Disneyland
Los Angeles - California
Accommodation and parking
Description: There are plenty of lodging options around Disney's two theme parks in almost every price range. Some of these hotels offer a shuttle service to the park, others are within walking distance to the Disney trains in the parking garages that shuttle guests to the entrance.
Who stays further away and parks in one of the Disney parking garages around the park, must pay $25 / day. However, you can drive out of the parking garage, within the paid 24h, as often as you want.
From the parking garages you arrive at a security area, where a check, similar to the one at the airport, takes place. Then you get on the trains and ride directly to the entrance of the park. This service is free of charge, even if you do not park in the parking garages.
Our rating: We chose a hotel within walking distance of the parking garages and were very happy with this decision. In less than 30 minutes we could be at the park entrance from the hotel door. Everything was very professionally organized.
General
Description: The amusement park was opened in 1955 and is the only Disney park that was created under the supervision of Walt Disney. Even though the park is probably designed more for children, adults are sure to find something interesting here as well. Especially the fans of animated movies are at the right place. Meanwhile, there is a second Disney Park in Anaheim, just across the street.
Since you save the queuing, it is recommended to buy the tickets in advance. The prices for an admission start (as of summer 2019) at 129$/day and person. Depending on the season, a day ticket can cost up to $149/day and person. It must be said that day tickets are by far the most expensive. In addition, there are also multi-day tickets, where the daily price is reduced accordingly.
Our rating: We liked the park quite well, but that will probably remain the only time for us. There are too many other parks that are more interesting to us. But once you can definitely go look and visit Mickey and Minny. For families with children, this is certainly a highlight. - That was the statement after our visit in 1994.
Well, and as it always is, there was then again a reason for us to visit Disneyland. While researching for our vacation in August 2019, we noticed that a new part of the park had opened in the meantime. Galaxy 's Edge. For us as Star Wars fans an absolute must...
Unfortunately, we only had one day to visit the park. That is, of course, far too little time to see and experience even approximately everything. Because we came for that, we spent most of our time in the new part of Galaxy's Edge.
What really thrilled us throughout the park, however, is the attention to detail with which everything is presented. It's really fun and it's easy to become a child again, even as an adult.
Galaxy's Edge
General
Description: Galaxys Edge is the newest part of Disneyland in Anaheim. It opened a few weeks prior to our visit, so for us as Star Wars fans, this was a must see.
Galaxy's Edge is based on the story of Star Wars and portrayed the Black Spire outpost on planet Batuu, at the far end of the galaxy.
There is everything you would expect on such an outpost, including restaurants, stores, pubs, spaceships, lightsabers and droids. There is a separate currency and all employees stick to their roles. The land is built in such a way that you really feel like you're on another planet throughout. Even Coke has specially designed bottles for Galay's Edge.
Our rating: We are Star Wars fans and have therefore also very much looked forward to our visit here. Although there are now some very critical voices, we loved our visit. If we were living nearby, we would certainly go much more often.
When the second ride Rise of the Resistance also opens in early 2020, there will certainly be even more reason to pay Galaxy's Edge a visit.
However, there is also one big criticism and that are the prices. Except for the only ride in the Millennium Falcon, everything else costs extra. But not only that, everything is really very very expensive. We think it's a bit of a downer that you really only get the full experience if you invest a whole bunch of money.
Millennium Falcon - Smugglers Run
Description: The only top attraction for which you not have to pay anything extra at the moment (as of summer 2019) is a flight with the Millennium Falcon. Even from a distance you can see Han Solo's legendary spaceship. It is definitely a real highlight. Unfortunately, there is no fast track for this, so everyone has to queue. We flew 2x during our visit and queued once for 50 minutes and once for 35 minutes. This sounds like quite a long time at first, but the wait is pleasantly shortened. You hike through the well air-conditioned and well-equipped hangar and that's a lot of fun.
Once you have entered the interior of the Falcon, you are divided into groups of six. There are 2 pilots, 2 gunners and 2 engineers. As a team you now have to master all the tasks of the ride. As we found out, the whole thing is interactive and depending on how well the team does, the ride changes a bit.
Our rating: On our first flight, we were lucky enough to be pilots. This is by far the best post, because you sit in the front and so the experience is much more intense. But no matter with which task you are supervised, the ride is just awesome. It was super fun and we would definitely invest the time for it.
A MUST when visiting Batuu!!!
Droid Depot
Description: At Droid Depot you can build your own droid. You can choose between a BB8 and a R2D2 unit. Of course you can also build both.
All droids cost $99 plus tax, no matter which combination you choose. Once you've paid and decided on a droid, you get a basket and can collect the necessary parts from a treadmill. Once you've found everything, you're assigned a building space and can assemble your droid with the help of very precise instructions.
Finally, he gets activated and thus comes to life.
Our rating: From the moment I discovered Galaxy`s Edge on the Internet, I was looking forward to this. It was just huge fun and my BBQ is just cute. You can control him with a remote control. He rolls through the place and makes BB typical noises.
Oga's Cantina
Description: Oga's Cantina is a bar on Batuu. The bar is run by the alien Oga Garra. You can regularly meet smugglers, pilots and other galactic travelers here. The highlight is the pilot droid RX-24, who works here as a DJ. It is the only place in Disneyland where alcoholic drinks are sold.
If you want to get in, you should definitely have a reservation in time. This can be done up to two weeks in advance online. For the visit, everyone has a time limit of 45 minutes. Therefore, the reservations are also bound to certain times.
Tipp: Should only one place be free for the desired date, you can take the order anyway, because you can take an extra person to each reservation inside. But beware: If you do not show up for the reservation without cancellation, a fee will be charged!!!
Our rating: Since it is a bar, there are only a few seats at the sides. Most people are either right at the bar, or at the bar tables. The atmosphere is super cool and you really feel like you are standing in a bar on a far away planet. Everything, down to the drinks and snacks, is authentic. The DJ was great and it was a lot of fun to be here. Anyone who makes the trip to Batuu should not miss this one.
Other attractions
Indiana Jones Adventures
Description: Besides Galaxy's Edge, we had the opportunity to go on a few other rides.
Indiana Jones Adventures belongs to the dark rides and, as the name suggests, takes place in the rather dim, almost darkness. Eerily beautifully designed, already the way inside the ride is really fun. You could also stop here all the time and look around.
Our rating: You drive through the world of Indiana Jones in an off-road vehicle. To be honest, I was so focused on not hurting myself anywhere on the car during all the bumping. That's why I didn't notice so much of the story around me. Nevertheless, the whole thing was very authentic and was totally fun.
We can definitely recommend this ride.
Before you start, you will be instructed about the safety procedures via a short movie.
Pirates of the Caribbean
Description: Another dark ride, which takes place in the more or less dark. Here you ride in boats through a swamp landscape.
Everything is based on the story of the movies of the same name. The whole ride is, apart from two somewhat lively downward rides, rather a smooth float in the water.
Our rating: Apart from the fact that it smelled extremely of chlorine inside, the ride through the swamp was quite ok. It is now nothing that we would have to repeat 10 times, but you can look at it at least once.
Again, the loving and detailed design was great.
Disney characters
Description: Everywhere in the park you can meet your favorite Disney characters. Using the Disneyland app, you are able to locate when and where in the park the character will appear.
Even though it is hard to imagine how the poor people can bear it in the heat in their costumes, they are very patient and take a photo with everyone who wants one.
Our rating: As a true Disney fan, you simply have to take a photo with your favorite character. They also remind you of your own childhood, because we also grew up with Mickey and Co.
