California trip recap 2: Disneyland

Since we were staying in Anaheim on Disneyland property at the Grand Californian Hotel, we were so close to the parks. We could walk right  to both Disneyland and California Adventure. It was awesome to be able to just walk to the parks and not have to wait and get on a bus and ride to the parks like we do in Disney World. The park was beautiful, it is definitely smaller than Disney World but is very similar in design and feel. Disneyland feels more vintage since its been around longer and you really got that vibe walking around.

The Disney marching band outside the main entrance

We're here! Walking through the main gates entering Main Street

 Hanging around Main Street

The first thing you notice right when you get into the park is how small the castle is. Compared to Disney World where the castle is the centerpiece of the park, the Disneyland castle is half the size and the Matterhorn mountain is the centerpiece. Even though the castle is smaller, it is still beautiful.

Princess Aurora's castle

In front of the castle is a beautiful courtyard with a statue of Walt and Mickey and some other small character statues. We of course had to take some pictures!

Michael and I

Mom and Dad

Michael with Chip and Dale

Dad with Goofy

Me with Minnie

Mom with Pluto

One of the best ways to see the entire park is to ride the Disney railroad. You get to go through all the different "lands." You can also use it as a way to get around the park which works really well when its as crowded as it was. 

Dad, Mom and Michael getting ready to take off from Main street

Michael and I

Riding through "It's a small world"

One of my favorite pictures we took at Disneyland

And of course it's not Disney without trying on some hats. The Mad Hatter was the hottest hat this trip.  I can't believe people actually buy these things and wear them!! Check out these two chuckleheads!

Come nightfall, Disneyland does it up big with it's Magical fireworks show. It's an awesome 20 minute performance that features both Tink and Dumbo flying across the castle. I didn't have my zoom lens with me so I didn't get any great shots of Tink and Dumbo but I can tell you it was awesome. In Disney World, Tink flies across the castle but it is a straight shot zipline to the castle and its over. In Disneyland Tink flies back and forth in front of the castle a few times during the performance. And seeing Dumbo fly was just so cool. Here are some of my favorite firework shots.

Pin It