Category: Disneyland

Pixar Pier Opens Tomorrow in California Adventure

Pixar Pier is opening tomorrow. That means that California Screamin’ is officially the Incredicoaster! and we can eat Pixar-themed food! When the project is complete there will be four exciting neighborhoods to discover at Pixar Pier in Disney California Adventure® Park —Incredibles Park, Toy Story Boardwalk, Pixar Promenade and Inside Out Headquarters.

You can visit Pixar Pier starting tomorrow, June 23, 2018 to discover many new experiences, including the Incredicoaster and Pixar Pal-A-Round attractions, Lamplight Lounge, Pixar-themed food locations and don’t forget the new float!

The fan-favorite “Paint the Night” parade at Disney California Adventure® Park is currently dazzling audiences during the limited-time Pixar Fest at the Disneyland® Resort. This electrifying parade uses more than 1 million brilliant lights, high-energy music and cutting edge special effects featuring many beloved Disney and Pixar pals.

Joining “Paint the Night” on June 23, 2018 is a new float inspired by Disney•Pixar’s “The Incredibles” and “Incredibles 2.” The Parr family and their pal Frozone will make their debut in this spectacular parade with high-tech, pop-art effects.

Incredibles Float — NEW INCREDIBLES-THEMED FLOAT FOR ‘PAINT THE NIGHT’ PARADE—This June, a new, high-energy Incredibles-themed float will add more Pixar fun to the electrifying “Paint the Night” parade at Disney California Adventure park. Mr. Incredible, Elastigirl and Frozone will showcase their superhero awesomeness as they take on their newest threat, the Underminer. Violet, Dash and Jack-Jack also showcase their unique powers in surprising new ways, as shown through dynamic and innovative visual technology. Like the other elements in this spectacular parade, this new float will come to life through a series of dazzling LED lights, new music elements and high-tech, pop-art effects inspired by the mid-century-modern style of the films. (Disney•Pixar/Disneyland Resort)

Disneyland for Spring Break?

I know a lot of you are planning your Spring Break trips to Disneyland, so I thought I would offer my advice.

1) Our ultimate trip is Sunday – Thursday (add a day if you want to see Harry Potter at Universal). We drive on Sunday and arrive around dinner time. We make reservations for Goofy’s Kitchen for Sunday night. We get great pictures and autographs with the characters and starts our Disney trip off with a bang.

Monday: Disneyland Tuesday: California Adventure Wednesday: Disneyland Thursday: Eat breakfast in Downtown Disney and travel home

2) Stay as close to the park as you can afford. Use Hilton points for the Hilton. Good Neighbor hotels are always a good choice. Plan to stay within walking distance.

3) Purchase your tickets online. If your kids are younger, no need to Park Hopper, one park is enough.

4) Download the Disneyland Mobile App. It has Park Maps, Character locations, Wait Times, Dining Options, Shop locations, Restroom locations, PhotoPass, Entertainment and so much more

5) Buy MaxPass. Once in the park, this lets you get all of your Fastpasses on your phone. It also gives you access to all of the professional photos that the Disney Cast Members take.

6) Pack basic snacks. Every restaurant and food kiosk offers free ice water, so with a few snacks, you can eat one meal at the Park each day. We prefer to carry one backpack with hand sanitizer, power bars and apples.

7) Make Restaurant Reservations – we usually eat at two nice places each trip. Goofy’s kitchen for the characters and Carthage Circle (California Adventure) for the relaxing atmosphere.

When you enter Disneyland, get Fantasmic Fast Passes. These are paper tickets and do not interfere with the ride fast passes.

When you enter California Adventure, get World of Color Fast Passes. These are paper tickets and do not interfere with your fast passes.

Have fun and ride everything once!

Best Times for Disneyland in 2018

Are you planning to visit Disneyland in 2018? When to go is the first decision! Here is a quick overview of the best times for 2018

Jan – Anytime after Jan 7^th which concludes the Holidays

Feb – Go before the President’s Day crowds (the whole week Feb 19^th)

March – Go Before Spring Break starts around March 20

April – Go After Spring Break concludes around April 8

May – Go But Skip Grad Nights which are every Friday and Saturday night in May

June, July, August – Avoid because Its Hot and Crowded

September – Go After Labor Day week

October – The Halloween Parties make this a crowded time

November – Go early before Thanksgiving week

December – If you must go in December, the last tolerable day is Dec 20^th.

Star Wars Land opening in 2019, so this is probably the last uncrowded year for a few. But Disney is great at handling crowds, and you just need to be prepared.

Are you making plans for Disneyland this year?

Making 2018 a Great Adventure

As we are winding down 2017, it is time to reflect and review the highlights of our year. This year began with Hot Hubby and my first trip to Disneyland together. We took a “do it all” attitude and rode every ride in both Disneyland and California Adventure. Afterward, we admitted that we never want to ride some of them again. (see ya Tower of Terror) But we always have our first!

We took a variety of road/plane trips to California, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, Indiana, New Mexico, Florida and Nevada. We hiked in Antelope Canyon, geocached in California, Ziplined in Park City and toured covered bridges in Indiana. We visited Disneyland again with our youngest daughter, who taught us to MaxPass and how to get the perfect Selfie.

Our family at Disney World

Hot Hubby, and Mickey my two favorite men

And TinkerBell makes Four

Our first trip to Disneyland

We spent a week in Florida with our youngest grandchildren. Walt Disney World is really special when it is decorated for Christmas, even if it was early November and 90 degrees. We did not get a chance to wear our matching flannel pajamas, so we will save those for next time.

We lost a dear friend over the holidays which reminds us that our time here is limited. Let’s make 2018 a great adventure. Let’s do something that scares us, something that challenges us, something for our health and fill the rest with family and friends.

What are your plans for 2018?