mcfam's Passport
 | Been to 474 Attractions |
 | 388 Reviews |
 | 230 First to Review |
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 | 206 Helpful Votes |
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Send a ComplimentAbout Me & My Family
My husband and I have 4 kids... 3 boys and then our girl. We homeschool them all and travel when possible. We just started letterboxing and are finding ourselves a little obsessed with it.
Our Family's Travel Personality
adventurous, curious, structured, relaxed, simple, independent, spontaneous, easy_going
We Just Got Back From
Zion and Bryce National Parks
Our Favorite Vacation Spot
Camping in Kings Canyon or Yosemite
A Place We'd Love To Visit
The Redwoods in Northern California
Favorite Vacation Memory
Walking the meadows of Yosemite with my family. The quiet, the sparkling water, the rustling grasses, and a dip in the river made for an amazing day.
Worst Travel Moment With My Kids:
Anytime throw up is involved. Especially when one kid triggers another. And when we are in the car. And when they choose to use the box that is holding all their library books and toys.
Websites I Like:
Holiday Magic at the Disneyland Resort
Beginning November 14 through January 8 the holidays are celebrated in spectacular decorations, special events, parades, and attractions at Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure. Memories are waiting to be made with your family this year in this winter wonderland.
1313 Harbor Blvd.
Anaheim, California
Comment:
Sleeping Beauty's Castle is decked in snow and lights and shimmers in it's winter transformation. It is one of the best locations to watch the "Believe in Holiday Magic" fireworks display and evening fall of snow. See park map for details on times of show.
1313 South Disneyland Drive
Anaheim, California
Comment:
Experience a magical snowfall each evening on Main Street with the third performance concluding with the fireworks display of "Believe... in Holiday Magic". See park map for details on times of show. A beautiful, 60-foot-tall Christmas tree greets guests on Main Street where people love to stop for photos.
reviewed on: March 31 2012
"Stop and stroll"
Main Street is one of my favorite sections of Disneyland, but it has to be enjoyed slowly and without the crowds (IMO). On a busy morning before Spring Break, I absolutely hated it because I was trying to help my large family maneuver down the street with 2 strollers and a million people. I was panicked that I would lose a kid, and in the midst of it all, the bus and cars were honking at us to move over. It felt like we might get run over!On our way out of the park, when it was less crowded, Main Street once again became idealistic and magical to me. We stopped by the window where we could watch the artist painting an image from Peter Pan onto a clock face and my kids were mesmerized and amazed. Some chocolate covered pretzels kept us happy while we watched Steamboat Willie in the cinema. Those movies helped my kids understand how Mickey Mouse was created and this whole Disney world get started. After a picture next to the Indian statue, we wandered into the Disney gallery to see the train displays and art.
One of my favorite memories is eating popcorn with my hubby while listening and watching the talented piano player and his rag-time flying fingers in the Carnation Cafe.
Definitely take the time to smell the flowers, listen to the band, peek in the windows and just try to resist the amazing waffle cone smell floating across the air near the ice cream shop!
1313 Harbor Blvd
Anaheim, California
Comment:
Special holiday tunes and thousands of lights delight boat riders on this classic ride around the world. Every night guests can watch "The Magic, The Memories and You!" show. Enjoy the magical snowfall each evening on Main Street with the third performance concluding with the fireworks display of "Believe... in Holiday Magic".
1313 Harbor Blvd.
Anaheim, California
Comment:
A special exhibit of trains, art and collectibles honors Walt Disney's love of locomotives called "All Aboard for A Grand Circle Tour of the Trains of Disney!"
reviewed on: March 31 2012
"Art and displays "
Adults will probably be more interested in the displays and art work in the Disney Gallery than kids will be, but it's still a great place to stop. We popped in here during the display of trains sometime around midnight on our way out of the park. I had 5 kids with me, ages 7-11 and they mostly enjoyed it. I think it gave them a good chance to see that everything at Disneyland is created by an artist and is incredibly beautiful and special. A model of the Disneyland Railroad and Main Street was the biggest hit. Other diagrams of all the different trains around Disneyland were also interesting. We spent 5-10 minutes here and it was worth it.
1313 Harbor Blvd
Anaheim, California
Comment:
Disney and holiday characters ride on floats with magical decorations. Many Disney characters stroll down the parade route as they get ready for the arrival of Santa Claus who greets visitors with a jolly hello!
1313 Harbor Blvd
Anaheim, California
Comment:
Visit Santa and Mrs. Claus and his real reindeer at this "down-home" cowboy themed ranch.
1313 Harbor Blvd.
Anaheim, California
Comment:
Enjoy a sweet slice of Yule Log cake.
1313 Harbor Blvd
Anaheim, California
Comment:
Savor spicy tamales, a Latin holiday tradition.
1313 Harbor Blvd
Anaheim, California
Comment:
A large cartoon-themed Christmas Tree is located in front of Toontown City Hall. Fun holiday decorations fill Toontown and Mickey and Minnie each have their own personal tree in their front yards. Great places to take fun, holiday photos.
1313 S. Disneyland Drive
Anaheim, California
Comment:
In Disney California Adventure park, guests can enjoy a holiday addition to the "World of Color" nighttime water spectacular. Santa's techno-savvy elves from "Prep & Landing" appear to make this a special event.
reviewed on: April 02 2012
"Amazing show"
We were completely thrilled with this water fountain on steroids show filled with our favorite Pixar movie characters: Up, Buzz Lightyear, Finding Nemo and some good (but not well known to us) Disney movie characters: Ariel, Pocahontas, and more. It is well done and spectacular. We were standing a few rows back and had a great view and did not get wet, although we felt the mist from the high fountains several times.
Tip: Because the wind usually flows from the ocean to inland, I am thinking that the areas around Ariel's Grotto and to the left of Mickey's Wheel (when facing it) have a greater potential of getting splashed. We saw the tops of the fountains flowing that way and I'm glad we weren't in the splash zone on the cold evening.
Downside: My hubby and I had to hold our 3 and 5 year olds nearly the whole time even though we were standing on a set of stairs in order for them to see. Tired arms!
Tip: I recommend trying to find a spot in front of the planters so that there is a railing that little kids can look through on their own, or a potential railing they can stand on.
We purchased the World of Color picnic boxes and were disappointed with the deal. We understood that we could pick up our boxes, get our preferred seating and eat it in the viewing area while waiting for the show (a one hour wait if you enter when it opens). We misunderstood, however, because the ticket for the show is the same as the FastPass tickets that everyone else gets. On our way to the viewing area we were told 3 different things by different cast members and we became quite flustered when we were shuffled into the long line of people entering the viewing area. Because we were in a standing room only area (as everything is) it was quite difficult to eat our food while everyone was coming in and wanting to get into our area. The food was good... but it was served chilled (as described) and didn't feel like a good value for $15.99 a person (kids meals too). The kids did enjoy their light-up bracelets, goldfish crackers and cupcakes though!
Tip: The benefit of pre-ordering the World of Color Picnic boxes is that you don't have to wait in line for your FastPass ticket (free, but required) in order to see the World of Color. This is important because the first showing of WOC tickets get handed out quickly which may mean that families have to stay for the second showing (9:30 pm or later). It also can save you 15 minutes to 1 hour waiting in line for the ticket. In this case, the ticket with the picnic is well worth it. If you don't get the picnic dinners, arrive at CA Adventure early and get to the FastPass station for WOC early. Located near Grizzly River Run.
Tip: If purchasing the picnic boxes, pick them up anytime during the day (after 11am I believe) and enjoy them separate from the show.
1313 Harbor Blvd
Anaheim, California
Comment:
The Haunted Mansion is decked out, "Nightmare Before Christmas" style.
Disney California Adventure
Anaheim, California
Comment:
This brand new attraction is specially decorated for the holidays, along with its Paradise Pier neighbors.
reviewed on: March 31 2012
"Fun for little kids"
The little kids enjoyed the songs and animation of this ride much more than the older kids did. The kids in our group, ages 9 and above found it boring and slow, although I'm sure that they thought it was cute with good songs in some corner of their brains. Part of their dislike is that they have not seen "The Little Mermaid" so there wasn't even nostalgia to entice them. I enjoyed the ride with my little ones, mostly because it gave me a place to sit down for more than 1 minute. I was aprehensive that the Ursula scenes might be played up like the evil characters are in Fantasyland but I was pleasantly surprised. Just one room with her singing and looking into a "crystal ball" was it. A cute ride, but mostly for little kids.
Disney's California Adventure Park
1313 Harbor Blvd Anaheim, California
Comment:
Santa Claus greets guests in a specially decorated gazebo on the boardwalk near Ariel's Grotto on Paradise Pier.
Disney Way
Anaheim, California
Comment:
A Holiday edition of this street show includes festive décor, costumes and holiday tunes. Guests are invited to "seize the day" and dance and sing on Paradise Pier with Phineas and Ferb.
