Home > Adventures > Pirates, Princesses and Pixie Dust….
A while back, Boo and I were blessed with hopper tickets to Disneyland! My boys and I are huge Disney fans and love all things Disney! This was my first vacation with only Boo, my other son currently is taking a semester off college to do the Disney College Program in Orlando. ( We actually have a trip planned to visit him while he’s there!) Anyhow, we missed having David with us but we had a lovely time at Disneyland!
Our tickets enabled us to spend two days at the parks and cross between Disneyland and California Adventures. Being that I am nostalgic, Disneyland is my fave of the two, however I really like California Adventures as well!
I wanted to stay in a resort hotel, but my checkbook said otherwise…. I was pleasantly surprised though by the affordablility of the Disney Good Neighbor Hotels. We stayed in one that was located right across the street from the parks that was very moderately priced. It was an older hotel but is being remodeled and we were placed in a recently remodeled room. Prior to check in I figured that for the price it might be questionable, but the hotel was not only clean and beautiful, our room was entirely Disney themed !!
Relaxing at our Good Neighbor Hotel at Disneyland!
We woke bright and early and headed into Disneyland for our first day! Walking through the gates we were greeted by Cinderella and Cruella de Vil, then we excitedly entered Mainstreet and took in the sights and sounds of DISNEYLAND!!!!
Hanging out with a Disney Princess and a Villain!
Right away Boo wanted to head to his fave rides, Splash Mountain and The Winnie-the-Pooh ride! We headed over and didn’t have much of a wait. My fave rides are Pirates of the Caribbean and It’s A Small World… I packed healthy snacks and lunch for us in our backpack. Staying at a hotel within walking distance was enjoyable because Boo gets overwhelmed sometimes with so much going on (as do many kiddos on the spectrum) and about 1pm he told me he felt tired and wanted to rest so we went back to the hotel. We had a rest and relax before going back to the park for dinner at a little cafe on Main Street and to watch the Electrical Light Parade! I adored this parade as a child and for years it has been gone… Disney has brought it back for what I understand is a limited time, so I felt so happy to share this with Boo!
We went to sleep tired out but happy and woke the next morning eager to get to California Adventures! Riding the Lightning McQueen car race ride was so fun we were both giggling and riding the Monsters Inc ride, Boo’s eyes were lit up with happiness.
Boo and Mama having Disney fun!
Looks like you guys had an awesome time! I’m heading there in 3 weeks… so excited! Trying to figure out best clothing options!!
OMG just over 3 weeks now! Great advice, it’s kind of hard to know what to pack, because we are coming out of autumn here, and I just have no idea what spring in the USA will be like! So thanks heaps for the tips! Might have to pack a change of clothes for myself, because we will be there all day and we are not staying onsite….
Hi Amanda! You will have a blast! You don’t need to take a change of clothes…. I only suggested that if you have littles with you… but you will be fine. I suggest riding Splash mountain in the heat of the day then enjoying the cool wet soak which will dry quickly as you walk around. I would check Los Angeles weather before you go but we go through Los Angeles LOTS because when I go to my hometown I pass through it… it should be warm and sunny. Disney does have lockers for rent in front of the park that you can use to store anything you might need but don’t want to carry 🙂 I can’t wait to hear about your trip !!
It’s a nice and happy blog. It was a fun read. Keep on writing. May the days ahead of you be as fantastic and refreshing as Disneyland!
I have never been to Disneyland but wish to go someday. The electrical light parade sounds magical! I am so glad you coukd experience that. Thank you for sharing your adventures with us.
It sounds like you had a wonderful time! It makes me want to go back! I remember going to Disney every year when I was a kid. The two rides that stick out are the Pirate Ride and It’s a Small World (both boat rides.) I’m sure much as changed since I’ve been there!
Hi Jen! Small world is one of my fave rides too!!
Looks like a fun time! What a fun trip! I went to Disney World as a teenager, but haven’t been back since. We loved it!
We went to Disneyworld for a school chorus trip in 5th grade — so much fun!
Hi Corey! That must be such a fun memory!
I honestly love going LOL even if I went without my kiddos, which haha I never would because they would have heart attacks but I am a huge fan of all things Disney and Disneyland is truly one of my most fave places to visit!
Am I too old to be adopted by you? Seriously! You take your family on the coolest trips and adventures! I am so glad I discovered your blog so that I can learn of some things to take my own kids on one day.
The first time I went to Disneyland I was by myself and that really affected my experience. I didn’t really enjoy myself and vowed I would never go back. Then my husband and I went on holiday to California and being that he had never been to Disneyland we HAD to go. And I had a great time! I have many happy memories from my second visit. My favourite rides were Space Mountain and Indiana Jones Ride. We had lunch at the Blue Bayou. And I bought wedding mickey ears because we had just gotten married while we were on holidays (in Vegas of course). I can’t wait to take my boys to Disneyland in a few years time!!!
Hi Leah! I’m so glad you had a great time with your hubby! I would live at Disneyland if I could hahaha!!!
It sounds like you all had an awesome time! I haven’t been to Disney since I was a kid, and I am contemplating when the best time to take my troupe is – Mine are spread so far, though – baby, 5, and 9. By the time my baby is old enough to go I doubt the 9-year-old would be interested. Thanks for the fun post!
Hi Dawn 🙂 Disney is great for all ages! I highly recommend staying at the Disney Resort or a Good neighbor hotel across the street so you can go back to room to rest… I have found our favorite time to visit is early October… the weather is amazing and crowds aren’t as bad.. after the second week in October though it always seems to be extra crowds from mid-Oct-January of people coming to see the parks all set up for the holidays….
Sounds like such fun! I went to Euro Disney when I was a teenager, but have never been to the real deal here in the US… one day I’ll get there!
Polly how fun!!! That must have been an amazing experience!
What a great trip for you and your son! I love mother/son outings. I bet you cannot wait for Disneyworld.
I am determined to make it to see Disneyland some day! Its on the bucket list!
I haven’t been to Disney since I was about 8. I absolutely loved it. I remember my mom playing Ethel alongside Lucy in the episode where they had to eat all of the chocolates in the factory. They composed them together on the screen. I felt like she was a movie star. We plan to go when our little guy is a bit older and our pocketbooks are a bit fuller. The second may never happen, but I am sure we will find a way. Nice in-laws perhaps.
I’ve been to Disney World a couple of times, but never Disneyland. Would be fun to head that way some time. Sound like you had a wonderful time!
Hi Karla! We really did have a wonderful time and are so excited about our upcoming trip to Disneyworld!
Aww how fun!! Looks like it was a great trip! My First trip to Disneyland I was 17 and I had a blast!!!
I’ve only been to Disneyland once.., and it was totally awesome!!! My favourite ride was Indiana Jones 🙂 I only vaguely remember the Pirates ride… it wasn’t a movie yet. I would probably pay a lot more attention to the little details nowadays.
Hi Katie! We think it’s magical too! We just adore Disneyland and are super excited for Disneyworld in a few weeks! A Disney cruise is on our someday wishlist/bucketlist!
We are excited to come see you! Zootopia reference?
I have never been to Disney World, but am planning a family trip next summer. My children are 17, 21,22, & 26, and we are all excited about having a real vacation together. Thanks for sharing, I will check out the Good Neighbors hotels when we schedule our accommodations.
I love getting to spend one on one time with my kids. It is wonderful that you had this opportunity.
It is always good to spend time with your kids and it’s something they love and enjoy doing.
Looks like you guys had such a fun time! I can’t wait to take my kids there for a vacation!
Disney is so much fun, I’ve been a couple times as an adult as well and as long as you’re in the right mindset it never gets old!
I’ve been to Disney World once but never Disneyland. Looks like you guys had a great time, cute pics!
Fun with own kids always took me into my own childhood.
It really looks like you had a really great time! Disney parks are so much fun and I like to go there with my family! I don’t know which memory is my favorite because I like everything related to Disney.
Thanks Emmanuelle! We had such a fun time!
The pictures are cute. I can’t wait to take my kids to and husband to Disneyland next year. I’ve only been once, my 8th grade band went for a weekend, and it was a blast. I also love the Small World ride, and the Pirates ride was pretty enjoyable. We also had the opportunity to watch the live plays of Snow White and Aladdin, which was seriously amazing.
It looks like you guys had such a wonderful time. I would love to visit one day.
I love going to Disneyland with my children and the hopper tickets are perfect for going to the best rides on each side! Our favorite is the Mater ride on DCA!
It looks like you had a wonderful time at Disney. Although my family had never been to Disney this is one of my goals for the near future. And it good to know that I’m not the only one who takes advice from my checkbook.
I love reading your post. We never got a chance to visit diseny land. I am waiting for my younger one to be a bit older to enjoy these lovely memories. Thanks for sharing the post.
It looks like you had an absolute ball. One day I will make it here with my kids.
Thanks Jenni! It was such a wonderful time!
We’ve loved both Disneyworld and Disneyland, but the best was watching our girl experience Disneyworld for the first time. It’s hard to beat that magic. 🙂 Glad you had fun on your adventure!
What an awesome post and I love to read more about this it is fun and it brings my childhood back I love Disneyland when I was a kid.
That’s so wonderful! Looks like you all had a great time.
I love Disney, too! Looks like you all had a great time. I have never been to either Disney World or Land…eventually I will get there!
Oh my gosh, what a wonderful trip. I cannot wait to take my kiddos to Disneyland or Disneyworld!!! It is such a magical place.
Looks like you guys had an amazing visit! I absolutely LOVE Disney and I was so sad to hear thay they were no longer doing the Electric Light Parade. One of my favorite childhood photos is me in a Minnie Mouse Dress in front of the parade. I can’t wait until I can take my little Tuna with me!
Hi Kassi!! I love that parade too… I wonder if they will bring it back one day…?
I remember visiting Disney in Orlando back in 2003. It’s a fabulous place; a memory that will perhaps last forever.
This looks so fun – I’m so jealous!
Awww! Looks like the trip was so much fun! Can’t wait to go back to Disney with my kids!
The ultimate must-do summer vacation for any child, looks so fun!
Looks like so much fun! I love your shirt by the way!!
Can you believe I live in Los Angeles and I’ve NEVER been to California Adventure?? Crazy, right? You’ve motivated me to schedule a trip. My husband and I have talked forever how we should go to Disney. I went to Disney World a lot as a kid as I lived about 3 hours away. But I haven’t taken advantage of California Disney at all!
WOW, looks like you guys had an amazing time! I am so jealous you met cinderella too! I have disney planned for next may and I am counting down the days!!!
This looked like such a good time. I don’t have kids but even then I think I’d be very entertained!
What a great trip. I have only been to Animal Kingdom. Love the pics.
Hi! We just went to Animal Kingdom a few months ago! It was awesome!
Wow it looks like you guys had a lot of fun! My first time to Disneyland was this year in Shanghai! I had a lot of my firsts in China. In Shanghai they have these vintage oriental Mickey Mouse ears, really cute!
We went to Disney several times when our children were young. I always loved the parade in Magic Kingdom. We always went to the wax museum show mid-afternoon when we needed a break in air conditioning!
It’s been so long since I last went to Disneyland! Makes me nostalgic just thinking about it. I imagine there must be dozens of new attractions to see by now…. Loved all the fun pictures you shared with us. I’m sure you had a great time!
Going to Disney is always fun and never a dull moments. I love taking picture with the characters.
All your pix are great. Seems you all had great fun time together. Wish i could go there with my kids too. Its really a must visit place.
I love Disney! We live on the East Coast so Disney World is easier for us to get to, so I haven’t been to Disneyland yet. Maybe someday. We took our daughter for the first time in 2015 when she was 2 and it was a wonderful experience. The magic for her was incredible. We are now planning our next trip for next year, she will be 5 when we go and I am very much looking forward to it! Disney is such a great place for both children and adults.
How cool! Disney is such a magical place for vacations!
Your trip looks fabulous!! It makes me want to go back so badly.
OMG, you make me wanna go there like now! I’ve never been but plan on visiting the US soon (like next year). Disneyland is definitely on the list of places to visit. Love the idea of staying closeby and going back to the hotel for a cat nap or something when tired… Looks like you guys had fun!
Hi Adrienne! What a wonderful memory it will be to take your grandchildren !
I have never been to Disneyland before but I would love to go one day. Seems like you had fun!!
The good neighbor hotels are always great options at Disneyland! Since they don’t have as many resort options as Disneyworld it is so price to stay on property at Dland!
Hi Shelbi! Absolutely ! It’s a great deal and right across the street from the park so very convenient!
always dreamt of this place! I hope my dreams do come true!
I’d love to take my two to Disney World one day. They would love it!
We did Disney for the first time last year. It is a blast!
Hi Tricia! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!!!!
Disney Land is forever love! 🙂 Young and old will always enjoy this place.
Oh this is getting me excited !!! Im currently planning a trip for our family from Australia in a few years time !!! Hopefully we make it!