Why Disneyland Should Be Your Next Family Vacation

Growing up, my family visited Walt Disney World in Florida many times. Even all through my teenage years,  I was completely enchanted with anything and everything Disney, as were my parents. Actually, we all still feel the same way!

It wasn't just that I loved Splash Mountain, or Space Mountain, or Hollywood's Tower of Terror. My parents actually really don't even care for rides and they still want to go on a Disney vacation every year. It was the way the parks felt when you walked into them. There was nowhere I knew that made me feel like the outside world, current events, everything, seemed to dissolve in the instant Cinderella's Castle came into view.

I was seriously so happy when I walked into Disney California Adventure Park last month and felt that exact same way. As a distinctly non-creative, linear-thinking person, it can take a lot for me to be moved, but the Disneyland Resort did exactly that, at a time when I really needed it.

My travel plans changed at the last minute, so I only had one day to experience both California Adventure and Disneyland Parks. In addition to the guided tour of the spectacular new CarsLand I was lucky to spend the day with some other amazing bloggers who enjoyed everything Disney just as much as I did!

There are lots of reasons to take a vacation to California, and there are tons of reasons to take a family trip to the Disneyland resort. New attractions and classics make the parks magical and entertaining for everyone, and I was given a lot of facts that make it all the interesting and family-vacation-worthy.

I have a follow-up post planned with just interesting Disneyland facts, but right now I want to share just a few reasons why I want to take my family to both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure:

Piper, my 2 year old daughter, will love…

• The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Undersea Adventure is a classic ride that just opened in 2011.

• The all-new Jolly Holiday Bakery. Piper has a near-insatiable sweet tooth and we all love Mary Poppins!
• The Playhouse Disney – Live on Stage show. This is a preschool-appropriate interactive show that will be perfect for Piper and her brother!
• Meeting Tinkerbell and other fairies at Pixie Hollow and meeting Merida from Brave.

Haiden, my 3 year old son, will love…

Cars Land at night

My husband will love…

World of Color Light Show

• The World of Color Show : I was able to view this amazing water, laser, light, music and animation show just before I left to get to the airport. The show brought tears to my eyes–it was spectacularly beautiful!
• The Citizens of Buena Vista Street: Buena Vista Street was inspired by Los Angeles circa the 1920s and 1930s and the streets are filled with in-character “citizens” like a fun-loving photographer, a messenger and a comical cop.
• Getting a treat at the new Ghiradelli Soda Fountain inside Disney California Adventure  :: It's the first Ghiradelli shop to open inside a theme park, it smells fantastic and my husband can't resist ice cream on any day, let alone a Disneyland day!

Finally, I missed experiencing these attractions and I really want to see them:

Red Car Trolley on Buena Vista Street