Southern California (Disneyland)

"To all who come to this happy place - welcome. Disneyland is your land. Here age relives fond memories of the past and here youth may savor the challenge and promise of the future. Disneyland is dedicated to the ideals, the dreams, and the hard facts that have created America ... with the hope that it will be a source of joy and inspiration to all the world.
Thank you."
—Walter E. Disney, July 17, 1955

I LOVE DISNEY !!!
OK... I said it... Still even as an adult Disneyland will forever be my favorite place on earth. I grew up at Disneyland. Born just five years after its opening, and living within an hour of the park, it was some of my fondest memories of childhood. While there are a few changes since the opening of the park, Disneyland has maintained its charm and warmth that seems missing in other theme parks. It's family atmosphere, courteous employees and overall ability to make you feel that everything in the whole world is beautiful is unique to Disney.
In the late 1990s, work began to expand on the one-park, one-hotel property. They added another theme park, Disney's California Adventure Park. Also a shopping, dining and entertainment complex, Downtown Disney, a remodeled Disneyland Hotel, Disney's Grand Californian Hotel and Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel.
When you visit Disneyland stay at a Disney Hotel. You will be treated to not only clean comfortable rooms and great service, but you have easy access to the parks, transportation and extended hours for Hotel guests ONLY!. These few hours that are set aside for Hotel guest to enjoy rides without waiting in long lines. Usually 1 hour before the park opens, or 1 hour after the park closes to the public.
The Disneyland Hotel is actually in Downtown Disney, which has all the great restaurants, bars, shopping and entertainment. Disney's Grand Californian Hotel resides in the new California Adventure Theme Park. Walk outside and your in the middle of it all!. The Magic Kingdom Park just a few steps away.

The Magic Kingdom
Here's a general breakdown of the themed areas:
Main Street, U.S.A., an early 20th century Midwest town
Adventureland, featuring jungle-themed adventures
Frontierland, illustrating western frontier
Fantasyland, bringing fantasy into a reality
Tomorrowland, looking into the future.
Mickey's Toon Town- home to Disney's most popular cartoon characters

Magic Kingdom captures the enchantment of fairy tales with exciting entertainment, classic attractions. Meet your favorite beloved Disney Characters. Learn how fantasy becomes reality, become a pirate, laugh with funny monsters and be thrilled by climbing mountains. Enjoy the spectacle of the parades and fireworks shows—dreams come true for children of all ages

Top Pick Rides! ...
...Indian Jones Adventure and the Haunted Mansion
...Space Mountain and Star Tours
... Buzz Lightyear Astro Blaster and Pirates of the Caribbean
...Splash Mountain and Peter Pan
...Finding Nemo and Dumbo
...Autopia-Cars and Matterhorn Bobsleds
...Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin

California Adventure Park
From the gold rush to Hollywood's golden era to the timeless allure of the beach, discover the Golden State, California. Its boardwalk and Carnival type rides give a feeling of an age gone by. While bringing you into the future with rides like Soarin' Over California and the thrills of white water rafting on Grizzly River Rapids!
Top Pick Rides...
Soarin' Over California
California Screaming- Wild Roller Coaster Ride
Grizzly River Rapids
Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

Best Picks for Breakfast
Disneyland Character Dining
Magic Kingdom - Plaza Inn – Breakfast with ‘Minnie and Friends’
California Adventure - Ariel's Disney Princess Celebration
Disneyland Hotel - Goofy's Kitchen
Grand Californian - Storytellers Breakfast
Paradise Pier - PCH Grill Breakfast

Dinner at the Magic Kingdom
The Golden Horseshoe Revue
The Golden Horseshoe Saloon a live stage show with a frontier or old-west feel. Starring Lily Langtree (or Miss Lily) and Sam the Bartender. Most recently, Billy Hill and the Hillbillies have played their guitars and banjos in a bluegrass-and-comedy show

Dinner Downtown Disney
Rainforest Cafe'...Top Pick

Top Entertainment ... Love Fantasmic!
Billy Hill & The Hillbillies,
Celebrate! A Street Party,
Jedi Training Academy
Nighttime Entertainment
Fantasmic and Magical.

Average cost for a family of 4 (park entry only for 2-Day Park Hopper)
$532.00 not including tax
Best Vacations, Mom of Five