travelBUG {DISNEYLAND TIPS~PART TWO}

DISNEYLAND rides that we LOVE:

Peter Pans Flight {even though the line is always long}
Buzz Lightyear’s Astro-Blaster {it’s always cold in there…gotta love that on a hot day}
Shooting Range in Frontierland {the boys love this and honestly I do too…it’s really fun}
Space Mountain
Thunder Mountain
Splash Mountain
We love all the “mountain rides” but they are usually not for little kids…be sure to get fast passes or use single rider lines if possible
Small World {great with the kids and babies can ride on laps}
The Train {this is my favorite way to get around the park and relax for a few minutes and if you get on at the Tomorrowland station you will see a Disneyland treasure of an old moving Dinosaur display behind glass that has been there a long time}

Storybook Land {it’s the boat ride that passes through the whales mouth in fantasy land…It’s cute and relaxing and again a baby can sit on your lap}

Mad Hatter’s Spinning Tea Cups {we don’t get motion sickness…so this ride is so fun for us}
Tom Sawyers Island {beautiful, fun, relaxing, exciting for kids…just a great hidden adventure in the middle of the park}
Pirates of the Caribbean {classic, fun, cool ride…yo ho yo ho a pirates life for me}
Matterhorn {it’s kind of jerky…but beautiful at night when the park is all lit up}
Astro Orbitor {we call this the Rocket ride…so fun}
Gadget’s Go Coaster  {the kids totally love this little ride in TOONTOWN}

Fantasmic {this one is a classic & never get’s old in my opinion}
We actually like the Abraham Lincoln show in the theater near the front of the park but I think it’s under construction currently. It’s always cooled off in there so we especially like it if its hot and our feet need a break!

DISNEYLAND food that we LOVE:
Big Thunder Ranch: a sit down buffet {it’s tucked away behind the Big Thunder Mountain ride and is an amazing all you can eat BBQ, cornbread, coleslaw, beans extravaganza…yum y’all…but very expensive so save your money for this one}

The Blue Bayou: a sit down restaurant {the restaurant inside of the Pirates of the Caribbean ride and you almost always need a reservation. the ambiance is like a beautiful outdoor restaurant in the south with chirping crickets and lanterns and delicious mint juleps…but again this one is also very expensive}
Cafe Orleans: a sit down restaurant {this place has the famous Monte Cristo sandwich that everyone talks about…it is richly decadent. i loved the salmon salad & they had great kid options…although Grant slept on my shoulder the whole meal when we went there last time…lovely shady setting too} Bengal Tiger Kabobs: walk-up/casual/to-go snack  {this little walk up stand is across the walk from the Indiana Jones ride and serves veggies, meat and yummy pretzel roles} Dole Whips: walk up casual to-go treat  {prepare yourself for a lightly whipped pineapple ice cream delight that is TO-DIE-FOR…and it’s cheap and delicious to boot…the line is just outside the Tiki Room and seems to always be very long…especially on hot days}

CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE rides that we LOVE:
Toy Story’s Mid-Way Mania {This is my ALL TIME FAVORITE ride…but consider yourself warned that the line is ALWAYS long so get in it early and bring snacks and get the rider switch if you can}
Soarin’ Over California {unlike anything that I have ever experienced…just awesome}
California Screamin’ {the best roller coaster ever}
Tower of Terror {not for the faint of heart…beautiful view at night…it will make your heart drop into your stomach in the most terrifying and thrilling way imaginable}
All three of the above rides have fast passes available and you will need a rider switch to do all of them if you have little ones; but note that they all have a single rider lines also
the Ariel ride {it’s darling…very old school in some ways but great if you love that sweet little mermaid}
Redwood Creek Challenge Trail {a great place for the kids to run around and quite a bit of shade for the grown-ups…its an unexpected spot of fun}
Cars Land {aka: Radiator Springs} {It’s awesome, very crowded and so similar to the movie it’s almost unreal. There are only a few rides in Radiator Springs but there are some great restaurants and you can often meet Lightning McQueen and Mator. If you want to go on the RACERS ride {the most popular ride in the park these days} you have to get in the fast pass line {near bug’s land} ASAP in the morning! This line can take an hour to wait in so grab your coffee and send someone to get your fast passes {make sure everyone has entered the park if you do this though or it won’t work}. You can use the rider switch to do this ride and many people I know have just done the single rider line {it will save you an hour or more to do this as some people wait almost two hours just to ride this one}

CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE shows that we LOVE:
World of Color {if you want to see this show you have to get fast passes as early in the day as you can even though it’s at night…you can eat as specific restaurants that allow you to get the fast pass if you purchase a certain amount of food but it is usually very pricey to do it so be prepared}. Once they run out of these passes you cannot get them and you won’t be able to watch the show. They only allow people to stop and watch in the area roped off for World of Color fast passes.
It’s Tough to be a Bug {in Bug’s Land…my kids who are 4 and 5 were scared last time…this may be more suitable for older kids and grow-ups like us who want to laugh and cool off from a hot day} Disney Junior — Live on Stage! {if your kids watch Disney Junior…and mine do…they will love this little show}
Pixar Parade {we have not gotten in to waiting for parades often but the kids keep asking…so I am sure that stage is coming soon!}

CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE food that we LOVE:
Carthay Circle Restaurant: sit down/ somewhat fancy {This beautiful art-deco spot in the center of the park was modeled after a theater that Walt Disney loved…you can read all about it online…and is perfect for a fancy meal or special occasion…the atmosphere is as spectacular as the food…we went there for our Christmas Dinner this year and let me just say that while very expensive…it was just AMAZING! They have a World of Color fast pass arrangement if you get a minimum amount of food so be sure to ask about that too…oh and you will of course need reservations for this one as well}
Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta: walk-up/casual/to-go or sit outside {At the very back of the park past Goofy’s coaster and near the jelly fish ride is this awesome hidden restaurant that serves amazing Italian pasta’s and salads. There is a great spot next store that serves several fabulous Mediterranean dishes as well. This has become our new favorite place to eat lunch or an early dinner}
Pacific Wharf area: walk-up/casual/to-go or sit down outside {There are several options for food at the pier including Asian cuisine, Mexican entree’s, margaritas & Soup in a bread-bowl delights and they are all yummo…secret hint: if you head towards Cars Land this area leads to a really cool path & view of Radiator Springs that you will be glad you checked out}
Cozy Cone Hotel: walk-up/casual/to-go snacks {These fun CONE concessions in cars land have great snacks like popcorn, ice-cream, etc. and are impossible to miss}
Ariel’s Grotto: sit down/buffet {this restaurant sometimes allows you to see most of the princesses during your meal. They actually come up to your table…we did this when Paige was 2 and loved it! It’s a set buffet that is like $30 per person but looks out over the water of the whole park. I heard it has changed and is now a place you can see the World of Color show. So check out the scoop on that when you get there or call ahead.}