There are places that make you happy, and there are places that make you even happier. The ups and downs of life, graded on the curve of our collective smile. Then there is the place widely accepted as the happiest on Earth, and you adjust your joy accordingly. Disneyland, the original theme park of Walt Disney, now part of the greater Disneyland Resort, is still the perfect remedy to reality, perhaps now more than ever.
Needless to say, we were super excited to learn about the new Disneyland Resort and Southern California Short Escape from Adventures by Disney (which you can also book with Disney Vacation Club points). It promised a look at Disneyland (and other Disney-related locations) that the general public would never have access to; which, if we’re being honest, also had us a bit concerned. Namely, would private tours and behind-the-scenes access to the Disneyland Resort reveal too much about the magic, possibly breaking its beloved spell(s) in the process? (We left the boys home for this trip, just in case.)
In a word: No. If anything, standing in Walt Disney’s Disneyland apartment or the backstage area of popular attractions, added a new level of appreciation. It turns out that what looks like magic on the outside feels pretty magical on the inside, too.
That makes us happy.
There are two versions of the Disneyland and Southern California trip, and we took the shorter one. It includes three nights of accommodations at the awe-inspiring Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, 4-day Park Hopper tickets to both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure (plus private tours of each) and a total of five (5) meals per person.
Here’s a look at our Adventures by Disney vacation:
Downtown Disney District & Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel
Technically, the Downtown Disney District isn’t part of the official itinerary, but it is the connecting thoroughfare between the parks and the hotel (although there is a direct entrance into Disney California Adventure Park for hotel guests). Downtown Disney is home to tons of fun shopping, great dining—and during the current Pixar Fest—some really cool faux flora. Click through the photos and take a gander for yourself!
Upon initial arrival at the hotel we met with our Adventures by Disney tour guides (Alyssa and Lori, who were fantastic!). They had our rooms ready and all of the maps, tickets and assorted whatnot required for the journey. At that point we were told when to meet for our welcome dinner and some much anticipated park time.
We also had the opportunity to meet all of our fellow travelers, an added element we hadn’t expected as we’ve never done group travel before. Fun fact: There’s a special sort of camaraderie that results from turning strangers into a team, and the comfort of it was quick and evident.
Walt Disney Studios Tour
On the second day we toured Walt Disney Studios, including stops in the Disney Archives, Disney Legends Plaza and lunch at the Walt Disney Studios Commissary where they still serve Walt Disney’s favorite chili. We enjoyed the best quinoa burgers we’ve ever had, which is saying something.
A good portion of the studio lot is surprisingly unchanged since Walt Disney’s time, and walking the same corridors that he and other Disney legends did was a real thrill.
Walt Disney Imagineering Tour
After lunch we toured Walt Disney Imagineering, one of the stops we were looking forward to the most. It did not disappoint.
We weren’t allowed to photograph most of the tour, due to the nature of the work being done, but we learned how lands in the respective parks are modeled and how soundtracks are created for rides. We also experienced a virtual reality tour of Disneyland, learned the history of Disney sculptures and animatronics, and discovered a few company secrets!
Oh, we could tell you some things.
Walt Disney’s Favorite Places in Los Angeles
Chances are you’ve heard the story of Walt Disney finding inspiration for Disneyland while visiting the Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round. We rode it.
And then we ate at The Tam O’Shanter Restaurant, where Walt and his companions dined on a regular basis. This was their table (below), and you can still see the outlines of various doodles in the grain from images that they sketched upon it.
Tour of Disneyland & Disney California Adventure Parks
Hello, and welcome to Day 3. If the second day had been long and jam-packed (but in a good way), the third day raised it a churro. And a Dole Whip. Fun fact: We walked a total of 12 miles on Day 3 (according to several Apple Watches and Fit Bits). Touring Disneyland and Disney California Adventure requires closed-toe, comfortable shoes. Also, water and sunscreen.
READ: FOR THE LOVE OF DISNEY LANDS
It is too difficult to pick a favorite moment of the trip, but if we were pressed, visiting Walt Disney’s private apartment in Disneyland (below) would be right at the top.
Seriously.
When Walt was in the apartment, which is located above the fire station, he would keep a lamp burning in the window. Now, in his honor, the lamp is always lit.
A good portion of the park(s) tour involves time backstage at popular attractions learning how they work. We went behind the curtain of Indiana Jones Adventure, Radiator Springs Racers and Soarin’ Under the World, which is, obviously, Soarin’ Around the World, but from a vantage point beneath the screen! You read that correctly.
The day ended with a group dessert party followed by a showing of Fantasmic! Our imaginations took it from there.
To Infinity and Beyond the Parks!
At this point you may be wondering why anyone would take the new Disneyland Resort and Southern California Short Escape trip rather than the longer experience—because you can add it to a Disney Cruise Line sailing out of San Diego! That’s right up there among the world’s best reasons.
While we didn’t go on the cruise, we did take a media tour of the Disney Wonder, and then begged Captain Mickey (below) to let us stow away on the ship. He didn’t go for it.
READ: DISNEY CRUISE LINE SECRETS and TAKING THE KIDS OUT OF SCHOOL FOR A DISNEY CRUISE?
With our kids getting older, we have been thinking a lot about Adventures by Disney for family travel. Now that we’ve had a taste, we’re ready to move to the planning stage. It is a wonderful way to see the world (they just added Japan!), and we can’t wait for the next time.
Have you taken (or thinking about) a trip Beyond the Parks with Adventures by Disney, Disney Vacation Club or Disney Cruise Line? We would love to hear your hopes, plans and experiences! Connect with us on Twitter and Instagram to share the magic!
Want to learn more about other Disney Vacation Club properties and family trips? We’ve partnered with a group of family travel experts (and Disney lovers) to showcase DVC offerings. Please follow Adventures by Daddy, Latwino Dad, and The Jones Family using #DVCDads on social media to learn more!
All photos by Whit and Tricia Honea/Family Life on Earth except those we are both in and bottom image of the “paddle of power” on Main Street, U.S.A. prior to park opening, which are courtesy of Adventures by Disney.
Disclosure: We were media guests of Adventures by Disney. All opinions are our own.
