Happy Tuesday!
For this Travel Tuesday post, I’m sharing PART TWO of our trip to Disneyland and Dancing with the Stars 🙂 .
If you missed PART ONE yesterday, make sure you catch that too.
Okay, this was our one full day to be at both Disneyland and California Adventure. Mades and I woke up early and headed out…
…first stop, Starbucks for breakfast 🙂 .
Second stop…
…a very “fall” walk to the Disneyland park…
All the fall details just make me SO HAPPY!
The weather was GORGEOUS, and we were so excited to begin our day.
Brace yourselves, there are a lot of pics of Mades in this post and a lot of pics of random fall-ness.
But I mean, just look…
Disneyland was DECKED for fall!
I’m not going to lie…I was very underwhelmed by the castle. Bahahaha! I mean, Disneyland was DECKED in fall but goodness, that castle isn’t nearly as grand as the one in Walt Disney World.
These two Shull girls were PUMPED for a full day! Since this was our one full day to see both parks, we bought Premier Passes in advance so that we had quick and easy access to ride so many of the most popular rides at both parks without waiting in line…
The two of us set off to ride as many of these as we could (and so many others along the way!)…
The Haunted Mansion at Disneyland was Nightmare Before Christmas themed which was EXTRA festive!
We went from ride to ride to ride and you guys, I was so hungry and tired that I…
…devoured my lunch at The Red Rose Tavern.
After we ate, it was time…
…to tackle more rides!
It’s A Small World is EXTRA magical at Disneyland. That being said, I would lose my mind if I worked there and had to hear that song all day, every day. Lose. My. Mind.
I know this pic going into Toontown looks crowded, but it honestly didn’t feel that crowded the two days we were there.
On board Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway! One of our faves!
She was so excited to “drive” at the Autopia ride.
One of Mades’ friends from Nantucket sent her a Flat Stanley for a school project. We have taken this sweet Flat Stanley to New York, Disneyland, and Dancing with the Stars. The timing for her to send it to us could not have been better.
Whew! After a very full morning/early afternoon in Disneyland, we walked right over to finish our day…
…at California Adventure!
Where Disneyland feels like Magic Kingdom, California Adventure feels like Hollywood Studios. Off we went to use our Premier Pass and ride more rides…
Whew! What a BIG day we had!
This is the second Disney trip for me to purchase the Premier Pass, and I cannot rave about it enough! It truly made A HUGE difference in our Disney day!
By the time we wrapped up everything, we had dinner reservations at 7:30 at Hearthstone Lounge.
It had cozy lodge vibes…
Love!
We were tired and hungry but oh so happy!
It was a FULL and FUN day at Disneyland!
Our travel agency sends clients to both Walt Disney World and Disneyland. A very common question we receive from clients is “I’ve been to ___, would I like ___?”. I know many of you have that same question too, so I’m going to give you my quick thoughts. Please take everything I say with a grain of salt. I’ve been to Disneyland one time and Walt Disney World four million times…clearly, I’m more educated on one than the other.
My quick thoughts:
- They’re both magical, so if one is closer to you, easier for you to get to, you are not going to miss “the magic” at either.
- I am so used to the size of Walt Disney World that the size of Disneyland was surprising. I think there are positives and negatives to both sizes. At Disneyland, everything is so walkable and convenient. At Walt Disney World, there is just much more to do and see.
- We had 1.5 days in the Disneyland parks which was “fine” because we had the Premier Pass. Could we have stayed longer? Yes, but we didn’t feel like we missed out because of our limited time. If we wouldn’t have had that pass though, I don’t think we would have felt the same way. If I only had 1.5 days in Walt Disney World, I would have missed quite a lot. WDW is just so much larger (in a good way!) that it’s more of a “complete vacation destination” where you can easily spend three, four, five (or more!) magical days and still not see/do everything.
- I mean…I did already mention the two different castles…
- Park hopping was really simple at Disneyland. There are two parks and they’re both right next to each other…literally steps from each other. That being said, there are four parks at Walt Disney World, and they really do make it pretty easy to go between them all.
- I do LOVE me some Epcot at Walt Disney World!
- With the variety of hotels at WDW and the four parks, there are many more options for dining.
There are other nuanced reasons to love and enjoy both that my Disney team can help you sort through, but the bottom line from me is that if you are able to get to one, you should get there 🙂 .
Okay, that wraps up PART TWO! More Disneyland fun and Dancing with the Stars too coming up soon! In the meantime, WE WOULD LOVE TO SEND YOU TO DISNEY TOO! Whether you want to visit Disneyland, Walt Disney World, go on a Disney Cruise, head to Disney’s Aulani Resort, an Adventures by Disney and more, we would love to help make it extra magical for you. Contact our travel agency today for more information.
You guys, it’s HALLOWEEN WEEK, and I have a HALLOWEEN DINNER MENU just in time for your 31st! Check it out HERE! Have the best, best day! xx
Elspeth Mizner says
What wonderful memories! Thanks for sharing!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Susan Jeffries says
I love that Disney Land is so different from Disney World! My daughter is getting ready to do a show in Tokyo and they will be visiting Tokyo Disney! I am so excited to see her photos and hear all about it!
Bren says
How fun, Susan! How exciting for your daughter, congratulations to her! Visiting one of the Disney parks in another country is a definite bucket list of mine and I’ll be reaching out to your travel agency when we can go, Shay. Have a wonderful time!
Sheaffer Sims says
So many cute pics of you and M… but it’s that charcuterie picture I can’t get out of my head. 😉
Susy says
So delighted the original Disneyland castle remains. Such a wonderful honoring of the origins and history of Disney! I would be gutted if they tore it down for a newer. ‘Better’ structure. Europe, in general, is such a great example of honoring history over time.
Julie Long says
Our castle in California is very special and beautiful..not underwhelming. Not everyone can go to DisneyWorld,
Pam Zercher says
✅
Pam Zercher says
💯
Lori says
I grew up in Southern California and went to Disneyland often. It was fun to see current photos of Disneyland and “feel” the magic. It’s such a special place.
Pam Zercher says
SAME! Disneyland is and always be my fav.
Shay, it was built first-the first of its kind! It will be always be the most magical 😉
Debbie Alsip says
The Premier Pass makes everything truly magical! It’s a strange feeling to go from WDW to Disneyland. After talking to California transplants, I really think the first Disney property you visit affects how you see the others. My CA friends have strong ties to Disneyland but can appreciate WDW. I have visited Disneyland and Disneyland Paris each one time and WDW too many times to count, and WDW wins every time in my book.
Randi says
We are on the east coast and have been to WDW several times. We went to Disneyland this past April and I said the same thing about the castle! Apparently it has something to do with how high you can build things in California. I thought California Adventure had an Epcot vibe but maybe because it was the Wine and Food Festival when we were there.
SC says
Happy, Happy Birthday, Mades! What a fun birthday trip!
Alyssa J says
I still can’t get lover how grown up she is! Baby Mades is stuck in my memory!
Shirley says
This looks like so much fun!!! How do you not get motion-sick on all the rides?
Mix and Match Mama says
I sometimes do…I’ve learned that the virtual ones are WAY harder on my stomach than the actual rides. I try hard to stay away from those virtual ones. They make me feel carsick.
Elizabeth S says
Looks like an amazing time together and such beautiful weather.
Amy says
Looks like you had so much fun together! I LOVE flat Stanley, they are so fun to see what people do with them! Happy fall and have a great week!
Sue says
Looks like a blast! Can I ask where you got your cross body fanny pack? I am looking for one and that one looks just like what I want.
Thanks
Mix and Match Mama says
It’s an oldie but goodie from Lululemon!
Susan Fitzpatrick says
We have been to Disney World many times but never Disneyland. I think the California temps might convince us to go. I love Disney World at Christmas time and the cooler weather. The gingerbread house in the Grand Floridian is a must see! I can smell it now! Edit: I just read they won’t be building the gingerbread house due to construction in the lobby. ☹️
Taylor says
Madeley’s smile says it all through all the pics! Looks like an awesome day 🙂
Heather says
What a special trip for you girls to celebrate Mades birthday!! ♥️🎊
Faith says
So much autumnal appreciation for this post! It totally “elevated” my early nursing sessions with my cluster feeding baby boy. I love them all but your travel posts are my faves! Hoping you have more fun trips left in 2025 to share with us!
Mix and Match Mama says
Sending YOU so much love, mama!
Kay says
These photos are adorable! And it made me SO happy to take a “tour” of Disneyland in the Fall. Two of my favorite trips EVER were Disney World at Christmas and at Halloween. No one does the holidays like Disney!
As a former Disney planner, I would add that Disneyland is a bit easier for little kids! We did Disneyland first when our kids were little as we happened to visit relatives in CA a lot (we live in Boston). It is easier to navigate, little kids don’t have to walk as much, it’s easier to pop back to the hotel if your young kid needs a nap/break/etc. There’s also just less “pressure” to make as much of every possible second as there isn’t as much to see as at Disney World!
For Disney World, I think it’s great when the kids are a little older and can do longer days with more walking. And can come back at night to see parades and such! (i.e if they have later bedtimes).
Regardless, I agree that both are FABULOUS and the secret is, no one goes to Disney (either park!) and doesn’t have an amazing time.
Thanks for sharing this happiness on your blog today!
Sarah says
I was thinking this too! I haven’t been to Disneyland so I can’t compare the two, but reading that it was smaller made me be like, hmm, that’s the one I would want to pick! Can you tell I have a four year old whose legs suddenly give out once she’s tired? Lol. Thanks for verifying this thought process with actual experience!
Paula says
So much fun!
Okay, your comment about the “It’s a small world” song cracked me up! I totally agree!!! LOL!
Mix and Match Mama says
I feel positive that the US government uses that song to get info out of terrorists.
Alisha says
I hear that song in my nightmares from my ONE WDW trip hahahahah
Dana J says
I agree with the castle being underwhelming at Disneyland compared to WDW…it was just so surprising to me! We had fun at both but I do prefer WDW!! What a fun bday trip for you two!!
Ashley Manarino says
When my husband took me to Disneyland for the first time (he’s from Orange County, CA), i looked at the castle and asked where the rest of it was. bhahaha. it is underwheling when you’ve spent more time at Disney World!
Hope Madeley had the best birthday!
Paula Hobbs says
Great pictures!! I’m so glad you two had so much FUN!!!
Laura says
I’ve been to Disneyland so many times. I grew up going there and used to take my kids there every year at Christmas time. I live in So. Cal. So it’s an hour and a half to get there. I finally went to WDW when my kids were older and was so surprised at how big everything is. We spent days there and didn’t even get to it all. I think they each have their own advantages. Really any Disney vacation is the best.
Robyn says
I love Disney! I could easily go to either California or Florida every.single.year! What a magical trip for you and your sweet kiddo.
I cannot wait to hear about DWTS!
Holly C says
love all of it… hope ya’ll had so much fun!!! Good choice Mades!!!
Susan says says
Love Madeley’s jacket. Do you happen to have the link to it? Thank you
Mix and Match Mama says
It’s Athelta Girl but from the spring.
Julia says
Disneyland was my first job! I’ve been to both many times and prefer the size of the California parks and love being able to tackle them in 1-2 days. Now we just go to WDW but do all four parks in 2 days and that’s plenty for us.
AliJ. says
I am a total Disney person! That being said, I grew up going to Disneyland and will choose it every time over WDW. I just hate waiting in line for the bus to go from one park to another. I like Disneyland for that reason that I can just walk between the two parks, walk to our hotel, downtown Disney, or any of the dining establishments along Harbor Boulevard.
Oh and my ringtone is “It’s a Small World” – even my 17 year old daughter is embarassed by it but she just tells people “My Mom really loves Disney! She loves Disney so much, our family room tree is all Disney ornaments.”
Glad Mades had a good birthday!
Meagan Booker says
Disneyland is a huge hit for convenience with little kiddos in our opinion. We LOVE it. And staying in the park is great. However there is convenience of hotels right outside the park within walking distance.
Meredith says
From Southern California and after visiting Disney World in June (school teacher so had to pick summer trip) I will never return over the summer to FL if I can help it. If you aren’t used to humidity, it is rough. We also caught COVID so that probably made it harder to handle. I did love Guardians at Epcot though! That was fun! But it was a one and done for us.
Deb says
What a fun day! Loved your thoughts on the differences in the two parks.
Alison says
Thanks for sharing!! Oh how I love Disney! I’ve never been to Disneyland, but I’ve been to WDW many, many times. This was crazy to see that it’s all walkable, and that castle… just different. I can’t wait to hear about the rest of the trip!
Bren says
I have loved visiting both parks too. I love to go to WDW to experience the “largeness” of it all, truly feel like I’m stepping into a different world, so to speak. At Disneyland, I LOVE the convenience of the two parks so close together, plus Downtown Disney being right there too. No transportation needed! When I have just a small amount of time and I want some Disney magic, DL works so well (though I’ve made WDW a magical 3-day weekend too) and when I want a week of dining, resorts, park days, all that fabulous entertainment and so many other magical extras, WDW is my “home”. I love that DL took California Adventures and made it a little bit of the other 2 parks at WDW – you have Soarin’ from Epcot, you have so many Hollywood Studio rides and the beauty in the area by the Grand California resort reminds me of the beauty at Animal Kingdom. Okay…once again I went on far too long. Suffice it to say – I love me Disney. 😊 Have a great day, Shay, thanks for sharing!
Elizabeth Feldpausch says
I love all the pictures! We just went to Disneyland and went back and forth on the premier pass- pretty sure we will pull the trigger on it next time!! It just seems so calming to have! Thanks for sharing!
Jeanette says
Oh my gosh, what a fun day!! That would be exhilarating and exhausting 😉.