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Disneyland Christmas Tips

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Tips for a Magical Christmas at Disneyland

The Holiday Season at Disneyland runs from runs from November 12, 2010 to January 2, 2011. Spending the Holidays at the Disneyland Resort is one way to have a memorable Christmas holiday.

One way to greatly improve and enhance your Disneyland holiday trip is to take a bit of time to follow some helpful Disneyland Christmas Tips and do some pre-planning before you get to the Magic Kingdom.

Pre-planning can make the trip a lot less stressful for parents, children, tweens, teens and especially mom.

Along with the Make it a Memorable Disneyland Christmas lens, this lens filled with advice to help you plan your own magical holiday vacation at Disneyland. It includes the research that I've done to make this year's trip a more enjoyable time for the entire family.

This year marks the fourth year we'll be doing a Disneyland Christmas with our daughters (now ages 10 and 8). This year we will be at Disneyland during my birthday after Christmas so I'll be updated the lens to include information about spending your birthday at Disneyland as well as what's new since we were last there.

Collected here are many of the tips that my husband, my daughters and I have discovered over the years to make a Disneyland Christmas experience less stressful, more enjoyable, a bit easier and even a bit less expensive.

May your holiday trip to Disneyland be a enchanting, magical adventure,
sprinkled with pixie dust.

Image: Susan Goulding. Welcome from Tinkerbell. Creative Commons.

Contents at a Glance

Tips to Enjoy Disneyland at Chrismas
Welcome to Disneyland
Go to Disneyland during their Magical Ho...
Fireworks over Sleeping Beauty's Castle
Plan Your Disneyland Trip with Orbitz
More About Spending Christmas at Disneyl...

Tips to Enjoy Disneyland at Chrismas

We've given the gift of a Disneyland Christmas to our daughters the last three years are are planning a fourth trip again this year to spend part of Christmas holidays and my birthday in Disneyland.

Here is a collection of many of the tips we have discovered for making a Disneyland trip a bit easier, more enjoyable and a bit less expensive to do a Disneyland Christmas.

Welcome to Disneyland

Image: Loren Javier Welcome to Disneyland. Creative Commons.

Go to Disneyland during their Magical Holiday Season

Tip: Plan your Disneyland trip during their Magical Holiday Season time (mid November to early January).

Fireworks over Sleeping Beauty's Castle

Image: MyJediLightsaber. Fireworks over the Disneyland Castle. Creative Commons.

Plan Your Disneyland Trip with Orbitz

With Orbitz you can find a flight, book a hotel and rent a car for your Disneyland holiday trip.

More About Spending Christmas at Disneyland

Stay at Disneyland for More than One Day

Tip: If you can, stay for more than one day, get a 3-Day (or more) Park Hopper and a discount.

Disneyland Ticket

Image: Brent Schmidt. Disneyland Resort Ticket. Creative Commons.

Buy Multi-Day Disneyland Tickets Online and Save

If at all possible plan your trip, so you can spend a few days in Disneyland try to do so. When you spend 3 days or more at the Disneyland Theme Parks (Disneyland Park and Disney's California Adventure Park) you can save money and time by purchasing your tickets online. You can also get a special deal with the Park Hopper.

The multi-day Disneyland Park Hopper ticket gives you more time to see all of the attractions and rides in both Parks. The Park Hopper allows you the option of visiting both Parks, even going back and forth between the Parks on the same day. In addition, the Park Hopper Pass includes one Magic Morning** admission for early entry at select attractions in a designated theme park.

** The Magic Morning allows admission into selected attractions at a designated Disneyland® Resort Theme Park before the Park opens to the public on Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday.

Disneyland Theme Park Tickets | Disneyland Resort: Buy Disneyland Resort Theme Park tickets online and save.

Ride the Special Holiday Attractions

Tip: Ride the special attractions only available during Disney's Magical Holiday Season.

Special Holiday Rides

The Special Holiday Rides are only available during the Holiday Season at Disneyland. They change around the normal rides on "It's a Small World" and "Haunted Mansion" to give them a unique holiday theme.

For even more on these Holiday rides, follow the links to the Make it a Memorable Disneyland Christmas lens.

It's a Small, Small World Christmas at Disneyland

The 2009 Christmas Show inside at It's a Small Small World Ride at Disneyland.

Haunted Mansion Meets A Nightmare Before Christmas

The Haunted Mansion ride in Disneyland wondrously incorporates elements of Tim Burton's story "The Nightmare Before Christmas."

See Disney's Special Holiday Entertainment

Tip: See the special entertainment only available during their Magical Holiday Season.

Special Holiday Entertainment

Disneyland also puts on some special magical holiday events with fireworks, parades and turning Sleeping Beauty's Castle into a Winter Wonderland.

For even more on these Holiday Entertainment and Events, follow the links to the Make it a Memorable Disneyland Christmas lens.

Disneyland Sleeping Beauty Castle Snow

Watch the lighting of Sleeping Beauty's Winter Castle.

A Christmas Fantasy Parade at Disneyland

A look at the Disneyland's Christmas Parade.

Eat Healthy Foods for Breakfast

Tip: Eat a healthy breakfast (before you get to Disneyland) and then whenever else you can.

Go for the Healthier Options When You Can

In the past several years Disneyland has been including healthier food options throughout their parks. These carts with healthier food options that include fresh fruit, freshly cut fruit, trail mixes and bottled water. My main complaint with the healthier food carts is that as with many of the other food choices in Disneyland is they are expensive.

The options are good if you need a quick healthy food option, but we tend to bring a lot of our own snack items.

Since 2006 the Disneyland Parks are serving low fat milk, healthy fruits or vegetables with the kids meals instead of French fries and soda. Disney also offers other options for adults like salads and Turkey sandwiches in place of the hamburgers, cheeseburgers and pizza.

California Adventures seems to do a better job in offering healthier foods.

Sources: Cabrera, Y. 2007. Putting Disney's food to the test. Orange County Register.
Corporate Disney. 2006. The Walt Disney Company Introduces New Food Guidelines to Promote Healthier Kids' Diets. Press Release.

Image: Marbla123. Disneyland Main Street Fruit Stand. Creative Commons.

Dining Options at the Disneyland Park Resort

Disneyland Park | Dining Listing: Dining options in Disneyland Park®.
Disney's California Adventure Park | Dining Listing: If you are in search of a unique approach to California dining, Disney's California Adventure® family dining offers a great ambiance and a taste of California in every dish.
Downtown Disney® District Dining: Dining Options in Downtown Disney®.

Bring Your Own Snacks and Water

Tip: Pack your own healthy snacks and bring bottled water or a water bottle you can refill.

Disney Bags for Girls on Amazon

Disney Water Bottles on Amazon

Disney Bags for Boys on Amazon

Never Pass up the Chance to use the Restroom

Tip: Never pass up the chance to stop at the Restroom. You might get stuck later waiting in a long line and very glad you did.

Disneyland Restrooms - Use them!

One of the best pieces of advice that I have heard is to never pass up the opportunity to use a restroom (unless they are disgusting of course). This advice comes in very handy at Disneyland especially if you are traveling with kids.

We made sure to keep track of our favorite restrooms and then as we are walking around the park after going on a ride, after eating or just because we'd be sure to have everyone make a stop.

This technique has worked out really well for us. We never had to leave a line with a child (or a parent) who needed to make an emergency restroom stop.

Taking a time out to stop will help to ensure that you can wait through a line if you suddenly discover that you are stuck in a long one.

Image: Just Chaos. Fantasyland Restrooms. Creative Commons.

Reviews and Ratings of Disneyland Restrooms

The Happiest Potties on Earth: The Restrooms of Disneyland: A comprehensive listing and review of the restrooms of Disneyland created by Kevin & Adrienne Krock. Special attention has been paid to child and disabled accessibility.

Watch out for the Enticing High Fat, High Calorie Items

Tip: Watch out for the enticing high fat, high calorie items. Seek out the healthier options.

Pass on the High Calorie Foods

While Disneyland has been working to introduce healthier food options in their Parks, there are still plenty of high calorie, high fat foods that are there to entice you. We are wired from cave man times to respond to the smell of high fat foods, so they can be difficult to resist.

Chimichangas and Apple-pie-filled pretzels are found in Fantasyland. Smoked turkey legs are sold in Frontierland. (According to UC Irvine's weight management program director Linda M. Gigliotti the turkey leg has almost a day's worth of fat and nearly 1,100 calories.) Large sourdough bowls filled with gumbo are found in New Orleans Square.

Thankfully the French fry stand that used to be in Frontierland was closed when Disneyland and McDonalds parted ways several years ago.

Restaurants and food carts are not required to post food labels for their items, so trying to find out the actual calorie content of some of the Disneyland foods is difficult. A safe rule of thumb to help you from over indulging in fat is to avoid anything that looks like it has been deep fried.

Sticking to the healthier food options will keep everyone feeling healthier, happier and filled with usable energy rather than feeling sluggish, stuffed and bloated from taking in too many high fat, high calorie foods which can lead to cranky kids and adults.

Sources: Cabrera, Y. 2007. Putting Disney's food to the test. Orange County Register.
Corporate Disney. 2006. The Walt Disney Company Introduces New Food Guidelines to Promote Healthier Kids' Diets. Press Release.

Image: Loren Javier. Fantasyland Chimichanga. Creative Commons.

Kashi Variety Pack

Kashi-Go Lean Crunchy, 24 ct Variety Pack

Amazon Price: $26.88 (as of 02/16/2012)

Kashi Go Lean bars are a great snack to carry because they are filled with Protein and Fiber which will help fill you up. The bars are designed for an Optimized Glycemic Response to help balance blood sugar.

This variety pack has eight Chocolate Peanut, eight Chocolate Caramel and eight Chocolate Almond.

We packed in a bunch of these and they were very helpful.

Snacktrition Snacks

Healthy snack options to pack in with you.

Sea Salt Almonds

Blue Diamond Oven Roasted Almonds Sea Salt, 8-Ounce Jars (Pack of 6)

Amazon Price: $20.00 (as of 02/16/2012)

The Blue Diamond Almonds are a great alternative to salty junk snacks. Packaged in convenient 8 ounce sized package, the almonds are a great packable snack.

The sea salt gives just enough salt to the almonds, without adding in a lot of other ingredients.

The good news for the eco-conscious is that the container is recyclable and without the label is reusable.

Check out the Ride Restrictions and Ratings

Tip: Check the height restrictions and ratings for rides before you get to the ride.

Check Your Children's Height Before You Go

Spending a bit of time checking your child's height and the height requirements on some of the Disney rides will help prevent a lot of disappointed younger children (and staying off a meltdown) from suddenly discovering they are too short to ride a particular ride. Rides in both parks have certain height requirements for safety.

The Disneyland® Park Rides have height requirements at 32" (82 cm) or taller, 35" (89 cm) or taller, 40" (102 cm) or taller, 46" (117 cm) or taller and 54" (137 cm) or taller

Disney's California Adventure® Park has requirements at 36" (91 cm) or taller, 40" (102 cm) or taller, 42" (106 cm) or taller, 48" (122 cm) or taller and 52" (132 cm) or taller.

Follow the link to the Disneyland page for Height Requirements to find out which rides have certain height requirements.

Image: Padsbrother. Tape Measure. Creative Commons.

Height Requirements for Disneyland Resort Rides

Disneyland Resort | Height Requirements: Get the height requirements for certain rides in the Disneyland® Park and Disney's California Adventure® Park.

Check the Disney Attractions Ratings by Children's Ages and Health Concerns

Something else to investigate before visiting the park is the ratings on some of the park rides, particularly if you have younger children < 5 years of age. Some of the attractions have health warnings about the rifes others have warnings about the rides content. Some common Disneyland Resort warnings:

WARNING! For safety, you should be in good health and free from high blood pressure, heart, back or neck problems, motion sickness, or other conditions that could be aggravated by this adventure. Expectant mothers should not ride.
Guests who are prone to motion sickness should not ride.
Young children may be frightened by the special effects. Some scenes and Characters may be too scary for young children.
Young children should be accompanied by an adult.

Even with reading all of the ratings, your children may surprise you and be bothered (or not) by certain rides. Use your best judgment. If possible go on the ride first if there are any concerns about it scaring younger children.

Little Ones: Here is a complete list of recommended Attractions, Entertainment, Dining and Shopping for the Little Ones experience path. You may filter this list by location within Disneyland Resort for more specific results.
Families with Kids: If you are in search of kids vacations, Disneyland has the perfect selection of kid friendly vacations for the little ones in your family. Kids can meet their movie heroes, soar in exciting attractions and other fun activities that help make Disneyland one of the best vacations for kids.
Families with Teens: If you are in search of teen vacations, Disneyland offers a variety of high-octane thrills and out-of-this-world adventures. So, when it comes to planning teen trips or a family vacation with teens look to Disneyland.com first.

Get The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland 2010

The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland 2010 (Unofficial Guides)

by: Bob Sehlinger

Amazon Price: $5.35 (as of 02/16/2012)

The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland 2010 includes tips and stories from over 8,000 real families about their experiences at Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure.

All of the attractions are described in detail and rated by age group. There is a helpful chapter that discusses the "scary factor" or age appropriateness level of each ride which can be very useful for parents of toddlers and young children.

Wear Your Own Mickey Ears, Hat or Tiara

Tip: Wear your own mouse ears, tiara or other Disney Hat. It's one of the few places you can wear mouse ears or a tiara and blend in.

Disney Mickey Mouse Wizard Ears Hat

Elope Mickey Mouse Wizard Hat

Amazon Price: $16.99 (as of 02/16/2012)

A fun Wizard Hat for your child to wear for your Disney holiday. This one comes with Mickey Mouse ears.

Mickey and Minnie Ears

Disneyland Mickey Hats on Amazon

Tiaras to Wear to Disneyland on Amazon

Bring Your Own Camera and Film

Tip: Bring your own camera, video camera and film (if needed). Remember extra batteries!

Nikon Coolpix Camera

Nikon Coolpix L20 10MP Digital Camera with 3.6 Optical Zoom and 3 inch LCD, (Deep Red)

Amazon Price: $139.00 (as of 02/16/2012)

Bring along your own Christmas Red Nikon Coolpix Camera to take family photos at Disneyland (so you don't have to pay for the Disneyland pictures).

Cameras to Take to Disneyland

More digital cameras so you can take your own Disneyland pictures.

Flip Video Camcorder

Flip UltraHD Video Camera - White, 8 GB, 2 Hours (3rd Generation) NEWEST MODEL

Amazon Price: $142.98 (as of 02/16/2012)

The newest Flip MinoHD Camcorder will let you film up to 120 Minutes of Disneyland fun.

Look for Disneyland Hidden Mickeys

Tip: Go on a fun scavenger hunt and look for the Hidden Mickeys in Disneyland.

Search for Hidden Mickeys

What is a Hidden Mickey? According to Steve Barrett author of Disneylands Hidden Mickeys, on his website he defines an Hidden Mickey as:

A hidden Mickey is a partial or complete impression of Mickey Mouse placed by the Imagineers and artists to blend into the designs of Disney attractions, hotels, restaurants, and other areas.Steve Barrett further clarifies a Hidden Mickey as:

Looking for Hidden Mickey can be a lot of fun for those with young children, tweens and teens, particularly those who love scavenger hunts. Searching for the Hidden Mickeys (and other hidden characters) is a helpful way to pass the time while waiting for rides or walking around. Looking for the Hidden Disneyland 'treasures' can even make you feel more connected with the Park and your visit.

Image: Loren Javier. Hidden Mickey at Redwood Creek Challenge Trail. Creative Commons.

Hidden Mickey at the Disneyland Main Entrance

Image: Loren Javier. Hidden Mickey at Strollers & Wheelchairs Stand,
Disneyland Main Entrance. Creative Commons.

The Finding Hidden Mickeys Pool on Flickr

Flickr: The Finding Mickey [Hidden Mickeys of Disneyland Resort] Pool: The Finding Mickey Pool or Hidden Mickeys of Disneyland Resort Pool on Flickr is a collection of photographs taken of the hidden Mickeys scattered in Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventures, Downtown Disney and the various Disneyland Hotels.

Bring a Book about Hidden Mickeys and Disney Secrets

Hidden Mickeys Guide Website

Hidden Mickeys Guide : A Field Guide to Walt Disney Worlds Best Kept Secrets: The most complete, unofficial collection of Hidden Mickeys available, brought to you by Steven Barrett, author of Hidden Mickeys: a Field Guide to Disney's Best Kept Secrets.

Discover More about Hidden Mickeys

Get Something that Sparkles for You Before You Go

Tip: Get something that Sparkles for yourself to wear to Disneyland before you go, or plan to get something afterward.

Tinker Bell Believe Pendant Necklace

Tinker Bell Believe Pendant Necklace: Disney Jewelry by The Bradford Exchange

Amazon Price: $129.00 (as of 02/16/2012)

Tinker Bell Pendant Necklace with Swarovski(R) Crystals is a Bradford Exchange First.

Keep this tiny wonder close to your heart in a Bradford Exchange first-ever collectible Tinker Bell pendant necklace graced with fairy wings that shimmer with hand-set, glistening Swarovski(R) crystals.

The back of this enchanting pendant necklace is engraved with the simple and touching sentiment of "Believe." A delight to wear, or makes a stunning collectible Disney Tinker Bell gift.

More Disney Couture Jewelry

Disney Couture Snow White Bracelet

Disney Couture Snow White 3 Row Multi Charm Bracelet

Amazon Price: (as of 02/16/2012)

This Disney Couture Snow White charm bracelet is part of the limited edition collection designed by Kidada Jones.

The Snow White 3 row charm bracelet features Swarovski crystals and enamel dwarfs on a 14k gold plated chain with a magnetic closure.

Size: 7" long, 1" wide.

Wear Comfortable Shoes and Walking Socks

Tip: You'll be on your feet most of the day so wear comfortable shoes and walking socks.

Cushion Socks for Kids on Amazon

Walking Socks for Women on Amazon

Walking Socks for Men on Amazon

Disneyland is More Magical at Night

Tip: Disneyland is more magical at night. Plan your day so you can be in the Park for some nighttime activities.

Special Holiday Night Activities

To me, Disneyland is the most magical at night; this is when the magic feelings seem to be magnified. It may be the time when being in the park makes you feel like you have entered another world, one in which anything is possible.

For even more on these Holiday Night Activities, follow the links to the Make it a Memorable Disneyland Christmas lens.

Sleeping Beauty Winter Castle at Night

Dress Warmly at Night

Tip: Be able to dress warmly at night. If you take a break and come back, dress warmly. Disneyland in the winter is colder at night.

Disneyland Hats and Scarves for Girls on Amazon

Disney Jackets for Girls

Disney Hoodies for Adults on Amazon

Disney Hoodies for Boys on Amazon

Disneyland Hats and Scarves for Boys on Amazon

Disney Scarves for Adults on Amazon

Be Able to Stay in the Rain

Tip: The Parks are open regardless weather. Pack an umbrella and rain jacket if the weather looks like rain. You can stay when others are going home.

Disney Rain Gear for Girls on Amazon

Mary Poppins Umbrella on Amazon

Disney Mary Poppins: The Broadway Musical - Parrot Head Umbrella

Amazon Price: (as of 02/16/2012)

You''ll stay comfy and dry underneath this delightful Mary Poppins umbrella.

Includes an original parrot head handle.

Disney Rain Gear for Boys on Amazon

Visit Disney's California Adventures

Tip: Plan to spend some time riding the rides and seeing Disney's California Adventures.

Disney's California Adventures

Image: Loren Javier. Paradise Pier at Night. Creative Commons.

Discover Disney's California Adventure Park

Disney's California Adventure Park | A Southern California Vacation And Southern California Travel Destination: If you are planning a Southern California vacation or Southern California travel, be sure and make a stop at Disneyland and enjoy all the magic we have to offer.

Be sure to Relax, Enjoy and Go with the Flow While at Disneyland

Tip: Relaxing and going with the flow are key to having a magical trip to Disneyland.

Take some time to Relax and Unwind at Disneyland

Probably the most important Tip for having an enjoying time in Disneyland is to be able to adjust and go with the flow.

If the lines are long at the ride that you want to go on, try and get a Fast Pass and go on another ride or just come back later. Riding the rides at the beginning of the day, the end of the day and during the Parades or other activities is a good way to get onto some of the more popular rides.

Many times we'd make a sudden decision to ride a different ride (like Pirates of the Caribbean) if the lines looked short.

It is also be important to take a bit of time to relax and unwind, whether sitting at a side walk cafe watching the crowds or on one of the numerous benches scattered through out the park.

Taking a break in the middle of the day to go back to the hotel will help make your visit more enjoyable, less stressful and ultimately more memorable.

Image: Sparkly Kate. Relax in Disneyland, Paris. Creative Commons.

Remember You Can Shop Online for Disney Gifts

Tip: Remember you can shop online for Disney items. Spend your time at Disneyland riding the rides and seeing the exhibits.

Disneyland Antenna Ball Toppers on Amazon

Disney Christmas Tree Limited Edition on Amazon

Disney Tabletop Christmas Tree: The Wonderful World Of Disney by The Bradford Exchange

Amazon Price: $199.95 (as of 02/16/2012)

This Wonderful World of Disney Christmas tree features Mickey and Minnie, Donald Duck, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Bambi, Pinocchio and others in 10 holiday scenes. All total there are more than 50 sculpted, hand-painted Disney character figures.

This animated Christmas tree has 4 levels of rotating movement and is illuminated with 20 brilliant LED lights.

The Disney Tree stands 16 inches tall and and plays a medley of classic carols.

Disneyland Ornaments on Amazon

Disney Tree Topper on Amazon

Disney Princess Ornaments on Amazon

Disneyland Christmas Items on eBay

Stay at a Nearby Hotel

Tip: Stay at a Disneyland Resort Hotel or a Good Neighbors Hotel. You want to be close enough to take a break during the day.

Hotel Options at Disneyland

Staying at a nearby hotel and visiting the Disneyland Resort for more that one day really helps to cut down on the stressful feeling that you have to see it all in a few hours. Having more than one day also gives you time to take a break, go back to the hotel relax a bit and come back for the magical night time festivities.

There are two main options for hotels in and around Disneyland, the hotels of the Disneyland Resort and the Good Neighbor Hotels.

The Disneyland Resort Hotels include the original Disneyland Hotel, Disneyland Grand Californian (inside of California Adventures) and the Disneyland Paradise Pier Hotel. If you are looking to be close to Disneyland, these are the hotels to choose.

The Good Neighbor Hotels are 37 neighbor hotels to the Disneyland® Resort. If you are looking to still be close (many of the hotels are near the entrance or offer shuttle services) to Disneyland at more modest prices, these are the Good Neighbor hotels are the ones to choose.

Image: Loren Javier. Disneyland Hotel. Creative Commons.

Disneyland on Google Maps

Disneyland Resort and Good Neighbor Hotels

Disneyland Hotel | Home Page: If you are in search of a Disneyland accommodation, Disneyland Hotel is unique among Anaheim California hotels and it's within just a few steps of Disneyland. Stay at a true Disney original. The Disneyland Hotel offers the signature Disney quality, service, and magic at every turn.
Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel | Home Page: Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel is a great choice for Disney lodging. It offers unique Disney accommodations and stunning views that are sure to help your family enjoy their trip to Disneyland. Enjoy a perfect blend of the California lifestyle and signature Disney quality at Disney's Paradise Pier Hote
Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa | Home Page: Looking for a Disneyland hotel in Anaheim? Disney's Grand Californian Hotel offers a wide variety of Disneyland lodging options to fit the needs of everyone in your family. Surround yourself with premium accommodations and a relaxing environment at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel in the heart of th
Disneyland Resort | Good Neighbor Hotels: If you are looking for hotels near Disneyland, there are a variety of Disneyland area hotels and hotels around Disneyland. Stay close to the magic of the Disneyland Resort and Downtown Disney District at any of the Disneyland Resort Good Neighbor Hotels.

More Books on the Disneyland Resort on Amazon

Maps to Disneyland Hotels

If you are interested in staying in one of the Disneyland Good Neighbors hotels, it is good to look on a map of the area to see how far the hotel is from the entrance of Disneyland.

The first time we went when our girls were 6 and 4, we made the mistake of staying at a hotel that was near the convention center, but quite a distance (for a 4-year-old) to easily walk back and forth to the Disneyland Park.

Disneyland is within walking distance to the downtown Anaheim Convention Center. You can find maps of the hotels in the area by looking up the Anaheim Convention Center.

Maps & Directions - Anaheim Orange County California: Official Anaheim Orange County travel guide. Find details on Anaheim and Orange County events, attractions, dining, shopping, vacation packages, hotels, accommodations, amusement parks, theme parks and much more compliments of the Anaheim Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Anaheim Convention Center Hotel Map: PDF File with a Map of Anaheim Convention Center Hotels.
Welcome to the Anaheim Convention Center: Official website of the Anaheim Convention Center with links to area maps.
Anaheim Convention Center Area Hotel Map: PDF File of an Anaheim Convention Center Area Hotel Map.

Get a Hotel with a Hot Tub

Tip: Make sure the hotel comes with a hot tub, spa or massage option so you can relax at the end of a long day.

Relax and Unwind in the Hot Tub or Spa

After a day at Disneyland it can be helpful to find ways to relax and unwind from the stressful feeling of hurry up and waiting to get to rides, navigating through crowds of people and trying to see many different things all in the same day. For kids, it can put them on stimulation overload.

One of the ways that my girls like to unwind after a day spent in Disneyland on their feet is to go to the Hotel Hot Tub or heated pool. Since we don't own a hot tub, this is a big treat for them. It also gives them something to look forward to once we get back to the hotel.

My Finnish background where people go to saunas during the winter may make it easier for our family to think about using the hot tub on a winter trip. Even if you are going for the Disneyland Holiday Season, be sure to pack a bathing suit, so you can take advantage of the relaxation effects of the hot tub.

Image: Quinn.anya. Hotel Hot Tub. Creative Commons.

Relax and Rejuvenate Your Feet

Tip: Relax and Rejuvenate after a spending a day on your feet walking in the Disney parks.

Foot Roller and Massage Ball on Amazon

If you are going to be spending a few days in Disneyland, you want to be sure to take good care of your feet (and your family's feet), since tired and sore feet are often a limiting factor in how long it is fun to be in the park.

Body Back Company Foot Roller and Porcupine Massage Ball

Amazon Price: $19.95 (as of 02/16/2012)

Pack a foot roller and massage ball to help rejuvenate tired feet.

Relaxing Foot Massagers on Amazon

More foot massagers, mats and rollers to help relax tired feet.

Spend Some Time in Downtown Disneyland

Tip: Plan on spending some time in Downtown Disneyland before you leave from home as a way to wind down the experience.

Downtown Disneyland at Night

Image: Jessica Sarahs. Downtown Disneyland. Creative Commons.

We have found it is a great way to wind down a bit from the Disneyland experience. After spending several days in the park, we go to Downtown Disney for any last minute shopping before we head off to home. It has helped alleviated any sudden Disney withdrawal feelings that the girls may experience after several days at the Disneyland Resort.

Downtown Disney District

Downtown Disney District is a promenade (walk way) that feature unique shopping, dining and nighttime entertainment. The Downtown Disney District is located just outside the Theme Parks and next to the Disneyland® Resort hotels.

Downtown Disney District® in California: Explore the Downtown Disney District® and discover a truly unique dining, shopping, and nightlife experience.

Tips and Fun Facts from the Disneyland Resort

Whether you're a first-time visitor or have visited many times, this information will give you an advantage in enjoying your Disneyland® Resort visit.

Tips and Fun Facts at the Disneyland Resort: Packing needn't be another task on your travel to-do list. Print these checklists to mark as you pack your bags.

May You Live Happily Every After...

Image: Loren Javier. Exit at Disney Animation. Creative Commons.

When Walt Disney set out to create Disneyland, he wanted to create "a family park where parents and children could have fun-together."

Walt with his team of Imagineers set out to create a place fired by the imagination, filled with magic, a place where visitors believe that when you wish upon a star your dreams can come true and people live happily ever after, even if only for the time they are in the park.

Remember what Walt Disney said about the purpose of Disneyland:

I don't want the public to see the world they live in while they're in the Park (Disneyland). I want to feel they're in another world.

Walt Disney

I hope that your next trip to Disneyland is a magical and memorable one.

Disneyland Christmas in the News

Souvenir Budgets for Kids: She has gone there with combinations of birthday money, Christmas money, and an occasional gift card, as well. I would say since she was around 11 or so, she has been responsible for her own money at Walt Disney World. Granted, we hold it most of the ...
The Vacation Kingdom of the World: 1940s Films and Their Influence on the Parks: It's important to keep in mind, however, that Walt Disney and his artists are really not to blame; the impact of World War II on the world, the country, and on the Disney Studios was the cause of this change of direction for Disney filmmaking.
PDP Mobile Disney accessory line for smartphones and tablets unleashed in Europe: The accessories are also adorned with modern toon designs featuring stars from popular animated movies such as Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas, Cars and Toy Story. ?We're very pleased to be working with Disney to bring this exciting range ...
Phoenix Symphony performance honors Arizona's 100th birthday: "Grand Canyon Suite" entertains riders on the Disneyland Railroad, is featured in the 1983 film "A Christmas Story" and in "Grand Canyon," a Walt Disney short that won an Academy Award in 1958. Grofe, an American composer, arranger and pianist, ...

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Share Your Disneyland Tips

What are your favorite tips for having a great holiday trip to Disneyland?

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HowToMan Nov 1, 2011 @ 8:57 am | delete

I really want to go to Disneyland during Christmas now. Thanks for creating such a great lens. Check out my lens when you have the chance www.squidoo.com/thedisneylandexperience

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Treasures-By-Brenda Oct 12, 2011 @ 6:23 pm | delete

Great lens; I've been to Disneyland but not at Christmas.

Reply

sandyspider Dec 3, 2010 @ 1:52 pm | delete

This is really packed full of information. Last time I was at Disneyland was with my parents as a teenager. I think it is time to go back.

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About the Author

More Christmas Lenses from Comfortdoc

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by Comfortdoc

Comfortdoc

Kirsti A. Dyer MD, MS, FT is a respected physician, an expert in life challenges, loss, grief and bereavement, professional health educator, professor,... more »

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