Disneyland Tips – Castles, Characters, and Crayons

For the first time, Disneyland is offering guests an exclusive, after hours event for the Holiday Season. Here are the most important details that you need to know if you plan on attending this year or if you are considering buying tickets in the future.

Your ticket to Merriest Nites grants you entry to Disneyland Park (not California Adventure) starting at 5:00pm. During that day, other guests can still remain in the park, so this will be the most crowded time. All rides, attractions and food options will be open during that time, an important note, since Galaxy’s Edge, Toontown and Critter Country close at 7:00 pm. At that time, the Park will officially close for anyone who is not attending the event. From 7:00-8:00pm, party guests can go on rides, make mobile orders for most restaurants, and check out the exclusive photo spots (although only some photo locations will have characters or PhotoPass photographers available until 8:00pm). Once 8:00pm hits, guests can enjoy attractions with significantly shorter wait times, meet rare characters, purchase party exclusive food items, and choose from a variety of entertainment. All Photopass photos are included with the ticket, but food, drinks, and merchandise are a separate cost. The event runs until midnight.

Ticket prices range from $165-$175 per person. So the big question is, is this event worth the cost?

In my opinion, the answer depends on your expectations and goals for the event.

RIDES: Are you hoping to ride nearly every attraction in the Park with little to no wait? This party is the perfect way to do that!

While the most popular attractions like Haunted Mansion Holiday and Peter Pan’s Flight had 10-15 minute waits (compared to an hour or more during normal operating hours), all of the attractions we visited had no line at all. If you take advantage of the time before the event starts, you should have enough time to enjoy most if not all of the attractions which are closed during the event (Smuggler’s Run, Splash Mountain, Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin, Gadget’s Go Coaster, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, and the Disneyland Railroad).

CHARACTERS: Would you like to take photos with and speak to rare characters? This party is fantastic for character fans!

This event featured many characters who had never been seen before in Disneyland, including Scrooge McDuck and Goofy as Marley from Mickey’s Christmas Carol, Sandy Claws Jack Skellington, Hans and the Duke of Weselton, Santa Stitch and Lilo, as well as other characters in special outfits or photo backdrops. Compared to events in the past, I found the PhotoPass lines to be organized and efficient. Cast Members worked hard to ensure that guests were ready to take their photos and photographers quickly snapped 2 photos per group to keep the lines moving. I also noticed many more photographers on Main Street USA and near the castle, offering guests more options to make the most of their PhotoPass.

MUPPETS: Are you a Muppet fan? Would you like to see the Muppets perform in person? This party is incredible if you love the Muppets!

Several times throughout the night, the Muppets (yes, the REAL Muppets) perform a Christmas carol sing-a-long at the end of Main Street USA. All of your favorite characters make an appearance, including Kermit, Miss Piggy, Gonzo, Fozzie, Pepe, Sam Eagle and chickens! While the voices and music are pre-recorded, the talented puppeteers are cleverly concealed within the Disneyland Omnibus. The performance includes witty Muppet humor and high energy dancing from all of the characters. It honestly felt like watching a Muppet movie in person, and I loved every minute of it. As a big Muppet fan, this was the main reason I attended this event, and it was worth it to me to see this show three separate times throughout the night. If you are a casual Muppet fan, I still recommend watching the show.

How does this party compare to what’s offered at Walt Disney World?

In the past, I have been able to enjoy Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and an After Hours event at the Magic Kingdom. While the short ride time and rare character experiences were very similar, the biggest difference is that the Disneyland version does NOT include any food or drink items. While the options have been modified in 2021, both Magic Kingdom parties included unlimited snacks and beverages in various forms. In contrast, the Disneyland event only offered food and drink options that were an extra cost. While some of these items were event exclusive and delicious (the dipping chocolate and waffles from Jolly Holiday Bakery was fantastic), you still were required to pay extra for them.

The other main difference is that the Walt Disney World events included an exclusive fireworks show and parade, while Disneyland only had their Christmas Fantasy parade which runs during normal park hours in the Holiday season.

Ultimately, you’ll need to decide which after hours event meets your family’s goals for your trip! As a local Disneyland Magic Key Pass Holder, I felt like this event was an extra special treat and a festive way to celebrate moving back to “normal” after a tough year. The Muppet performance was enough for me to justify the cost of the ticket, but I know that’s not the same for everyone.

If you’d like to watch a full video of the Muppet’s Christmas Caroling Coach, please check out our new YouTube channel HERE: In A Magical Mood

Disneyland Tips

Everything You Want to Know about Avenger’s Campus

June 17, 2021June 17, 2021 momjennyp

You don’t need to line up at 6am to get in!

There are 2 ways to get into the land. First, you can get a boarding pass for Web-Slingers, the amazing new Spider-Man themed attraction. You can try to get one at either 7am or noon, and it seems like you’ll have a better chance at noon.

If you’re not able to secure a boarding pass at noon, keep an eye on the stand-by line to enter the land. Usually by the late afternoon or evening, the line has disappeared.

Spider-Man’s Meet and Greet is just inside the main entrance to Avengers Campus

There are Avengers literally everywhere!

If there’s a character you’re hoping to find, just wait a few minutes. Spider-Man’s meet and greet is just by the land’s entrance, and be sure to check the Entertainment part of the Disneyland app to find out when he’ll be testing out his new suit’s aerodynamics! Keep an eye on the new Headquarters, we saw Black Panther scale the building, Black Widow kicked some bad guy butt, and even Iron Man and Captain America posing for photos. We also spotted Thor, Loki, and the Dora Milaje as we explored the land.

Keep an eye out for Spider-Man testing his new suit’s aerodynamics!

Try the food!

Chicken Shawarma from the Shawarma Palace Too

Don’t worry about the reviews, just order what sounds good to you! We really enjoyed the Impossible Spoonful with plant-based meatballs in pasta and the chicken shawarma, both had really nice flavors and textures. Our side of tater tots came out cold, but they were still good. My husband also ordered a side of the candied bacon, which he said was incredible, if you’re a bacon fan. We tried the beer flight from the Tasting kitchen, which was an average assortment of beers. Honestly I just wanted the adorable board and cups.

Pint-sized Pints Mini Beer Flight from Pym’s Tasting Lab

Tip: Walk over to the seating by the Hyperion Theater, there were tons of available tables both times we checked!

Impossible Spoonful from Pym’s Tasting Kitchen (includes miniature fork)

Be ready to get some sun! It’s very sunny, since those new trees haven’t grown in yet (except for the Hulk tree, of course)! Bring a hat and sunscreen, and be prepared for some heat!

There might be a reason that this tree is Hulk-sized compared to all the others

Skip the WEB Suppliers store inside the land and check out Studio 17 instead. This much larger and spacious store is just next to the Monsters Inc attraction. They have all of the same merchandise, with a little more elbow room.

Mysterious forces have warped the ground near Dr. Strange’s Sanctum

And I saved my best tip for last, Spider Bots! If your little one is begging you for a Spider Bot to take home and you’re not ready to pay $80 for one, there is a smaller, simpler model available for $25! You’re welcome!

Little ones will love this smaller (and more affordable) Spider Bot!

Have a great time on your adventure!

Disneyland Tips

Returning to Disneyland: What to Bring and My Biggest Tips

June 16, 2021 momjennyp

The Disneyland Resort is now open to everyone!

You’ve waited so long and you’re finally heading back to the Disneyland Resort! Things have likely changed a bit since your last visit, but there are some simple steps that you can take to have the Best Day Ever!

You probably pack snacks and jackets, but these 4 items will make your experience even better.

Be sure to bring:

1. Stick sunscreen: These compact sunscreen sticks fit easily into a purse or pocket, plus you can easily reapply throughout the day without getting your hands sticky or spraying aerosol onto everyone downwind. Bonus: it’s the easiest way to apply sunscreen on the faces of wiggly little ones.

2. Battery Charger: Between mobile ordering food, checking ride times on the Disneyland app, and taking photos, your phone battery may run out quickly. Bring a charger that can be used multiple times throughout the day, and be sure to charge it before you leave home!

3. Bring a water bottle: Don’t buy overpriced water bottles! You can find water refill stations and drinking fountains throughout the parks, plus quick service restaurants will gladly give you cups of water for free.

4. Alcohol-based hand sanitizing wipes: We are all very conscious of keeping clean right now! I use these wipes to clean our hands before we eat, wipe off tables or chairs with mysterious sticky residue, and clean our faces after messy treats. They also work well to clean your phone or sunglasses.

Okay, so now that you’ve packed the essentials, here’s what you can do to try to make the most out of your day now that Fast Passes aren’t available and everyone in the entire Park wants to eat lunch at the same time.

The newly refurbished Snow White’s Enchanted Wish is one of the most popular attractions.

1. Go on the most popular rides at the beginning or end of the day:

It sounds simple, but the first hour and last hour that the parks are open are the best times to hit up those lines that you know will stay long all day. I recommend deciding which big attractions your party can’t live without, and which ones you’re willing to wait in long lines. At Disneyland, we chose Snow White and Peter Pan first, because we knew that those lines would only get longer (and move slower) as the day went on. For our last hour, we hit up Splash Mountain (which only took about 15 minutes) and dashed into the Haunted Mansion queue 2 minutes before the park closed. Yes, as long as you are in line for an attraction before closing, you’ll be allowed to ride! At DCA, we rode Soarin’ first with only a 15 minute wait, then hit up Grizzly River Run before that line became unbearable in the heat.

Enjoy Grizzly River Run early on a hot day!

Line times will fluctuate throughout the day, but you will notice that the most popular attractions will stay long consistently. Prioritize your favorites, because it’s nearly impossible to ride everything and have enough time to eat without the help of Fast Passes.

Don’t wait too long to order your Mickey Beignet’s from the Mint Julep Bar

2. Plan your Mobile Orders early:

Speaking of food, be warned that most restaurants offer Mobile Ordering, and the prime time slots do fill up quickly. The day before you visit the parks, I suggest checking out all the menus on the Disneyland app. Look carefully, because your favorite menu items might not be available right now. Plan out your meals and snacks before you go, then put in your Mobile Orders once you’ve entered the Parks. I suggest planning for a morning and afternoon snack, as well as lunch and dinner. The great thing about Mobile Orders is that you can try to modify your order time if you change your mind, and if you don’t want your food at all, you won’t be charged if you don’t pick it up. Keep in mind that things change frequently, so be prepared to be flexible. For example, the Tropical Hideaway was only offering a standby line for orders but was full when we tried several times to get Dole Whips. They had also taken baos off the menu, much to my disappointment. Luckily, Mickey Ice Cream Bars were a delicious alternative.

A Mickey Ice Cream Bar is always an easy treat to find

Note: For Avenger’s Campus, you can only order an hour or two ahead of time and are required to be inside the land before placing a Mobile Order.

I hope these tips are helpful! Please remember to be kind to the hardworking Cast Members during this difficult time, when rules and regulations are changing constantly.

Have a magical trip!

Disneyland Tips

Rainy Days at Disneyland: Tips and Secrets

February 23, 2020July 22, 2020 momjennyp

A rainy day at Disneyland can be wonderful or miserable depending on your attitude and how much you’ve prepared for the puddles. Here are my best tips, and a couple of secrets that will make your day even better!

Tip 1: Wear a raincoat or waterproof jacket and rain boots! Your shoes will get soggy if they’re not waterproof, and the same goes for your spirit jersey.

Tip 2: Bring an umbrella and extra socks! If you have a stroller, use a stroller cover. I know that many people recommend draping ponchos or shower curtains over the stroller, but I learned the hard way that once a thin plastic poncho gets caught in your stroller wheel, there’s no way to untangle it. (We had to buy a new wheel for our stroller when this happened to me.) Amazon carries lots of reasonably priced stroller covers, and Disneyland even sells cute Mickey themed ones. You can find them at the stroller rental kiosk outside of Disneyland, or at the Newstand just inside the park (just inside the gates on the side closer to Downtown Disney)

Rain jackets are a must have on a rainy day!

Tip 3: Know which attractions are closed during the rain. Don’t be caught off-guard when Alice in Wonderland and Luigi’s Rollicking Roadster’s are closed even if the rain has stopped. Certain attractions need to be completely dry in order to operate safely. The Disneyland Official Website has a list that differs slightly from mine, but these are the rides that are typically closed due to the rain in my personal experience:

Disneyland:

-Alice in Wonderland

-Mad Tea Party

-Autopia

-Gadget’s Go Coaster

-Storybook Land Canal Boats

California Adventure:

-Luigi’s Rollicking Roadster’s

-Radiator Springs Racers

-Goofy’s Sky School

-Golden Zepyhr

-Jumpin Jellyfish

Now that you’re prepared for the wet weather, here are some fun secrets about rainy days in the parks.

Secret 1: Children and adults can enjoy splashing in puddles on Main Street. It sounds silly, but your child will probably love getting permission to splash in giant puddles in front of the castle. It makes for awesome pictures and wonderful memories. Luckily, you brought extra socks in case your child splashes a little too much.

Secret 2: Rainy days are the BEST time to ride Splash Mountain. You’re already prepared to get wet, so do it! Often times on rainy days, there is little to no wait for this popular attraction. In fact, we have had multiple visits where we were able to continue riding without leaving our log. As long as there aren’t people waiting to board and you ask nicely, the Cast Members will gladly let you ride again and again.

Secret 3: Characters who would normally be found outside have secret indoor meeting spots when it rains. You can find several princesses hiding at the exit of Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln (just next to the Mad Hatter Shop), the Dapper Dans serenading guests in Refreshment Corner, and Mickey himself in California Adventure at KIngswell Camera Shop. Since these meet and greets aren’t on the official app, you may be able to spend more time with the characters without waiting in a long line. Other indoor locations may host other characters unexpectedly, such as the Animation Academy and Star Wars Launch Bay.

Secret 4: We locals hate the rain and will usually avoid the Parks on those days, which means short lines! Lines will typically be short and stay short as long as it’s raining, so take advantage of it.

Rainy nights can lead to beautiful photos too

I hope you’re able to make some wonderful new memories if you find yourself at Disneyland on a rainy day! Leave me a comment and let me know if you’ve ever enjoyed some wet weather in the Parks!

Disneyland Tips

Rise of the Resistance: Tips for Getting a Boarding Pass

February 12, 2020July 22, 2020 momjennyp

Disneyland’s latest Star Wars attraction is the incredibly immersive and larger than life Rise of the Resistance. During this attraction, you will travel on several different space transports, come face to face with an army of stormtroopers, and try to escape from Kylo Ren. This ride definitely lives up to the hype that surrounds it.

Most Disney Park fans agree that this ride is amazing, which means there is a catch: there is no stand-by line like a traditional ride. Instead, you need to be inside Disneyland before it opens and use your phone to get a Boarding Pass for the virtual queue. It sounds complicated, but I have some helpful tips to make this process a little less stressful.

First, arrive early but not too early. If you are parking at the Disneyland Resort for the day, I recommend arriving at the Mickey and Friends or Pixar Pals Parking structure no earlier than 6:30 am for days when Disneyland opens at 8:00 am. This means that if you arrive at the structure at 6:00am, you will still have to wait for the lot to open. If the Park opens at 9:00 am that day, arrive no earlier than 7:30 am.

Second, visit on a weekday if you can. The parking lines, security lines, and main entrance lines will be significantly shorter on a weekday, which will make everything less stressful for you and your family!

Third, update your phone and the Disneyland Official App the night before you go. Bring a portable phone charger to keep your battery in good shape. You will receive notifications on your phone when it is your time to board the ride, there is no specific return time like a FastPass.

Fourth, before you arrive, be sure to delete any extra tickets or Annual Passes that may be on your account. If someone is not going to be getting a Boarding Pass with you that day, delete them (you can always add them later). When it’s time to get a Boarding Pass, you don’t want to waste time clicking through a long list of people.

Fifth, once you and your group have scanned into Disneyland before opening time, close all the windows and apps on your phone. Turn off Wi-fi and turn off AirDrop for iPhones. Stand in a spot that has good reception for your phone, whether that’s in the middle of the crowd or further away from people.

Last, open the Disneyland Official App one minute before Park opening. If possible, have someone help you count down so that you can try to hit the “Join Boarding Group” button as quickly as possible once it pops up. Try not to just hit the button repeatedly, as the screen will change once it’s ready. Only one person in your group should try to get Boarding Passes, it may cause an error if multiple people are trying to add the same passes and tickets at the same time.

One thing that has helped us to get early boarding passes (I’m talking being in the first group called almost every time) is to use the phone that is the most current, the fastest, and the most reliable. If someone in your group has a brand new phone, they will be your best bet since their phone may load the app more quickly.

I hope that these tips are helpful on your next Rise of the Resistance adventure! Let me know if any of these worked for you. If you have any other tips that you’d like to share, please leave a comment below!

May the Force be with you!

Category: Disneyland Tips

Disneyland’s Merriest Nites! Everything You Need to Know!

Everything You Want to Know about Avenger’s Campus

Returning to Disneyland: What to Bring and My Biggest Tips

Rainy Days at Disneyland: Tips and Secrets

Rise of the Resistance: Tips for Getting a Boarding Pass