I have a particular item in my life bucket list that I am driven to accomplish before I die and it's to visit all the Disneyland parks in the world. I have visited HK Disneyland, Tokyo Disney Sea, and this year, I've been to one of the best Disneyland parks in the world: DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA.
Today, I'll take you around plus give you useful tips and advice on how to get there, the best rides, and one of my BEST purchases ever, which is Disney MaxPass.
Disneyland California is located in Anaheim; it's 2 hours away from San Diego and 45 minutes to 1 hour away from Los Angeles; I squeezed in this visit during my Los Angeles stay because it's nearer and practical, time wise.
There are two parks: Disney California Adventure Park, which they say has more curated and adult- friendly rides and Disneyland Park, which has the classic Disneyland theme park format, but have rides as well that are unique and cannot be found in other Disney parks like the Starwars- themed rides.
HOW TO GET TO DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA FROM LOS ANGELES
From Los Angeles, you can take the Amtrak and alight at Fullerton station and from there, take a cab to the Disneyland resort and parks area; there's also a bus option, but I wouldn't recommend it to first- timers to avoid hassle. Just reserve a ticket at the Amtrak official website.
If it weren't my first- time, I would have probably taken the Amtrak, but since it was, I booked for a shuttle service to and fro Disneyland. TBH, this is the most convenient; a little costly, but my transfer from LA to Anaheim was super easy and smooth.
LuxBus America is a shared shuttle service. They have shared shuttle options from shuttle service only and shuttle service plus park ticket. For my mom, I booked her a shuttle service + Pick a park ticket because she confirmed late that she wanted to come with me to Disneyland and after I bought my ticket from the Disney app. For myself, I only booked a return shuttle service; return shuttle service is about 40+ USD.
Reservation can be done online. Be sure to reserve ahead of time. Payment is via credit card and you will be emailed a confirmation after settling the fees. Print your reservation or save in your smartphone and show to the shuttle driver before boarding.
Depending on where you are in Los Angeles, you have to go to a certain pick up point near you to board the shuttle. We were staying at Hometel Suites then and the nearest pick up point to us is Westin Bonaventure Hotel, which was only 10 minutes away. If you're staying somewhere in the center, then most likely, LuxBus can pick you up directly.
IMPORTANT: LuxBus America will send a second confirmation a day or two before your scheduled trip. Be sure to confirm again within 24 hours from receipt of email.
The transaction went smoothly and service was pretty great. I also love that you can purchase tickets directly from them along with the ride to secure your Disneyland California visit in one, smooth step. I'd surely book with them again the next time I visit Disney California.
Visit LUXBUS AMERICA OFFICIAL WEBSITE to view your options.
DISNEYLAND CALIFORNIA TICKETS AND MAXPASS TIPS
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| Disneyland California opens daily from 8am to 11pm |
The best thing that has ever happened to me was Disneyland's official park app. This mighty app contains show times, maps, my e- ticket, tips, locator, and the only place where you can get the MaxPass.
BUY DISNEYLAND PARK TICKETS:
I will only discuss 1-day tickets in this post because that's what I did.
Here are your ticket options:
A. 1 Day Pick A Park ticket: This means you can only visit 1 park for 1 day.
B. 1 Day Park Hopper ticket: This means you can visit both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure for 1 day.
C. 1 Day Pick a Park ticket + MaxPass: This means you can visit 1 park for 1 day with MaxPass
D. 1 Day Park Hopper ticket + MaxPass: This means you can visit both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure for 1 day with MaxPass
I purchase mine via the Disneyland app. You can download it for free from the app store. My ticket and passes are all here, and all I had to do was just scan my phone every time; so convenient and eco- friendly!
TIP: Bought your ticket someplace else? Link your ticket in the app to personalize your experience and to purchase additional MaxPass.
Yes, you can go in and out of the park as long as you use your ticket within the stated day/s.
DISNEYLAND MAXPASS- WHY YOU SHOULD GET IT:
Before I discuss the MaxPass, I'll briefly discuss FastPass.
FastPass is a free ticketing system in Disneyland parks that gives visitors a chance to cut through lines and reduce wait times for a certain attraction; they invented this to give everyone a chance to experience some of their most popular attractions because sometimes, you can stay in the park 'til closing and still not be able to experience these rides just because of the sheer volume of people. FastPass is located by every attraction, but not all rides have FastPass. How FastPass works is you go to a certain attraction (provided that it offers FastPass), get a pass, and come back on the stated time that the FastPass will be eligible for use. You can only get one FastPass at a time and another one after you use your previous FastPass; simply put, you can't hoard FastPasses.
Here's how FastPass works:
RIDE: Radiator Springs
FASTPASS TIME: 7:05-8:05PM (the pass can be used within this time frame)
*Once you miss this time frame, sorry, you have to get a new FastPass for Radiator Springs again
*Since your first Fastpass ends at 8:05PM, you can get your next FastPass for the next ride after this time
FastPass is free; you can get as many as you can per day, but only one at a time. It can be quite a hassle because to obtain one, you have to run around the park and go to each FastPass booth of each ride. If you have the stamina, then good for you.
Now enter MaxPass.
MaxPass was introduced sometime last year by Disneyland California. For only $15 for the whole day, you can book your FastPasses within the app, cancel a certain FastPass and obtain a new one for a new ride right away, and I have also observed that wait times are shorter compared to manually obtaining FastPasses.
MaxPass is only available through the app. There's also a free one (1) PhotoPass with my ticket, which is 1 Day Pick a Park + FastPass.
Even if MaxPass offers more flexibility, convenience, and edge versus FastPass, rules on FastPass still apply. Also, if you're thinking of increasing your chances by reserving via MaxPass and manually getting a FastPass at once, save your energy because the MaxPass and FastPass systems are linked, and the management will know if you already have an existing pass that is yet to expire.
TIP: You can purchase MaxPass on the day in the park in case you have a change of heart.
I swear, 15 dollars for the MaxPass was WORTH IT. Disney California Adventure is prolly the most populated Disneyland park I have been to, not to mention I went there during their summer vacation and the crowd was crazy! MaxPass saved the day for me. But even if you're not going there during peak season, I still suggest that you get the MaxPass so you can make the most out of your trip. Best 15 dollars I have ever spent!
Now here are the rides that you should never miss in Disney California Adventure!
RADIATOR SPRINGS
The kind lady staff by the park entrance advised me to pick a FastPass for Radiator Springs because she said that this is the most popular among the popular rides and wait times for the FastPasses are always long. So I booked this as my first ride in the park.
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| Red the firetruck! |
Radiator Springs is a location in the hit Disney movie, CARS. This is a charming place for kids, but the ride was hella fun and I enjoyed it! I experienced the ride by 11AM and after the ride, I wanted to book for another pass, but the next FastPass schedule was for 5PM already! Intense!
RADIATOR SPRINGS THRILL LEVEL: 6/10
GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY: MISSION BREAKOUT!
This used to be Tower of Terror, but management has redesigned it to be Guardians of The Galaxy. This is such a fun ride! Not for the faint of heart though because it's 5 minutes intro and about 3 minutes of pure free fall. I loved it though because I love this movie!
P.S. Don't take this ride after a meal!
INCREDICOASTER
Incredicoaster is inspired by the Incredibles. This thrilling ride starts smooth then jolts around the track for the last remaining moments of the ride. Incredible indeed!
INCREDICOASTER THRILL LEVEL: 9/10
I've only experienced three popular rides in my entire stay because the park was heavily populated that day. But it's better than nothing at all, thanks to MaxPass!
Another ride that's as popular as Radiator Springs are the Toy Story rides; well, in all Disneyland parks I've been to, Toy Story is always the most popular and it's no different here in California. Toy Story Midway Mania is apparently the most popular; will book this first along with Radiator Springs the next time I visit!
Going around the park is also a nice activity to kill time while waiting for your FastPass to be activated. Grizzly Peaks is a walking trail inspired by the terrains of California.
By this area, you will also find Soarin' Around The World, one of the most famous rides in the park as well. They said that Enchanted Kingdom's Agila was inspired by this ride!
Other experiences and rides to enjoy and get a FastPass for are World of Colour, Mickey's Fun Wheel, and Grizzly River Run.
Aside from the rides, one thing that made me look forward to visiting Disneyland California is the merchandise and it did not disappoint! IMO, this park has the best Disney merchandise to date! Here's the limited edition LOVE collection for Pride Month.
When it comes to dining, there are a lot of options as well from Ghirardelli Soda Fountain (famous USA chocolate brand that has its roots in San Francisco) to themed diners; there's FLO diner which is inspired by CARS! My niece would love it here!
Of course, we all know that food can be expensive in theme parks. This was the time I appreciated the sheer size and volume of food servings in America because with just one spend, I am full until the end of the day LOL.
Award Weiners was my favorite in Disneyland California; love their hotdog recipes!
TIP: Experience not-so-famous rides while waiting to use your FastPass because you'll never know when you'll discover a cool attraction. My best discovery was The Little Mermaid story- telling ride near Pixar Pier!
That's all for my Disneyland California adventure! For our last TBJ TRAVELS USA blog post tomorrow, let's go to Arizona and visit one of the best natural wonders of the world!
Check out my USA itinerary:
6 Comments
Isa yan sa dream ko for my family especially sa mga bagets ko, to take them and experience that kind of theme park especially a Disney themed park.. I bet they will enjoy Grizzly River Run amd Radiator Springs.
ReplyDeletetravel to the max! ganda naman! ako din tlga d ako papayag na mamatay ng di napupuntahan dream countries ko! push natin to!
ReplyDeleteWhoah...what a ride Ms. Martha, me too I enjoy your vacation by reading and seeing those beautiful pictures of yours...indeed the happiest place on earth.
ReplyDeleteI've watched a lot of youtube vids about disneyland California, it seems that it's always crowded. My niece from Cali said that food there is expensive but the place is really magical. there's always something about Disneyland isn't there? might bring my daughter there someday for the magic lol
ReplyDeletethe best?! wow! may mas pa pala sa HK disneyland.. wonder kung nakapunta na dyan sina auntie hahaha, matatanda na pero malay natin hehe, sana may vid ka po madam sa mga rides mo kasi nabibitin ako,
ReplyDeleteMy very first dream destination simula pa noong bata pa ako until now na may mga anak na ako.
ReplyDeleteThis article was very helpful.I just love reading this aside from your makeup swatches too😍.
I just feel that someday my dream destination will came true,kahitga kids ko nalang ang makatupad nun para sakin and for sure makakatulong itong blog mo po for them.Will SS this and keep this on my albums😊.
Let me know what you think of this post! :)