"Ears" To the Holidays

When I was growing up – a long way away from Southern California in more ways than one – I went to Disneyland twice. That's two times. In about 30 years. And on my first trip, I was 6 months old. My dad traded his driver's license for one of the park's strollers, which was a relatively new invention back then. My second? I was a junior in high school.

So my life as a Southern Californian began as a Disneyland-starved adult, never quite getting my fill of swirling tea cups, space-themed roller coasters and over-the-top parades. My kids have the life I used to daydream about: Living within 60 miles of the Happiest Place on Earth. Of course, as an L.A. family we are also on a tight budget and don't always have the time or wherewithall to brave the 5 on a Saturday morning. So our treks to the park are carefully planned and quite measured. We've settled upon the holidays as our favorite time to make our big annual trek: When I need a dose of extreme holiday spirit and the kids feel as though they've been transported to our own version of the North Pole.

The park gets a holly-and-big-bow makeover this time of year, and the mood everywhere is infectious. The Haunted Mansion has enough Christmas "spirit" to haunt even the Scroogiest of visitors. The "A Christmas Fantasy" Parade routinely brings tears to my eyes, even when those silly reindeer walk by on two legs instead of four. The "Believe ... In Holiday Magic" show mixes fireworks and snow, and I still can't figure out how they get Tinkerbell to flit above Sleeping Beauty Castle. It's a Small World remains my all-time fave, and this DL standard gets decked out with snowflakes and Feliz Navidads-aplenty.

So part of your "tax" as a Southland family is to make the pilgrimage to this hallowed ground in Orange County. I recommend the holidays, but you have to find your own special schedule and create your own traditions.

In case you're in need of motivation, Disneyland Ambassador Danielle DuBois took a moment during my family's trip last weekend to chat with me about some of her favorite holiday treats and treasures in both Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure. Watch this, and see if you can resist (she had me at "giant, handmade candy canes.").

Getting Goofy for the Holidays

L.A. mom Karen Griffith (right) joined me for the mom blogger's day out at Disneyland with Kate (center) and Karen's children Danny and Katie.

Boy, Disneyland is decked out for the holidays! Our family enjoyed the new Disney Believe in Holiday Magic fireworks show (complete with falling "snow") as well as the decorations, the lively new "Tiana's Showboat Jubilee!", the visit with Santa at the Reindeer Roundup and all the other festive trappings.

And I was extremely happy to share it with the winner of my blog's Disneyland Holiday giveaway: L.A. mom Karen Griffith as well as her husband Chuck and two delightful kids, Katie and Danny.

Thanks to the hundreds of you who entered – and for all your great tips on visiting the park. Here's just a sampling of some great ones, which I was able to put to good use last weekend:

Because I'm a single mom of 2 I have to make sure we eat REALLY good before getting to park.  So, I'll make a big breakfast to fill us up. I make sandwiches and pack snacks & drinks and leave it in the car in an ice chest. I bring extra clothes in case we get too wet and want to change or if it gets cold and we need to add layers. Then we just have a great time together all day at the park.
– Kim Kingi, L.A.

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1. Get to the park before it opens to get in line for the entrance.
2. Go straight to the Disney Fairies section for pictures (avoid lines this way).
3.  Then we go straight to the Disney Princess area for pictures (avoid lines again).
4.  When the park opens until noon is the best time for the picture areas and to get on the more popular rides.
– Melanie Stoa, San Pedro

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1. Pack snacks (for when your standing in those long lines with the kids)
2. Wear sneakers (we may live in CA, but there are always tons of people at Disneyland stomping on the toes!)
3. Go into the day knowing you WILL have to stand in line and just enjoy the atmosphere!
– Sandy Jacobs, Long Beach

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Our family purchased annual passes a few years back and really enjoyed using them.  My husband and I sat the kids down and told them that since we had the passes we would be going to Disneyland more often, which meant it wasn’t such a “once-in-a-lifetime” event anymore.  This enabled us to save money on souvenirs and such because just going so frequently was the treat. We also packed lunches for our Sunday trips, which saved a ton of money.  We would spend minimal money on snacks and drinks during the day, and leaving the park to grab food gave us a nice break and rest, gearing us up to finish off our evening at the park. One trick we found for our favorite ride at California Adventure, California Screamin’, was to get in line as single riders.  My husband, myself and our oldest daughter did this a lot, and it allowed us to ride several times in a row without waiting very long.
– Michelle Perez, Burbank

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My favorite tip is to snack use the lockers outside of the entrance for your cooler and picnic at the tables nearby during lunch to avoid the high cost of Disneyland restaurants.
– Joy, L.A.

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1. Freeze some Capri-sun drinks to put in the cooler instead of using ice packs. Water bottles will work, too.
2. Go to Disney's California Adventure to pick up a Guest Assistance Card (GAC) for our son who is autistic. The line is so much shorter than going to Disneyland's City Hall. (Our son is not able to wait 30 to 45 minutes for a ride. We still have to wait with the GAC, just not as long.) Can use only if you have a park hopper ticket or an annual pass.
3. Bring in some tuna sandwiches(one per person) in the cooler with our water. It makes a good lunch with a bag of chips. That way we only spend money for dinner at Disneyland.
– Inez Arakaki, Alhambra

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My family loves going to Disneyland! One tip for visiting the park is definitely utilizing the fast pass to optimize your riding time. You get a fast pass for the ride that has longest line first, and then go ride other rides with shorter lines while waiting for your fast pass time. If you keep doing that throughout the day then you should have no problem getting to all of your favorite rides!  Also, I have a tip for coffee drinkers. If you buy coffee at the Market House on Main Street, save your receipt! You can go back any time throughout the day, show them your receipt from earlier and you can get a free coffee! You don't need to hold onto the cup, just the receipt.
– Tyava Winborne, L.A.

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Our family tip is to stay at the Disneyland Hotel if at all possible. You can get in the park an hour earlier than the general public and you can also go back to your room for naps, snacks etc.
– Karen Piolatto, Newhall

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We usually pack some drinks snacks (bottles of water, raisins, nuts, cheese sticks, 100-calories crackers packs, drinkable yogurt, etc ...) to save on meals. That way we would only buy two meals if we visit the whole day. We also get there when the park opens and rush to the attractions that later on the day will get busy, like Peter Pan's Flight, princesses, Pixie Hollow, Finding Nemo, etc. During busy hours, we usually visit attractions like the Monorail, King Arthur's carousel, Inoventions...
– Madeline Ivette Tyler, Long Beach

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1. Hang out in the Town area near the entrance and get pictures with Disney characters.
2. Try a turkey leg.
3. Pack healthy snacks and bottled water.
4. Grab a fast-pass for your favorite ride early (Space Mountain, Indiana Jones, etc) and return at the designated time later in the day.
5. Grab a seat early to enjoy the parade or fireworks show.
– Gabriel Ortega, South Pasadena

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Our youngest son is Autistic & on a special diet (gluten & dairy free).  Upon entering the park go to guest relations & ask for a special needs pass.  For my son, this allows us to avoid the long wait in lines with the crowds & avoid a meltdown. Call ahead and find out which restaurants serve gluten-free food.  A real time saver when planning your day.
– Michelle Del Rosario, Orange

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1. We all wear the same color shirts; usually orange or yellow.
2. We buy our nick knacks early and put them in the lockers so we are not exhausted and shopping at the end of the day with everyone else.
3. I bring high protein snacks to keep energy up like almonds & cheese sticks. They really work.
4. The shop next to Splash Mountain has some of the best priced merchandise.
– Monika Verdugo, Simi Valley

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Sometimes, my husband & I would "sneak" down to Disneyland during the day while the kids were at school and have lunch at the Blue Bayou after riding the Pirates of the Carribean ride... it was a BLAST!!!
– Diana Holliday, L.A.

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