Magical Monday

Your Little One CAN Go to Disneyland Resort! (updated)

~ ceeceesparkles ~ Leave a comment

Last time I’ve posted the list of things your little ones can do in Disneyland Resort was back in 2016! And guess what? Quite a bit has changed in the park since 2016, and seeing as people ask me actually quite a bit what I suggest doing with toddlers and babies in Disney, I think its about time I update this post so when I send it off to inquiring minds, its up to date!

Let me start with this, 100% I believe that Disneyland is for ALL ages. Even teeny tiny. I live in Utah so I, unfortunately, can’t get to DLR quite as frequently as I’d like to, but we still go often. The earliest I’ve taken a baby to Disney was when my second child was two months old. If all goes according to plan, we’ll be going when Baby Brother is even younger. Its still magical. Even with teeny tiny people. So if you’re asking me for my opinion on if its worth taking your littles to Disney, my answer will ALWAYS be YES.

So lets get into this, shall we?

WHAT YOUR LITTLE ONE CAN DO IN DISNEYLAND RESORT:

DISNEYLAND:

MAIN STREET USA

  • Disneyland Railroad: This train takes you around the whole park with plenty to look at. Its a great attraction to sit and relax for a while and eat a snack. If you’re a nursing mama, this is a great spot to nurse!
  • Main Street Vehicles: These are the cars or horse-drawn street cars and carriages you see going up and down Main Street. Its another fun way to get off your feet and see Main Street in a different way. Little ones love this, and being pulled by a horse is always particularly exciting! You can also learn your horses name, which hangs in the carriage it pulls.

TOMORROWLAND

  • Astro Orbiter: This is basically the Dumbo ride, but in a rocket. To little ones, its exhilarating and exciting.
  • Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters: A fun ride with bright, glowing colors and fun sounds. Weather your little one can shoot the blaster or not, its a fun one for them. They also tend to enjoy controlling the direction your vehicle turns.
  • Monorail: There are stops for the monorail in a few spots in DLR, but we’ll cover it here. Its cool, out of the sun, another great nursing spot and little ones looking out the window at a unique aerial view of Disney.
  • Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage: This is a long, unique ride. You board a submarine, take your seat and peer out your own personal window at Nemo’s world under the sea. Its a lot of fun and there is so much to look at.

FANTASYLAND

  • Alice in Wonderland: A bright, exciting ride that takes you through Alice’s story. Its both indoors and outdoors and you get to ride in a cute, colorful caterpillar.
  • Casey Jr. Circus Train: An outdoor ride with sights and sounds galore. All the cars are different and provide a slightly different riding experience. Our personal favorites are the cage-like cars.
  • Dumbo the Flying Elephant: Everyone knows this one, right? Its iconic and something so many people associate with Disney, so little ones get so excited about it. You ride in Dumbo and fly around in circles. Your little one will adore it.
  • Small World: If I could only recommend one ride for you and your little one to enjoy while at Disney, this would be it. Its a fairly long ride, its bright and colorful, its happy and the song is fun (right?!).
  • King Arthurs Carousel: Its your typical carousel on brightly colored horses with great music and sights. My kids always gravitate toward this ride.
  • Mad Tea Party: The teacups always spin, but if you don’t manually spin them, they don’t go nearly as fast which can make for a fun and more tame ride for your little partner.
  • Mr. Toads Wild Ride: A short little indoor ride in a cute little car with a wheel to steer and plenty to look at.
  • Peter Pans Flight: Another classic much like Dumbo. You ride in a pirate ship suspended in the air and fly over London and Neverland. If you ask me, its a must do.
  • Pinnochio’s Daring Journey: A ride very comparable to Mr. Toads – a fun one.
  • Snow White’s Enchanted Wish: This ride has been updated from Snow White’s Scary Adventure and is much more child-friendly now. Again, similar to Mr. Toad and Pinnochio. Even better things to look at.
  • Storybook Land Canal Boats: You ride an adorable boat while a Cast Member gives you a magical guided tour around Storybook Land where you’ll see Princess castles, Monstro the whale and lots more.

TOONTOWN

  • Gadgets Go-Coaster: A children’s rollercoaster thats a lot of fun – there is still a heigh requirement here, 35 inches, its just a lot shorter than the usual rollercoasters.
  • Rodger Rabbits Car Toon Spin: A ride through Rodger Rabbits story – and your car spins!
  • You can meet Mickey and many of his friends in Toontown, too, as well as tour the Fab 5’s houses.

FRONTIERLAND

  • Mark Twain Riverboat: Its the huge white boat out in Rivers of America. Its a fun ride to sit and snack, nurse or sight-see and people watch.

CRITTER COUNTRY

  • The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh: Board a beehive and ride through the Hundred Acre Woods to go on an adventure with Pooh Bear and all his friends.

NEW ORLEANS SQUARE

  • Haunted Mansion: This gets a wrap for being a scary ride. Smaller babies don’t seem to care that its ‘scary’ and its possible your LO will be a little frightened, but I know from experience that you can talk your child through it and help them realize its only pretend scary. Try and give it a shot if your little buddy will let you.
  • Pirates of the Caribbean: There are two smallish drops on this ride, but considering a teeny tiny baby could still ride this, that tells you its not too dramatic. This is another that may seem a little scary, but is likely more exciting and has lots to look at.

ADVENTURELAND:

  • Enchanted Tiki Room: This is a show where you get to sit and listen to the birdies sing, chant and thoroughly entertain you. Its bright, loud and lots of fun. Another good spot to nurse.
  • Jungle Cruise: A cruise through the jungle with a  hilarious Skipper and lots of animals (and the backside of water!) to look at. Super exciting for a little one!

CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE:

  • Little Mermaid’s Undersea Adventure: One of my personal favorites. You ride in a big sea shell and basically go through the movie, Little Mermaid. It is bright with so much to look at and there are songs throughout the whole ride.
  • Red Car Trolley: This is the Trolley that rides on tracks around Buena Vista Street. Its a fun way to sit and let your little one look around.
  • Disney Junior – Live on Stage: Ok, its not a ride but I had to mention this one. Its a bunch of the Disney Junior shows on stage! If you have little ones (especially ones who love Disney Junior) then this is an absolute must.
  • Monsters Inc. Mike and Sulley to the Rescue: A fun ride through Monstroplois. Its short, air-conditioned and bright. The outside of this ride is an awesome photo op too, by the way.
  • Golden Zephyr: Soar around in a spaceship! Its fun, spins and is something a little different for the kids.
  • Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind: Do you remember Flik’s Flyers in Bugs Land? This is it! No really. Its the same ride, just repurposed. Ride in a cute Inside Out themed bucket around and around.
  • Jessie’s Critter Carousel: Quite possibly the cutest carousel ever. Woody’s Roundup animals are all together for you to ride on in the most adorably themed carousel.
  • Mickey’s PhilharMagic: A fun 3D show featuring Donald Duck popping in and out of different Disney movies.
  • Toy Story Midway Mania: Ok, admittedly this rides a little rough for some little ones. There is some fast and jolty spinning, but I’ve taken small babies on this and its been just fine. Lots to look at – and its indoors.
  • Pixar Pal Around: A big, fun ferris wheel! You have the option of a swinging gondola or a non-swinging one. It gives a great view of California Adventure and for me, its an excellent time to breast feed (and sometimes not have to fully cover up!)
  • WEB Slingers: I. Love. This. Ride. So. Much. I love that all ages can enjoy it. Go on an adventure with Spider-Man, himself, and help him destroy the rampant Spider-Bots by slinging your very own webs! Seriously, the greatest.

So there you have it, friends! An updated list just proving there is so much for little ones to do in Disneyland Resort! And these are only the attractions – there is still so much more! Parades! Fireworks! Shops! Shows! The list could go on..

I hope this is helpful! You’re all amazing and lovely and magical!

#satisFACTualsaturday

~ ceeceesparkles ~ Leave a comment

OOGIE BOOGIE BASH

Did you know?

-Oogie Boogie’s is a separate ticket event held in California Adventure every year around Halloween time

-Guests of all ages can dress up in their Halloween costumes (though its not required) and trick-or-treat throughout the park – all rides are open, too

-The park closes to other guests at 6pm (but you can enter at 3) and from then until 11pm, the park is all yours – there are special characters, photo ops, an amazing parade and other perks special to this event

-Villains Grove is a relatively new addition (and my very favorite thing ever) to this event and is absolute magic. Disneyland’s website says it best, “Explore Redwood Creek Challenge Trail like never before as the worlds of Maleficent, Scar and other Disney villains unfold via ethereal scenes replete with hauntingly beautiful color, sound, light and shadow.”

-Its 100% worth the money. Its a Disney experience unlike any other. Its sold out for this year, but if you’re tempted and you can make it work, you should definitely put the Oogie Boogie Bash on your bucket list

Oogie Boogie’s Bash, 2021

~ ceeceesparkles ~ 2 Comments

You already know that Halloween time in Disneyland is my favorite thing. I’ve already given you a post about our trip but I saved the best for last. So here it is! Enjoy our pictures.

We went with being the Fab 5 this year (Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto and Donald) and my sisters were Chip and Dale. Our costumes were relatively easy to make and came together so cute!!

Gosh, I love it all.

October in Disneyland, 2021

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We just got back from our traditional October Disneyland trip that we unfortunately weren’t able to attend last year because Covid is the worst. Being back gave me a high like no others. Gosh, it was good to be back, you guys. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it, perhaps, billions more times, Disneyland is the best – especially in October.

This trip was also Flora’s first time to Disneyland because, again, thanks for nothing, Covid. I mean, she doesn’t really speak much English yet, but I am pretty confident in saying she loved it. She loved the food, the sights, the rides (especially Little Mermaid and Web Sligers) and all the music she could dance to.

My boys were in absolute Disney heaven. I’ve raised them well (if I do say so myself) and they love Disney hardcore. They’ve missed it, too. They were so eager to get back in there and they were especially excited for Oogie Boogie’s Bash (Disney’s Halloween party). They were so excited and full of big, big emotions. They were pure joy to watch. We had some really cool experiences – like a particular encounter with an extra magical Cast Member that I’ll post about soon, and the memories we made in those few short days will last us a long time.

Can we also take a second to appreciate Craig? I’m so glad I found myself a guy who took on my Disney obsession head-on and has also made it his own. You can just tell he loves this place, too. Its one of my favorite parts about him.

Now enjoy a small photo dump from our magical days in the happiest place on earth!

Oh.. and stay tuned for our Oogie Boogie pictures which will be their own post 😉

SatisFACTual Saturday: Tower of Terror

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TOWER OF TERROR

Did you know?…

  • The attraction stands at 199 feet tall, making it one of the tallest Disney World attractions
  • While falling up and down, you reach a top speed of 39 mph
  • The drops are randomized sequences, making it very possible that you may never ride the same sequence twice
  • Its rumored that originally, the attraction would be both a ride and an actual hotel but, (if these rumors are true), Disney decided it would be too expensive
  • The cobwebs in the lobby are made of glue from a special hot glue gun spinner that essentially shoots the “webs” out
  • If you see the wait time listed for Tower of Terror as 13, you better get in line – 13 means there is a nice, short current wait

Opening Day!

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Today is a magical day! Today is a special day!

Happy opening day, Disneyland!! Today you open for…forever!!

I’m typing this with actual tears in my eyes. It has been so long…too long…since Disneyland Resort has been open and I’ve felt the sting of its absence so, so frequently. I’m not a California resident, so I’m still unsure of when exactly I can make it back to the happiest place on earth, but the fact that its OPEN has my heart fluttering non-stop today.

The world is right again. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll be stalking all social media accounts of California residents who are in the park today!

Magical Monday: Changes to Jungle Cruse

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Have you heard the news?! Jungle Cruise, in both Disneyland and Disney World is getting some major updates!

K. Not gonna lie, when I first heard this, I was gutted, but only for a moment. Jungle Cruise is one of my very favorites, so knowing change was happening scared me. Then I read more about it and now? Now I am ok. This will be cool.

Maybe, like me, you immediately thought that maybe they were changing the ride to tie into the movie, Jungle Cruise, (staring Emily Blunt and The Rock), but from what I can tell, that is not the case.

So lets dive in to what we do know.

Jungle Cruise is getting a whole new story added in. The backstory is that four people, a skipper, an entomologist, a bird watcher and a wildlife painter go off on an adventure into the jungle on a jungle cruise. News comes back to those at the dock that their boat may have sunk, so we as riders are sent off to investigate and find out what happened. Doesn’t that sound so fun? Reportedly, more information will come out later (I mean, obviously), but that being the main knowledge we have so far makes me really excited.

It is said that the comedy will be enhanced. Its also said that they way the natives are depicted will be done away with, as to make the ride more modern and better reflect the diverse world we all live in.

Imagineer (& former Skipper), Kevin Lively, said, “As part of this story update, we’ll get to follow a skipper and his passengers as their journey goes awry. Thats right, for the first time ever, the skipper role will not only be that of a live, experienced and witty guide, but also represented by a show figure within the attraction itself. In fact, the expedition will be up a tree (literally!) after their sunken boat splits apart and chimps board the wreckage, with monkey business ensuing.

But thats not even half of the hull story. Fans of the Jungle Cruise attraction may recall some boats that used to make their way around the river but haven’t been seen for a while – specifically the Mekong Maiden and the Kwango Kate. Ever wonder what happened to them? Well, you might go ape when you find out! Ultimately, the jungle gets the last laugh.”

Uh. How fun does that sound?! I cannot wait. I for one, will be waiting anxiously for concept art and new details into the changes happening. One thing I know for sure? Disney knows what they’re doing and they do not disappoint.

How to Cope with Disneyland Being Closed #letsLEARNfriday

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Ok, so I could be the president of this topic. If you follow me on Instagram, you know I frequently whine about my desire to get back to The Happiest Place on Earth, and how life honestly (no sarcasm here) is harder without Disneyland being a constant in it. When I read the suggestion for #letsLEARNfriday that said, “How to cope with Disneyland Being Closed,” I not only felt a boatload of sympathy for this person, but also knew I’d have to jump on this quickly. I’m not 100% sure that it was a serious suggestion or not, but if its an excuse for me to talk about Disneyland, then heck ya I’m on board.

Its also occurring to me that I’m not sure how much we’ll really be learning here today, but hey, maybe you’ll be able to learn some new coping mechanisms to navigate the world without Disneyland. Also, I feel pretty hopeful that 2021 will bring Disneyland back to us. Lets all hope that thats the case.

Sooo… If you want to learn how to help the sting thats burning within your heart because Disneyland has been closed forever…I mean, since March 2020, keep on reading. Here are my go-to ways to help my heart when I’m missing my happy place particularly badly.

HOW TO COPE WITH DISNEYLAND STILL BEING CLOSED

  • Look at your Disney pictures. The ones your parents took of you in front of the castle when you were 1 to the ones you took on your latest visit. Look at all of them and feel all the emotions. Cry, laugh, reminisce, then hang your head and allow yourself to feel some sorrow for you are not in a Disney Park. Its ok to admit you’re sad without it. Then end that thought on thinking back to some of your favorite Disneyland memories.
  • YouTube all the Disney things. Our personal favorite things to YouTube are: Fantasmic , most Disney parades but I’m particularly fond of the Paint the Night and Soundsational currently. Watch peoples Vlogs from the park.
  • Wear your Disney apparel. It doesn’t matter if its a shirt with Mickey Mouse on it, socks with the castle, sweat pants with DISNEYLAND going down the leg or maybe its even your favorite pair of ears – wear them. Also encourage your family to do the same. Dress your baby in all his/her Disney clothes. Inform your spouse how much you’d love if they followed suit. Tell your friends to join in. Then, feel a little more magical in your outfit.
  • Hang up another Disney picture somewhere in your house/room. You know, if there is room. Because if you can’t be there its only natural to have every nook and cranny in your home remind you of the place you longed to be. Then stare at those pictures and text your spouse about when your next trip will be – because you aren’t there and you need to be, pronto.
  • Change your wallpaper on your phone to a Disney Park picture. Or, if you’re like us, switch from one Disney Park picture to another. That way each time you look at your phone you will be greeted by some Disney magic.
  • Listen to all the Disney Park music 24/7. It is crucial to your happiness/misery that you never have a moment without the magical melody of a Disney tune playing in your ear. Close your eyes and imagine you’re there. Think of your beautiful memories from The Happiest Place on Earth. Feel the joy swell in your heart. Smell the smells. Then open your eyes. Shoot, you aren’t there. But instead of getting too sad – plan your next trip – whenever that will be. Just start planning.
  • Get online and start surfing shopdisney.com, I mean, you probably need some new Disney stuff in your life. Aaaaaand, technically Disney merch is cheaper than tickets to Disney, so, you’re basically saving money on this one. You’re welcome.
  • Cry. Because lets me honest. Its kind of impossible to cope with not being in Disney and sometimes crying can solve a problem or two — and it feels good. I cry about Disney all the time, just ask my kids.

Happy Birthday, Walt

~ ceeceesparkles ~ Leave a comment

On this day, in 1901, Walter Elias Disney was born to Flora and Elias Disney. I wonder, as he grew up, if they ever imagined him accomplishing what he did. I wonder if they saw the pure magic that lived inside of him.

You know when you’re asked if you could have dinner with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be? My answer is nearly always Walt Disney. Man, I would have loved to have had the opportunity to listen to him tell stories. Imagine how incredible it would be to listen to him while he brain dumps about park ideas or movie story-lines. Just to have the honor of shaking his hand and telling him how much I admire him… Is it weird if I say I truly hope to meet him in heaven? I owe such a large portion of my happiness to him. A world without the world he created is one I never, ever want to imagine. Heck, I’m forced to live without Disneyland right now (ugh) and thats hard enough!

I am so glad Walt was born. I’m glad he had a dream. A vision he saw as we sat on a park bench watching his daughters and he didn’t rest until he made his dream a reality. I’m glad he said and believed, “if you can dream it, you can do it.” I’m glad he didn’t take no for an answer and worked tirelessly to create magic for kids of all ages. He did a great service for humankind.

Happy Birthday, Walt. I hope your celebration is magical.

Magical Monday: First Look at Disneyland

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Fun Fact: On this day in history in the year 1954, LOOK Magazine gave its readers a first look at Disneyland. There weren’t any pictures of the park or any pictures of what was going on – but there was this incredible map that I can’t get over. I want this framed in my house. Its incredible. This is said to be the map that Walt Disney used to sell the idea of Disneyland!!

The text on the left side of the map reads:

“Walt Disney’s imagination is running wild again

At Anaheim Calif., 25 miles from Los Angeles, bulldozers are piling up miniature mountains for a new product of Walt Disney’s fertile imagination — a fabulous playground called Disneyland. At present, Disneyland mainly exists in drawings, models and the color map on these pages. But already its four major areas (see map) are backdrops for the Disneyland TV show, making its debut October 27. The areas are: Adventureland (lower left), with riverboats churning along tropical rivers; Frontierland (left center), with Indians, stagecoaches and a paddle-wheel steamer; Fantasyland (top center), home of Sleeping Beauty and site of Never Never Land; Land of Tomorrow (upper right), with spaceship rides and exhibits by major American Industries. Of the park, Disney says, “Its something of a fair, a city from the Arabian Nights, a metropolis of the future, a show place of magic and living facts.”

The text on the right side reads:

“Disneyland Park, “magic” show place, permanent fair, will cover 160 acres, cost $9,000,000; it will open in midsummer of 1955″

I love seeing history of Disneyland. This new development had to have been so exiting for the people paying attention to it! Now look at it, a super successful, super magical, super wonderful, super visited place. I know Walt Disney would be and is so, so proud of this land he created.