It is considered one of Disney's Moderate properties, and is more often used for larger stays (given the convention center on property). But here you'll definitely feel like you are getting a great mix of stays - the price point of the Moderate properties but the value of the Deluxe properties.  And quite honestly, what keeps this hotel at its sweet price point is solely its location - everything else was just elite!​

So what do we mean with all these references to location? 

We made this stay another one where we completely immersed ourselves in what the resort had to offer. ​

The resort, like every other, has a main pool with water slide and activities. This one is called the Dig Site, just a short walk from the Tower.  Each of the villages, or annex buildings, also have their own pools (without any additional amenities). 

Movie Under the Stars is an every other night activity offered at Disney resorts, whether they are poolside or some other central area - here they are on the lawn outside the Tower. It's a nice way to wind down the night and relax to a Disney feature with your family, especially after a busy day. 

This is all just the beginning, this resort also offers arts & crafts and dining experiences to book separately.  This includes Colors of Coronado Painting Experience, Spanish Mosaic Art, and Sangria University (each at an additional cost). Our crew enjoyed marshmallow roasting by the pool as the sunset, making our pool day superb!

There is NOT a shortage of places to eat here - but be prepared, they're all centric to the Tower.  And if you're looking food with a Latin flavor, this hotel is perfect for you! 

Heading back downstairs, just down the way from the lobby and heading towards the convention center, you'll fine plenty of other dining options to accommmodate your stay!
​

• Rix Sports Bar & Grill - mix of food with a more relaxed atmosphere
• Maya Grill - casual Mexican dining 
• Barcelona Lounge - another location for light eats and drinks 
• El Mercado de Coronado - cafeteria style quick service dining 
• Cafe Rix - treats on the go

Stepping outside, even more awaits

• Three Bridges Var & Grill at Villa del Lago - flanked in the middle of the lake (lago) with outdoor dining options
• Laguna Bar - drinks outside the Tower
• Siestas Cantina - quick eats and drinks right next to the pool

There was not a lack of options here!  And getting to first hand experience a few of these, we were satisfied with how different each location was from each other but the ease of service and experience each one brought! 

Take it from us, whether you're coming for a new to you Disney hotel OR looking for an on-property getaway, this is the spot!  It offered the resort experience that we craved but still had the Disney magic that we long for! 

So many places to pick out from Walt Disney World, so how do you pick the right one for you?  

There's plenty of different factors that can vary person to person, so there is not a one size fits all solution.  Budget is always the number one factor where you start planning.  Type of accommodations and what can suit your traveling party's needs.  And finally, just the overall experience - are you getting exactly what you want out of this trip? 

This time we stayed at one of Disney's Moderate properties, Port Orleans - Riverside, and while we were there took the time to explore sister property Port Orleans - French Quarter. 

So how did they meet our expectations? 

For starters, let's just talk about what to expect from your stay.  You'll enter much like at any other Disney resort, where you'll be greeted by guard gate and directed to the lobby to check-in or do your luggage drop.

With Disney's enhanced technology, you may not even have a reason to stop here other than to leave your car so you can enjoy your day.  The My Disney Experience app has everything loaded for you, right on your phone, so you can check-in digitally and then receive a notification to when your room is ready!  Room key?  No problem! It's on your smart phone via the app, so it will even direct you to your room and allow you to enter your room via your handheld lifeline.  But if you're not interested in these no conventions, no need to worry - just stop by Check-In and grab a room key for use during your stay.  It would be smart to have on handy anyways, in case of overexhausted phones - and if you're overexhausted yourself, no need to make an unnecessary stop. 

Once you leave your car (assuming you have one and your room isn't ready), you can feel free to explore.  And just be warned, this resort is MASSIVE.  But in a good way.  As soon as you step foot on property you feel like you're transported to a different part of the country.  And as you walk the grounds, you'll find this ring even more true.  The resort has two sets of accommodations - Alligator Bayou, which will be your entry level rooms that look like you're staying in cabins in the wood. The upgrade is to Magnolia Bend, where you're staying on the mansion side and is where you'll find the Royal Guest Rooms.  

On the French Quarter side, you'll find more New Orleans (rather than bayou theme) to the complex, and the accommodations make you feel like you're staying in the heart of the city.  The property here is not as vast but still offers its unique charms and attention to detail as they make this city come to life.  Within each hotel and room location, your pricing to book will vary between type of room (standard double or king) and location (parking view, pool, or woods/resort view ).  

This stay we booked ourselves a Royal Guest Room at Riverside and we were placed at Parterre Place for our stay.  The building was a little walk away from the lobby and main pool, but it was the closest in proximity to French Quarter - so we felt like we were given a little of both worlds.  The room itself was all the magic you'd expect from Disney - making a princess' dream of staying in her suite come to life.  The room was carefully decorated with relics of each of the movies, and hidden gems that made finding a little more exciting.  Portraits of each princess adorned the walls of the room, and even silhouettes of their respective princes were incorporated into the room.  But our favorite part was the firework display on the headboard, that made saying goodnight all the worth while. 

Only con for a family is the lack of privacy a resort like this may offer.  The moderate resorts have an open shared (double) sink space and closet for hanging clothes.  The bathroom with toilet and shower are private behind a door, but if you're looking to change in privacy, you'll have only the security of a curtain to separate yourself from others.  

We made this stay one where we completely immersed ourselves in what the resort had to offer.  There's something to be said about spending all this time on property and not ever really getting to enjoy all that there is.  We wanted to make sure that wasn't the case, so from the moment we arrived we didn't leave. 

Both sides of Port Orleans offer a main pool - Ol' Man Island at Riverside and Doubloon Lagoon at French Quarter - along with additional resort pools closer to certain accommodations at Riverside.  That was definitely an added bonus of choosing to stay at Riverside in case you were looking for a little quiet time away from the excitement of the main pools.  And for us, our building had a pool right from the view of our room so we could easily make our way over to enjoy. It also conveniently happened to be the pool that offered the Movie Under the Stars, so made it even easier to take in all the resort activities that we offered.  

Movie Under the Stars is an every other night activity offering at Disney resorts, whether they are poolside or some other central area (like at French Quarter, where they use the grass in between building of Beignet Square) to broadcast a Disney feature to families. Its a nice way to wind down the night and escape the corners of your room for a unique activity to the Disney resorts. 

This is all just the beginning, each resort offers the following:

• Poolside activities
  
• Arts & Crafts 
• Campfire
• Arcades

The resorts also each have unique to them offerings in terms of entertainment.  You'll find Ye Ha Bob at Riverside playing the piano nightly and jazz musicians at Scat Cat Club (where you'll also find boozy beignets, more on that later)!   riverside also offers the much coveted Horse Drawn Carriage rides, which book up fast - so if you're set on the experience reserve ahead of time.  If you're unable to get a carriage ride you can also experience Surrey or bike ride rentals, which is a great way to see the whole property - and take yourself over to French Quarter too!  Riverside also has a Fishin' Hole and your chance to try to fish (especially if its something you're not going to do back home)!

And if that's not enough for you, this resort is unique in that it has transportation to 2 other resorts and Disney Springs via the ferry boats. Sassaguola River Cruise can take you to Key West Resort, Saratoga Springs, and Disney Springs to explore - operating roughly from 10a to 10p nightly.  Even if you don't want to hop off, use this as a chance to just enjoy being on the water and exploring more of the massive Disney property!  And maybe taking a sneak peek into where you want to go next time you're here!

If you're looking for your Cajun staples, you've come to the right place to find them! 

While both resorts feature food courts and quick service restaurants with the staples you will find property-side, you'll also find some of those classic Louisiana dishes here too! 

The flagship restaurant at Port Orleans is located at Riverside, Boatwright's Dining Hall, featuring an excellent selection of meals to satisfy the whole family.  Being that this is the only full-service restaurant at this resort, reservations are recommended as it does get busy. And pack a bit of your patience, as it could get busy, so you may need to wait!  But if your dining time coincides with the start time of entertainment, the restaurant is right next door to River Roost, so you can pop in to grab a drink and enjoy Yehaa Bob while you wait!

If you're here looking for the NOLA staple of beignets, you've come to the right place.  The only place in all of Disney property serving it up, you'll have to head over to French Quarter and visit Scat Cat Club Cafe and Lounge to get your hands on these delicious pockets of sweetness!  While the cafe is open at all hours for you to enjoy beignets and a variety of other goodies, if you want a boozy version of the dessert, you'll have to visit the Lounge!  Make sure your visit coincides with the live jazz band  for a perfect date night on Disney property!

Best part of all this, if none of this appeals to you, you're an easy boat ride or bus transfer to any other resort or restaurant on property to satisfy any craving you may have!

If you still haven't decided on a Disney resort to stay at, but want a little bit of an escape, this is the place to be!  This resort was a true gem worth visiting, and even made a little staycation feel like a much earned vacation! 

As an ambassador for Happyly, I'm proud to share ways to get families out and making the most of your time together.

If you're looking for travel plans to visit Paris, check out some of our recommendations for Dreaming of Travel: Paris. The city of lights is a magical place to plan an international getaway with your family - from the rich culture, abundant history, and kid-friendly possibilities, you’re going to fall in love with Paris!

Flip Flop Dreams owners Cassandra and Ramon did a wonderful job of outlining everything we needed to know about renting their OG - original glamper. The listing lays out specifications, amenities, costs, etc about renting out their unit. And all is exactly as it seems!

Mind you, we had stayed out at Fort Wilderness before, but I did anything far from "roughing it" with the luxury of a fully equipped cabin and a bunch of pixie dust. Cassandra and I stayed in touch leading up to our date of arrival and she reassured me as I geared up for my first camping experience. I overpacked as usual, because on arrival, we had everything we needed provided by this dynamic duo!

We requested an early check-in and arrived at Fort Wilderness around 1pm to find that Disney had a spot ready. Cassandra and Ramon were on their way, and as we waited, we parked in the main lot and went exploring by foot. Not quite literally though - you can walk, though it is a bit of a walk. Disney also provides free bus service between the main areas and a few other loop bus stops. You can also rent a golf cart - and it is highly recommended to do so in advance, as it can book up before you arrive!

At check in, Disney will provide you with a loop (neighborhood) and a lot number. They'll provide you with guided directions on how to access, as well as additional information on how to contact Guest Services for any other needs. Once we had that spot number, we messaged Cassandra to check in with that information to access the grounds. After they arrived and set up, they advised us they were done and it was ready for us, so we proceeded to head back and check out our home away from home.

There is nothing more we can say about presentation on arrival!

We drove our car to our Preferred Lot (where the space is large enough for a vehicle or two) and found the OG set up ready to greet us!

They had the awning out and lit, the dust rug out with camping chairs set, table cloth on the table and candles lit - and if that wasn't welcoming enough, music playing. Presentation was perfect! What a way to be welcomed to a little piece of their heaven and a way to start your experience with them.

The camper itself is gorgeous! The color scheme and every bit of the details taken to heart and immaculately taken care of - the love in this just shines! The camper has a queen bed right off the entry way with two privacy screens. The kitchen and living area welcomes you to the main part of the cabin, where you can find a loveseat sleeper, booth dining table and kitchen with all the appliances you could need. Stove top, microwave, fridge/freezer, and sink - all fully stocked so you can cook rather than spend while clamping! The back of the cabin boosts a bathroom with shower stall and toilet, tastefully kept simple so the space doesn't feel cramped. And the hit of this all - the BUNK BEDS - four in total and secret hideaways that made my kids heart content!

Outside the camper, we found an outdoor kitchen with mini-fridge, sink, and griddle. So you have plenty of reason to keep you outdoors with the music playing and the drinks flowing. This is exactly what we did as we utilized the space we had at our lot - they come with picnic table, charcoal grill, and plenty of room to relax. We brought all the traditional camping foods and stayed put as we enjoyed what the two of these had to offer together!

Times are weird right now, so the below is all subject to change. But here is some of what to expect at Disney, plus what's been there in the past ... and we're anxiously awaiting to return!

Currently available (as of January 2021) - Hours can vary so check upon arrival

• Bike rentals
• Swimming Pools - Meadow & Wilderness

​​ ▪ Bring towels as they are not provided

• Playgrounds
• Fishing
• Pony Rides at Tri-Circle-D Ranch

▪ From age 2, starting at $8* (there are height and weight restrictions)

• Horse Back Riding

​ ▪ From age 9, $55/person*

• Canoe & Kayak Rentals

▪ Adult required for rental, $13/person*

• Evening Movie or Activities at Meadow
• Electrical Water Pageant on the Seven Seas Lagoon​

Temporarily unavailable (as of January 2021)
Horse Drawn Carriage Rides
Boat Rentals
Wagon Rides 
Campfire Lighting at the Meadow Chip-n-Dale Sing-a-Long ​

If you want to do more than cook, then Disney has some options in store for you!

• P&J’sSouthern Takeout - Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner; mobile ordering available.
• Meadow Snack Bar - Food around the main pool
• Crockett’s Tavern – Beer, wine & bar food
• The Chuck Wagon - Food by the campfire (temporarily relocated by the Settlement)
• Meadow and Settlement Trading Posts - Forgot to purchase something? Stop here to pick up a variety of foods you can cook back at your camper or cabin!

Temporarily unavailable (as of 1/23/21)

• Trail’s End
• Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue

So, you're ready to go!  Let's get you set up!

We here at Adventure Somewhere will handle booking the site for you.  Start by filling out the Fort Wilderness site request form by letting us know who is going, when you want to go, and some of your preferences.  Don't know them all?  That's ok!  We can handle the details and can find the right spot for you.

We'll look for and hold the spot for you! With advance notice we can hold the spot at no charge, but the hold will expire in an specified amount of time.  We will communicate that to you as we work through securing the location. That gives you time to get your RV rental situated! 

But you save so much more time with a travel advisor! We can help find the right spot for you based off our travel experience. And because of our agency's unique relationship with Disney, we can pass on any perks they give to us, on to you!

Plus, we can help to fill your trip to Orlando with so much more to do!

Want to do more than Orlando? Let us know and we can see what’s available out there for you!

When booking a vacation on your own, you're not getting that level of service. AND it comes at no additional cost to you and with all the extra benefits!

CABINS

We spent our weekend stay here in a cabin, since the idea of sleeping outdoors still did not settle with me (even with all the pixie dust). The cabins are all in pods with other cabins, so if you’re camping in tent or RV, you’ll have your own roundabout too. But neighborhood are lintermixed, so you can have a prime spot regardless of your lodging option!

The cabins sleep 6 and host even more! You walk into a living/dining space with full kitchen and basic hotel amenities provided (including coffee to start your day). The living area has a sleeper sofa, TV, dining table for 6 and plenty of storage space.

The cabin also has a bedroom with separate entrance with a Queen bed and bunk beds. You have even more storage here, including a closet and chest of drawers (and we know how imperative this is with kids)! The room has its own TV and Disney even provides a safe for your valuables in your home away from home. Full-size bathroom with shower/tub and toiletries are provided.

The cabin has an outdoor area which is perfect for gatherings! You have your own grill and a porch the extends the length of the cabin with picnic table. This is where inspiration for hosting a party here first generated for us - more on that soon though!

CAMPSITES

​Already the great outdoors type? Bring your tent, trailer or RV and rent a plot.

There’s a whole new world (to me) of camping lifestyle that exists! But the comforts of home while you’re away are fantastic.

The various categories of campsites each provide what you need. All offer grills, tables, electrical and water, and for the motor homes even disposal and extra space to begin a few cars.

Campsites range from space for just a tent all the way up to a Premium site nearest the prime location - the Meadow (more on that later).

Once you’re parked, you’re home so get comfortable. Recommend to have a golf cart or bicycle for transportation, unless you don’t mind walking (like us)!

Forgot something? You have a shop onsite to pick up what you need - the selection isn’t large, buts convenient. Want to shop with cheaper prices? You still have access to your car, on-site with you and can easily access a local store. Don’t want to leave at all? Use a grocery delivery service to have it brought right to you!

And if you’re here doing the holidays, check out all the beautifully creative displays! These campers show up and it’s so impressive (and a great way to get in the spirit)! Below is even a shot of one of our personal friends and their family’s amazing dedication to this!

This is your vacation after all, so make the most of your time right on site!

ACTIVITIES
​
So you’re here now. What is there to do?

Actually, what isn’t there! We stayed two nights and spent our first at Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party which In hindsight took away from a weekend of what could’ve been R&R! We’d recommend for a short weekend to enjoy the camping experience only - any days over, add in the parks!

What’s in store at Fort Wilderbess?

​ALL DAY
Bike rentals

Meadow Swimmin’ Pool & nearby playground
▪ Bring towels as they are not provided

Horse Drawn Carriage Rides from Crockett’s Tavern
▪ $55 for 25-minute (2 adults, 3 children or 4 adults)
▪ Reservations (407) 939-7529

Boat Rentals
▪ Boston Whaler (seats up to 6 guests); $45/per half hour
▪ Reservations not required, first-come, first serve

Fishing
▪ Dockside and guided excursions available at marina

8:30A – 2:30P Horse Back Riding
▪ From age 9, $55/person

9A – 5P Canoe Rentals & Kayak Rentals
▪ From age 11, $13/person

10A – 3P Pony Rides at Tri-Circle-D Ranch
▪ From age 2 ($8 per child)
▪ Explore the ranch and see the horses used in the parks

​6P & 8:30P Wagon Rides from Pioneer Hall
▪ $12 (10+), $8 (3-9), FREE (2 & under)

SUNSET Campfire Lighting at the Meadow Chip-n-Dale Sing-a-Long & Movie

DINING OPTIONS

7A-10P P&J’sSouthernTakeout

11A-5P Meadow Snack Bar
3P – 10P Crockett’s Tavern open – beer, wine & bar food

430P – 10P Trail’s End open for Dinner (Reservations available)

​5P–10P The Chuck Wagon open (by the campfire)

4:00P,6:15P,8:30P Hoop-Dee-DooMusicalRevue
▪ Reservations recommended
▪ Starting at $38+/ child & $64+/adult (Category seating)

PARTY TIME

So what about this birthday party idea out here?

Our nature loving 7 year old wanted a birthday party of adventure. We wanted something different. We all also had discussed staying out here at some point. So after some careful thought and detailed party planning, we decided why not host a party here?!

It’s not such a far fetched idea as we’ve heard from friends about parties they’ve hosted or attended here as well! So we knew we were right on track for a great time!

We decided to a Wilderness Explorer themed party, of the UP kind, and have our explorer and friends enjoy the wilderness. We initially were planning to host the party at the cabin, as there was room enough for a small gathering. But our particular cabin was situated in a weird spot for outdoor running around. Had we stayed at the cabin, it would’ve been perfect for a good little cookout and scavenger hunt.

But for active elementary school kids, we decided to move to the Meadow and host it there! The Meadow has the main resort pool & splash pad, playground, tennis courts, bike rentals, and a covered gazebo with grills. There’s other picnic tables scattered around too in case the first-come, first-serve facility is completely occupied.

We fired up the grill, let the kids play, and after some time did some specially created Wilderness Explorer activity books. A lunch of burgers and hot dogs perfectly complemented the laid back day we had. We had a cupcake serenade for bringing in his 8th year, and still after all that - headed to the pool!

We had a later start time to the party, 3p, purposely to coincide with the Campfire Sing-Along. And it perfectly went with an empty pool for swimming when our kids all swarmed it for an evening dip! Those friends that lasted all the way through made their way with us to the campfire. We had also gifted all his friends with s’more kir party favors, so everyone was ready for roasting on the fire!

Logistically for our guests, it took some maneuvering but cost them nothing more than their time. Disney allows two cars per cabin, but will charge for those staying overnight. Otherwise if you’re a visiting day guest, just state your purposes and they guide you. Our friends had to park at the front and then take a bus to the location, and same in return. So packing light is ideal since a little trekking is necessary. But for the magic, it’s all worth it!

Interested in seeing if you can make this come to life?   Let us get you started on a quote for either a cabin or campsite.  Click the button below so we can get some basic details to get started! 

We had the amazing opportunity of getting to stay at these two gems in Hawaiian family fun! Both resorts are highly revered by families with little and big ones alike because of its diversity in venues, array of amenities for all ages, and the convenience that each of these mega resorts provide to cater to all.

So how did they stack up against each other and which one is better for you and yours?

Disney's Oahu based property, is everything you expect from a Disney hotel - and not just one in Hawaii.  Aulani is located in Ko Olina, just west of the airport and heading into a drier, more industrial part of the island.  But the resort area of Ko Olina is also home to a variety of high end properties for vacation goers looking to escape the traffic of Waikiki. And driving up to it, Aulani is everything you'd expect from Disney magic.   

On arrival, you're greeted with infused waters and fresh flower leis for women, kukui nut for men and kids receive Menehune necklaces, which are the famed characters of Hawaiian folklore that "lurk" around property.  While you're on property, you're welcomed "home" as Aulani does sit as part of the Disney Vacation Club portfolio - and they even have designated showrooms to showcase with anyone interested in learning more about becoming a member. For us regular guests, being welcomed home was definitely just a nice touch to make us feel even more welcome here!  

The resort is very accessible with two towers connected by the main entry building, where you can find shops and the flagship restaurant offering character dining.  Walking through the lobby, you can head outside to the lanai and get a full glorious view  of the resort.  And you'll see that once you're here, you're here - restaurants line both sides of of the property, the pools are centrally situated with the beach in the horizon, and the parking garage and main roads out of sight, so you really have no reason to head back to your car! 

We booked an entry level room - garden pool view and were granted a low floor request we made.  This was perfect because we ended up being situated right by the lazy river.  And with a separate patio entrance that led out to the pool area, we enjoyed our easy accessibility to the fun at this resort, especially since we were going to be spending ALL of our time here!

When we booked our trip to Hawaii, we knew we'd want to stay a few days at Aulani on our pursuit of visiting as many Disney properties worldwide!  The per night cost became a matter of how much time we spent here, because we didn't want to lose any time away, but rather enjoy what we paid for.  Disney's price is steep in comparison to other properties in Hawaii, especially if you plan to spend most of your time exploring the island.  But when you compare the cost of Aulani to other Disney resorts, you'll see that their Hawaiian sister hotel is priced no higher than staying at some of the premier Disney properties all over the world. 

So what does the price include, outside of room?

• Access to all pool, beach & recreation, including use of lounge chairs on the beach.
• A daily wristband at the towel stand that will give you fresh towels at the pool & access to the amenities.
• The age 3-12 kids club at Aunty's Beach House - open daily from 8a-6p (hours can vary).  Each child registered for Aunty's receives a MagicBand on arrival to identify them, and parents are loaded up with a ton of security measures to ensure they know their child's safety there. You will be charged for MagicBand, but its fully refundable on return (just like the Disney Cruise Line). 
• Activities around property including character meet and greets, the Menehune Adventure Trail game, live entertainment, Mo'Olelo Fire Pit Storytelling, 'Ohana Disney Move nights, and in room DVD rentals from the Pau Hana Community Room.

The price does not include: 

• Parking (there are self and valet options, both at $37)
• Meals or drinks (not an all-inclusive resort)
• Some activities including those limited in attendance - fitness classes, luau, workshops, snorkeling and other excursions. 
• After hours childcare, including special activities and full meals at Aunty's House 

Other things to note:

• Disney does have pay-per-use laundry rooms on site.  We stayed on the first floor with a laundry room down the hall from our location, equipped with about 5 washers and dryers.   The room was quiet and you could not hear it from anywhere in the hall, but  made all the difference to know we had it there.  You could even purchase single use detergent and dryer sheets in the laundry room in case you wanted to reuse some of your wardrobe. 
• Disney does have a luau on-site, but it does not run every night (only Tuesday - Saturday).  It is a nominal cost per person cost and space is limited. If you prefer a different luau option, Paradise Cove is a luau next door (about a 10 minute walk away) and a highly regarded option in Oahu! 
• Once you check in, everything can be billed back to your room key - a wonderful convenience for staying put on property. 
• There is a shopping plaza across the street with some other dining/shopping options AND all the other Ko Olina resorts are within walking distance.  Though we did not check out other options during our time there, we liked that we had the opportunity to explore without having to leave property by car.  

Location, location, location!

I think the one thing that could sell this place alone is location. Not only is it centrally located in Honolulu but it also is quite honestly the only resort on Waikiki with prime beach access.  This is where you want to stay if you want to be in the hustle and bustle of the city of Honolulu, but not on busy Waikiki itself.  The resort is closer to the marina, but from the beach you have postcard views of Diamond Head in the distance. 

On arrival, you drive through the Rainbow Bazaar, a small through street with a marketplace of shops and restaurants on either side.  You pull up to the open air lobby building where you can leave the car on idle while you get yourself checked in.  They aren't greeting you with the leis like Disney did on arrival, but the guest service was just as superb.  Once checked in, you're given a full map of the property, which is lined by 8 towers, 5 pools, and various shops and restaurants (even beyond the Bazaar).  Like Aluani, parking is not include - you have the option of valet for $52/daily or self park at $45/daily. If you opt to self park, the garage is back at the entrance to the Bazaar and once you're situated, you do have in/out privileges. 

The resort feels and is massive! And is only matched with the number of people you see everywhere.  It's definitely a different vibe than the "quieter" Aulani as there is a lot of movement here - but it only makes you want to get in on the action.  The lobby really is the central point to the resort, but there isn't a spot that grants you an overall view of the resort.  Each tower is like a world in itself, each with its own pool, bar, restaurant - but best of all, you have full access to the whole village while you're here!  Beyond the Rainbow Tower, you will find the strip of beach that is designed for Hilton guests - though the chairs do come at an extra cost to rent for the day.  Also good to note, all beaches are public and aren't just limited to hotel guests (same goes for Aulani).  Next to the beach is the manmade lagoon for someone wanting the feel of the ocean but with the calmness of a pool - this is also home to water activities like paddle boarding and paddle boat rentals.  

We booked a room without a particular request here, but they upgraded us to a high floor and view of the water.  This was a nice change of pace since there really isn't a ground floor room option, and with the sheer magnitude of this resort, I'm not sure I'd want to be so close to the noise.  Our room was generous in size, larger than Disney's with room to spare - but the bathroom could have used more square footage to make it easier for a family to utilize! 

For this leg of the trip in Hawaii, we wanted to book a place that we could come back to and enjoy but also not feel burdened leaving for the price, as we wanted to see the rest of the island! The price point here made that comfortable to do.  We considered other options but all lacked the proximity to the beach we wanted - so we fell for the idea that this was a great resort for the family to relax at after a busy day out.  And it really is - there's so much to do & was a great place to wind down at after full days! And on top of that, its in Honolulu - so if your list of things to do include checking off spots on Waikiki, you're right here!  Leave the car behind and go for a walk to discover what the city has to offer - that's what we did! 

So what does the price include, outside of room?

• Access to all pool, beach & recreation (but it does come as an additional resort charge) 
• Daily fresh towels at the pool (though no wristband needed); the towels are also handed out in exchange for a towel key.  Towel key must be returned at your end of stay to not be charged $10 per towel on departure. 
• Activities around property including movies by the pool, DVD rentals (boxes conveniently located  at base of each tower), torch lighting ceremonies, and fireworks on Friday night. 

The price does not include: 

• Parking (as noted, valet and self available)
• Meals or drinks (not an all-inclusive)
• Some activities including those limited in attendance - fitness classes, luau (there is on-site as well as several other in Waikiki), workshops and water activities. 
• Camp Penguin Kids Program for age 5 to 12 - though we didn't get to check it out here.  We knew our days would be filled with time together so we didn't even explore.  But to know the option exists is great - only down side is that it is additional. 

Other things to note:

• Hilton did not have a laundry room for guest use - they did have laundry bags but prices were pretty high.  Pack extra if you're staying here and don't want to pay the price of dry cleaning!  
• Hilton does have a luau on-site, located via the parking garage.  It is an additional cost and if you prefer a different more authentic options, there are other luaus in and around Honolulu to enjoy!  
• Once you check in, almost everything can be billed back to your room key - we ran into a few instances where they needed to reverify we were part of the resort.  So beyond the extra security measure of calling up the front desk to ensure we were guests, it would have been easier to just pay by credit card then have to go through a process. 
• There are plenty of other things to do in the area that is waking distance, including a Waikiki historical trail or chartering one of many activities sold right on the beach.  This is a great place to be if you want to do more with your vacation!   

We wanted to start our vacation on a lighter more relaxing note to catch up with the time change, so we enjoyed all we could out of Aulani.  But we definitely would not have stayed here if we were leaving to go sightseeing - unless we were DVC members or got an unbelievable price per night.  We enjoyed two nights to settle in and get some R&R before our adventure started. It is also not conveniently located to much on the island beyond the North Shore. You may avoid the traffic of Honolulu (which was not that bad), but you would be driving a little farther because of where it is situated. Stay here if you plan to stay PUT here. And if you're even toying with the idea of staying here, do it for at least a few days of your trip.  It's definitely a place to visit and you won't regret it - we loved our times to unwind with Disney magic before we visited the beauty of Hawaii!

Hilton Hawaiian Village felt like great place to leave and come back go to. It was a great resort, but I could not imagine spending all my days here just because of the sheer magnitude of the resort. It was a nice place to retreat to after days of fun because we were still able to take in all the amenities without feeling like we missed out, because it did lack some of the magic Disney has. And the price made it even easier to leave - since it was at half the cost of what we paid at Disney. If you want a prime place on Waikiki beach, with ground level pools and a village all its own, this is the place for you! It was a nice way to get wrapped into what Honolulu had to offer and not feel like we were missing out on any magic - because we made what we wanted out of our days when we returned!

Either way you can’t go wrong! But it’s all a matter of what you want from your time in paradise!

Still undecided? Check out our Highlights on Instagram for more information about our time at either resort!

Is a Pacific Coast Highway Trip on your bucket list?

It was on ours and so we decided to pack our bags, book a plane ticket, and make our way from SoCal to the Bay Area and explore in between. We didn't nearly cover the vastness of this beautiful stretch of coastal road, but we chose stops that worked for us with certain goals in mind. And we loved every bit of what we saw, and what we wish we had more time to see.

What did our week+ in California look like winding the up the open highway? Read on!

Some prefer to start further south in San Diego but started our trip in LA for reasons all our own!

1. Flight - we flew Delta and wanted a direct flight. Plus, with our Companion Certificate and Skymiles, we only ended up paying about $400 total for the 4 of us to go to west.
2. Location - we wanted to start south and watch the hills turn into cliffs and dramatically change course. Some may argue a trip from north to south would be better since you ride along the coast (rather than the inner most lane), but for us that didn't make a difference on the drive.
3. Disneyland - we wanted to start the trip with a treat for the kids! Capitalize on all the energy they had and use it for something they would truly marvel over.

What to do in LA? What is there not to do?!

After you pick up your rental, head towards Hollywood. You want a picture with the iconic sign and there are some many good spots to get it from, including the Griffith Observatory, which also includes panoramic views all around. If you're heading down to Hollywood Blvd to check out the sights there, head to shopping complex Hollywood and Highland for great views! While you're there, the iconic Hollywood Walk of Fame and Mann's Chinese Theater (where these days you can watch new movie releases at) are within sight.

​Hungry? Visit Pink's Hot Dogs for this staple in Hollywood since the 1930s. The giant loaded hot dogs of all varieties were delicious and worth the wait at this counter service restaurant with outdoor seating. Just be warned, parking may be hard to find!

Then make it a point to cruise around greater LA County - from driving down Sunset Strip to admiring all the luxury of Beverly Hills to hitting up the pier in Santa Monica for some fun or even just checking out another city along the shoreline. There's so much to do in LA, you can easily spend a few days here!

This was *the* destination for us on arrival - to spend a few days at Disneyland California! The parks are nestled in the middle of Anaheim and really a world all their own. We highly recommend spending at least two days here, as there's enough to do without feeling rushed.

The resort itself has 3 Disney hotels (Disneyland Hotel, Grand Californian, and Pacific Pier), 2 theme parks (Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure) and the entertainment complex of Downtown Disney. Each park deserves a day all their own to fully immerse and explore AND because there's just that much to do! Promise. They have more attractions per park than the sister parks in Orlando!

There’s so much to cover here we have an article all their own for the parks! Read all about our time at Disneyland and why it quickly became our favorite Disney parks - this alone may be the reason you want to come out here!

Make your way past Malibu and the stunning beach communities of So Cal as you head north up PCH. You'll venture into the beautiful city of Santa Barbara nestled along the coasts and the hills, and upon our arrival, covered in smog. It was such a beautiful piece of real estate as we traveled the highway as, we slowly witnessed the change from relatively flat southern Cali.

We also stumbled up on the mission trail here, where we made a bit of an adventure within one. El Camino Real is a collection of 21 missions from San Diego to Sonoma, each spread out about 30 miles from each other. The Spanish missions, from a time when Spain held strong in California, are the oldest piece of history in the state and a captivating game to play while you're on your road trip. Look for the bell markers to signify the trail of missions as you travel el camino.

We only had time to explore the mission in Santa Barbara durinfbour short stop here, but wish we had spent even more time in this stunning city on the sea.

Does the name sound familiar, 90s babies? Well it should if you're a Clueless fan. It the namesake for the "Pismo Beach Relief" that the movie was fundraising for. And for us it was such a welcome surprise! Just when we thought we left everything So Cal had to offer, here's this little beach town that just exudes everything you want from California.

We spent just enough time here to park and play in the sand, bit could easily have spent hours more. From the beautiful shoreline to the relaxed surfer vibes, this is definitely the place you want to go to when trying to escape the hustle of the big cities and the bustle of Hollywood. It was the quintessential beach town on the California coast and a welcome stop for us to stretch as we made our way to our next stop!

Here's another name sake for you!  Finding Dory, anyone? 

With the name dropped so often in the movie, once we saw signs that we were approaching, we made sure to make a stop to just say we've been! Morro Bay was a seaside village lined with shiplap buildings and the sea painted with an iconic rock.  We stopped to check it out just because our curiosity got the best of us, and we're glad we did!  

​We drove to the inlet that approached the famous rock and were greeted by a sea of otters sunbathing in the bay!  What a fun surprise to encounter and certainly a place that made us want to stick around long enough to see what this town had to offer. 

San Simeon is best known for Hearst Castle, and though we would've loved to spend a day there, with two little ones our plans led us elsewhere. Seashore - to be exact - to watch the elephant seals. This detour on our trip was a treat, because what a neat experience it was to encounter these giants literally feet from us. Sparring and barking in their own environment, doing just what nature taught them to do. The kids delighted in getting to see animals in the wild and we loved the chance to get to teach something up close and personal.

For this roadtrip in 2017 though, this was as far north as we were able to go on PCH. The road was shut down in Big Sur due to mudslides, so we were forced to diverge inland ... which ended up being a fortunate accident.

Paso Robles was our serendipity on this trip!

We would never have planned a stop here on our way up, as its not on the PCH. But since we had to diverge because of Mother Nature, we got to explore such a beautiful part of the state! This central California wine country is filled with beautiful rolling hills and fields of wineries in between hills. We even spotted a black bear as we drove these rural areas, making his way around home.

We made a stop on arrival at Four Lanterns, a family-friendly winery offering outdoor seating, live music and space to roam. Once we finished our visit and by the time dinner rolled around, we head to downtown Paso. A quaint town made up of a main city block and with some chic restaurants and an adorable Central Park. We had a wonderful dinner at Artisan, a contemporary concept with fresh meals and delightful drinks. A welcome reward after a day of driving!

Our drive was a shorter one, but to a very anticipated destination! MONTEREY!

Yes, home of Big Little Lies, where we had just dived into in 2017, so we anticipate seeing what this stunning location had to offer. It was a beautiful coastal city, with a downtown to match its charm, and lined with mountain and boats.

The attraction here, beyond the show that mapped it, is Monterey Bay Aquarium - where we spent an afternoon discovering with the kids. Just the fact that at times you're staring at the sea while looking at exhibits is a fascinating concept all its own! The experience was only topped by the visitors we had at the dinner that evening - seals and otters splashing under our prime view table at Domenicos on the Wharf!

The only thing we missed doing in our short stop here is going whale-watching - we would have loved the chance to see these beasts in their natural home!

We NEEDED to see Big Sur, so before we continued north, we quickly headed back south to see how far we could go before being turned away. And we did not once regret this decision. This drive is absolutely beautiful - more than words can even paint to life. We made it as far as Pfeffier State Park as we drove the winding coast to see the beauty of it all. Only to be turned around and do it all again! We certainly didn't mind.

On arrival back, we made sure to take the 17 Mile Drive which would inevitably take us to world famous Pebble Beach. We completed this trip with a visit to the chilly shore, but feeling every bit much accomplished that we were able to see this gorgeous piece of California real estate on our trip!

We heard so much about Santa Cruz from others that we wanted to check out this beach town and see what it was about!

For starters, the homes lining the cliffs with prime view of the ocean were stunning. All were quintessential California homes as we would imagine them. But we also used this stop to let the kids have some of their kind of fun again. We spent the evening playing on the Boardwalk as a way to wind down the trip.

Carnival food, rides, games and even local beer is exactly what we needed after so much exploring. And as an added bonus, we had the perfect sunset to top off our stay. We would definitely recommend this as a stop for kids of any age!

This wouldn’t have been a stop we picked out on our own, but we’re so glad we were introduced to Filoli. The beautiful garden situated in city limits, this places is absolutely worth a detour to see.

The drive there is tree lined upon rolling hills. On arrival, you’re greeted at a majestic house beckoned by acres of beautiful topiaries. Breathtaking is the least of word I could use to describe it! An afternoon spent exploring these wonders is enough but you could easily get lost here for a whole day!

Our final official stop on this trip didn’t come without a little mishap - reminder to always check your safe before leaving your room! We made it all the way to San Fran to get an early morning cable car ride (without the lines) when we realized our mistake.

So we came back later (on a family reunion) and finished this stop. We hopped on cable car at Hyde & ___ and rode it into central San Fran! Goal accomplished. We visited the Painted Ladies, Drive down Lombardi Street, watched the sea lions bark at Pier 39, walked Fisherman’s Wharf and ate at Boudin Bakery - all the iconic SF things to do!

If you want a quick overview of the city, hop on a double decker! It’s the easiest way to get a lay of the land and figure out the areas you want to explore more! We recommend a stop in the Japanese Tea Garden for some serenity in the city! If you want something a little different to explore (and you’re a fan like us), the Walt Disney Museum at the Presidio is the perfect place to learn about his legacy and see his dreams come to life. Bonus, you get some scenic views of the Golden Gate Bridge!

But make sure your finish your trip with a visit to Baker’s Beach for the most spectacular view of the Golden Gate! If you come at sunset, you can watch the day fade to night while your backdrop is painted all sorts of lovely colors.

Need dinner plans? Cliff House is at land’s end, where San Francisco begins as they proclaim! The spot is perfect for a seafood feast and great views. Sweet tooth? You can’t forget Ghiradelli’s - because what’s a visit without a stop!

If you’re headed across the Golden Gate to Sausalito, you can’t skip one of the best things on this side of the bay. Take time to explore Muir Woods and the glory of these fantastic creations of God. The forest will leave you speechless, and if you time out coming at the right time of day, you’ll have a special experience.

We arrived after the park office closed but before the park did, which granted us free entry and plenty of spots to park on site. The best part of this though was the stillness that overtakes the park when it’s not run over by crowds. It truly makes you feel at one with nature and in deep respect for it. On your way down, take in the views of the ocean meets the mountains, it’s another moment that can stop you in your tracks.

And if you’ve worked up an appetite from all that exploring, make sure to make a final stop at In-N-Out if you haven’t yet! There’s something special about this place with the simplicity in its food, burgers and fries with a sauce all their own that you’ll be dreaming of for years to come! Take it up a notch and get your order Animal Style for a truly unforgettable experience. Best off all, there’s always an In-N-Out en route to satisfy your craving!

We chose to stay at a Disney hotel to capitalize on the on-site perks - proximity and Extra Magic Time. Disney has a plethora of properties, including 6 Disney hotels within walking distance of the parks and 2 Disney Nature hotels which are set further out and require a car to access. Disney also has a variety of Partner Hotels in the area that provide shuttle buses to the parks and may offer a little lower price per night of your stay.

We wanted some place that we could maximize our time at the resort and at the same time feel like we were getting an experience worth the price. We chose to stay at Disney's Newport Bay Club, a hotel right onsite and walking distance to Disney Village. Anyone familiar with the Walt Disney World set of hotels, Newport Bay is the equivalent of Yacht & Beach or Boardwalk, taking you back to a time of living on the water and enjoying the luxuries of full scale seaside resorts. The hotel is beautiful, just as her sister properties here in Orlando; and massive - we stayed on a wing that was quite a hike to get to, but that was located directly next to the indoor pool.

Deciding what you want out of a hotel is what works for your family. All Disneyland Paris hotels offer all-you-can-eat buffets and adult lounges on property, but not all have a quick service option for dining. We would have loved to have some of those conveniences, like an on-site restaurant for snacks on-the-go and a fridge in the room to store leftovers (or in our case, milk). Closest proximity to the park is the Disneyland Hotel, which would allow easiest access to the two parks and Disney Village. If you rather skip on big meals and have a fast option for food, then Disney's Hotel Cheyenne and Disney's Hotel Santa Fe both offer Starbucks on property, but are a little further out from the parks. Hotels with moderate pricing but with proximity to entertainment, Disney Sequoia Lodge & Disney's Hotel New York (currently rebranding to the Art of Marvel) should be considered. And if neither of those are in your price range, there are a host of offsite options, but you lose the perks that Disney gives you, like Extra Magic Time to enjoy attractions before the general public.

Disneyland Paris has also already started to implement extra security measures like scanning all bags (and people) before entering the hotel, which I applaud. It was our first touch of reality with the world we live in today; but it was welcome to see a proactive approach to make sure the magic isn't compromised.

This is all up to how much you want to do. We wanted the experience so we chose to end our trip here and wind down with some fun Disney days. We booked two nights because we wanted to enjoy two full days in the park. We arrived early enough to enjoy one park, leaving our bags with the porter and able to get settled in to our room after we finished our day.

The parks are located a walk away from the hotel, passing through Disney Village complex and then with a fork in the road to decide which way to go. The set up is very similar to Disneyland California and very convenient for anyone wanting to experience everything in one day. They have some of the big name restaurants they do stateside, like Rainforest Cafe, Planet Hollywood and McDonald's, but also have unique concepts like Annette's Diner (ode to the original Mouseketeer) and a character filled Wild West stage show at Buffalo's Bills. ​

If you want to spend any time checking out the night-time entertainment, there warrants an extra night just to enjoy a dinner show - and use that extra day to book an excursion to the surrounding area. Disney offers tours to chateaus and small countryside villages to get a taste of the beautiful region outside Paris that hosts their parks.

Disneyland Paris also offers great package deals that may also be worth skipping a stay in Paris and opting to make the commute to the city instead. We had considered this option when we found a package that would allow us to stay on property for 5 nights for the price of 3. The package also included tickets and granted children free admission - so ultimately we'd be getting a 5-day ticket & 5-night hotel stay for the whole family for the price of two adults on a 3-day package. One rate also included club level room, which would give you exclusive check-in and access to the club lounge, with refreshments and light appetizers served all day. In hindsight, the offer was too incredible to pass up - but we did, because we also knew we wanted to indulge in our first time in Paris. But someone wanting to shop savvy, it is every bit worth searching for a package like this!

Walt Disney Studios is the newer park, and reminiscent of Hollywood Studios in Orlando.  It houses two of the newer attractions, Crush's Coaster and Ratatouille, which were our main objectives to see.  Just like Disneyland, Paris still has the old FastPass distribution system - you don't have a limit to how many you get in a day and you can get your next one after the distribution window on your ticket opens up (which is usually at the ride time).  So if you're lucky and get a FastPass for the exact hour you're in (which is possible), you can also get another pass within a few minutes and ride back to back line-free rides.

​We made our way in and went directly for Ratatouille since we wanted to all get on a ride together and this one was it.  We got our FP and proceeded to ride other attractions in Pixar Place, an ode to Disney-Pixar films like Cars and Toy Story. There we spun on Luigi, had a Slinky Dog Dash and then made it back over to experience  Ratatouille. The ride took us on a 3-D adventure in a mouse's point-of-view through the restaurant featured in the movie and the streets of Paris - it was adorable and left the kids squealing! ​

The park is very reminiscent of Disneyland California, in its simplicity, attention to detail and accessiblity of attractions.  It goes back to a simpler time when things weren't as rushed and the experience was greater than the exposure.  It had all the classic rides you expect at any of the flagship parks, with enhancements like HyperSpace Mountain (which was unfortunately closed for maintenance during our visit). The park had also just celebrated its 25th anniversary, so it had a sense of grandeur still in the air to celebrate such an event.  

The details are so clean and crisp, but it did lack a little of the magic you find back home.  We tried to pinpoint what, and couldn't place our fingers on it until after we left  - atmosphere music.  We're so used to having music ushering us along and making the pace for our walk, that we failed to notice that the parks didn't have much.  You heard the faint music from the attractions as you passed by, but as you walk between lands, taking in the park and existing in the moment, there's no soundtrack to live by.  Us spoiled Disney kids really fail to see how wonderful something so simple as this is.   ​

The parks also operate on the classic FastPass distribution system, much like Disneyland California.  They do have limited attractions offering passes so waiting in lines may be inevitable. But the parks do not nearly have the waits that the stateside parks do, outside the more popular attractions which beckon visitors.  It's absolutely worth waiting in line for those, and even more so for waiting for the shows.  The performances here are all live and it is incredible to see the magic of that experience come to life.  It is also worth noting that all shows are done in a mix of English and French  dialogue, so it makes for a truly memorable experience to get a bit of each culture combined. 

Any Disney fan will agree, it is definitely worth the experience to see how cultures influence each of their parks worldwide. The parks are very similar but yet so unique in their own way.  It brought us so much perspective to ride the Small World an ocean away and listen to the words with true relativity to our time here. ​

2. Come early. They say the early bird gets the worm, right? In this case it's true ... but be prepared for a whole flock of early birds too.

If you skip breakfast & come hungry, there's plenty of quick service options in the park to satisfy your stomach before you get started. Our little gem is heading to Starbucks right when you get in and using the Starbucks app to get extra perks! We use the app rather than cash/card, and for those that don't know, IT IS ACCEPTED PAYMENT IN DISNEY STARBUCKS! You can't redeem reward stars for food/drink or capitalize on promotional offers in the park (those rules don't apply to Disney Springs though) - but you can use the app to pay and GET STARS for what you would purchase in real life anyways! And for those that are spending savvy (like me), use Raise to purchase discounted Starbucks gift cards so you're saving even more! We grab and go, while delighting in our goodness and making everyone else gawk in jealousy.

The parks opened at 8am the day we arrived and we got in a little past 830am. The parks are quiet first thing in the morning, so use the Disney World app to look at wait times and hit any attractions that seem unusually low. Try to ride any of the above that you didn't get a FastPass for early on, especially with wait times that look made up - more on that next!

3. Ride anything with little to no wait. That's pretty obvious, but really, it’s a must.

Once we arrived, the boys decided to head to Tomorrowland and conquer Space Mountain (1) because it only had a 15 minute wait! Fifteen, 1 - 5, I said that right. We didn't have a FastPass for the ride and this was the lowest wait it'd be all day, so the boys got in line. Which left me and Elle to find a ride in the area that she could get on and that they wouldn't care to miss. Astro Orbiters (2) it is!

Once we all finished on our respective rides we met to get on Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin (3) and hopped on after a 10 minute wait. The boys are finally at the age where they can ride non-thrill rides unaccompanied, so they had a blast experiencing this game together.

The rest of the morning we hit up rides according to wait times and tried to get through a slew of attractions without losing any precious time:

​(4) Mad Tea Party - 5 minutes
​(5)Dumbo the Flying Elephant - 10 minutes + play time under the big top
​(6)The Barnstormer - 10 minutes
​(7)Under the Sea - Journey of the Little Mermaid - 10 minutes
​(8)Mickey's PhilharMagic - 10 minutes

​We got to The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (9) where Elle was itching to go, and it had a 30 minute wait. We decided to swallow our pride and line up, since we had been running hard and it gave us a chance to plan the rest of the day. Plus this attraction also has another play area, which was enough distraction to make the time go by fairly fast.

Back in 2017 we were craving some California vibes and decided that a Pacific Coast Highway road trip was in order - we made plans to make our way up to San Fran by way of LA. We planned out our days visiting coastal cities, wineries in Central Cali, and the beauty of the Bay Area (more on all that later). But we also knew that with our proximity to Disneyland with two young kids, who were part of four of the biggest Disney fans, we had to make a stop!

​And we're so glad we did! Brows might be raised as to why we'd go all the way out there, when we have everything that Walt Disney World has to offer right in our backyard (and quite literally at our disposal). But one is not like the other; the experience between the original and the remix are completely different. And in many ways, we actually ended up liking Disneyland better!

We didn't cease to tell anyone that asked, or maybe questioned our trip, about what an amazing experience it was to see the park that Walt himself designed. And we got local Californians who couldn't agree more. But for someone who hasn't been, here are the reasons why if you're even a bit of a Disney fan, you should stop to see where all the magic started!

1. The resort feels exclusive. Yes, much like Walt Disney World, once you enter Disneyland California you feel like you're in a world all their own. But much different than Walt Disney World, if you're staying on property, you can leave your car and not need it again until you pack up to leave!

Walt Disney World has miles upon miles of roads that make this megastructure amazing to visit - there's another spot to see at every turn! Disneyland is situated within Anaheim city limits, but once you get on property, the real world gets left behind. For Orlando locals, or those familiar with the spot, the best comparison is to that of Universal Orlando Resort. All hotels and activities are within walking distance of each other and if you're staying on-site, you don't need to hit a major road way to get anywhere you need to go. You know it is situated in the middle of the real world, but from where you are, nothing else seems to exist. And quite honestly, it has a very similar layout to Universal Orlando that it made us feel a little at home. ​

For our trip, we opted to stay at one of the three Disney branded properties, Paradise Pier, which was about a 10 minute walk to Downtown Disney District. Upon arrival, we parked our car, checked in, and made our way towards all the action! Our walk took us past the classic Disneyland Hotel, which brings you glimpses of what this place used to be in all its original glory. Once you get through security, you're where all the magic happens! A movie theater welcomes you to the District, and is surrounded by plenty of other stops including The LEGO store, Splitsville and The VOID. There's a huge selection of restaurants, with all types of cuisines and plenty of outdoor seating to enjoy perfect Southern California nights. The flagship World of Disney store leads you directly to the Esplanade between the two parks.

If you're looking to stay in the middle of it all, we recommend Disney Grand Californian as it is situated above the retail locations of Downtown Disney. Bonus, also has its own exclusive entrance to Disney's California Adventure - so you could quite literally leave your hotel and be right in the park!

2. Small but fierce. Disneyland is smaller - much smaller. But it was a big part of why we liked it so much!

If you hadn't heard it before, the whole Disneyland park has been said to fit in Magic Kingdom's parking lot. It seems like a discouraging fact when you hear it, but haven’t seen it to believe it. But once you're there, that fun fact hardly seems true - the intimacy is a welcoming feature of the park!

We know the effort it takes to see the Walt Disney World parks, and as we were trying to cram two whole parks in only two days, we started doubting how much we could do without completely wearing the kids (or ourselves) out. Especially since this was the first leg of our 10-day road trip!

Our doubts carried no weight - the size of the parks actually made the trip! We loved the fact that with two young kids, compact parks meant manageable while still feeling completely immersive! I love to rave about how while we waited to ride Alice in Wonderland, we stood in an open air queue right next to the route for the Main Street Electrical Parade as it rolled by. Where at Walt Disney World can you do that?! We kept them distracted and entertained all while best utilizing our time there!

This park was definitely proof that less is sometimes more!

3. Size doesn't matter! Because even though it is smaller, there's actually more to do per park!

Yes, you read that right. There’s more to do at the Disneyland parks than those at Walt Disney World. But now if you're adding up everything all 4 parks have vs their 2, that's not going to equate. But when we were looking at the map of Disneyland, we counted at least a handful or more attractions than at Magic Kingdom. You know, the park that is said to fit in the other’s lot.

The same went for California Adventure - compared to any of the other parks here, it had more to do by square foot. Which in turn made it feel like our stay there was worth every penny since we were going to accomplish just as much in two days than we would in the same time here. .

But if this alone isn't reason for you to go visit, I don't know what is. That you can go visit another park and actually see a few things slightly different than we can, is actually really cool.

4. Come see the classic rides! We love that Walt Disney World gets an update and something fresh pops up to keep guests coming for more. But there's something special about seeing what Walt built and the nostalgia that comes with it.

Upon entering Disneyland, after walking down a 3/4 scale Main Street and passing through the gates of Sleeping Beauty's castle, you'll find King Arthur Carousel as the centerpiece of Fantasyland, much like at Magic Kingdom. But surrounding it, you'll find Snow White's Scary Adventures (remember the scary witch at the end - yes, they have her there too!) and Pinocchio's Daring Journey (we were a little jealous we never had this) on one side; Peter Pan's Flight and Mr. Toad's Wild Ride on the other. Mr Toad's, guys! How much do you miss that?! Right next to Dumbo the Flying Elephant, you could ride a car in Casey Jr. Circus Train, which couldn't have made my little guy's heart sing anymore with his then train obsession! My princess fell in love with the Storybook Land Boats and loved to shout about which princess lived every different themed land we sailed by. There was just something special about riding these very simple yet, timeless rides - it made you very much in awe the innovative mind of those that opened this over 60 years ago!

The Mad Tea Party is an open air attraction, which is hands down much better to experience with the lanterns lighting up the cool California night. And to top it off, "it's a small world" is by far the most beautiful facade you will see - glimmering in white and gold as you wait in sunshine to board the boat. The ride itself has an adorable touch of Disney characters hidden in each land each is respectively from, making the ride that much more adorable to enjoy as we looked for them with the kids!

​Remember the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea submarines? They still have them here, except now they've been rethemed to Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage. I couldn't tell you my excitement to step back down on that sub and bring my kids along - it felt like I was their age all over again! On top of that, the "race cars" of Autopia are absolutely worth the wait to ride - because you know you'll want to get a picture with one in all its cartoon cuteness.

Then head over to New Orleans Square for Pirates of the Caribbean, where you get quite a lengthy boat ride as you sail from the depths of the Louisiana bayou to the Gulf sea. You pass right by the famous Blue Bayou Restaurant and envy the diners who nabbed a spot. Early reservations, every bit of the 60 days before, is absolutely true - trust us, we learned the hard way!

Seeing all the originals and imagining that these came at a time when nothing like this existed is amazing. It makes your truly appreciate how genius Walt and his time were for bringing this and so much more to life!

5. New thrills! Want something a little more updated? They have LOADS of it too! Head to Disney California Adventure for not only more updated rides, but also new experiences compared to what Orlando has to offer!

Their Tower of Terror has been rethemed to Guardians of the Galaxy - Mission: BREAKOUT! which is quite honestly a total upgrade to make it a lot more entertaining. Cars Land takes you straight to Radiator Springs, where you can find Mater's Junkyard Jamboree, Luigi's Rollickin' Roadsters, and the main attraction, Radiator Springs Racers, which is absolutely amazing! Further into the park you'll find the Pixar Pier, which houses the iconic Ferris wheel that California Adventure is known for, as well as Incredicoaster (a pretty intense ride for those coaster lovers)! Our little ones also LOVED It's a Bug's Land, though it has since closed down. The area had a huge selection of rides for tots & allowed them to feel as small as a bug with their bigger than life surroundings.

In Disneyland you can find updated attractions of the past, like that of Mickey's Towntoon. It is set in an adorable little town, complete with streets, trolley cars, and each character's unique home - including Mickey's house, Minnie's House, Chip and Dale's Treehouse, Donald's Boat, and Goofy's Playhouse. The space is also shared by Roger Rabbit Car Toon Spin and Gadget's Go Coaster - a perfect little wonderland for the littlest of kids, tucked in the back of the park!

6. Weather's great. You CAN NOT beat Southern California's weather. We woke up to slightly cool days, covered in haze. But as the sun broke through it warmed up and we had nothing but golden sun & bright blue skies. We fully took advantage of this gorgeous, predictable (which we don't have at home) weather and made the most of every minute in the parks.

Did we mention that at the end of June the temperature was in the 70s for the high? Yeah, it was that perfect!

​The weather's so great, "it's a small world" made a point to call it out on the ride!

7. The added benefits made the parks even easier to see. We'll be the first to admit, we came into this in full tourist let's-try-to-get-as-much-done-as-possible mode. But there was no need to!

For starters, the park doesn't run at nearly the capacity our parks fo. We never at any point felt like we were caught in the masses or disappointed by wait times - and we came during their peak season. Yes it was busy, but never insane!

We took advantage of the perks of staying on-site and utilized Extra Magic Hours to beat the crowds. Staying at Paradise Pier, we booked a Club Level room (which we HIGHLY recommend) for all the added benefits!, We were given some appropriately themed Mickey sweets in our room at arrival which was great after a long day of travel. Club Level provides you with a lounge which includes snacks and appetizers, along with beverages and a daily beer and wine hour for the length of your stay! There was also a concierge available at all lounge hours to help plan your day!

So we'd get up, have a quick continental breakfast, load up on snacks (they had cereal, individual bags of chips, fruit, and soda available to take at your discretion), and then head to the park for opening at 8am. We'd ride line free attractions for the first couple hours of the park being open, and the extra hours allowed us to do all the major rides before wait times set in. Then we started pulling FastPasses.

The FastPass system there is not like our mobile one here - you're not initially limited on FastPass pulls, just timing of them. So, for example, if I grab a pass at 955am valid for use between 10am - 11am, I can walk over to another attraction at 10am and pull another FastPass - even if I didn't use the first one. That means if the next FastPass is time stamped with a soon forthcoming time, I can pull another and then use all three back to back. This was great as it gave us some set plans and then also allowed us to wait in some short lines, all before our passes expired. It also gave us an advantage to get on the more popular rides, since we don’t have a cap on passes we just had to wait an allotted time before pulling the next!

​And now they have the purchase option of MaxPass, which allows you to have full access to passes on your phone once entering the park. So if you’re a planner and want the convenience of mobile selection, it’s definitely worth the minimal upgrade fee!

Using FastPasses, we found that by lunch time we had completed most of each park, and with that we'd go back to the hotel for a mid-day siesta. We got to enjoy the hotel's pool and water slides, take a quick nap, and then head back down to the Club Lounge for an evening bite and drinks, before heading back to close down the park. Both kids ran hard during the day, but doing this, both kids also lasted way past the stroke of midnight. We couldn't recommend staying on-site more for all the benefits it offers - for everyone!

8. Book a dining experience in advance. Our carefree approach also allowed us to take in some extra special character dining. On our first day we had booked a princess character dining, which at the time was offered at Pacific Wharf. We enjoyed a prie fixe meal and met with 5 princesses, including Ariel who met us at the ​entry. We used their PhotoPass benefits to get pictures of our lunch and were never at any point rushed to finish. We sat outside in that perfect California weather, overlooking Pixar Pier and Paradise Gardens Park, and watched their eyes light up every time a new princess (or a plate of food) came to them.

Each princess took her time when speaking to our kids and gave them each special attention and we couldn't be more grateful for them allowing to soak in that moment. For two that get to see this all the time at home, I thought it'd lose a little bit of it's wonder. But it didn't it all. We also made it a special point to bring a Princess Story Book that our daughter loved, to have each princess sign the chapter about them; now when we read it at home, it’s also full of fond memories of our time in California.

For our second day, we had attempted to make dinner reservations at Blue Bayou, because it came highly recommended and after seeing it and its menu in person, we knew we had to try. No such luck - this is why we recommend booking dining in advance ( reservations open up 60 days prior to travel at Disneyland)!

We instead ate at Cafe Orleans and every bit enjoyed the Cajun style food, the live music, people watching and those beignets! Makes me drool just looking at them!

9. This is Walt's kingdom. You can feel his timeless presence in the Disneyland park, like Walt still has his hand on it. We met employees who were there from the beginning and still spoke about him with a smile on their face. For the reputation that those in the great Los Angeles region get, the people we met here were genuine, warm and full of love.

Characters walked around without handlers in sight; and really interacted with those that came to visit. The park was kept up to very pristine standards. There was a general light hearted vibe in the air - no rush to fit this all in your family vacation, just be present. It was truly amazing to have a vacation that felt like one and immerse ourselves in every experience with our kids.
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People would find out we were form Orlando and envy the fact that we get to go to the World. But we in turn envy that this park was theirs - such a simpler way to live and with a pureness you could feel from its creation.

10. Roadtrip! You're in the perfect part of the country to load up the car and watch the terrain change! How could you not want to come visit Disneyland and then let the compass guide you as part of a bigger trip? In our case, we headed north after our two & 1/2 perfectly magical days at Disneyland - and made another week’s worth of amazing memories.

​It was definitely the way to set off an incredible trip and if you have the opportunity to go visit, we urge you to do so! It's worth every penny spent and second of your time. Then if you’re longing for more real world adventure, load up the car and see all the PCH has to offer. This has been one of our families best and most memorable trips to date - and we’d do it all over again!