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With the holidays behind us, it's time to start our new year. 2009 will bring its share of challenges especially with the present economy, but 2009 also brings its share of excitement for us to look forward to. That excitement was magnified for me the day the Walt Disney Company announced it was letting us all in for free on our birthdays this year. What a wonderful concept! It all started because there is a growing trend among travelers to commemorate special occasions at popular travel destinations, so Disney decided to facilitate those celebrations. For all of 2009, with proper identification, you can enter a Disney park free on your birthday. (For more information on specifics terms, visit www.disneyland.com)

I recently visited Disneyland in Anaheim, California with my family and was amazed at how the Disney Company works so hard to improve their parks, when to the naked eye there is no need for improvement. Yet, every time I travel to Disneyland there is something new and exciting to see. I hadn't been to Disneyland in a few years and all of Anaheim, California seemed to have changed so much. Just when you think the magic can't get any bigger and the ambiance can't get any better, Disney and Company exceed your wildest imagination in their efforts. For those of you planning to visit in the next year, I have so much to share with you that I have decided to do it in a three part series. This first part will touch on Disneyland itself. The second part will be on Disney's California Adventure and Downtown Disney. The third part will discuss all the changes and improvement you will see when you visit Anaheim, as well as a host of activities you can't miss while you are there.

Disneyland is the oldest of Walt's parks, and will forever be the original. As the original park, I have always thought that Disneyland is a static creation. After all, why improve on the true and tested? And yet, I am always pleasantly surprised by the new rides, attractions and renovations that have taken place in the years since I was last there. For those that have been there and done it all, you will find all of your old favorites plus some new thrills and adventures. Kids and adults alike will enjoy the new Finding Nemo's Submarine Voyage. The submarines that I loved so much as a kid have returned, but this time with a spin that is sure to capture the imagination of children everywhere. On this trip, I was surprised to find two of my favorite rides had changed. Pirates of the Caribbean has been lengthened and updated, and characters from the 2003 film have been added. I found some new thrills and new surprises waiting around every corner. Even more surprising was The Haunted Mansion. My family and I visited during the period between Halloween and Christmas, and were delighted to find The Haunted Mansion completely redecorated in the theme of the movie "The Nightmare Before Christmas." It made for a wonderful change from the expected.

During our trip to California, we stayed just down the street from Disneyland at the Sheraton Garden Grove. With so many hotels in the area to choose from, it's hard to choose the perfect one. However, this brand new hotel has worked hard to stand out. It offers great amenities, spacious rooms, transportation to and from Disneyland (for a fee), and most importantly a great place to rest after your hectic day of park hopping. They also offer fantastic military rates year-round (www.sheraton.com). They are about to launch a special military vacation package for this spring. Contact the hotel directly for more information (714-703-8400).
I had the opportunity to visit all the Southern California amusement parks during my visit and while they all have their merits, one thing became very clear to my family. Something was different when we left Disneyland. The different parks throughout the area lacked something we couldn't describe. Not to sound trite but there is something dreamlike about being at Disneyland. For just a moment, you are not just there for your kids. It brings something out in you. You are suddenly in a place where everything seems possible, where dreams really do come true and where you forget who you are today and remember who you were 20 years ago when you believed in magic. My husband and I in a futile attempt to pinpoint the difference between the area parks came to one conclusion - no one does it like Disney.

Disney's California adventure was first opened in 2001, so if you haven't been to Disney since then you are in for a treat. The Disney Imagineering team wanted to create a park that represented all the facets of the Golden State, from a recreation of the Golden Gate Bridge that marks the park's entrance to a Hollywood backlot. Adding this extra park allowed Disney to import popular rides from its Florida parks and add some thrill rides for the older, adventure-seeking crowd that wouldn't have fit in at Disneyland.

The Tower of Terror is a themed ride based on the popular 60's television show "The Twilight Zone". Not for the feint of heart, be prepared to enter another dimension, and be prepared to scream once you are seated on the elevator. California Screamin' is a rollercoaster situated in the boardwalk area of Disney's California Adventure. The boardwalk has all the sights, sounds and smells of a typical amusement park, but the rollercoaster is anything but typical. As only Disney can, they have taken a hallmark ride and raised the bar a notch, leaving guests breathless as the coaster stops at the end of the ride. The third hallmark ride is the Grizzly River Rapids, Disney's version of the classic log flume ride. But once again, Disney has taken an old staple and raised the stakes. Instead of riding a classic gondola, Disney's ride features round rafts that spin and twirl as they are bounced along in the turbulence of the flume. There is no such luck as picking a seat where you are more or less likely to get wet, as the rafts spin with the mercilessness of a roulette wheel, meaning that no two rides will ever be the same.

Of all the rides and attractions at Disney's California Adventure, my favorite is Soarin' Over California. Perhaps to the readers of this column, the sensation of flying is nothing new, but for me, being suspended in mid air in front of a three story Imax style movie screen is as close as I will ever be to truly flying. Once again, Disney's Imagineers have been able to dial up magic on demand, so that I can feel the wind in my hair and smell the orange groves that seem to be just out of reach under my feet as I visit many of California's most famous landmarks from a hang glider pilot's perspective.

Along with California Adventure, another great addition to the Disney property is Downtown Disney. Disney has added a street between their two parks that is open to the public where you can do some serious Disney and non-Disney shopping and sample some of the best cuisine of Anaheim. World of Disney is the ultimate Disney store where you can find almost anything you want - Disney-wise - under one roof. I recommend you save some shopping money for Downtown Disney. It conveniently makes both souvenirs and collectables easy to find and also brings your some of your preferred mall staples to one area making it the perfect ending to a day at the park.

Now let's get to my favorite part. I get to travel extensively both as a hobby and for work. In my travels I get to visit some of the best and most famous restaurants in the nation. As a food critic for a military newspaper and other publications, you can surmise that I know when I find great food and I know when I find great service. I was thrilled on my recent trip to Disneyland Resort to find that three of my new favorite restaurants are located at Downtown Disney. Catal Restaurant and Uva Bar, Naples Ristorante e Pizzeria and Tortilla Jo's Mexican Restaurant are three phenomenal restaurants in their own right yet in very different ways. Catal Restaurant is a fine dining establishment with a Mediterranean menu. My party ordered various appetizers and meals and everything we tasted was delectable. Normally, I would tell you that the highlight of any restaurant is the meal. At Catal, there is something that outshines their food - their service. If you ever have a chance to visit, indulge in a culinary experience you won't soon forget.
During my visit to Naples Ristorante, I found some of the best pizza I've ever tasted. They have an authentic Italian menu that leaves you wishing you had time to try one of everything! My greatest surprise came from visiting Tortilla Jo's. It had come highly recommended by locals but I was skeptical. As a Hispanic woman who grew up eating authentic Mexican food prepared in my mother's and grandmother's kitchens, the last place I would have expected to find great Mexican food is at a theme park, but I was wrong. Not only was Tortilla Jo's a fantastic surprise, I enjoyed it so much, I would travel al the way to Anaheim just to eat there. It was that good! Even though they are probably most famous for their outdoor cantina that serves over 100 different tequilas, I think their homemade corn tortillas, that are the staple of every meal, are their strongest selling point. Definitely not something that should be missed.

In this third and final installment on Disneyland, I will introduce you to the hidden gems of Anaheim, California, outside of Disney parks. Of course, for most of us, our main reason for traveling to Anaheim is to visit Disneyland; however, there are some other activities that shouldn't be missed during your visit. One such activity is the new Anaheim Garden Walk shopping center. You could spend a whole day in this ultra stylish mall that houses everything from an IMAX theater, great restaurants, upscale shopping and more. What sounds like a typical mall experience is anything but. You'd have to see it to understand. It houses some of the best restaurants available including Bubba Gump Shrimp House. If you've never been to a Bubba Gump restaurant, you should definitely try it. Their seafood is to die for (especially for those of us living in landlocked Nevada). Their coconut shrimp is my favorite. What I love the most about Bubba Gump's (yes, it's themed after the movie Forrest Gump) is that it is the perfect family restaurant. The service is excellent and you never feel guilty about the mess your kids are making. It is simply part of the family atmosphere. Their vast menu has something for everyone.

Also located at the Anaheim Garden Walk is a bowling alley called 300 Bowling. It is almost unfair to call this place a "bowling alley". To me, that term conjures up images of bad bar food and old shoes. This place is like nothing you have ever seen before. It is an experience you will never forget. With jumbo screens at the end of each lane playing music videos while you bowl (mostly 80's videos which I loved!), it has more of the feel of a hip night club. Most importantly, their menu is top notch and their food is what you would expect to see at a high end restaurant not bowling alley (I highly recommend the quesadillas). You can eat (and drink) while you play and enjoy the music. For those of you looking for more of a family experience, try visiting during the day when it is least crowded and more kid-friendly. For those of you looking for a night out on the town, visit 300 Bowling any weekday or weekend night and find more of an adult night club experience. I promise you will be talking about it for days. Make sure to ask for their military discount. The Anaheim Garden Walk is located 321 W. Katella. For more information, you can visit www.anaheimgardengrove.com.

Like Bubba Gump's, there are some restaurants that are such a fun experience they shouldn't be missed. One such place is the Rainforest Café at Downtown Disney. Nationally, Rainforest Cafés' mostly congregate near tourism hotspots, so when you have a chance to visit one, you definitely should. Your kids will love it! Decorated in a wilderness/rainforest motif with real-looking animatronics, the Rainforest Café offers your family a great meal at a reasonable price, but most importantly it offers a dining 'experience'. With tropical fish tanks located all over the restaurant which both children and adults will love and with timed performances by the animatronics animals that surround all the tables, your children will be mesmerized while they eat (which is a great way to get your young kids to sit still). Their menu is eclectic and has something for everyone. The food is surprisingly great but be prepared to eat way too much. You will be tempted to try a little bit of everything and it is well worth it! So take a break from the Disney parks for lunch or dinner and walk over to the Rainforest Café at Downtown Disney. You will enjoy the experience.

With Disney Parks offering military members free admission and discounted admission for friends and family (see ITT for more details), there has never been a better time to visit the Disneyland Resort and Anaheim, California. The hotel I recommended, the Sheraton Garden Grove, is offering a military discounted rate that is a great deal. Contact ITT or the Sheraton Garden Grove Hotel (714-703-8400) for more information.

One of the most prohibiting factors of a Disney vacation is cost. This year, the Walt Disney Company, has made it more affordable for members of the military. This is the time to visit. This is the time to relive those childhood memories or maybe create brand new ones. With free admission, discounted hotels, discounted activities and great restaurants, we'd be missing the chance of a lifetime to not visit a Disney Park this year.

I don't hold stock in the company, I'm not related to the management and I don't get anything out of this recommendation. What I can tell you is that the 'magic' they talk about in their marketing campaign is real. You will feel like a kid again, you will love the look on your kids' faces when they see it for the first time, you will eat some of the best food and you will have a great time. But most of all, you WILL experience the magic, because as I have said before, "Nobody does it like Disney!"