Grateful For Our Disney Vacation Adventures!

Let's all be Wilderness Explorers!

This post is coming from a place of gratitude.  We are very fortunate to have had so many Disney vacation adventures in a short amount of time.

Let's recap the last year:

July 2015--We took a trip out west for a grand summer vacation that included stays at two Disneyland Resort Hotels and a week-end at Legoland.  We learned so much on this trip!  A highlight was the Walk in Walt's Footsteps Tour at Disneyland's Magic Kingdom.  Click here to read more.

Legoland--we stayed at the Legoland Hotel

Disneyland's Magic Kingdom--celebrating 60 years

Inside Walt Disney's Apartment on Main Street, U.S.A in Disneyland.

Disney's California Adventure!

December 2015--Disney Cruise #7.  Our second sailing on the Disney Fantasy and our second New Year's Eve cruise.  Highlights include the boy getting himself on stage during the magic show in the Walt Disney Theater, multiple Star Wars movie viewings, and New Year's Day on Castaway Cay.  I got out my water shoes the other day and they still hand sand on them from Castaway Cay--a slice of paradise!

Fun in the Port Terminal prior to boarding.

Castaway Club Reception--Meeting the ship's Captain

The husband DID ride the AquaDuck with me!

New Year's Eve.  Hats provided by Disney Cruise Line.

New Year's Day on Castaway Cay!

February 2016--A Big Birthday trip to Walt Disney World.  I cannot think of a better way to celebrate a birthday.  Fireworks, special treats, and many people wishing me a Happy Birthday.  Highlights from this trip include being chosen to open Magic Kingdom, the boy being picked for Lights, Motors, Action!, Ultimate Day of Thrills VIP Tour, Star Wars fireworks and character greetings at Hollywood Studios, and purchasing our first Annual Passes.

The boy on the big screen at Lights, Motors, Action!

Opening Magic Kingdom!

Chewbacca for the hug!

Birthday cupcake!

Birthday Cake!

Birthday ice cream!

Nothing beats a family hug in the Magic Kingdom!

The husband with our Annual Passes! 

Yes, we get to go often to the places that some people only dream of going.  Is it always easy? No.  Each day we make decisions based on our priorities--family vacations are the priority for us.  Every family has different priorities--no right or wrong--just different.  Something I appreciate is that the husband and I are on the same page when it comes to priorities for our family.  I can imagine that could emerge if that was not the case.

For anyone dreaming of a Disney vacation, know that Walt believed that dreams really can come true!

Sounvenirs From Our Summer 2015 Disneyland/Legoland Family Vacation

One difference that we noticed at Disneyland compared to Walt Disney World is that the attractions do not enter into shops.  That aside, shopping was still plentiful, fun, and easy.  Each of the Disneyland Resort Hotels had shops located near the lobby and Downtown Disney had a large World of Disney Store that guests could wander in and out of at their leisure.  We also found shops in various locations in both parks.

Our souvenir haul included Christmas tree ornaments—one from Disneyland commemorating the 60^th Anniversary and one from Legoland, a bulb shaped ornament filled with golden Legos complete with golden ribbon.  I had already put these items away, so no photos.

We also brought back some art.  One piece is to commemorate both parks—Disneyland and California Adventure.  We rode both of the attractions featured in the art work.  The other is a bit of memorabilia from our Walt in Walt’s Footsteps Tour.  Frames will be coming via Amazon.

Click here to read more about what we collect.

Accessories spoke my name and I brought home scarves with various images of Mickey and other Disney icons.  I also snagged a new purse and wallet.  We had left the World of Disney Store without me purchasing the wallet.  As time passed, I had that “I will regret this” feeling, so I went back and made the purchase.  Won’t any money I have left after this trip look good in this wallet?

The husband bought several new pins and a new lanyard.  He also got a new hat and a Disney luau shirt.  It’s yellow and red and he’s worn it already since we’ve been home!  (I may have to get one that matches!) 

Speaking of matching shirts, we got a new set of matching t-shirts.  Just couldn’t resist ones from Carsland!

The boy got an Avenger playset, new Disney pins, an Anger stuffed toy—from Inside Out, and an Anger t-shirt.  Anger is his favorite character from the movie.  And, he got Legos!  Ironically, most of his Legos came from the Lego store at Downtown Disney rather than the “Big One’ which is what the store is called at Legoland.  He wanted Jurassic World sets and Legoland was sold out.  We knew the Lego Store at Downtown Disney had them so we just waited until we returned.  He did purchase on set of Legos at Legoland.

We saved money!  At Legoland, having a Lego VIP Card saved us 5% on the Lego purchases.  At the Lego Store at Downtown Disney, using the Lego VIP card allowed us to earn points and we got $5 off our purchase.

We also saved 10% on Disney purchases by using our Disney Rewards Visa card.  Any purchase over $50 was subject to the 10% discount using the card.

Package delivery to the front of the park was available at both Disneyland parks.  Guests could also have their purchases delivered to the Disneyland Resort Hotel.  But different than Walt Disney World, packages went to Bell Services rather than the resort shop.

By The Numbers. . . Disneyland and Legoland Summer 2015

We have returned from our Summer 2015 family vacation that included visits to both the Disneyland Resort and Legoland California.  We’ve collected stories, anecdotes, tales, opinions, photos, videos, and souvenirs.  Here’s an overview. . . by the numbers:

7—the number of days spent in the Disneyland Parks.  We had 3 day tickets and 4 day tickets.

2—the number of Disneyland Hotels we stayed at including the Disneyland Hotel and Paradise Pier.

2—the number of days we spent in the Legoland Park and the number of nights we stayed at the Legoland Hotel.

570—the number of Photopass Photos on our account.  We paid $69.95 (pre-order price) for Photopass + and with the number of photos taken, it was a bargain!

44—the number of photos taken by the Legoland photographers.

1590—the number of photos taken by one of our cameras.  The other camera had 494 photos.  We take two cameras, plus the phone, as we can run down a camera battery quite quickly. (I've got a lot of photo editing to do!)

2—the number of hours difference in time between home and California. 

3—the number of times we saw Disneyland Forever Fireworks display.  As the boy says, Disney has spoiled us for all other fireworks.  Yep!

12—the number of work emails and text messages received while on vacation. 

1—the number of adult beverages the husband and I both had at Trader Sams—and for our whole trip.

3--the number of times Cast Members gave us wrong information.

3--the number of swimming pools/water parks we splashed around in.

3--the number of the most Fastpasses we had at one time.

3—the number of times I was moved to tears—happy, joyful, goose bumpy tears.

5—the number of months before our next Disney vacation!

Disney Has Pin Trading--Legoland Has Minifigure Trading

When planning our visit to the Legoland California Resort, we discovered that trading Lego minifigures is part of the fun.  Bringing a Lego minifigure to trade is listed as the number one tip of the 5 top tips for enjoying your visit to Legoland.

Having traded pins at Walt Disney World and on the Disney ships, the boy wanted to get into the minifigure trading action.  Enter mom and Amazon.

The other day I saw sets of 20 minifigures on Amazon for less than $7.  This was such a great deal, I ordered two sets.  And, got them for FREE using my Swagbucks Amazon gift cards (click here to get started earning with Swagbucks). 

While the price was certainly right, the shipping may have been an issue.  An order placed on June 9 had a delivery date of July 22—which would have been after we returned from our vacation.  Not wanting to disappoint the boy, he had no idea the minifigures had been ordered.  To my delight and the boy’s, the package arrived yesterday. 

He set to work building minifigures and has a pencil case designated for the ones he is taking to trade. 

Click here to read about building minifigures at the LegoStore at Downtown Disney.

Click here to read about the husband’s 50 Disney FREE tradingpins.

Capturing Photos During Our Summer 2015 Disneyland/Legoland Vacation

Souvenirs?  Maybe.  Photos?  Always! 

For us, it’s all about the photos, especially during a vacation.  And, our upcoming Disneyland/Legoland Summer 2015 vacation is no different.  It’s all about the photos. 

While traveling to Walt Disney World, we have taken advantage of various renditions of Photopass—purchasing (usually pre-purchasing) a CD of all of our Photopass photos, then Photopass + which included ride and dining photos along with all in-park photos taken by Photopass photographers, and then, the most recent version—Memory Maker, which now includes ride videos in addition to ride photos!

At Disneyland, guests can pre-purchase the Photopass photo CD or purchase it after their vacation, but Photopass + is also available for pre-purchase!

Since planning a Disneyland vacation is new for us, I wasn’t sure which Photopass options were available at their parks.  Playing around on the Disneyland website, I notice links to Photopass when looking at various dining options.  Hmmm. . . that led me to believe that Photopass+ was available.  And, I found it once on the Photopass website, but could not get it show up in my “cart.”

Finally, I had to call Photopass.  They helped me find the Photopass + product for Disneyland under the “HELP” section of their website.  I’m guessing that this is so guests traveling to Walt Disney World don’t get confused as the product is no longer available for Walt Disney World.  I was able to pre-purchase Photopass + for Disneyland for $69.95 and had to guarantee that we were more than 14 days from our Disneyland vacation.  If I waited until I arrived at Disneyland, the price would have been $99.95.

Why at least 14 days ahead of my vacation?  When pre-ordering Photopass +, a voucher is mailed that is then taken to a Photopass location in either park to redeem for a special Photopass+ card that is “active” for two weeks.  Showing this special card allows for ride photos and dining photos to be added to our Photopass account.  Another voucher for a free Photopass CD is inside the case and I will use that when I get home.

So, what’s included in Photopass + for Disneyland?  All of our Photopass photos taken by Photopass photographers in both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park, attraction photos at California Screamin’, Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, Radiator Springs Racers, and The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, and dining photos at Goofy’s Kitchen, Ariel’s Grotto, Disney’s PCH Grill, and Plaza Inn.  By the way, we will be dining at all of those locations.

Historically, any type of pre-ordering or pre-purchasing of a Photopass product, including Memory Maker, has been an outstanding deal for us.  Given that Photopass + allows for two weeks of photos will give us plenty of time to capture our memories in both parks.

But what about Legoland?  I was very curious to see if there was a photo product at Legoland.  (Last summer we discovered PhotoConnect at Universal parks.)  The website gave no indication so I made a phone call.  After being transferred three times, I was able to talk to someone at Kodak that told me that there are in park photo purchase options that can only be made at the Legoland park and include both digital and print options.  The price varies as there are “specials of the day” but typically an all digital package is around $45.  I then asked about multiple day options and was told that for an additional $20 another day can be added to the digital package.  I’m ready to investigate further and have this on our list the first day we are at Legoland.

Why photos?  For us, photos capture memories and never go out of style.  I’ve seen people agonize over photo purchases (as when traveling with Disney the prices can be alarming) but not agonize over purchasing some other type of souvenir.  Have you ever seen photos in a garage sale?  Nope.  We don’t ever outgrow photos.

What Am I Most Looking Forward To. . . A Top 10 List

The other day, the boy tipped his hand and indicated that out of all of our upcoming trips, he is most looking forward to Legoland.  That got me thinking. . . What am I most looking forward to?

Being the planner, this question is a hard one for me.  My role is to find out what the rest of my traveling party wants and plan accordingly, throwing in a few surprises here and there—like last summer when the husband and the boy had no idea about the FROZEN Summer Fun at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.  I didn’t tell them and instead, snuck in visits to what were some of our favorite parts of our vacation.

Okay, back to the question.  To answer requires a top 10.  Here are the top 10 things (in no particular order) I am looking forward to from all of our vacations happening this year including Disneyland, Legoland, Walt Disney World, and a 7-night cruise on the Disney Fantasy:

1.         A non-stop, direct flight to L.A.  No connections, no traversing an airport to find the gate for the connecting flight.  Even after studying airport maps on the back pages of the airline magazines in the pocket in front of me, I still do not like the disorienting feeling of emerging from the jetway and figuring out which way to turn to find flights displayed on the screen, the nearest bathroom, and which way to go to get to the next gate.  (I have found following the people in front of me and asking airline staff has been helpful.)

2.         The parks being a hop, skip, and jump from our resorts at Disneyland.  I know it is really more than that, but comparing to the proximity of resorts to the them parks at Walt Disney World, I know it will seem that way.

3.         Being at Disneyland for its 60^th Anniversary Celebration.  We didn’t know this when we originally planned our trip, so all the special activities are a bonus!

4.         Walt Disney World decorated for the holidays.  I am especially missing the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights.  If I can get into the middle of millions of dancing lights, hear the music, and get some photos taken, our trip will be worth it.  Get me to the dancing lights!

5.         Castaway Cay!

6.         The Legoland Hotel—the amenities, entertainment, bunk bed set up, and free breakfast are a big draw.

7.         Legoland Water park.  I find myself looking more forward to the water park than the theme park.  We’ll see which one I like more. . .

8.         Photos!  Of all of it!

9.         Hearing “Welcome aboard, the Williams Family!”  I never get tired of hearing that!

10.       Spending time with my family—fellow adventurers—and making more memories.

Guess I could add an 11^th and that is being able to take family vacations to Disneyland, Legoland, Walt Disney World, and a Disney Cruise all in one year!

Legoland Coming Out Ahead of Disneyland in the Anticipation Scale

The boy and I were out and about yesterday running errands—haircut and a bit of shopping.  While at Wal-Mart, I was buying plumbers tape, the boy was browsing the Lego aisle.  He had some Valentine money and his allowance.  He spotted a building set that had 5 mini-figures and two builds for $15.  It fit in his budget and yet he still was having a hard time committing to the purchase.  (It is very hard for him to spend his own money!)  I told him that with 5 mini-figures in the set, it was a good deal as mini-figures can be quite costly.  After some deliberation, he decided.  (I love it that these decisions are difficult for him!) 

When taking the box to the check-outs he then pondered aloud if the mini-figures in this set would be some he could trade.  Trade?  Yep, trade! 

At Legoland the employees will trade mini-figures.  Think pin trading with Cast Members at Disney, but with Lego mini-figures instead.  Ah, we’ve traded pins, we’ve traded Vinylmation, and now we want to trade mini-figures.  Got it.

Our walking conversation continued.  When we stay at the Legoland Hotel, there will be a bucket of Legos in our room.  He said he knew that and was planning on building something.  And, we talked about building our own raft at the Legoland Waterpark. 

I asked if he was more excited for Disneyland or Legoland this summer.  He said both, but Legoland a little bit more.  I understand.

Since our errands were done by lunchtime, the afternoon was dedicated to building  the new set of Legos.  At least until it was time for indoor soccer.

Our Trip Out West Is Shaping Up!

Our trip out west is shaping up!  We are officially booked to stay 4 nights at the Disneyland Hotel, 2 nights at the Legoland Hotel, and 5 nights at Paradise Pier, a Disneyland Resort Hotel.  (The Grand Californian was a bit too grand for our budget.)

Disneyland has 3 on-site resort hotels for guests and several “good neighbor” hotels that offer some Disneyland perks.  Even though we are paying more to stay on property, the husband and I talked it over and we wanted that experience.  Even with the convenience of staying on-site, we are still navigating transportation, dining, etc.  Staying on-site was a decision to make at least a portion of our vacation planning “easy.”

Of the 3 on-site resort hotels, pricing varies with the Grand Californian being the most expensive, followed by the Disneyland Hotel, and Paradise Pier, while not cheap, is the least expensive.  We designed our stay to take advantage of any savings. 

The first “leg” of our trip is 4 nights—all week-days.  Therefore it made sense to spend this part of our vacation in the most expensive, to us, resort.  Disneyland Hotel it is!

The week-end, Friday and Saturday nights, are the most expensive nights when staying on Disney property.  We, then, decided, to head to Legoland for the week-end.  We got a reasonable “advance rate” which does require full payment and a really good deal on tickets for Legoland Park, the Water Park, and the SeaLife Aquarium at a buy one day, get one day free rate.  More good news is that our stay includes breakfast!  There are also many fun things to do at the Legoland resort which we will do our best to take advantage of.  Oh, and guests get to select the theme of their room, based on availability of course.  Choices include Pirate, Adventure, and Kingdom all appropriate for either boys or girls.  The vote at the Williams' household was "Pirate."  (Our travel agent predicted that one!)

The last “leg” of our vacation is 5 nights.  Staying the least expensive resort made sense due to the length of our stay.  We are looking forward to exploring Paradise Pier.

Park tickets have also been secured—a 4 day Park Hopper on each leg.  This will give us plenty of time in the parks and some time to play on “non park” days. 

Now, to figure out dining. . .

We're Headed West to Disneyland!

The Williams Family is headed West this summer to tour Disneyland.  We’re excited, curious, and feeling like “newbies” when it comes to planning a Disney vacation.  So where are we with our planning for a vacation that is six months away from today?

Flights—the flights are booked.  We got a great deal on direct flights from an airport 90 miles from home.  As a part of the flight booking process, we also paid for luggage and seats.  Done!

So we know our dates.  We’ve got 12 days and would like to spend a few/days nights at one Disneyland Resort, then head off to Legoland to stay and play in their theme park, water park, and hotel, then return to the Disneyland and give another resort a try.  Always researching. . .

We’ve hit a bit of a snag and I sent an email to our travel agent to help us find out more.  Transportation to/from the airports to the Disneyland Resort is available—for a fee.  Motorcoaches have specific operating times, not like Disney’s Magical Express in Orlando.  The buses start running at 6:00 am and our return flight is at 8:15 am so I’m wondering if getting on that first bus would give us enough time to get to the airport and make it to our flight.  Otherwise, we will have to make alternative transportation arrangements.

Then, there’s getting to Legoland.  Just like Disney to think of everything and adding transportation to Legoland and/or other Southern California destinations is something guests can add on to their vacation package.  What I need to know is the timing of that transportation and is it such that we can take our luggage with us?  The answers to this question will determine the types of tickets we want/need for both Legoland and Disneyland.  And, we obviously want round-trip transportation, just not on the same day.

For example, if the transportation to Legoland is early in the day, then there is no sense in having a Disneyland park ticket for that day.  Maybe there is enough time to have a character breakfast before going to Legoland. 

Walt Disney World planning veterans would be making dining reservations as today marks our 6 month window, but not Disneyland.  Dining reservations are available 60 days ahead.  Good thing as we are not ready to make them yet.

We’re already noticing the differences, just in the planning stages.  We’ll keep you posted!