Shopping at the Parks

If you´re planning to do some shopping at any Disney park here are some suggestions:

• If you´re planning to do a lot of shopping, try doing it at the end of the day. The stores will be packed full, but you won´t have to carry your bags throughout the day.
• If you´re staying at a resort hotel check at your front desk, some hotels and stores have the option of sending your shopping right to your room!
  
• Some park stores have a package holding system. You can save your shopping bags with them and come get them later in the day.
• Try shopping at World of Disney. It´s outside the parks in Downtown Disney (in both Anaheim and Lake Buena Vista). They have a huge selection of merchandise and you can find everything in one place.
• Check the stores in the park guide. There are stores specialized in different items or themes. For example: the Princess Shoppe for princess merchandise and costumes or the Star Trader for Star Wars and Tomorrowland merchandise.
• If you find something you really like, go ahead and buy it when you see it. If you wait for later in the day or in the week, stores tend to blend into each other in your head and you´ll have a hard time remembering where you saw the item!
  

Disney Bakery Goods

The Blue Ribbon Bakery is located in Disneyland in Main Street. Just by walking by its door you can experience the smells of an old fashioned bakery. Once inside you can find a baked good sure to please any craving you may have. From cookies to cakes, coffee and soft drinks this is a great choice for an early morning quick breakfast, or for a snack while waiting for the parade to start. Enjoy classics like the Mickey Mouse Cookie! If you visit Disneyland during winter months, or are surprised by a cold day any time of the year, be sure to enjoy your favorite snack with Disney´s classic hot cocoa. The bakery also offers cookies or desserts according to the time of year. For example, during Halloweentime, enjoy a pumpkin shaped Mickey Mouse cookie.

Be sure to visit the bakery during your next visit to Disney!

Character Breakfasts

There are several character breakfasts, located in the resort hotels and in the parks. Each breakfast offers different characters and settings for a unique dining experience. Character breakfasts are a great choice for autograph signing, pictures and character fun. Be sure to ask in advance which characters are featured in each breakfast; the characters rotate and not all will be present every day, but a few are signature characters of that site, and will constantly appear. For example, Goofy will always make an appearance in Goofy´s Kitchen, and together with other characters, will make everyone get up and dance.

Another great choice: Chip and Dale at the Grand Californian Hotel, filled with characters like Koda and Kenai (Brother Bear), Miko (Pocahontas) and Brer Bear (Song of the South), together with everyone´s favorite chipmunks. The princesses have their own breakfast, perfect for the little princesses in your party. The key is to check and make reservations in advance. Visit a character breakfast during your next visit to Disneyland!

Birthday at Disney!

Disneyland is a great place to celebrate a birthday! At City Hall, there is a telephone where you can receive a birthday call from Goofy. You can get a birthday button there too, and that way you´ll get "happy birthday"´s from cast members throughout the day. (Peter Pan shouted out "Happy Birthday!" to my son, in the middle of a parade! Best birthday ever for him!) For a real birthday party be sure to reserve a spot in Happiest Birthdays on Earth. For a fee you´ll enjoy a birthday party complete with lemonade (in souvenir cups), party hats, birthday cake (with cake decorating contest), songs, dancing and of course the visit of a very important mouse, wishing you a happy birthday. If you do not wish to attend this party, you can order a birthday bucket in any of the park´s sit-in restaurants. The bucket includes a mini cake and several party favors, and they usually have different designs such as sorcerer Mickey or princesses. Look for the birthday cart in front of Happiest Birthdays on Earth at the end of Main Street, right before the entrance to Tomorrowland. Happy Birthday!

VISITING DISNEYLAND WITH TODDLERS

Toddlers are sure to enjoy a visit to Disneyland. They´ll enjoy character greetings, parades and rides. However, going to Disneyland with toddlers can be a challenge if you´re not prepared. Travel at their own pace. Return to your hotel in the middle of the day for a quick nap and then come back to the park to continue the fun. Be sure they have enough to drink, especially during hot days, and make sure they´re not hungry so they don´t get cranky. Visit the Baby Center (located at Main Street) for diaper changes, feedings and more. Talk to them about what they´re going to see before you get to Disneyland. These rides are great for first time toddler visitors:

• Dumbo the Flying Elephant


• King Arthur´s Carrousel


• Mad Tea Party


• it´s a Small World


• Jungle Cruise


• The Enchanted Tiki Room

Once they get the idea of what´s going on, you can go on and try the rest!

Eating at Pirates of the Caribbean!

If you are a fan of the Pirates of the Caribbean ride or movie, you are sure to love this! At the Disneyland Resort there is a restaurant called Blue Bayou. It is inside the Pirates of the Caribbean ride and aside from offering great food, you can enjoy the twilight atmosphere, complete with fireflies and the classic ride music. You need to make reservations in advance, especially during the summer. The food includes crab cakes, jambalaya, prime rib and key lime pie. The children receive pirate paper hats and usually they offer a souvenir mug or cup. The entrance is behind the Pirates of the Caribbean ride; when you exit the ride, turn to your left. A great choice for all pirate wannabes!

Choosing a Disneyland Hotel

There are several things to keep in mind before choosing which hotel you should stay at during your visit to Disneyland (Anaheim). First of all, budget. There are great choices for the budget minded traveler. There are great hotels near the resort that won´t be a burden on your wallet. (Jolly Roger Hotel, Motel 6) If you plan on spending the entire day at the parks there´s really no need to spend more on a hotel room you´ll only stay at every night. Another thing to keep in mind is who you´re travelling with. If your party includes babies, very small children or senior citizens, you´ll probably want one of the hotels located across the street from the Disneyland resort. These are great hotels whithin walking distance of Disneyland, the place to stay at for quick changes, afternoon naps or short breaks from all the excitement (Anaheim Camelot, Tropicana Inn). If visiting Disney is just one part of your trip and you wish for a more relaxed vacation, with comfortable hotel rooms with other amenities, suite hotels are a great choice. (Marriott Suites, Doubletree, Sheraton). Finally, if you want the complete Disney experience from sun up to sun down you have to stay at one of the resort hotels. From decorations to shopping to character dining and location, these hotels are sure to make your visit 100% Disney (Grand Californian, Paradise Pier or the Disneyland Hotel). So, think about your trip and choose the Disneyland area hotel thar best suits your needs. Have a great trip!