Birnbaum’s 2015 Official Guide to Disneyland Resort I have been enjoying Birnbaum’s guides to both Walt Disney World and Disneyland for quite a while. I love to use them to plan my vacation and keep them afterwards as a memento of that year’s trip. I received the Birnbaum’s 2015 Official Guide to Disneyland Resort as…
Author: Kristina Valcarce
My first Walt Disney World vacation was in 1976, and my first Disneyland experience was in 1995, when I moved to Los Angeles. I am a bi-coastal Disney nerd and proud of it!
My Family Traditions at Disneyland Park
photo courtesy of Laurie Eck If you told me 20 years ago that my most visited Disney park would be Disneyland, I’d have laughed at you. After all, I was a native New Yorker who was practically raised at Walt Disney World. Seriously. When I told my friends I would be going on vacation, they’d…
Trivia Challenges at the Disneyland Hotel
photo courtesy of Rikki Niblett My birthday is recently happened, but I can’t help but reminisce about birthdays past. Last year I celebrated with a scrumptious dinner at Les Chefs de France and a FastPass+ viewing of IllumiNations. Taking the monorail back from Epcot to our room in the Polynesian Resort was a great way…
Movie Review: Tomorrowland
Disney’s Tomorrowland, rated PG TOMORROWLAND Disney has had a mixed track record of films based on their theme park attractions. I think we can all agree that Pirates of the Caribbean was a hit, and although not everyone agreed, some people enjoyed The Haunted Mansion. But if you can find anyone who enjoyed The Country…
Disneyland for Walt Disney World Experts
Disneyland’s it’s a small world at Christmas Many ardent Walt Disney World fans are choosing to visit Walt’s original theme park this year, to celebrate Disneyland’s Diamond Celebration. And many of them are confused about where to start their planning. How far out do you need to make your Advanced Dining Reservations? What kind…
Staying Fit and Healthy on a Disney Vacation
Ears, MagicBands and sneakers – I’m ready to go! About five years ago, after a startlingly high cholesterol test, I decided it was time to shape up and get healthy. I managed to lose, and keep off, a little over 20 pounds, and put my cholesterol levels back on track. I was worried, however, how…
Review of the Egg-stravaganza at Disney California Adventure
On a Spring Break day at Disney California Adventure, we couldn’t resist surprising our daughter with the Egg-stravaganza – an Easter egg hunt throughout the park. This hunt ran from March 27th through April 5th. Similar hunts happened in both Disneyland Park and Epcot. Even though the hunt is now over, it is anticipated that…
Review of the Carthay Circle’s World of Color Package at Disney California Adventure
Carthay Circle Restaurant in California Adventure When I plan a Disney trip, my husband generally goes with the flow. However, I always ask him one simple question: “Where do you want to eat?” When I told him I wanted to go to California Adventure during Spring Break, he asked if we could make reservations for…
Review of the Smokejumpers Grill at California Adventure
When my family and I visited California Adventure this April, we decided to check out the new Smokejumpers Grill. This space, near Soarin’ Over California, was formerly home to the Taste Pilots Grill. Recently Disney decided to re-theme the Condor Flats area so that it fits in more with the nearby Grizzly Peak area. So…
Review of Frozen Fun at California Adventure
As a mother of an Arendelle-obsessed 9 year old girl, I knew there was no way we’d make it through the Spring without visiting Disney California Adventure to experience Frozen Fun. On April 1st, in the middle of Spring Break, we headed out towards the park. We decided to hit Frozen Fun before we did…
Why I Need to Make it To 85
The author with her date for July 17th, 2055 I’ve been fortunate to have a very good life, not to mention many wonderful Disney experiences. I still remember my first trip to Walt Disney World in 1976, camping out at Fort Wilderness with my soon to be husband in 1993, the look on my daughter’s…
Three Lines at Disneyland Before You Enter the Parks
Let’s give a big welcome to our newest Mouse For Less blogger, Kristina! If you’re reading this article, it means one of two things. 1) You love Disneyland or 2) you’ve never been and are planning your first trip. If you love Disneyland, you know this one simple fact: Disney parks means standing in line….