room - motel style - so you get noise from the parking lot and people passing by your window. A lot of people do not experience this problem, but we did. This is a motel, but it is consistently within the top 5 hotels/motels near Disneyland according to
TripAdvisor.com. They are a great place to research hotels in all
price ranges.
Look for a hotel that offers its own shuttle and that is close enough you could walk if you wanted to. I personally have not enjoyed it when we relied on the local bus transportation system, ART. (Anaheim Resort Transit.) Some people don't mind it.
Depending on your boys themselves, I would plan on taking 2 umbrella strollers. You can use them in the airports and all throughout the park, and if they do get lost or stolen,
you aren't out much. Normally its not a problem. Last year, when
K was 4, he used the stroller a lot. It just makes it easier when they are tired, or when crowds are heavy, such as after a parade - put 'em in and push your way forward - easier than them getting stepped on.
I like to be sure the hotel also has a refrigerator - that way you can keep leftovers for another meal, or order a pizza, and know you don't have to throw away leftovers. You could also buy some milk and cereal,or whatever, at a local convenience store.
Food is expensive. A bottle of water at Disneyland will cost you about $4.00. A burger around $8-9. CandyCane Inn is within walking distance of a Denny's, a McDonald and a Subway, for less expensive options. If you are going for more than a couple days it may be worth ordering through Albertsons.com or Safeway.com and having some easy food and water delivered to your room. We often got away with under $100 per day for food by taking our own snacks, water and relying on delivered food or the hotel's continental breakfast. (Candy Cane Inn's had a bit more
than just muffins and donuts - a variety of cereal, bagels and cream cheese and oatmeal, as I recall.)
Souvenirs are up to you, of course,but they add up fast. Expect everything to cost more than you think it should. I have heard of people that budget $1000 per day for food and souvenirs. Right. I wish!
You may find some other useful information on my Disneyland blog:
http://www.disneylandfamilyvacation.blogspot.com/
Let me know what you decide...or what the two of you decide, rather :)
-Dakota
So, here it is, what I really told a friend:
------
OK - this is long, but here are some considerations that will affect your budget/price:
You have a few different good options. You can book through the Disneyland Resort site and pick a Good Neighbor Hotel to save big
bucks over the Resort hotels. Their process assures you have considered everything - airfare, airport transportation, Resort tickets and you'll usually end up with some package perks. If anything goes wrong, their customer service takes good care of you:
http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneyland/en_US/home/home?name=HomePage
Price is usually pretty competitive.
Great rates are available through Getaway Today:
http://www.getawaytoday.com/
You may have to do some things on your own, such as arrange for a
shuttle. I've not used them, but recently did some price comparisons, and they were the best. I have read this is often true.
Orbitz.com and Expedia.com are both reliable and depending on when you are traveling, may have great rates. You will need to buy resort tickets on your own, unless you specifically book a package deal that includes them. (I am not sure if they always offer packages with tickets, or not.)
Sometimes AAA (if you are a member). Costco.com or Alaska Air has
really good deals.
Depending on how much time you plan, I would check the Disneyland
site, Getaway and Orbitz, just so you know you did some price comparisons. If Disney is close, go with them for the peace of mind.
For us to go for a family of four, staying at the Disneyland Hotel for 6 nights near Christmas, we'd be looking at about $3600 for air, transportation, hotel and tickets through Getaway.com. You could do it for at least $1000 less by staying at a less expensive hotel. We've decided that we are spoiled and don't want to do it that way ever again since we go for the total experience, not just the park.
A top choice is Candy Cane Inn. Good rates. Decent breakfast included, plus rooms have refrigerators and microwaves, as I recall. Nice toddler-size pool and within about a 2 block walk to Disneyland, without crossing a busy street. They also have their own free shuttle. We did not like that one bed is right next to the window - bathroom in the back of the room - motel style - so you get noise from the parking lot and people passing by your window. A lot of people do not experience this problem, but we did. This is a motel, but it is consistently within the top 5 hotels/motels near Disneyland according to
TripAdvisor.com. They are a great place to research hotels in all
price ranges.
Look for a hotel that offers its own shuttle and that is close enough you could walk if you wanted to. I personally have not enjoyed it when we relied on the local bus transportation system, ART. (Anaheim Resort Transit.) Some people don't mind it.
Depending on your boys themselves, I would plan on taking 2 umbrella strollers. You can use them in the airports and all throughout the park, and if they do get lost or stolen,
you aren't out much. Normally its not a problem. Last year, when
K was 4, he used the stroller a lot. It just makes it easier when they are tired, or when crowds are heavy, such as after a parade - put 'em in and push your way forward - easier than them getting stepped on.
I like to be sure the hotel also has a refrigerator - that way you can keep leftovers for another meal, or order a pizza, and know you don't have to throw away leftovers. You could also buy some milk and cereal,or whatever, at a local convenience store.
Food is expensive. A bottle of water at Disneyland will cost you about $4.00. A burger around $8-9. CandyCane Inn is within walking distance of a Denny's, a McDonald and a Subway, for less expensive options. If you are going for more than a couple days it may be worth ordering through Albertsons.com or Safeway.com and having some easy food and water delivered to your room. We often got away with under $100 per day for food by taking our own snacks, water and relying on delivered food or the hotel's continental breakfast. (Candy Cane Inn's had a bit more
than just muffins and donuts - a variety of cereal, bagels and cream cheese and oatmeal, as I recall.)
Souvenirs are up to you, of course,but they add up fast. Expect everything to cost more than you think it should. I have heard of people that budget $1000 per day for food and souvenirs. Right. I wish!
You may find some other useful information on my Disneyland blog:
http://www.disneylandfamilyvacation.blogspot.com/
Let me know what you decide...or what the two of you decide, rather :)
-Dakota
Friday, August 17, 2007
Disneyland in Your Soul
Thanks to mwaybob's comment about Disneyland getting into your soul, I find myself with something to chatter about this fine Friday morning.
Disneyland does get into your soul. When I first thought about this, I wondered if it had to do with going as a child vs. not going as a child. I was 6 when I first went, so I've been indoctrinated since a very young age. Then, I remembered my wife. She was 30 before I got to take her on her very first trip to the Happiest Place on Earth. She'd never really even wanted to go. She was under the misguided notion that it was more like a big amusement park (not unlike parts of CA Adventure, now that I stop to think about it). I'm happy to say that she was quickly hooked and has not looked back!
So, what is it? I wonder about the mix of childhood nostalgia of stories and fairy tales, blended with music of Disney and other mass media movies (Disney knows how to make music work to tug at our hearts,right?), and something more....What is that something more? I guess THAT is the magic. I think most of us want to believe in magic, believe in the goodness of human beings, want to suspend disbelief long enough to imagine we're flying through space or hanging out with swash-buckling pirates, or that a walk down Main Street really will put our minds at ease.
The wonderful people behind all of the magic have worked hard decade after decade to bring to reality something that is as close to perfect as we are likly to get amongst so many humans. That doesn't mean it is perfect - rides break down, people get hurt, people get cranky, people throw their trash on the ground...but due to the extreme efforts, we still see the human desire of perfection around every corner, and that in itself, is close enough to perfect.
During our then 4-year-old son's first trip to Disneyland, on our first morning waking up at the Paradise Pier Hotel, he got himself dressed, brushed his teeth, and brought us breakfast in bed (Pop Tarts and juice) before the rest of the family was even up. If I'd ever doubted it before, here was living proof of the magic of Disney. Yes, it really is the Happiest Place on Earth, and at ages 1 and 4, Disneyland is already a part of our children's souls.
Disneyland does get into your soul. When I first thought about this, I wondered if it had to do with going as a child vs. not going as a child. I was 6 when I first went, so I've been indoctrinated since a very young age. Then, I remembered my wife. She was 30 before I got to take her on her very first trip to the Happiest Place on Earth. She'd never really even wanted to go. She was under the misguided notion that it was more like a big amusement park (not unlike parts of CA Adventure, now that I stop to think about it). I'm happy to say that she was quickly hooked and has not looked back!
So, what is it? I wonder about the mix of childhood nostalgia of stories and fairy tales, blended with music of Disney and other mass media movies (Disney knows how to make music work to tug at our hearts,right?), and something more....What is that something more? I guess THAT is the magic. I think most of us want to believe in magic, believe in the goodness of human beings, want to suspend disbelief long enough to imagine we're flying through space or hanging out with swash-buckling pirates, or that a walk down Main Street really will put our minds at ease.
The wonderful people behind all of the magic have worked hard decade after decade to bring to reality something that is as close to perfect as we are likly to get amongst so many humans. That doesn't mean it is perfect - rides break down, people get hurt, people get cranky, people throw their trash on the ground...but due to the extreme efforts, we still see the human desire of perfection around every corner, and that in itself, is close enough to perfect.
During our then 4-year-old son's first trip to Disneyland, on our first morning waking up at the Paradise Pier Hotel, he got himself dressed, brushed his teeth, and brought us breakfast in bed (Pop Tarts and juice) before the rest of the family was even up. If I'd ever doubted it before, here was living proof of the magic of Disney. Yes, it really is the Happiest Place on Earth, and at ages 1 and 4, Disneyland is already a part of our children's souls.
Friday, July 13, 2007
I Need a Disneyland Vacation Now!
Who doesn't , right?
Welcome to my new blog! About 2-3 years ago I had a what I hope was a really useful website that was a guide to planning a perfect Disneyland vacation for your family. I'd researched a lot, put together great information about Disneyland, about entertaining families, and about including families in vacation planning. To supplement this, I had an ebook that was in its testing stages. I had good traffic and the responses to my ebook were really positive. Then a funny thing happened - I started law school. At that point, all my extracurricular activities ceased. Not hard to imagine since I have a wife, two small children and was still working full time. I closed the website, put the pdf on the mythical "back burner," and went on with my life.
We live in the Pacific Northwest and do not get to Disneyland nearly as often as we'd like. As a special treat, after the first year of law school, we took the kids, and ourselves, to Disneyland. It was magical - spectacular - just as I'd remembered from the days before children. It was so magical, that we went again that same summer - just last year. Talk about blowing the budget! We learned so much that summer that I realized I could make the book I'd written so much better. The book, as it read, had lots of tips and facts, and a playful tone, but it lacked a certain something. I wasn't sure what it was until I recently pulled it out again, thinking it was time to revise and get it into reader's hands, or at least, on their computer monitors.
What it needed was heart, and candor, and confessions from a real family who, though they were having the time of their lives, sometimes wondered how they could ditch their 1 and 4 year olds and have some real fun. I am in the process of rewriting, but I thought what might really help my process, as well as provide me with feedback, is a blog that I could start sharing stories through and seeing how others respond.
So, that's my story, or at least, the start of it. Please stay tuned, and feel free to post comments about this topic at any time.
Welcome to my new blog! About 2-3 years ago I had a what I hope was a really useful website that was a guide to planning a perfect Disneyland vacation for your family. I'd researched a lot, put together great information about Disneyland, about entertaining families, and about including families in vacation planning. To supplement this, I had an ebook that was in its testing stages. I had good traffic and the responses to my ebook were really positive. Then a funny thing happened - I started law school. At that point, all my extracurricular activities ceased. Not hard to imagine since I have a wife, two small children and was still working full time. I closed the website, put the pdf on the mythical "back burner," and went on with my life.
We live in the Pacific Northwest and do not get to Disneyland nearly as often as we'd like. As a special treat, after the first year of law school, we took the kids, and ourselves, to Disneyland. It was magical - spectacular - just as I'd remembered from the days before children. It was so magical, that we went again that same summer - just last year. Talk about blowing the budget! We learned so much that summer that I realized I could make the book I'd written so much better. The book, as it read, had lots of tips and facts, and a playful tone, but it lacked a certain something. I wasn't sure what it was until I recently pulled it out again, thinking it was time to revise and get it into reader's hands, or at least, on their computer monitors.
What it needed was heart, and candor, and confessions from a real family who, though they were having the time of their lives, sometimes wondered how they could ditch their 1 and 4 year olds and have some real fun. I am in the process of rewriting, but I thought what might really help my process, as well as provide me with feedback, is a blog that I could start sharing stories through and seeing how others respond.
So, that's my story, or at least, the start of it. Please stay tuned, and feel free to post comments about this topic at any time.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
