The Happiest Place on Earth

I don’t care for Disney fairytales. I won't allow my child to wear character clothing. So why do I love Disneyland? Simply because it's "The Happiest Place On Earth!" Kenneth believes it is so much so, that he wants to retire as a bus driver at Disney World! "Imagine..." he says, "picking up happy families, excited to get to the park in the morning. And although tired at the end of the day, happy.” All I can think of with a job like that is all the cooties you would have to deal with every day and kids throwing up on the bus! So, no, he won’t be retiring to Wally World... with me anyway!

And while we are on the subject, let’s talk about Disney World. When Kenneth decided to plan a trip there a few years ago I had no idea WDW was four totally different parks! I was totally overwhelmed. Although we had a great week and hope to go back again someday, it’s not Disneyland. The Magic Kingdom just doesn’t have the same charm as the original. Bigger isn’t always better, sometimes it’s just bigger! And I think it might actual contain LESS attractions.

Kenneth and I have been going to Disneyland together just about every year for the last 15 years. Although we don’t consider ourselves true Disney Dorks (if you are, own it with pride!) we might admit to being DisNerds. (Because we all know being a Nerd is better than being a Dork!LOL!) Every year Kenneth checks out the latest edition of The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland from the library (and sometimes the Disney World book just because!) The book has a great sense of humor and if you want a guarantee to hit the highlights, it has touring plans (in a couple varities) to optimize your trip. Although we don't use the touring plans, with this book we have never had a need for the Ride Max trip planning program. In fact, I find that too rigid for the way we do Disneyland (more later). The thing about Disneyland is that you have to have a plan, and then be prepared to change your plan.

“But I hate amusement parks, crowds or standing in line!” Good, because that’s not what Disneyland is. That’s why I can enjoy it without being a sucker for every Disney cartoon with changed endings. Disneyland is about the experience. Once you enter through those gates and into the burm of Disneyland you no longer exist in the real world.

I will spare you the “how to” but if you are planning a trip soon and don’t know about fast passes, babyswapping, park hopping, morning madness, character dining, etc. You might want to find out what those are.

We usually go off season. January through March are great months to visit Mickey. And if you’re lucky, it will lightly rain and everyone will leave! Then you get the park to yourself and absolutely no wait times! Love it!

Accomodations:  We prefer to stay "on property" (or in a Disney hotel). They are more expensive, but for us they are worth it. We never schedule a travel day (airport  or driving day) to be one of our park days.  There are plenty of other things to do outside the parks like swim in the pool (Disney has fantastic pools!) or shop and dine in Downtown Disney on a first or last day.

Food:  For little kids I find it's best to feed them a little bit all day long.  The Food 4 Less on Katella Ave. is an easy place to pick up a few things (water, juice boxes, string cheese, crackers, apples, etc.).  I load them in a backpack each morning and pass them out while waiting for attractions  But I am also not afraid to pay a hefty price for a real piece of fruit or non junk food in the park.  Then we like to have one nice sit down meal each day. We never miss eating at The Blue Bayou and Storytellers.  It’s great to sit down, cool off, have someone bring you a drink and eat some real food. No one wants a sick tummy at Disneyland!

First Aid and Guest Services:  Another thing we have done a lot at Disney Parks is go to First Aid! Although First Aid at Disneyland doesn’t really provide more than a place to rest, a Band-Aid or some Tylenol, they will give you a place to rest a sick child. And if you’re lucky they will bring in a character to comfort your little one!  If you ever have any special needs including dining, etc. Guest Services always has a solution.

Other books you might enjoy are:


Walt Disney: An American Original written by Bob Thomas. This biography was written with full access to Disney records and is a must read for any Disnerd!

The Mouse Tales series by David Koenig are a fun behind the scenes collection of behind the scenes stories often from past cast members.

Other Links from Kenneth:


Mouse Wait for you Iphone SO that now - WHEREVER YOU ARE in the world you husband can say, "They wait time for Indian Jones is only 10 minutes!" Yeah, helpful if you are in let's say SEATTLE!

And look what my very own DisNerd just ordered for me! Limited Edition Disney Dooney and Bourke Tote!

Because the DisneyDorks on the DisneyDork message boards love posting trip reports and I have sometimes found it interesting to see how other people do Disneyland, I will give a sample of three of our days in the next couple posts. It's not totally inclusive and I probably even missed a few things. It's interesting to see what other people miss or choose to skip.

How do you and your family "Do Disney?"