Disneyland Attendance Tips

So what is the best time to go to Disneyland?  Here is some information to help plan your trip.

As you can see, if you go in May or early September you'll have the best chance of light crowds and balmy weather.

The days with heaviest attendance at Disneyland are:
o The 4th of July
o Thanksgiving weekend
o Christmas day through New Year’s Day

The days with lightest attendance are:
o The first week in January until the President’s Day weekend in February
o After Labor Day weekend to the week before Halloween. (But watch for those half-school days around this time!  See link below to access District Calendar)
o After Thanksgiving weekend until the week before Christmas
o Some say Super Bowl Sunday is light but others say it's the same as any other Sunday.

In general, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday are the least busy days.

If you go when Disneyland is less busy, be aware that:
o The park hours are shorter
o More rides may be closed for maintenance
o FastPasses may not be offered

Weekends are about twice as busy as weekdays, and 3-day weekends are 3 times as busy
o Saturdays are busier than Sundays
o Schools have random Fridays off and half-days, which can impact attendance. Consult the local School District Calendar before your trip. Click here to access their calendar.

Avoid the Following Times of Year If You Don't Like Crowds
o Martin Luther King Jr. weekend
o President's Day weekend
o Easter weekend
o Spring Break for the local schools
o Memorial Day weekend
o 4th of July week
o Labor Day weekend
o Gay Days Anaheim
o Columbus Day weekend
o Veteran's Day weekends
o Thanksgiving break for schools
o Christmas break for schools

Disneyland Temperature Trends

In general, Disneyland temperatures fall between 70 - 86 degrees during the day for most of the year (45 - 63 at night). There is some variation however, from extreme heat (over 100) to rainy and relative cold (40's). For an overview of Disneyland temperature trends, see the temperature graph below.

Disneyland Rainfall Trends

Does it rain in Disneyland? Yes but it does not rain often, and when it does, most rides keep operating. To see the rainfall trends, see the rain chart below.

More Weather Tips for Disneyland:
o The warmest month is August.
o The coldest month is January.
o The rainiest month is February.
o The highest recorded temperature was 108°F in 2004.
o The lowest recorded temperature was 30°F in 1990.
o The best time to visit Disneyland is early September, when the weather is warm but not hot and crowds are light.
o The second best time to visit Disneyland is May.
o If you prefer cooler weather, go in early November before the Thanksgiving traffic rolls in. (This is our favorite time to go.  Christmas decorations are up and the crowds are usually low.)
o Check the Weather forecast before you pack your bags.

Dining In and Around the Park, Part 3

Inside the Park Meals and Treats

One of the most unknown items in the park are corn dogs.  There are only two locations in the Disneyland Resort which have these great items.  The first is in Disneyland.  On the right side of Main Street there is a red truck that serves these corn dogs.  There is also a long line.  We definately recommend ordering yours with a bag of sliced apples instead of the chips.

The other location is in California Adventure.  It is called Corn Dog Castle.  Check out this unknown treat!

You may also want to try the chimichangas and turkey legs. They are very popular in the park. Look for carts on Main Street and in Frontierland.  We prefer the chimichangas but the turkey legs smell very good!

You may also want the traditional funnel cake served at the Stage Door Cafe in Frontierland.  It is nice to grab one before a showing of Fantasmic.

One place we DO NOT recommend is the Rancho del Zocalo Restaurant in Frontierland.  We really like Mexican food however we do not enjoy the food here.

One of our favorite treats in the park are "Goofy's Sours"  They are not very expensive however you can buy a similar product at Wal Mart for a little cheaper.

Did You Know?

Do Disney Parks have underground tunnels?

When Disneyland was built in 1954, it was built at ground level - no basements, tunnels or sub-basements. After the park was successful, Walt lamented the fact he didn't have more land to expand and keep the encroaching outside world of motels and billboards at a distance. At the same time, he noticed cast members crossing the park in costume to get to work creating incongruous images: Frontierland western garbed people in Tomorrowland, for example.

Over the years, Disneyland has built new areas with sub-basements, but none of them connect. New Orleans Square has an underground kitchen that serves all the area restaurants including a cast member cafeteria. Tomorrowland has the elevator band stand that can be accessed underground. And Fantasmic has a series of lifts and pits that were built underground to house that show's mechanics. But none of these systems are interconnected nor can they be accessed from one to the other. Indeed, for Fantasmic all the cast members, technicians, and props must be floated over to the island on barges before the show; they didn't even build a tunnel for easy access under the Rivers of America.

As Disney World was in development, Walt designed the system of tunnels to be built at ground level in Florida, with the Magic Kingdom on top allowing access to any section of the park unseen by the public.They are referred to as Utilidors.  Here is a map of the Magic Kingdom's Utilidors.

Disney Park Maps and Customized Disney World Maps

If you are looking for maps of the Disney Parks to prepare for your trip, click here for a very nice website with great maps of the parks.

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Map Out the Magic!

Customized Maps are FREE and great for planning your vacation! Use them to highlight your family's favorite Disney World activities and explore all that the Disney World Parks have to offer.

Print them out today or order online!

You will receive:

-Five full-color, keepsake-quality Customized Maps (14" x 20" format):

• Walt Disney World Resort Overview
• Magic Kingdom
• Epcot
• Disney's Hollywood Studios
• Disney's Animal Kingdom Park

-Each Map includes:

• Most Park highlights, plus your family's favorites
• A set of golden stickers to mark new Favorites

-Delivery time: 2-4 weeks

Click here to order your set of FREE Customized Disney World Maps.  We have ordered them and they are very fun!

Give a Day, Get a Disney Day

***This promotion is now over. Read below to see what was offered in 2010***

There are so many reasons to celebrate in 2010! Birthdays. Anniversaries. Reunions. Or any of life's most special moments. But this year, Disney Parks is celebrating something new and that’s the good things people do for their communities. In 2010, Disney wants to inspire one million people to volunteer a day of service to a participating organization in their communities and celebrate their good works by giving each of them one day admission to a theme park at Disneyland Resort or Walt Disney World Resort, free.

Starting January 1, 2010, Guests can click here to search for volunteer opportunities made available through HandsOn Network and sign up for a day of volunteer service. As the nation’s largest volunteer network, HandsOn Network has 250 on-the-ground volunteer action centers across the country and connects volunteers to more than 70,000 nonprofit agencies that need their help. Many of the opportunities will be projects that entire families can participate in together.

You must pre-register and sign up for eligible volunteer opportunities here. Ticket quantities for this program are limited. Must be at least age 6 to participate. Other terms and conditions apply. For details, see DisneyParks.com.

Volunteers can now share in the fun and excitement of the Give A Day. Get A Disney Day. Tour. Visit http://disney.prizelogic.com/ for photos, videos, tweets and more.

Christmas

Disneyland takes on a special look from Halloween to Christmas with seasonal decorations adding to its already considerable charm. With the kids out of school for their holiday break, it's a fine time to consider making a trip. Years ago, people said Disneyland was not very busy at Christmas, making it an even more ideal time to visit, but that has changed. It's still a great time to go, and our tips for planning ahead will help you make the most of it.

•Christmas Decorations: Christmas decorations appear everywhere in Disneyland and California Adventure, but they're the best in Toontown and New Orleans Square. Town Square at the end of Main Street boasts a 60-foot Christmas tree covered with thousands of lights and ornaments and Sleeping Beauty's Castle sports snow-topped turrets and more than 50,000 lights.  There are many places to take pictures during the holiday season and lots of holiday merchandise to purchase.

•Haunted Mansion: The special Christmas decorations here, based on Tim Burton's "The Nightmare Before Christmas" are extensive, with changes from the attractions' normal sights that range from the ghostly dinner party scene to the hitchhiking ghosts that make this Disneyland's best Christmas spot. Ride it twice to take it all in, and be sure to stop by after dark when candles flicker on the outside.  See my post about Halloween at Disneyland for more pictures.

•Small World: Also specially decorated for Christmas and with a special Christmas music track.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VRcE1pNwe8

•Christmas Fantasy Parade: This special Disneyland Christmas parade runs from Small World along Main Street yo Town Square. Check the entertainment schedule when you arrive to find the parade times and which direction it will be traveling. The most crowded place to watch is along Main Street, but it's also the most beautiful.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vt6Pj8FiX6w

• Fireworks: Believe in Holiday Magic featuring your favorite Christmas music and a wonderful display of fireworks.

•Snowfall: Just as the fireworks end, snow falls in selected spots through the park. Pick up a Disneyland map at the gate to find out where it happens. The best spots for watching the fireworks are taken as much as two hours before the show, especially in the snowfall locations.

•Santa: Frontierland's Big Thunder Ranch becomes a "West Pole" getaway where Santa can unwind with Mrs. Claus and his team of reindeer. In Toontown, Goofy does the honors for Mr. Claus, and over in California Adventure, you'll find Santa wearing a surfer's shirt and waxing his board.

TIP:

We love to go to Disneyland the week before Thanksgiving week.  All the Christmas decorations are up and you may catch the filming of the "Disneyland Christmas Day Parade."  The park is a little less crowded and Christmas time is the most magical time of the year to go to the park.  Do not go the week of Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Years.

 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdJHsDb-O7Y

Did You Know?

In Disneyland there is a private members only club called Club 33. It is located in New Orleans Square on the second floor near the Bayou Restaurant.

Walt Disney wanted to provide a private place to entertain his guests. Unfortunately he died before it was completed. When it was completed it was instead opened up as a private club with limited membership.

There are about 400 members and the annual membership is about $1,000. There is a long waiting list to join that usually takes more than 5 years for an opening to become available. Recently the cost of joining was between $7,500 to 20,000 depending on the type of membership.

Members who have reservations for Club 33 are given free passes to enjoy Disneyland for the day of their reservation. They also have a special parking area and of course are treated as VIPs.

Club 33 is decorated in early 20th Century style and some members have been amused by the bordello red velvet decor. There are special Club 33 emblazoned items all over the club that many members take as souvenirs such as the napkins and other items that can be purchased such as club rings.

Club 33 is also the only place in the Disneyland park where alcohol is served.

To help maintain its low profile, Disney designers decided to paint the door a dull green dubbed "Noseeum Green" by the Disneyland design team. In fact, much of Disneyland has been coated with this particular shade of green, as the Disney designers have decided it is the least obtrusive color in the entire spectrum. Doors, containers, and even entire show buildings have been painted with this dull, naturalistic color. By no coincidence, the military uses a similar shade of green for many of its ventures.

PhotoPass

I found the following information on allears.net.  If you want the cheapest way to get PhotoPass photos scroll to the bottom for my idea.  Everything else is very interesting but can be kind of expensive.

What is Disney's PhotoPass?

It used to be Disney's photographers would take pictures of you in a park and give you a slip of paper to claim the photos at the end of the day. If you forgot or if you couldn't get the picture(s) then, you were out of luck. But now, that's all changed... and for the better! With the advantages of digital photography, Disney created the only system of this kind: the photographers still take pictures of your vacation, but now you can claim them any time, including online for 30 days after your trip is over. From there you can view your photos, order prints, and create photo keepsakes. Many guests say since PhotoPass has done away with the long lines to pick up their pictures, they had more photos taken.

How does PhotoPass Work at the Parks?
As Disney likes to put it: Smile! View. Shop.

Smile!: Look for the Disney photographers throughout Walt Disney World's four Theme Parks and the Water Parks, Disneyland's two parks, and New York City's World of Disney. The first photographer will give you a plastic Disney's PhotoPass card with an ID number on the back. Hang onto that card and use it for the duration of your trip. In fact, you can hang on to it and use it on every trip you take! Each time you see one of the roving photographers and want a photo taken, just go up and hand them your card - they'll get you situated, snap the pose, scan your card and off you go - and you can do this as often as you like. Don't worry if you end up with more than one card; your online PhotoPass account allows you to enter multiple cards!

Note: When you first receive your card, be sure to write down your ID number or take a clear digital photo of it. Cards can get lost or mixed up with another guest's. If you have your number, you have your photos. (People also write their family name on the back, or put an address label on the card, so they make sure to get the right card back.)

Water parks give you a special card that you wear around your wrist. Since the bracelet has a snap, it can be clipped to something like a lanyard or a backpack, or keep wearing it on your wrist wherever you go in Disney. These handy PhotoPass cards have gotten so popular, the Magic Kingdom now gives them at the Pixie Hollow Meet and Greet.

If you attend one of the special parties, such as Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party or Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party, you'll get a card for just that event. The card gives you a 40% discount on ALL of your photos for the party. As with your regular PhotoPass cards, make sure you write down the number so you have it if the card gets lost.

View: You can view your pictures in two different ways:

In the parks: go to a Photo Center like the station pictured here. You can find these stations at the parks.

At home: go to http://www.disneyphotopass.com/, register for free, and enter the ID number on your card.

Disney will break down your photos in different views: All of your photos, and then one category for each park. The number of photos that you have for each category is listed right next to its name.

Shop: You can create prints, customized photobooks, T-shirts, mugs greeting cards, and more. For the best value on prints, get your PhotoPass photos on Disney's PhotoCD.

Where are the Photographers?

Costumes - PhotoPass Cast Members (no matter what park they are in) have a standard costume, like the one pictured above: blue shorts or pants, white shirt, khaki photographer's vest.

What are the special "magic" character poses?

The photographers will ask you to do some fun poses. For example, they'll have you cup your hands or have you put them in the air like you're lifting something. When you view your photos, you'll see Tinker Bell, Figment, or Simba now added to your "magical photos". A lot of characters can appear like this one with Mickey balloons added to your hand!

Another new magic photo is Tinker Bell's wings added to your back. The PhotoPass staff at Magic Kingdom said it's available at Pixie Hollow, but that you can also ask for it wherever you see a PhotoPass photographer at a garden location. Like the Mickey balloons above, let the photographers know you were told you can have it.  There are always new poses and almost every photographer will have you do some sort of pose.

Locations & Maps

Click here to see PhotoPass Photographer Maps! Look for a PhotoPass photographer wherever you see a camera symbol . These are the only official maps showing PhotoPass locations, but in general, you'll find the photographers near any park entrances, the main icons, and at most Disney character meet and greets. They can also temporarily be at special locations such as in World Showcase in Epcot taking advantage of the sun setting on the lagoon.

PhotoPass is also available at select dining locations. If you purchase the photos offered tableside, they can add your pictures to your Disney's PhotoPass account. (Note: Tableside photo purchase is required to add dining photos to your Disney's PhotoPass ID.)

More locations are added during special times such as for the Holiday Decorations, Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, and Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party. Like the regular locations, these can change.

Professional Portrait Service - You can have professional portraits taken of you and your family while you're at Walt Disney World. You'll have the beautiful resorts as your backdrop as they take dozens of photos. You need to make a reservation, so for more information or to schedule a portrait session, call 407-934-4004.

 Disney's PhotoPass General Tips

Save your ID number(s): Write it down or take a digital picture of it. If you have your ID, you have your photos, no matter what happens to the card.

Get in the photo instead of taking it! Have a Disney's PhotoPass photographer take professional quality photos of you and your family amidst the magic—at no charge.* You'll receive a Disney's PhotoPass card which will allow you to go online to view your photos. Photos must be claimed within 30 days.

Gets lots of photos: Start capturing the memories early in your stay. Let the Disney PhotoPass photographers help position your party for a variety of poses, plus candid moments.

Easy Card Access: Keep your Disney PhotoPass card in the clear plastic holder on your lanyard. It avoids having to fumble for the card and it can be scanned without having to take the card out.

Pet Owners: you get two opportunities: First, Disney's Animal Kingdom is the only place where the kennel is inside the entrance, so it's a great chance to have access to Disney's Photopass Photographers! You can even get photos in front of the Animal Kingdom Christmas tree during the holidays. Second, also during the holidays, Santa's Chalet at Downtown Disney is now open to pets too!

Strollers: Take children out of the stroller before taking pictures with the PhotoPass photographers. Pictures come out so much better so the canopy doesn't shade their faces or hide their heads in the photos. Well worth the effort for great pictures.

Don't forget night photos: When getting a picture with the park icons, get lots of pictures. Also make sure to go back and get additional photos after dark. The same pictures of those places after dark make for a completely different photograph.

Check your PhotoPass pictures before you leave a park: If something has unfortunately happened with the photos, something can be done to fix the situation. Cast Members (if time allows) may be able to help search for lost photos; if not, the online center will help recover them. If you don't like how the pictures came out, you don't have to wait until you get home to find out, and you may be able to get a replacement taken before you leave. If you want to be extra safe, you can have the photographer take a picture with your own camera.

Missing Photos: If you have any pictures missing, contact Disney's PhotoPass. They will ask you for the day, time, and place where your picture was taken. If you have a digital picture of someone in the missing photos, you can send it to them making it easier and faster for them to find your pictures.

Editing Photos: As a precaution, make sure to save in the format you want (4x6 or 5x7, etc) when doing any edits such as borders. Otherwise, you might be causing trouble for later printing when you think it's a 4x6 later, but you actually saved it as a 5x7.

Pay attention to the dates! Each photo is online for 30 days from when it was taken. Make sure you claim your photos on http://www.disneyphotopass.com/ before the 30 days are up. They will be deleted from the system and can't be restored.

Check The Status Of Your Order: select the "Check Order Status" link in your order confirmation email. You can also check your order status online by clicking on the "Check Order Status" link on your "My Account" page.

Disney's PhotoPass: Tips on Posing

Get creative! Some photographers come up with great ideas, and you can come up with your own. Some of the best photos had guests:

Surrounded by balloons on Main Street. When a balloon cast member isn't busy, this makes for a colorful, unique background, and the photographer can work it so it looks like you're holding the balloons (but don't really!).

Taking advantage of other Disney icons: A photographer noticed a Main Street trolley coming towards them in the background and had a couple move to the side. Their photo now has them, the castle, and the trolley all framed in the shot. Another couple had a banner announcing a new attraction as their background.

Toasting is not just for champagne! One family toasted each other with their favorite Disney treat: Mickey ice cream bars!

Newlyweds and for your anniversary: A closeup of Mickey and Minnie's hands (gloves) laying on top of each other, palm up, and the guests' hands laying on top of theirs to display their wedding rings. In a pinch, if both Mickey and Minnie aren't available, one of them can use both their hands to lay underneath the couple's.

Take flight! Peter Pan had a guest leap into the air with him like they were taking flight. Lisa on the AllEars.Net team actually brought in an apple and pretended to be poisoned with the Evil Queen from Snow White.

Use each other as props! A photographer had one wife ride piggyback on her husband, pointing out the direction they should take next on their adventure!

Getting autographs makes a nice candid as you talk to a character.

Refer to http://www.disneyphotopass.com/ or a PhotoPass location in the park for prices and items available with your photos.

***OUR COST SAVING TIP:***

Disney Cast Members will take pictures with your camera along with taking pictures with the PhotoPass.  Have them take pictures with both and compare.  If they add special items to your photo, check the website at home and snap a picture on your camera.  The quality may not be as good as a Disney Print, but at least you have the memory.  This way you don't have to purchase their prints and you still have some of the magic of Disney!

Hotels in Anaheim

Disneyland has provided some information in regards to what hotels in the area are worth looking into.  Click here to view what they recommend.

We have stayed at many hotels in the Anaheim area.  If you plan on walking into the park you will want to stay somewhere very close to the park.  If you plan on driving in each day it is well worth staying in a place outside of Anaheim (Costa Mesa, Orange, Irvine, etc.)  You can get a better deal and nicer ammenities. 

We also recommend not staying on Katella Avenue. We have had a few experiences where the hotels had bugs and that has made us block the whole street off our list of places to stay.

Many hotels also offer shuttle services that will take you into the park for a small fee.  If you plan on bringing food into the park you may also want a hotel with a fridge.  Check the ammenities before booking. 

We typically will place our reservations thru Hotwire.com, Orbitz.com, Travelocity.com, etc.  If you name your price thru a travel website, you can get great deals but the hotels in this area are not known for their cleanliness.  We know many people who have also used Getawaytoday.com.

If you walk into the park you will want to stay on Harbor Boulevard.  This is the easiest way to get into the park.  Take into account that if you walk into the park you will need to bring items that you would normally take in your car. 

Obviously the very best places to stay are at the Resort Hotels (Grand Californian Hotel, Paradise Pier, or The Disneyland Hotel.)  We can't afford these places but someday we will be able to stay at one of these great hotels. 

If you do stay at an economy hotel and you are driving to Southern California you may want to bring your own bedding and some sort of flip-flops or slippers to wear around the hotel room. 

Any hotel is going to work for your stay.  If you have smaller children you will spend more time at the hotel than if you don't have children.  You may want to spend a little more in these cases. 

Also, take and pack the soap and shampoo in the rooms daily.  Nicer hotels will restock it daily and it will give you lots of items to take on your next trip.