What to Pack and Not Pack for Disneyland!

There are some things banned at Disneyland and Disney Parks you need to be aware of.

• No selfie sticks although tripods are okay to bring.
• No folding chairs.  I guess some people try to get a seat for the parades.
• No alcohol
• No wrapped gifts
• No glass including glass ornaments you may purchase there. 
• No wheels or wagons or anything with wheels you pull behind you.
• No Drones
• No musical instruments
• No Cremated Remains (also don't put your had in Pirates of Carri bean Water.  Just don't.)

Here are some things you might want to remember to bring.

• Sun screen. Yes it is November but you never know.
• Sun Glasses
• Hat
• Jacket -- Average temperature is 51-74
• Gum you cannot buy it at Disneyland but they do allow it in. 
• Meds if need any.

Some things you may think you need but are in your Goody Bag:

• Rain Ponchos-- There are two.  If there are more than two of you in your group you may need more.
• Chap stick provided
• Bottle of water.....refill often.
• Hand Sanitizer
• Ink Pen
• Portable Charger

I tried to think of everything.  If you can think of anything else, please let me know.  Thanks again!!  It's coming, woo hoo!!!

Lanyards are Done!!!

Here's how the Goody Bags will work.  Each "family" that comes gets one Goody Bag.  There are a few items in the bags where there will be two of an item instead of one, like the lanyards.  There will be two lanyards in each bag.  For those who I know who your favorite characters are, they may  have a special lanyard.  But I feel I have a good selection that you will like one of them.  I have asked for opinions here at the care center on the ribbons I have chosen and everyone picked a different one.  I think that is a good sign.

On Thursday of last week, my friend Kimberly came down and helped me make Lanyards.  What was so interesting  is that I had bought two "professional" ones with Goofy on it.  My first thought was take them apart and make one as they were labeled as youth lanyards and only 20 inches long.  When we compared them to our and the 36 inches we had done, they were the same length if not a bit longer than the professional.  When we got all done they were a tad bit longer than the others. Here is the Goofy professional one.  Isn't he cute?

Here are the lanyards we made.  The first one says Happy Holidays, the second has the fab five in very bright colors, the third has the fab five all standing (I love that Minnie and Daisey are hugging), and the last one has the castle with Mickey and says "Magic Memories."

On the clips we have ID Badges that is resealable.  That way you can put your fast pass in it or room key or what ever else you want.  They key here is RESEALABLE.  When I was told about the resealable pouches and started looking, I found them for $4.50 a piece.  I finally found a bulk package that reduced that price considerably under .50 cents.

This will also serve as ID if they should get lost.  Here are the inserts for the ID Badges (I hope we won't need but you never know!)

 

I think that is it on the Lanyards.  People have asked what I will do with the extra's.  I am planning on about 20 Goody Bags (whether we need that many or not I don't know).  But the extra's I will sell after the trip. Trust me when I tell you these are the best Goody Bags you will ever see!!! 

How to Save Power on Your Electronics at Disneyland.

Since many of us live off our phones everyday, imagine going to take a picture with Mickey and your phone dies.  Eeek!!  What do you do?

Something you should know is that Disneyland does not have any free WiFi access.  Why is this important?  It may not be for you but I am glad I looked into it for me.  My phone runs off the internet, and if there is no WiFi it looks for the nearest cell tower to get phone calls and text messages.  So that means I can only get phone calls and text messages at Disneyland not on the internet.  Everything else will have to wait until I get to the hotel with Wifi.

But still I want my phone charged and in the best possible shape on its trip to Disneyland.  I found this helpful list of things to do.  I picked out a few things, at the bottom is the link to the complete list.

• If more than one person in your party has a cellphone, only use one phone at a time. Power off the others. When the first one runs down, move to the next phone.
• Make sure your phone and all of your apps are updated before your trip.
• Clean off all pictures, videos and music that you don’t need. This will make room for all the pictures you will be taking.

There are charging stations I understand at the front of the park.  Also the scooters people rent have USB ports to charge them on.  And I will let it out of the bag, for all who come and get a Goody Bag, there will be a freshly charged portable charger for you and you get to keep it!!


Here is the entire blog on ways to save energy with cell phones. 
http://www.couponingtodisney.com/22-ways-to-keep-your-cellphone-charged-at-walt-disney-world/

I am going to bring my camera because it takes better pictures than my phone and I can get a brand new SIM card for it and hold lots of pictures for the even.

How to Save Money at Disneyland

Through all the blogs, and everything else I have read regarding Disneyland I hear how expensive it is to eat.  People have suggested to take in your own food or snacks.  I decided to get online and see if I could find menus and and see how expensive it really was.  Here is one site I have been to I really like.  It seems updated and easy to navigate.

First of all I don't know about you but my stomach does not hold that much.  If I get a large meal from Wendy's there is no way I can even make it through half. I force myself because who wants to waste money!!  I usually get a kids meal because it is just enough for me.  I was very surprised that Disneyland has children's meals and you don't have to be a child to get one!  The children's meals are much less money than a regular size meal.  See you are saving money already!

Another thing I hear is that souvenirs are expensive and so people have suggested going to target to get souvenirs that are cheaper. I am sorry but one of the fun things about going to Disneyland is getting the Disneyland bag that helps me remember my trip.  I had a client who taught me about getting gift cards.  He was taking his 7 year old daughter Laura to Disneyland for her first time.  She was doing extra chores and saving as much money as she could for her trip.  Her dad told me he was worried about her wanting everything once they got there and so he gave her a budget to work with.  He gave her Disney Dollars as her budget to spend at the park.  She was excited because to her she had more money.She was told of her limitations before they went like meals.  But souvenirs and extra foods was all on her. She was very cautious with her money in the souvenirs she bought and food she had through out the day. At the end guess what?  She still had money left over. She asked her Dad as they were leaving the park if they could go to McDonald's. My friend said he began to roll his eyes wondering if she had learned anything and then she said, "My treat."  She still had her hard earned money she brought with her and had not touched and wanted to take her Mom and Dad out to McDonald's for dinner. He said he learned alot from his daughter about budgeting that night and so did I.

Because I am doing Disneyland on a budget I am getting myself Disney gift cards.  That way I have a budget for food and souvenirs.  Now I know what you are thinking....what if you don't use all the gift cards?  From now until November if I but a $25 gift card I will have $200 to spend in the park.  I decided if I have anything left on my gift cards as I leave the park I will find a family to give the left overs too or offer it to the people behind me in line.  I have done this before with left over's on a gift card.  Makes me feel good and the recipients are thrilled to get that extra surprise.

Disneyland Here We Come!!

I know it is sad I have not updated this in over a year.  There is a reason.  I had a small stroke in November but have been in Rehab/Nursing homes since then. Gaining the strength I need to learn to walk again has been rough.  But now that we are four months away from Disneyland, it is time to get planning.  I will admit one of the fun part of planning a trip to Disneyland is all the planning and fun things to do.  I will be updating the blog so you can see what is in the works for Disneyland.

First. Do you have your reservations made? 

I went through Costco travel. We found a deal for about $450 a person for three days in the park and two nights in a hotel.  We are going to stay at another hotel on Wednesday and Saturday night because to add to our package was adding as much as our original package.  Also I hear many good things about www.Getawaytoday.com. But you do want to make reservations if you are planning on going.

Coming up will be Goody Bags, ideas for saving on expenses at Disneyland, and maybe even some special surprises.

I will be better at updating this blog so stay tuned!!