We are going to California and Disneyland soon. The kids couldn’t be more excited. We’ve been showing them YouTube videos of the rides and things to do around Disneyland for a month now and they’ve been collecting marbles by doing things to help around the house to earn some play money at Disneyland (best idea EVER by the way). My first time to Disneyland I was a child of 22…my kids are spoiled. Any suggestions of things to do with the kids in the Anaheim-San Diego area?
This little girl is SOOO excited to see the princesses, although she has informed me that she is too shy to hug them. This ought to be interesting.
I’ve STILL never been to Disney Land. Some day…
Have a great time!!!
her excitement of seeing the princess’ may change her shyness. those ladies i think have seen every type of kid, so they are really good with little girls. (we went to disneyworld last winter, everyone’s first time there). i grew up in so-cal, sea world was always one of my favs. i’ve heard a lot about lego land but i’m not exactly sure where it is (never been). i suggest going to ruby’s diner on the pier. fun for everyone in the fam.
do you have somewhere to stay? Your welcome to crash at our place (even if we arent there).
I have tons for you too do, email me! But we have San Diego Zoo/Wild Animal park passes adn the kids love that. We have Disneyland too, but if you are going for one day you are gonna wanna run from ride to ride to get your monies worth. There are a lot of cool museums, etc. Let me know what you are interested in and I will send you info.
Heidi
I grew up about an hour from Disneyland which was fun. I’d suggest hitting the BEACH! If you like Mexican food Tito’s tacos is a great place but it’s the opposite direction (but worth it).
Have any extra room for us to tag along too???
Have you looked into the Princess tea party thing there? One of my friends did it with her daughter and loved it.
Nothing better than beach time too.
Be sure to get a Jane’s lemonade for us in Newport…and Chronic taco shrimp salad….hmmm, I better go take a lunch break right now….
Have a great time!!!
We love going to the Childrens Beach in San Diego to see the seals laying on the sand. In the spring they have baby seals with them. You can get a really good view of them and our kids love it.
How fun!!!
Got to go to Coronado Island (San Diego). There is a huge old hotel with cool shops and a GORGEOUS beach. The gaslight district in San Diego has Awesome restaurants and shopping. Call Rachel Griffith and have her watch your kiddos for a night so you and your hubby can have a night on the town.:) Rachel knows ALL of the cool places to eat and visit in the LA area. 3rd st. Promenade is a MUST for shopping! Also bring a little journal for the Princesses or Characters to sign. So if she is too shy at the time she will have their signature to look at later. We had a year pass while living there and now that we are living in WY they LOVE looking at their autograph books. Sorry I have written a lot. Rachel is a great person to help you out. If you have any questions you can e-mail me too. juliaclrk@yahoo.com.
You guys will have a great time!
Tell me how Disneyland is. Maybe I’ll get to go before I’m 45. How much does a marble exchange for? And too shy to hug the princesses? That’s pretty funny.
Um, did I tell you we are missing your kids bad! Every time you post pictures they look older to me. How does that happen! Have fun in Disneyland! I am pretty sure I will never make it; though I am not to sad about that
how fun, leah! i was just dreaming today of a future trip to disneyland, and how i miss the pirates ride. have fun!
I can so see Lucy freezing in front of the princesses and giving her scared face! make sure you capture that moment on film. It would be too funny!
Ariel’s Grotto has a special “Princess Dinner.” It is not cheap…but each princess comes to your table and spends a few minutes with your princess. Brielle loved it and we have a picture of her with each princess!!!
make sure to smell and feel the exotic air in san diego- i still have a sense memory of it- it actually sends happy endorphins through my body- have a safe and lovely trip!
We took our kids to the Le Brea Tar pits, and they were very enthralled with all the bones and such… Not sure if that’s up your kids alley, but it’s certainly worth checking out their website. We even ended up going on one of their regular free days. It was a Tuesday, but I can’t remember if every Tuesday is free, or just once a month.
Also, try to get a babysitter somehow one night and make certain you eat at the Roadhouse 66 steak house in the lobby of the Disneyland hotel. Their steaks were so good I literally lost my train of thought while taking with the hubby. It was something we are counting the days until doing again, and it was just the right ‘adult time’ escape after a long day in the park. If you’re staying at one of the Disney hotels they will help to arrange babysitting for you through a service they use.
how fun for your family! email me if your looking for more, we live about 20 min. from disneyland. Enjoy!
ammojane@gmail.com
The beach is a must! It’s free and just as much fun as Disneyland to my kids. We stayed the hotel del Coronado and their beach was beautiful! Also LegoLand is FABULOUS! Though if you’re already hitting an amusement park you may want to just put it on your to do list. It’s great for our age kids… once they get a bit older it may not be as exciting. Oh and my kids loves visiting the beach with the sea lions (can’t remember where exactly in San Diego that was) and of course we wandered the temple grounds… which is GORGEOUS! Have so much fun!
This ought to be some good times! Can’t wait to hear about it. I’m SURE she’ll hug a princess or two. How can you not?
Here are a few ideas…
Disneyland…
If there are any star wars fans in the family you must do Jedi Training (near Autopia and Submarines) It is a show. About 20 or so kids get pulled from the audience, outfitted with Jedi robes and light sabers and get trained on how to fight. It is fun and entertaining and the kids LOVE IT! This is a must do for my kids.
Ride in the front of the monorail with the driver. If you can get yourself to the front of the monorail line you can ask to sit with the driver. This is fascinating for the kids and they feel like they are getting to do something special.
Want to see Mickey but can’t find him in the park? Head over to Toon Town and visit Micky’s house. The lines usually aren’t too bad and once you tour his house you get to meet him and take pictures with him. It is nice because it is just your family with him not a ton of other people. Cast members will take your picture (to buy) but you can also use your own camera – they almost always will take the picture for you.
Are you doing California Adventure too? If so, you must do the new Toy Story ride. The lines are still fairly long but this ride is amazing. New technology and a way fun concept. I think this is a must.
Right past bugs life you can get free tortillas and sourdough bread – if the kids are grumbling about wanting a snack we always head here. It won’t make them feel full but they like the idea of getting a free treat.
Is your family into art and drawing? Down the street in the Hollywood section of California Adventure there is an animation building on the right – inside there are a ton of cool displays, interactive things and more all about animation.
Some of my families favorites…drawing class – a 15 minute art class where you learn to draw a Disney Character and take your creation home.
Turtle Talk with Crush – an interactive experience where you get to talk to Crush from Finding Nemo (I think your kids are the perfect age for this) There is a similar thing like this at Disneyland with Stitch.
This comment is getting long. I have an email I send to out of town guests coming to Disneyland. I;ll find it an email it to you.
Very fun. When are you going? If you make it down to San Diego…come visit us at Coronado, it is really beautiful! I was just in your neck of the woods last week – drove with my three kiddos all around from Idaho to Utah and back to Cali! I would have loved to see your house, maybe next time. Have a great time your kids will love Disneyland!:)