Helpful Tips For Your Upcoming Disneyland Trip


We just spent a few days in Disneyland and we had the best time. My sister came with us and I have not been to Disneyland with my sister since we were kids. The kids loved having her with us. Neither of the kids wanted to ride any ride with me, they just wanted "Titi" the entire time. It was so sweet and so much fun. There are always so many new and exciting things to share that are going on in Disneyland and DCA, so I wanted to share them with you.  If you are looking for the best place to stay close to the parks click here.  If you are looking for the very best deals on tickets click here.


The first thing I wanted to share is that Pop-Up Disney: A Mickey Celebration is still open.  It will be open until September 2nd.  If you have not gone yet, you have to go!  It so much fun.  You can read all about the fun we had here.  There is also an annual passholder discount.  The code is: POPUPPASSHOLDER27 for 40% off!  That is such an amazing deal.  If you love Disney and Mickey Mouse, you have to go to this pop up!  It is located right in Downtown Disney.  You can get tickets here.


We love eating at Lamplight Lounge in DCA on Pixar Pier.  We usually eat there for dinner.  But now on Friday, Saturdays and Sundays they offer a special brunch menu.  I have not tried the brunch menu yet, but we went there for dinner and it is always so good.  Don't forget to get your photo with Forky outside of Lamplight Lounge.  I have no idea how long he will be there.



Lobster Nachos


Kids burger


Kids butter and cheese pasta.  I love that it comes with humus and veggies for the kids.  You can even ask for a side of ranch for the veggies.


Crispy Piggy Wings


And did you really even eat at Lamplight Lounge if you did not get the donuts?!  OMG these are so good.  My favorite is the raspberry dipping sauce!


The Main Street Electrical Parade is back.  It is only in Disneyland until September 30th, so make sure you make time to see it while it is there.  It shows at two times - 8:45 pm and 10:45 pm.  That is the only parade happening right now.  There is no daytime parade and no other night time parade.

Disneyland Forever, the best firework show is happening now in Disneyland.  Fantasmic is also still happening.  Both are in Disneyland.

Star Wars Galaxy Edge is now open to everyone.  You do not need a reservation.  We were able to visit the land, eat, shop, visit the characters, and check it all out.  We had the best time.  We also rode Smugglers Run and it was so cool.  The kids loved it.  They both got to be pilots, which is the best!  They were so excited.  I should also add that the kids have never seen a Star Wars movie and Carter thought he was such an expert on anything and everything Star Wars after this trip that he had to have a Star Wars themed birthday and he wanted nothing but Star Wars merchandise, LEGOS, figurines, etc.  He is too funny.  Another attraction, Rise of the Resistance, will open on January 17th 2020.


I mean, just look at those happy faces!  I will never forget this day!





These next two photos are my favorite.  I know they are blurry.  But these two kiddos were so excited to ride this ride. They were the pilots and thought it was the best thing ever.  Disneyland, you never disappoint!



Vi Moradi



Hyperspace Mountain is back open for a limited time in Tomorrowland.  

In DCA make sure you see Tale of the Lion King.  It was so good.  It is only in DCA until September 2nd.  It is on the Palisades Stage right by The Little Mermaid ride.  The show is 24 minutes.  I recommend seeing the evening show times.  We had dinner at Lamplight Lounge and caught the 7:10 pm show.  It was not so hot outside and it was enjoyable to sit on the ground and watch the show.  We all loved the show.  The performers are seriously amazing.


Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind is now open in DCA on Pixar Pier. It is the cutest ride.  Our fun glasses are from Sunstaches and you can read more about them here.





Mickey’s PhilharMagic is a great show and you can see it in DCA. It is also a great pass time when it is really hot outside. It is an animated 3D show in Hollywood Land. 

Speaking of the heat, it was really hot when we were there. So here are some helpful tips if you go when it is really hot. I recommend a spray bottle with water and battery operated fans. I made sure to pack 4 fans so each person had their own. The fans were so nice while we we were waiting in lines for rides or shows. 

Escaping the heat in Disneyland is a little tough during the Summer. There are not that many great spots, but here are a few: The Disney Gallery and Great Moments w/ Mr. Lincoln, The Main Street Cinema, the shops on Main Street, all of the shops are attached, so you can walk the length of Main Street (on both sides) in air conditioning, Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room (15 minute show in ice cold air conditioning & dole whips), The Golden Horseshoe (entertainment, food, and Root Beer Floats), Star Wars Launch Bay (you can meet some of the Star Wars characters here), Star Wars: Path of the Jedi (10 minute re-telling of the Star Wars saga), It’s a Small World and Pirates of the Caribbean (both rides are air conditioned), and if you want to really cool off and get wet there is always Splash Mountain. “Mickey and the Magical Map” at The Fantasyland Theatre across from it’s a small world, the show only happens on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. There is also the Disneyland Railroad (20-minute ride around Disneyland really helps to cool down) or you can see Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse inside their houses in Toontown which is in the AC. You can see the princesses in The Royal Hall in Fantasyland and that is also inside in the AC. 

In DCA there are so many places to go to keep cool. Disney Animation in Hollywood Land is a giant room with clips of Disney movies and music playing on big screens, Turtle Talk w/ Crush, Anna and Elsa’s Royal Welcome (where you can meet Anna, Elsa, Olaf and Kristoff), and the Sorcerer’s Workshop and the Animation Academy, where you can learn to draw a Disney character! You could spend hours in the Disney Animation building. We love this building as a family. Our favorite is learning to draw the Disney characters in the Animation Academy. In Hollywood Land you can also visit the Disney Junior Dance Party. It is so much fun. It has AC and you can sit and relax while your kids dance and see some of their favorite characters. The Hyperion Theater shows Frozen Live and it is a great show. The show is about an hour long. If you are really dying from the heat you can ride Grizzly River Run (water ride). I have never rode this ride. I really don't do water rides. The shops on Buena Vista Street are all attached to walk through (on both sides of the street) and are air conditioned. You can always visit The Grand Californian Hotel lobby (you can get there easily by using the special exit across from Grizzly River Run) and take a break.

Of course ice cream is the BEST way to cool off!


When you walk through Downtown Disney there are some beautiful displays.  Make sure you check them out.  Try to guess which character they are trying to display.

Mickey Mouse


Goofy, Chip, and Dale


Minnie Mouse


Donald Duck


Daisy Duck


Goofy


If you are an annual passholder they have a special area for AP holders where you can take a photo and grab a button.  The kids love doing this.



You can find this buddy pass at Toy Story Midway Mania and the Monster's Inc ride.  It allows parties of 1, 2 or small parties of 3 (if your little one can fit in one row) to enter through the exit and fill in the empty row.  Just ask a cast member before you get in line for a buddy pass and it is so convenient.  You can also get a fast pass, but I love the buddy pass for these two particular rides.  The buddy pass is only for these two rides in DCA.


You can also meet Bo Peep right now in front of Toy Story Midway Mania in DCA.  Throughout the day Woody, Buzz, and Bo Peep take turns coming out to take photos.


We love this ride!


We just love Disneyland!


Any guesses where this is at?


Did you know Aladdin (live action) and the animated classic are both being released on August 27th on DVD!  We can't wait!







 One of the mornings we decided to enjoy a character breakfast.  It was so much fun.  My favorite is inside Disneyland at the Plaza Inn, but we decided to try out Storytellers Cafe and it was so great!  We will definitely be back!  The character dining experiences just recently changed and you can click here to read that blog post.







 Ashley, we are so happy you came on this trip with us!  We had the best time with you!  Thank you for all of your help and we love you so very much!


I think that is it for now. I am working on a blog post all about Halloween time in Disneyland and DCA! It starts in just a couple weeks and it is my FAVORITE time of year. I am literally counting the days until our next trip.

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