Disneyland!

Does anything make you feel more like a kid again than Disneyland? Growing up in the west, Disneyland was an easy favorite even as a kid. There were overnight school trips in the summers. Going back always makes me feel nostalgic. One of my favorite rides has always been Splash Mountain. The Zippity Doo Dah song was often playing in my mind as a kid. 

My beloved ride has officially closed, so I thought it a good time to post about Disneyland in it's memory. I can't wait to see the new Tiana's Bayou Adventure. 

We have always driven to Anaheim. Head out, stay the night at the hotel, and then be ready to go at opening.

The last few times we've visited Disneyland, we've stayed at The Anaheim Hotel. If you have really small children, Park Vue Inn is another good choice since it's so close to the entrance and getting back for naps is easy. And if you want a better pool option, Howard Johnson is a good choice.

We like The Anaheim Hotel because the walk to the entrance is pretty easy- no worrying about catching a tram or parking. Plus they have a bar and pizza place right inside. We like to go back around lunch, order a pizza and have a few beers while the kids take a break. After a couple hours of relaxing and having an adult time out, we head back to Disney for round 2. 

I've taken my kids at 3 years old, which may be fine depending on your kids' personality. My son was all about it at that age.

 

He even liked the rides. 

 

My daughter, however, wasn't as enthusiastic.

 

It's just It's a Small World over and over again. Bless my mom, who endured the ride multiple times with my daughter on that trip. There are always good moments, though, even at that age.

This last time we went back, my youngest was 6. She enjoyed all the "pretty" parts of Disneyland- the costumes, parades, kid rides.

But she's not the most adventurous so she was still a bit too young for rides like my fave Splash Mountain, or another favorite, Space Mountain. Now, we still went on them, but I regretted letting her. She did not have fun. 

 

We also buy Genie+, which was worth it for us. Being able to use our phone to essentially jump line was a major bonus and let us plan out our rides. We traveled with a large group, so we'd all get on and book the next ride at the same time. It worked out for the most part and allowed us to enjoy more of the park with the time it saved. Disneyland has gotten pricey, so we don't go all the time, but when we decide to go, we invest in this little extra as well. 

If it's an adult-only trip, you should check out Trader Sam's Enchanted Tiki Bar. 

It's a fun place to grab a drink or two. Downtown Disney is a fun place to explore as well. We like to head over the night we arrive in Anaheim. It's a bit pricey to eat there, but it's convenient and fun. Plus it gets you in the Disney mood. The Lego store is always a hit.

This last trip, we were finally able to enjoy Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge. The kids both liked this part of the park, and the rides were very cool. We paid the extra to jump in line on these as well. 

Disneyland has definitely increased in price over the years, so we don't go as often as we'd like. But it's still a fun place to return to. I've never seen it at Halloween or Christmas, so that's next on my list. But no matter when you go, there's magic in the air.