What if the reality can be just as good if not better than the dream…
My logical, business mind registers all of the marketing wrapped up in Disney – the selling of dreams, magic, family togetherness, fun, memories of a lifetime. What could be more perfect?
A part of me rejects that.
Disney doesn’t have the solo key to happiness. There are plenty of folks who simply can’t afford to take a trip to Disneyland or Disney World, let’s face it, it’s not cheap!
In the California parks, for a family of four with young children, a 3-day ticket will run you $996.00. That is $255 each for the adults, and slightly less for kids under 10 (under 3 is free). That kind of ticket allows you access to one park per day. You can easily enjoy at least 3 days at Disney, with at least one of the days at California Adventure Park – which features awesome rides at Radiator Springs and Grizzly Peak. We paid slightly more for the Park Hopper tickets to freely go between each of the parks.
The point here is, it is expensive. So the experience better be worth it!
Being a fortunate person who has been able to visit, both as a child (Disneyland and Magic Kingdom) and as an adult with my own child (Disneyland twice), I get it. I get why this is a dream vacation for many. Why it is worthy of our dreams and schemes on how to make it happen.
Disney is a company that usually gets it right, in my experience. They are selling the dream to parents and kids – and – they are delivering.
Disneyland with a Five Year Old Girl
I’ll never forget my five year old at the time standing up to Darth Vader with her light saber. She had already seen the Star Wars movies and was gung ho to participate. Her dad and I bought a light saber and a Padawan bathrobe for her.
These were pricey mementos. Yet four years later – she still wears the bathrobe. The light saber still gets played with.
The things, however, simply don’t compare with the memories, captured in photos and videos.
DREAMING OF TRAVEL TIP: Some families budget for ONE special toy from the park. A technique I heard of was to spend the day in the park and take pictures of your child with each of the toys they find, and at the end of the day (or end of the vacation) they can decide on their favorite. Setting up that expectation ahead of time can avert meltdowns. We found our kid experienced the magic, the rides, the treats, the shows with a happiness and love we were thrilled with.
As a feminist mom, I was also slightly proud that she really wasn’t into the “princess thing” – though no offense to princesses I could easily be swayed over to the glamour!
At five years old while she had a long, hot few days (in May) exploring the parks. She was not tall enough for all of the rides, so we enjoyed what we could, took lots of pictures, and made notes of what we’d like to experience next time around.
Disneyland as a Family Reunion
My mom was able to spring for a reunion trip to Disneyland for me, my sister, and our families in 2013. Two cousins – ages seven and six – had the time of their lives. We visited in October, right before Halloween. Because of this we had the benefit of an extra spooky Haunted Mansion, a pumpkin-head Mickey, and an additional-charge extra evening hours visit where the girls got to go Trick or Treating in Disney park! With another night time parade!
Our family stayed in a budget friendly condo hotel with included breakfast. The crowds at breakfast confirmed this was a popular option with many families. Transportation to the park was a hop onto the park bus. Dining outside of the park was a long walk to some options like The Cheesecake Factory and P.F. Changs and McCormick and Schmicks.
