HOTELS WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE FROM THE DISNEYLAND RESORT

Do you want to stay close to the magic, but cannot afford to stay at the Disneyland Hotel, Disney´s Paradise Pier or Disney´s Grand Californian? Worry no more, here is a list of affordable hotels all within walking distance from Disneyland and Disney´s California Adventure!!!

• Anaheim Camelot Inn and Suites www.camelotinn-anaheim.com
• Carousel Inn and Suites www.carouselinnandsuites.com
• Tropicana Inn and Suites www.tropicanainn-anaheim.com
• Best Western Park Place and Mini Suites www.parkplaceinnandminisuites.com
• Park Vue Inn and Suites www.parkvueinn.com
• Desert Inn and Suites www.anaheimdesertinn.com
• Best Western Anaheim Inn www.anaheiminn.com
• Ramada Maingate www.ramadamaingate.com
• Candy Cane Inn www.candycaneinn.net

Advantages of lodging within walking distance from the parks:

• No need to wait for a shuttle
• Leave for the parks and return back at your own time
• Easy to run back for forgotten objects, dry clothes or light jacket
• You can take your children back for a short nap
• Save money on transportation
• Walk to Downtown Disney for great dining
• Spend more time enjoying and less time waiting for transportation!

DISNEY VIDEOS AND MUSIC ON MAIN STREET AT DISNEYLAND!

There is a small store on Main Street that you may pass by without realizing what you´re missing. Although videos, books and cd´s are carried in most major stores, this little shop specializes in just that. There, I have found newly released dvd´s and special books and cd´s that I haven´t been able to find elsewhere. As you enter Main Street, step to the sidewalk on your right. You will find it a couple of stores down. It´s a small store, so I recommend you visit early in the morning. The cast members there are eager to help you find what you´re looking for, and they have information on whether it´s released or not. If you love Disney music, books and videos you have to visit. I can assure you, once you do, you´ll visit on every Disney trip you make!

WHERE TO MEET AND GREET CHARACTERS AT DISNEYLAND

You should always check in the guide given to you at the entrance of the park, for special places to meet characters according to season. However here´s an overview of where most characters can be expected:

• MICKEY MOUSE: You can meet him at his house in ToonTown. There will be a line, but Mickey is constantly there to sign your autograph book and to take that memorable picture. Sometimes Mickey can be found on Main Street at the end of the day. It is not common but it has happened before.


• MINNIE MOUSE: Her house is right next to Mickey´s in ToonTown. You can meet here there most of the time. She also makes appearances on Main Street at the end of the day.


• PLUTO, DONALD DUCK AND GOOFY: They can be found traveling across ToonTown and also sometimes at Main Street, below the Train Station.


• PRINCESSES: Fantasyland is the place for them. There is usually an area set up where you can greet 3 or 4 at a time. Also, near the castle.


• JACK SPARROW OR PIRATES: Near Pirates of the Caribbean or New Orleans Square. Other pirates can be seen on Pirate´s Lair.


• WINNIE THE POOH, TIGGER AND EEYORE: They have their own area where they are constantly present in Critter Country, next to the Pooh attraction. Sometimes Piglet may make an appearance but it´s not common. He´s shy!


• ALICE, MAD HATTER, WHITE RABBIT, TWEEDLE DEE AND TWEEDLE DUM: They sometimes greet you at the entrance of the park, when guests are coming in.


• PINOCCHIO AND GEPETTO: They are also near the entrance as you go in the park.


• CAPT. HOOK, PETER PAN AND WENDY: You can find them in Fantasyland or at the Main Street Plaza.


• MERLIN: Near the sword in the stone, in Fantasyland.


• MARY POPPINS, BERT AND MR. PIP: Fantasyland or Main Street.


• WOODY AND JESSIE: At Frontierland or during Halloween season at Woody´s Halloween Roundup.


• BUZZ LIGHTYEAR: You can find him in Tomorrowland, near his attraction or just walking about.


• CHIP AND DALE: ToonTown or Main Street.

These and other characters are bound to appear at different places and times. Sometimes you´re lucky enought to greet all these and even more characters. When the park is very full, characters usually walk about. When the weather is very hot, or very rainy, characters are not around as much. Also, remember that you are able to see most of these characters during the parades. And, no matter how many characters you are lucky to meet or not, Mickey will always open his house to greet you!

mR tOAD´S wILD rIDE!

A Disneyland original attraction, Mr. Toad´s Wild Ride has fascinated guests since 1955. It´s based on Disney´s animated feature The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad (1949). In this Fantasyland dark ride you get to "drive" a motor car through Toad Hall and other settings from the film representing the English countryside. It is really a wild ride as you enter Toad Hall and drive through halls, the library and out into the night, bumping into bridges, police officers, sheep and more. This will get you into trouble as you enter a courtroom, have an encounter with explosives and even a train! A fun ride for visitors of all ages, and definitely one of the must-see attractions in Fantasyland.

What to do on a very hot Disney day...

If you´re visiting Disney and get surprised by a very hot day, keep this in mind:

• Make sure you have enough water for everyone in your party and keep hydrated.
• Slow down your pace, walk through shaded places, even though it takes you longer to get from one place to another.
• Have everyone wear hats or caps.
• Don´t go on open air rides such as Dumbo until dusk.
• Don´t stand in long lines, use a fast pass.
• Enjoy attractions such as The Enchanted Tiki Room where you can sit in air conditioning, plus enjoy a cool pineapple treat while you wait for the show to start.
• If you´re traveling with toddlers or babies, take a quick break back to the hotel to get refreshed at around noon. Then come back in the afternoon when the heat is hopefully subsiding.
• Enjoy attractions where you may get wet such as Splash Mountain, or even Pirates of the Caribbean.
• Take tons of pictures, sunny days make great photos!

DISNEY´S PHOTO PASS!

Now you can visit Disneyland and not worry about your camera. Throughout the park there are cast members ready to take your photo with characters, near the castle and at different points of interest such as character breakfasts. Before you had to save the slips they handed to you and check your pictures at the end of the day, but not anymore! You get a photopass with a bar code and pictures will be added to it for several days. You can visit the photo center at any point throughout your trip, check what you have and order prints. You can also check them online and best of all you can buy a CD with all your vacation pictures! No more worrying about that special photo with Mickey, it´s all there. Don´t forget to ask for your photopass during your next Disney trip.

All aboard the Disneyland Railroad!

One of the best loved attractions at Disneyland is the Disneyland Railroad. The sound of the whistle as you enter Main Street is sure to call you to the station to board the train. Although you may encounter a line, hopefully you´ll fit into the next train that reaches the station, so the wait will not be long. It´s a great choice to ride as you enter the park for you can have a glimpse of the different lands and then come back and decide where you want to go first. Strollers can be left at the station or taken along for the ride in case you want to exit elsewhere. There are several stops such as New Orleans Square, Mickey´s Toontown and Tomorrowland. You can exit at any point in case you want to use the train as a transport to enter one of Disney´s magical lands. I repeat, however, that I suggest to use it as a ride and take the complete tour. There are several landmarks to watch out for such as the waving chief, mardi gras decorations and the best of all: a glimpse of the Grand Canyon and the world of dinosaurs, after the Tomorrowland station. Don´t forget the Disneyland Railroad during your next Disneyland visit: a great ride!