Disneyland for Disney World Experts

I recently wrote about how to to plan a Disneyland vacation for Disney World Experts. I'm continuing that theme here by explaining how to visit the parks. Here's a tip right off the bat, don't spend your time contemplating the differences. If you find yourself going there, remind yourself this was Walt's vision, his handy work is everywhere and he had apartments in the park. His spirit is much stronger here and that along is reason to visit for any true lover of Disney.

Here's some highlights of what you'll notice:

• Parks are all in one place
• Castle is tiny in comparison
• Rides are different but named same
• Food offerings are a lot different
• Lots of locals are visiting
• No bus from airport(s)
• Characters are roaming around apparently aimlessly

When approaching Disneyland, you'll see that Downtown Disney is behind you about 200 yards and if you turn left you see Disneyland entrance, turn right and you see California Adventure entrance. No further apart than the goalposts on a football field. Everything with the Parks is right here. Disney Hotels are at the other end of Downtown Disney, as well as the parking garage, but hey there's still a tram. 

The closeness of everything makes it extremely easy to Park Hop, so hop on over and between, hit the hotel for a nap and head back.

You've arrived at the park and here's the first thing you'll immediately realize, the size of Disneyland Park Resort area is small compared to WDW. What was once a bunch of fruit trees and strawberry fields, Walt Disney purchased enough land to build his dream. Complete with parking and some extra fringe space. Apparently, he wasn't prepared for the city of Anaheim to expand right to the doors of Disneyland. It took many years and many dollars to buy the extra space needed for them to expand enough for California Adventure. In fact, the Haunted Mansion ride goes outside of the boundary of the park! That's how much they've had to utilize what space they have. You've been to the vast Walt Disney World area and seen many square miles of open space. Walt was a smart man and learned from Disneyland how to purchase more than you need so you can always grow. 

Don't laugh at the castle. This was huge in 1955! It may seem small but there's a lot of Disney packed into Sleeping Beauty's castle. 

You will fall in love with Pirates of the Caribbean all over again. I won't spoil it for you but you will start to think you've never done this ride before. 

The food choices are a completely different experience! Disneyland food isn't made to appeal to every culture and person from around the world, it's more local and more flavorful to me. Disneyland food is better in my humble opinion. Disneyland also offers a lot more quick-service meals than sit down meals. However their quick service has a lot of great healthy choices. You can even find some amazing pickles and fruit throughout the park. Delicious fresh oranges. Yummy! 

I'll eat at Plaza Inn for breakfast because I get to see some of the best characters there. There's so many choices I can't go into them all, but there are very few that would disappoint. If you have questions ask a qualified Disneyland Specialist... I may know one you could ask... He'll probably refer you here for sure though!

Disneyland is a local family park. It's not uncommon for locals to visit Disneyland to have a meal for the night, ride a ride and then head on home. You will find that everywhere you go you will be asked if you are an annual passholder. They rule the roost in Disneyland and receive discounts on food, merchandise and more. Just be prepared to answer, no I'm not a passholder everywhere you buy something.

There is no Magical Express. Don't ask... But there's tons of options, from rental cars, to Anaheim Resort Transfers, at Good Neighbor Hotels, and city busses. Transportation is usually best done by car and walking when heading to Disneyland. 

There isn't an underground tunnel system at Disneyland, so characters have to walk through the park to get anywhere. As such they will spend the time to stop, get pictures, autographs and more on their way to their scheduled location. This is also a touch of history as it's always been done this way at Disneyland, no one wants to change it now. 

One last tip you should know is that Disneyland and California Adventure are best visited over a 3 or 4 day period. One day at each park with an extra day for follow up with favorites or missed items. Once you've done that, then you can explore the rest of Southern California. Hit up San Diego and see the zoo, or go to Universal Hollywood. Skip another theme park and just hit the beach at Santa Monica. All wonderful and completely different experiences than you'd have in Florida.

Contact DisneyDaniel today to book your First, Next or Best Disney Vacation!

Daniel is a self-proclaimed Disney Geek, Disney Vacation Planner and a Disneyland Specialist. When he’s not adding to the plethora of Disney Trivia in his head, you can find DisneyDaniel on his Facebook Page, follow him on Twitter or shoot him an email at: Daniel@destinationsinflorida.com

Disney World, Disney Cruise, Disneyland, Disney Hawaii, and Adventures by Disney Specialist

Universal Studios & Islands of Adventure Specialist

Orlando Travel Consultant

Southern California Travel Consultant

Destinations in Florida Travel is your PremEAR Disney World and Orlando Vacation Planners – Top 2009 Disney Destinations Sales Performer and 2010 & 2011 Universal Studios Travel Agency Partner of the Year

Fantasy Faire!

Today we present Fantasy Faire for all to enjoy. We want to welcome you to come visit us at the Fantasy Faire village! We're easy to find, just take a trolley or horse drawn carriage past all the gas lamps and head towards Sleepy Beauty Castle. You will find our quaint 'storybook' village town square right next to the castle.

Look over there, it's Belle walking with yet another book in her hands. That girl rarely watches where she is going. Hey, is that Cinderella in the archway to Sleeping Beauty's Castle? Do you think she's going in for a visit? I wonder if Sleeping Beauty is home and if so what color dress will Princess Aurora be wearing today?

You should head over to The Royal Hall. I hear that's the best place to see your Disney Friends from Sleeping Beauty, The Little Mermaid, and Tangled in addition to those from Beauty and the Beast and Cinderella. Here you may be able to find out what color dress Princess Aurora has on today, unless of course Flora, Fauna or Merryweather are hanging about. Then she'll probably never have one dress color.

The Royal Hall is all set for your visit. We've put on our best wallpaper, we've finished the room in wood accents and brought in the finest chandeliers. Here in this, The Royal Hall, is where the Princesses spend a fair amount of time, visiting with each other and all who come calling. Now a princess can't spend all day hanging about chatting so don't be surprised if all of them aren't visiting when you arrive.

We'd love for you to stay a little longer and join us for a show in The Royal Theatre. We have two new show choices for you, and we'd be happy to have you stay for both. We hate to give spoiler alerts so early on, so suffice it to say that in one of our shows you will find our beautiful lady in yellow, Belle from Beauty and the Beast. The second show will include both Flynn and Rapunzel from Tangled. No further hints from us.

In addition to spending time with your Disney friends and enjoying the shows, we would like to offer for you to take a moment to peruse Fairytale Treasures. This is our unique shop where all the Princesses shop. They are always picking up new dresses here as well as gifts for their Prince's and wicked step-mothers.

Anytime is the right time for Maurice's Treats! Don't forget to swing by Maurices Treats cart Belle's father really knows how to make delicious twisted bread sticks. Chose from either savory or sweet for your treat today. You can even add one of his signature drinks for a superb snack that even the Beast wouldn't snarl at.

We hope you will come see us soon. We have opened our doors and welcome all who come to this Happy Place! Yes, It's the newest Happy Place within an already Happy Place. Although it may have been said by Walt Disney all those years ago, I imagine if he could look upon FantasyFaire today, he'd deem it a Happy Place within the Happiest Place on Earth!

I hope you find this information fun, new and worthwhile.

Daniel is a self-proclaimed Disney Geek, Disney Vacation Planner with Destinations in Florida and a Disneyland Specialist. When he’s not adding to the plethora of Disney Trivia in his head, you can find him on his Facebook Page and/or follow him on Twitter…

Cars Land

Cars Land is the newest land to be expanded at California Adventure since they opened in 2001. It's also the newest full sized land to be added to the Disneyland Parks since Mickey's Toon Town came along in 1988. Not including of course the entire California Adventure Park...

With Cars Land came a significant investment in new entertainment, shops and food offerings. Cars Land in and of itself can entertain you for almost an entire day. Especially if you factor in how long some of the lines can be!

So what other rides are there in Cars Land? There's Luigi's Flying Tires which are just right for those who don't want a thrill ride. These "tires" float on air and you use your own body to steer the tires. These tires are fairly slow moving and are kinda bouncy. There is also Mater's Junkyard Jamboree. You can hop into your favorite tractor, as they are all different, and do some Do-Si-Does around the Junkyard while Mater calls out the dance moves from inside his barn... Mater is busy so don't expect to see him come out to visit, he's got to keep the dance going! He and his buddy Lightning do come out for photos and conversations at times. They hang out along the main drag of Cars Land.

In addition to rides, Cars Land offers a few shops like Sarge's Surplus hut, the place to get your Radiator Springs t-shirts. Further into Cars Land you'll find Radiator Springs Curios. You can get your own Mickey Mouse Route 66 sign here among other cool items. What about some body art? Head on in to Ramone's House of Body Art for some cool tops and other great items to trick out your ride... (your body ride, not so much your car).  

I'm hungry! Do I have to head to Pacific Wharf to eat or can I grab something in Cars Land? Why yes come on down Route 66 to Flo's V8 Cafe for some tasty grub! Flo's is open for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. She's ready to serve you up a variety of grub, hot off the grill! If your not in the mood for a bigger meal now, head back up north on Route 66 to Filmores Taste In for some healthy snacks and Tasty Concoctions. You could also stop along the way at the Cozy Cone Motel for some cone-tastic ice cream treats and many other choices!

I hope you find this information fun, new and worthwhile.

Daniel is a self-proclaimed Disney Geek, Disney Vacation Planner and a Disneyland Specialist. When he’s not adding to the plethora of Disney Trivia in his head, you can find him on his Facebook Page and/or follow him on Twitter…

Radiator Springs Racers at Cars Land

Vroom, Whoosh, Screech, Vroom... When I think of Cars and specifically Radiator Springs Racers these are the sounds I hear in my head. It's okay if you don't hear the same things. You might want to get it looked into though. Amongst the many attractions you'll find in Cars Land, Radiator Springs Racers is by far the most popular. You'll need to have a plan in place to get on this ride!

It's not uncommon to be in line at Radiator Springs Racers for upwards of 2 1/2 hours on a slow day. Here's a tip though, get to the park early! When I say early, I mean before the park even opens. Head over to Buena Vista Street entrance 1/2 hour or more before park opening. You'll be able to get into the park around 30 minutes before official opening. Once in California Adventure send one person from your group to get the Fast Pass's at Radiator Springs Racers, while the rest of you hit up the new Starbucks. This is the most popular attraction in Cars Land and there are days when the entire allotment of Fast Passes are gone within the first hour or so of park opening. You'll be sorry if you wait. 

Another tip for parents, if you have any toddlers with you, make sure you have them measured first. The ride height is minimum 40". In addition to the ride height, know that the ride is fast, there are dips and hills and can be scary. If your children are anything like mine, they will expect to be the "winners" every time... That won't happen, so prep them starting now. There is no set car that will win every time so don't try to figure it out. It'd be easier to figure out how many drops, and how far they will go, there will be in Tower of Terror.

There are a few moments of stomach drops as you experience roller coaster like "flying" and "near misses" along the way. These can be scary for most younger kids, but generally if you like a ride such as Big Thunder Mountain Railroad you'll be just fine on Radiator Springs Racers.

One last bit of information on Radiator Springs Racers, much like its cousin, Fast Track, in Walt Disney World this ride will break down and break down often. Much of the long line can be attributed to those holding out hope for the ride to be fixed and returned to operation. Unfortunately, the ride hasn't gotten the bugs worked out completely so be prepared to entertain the kids and adults in your group for extended periods of time. 

Overall, take the time to enjoy Radiator Springs Racers and all of Cars Land. You'll find that there is plenty to do and if you can swing it to ride the Racers twice, hit it once at night and once in the day for completely different experiences. All of Cars Land at night is a completely magical transformation, what with all the neon and more. Don't miss out!

I hope you find this information fun, new and worthwhile.

Daniel is a self-proclaimed Disney Geek, Disney Vacation Planner and a Disneyland Specialist. When he’s not adding to the plethora of Disney Trivia in his head, you can find him on his Facebook Page and/or follow him on Twitter…