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Vacation Planning Tips for the Disneyland Resort, a World-Class Family Vacation Destination

Guests visiting the Disneyland Resort will enjoy special moments, and create unforgettable memories with their friends and families in 2017.Beloved nighttime spectaculars, immersive attractions and entertainment offer countless ways for guests to make the most of their vacations at the Happiest Place on Earth. There are plenty of tips for guests as they plan to stay and play at Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure Park, the three on-site hotels and Downtown Disney.

PLAN

  • Official Disneyland App – The official Disneyland App offers useful information right at a guest’s fingertips, including attraction wait times, FastPass return times, maps, entertainment guides and other special features. Guests may also use the app to purchase tickets with their mobile device, look for character appearances in the park and find park hours. Details are available here.
  • Disney Vacation Planning DVD – Guests are invited to preview the magical experiences that await their next Disneyland Resort Vacation with a library of informative videos. To order a Disney Vacation Planning DVD, go to www.DisneyPlanning.com
  • Disneyland Express – Just 30 miles from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and just 15 miles from John Wayne Airport (SNA), Disneyland Resort offers the Disneyland Express for easy bus transfer to the resort. Disneyland Resort Express also provides convenient transportation to Anaheim area hotels.
  • Dining Reservations – To make the most of vacation time, guests may make dining reservations in advance at the resort’s award-winning restaurants. Special dining packages offer guests a full-course meal and reserved viewing for the Main Street Electrical Parade at Disneyland and “World of Color” at Disney California Adventure. “For reservations, guests may call 714-781-DINE or email a date, time and contact information to dine@Disneyland.com. Guests may also book a table online at Disneyland.com.
  • Social Media – Keep up with the latest updates about the Disneyland Resort at DisneyParksBlog.com, where guests may also get behind-the-scenes looks at the parks, resort hotels and Downtown Disney. For planning tips and fun facts, follow @Disneyland on Twitter. Guests may also engage with Disneyland on Facebook and Instagram.
  • In-Park Social Media – While at the resort, guests may follow @DisneylandToday on Twitter for information about Disneyland, Disney California Adventure, Downtown Disney and the resort hotels with live updates and answers.

STAY

  • Stay in the Magic – Guests discover many special benefits when they stay at one of three Disneyland Resort hotels: the classic Disneyland Hotel and luxurious Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa – both AAA Four Diamond properties – and the sunny California beachfront-themed Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel.
  • Extra Magic Hour – Early Admission to the Parks – Guests staying at any Disneyland Resort hotel may enjoy Extra Magic Hour entry into Disneyland or Disney California Adventure one hour before the parks open to the public. This opportunity is good for the length of a guest’s stay, with designated days for each park. To check availability, daily times and additional information, visit Disneyland.com and click on “Park Hours.” (Valid theme park admission and active hotel room key required.)
  • Grand Location – Guest staying at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa enjoy an exclusive entrance to Disney California Adventure through the hotel. Nearby, guests also enjoy the Downtown Disney District, with its eclectic mix of entertainment, dining and shopping opportunities.
  • Storybook Vacation – At Disneyland Resort hotels, guests have the opportunity to share a meal and laughs with favorite Disney characters, relax by sparkling pools and enjoy a night on the town complete with dinner at one of several award-winning restaurants.
  • Convenience and Legendary Service – Guests who stay at Disneyland Resort Hotels are treated to exclusive conveniences throughout their stay, including a Key to the Magic card for charging meals and merchandise to the guest room. The Package Express service delivers resort merchandise purchases right to a guest’s hotel. Hotel guests are treated to the legendary Disney guest service throughout their vacation.
  • Multi-generational travel and large parties – Many families enjoy traveling to the Disneyland Resort with family members of multiple generations, or with family reunions. The Hotels of the Disneyland Resort welcome multi-generational travelers and large parties, offering 88 suites that sleep eight, and 36 suites that sleep 6 (not including the signature suites). Some of the suites connect to adjacent suites to accommodate the larger parties.
  • Great Value – Guests can find great value in multiple-day tickets and vacation packages at the Resort hotels, or at nearby Good Neighbor hotels, by purchasing online. The latest special offers are available at Disneyland.com/offers.

PLAY

  • Disney FastPass Service – FastPass allows guests to maximize their time in the park by reserving a specific time window to enjoy their favorite attractions. When guests return during that time, they enjoy a shorter line reserved for FASTPASS holders. Guests are encouraged to pick up FastPass tickets early for favorite attractions such as Radiator Springs Racers.
  • Disney PhotoPass Service PhotoPass Photographers at character, dining and special locations throughout the park ensure that everyone gets in the photo. Guests may link, view and purchase photos at Disneyland.com or directly from the Disneyland App.
  • “A Walk in Walt’s Footsteps” Tour – Guests may follow in the footsteps of the man whose vision and creativity brought Disneyland park to life, Walt Disney. This 3 ½-hour guided tour covers the life of Walt Disney and stories behind the magic of Disneyland. To book this, or other tours offered by Disneyland Resort, call (714) 781-TOUR (8687).
  • Charging Lockers – Guests re-charge their batteries and get back to the fun in no time when using special lockers on Main Street, U.S.A. in Disneyland Park and Buena Vista Street in Disney California Adventure Park that include options for traditional AC outlet or specialized chargers for electronic devices.
  • Parent “Rider Switch” – A theme-park “rider switch” policy gives both parents a chance to enjoy their favorite attractions without double the wait. A parent who waits with a young child while the other parent rides the attraction may board the ride with minimal wait time once the first parent exits. Guests may ask a cast member about this option.
  • Enjoy the shows and entertainment – Oftentimes, children enjoy live entertainment and stage shows for the first time at the Disneyland Resort. Families may choose from multiple shows in the daily Show Entertainment Guide (available at the main entrance gate and at Guest Relations centers). These include parades, character encounters and  shows such as “Disney Junior – Live on Stage” (Disney California Adventure) and “Mickey and the Magical Map” (Disneyland). Guests also may encounter performers and singers as they stroll through the parks, including the Dapper Dans at Disneyland, and Five and Dime at Disney California Adventure.
  • Character Dining – Character dining is a great way to introduce youngsters to Disney characters. At select locations, a cast of characters will visit guests at their tables. For reservations, call 714-781-DINE. Another tip: Many Disney restaurants offer children’s menus.
  • Healthful Dining Options – While special treats are part of the Disney fun, families can also choose nutritious snacks such as nuts, trail mix and fresh fruit from outdoor carts. Kids meals come with fruit or vegetables on the side, along with juice, water or low-fat milk. Fries and soda are available upon request, at no additional cost. Look for the Mickey Check symbol on menus, indicating the best nutritional choices for children.
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Disney Reveals The Secret Connections Between Every Pixar Film

The Internet is full of fan theories detailing how the entire Pixar universe is somehow linked.

Now, Disney has pulled back the curtain to show that there’s more than a little truth behind the theories.

Full Story & Video

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NEW ARTISANAL MENU AND ELEVATED FLAVORS DEBUT AT GASPARILLA ISLAND GRILL AT DISNEY’S GRAND FLORIDIAN RESORT & SPA

After a recent refurbishment, Gasparilla Island Grill at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa has reopened with a new menu. Elevated flavors, artisanal ingredients and great attention to detail can be found through each station – hot sandwiches and pizzas, the sandwich and salad bar and coffee and dessert.

At the Sandwich Bar, each sandwich is assembled per order, keeping the bread – which is baked fresh in house daily – perfectly crusty. Guests can enjoy fresh, high-quality ingredients including Tillamook Cheddar on the smoked ham sandwich, Florida orange vinaigrette on the roasted turkey, thick slices of Mozzarella on the grilled vegetable sandwich and roast beef with horseradish. And, each sandwich is served with house-made chips.

Guests can also create their own salad at the salad bar, topping it off with flank steak or marinated chicken. At breakfast, the salad bar becomes a yogurt bar allows guests to build parfaits with toppings such as fresh fruits, granola and bananas in a decadent caramel sauce.

Pizzas are served on dough made in-house daily. Guests can choose from sausage and Mozzarella, fire-roasted tomatoes with basil pesto and a three-cheese blend, or the chicken and mushroom. For hot sandwiches your Clients can indulge in the artisanal burger, featuring 7 ounces of a signature beef blend, bacon and Cheddar cheese on a freshly-baked Brioche bun. Other options include a Mahi Mahi “Ruben,” featuring house-made cabbage slaw on marble Rye bread, or the chicken and Brie, a delicious twist on Cordon Bleu – with ham, spinach, raspberry mustard on a Brioche bun.

Finally, guests can enjoy specialty coffees and delicious baked goods, pastries and sweets including Coconut Pot de Crème, Almond Fruit Tart, Chocolate Mousse Pie, Mickey Brownie, Minnie Mouse Cupcake and assorted cookies and other sweet treats.

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Photos – Muppets Great Moments in American History Show at Liberty Square

Take a look at some photos of the Muppets Great Moments in American History Show at Liberty Square in Magic Kingdom.

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Walt Disney Animation Studios MOANA on Digital HD Feb. 21 and Blu-ray March 7

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Moana, the sweeping story of a spirited teenager who sets sail on a daring adventure to save her people, starring newcomer Auli‘i Cravalho as the voice of brave and tenacious Moana and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson (HBO’s “Ballers,” “Central Intelligence”) as the larger-than-life demigod Maui, has dazzled both critics and audiences. The film earned a 95% critics’ consensus on Rotten Tomatoes and the No. 1 spot at the domestic box office opening weekend. Now, “Moana” sets a new course, sailing home on Digital HD/3D and Disney Movies Anywhere (DMA) on Feb. 21, and on Blu-ray 3D™, Blu-ray, DVD and On-Demand on March 7.

Moana Gone Fishing Clip

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Woody Harrelson Reveals ‘Han Solo’ Character Details

Last week it was revealed that Woody Harrelson would be joining the cast of Phil Lord and Chris Miller‘s Star Wars standalone movie focusing on the origin story of Han Solo. At the time we had a few guesses as to who the Oscar-nominated actor might be playing, and Woody is speaking publicly about his upcoming role, providing some clues to his role in the second Star Wars Story.

Full Story

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Planet Hollywood Observatory Menu

Take a look at the menu for Planet Hollywood Observatory at Disney Springs Menu.

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MARVEL STUDIOS ‘DOCTOR STRANGE’ on Digital HD Feb. 14 and Blu-ray Feb. 28

 
From Marvel Studios comes Doctor Strange, the story of world-famous neurosurgeon Dr. Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch), whose life changes forever after a horrific car accident renders his hands useless. When traditional medicine fails him, he travels to the remote Kamar-Taj in search of a cure, but instead discovers the mystical arts and becomes a powerful sorcerer battling dark forces bent on destroying our reality. Bring Home The Mystifying, Mind-Bending Journey on Digital HD Feb. 14 and Blu-ray™ Feb. 28.
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Photos – Fantasy Faire Stage Show at Magic Kingdom

Take a  look at some photos of the new Fantasy Faire Stage Show at Magic Kingdom.

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Will Disney World Start Charging for FastPass?

Disney has a new way to milk a little more spending money out of some of its guests at its original California resort. The theme-park giant unveiled Disney MaxPass on Wednesday, a new option that will allow guests at Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure the ability to use mobile devices to make reservations for expedited FastPass queues.

Full Story

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