Hello and welcome to a sunny LA!
We're in one of the main theme parks in California: DISNEYLAND!!
But, did you know there are actually two theme parks here? Over to the left is Disneyland.
But, over this way is Disney California Adventure, which is newer, less crowd, and it has even faster rides.
So, buckle up, keep your hands and feet inside the vehicle at all times
because we're going to show you our top tips on Disney California Adventure!!
WAIT FOR ME!!
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Everyone's heard of Disneyland, the original park built by Walt himself.
It's the home of princesses, pirates and the Magic Kingdom.
Next door is the cooler, older brother where the superheroes and modern Pixar characters live.
It's also home to the faster rides!
We're focusing on California Adventure in this video but most of our tips will work for both parks.
Right, you've parked up and you're queuing for a tram:
Time for tip Number One!
If you've got a big family and you don't want to unpack the stroller,
just head to the back tram.
The second tip is all to do with your tickets...
well, when to buy them!
American kids go back to school in mid-August, so theme parks
are much quieter for the last two weeks of the summer.
Two hour queues suddenly become two-minute walk-throughs.
This works particularly well for British holiday makers where schools don't go back until September.
If you can't go then you should think about checking out: isitpacked.com
to find the best days to visit.
This is a great tip for any theme park. Write your phone number in permanent marker
on your little ones' arm. That way if they lose you, you teach them to
"find someone who works there." That's right. Or, you can get them to memorize it for a dollar!
Make sure you bring your carrier because some shows don't allow strollers inside.
Psychologists have found that when we go into a theme park we tend to go to the right
so, go to the left to beat the crowds. Or, better yet, head for the back of the park
and work your way forwards.
Buena Vista Street opens 30 minutes
before the rest of the park. The big names all go on show for this short
window so why not get your snaps with the big-name characters then rather than
waiting in long lines later in the day?
If you get to the park when it opens make a beeline for the most popular ride or area.
When we went the cars ride in Radiator Springs was the most popular so we headed straight there.
Hop on, if the queues not long, or get a Fast Pass.
Sam: "This is where it gets really fun. Yeah, we're winning!!"
Which brings us onto our next tip!
Tip Number five: Fast Passes are free. It puts you into a virtual queue
and gives you an allotted time to walk straight past the long line
and onto your ride you. You can only have one fast pass at a time though
so pick your top rides carefully before you go.
Dylan: "Fast Passes done. Instead of waiting an hour, I can go onto some other rides."
What do you do when you've got a little one with you but you want to go on the big rides?
Split up? Queue for two hours and watch your other half of all the fun?
Well, Parent Swap solves this problem. When you get to the line, one adult
tells a cast member that they want to do Parent Swap and they get their tickets scanned.
They queue as normal and enjoy the ride.
Then, simply hand the scanned ticket back to the other adult and then they get to ride with up to two kids.
Alicia: "Parent Swap!"
It's a great solution for those with babies or scared children. An added bonus is that the kids get to go twice.
Here's a little bonus tip for you: if you're at a theme park on a busy day and
you don't mind splitting up for a few hours, single rider lines are the answer!
You'll queue for a fraction of the time and get to go on all the big rights
David: "Ahh, you're back!"
David laughing: "Bye bye. My turn!!"
You might not think it, but Hollywoodland is the place to chill out when you're feeling the Los Angeles heat.
Here, you've got a choice of shows and attractions which are all housed in ice-cold, air-conditioned auditoriums.
The Animation Academy foyer has comfy chairs and a nice little area for toddlers to cool down in.
Go into the main room to learn how to draw a Disney character by a real Disney animator.
Tip 7: Frozen - go and see it!
It's pretty much worth the price of the whole park alone.
It's got to be similar to the Broadway and West End shows so why not see it as part of your ticket?!
There was only one person into it more than me!!
David: "Best show ever!"
Come early to the show and eat your lunch while you save your spot.
That's my idea of multi-tasking!
It's also a good idea to have a really early or late lunch that way while everyone else is munching down...
you'll be riding high!!!
It's so annoying when your phone dies halfway around the park.
But I just bring my battery pack and I charge it on the go!
Want to watch the sunset with a view?
Check your phone to find out when the Sun will go down go down.
Then, stroll to Pixar Pier and start queuing for Mickey's Fun Wheel 30 minutes before sunset...
to see the park look like this!
Fast Passes aren't just for the rides either. You can get one for the World of Color
located just to the right of the Little Mermaid ride.
World of Color is the climax to a day at California Adventure.
without a Fast Pass you won't get a clear view of the amazing fountain show.
Make sure you get one by noon or you might miss out.
If you do that though, it does of course mean that you won't be able to use a Fast Pass for any other rides,
which is why we watched the show from behind.
As you can probably tell World of Color is at Pixar Pier.
When it finishes, you'll be surrounded by thousands of other people wanting to leave at the same time.
Want to beat those crowds? Listen very carefully to Rick, who knows a secret exit!
Rick: "Hi! So, if you want to exit the park from the World of Color show which is right up the corner here,
Come this way and go through the hotel, through the lobby. You can go all the way to the end make a right.
Then, you're gonna go down the hallway, take another right and a left and it'll take you out into Downtown Disney.
I know it sounds complicated but
it's faster than going all the way out the main exit and taking from the
start of Downtown Disney, all the way to the end.
So, that's the end of our fun day at California Adventure! We've got three very tired but very happy kids.
And two tired adults as well!
Like, subscribe! Let us know if we missed anything for next time!
Byeeee!!