It’s here! Lots to Do in Line: Walt Disney World edition

Over a year ago, I reviewed Meredith Lyn Pierce's Lots To Do In Line: Disneyland. I admitted to being a reluctant reviewer: After all, I believe in not waiting in Disney lines at all! But after reading through the book, I wholeheartedly endorsed Lots to Do in Line. There was only one thing missing...all of Walt Disney World. Now Pierce is back with Lots to Do In Line: Walt Disney World, which I'm … [Read more...]

A stay at Disneyland Resort’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa

The best Disney theming never seeks to replace what you know and love. It simply taps into it to touch you on an emotional or visceral level. Disneyland Resort's Grand Californian does this for me. A lover of wilderness lodges (the real ones), I know what they should look like, feel like, and smell like. While the Grand Californian is clearly the romanticized version, its magnificent six-story … [Read more...]

5 things to do on California Adventure’s new Buena Vista Street with kids

In much the same way that Disneyland's Main Street ushers visitors into the park with an ambiance of small town America, California Adventure's new Buena Vista Street welcomes visitors into the California to which Walt Disney arrived in the 1920s with nothing but a cardboard suitcase. Executive Vice President of Walt Disney Imagineering Bob Weis says he's even more excited about Buena Vista Street … [Read more...]

Tour any Disney theme park attraction in 15 minutes or less (all day, any day)

Note: For current FastPass+ tips for touring Walt Disney World parks, please see our Understanding FastPass+ post. The below information still applies to touring Disneyland Resort parks. No one should wait more than 15 minutes for any Disney theme park attraction…no matter what season, day, or park. Touring Disney line-free can be done, even during the busy Spring Break, summer, and holiday … [Read more...]

A stay at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge is one of our family's favorite--if not thefavorite--DisneyWorld resort. When readers ask me, "Why pay to stay at a DisneyWorld resort?" I always cite Disney's impeccible attention to detail, from the in-room touches to the grand lobbies to the on-site restaurants...always themed to perfection. No where is this attention to detail more evident than at Animal Kingdom … [Read more...]

How to prepare for a Disney cruise

At Pit Stops for Kids, we cover all modes of family travel. However, there's one major category of family travel we've neglected (until now): family cruising. On March 26th, the Pit Stops kids and I will be embarking upon the brand new ship in the Disney Cruise Line, the Disney Fantasy. We'll be reporting on our experience here and for Expedia.com. There's only one problem: we don't know what the … [Read more...]

Disney Done Right: a spring break review of Lots to Do in Line

If your family is headed to the Disneyland Resort this spring break, you're not alone. That's the bad news! The good news is, there's a brand new way to help kids handle long wait times in the Happiest Place on Earth. When author and mom Meredith Lyn Pierce sent me Lots to Do in Line: Disneyland for review, I wasn't sure I could endorse anything geared toward coping with long lines at … [Read more...]

A stay at Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa

I'll admit it: as my airport shuttle pulled up to Aulani, Disney's destination resort on Oahu, I expected to find Mickey front and center. I was prepared to greet that familiar pair of mouse ears from every angle: in person, in silhouette, in every scrap of signage and decoration. I was wrong. And while I have nothing against the guy, I'm so glad I was wrong. Throughout my four-night stay, … [Read more...]

Disney done right: how to survive (and thrive!) in summer crowds

The first advice I offer any family asking how to get the most from their Disney theme park experience is to visit in the off-season. Of course, such a plan isn’t always realistic. If your only option is to visit Walt Disney World or the Disneyland Resort in the summer season, take heart! It is possible to best the crowds and the heat and have a fabulous time. During our three-day visit to … [Read more...]

Disney done right: a stay at the Disneyland Hotel

Until last week, my family and I had never stayed on-site at the Disneyland Resort, despite numerous trips to the theme parks. After last week’s stay, I may never visit Disney any other way. Our night at the newly improved Disneyland Hotel granted both tangible and intangible perks I don’t think I could do without! We arrived at the hotel in the morning before park opening, and the front … [Read more...]