Disneyland Annual Passholder Early Entry Returns!

We love running over to Disneyland whenever we have an opportunity. We have been passholders for many years and love the little perks we receive from our passes. I love my annual pass (although I don’t really care much for the price! Yikes, they are expensive). One of my favorite perks, Early Entry, is back for Disneyland Annual Passport holders.

With Annual Passholder Early Entry, Passholders enjoy exclusive admission to select attractions, stores, entertainment and dining locations in Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Parks for one full hour before the parks open to the general public on select weekends through April 14, 2013.

The Annual Passholder Early Entry calendar allows early admission — during most weekends January 5 through April 14, 2013

Saturdays at Disney California Adventure Park.
Sundays at Disneyland Park.

The only dates that are not included in the Early Entry are

Saturday, January 19, 2013
Sunday, January 20, 2013 and
Sunday, February 3, 2013

Parking will be available at the Mickey & Friends Structure, which will open one hour prior to the start of the event

Annual Passholder Early Entry access will be at the Main Entrance to each park.

To enhance the experience, it is strongly recommended that Passholders arrive at least one hour and 15 minutes prior to regular park opening.

You can take advantage of Early Entrance as many times as you can! For additional info head here.

Disney Sunday: Making the Most of your Disneyland Resort Visit

Goofing around

Our family loves the Disneyland Resort. It truly is the happiest place on earth, in our eyes. I’ve been an annual pass holder for almost 15 years. My husband and his family have been pass holders since the annual passes first were available, for almost 29 years.

We love visiting whenever we have the opportunity. It’s been a little tough for us to make weekly visits since my husband and I have been in school for the past couple of years and we just recently moved away a couple of miles south and are now forty five minutes away, instead of fifteen. However, whenever we have the time we pack a bag and head there for hours of family adventure and memory making.

We love to make the best of our time at the Resort and always have a plan before we hit both parks. Here are my top picks for making the best out of your visit.

1. Plan, plan, and plan. We make sure to have a plan before we hit the resort. We make sure to check out either Mobile Magic or Mouse Wait, two smart phone apps, that have great information on waiting times. If the park is busy and the rides have long wait lines, we usually either grab fast passes to our favorite attractions or we tend to head to the shows, parade, etc. and take advantage of not having to wait in line.
2. Take advantage of Single Rider lines. I love the Single Rider lines. If you are willing to split up your party a bit and ride alone, you can drastically cut your waiting times. It’s not ideal for families with younger children, but if you have older kiddos or teens, this might really work for you. Single Rider lines are available at Goofy’s Sky School, Grizzly River Run, Indiana Jones, Radiator Springs Racers, Soaring over California, Splash Mountain and California Screamin.
3. Make sure to hit Cars Land as early as Possible! Cars Land is my family’s and I’m sure many other families’ new favorite land. It’s extremely popular and if you’re planning on making it a part of your visit (and I highly suggest it!), make sure to visit as early as you can in the day because it gets busy!
4. Hit lunch/dinner during park peak hours and attractions with short lines. We like to plan our day and make sure to plan accordingly. Peak times are from 2-4pm at both parks. This is the best time to grab a bite to eat and not have to fight for a table. We also try to hit attractions with the least wait line, which usually means heading to Adventureland/New Orleans Square and riding, Pirates of the Caribbean, Jungle Cruise, taking a ride on the Mark Twain and of course a ride on the Disneyland train.
5. Rainy Days can be some of the best times to visit the Disneyland Resort. If you don’t mind getting wet, a visit to Disneyland Resort can be so much fun in the rain. The crowds are very minimal and that means the feel of having the park all to yourself! We bought ponchos a few years back and love putting them to good use. The kids’ love splashing in the rain and riding their favorite rides without having to wait. I can’t recommend it enough!

Mickey’s Halloween Party at the Disneyland Resort and Giveaway!

Mickey's Halloween Party

I love visiting the Disneyland Resort during Halloween Time. The Disneyland Resort is decked in beautiful decorations and hosts the one event, our family looks forward to every year, Mickey’s Halloween Party at Disneyland Park. It has become an annual tradition and one that the kids start looking forward to it very early in the year.

Mickey’s Halloween Party is a special after hours costume party (the one and only time that adults are allowed to wear costumes at the park) that features super fun treat stations that dish both candy and healthy treats, Halloween Screams firework spectacular, music and dance stations at nearly every turn and the ability to enjoy the park after hours in an exclusive setting.

Another great perk of Mickey’s Halloween Party is the opportunity to enter Disneyland three hours before the party starts. You can head over up to 3 hours early and enjoy all that Disneyland has to offer before the party even begins.

The Disneyland Resort is decorated for Halloween and is the perfect setting for THE Halloween Party of the year. There are an incredible number of Jack-o-lanterns on Main Street and other fall decorations throughout the park. Some of attractions such as the Haunted Mansion and Space Mountain are made over for Halloween Time and turn into The Haunted Mansion Holiday and Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy. They are not to be missed!

Mickey’s Halloween Party takes place on Monday October 15th, 29th, Tuesday October 2nd, 9th, 23rd, Friday October 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th. There will also be a Mickey’s Halloween Party on Halloween Night.

You can save on admission by purchasing ahead of time and on select nights, annual passholders, receive a discounted price. Make sure to purchase your tickets ahead of time because nights sell out quickly. You can also purchase tickets at the door, if the night is not sold out, which is rare.

I promise that it will be a night, you won’t soon forget! We have made some wonderful memories. Make sure to take your camera, because there will be plenty of opportunities for pictures.

For additional info and to purchase your tickets head here.

Win it! We have a pair of tickets to giveaway. Giveaway ends on Wednesday, October 3rd at 12:59pm. There are numerous opportunities to enter, including following the Disneyland Resort on Twitter. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: This is not a compensated post. I was invited to Mickey’s Halloween Party and received complimentary tickets. However, all opinions are my own and I promise that Mickey’s Halloween Party is fantastic!