Experience Disneyland’s 60th Anniversary Celebration in 2015

Disneyland is celebrating its 60th Anniversary in 2015!  Watch this short video on this special year at the resort:

We recently talked to Linda with Disney Destinations Sales about why Disneyland is a great place to visit (especially this year!)

Why consider a vacation to the ‘The Happiest Place on Earth- at the Disneyland Resort in Southern California?
Why not experience the ‘original’ Disney theme park that Walt Disney created – Disneyland® Park, as well as their newest theme park right next door – Disney California Adventure® Park?  All Walt Disney Travel Company packages include a Disney Park Hopper ticket into both parks, and each offers some unique experiences that only exist here in Southern California!  Just to name a few:  The Matterhorn inside Disneyland; CARSLand inside Disney California Adventure Park; World of Color show inside Disney California Adventure Park; Mickey and the Magical Map stage show inside Disneyland Park; Aladdin the musical inside Disney California Adventure Park; and more!

What unique appeal does the Disneyland Resort have?
It’s the ‘original’ Disney theme park.  It offers ‘2’ Disney theme parks, a Downtown Disney Entertainment District; and 3 Disney Resort Hotels, all within walking distance from one another!  In other words – it’s ‘Pedestrian-friendly’.  It also features 5 onsite Disney Character Dining experiences for the whole family!

How much time is recommended for a vacation to the Disneyland Resort?
You’ll want at least 3-4 days at the Disneyland Resort, and maybe more, depending on what other Southern California experiences you wish to visit!  Keep in mind, you’re only 20 minutes from the closest beach; 15 minutes from Buena Park where other Southern California experiences away; about 45 minutes from Hollywood; and 2 hours from the beautiful San Diego Coast – which not only has exquisite beaches to explore, but other attractions as well!

What ages are recommended for a trip to Disneyland?
Any and all ages – those young, and young at heart!  The Disneyland Resort also caters to families with younger children!

If you’ve never been to the original Disneyland Resort, what is the best way to get there, and then what transportation exists to extend out to other areas of Southern California?
The Disneyland Resort Express bus operates on the hour with shuttles from the major Southern California Airports (at an additional cost); Super Shuttle, Yellow Taxi Cab, Limousines and Car Rental through Alamo Rental Car are also offered.  Alamo is a great option if you’re planning to explore Southern California on your non-Disney days, as they have a pick up and drop off location right at the Disneyland Resort in Downtown Disney (especially nice if you only want the car for a day or two).

Since the Disneyland Resort is smaller than the Walt Disney World Resort, what is there to do there for my family for a week-long vacation?
We suggest 3-4 days at the Disneyland Resort, with 3 to 4 days or more added, if you plan to visit the Southern California beaches; San Diego; Hollywood; Buena Park.

Are there any special happenings, events, attractions at the Disneyland Resort this year?
Yes, actually, Disneyland kicked off its “Disneyland 60th Diamond Celebration” anniversary on May 22nd, 2015!  This celebration will continue through the end of the year, and on into part of 2016 (with no end date yet announced).  Three new nighttime spectaculars created for the celebration that are now in full swing include:

• Disney’s ‘Paint the Night Parade’ – featuring state-of-the art technology and more than 1.5 million brilliant LED lights!

• Disneyland Forever – a Diamond Celebration fireworks extravaganza—transforming classic Disneyland Park locations with sparkling pyrotechnics and immersive special effects.

• World of Color-Celebrate! The Wonderful World of Walt Disney – Enter World of Color—Celebrate! The Wonderful World of Walt Disney, a special edition of the popular nighttime showcase in Disney California Adventure Park!  You’ll see Walt’s decades-long legacy unfold in a symphony of animated imagery, live-action footage, lasers, fountains, special effects and a stirring musical score.  World of Color—Celebrate! The Wonderful World of Walt Disney is an emotional journey not to be missed!

And more to come throughout the celebration!

Are there any special value tickets to look for when planning a trip to the Disneyland Resort?
Yes, Walt Disney Travel Company offers an upgrade from the Disneyland Park Hopper Tickets to the ‘Southern California CityPass’ ticket.  This includes:  A 3-Day Disneyland Park Hopper Ticket; a 1-Day Sea World Adventure Park Ticket; and a 1-Day LEGOLAND Ticket.  Clearly the best value if part of your vacation takes you down to San Diego.

What types of accommodations does the Disneyland Resort offer?
Three Hotels of the Disneyland Resort include:  Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa (the only Disney hotel built inside the gates of a Disney theme park – Disney California Adventure Park); The Disneyland Hotel; and Disney’s Paradise Pier Resort Hotel.  All are considered Deluxe accommodations, and include many Disney amenities, naming a few:  Disney themed rooms and pool areas; on-site Disney Character Meals; On-site tours; on-site children’s activities; on-site fitness centers; on-site spas.

What types of adult only experiences are offered at the 3 Resort Hotels of the Disneyland Resort?
The Mandara Spa at Disney’s Grand Californian Resort, is an amazing place to unwind!  All 3 Disney Resort Hotels offer Health Clubs for 18 years and older; and the Disneyland Hotel recently added ‘Trader Sam’s Tiki Bar’ and rentable private cabanas featuring flat screen TVs, Wi-Fi, and refrigerators.

Are there other off-site accommodations near the Disneyland Resort offered?
Yes.  The Walt Disney Travel Company offers 40 Anaheim Good Neighbor hotels to choose from, with pricing categories from Value to Suites, all with easy access to the Disneyland Resort using the Anaheim Resort Transit or (ART) system (slight cost applies).  Additionally hotels can be booked in the Hollywood, Orange County, So. Cal. Beach locations and San Diego as add-ons to a Disneyland Resort vacation.

What are some of your favorite attractions at Disneyland that your family enjoys?
I have so many great memories of visiting Disneyland with my family over the years!  Although my son turns 21 years this year, I can still recall his very early visits to the Happiest Place on Earth where he couldn’t get enough of visits with Minnie Mouse!  He enjoyed all of the Disney Characters – but Minnie was his favorite!  I recall our family doing the ‘Macarena Dance’ in the Conga line at Goofy’s Kitchen at the Disneyland Hotel, and he would be right behind Minnie!  Now that he’s a bit older, he and his Dad enjoy the California Screamin high-speed roller coaster at Disney California Adventure Park!  But for me, I’m more of a Pirates in the Caribbean attraction kind of gal!

Why is Disneyland a special place for you?
Being a native Californian, I grew up with Disneyland!  I also began my Disney career at the Disneyland Hotel 28 years ago.  The Disneyland Resort holds a lot of fond memories for me personally, and I’ve seen a lot of great changes and additions to the resort over the years.  To me, Disneyland Park is the heart and soul of the Disney experience.  To think this magical place was once fields and fields of orange groves, and to see what it has grown into today – is amazing!  It’s where my husband and I used to come for dinner dates before we got married.  It’s where we first took our son when he was 18 months old.  And it’s where we now visit and re-visit with our whole family to reconnect with one another and share new family vacation experiences!  What once was a one and a half day experience, we now pace ourselves and enjoy over 3 days, with so much more to see and do here!  I can’t wait to visit the Disneyland Resort again soon to share all of the new Disneyland 60th Diamond Celebration experiences with my family!

Thanks to Linda for this informative interview.  We at familytravelgurus.com can help with your Disneyland vacation – we’ve been sending our clients to Disneyland since 2002!  Contact us today for a no obligation price quote.