Disneyland in December

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Main Street USA new photos 2/25/02 The Plaza new photos 2/25/02 Frontierland Adventurelandnew photos 2/25/02 Fantasyland Tomorrowland

Every Christmas I like to go to Disneyland. Walt Disney's Magic Kingdom is usually not as crowded when visited over the holidays, and for me, an experience that continually evokes my youth is the perfect tonic for the cold hard facts encountered at the end of every year, when another year of my life passes into history. One Christmas, I took my then girlfriend's son to Disney World in Florida, but usually the trip is made to Disneyland Anaheim, which is only a few miles away from where I live in California. Since I've been getting older, I like to heed Walt's advice, and visit the Magic Kingdom, where "age can relive youth" and you know? It works. Every time. No matter how upset, ordisturbed, or lonely I may be at this most joyous time of year, a trip to Disneyland usually cures all ills.
So, when my current landlady got in touch with me and told me I'd have to vacate my house for two days on the 27th and 28th of December, so that they could cover the units they managed with termite tents, I figured I'd use the time as a mini vacation, and get a room at one of the Disneyland hotels, and do the Disney excursion big time this year.
Usually the best time to visit the park is the week before Christmas, cause it's not too busy, but this was the week after, one of the busiest times in the Disney calendar. Having three days to visit both the Disneyland and California Adventure park afforded me the luxury of not caring if it were busy, however, because I had three nights, each stretching till midnight, which gave me lots of hours of play. I would be going alone, which doesn't bother me in the least, since I wouldn't have to cater to anyone else's whims besides my own.
I must proclaim loudly, now that this mini vacation is over, this was one of the best decisions I made all year. Even though the Disney California Resort, of which the Disneyland park is now merely a part, was booked solid, with all Disney hotel packages already accounted for, the Disney Resort Travel Agent I called offered me a package with a stay at the DoubleTree Hotel in Orange. There are shuttle busses, much like at Disney World, which ferry hotel guests to the parks every day starting at 7:30 in the morning. The hotel has a restaurant, and the cost was pretty reasonable. Only $377.00 got me two nights stay at the hotel, and a "parkhopper" pass good for four days unlimited access to the two Disney parks.
Of course the cost would be slightly more for a family, and most rates are based on double occupancy at least, but this cost is a good price for a "single traveller," and I admit I didn't get much work done in anticipation of what could have been a hardship, but turned out to be a fantastic adventure in the "magic kingdom".

The freeway journey from Long Beach, where I work, to Orange, where the hotel is located, took roughly an hour. I didn't know the exact location of the hotel, which is two miles away from the park, but since it towers 20 stories into the sky, I didn't have much trouble locating it. The DoubleTree chain are luxury hotels, not akin to staying at a Motel 6 or a Holiday Inn. I believe Hilton has either acquired the chain, or is affiliated with them in some way. The last time I saw my car for the duration of my stay is when I parked it in the hotel lot. Check in was a breeze, and my room was located on the 12th floor. I had booked the vacation by telephone, merely a week before my stay, and my Disney Vacation package with the park tickets and information was waiting for me at the hotel. I paid by credit card, and there were no hidden costs at either the hotel or the parks. I checked in slightly before 3pm, the standard checkin at most hotels. After unpacking, and checking out my oversized room which included, besides the bed, a comfy chair and a coffee machine, I got downstairs in time for the 3pm shuttle to the park. Although I brought along the videocamera so I could take photos for this website, I opted not to bring it the first evening at Disneyland. There would be plenty of time for taking pictures. The last time I was in Anaheim, I visited the California Adventure park, and was vastly disappointed, venting my frustrations at the time by creating the California Misadventure section of AllThingsMike Travel. This time, even with overflowing crowds which caused the park to stop admitting paying guests for only the fourth time in history (I got right in because of the "parkhopper" pass) my trip was filled with magic and wonder, and there are no bad experiences coloring the trip.
When "travelling" to a destination near home, one usually drives, parks, attends, and leaves. With the "luxury" of a hotel stay, however, one never feels rushed. Knowing that I didn't have a two hour freeway ride ahead of me at any given time, the hours could languish away without a care, and I really enjoyed myself.

Passing through the entrance tunnel into the "Main Street" area of the park, where you leave all traces of "reality" behind you, and prepare to immerse yourself in the fantasy of Walt Disney's vision.

Join me now for a photo journey through the Disneyland park and Disney's California Adventure.Just click on the photo of the Tunnel entrance above.

Come Fly with Me to wondrous destinations.

ElectricTravel

The Travel Section of AllThings Mike

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Music is "When You Wish Upon A Star" from "Pinocchio" on a MIDI file. You can stop it from playing by clicking the "pause" symbol below. More Disney Midis available at The Disney Music Page

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