Why You Need to Visit Disneyland - Right Now

Magical Travel (the travel agency that I work for) is currently running a great Disneyland Promotion. This promotion inspired me to let you know why you need to visit the original Disney park, Disneyland!  I know the castle there is smaller (but size isn't everything, did you know that you can go in Disneyland's castle!) but the magic at Disneyland Resort is the same, if not better. Here are my year-round, 7 reasons why need to go visit Disneyland - right now! 



Disneyland is Walt's Park
Disneyland is the park that Walt Disney built. It is the park that Walt Disney built, stepped inside of and got to enjoy (Walt unfortunately passed away before the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World was completed). Disney fans will appreciate being able to walk in Walt's footsteps and see the light in his apartment that is always kept on.

Sleeping Beauty's Castle at Disneyland Park

Little to No Planning Involved
Unlike Walt Disney World, where Advance Dining Reservations are a must at 180-days in advance and FastPass+ are required 60-days in advance, Disneyland requires very little planning. And the planning that is required, isn't 6-months in advance! Because of this a Disneyland vacation is more spontaneous and less overwhelming. Disneyland Dining opens 60-days in advance and MaxPass and FastPass+ are planned once you're in the park!  Disneyland is a much more relaxed, not overbooked vacation. Many of my Walt Disney World travelers feel as though they've booked their days in full and won't be able to change their mind about things - this is not the case at Disneyland.

Walking directions at Downtown Disney.

Convenience
All of the Disneyland Resorts (Disney's Grand Californian Resort and Spa; Disneyland Hotel and Disney's Paradise Pier) are within walking distance of both of the parks! Downtown Disney is right outside of the theme parks! Everything is super convenient to get to and doesn't require an hour of transportation time - unlike Walt Disney World where a majority of the resorts require a bus, monorail and/or boat to get to the theme parks. The two Disneyland theme parks are also more intimate as well - less walking around during your day. And get those Park Hopper Tickets because both of the parks are within walking distance of each other! This allows you to maximize your time at the parks - if something has a short wait but it is in a different park, no worries, you can be there in 10 minutes!

Disneyland Hotel

Weather
The weather in Southern California is generally much nicer than the weather in Florida - especially in the summer! Disneyland was built in Southern California "where it never rains." In 2017, Anaheim got just 8.64 inches of rain compared to Lake Buena Vista's 48.33 inches! The average high for Anaheim is 79° compared to Lake Buena Vista's  84°! California is also a lot less humid than Florida. Sounds like pleasant weather is in store for your theme park days!

Disneyland's Space Mountain attraction vehicles.

The Same, but Different
There are a lot of repeat attractions at both parks - Haunted Mansion; Splash Mountain; Space Mountain; and Pirates of the Caribbean - just to name a few. But guess what, these attractions are actually different at both parks! In my personal opinion, the better version of the attraction is usually at Disneyland! Don't believe me? Go see for yourself! There are also a lot of unique attractions and lands that are unique to Disneyland. For example, the wonderfully themed Cars Land - it feels like you're walking into the Cars movies - at Disney California Adventure! Some of the unique attractions at Disneyland are the fun Monsters, Inc.; Indiana Jones Adventure; Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout!; and the Matterhorn Bobsleds (a Disneyland classic) just to name a few! Don't forget about all of the shows, parades and nighttime entertainment (World of Color) that are completely different at Disneyland!  I know food is a big part of travel too, the food at Disneyland Resort is some of the best theme park food I've ever had (this includes Walt Disney World!).

Pixar Play Parade

Special Events
Like Walt Disney World, Disneyland has their own special events to make your trip more magical! This includes Disneyland's very own Halloween parties and Holiday fun! Right now, the special event is Pixar Fest - something completely and totally unique to Disneyland Resort that celebrates all things Pixar. If you are a fan of the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival, you should really try out the Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival!

Southern California Beach

Southern California
If Disneyland is not convenient for you to get to for just a long weekend trip or you'd like to make a week long trip out of it - there is plenty for you to do! Aside from the two theme parks at Disneyland Resort and Downtown Disney, there is so much for you to do in Southern California! You can get the SoCal CityPass as your ticket for your Disneyland Vacation Package allowing you to see multiple attractions. This ticket gets you into 3 awesome attractions for one great price - One 3-Day Disneyland® Resort Park Hopper® ticket for Disneyland® Park and Disney California Adventure® Park (includes one Magic Morning admission to a designated Disneyland® Resort Theme Park); One day at LEGOLAND® California Resort; and One day at SeaWorld® Adventure Park. Do you like sports? The Los Angeles Angels baseball stadium; the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball stadium; the Los Angeles Lakers basketball arena and more are a close drive away! We went and saw a Dodgers game during our last visit to Disneyland.  Disneyland is also close to some fantastic beaches (another thing we did on our last trip).  

Disney California Adventure

If you've done Walt Disney World several times and are looking for something different, Disneyland is a great option. Have only done Walt Disney World once but think it is too soon to go back - Disneyland is your answer. Miss Walt Disney World but only have a long weekend to go? Disneyland is your answer! Whatever your hold up may be, Disneyland is your answer!

To book your Disneyland vacation, email me at lauren@magicaltravel.com or you can use this fast and easy form to request a free, no obligation quote!

As a Disney Vacation Planner, I'll help you plan the most magical Disneyland vacation - all for free! You won't pay one penny more by booking with me but you'll get personalized help and advice from someone that will get to know you, your wants and your travel plans (which you’re not going to get if you book on your own or direct with Disney)!  

Just a few of the few things I'll do for FREE: help to find you the perfect Resort for your stay; I'll help you make your Dining Reservations and Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique Reservations; book any tours or unique experiences; help you with FastPass+ and MaxPass; and send you tips and tricks to get the most out of your vacation investment!  

Plus my clients that book a Disneyland vacation package get a FREE DISNEY GIFT CARD and more! With all of these perks from me, you're bound to have a magical vacation!

Why You Should Visit Walt Disney World

Have you been considering a Walt Disney World Resort vacation? Haven't taken the plunge yet, and placed your $200 deposit down yet? This article is for you and why you book that Walt Disney World vacation today!

For the Kids

Seeing the magic through your kid's eyes.

This is the number one reason why families come to Walt Disney World.  So the kids, grandkids, nieces, nephews, etc. can visit in a world where their best friends live. Whether those friends are the gang from Disney Junior; tElsa and Anna; a Pixar character; or a Disney Princess - going to Walt Disney World means your children will get to meet their friends.  The reactions children have when they finally get to meet or see these friends, is something you don't want to miss.  Plus, taking children to Walt Disney World also allows them to be in a world where they are in awe with how magical everything is.  From seeing Cinderella's Castle for the first time to being so close to a giraffe and elephant you could almost touch them - these will be moments your children nor you will forget.


Everyone Can be a Kid
Sure, "you're going for the kids." But, let's be honest for a second, you're going to be just as excited as they are (if not more) about your Walt Disney World vacation.  As soon as you pass through the gates, and the outside world disappears, so do your worries and stresses. Everyone gets excited to see "the castle" and their favorite Disney characters. The best part about going to Walt Disney World is the unique way that everyone, no matter what your age is, gets to be a kid again (the good parts of being a kid that is).  Just try to get off Splash Mountain without laughing - it is pretty much impossible. And I dare you to try not have a good time on Toy Story Mania trying to get the best score!  Plus, where else can Dad get away with wearing a Goofy hat or Minnie Mouse ears? Walt Disney World Resort also has world-class spas and golf courses for those days off from the park for the adults too!

Mouse ears, not just for kids.

The Food

When you think theme park food, perhaps visions of cheeseburgers, chicken nuggets and corn dogs dance into your head? Well, that is partly true at Walt Disney World. Sure, you can find these American staples, but you can also find so much more . For example, at Epcot you can food from all over the world. And that is if Epcot isn't hosting the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival. If they are, you can find more diversity than normal. On average (when Epcot isn't hosting a festival), there are 11 countries represented with restaurants, attractions, shopping and more. Taking Walt Disney World guests on a world-wide culinary adventure, in only 1.2 miles.


What may typically deter people from vacationing, food allergies, is why people choose Walt Disney World for their family vacations over other locations.  They know they will be safe.  Walt Disney World Resort is one of the leaders in how food allergies should be approached by the service industry.  At Table-Service restaurants (when indicated on your reservation or told to your server), a chef will come to your table and personally discuss with the table what is safe to eat and what is not.  At Quick-Service restaurants, there are specialized menus letting you know what is safe to eat and what is not; along with specially trained Cast Members to help you make a safe selection. Disney also has their own food-allergy friendly line of prepackaged, snack food for those whom are looking for gluten-free, nut-free and other allergy friendly products.

The Resorts
Some people think that the fun ends when they leave the parks at night. When you stay at a Walt Disney World resort, the fun never stops! The Walt Disney World Resorts have fun themed pools; nightly movies held outdoors (whether permitting); Character Dining Experiences; and various types of activities held throughout the day to ensure your stay is truly magical.  There are also three different categories of resorts - Deluxe, Moderate and Value - ensuring there is a fit for your budget and family's needs.  If you want to stay where you can watch animals on the savannah or perhaps the Magic Kingdom fireworks right from your own personal balcony - a Deluxe Resort is the right fit for you.

Disney's Wilderness Lodge - A Deluxe Resort

Planning to spend as little time as possible in your room since you'll be maximizing your time at the theme parks? The Value resorts are a great, budget friendly option for you.  No matter what category of resort you decide to stay at, you can be assured that you're staying as close as you possibly can to the theme parks with short trips to get back to theme parks. Traveling with a large family? There are rooms designed for families that have more than 4 members so you don't have to split up into two rooms. Want to stay in a Disney-fied room? They have those too!

Stay in the middle of the magic by staying in a Disney themed room at Disney's Art of Animation

Disney Magic
Some of the best things about a Disney vacations are the small acts of Disney Magic. Whether it be as grand as being selected as the Magic Kingdom Family of the Day to something as small as getting a button recognizing your child's birthday (which then leads to a special day of being told Happy Birthday by everyone who sees the button), these acts of Disney Magic make a Disney vacation truly stand out from any other. Being a Disney Vacation Planner, I take pride in knowing that the Disney Magic starts with me and I can't wait to pass it along to my clients before they even start their vacations!

Stress Free Vacation -

Disney's Magical Express

When you stay at a Walt Disney World resort, it is a very stress- free experience. Let's start with the complimentary transportation. When you fly into the Orlando International Airport, Disney's Magical Express will take you from the airport directly to your hotel! No worries about a rental car; about getting lost; or turning on the wrong highway, etc. Disney takes care of all the driving for you - even grabbing your checked-bags for you and delivering them right to your room! Getting the parks is a breeze with the complimentary theme park transportation! And the best part is that it runs every 20 minutes! (Most off-site resorts have scheduled transportation that only runs in the morning and at night when the parks close, creating a stressful environment of worrying that you'll miss your ride!). The Disney Dining Plan also makes it stress free by not having to worry if you've budgeted enough for food for the entire trip!

All Inclusive Vacations
As I mentioned above, the Disney Dining Plan can make your vacation stress-free by not having to worry about budgeting for food.  The Disney Dining Plan allows for family's to prepay for your meals. So when you get on property, you don't have to spend any extra on food than what you've already spent! Thanks to the Disney Dining Plan there aren't any surprises in what things cost!  Similar to resorts, there are three different types of dining plans to add onto your vacation - a Quick Service Plan; the Standard Plan; and a Deluxe Dining plan. This means there is a dining plan that will fit your family's needs and budget! By adding the Dining Plan to your vacation, you don't have to worry when someone wants the most expensive item on the menu - it is taken care of!

Pandora - World of Avatar


Walt Disney World's newest themed land is opening at Disney's Animal Kingdom this summer. (This spring technically since summer doesn't officially start until June).  Pandora - World of Avatar is scheduled to open May 27th - with annual passholder previews being held for two weeks prior.  This new land promises to be a truly outstanding world, beyond what we could ever imagine. Since Joe Rohde is one of the lead Disney Imagineers behind this project, I certainly believe it.  Whatever this man touches turns into Disney gold (think Disney's Aulani in Hawaii, Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park, and the Mexico Pavilion at Epcot to name a few) and I don't see this project being any different. An extra bonus for those that book their Walt Disney World Resort vacations between May 27 - July 4, 2017: Guests staying at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels can explore Pandora – The World of Avatar beyond regular Park hours with Nightly Extra Magic Hours held every night! The Nightly Extra Magic Hours will take place from 11 p.m.-1 a.m. only in Pandora – The World of Avatar. This offering will provide Guests with an additional opportunity to enjoy everything this new land has to offer – including navigating a mystical river, flying on a back of a banshee and walking under floating mountains.

Ready to book your Walt Disney World Resort vacation? Email me - lauren@magicaltravel.com - a Disney Vacation Planner. 

As a Disney Vacation Planner, I'll help you plan the most magical vacation - all for free! You won't pay one penny more by booking with me but you'll get more help and advice than you would if you booked on your own.  

Just a few of the few things I'll do for FREE: help to find you the perfect Walt Disney World Resort; I'll make your Advance Dining Reservations and Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique Reservations; make your FastPass+ selections; and free tips and tricks!  

Plus my clients that book a vacation package get a free Disney Gift card and more! With all of these things from me, and all of the great things happening at Walt Disney World in 2017 - you're bound to have a magical vacation!