kid tip #1

The first time we went to DLand, I learned a lesson...

my kids saw the merchandise and wanted it all! 

To cure this disease, I started at home. I packed up every Disney toy or dress up

or movie that we own and took it with us. They play with it in the hotel

or take it with them into the park and it reminds them that they

already have so much and they ask for hardly anything.

And I like buying souvenirs that are useful. One of my favorites was

a princess Tiana cookbook for my 7 year old. That way it doesn't just 

become clutter when you get it home.

My top 3 Tried and True places to eat at Dland

1.  Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante

It's quiet and out of the way right by big thunder mountain.

AND If you have little one's, there's a bathroom right near by.

Everyone i take there has loved it.

The food is yummy and portions are big enough to share,

but we mostly go there for the ambiance.

2.  Pacific Wharf Cafe

This one's in Cal Adventure and my family has made a meal of  a loaf of

their sourdough bread. My husband braves the long line

every time we go, just to have the clam chowder. It's worth it!

3.  Cafe Orleans

Monte Cristo

RIDICULOUS GOOD

enough said

Balloon Warranty!

Let's say that the balloon that you just spent $9 on pops.....take the balloon

back to theballooneer and he'll hook you up with a replacement...even if you 

got the balloonon another day at the park...so cool of them!

Coffee, anyone?

If you buy coffee in the morning at the bakery on main street, they will give you free refills all day...true story;)

Need to see a princess?

We always do...so you'll have a few choices of how to meet one:

1 Reserve a meal at Ariels Grotto

Where you are guaranteed to meet ariel, and at least 3 other princesses.

pros: guaranteed, no wait, cute dancing lesson for the little princesses

cons: price, my husband hates the menu, you are a little rushed through the meeting ariel part

2 Princess Fantasy Faire now located next to the castle on the left hand side. They now post which princesses are inside, so you don't have to hope for your child's favorite to be inside. Long lines are usually the problem here. I usually just use it as snack/rest time and I wait in line while my husband takes turns taking the girls on rides. 

3 In front of Sleeping Beauty's Castle

Sometimes random, sometimes scheduled, one or more princess will stand out in front of the castle, on the little paths on either side. Usually next to Snow White's wishing well. If you spot the princess your kids want to see, then hop in line and you'll be glad  you did!

4 This pic of Merida was snapped just outside of It's A Small World

Unlocking the MAGIC in your Magic Morning

Bonus ticket with magic morning!! say what?!

At Disneyland, this means that one of the days on your ticket, you'll be able to get into the park

an hour earlier than the other guests. How can you make the most of this? I'll will tell you...First check the daily schedule to see which days magic mornings will be available. My number one favorite day to MagicMorning is Sunday. Normally Saturday's & Sunday's are pretty busy, so it helps to get a jump on things. The entire park is not available for this. Usually just Tomorrow Land and Fantasy Land. SO...we always save Peter Pan & Dumbo for MagicMorning, then run over quick to do Star Tours, Space Mountain and Nemo. And if we still have more magic morning to burn, we do the rest of Fantasy Land. This puts you WAY ahead of the crowd and leaves you free to get a ton of rides in. Sometimes we even do our MagicMorning and run over to California Adventure in time for it to open and beat the crowds over there.....like MAGIC!

And Secondly...get that FASTPASS

While you're at those rides which are sure to be EXTREMELY BUSY later in the 

day...why don't you just grab a fast pass for that ride to use later in the day. Now you can 

be sure you'll get to  ride your favorite rides at least TWICE!

First AND MOST IMPORTANT!!!

BE THERE WHEN THE PARK OPENS!

You will save HOURS of waiting in lines later in the day. Get in the park and check off three
of your favorite popular rides first. The rides that get busy later include:

Star Tours
Space Mountain

Finding Nemo

Peter Pan

Dumbo the Flying Elephant

Indiana Jones

Splash Mountain

Radiator Springs Racers

Soaring over California 

California Screamin'

Toy Story Mania