Visit Disneyland: Merchandise Mobile Checkout

Even though the World of Disney store was not crowded when we went and there was no line at the register, I wanted to test out the Merchandise Mobile Checkout option because I've been in packed stores with long lines, and wanted to potentially avoid that.

To take advantage of Merchandise Mobile Checkout, you need to download the Disneyland app, select the mobile checkout option for the store you are in, then start scanning your barcodes.  

You pay via your phone, and look for the Mobile Checkout signs where a cast member will check the provided QR confirmation code and verify the items, and will give you a bag if you need one.  

The process itself was easy - the only challenge was cell service was not too strong in the store (at least for me), so the app went slowly.  There were several Mobile Checkout stations throughout the store.

If the regular check-out line is short or non existent, it's probably faster to go through it than to go through mobile checkout, but Merchandise Mobile Checkout is a nice option to have.

For more information or to view a list of places that accepts Merchandise Mobile Checkout, click here. 

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Visit Anaheim: Disneyland & Disney's California Adventure

During Spring Break, we made a quick visit to Disneyland Resort.  We had just two days, so we bought Park Hopper tickets, Lightning Lane Multi Pass, and also stayed at Pixar Place Hotel to get Early Entry to make the most out of just two days.

I've been to Disneyland Resort during Spring Break before, and the crowds were as expected.  

The Lightning Lane Multi Pass proved most beneficial, and I also liked that we had Park Hopper tickets.  

There were a few rides that opened up since our last visit that we made sure to get on: Tiana's Bayou Adventure, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, and Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railroad Adventure.  

Last chance warning at Tiana's

Everything you read about getting drenched at Tiana's is true - especially if you're sitting in the front, like I was.  Even though we were prepared with ponchos and waterproof shoe booties, I got soaked, and my son, who was sitting behind me, got his shoes soaked even with the booties on.  As we were getting off, guests who were getting on asked for our ponchos, but the Cast Member had to keep the line moving, so we didn't have time to take them off.  We did, however, see some people in line outside who were incredibly thankful for getting the ponchos. 

Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway was another ride that had opened up since our last visit.  This ride, along with Guardians of the Galaxy, Space Mountain, and Radiator Springs, were the most popular rides in terms of standby times and how quickly the Lightning Lane Passes became unavailable..  The latter was only available via Lightning Lane Single Pass purchase, but standby lines were consistently over 2 hours long.  

Tiana's & Mickey's Lightning Lane Passes would run out by mid afternoon, Guardian's would run out by mid morning!

I don't know if that's typical or just reflective of the Spring Break Crowds.  

Single Rider lines, where available, would run about 20-30 minutes long.  

We were able to watch the fireworks from the viewing floor at Pixar Place, at Disneyland, and even from our room at Pixar Place!

The weather was nice and chilly in the mornings and evenings, but got really hot during the day.  

We ate a lot of great food, got in a heck of a lot of steps, and made a lot of new Disney memories! 

Get up to 8% off on Disneyland tickets via Klook through 11/15/25.  Use code DLTCAL8 at check out! (affiliate link)
 

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Our Experience with Lightning Lane at Disneyland Resort

I didn't hesitate to buy Lightning Lane Multi Pass (available for a number of rides) and Single Pass (available for Radiator Springs Racers and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance) for rides we wanted to go on while at Disneyland Resort (prices and availability vary by date for both pass types).  It was my first time using Lightning Lane - the last time we visited Disneyland the MaxPass was in place, but it was the same concept.  

After reading through numerous FB groups and blogs, I tried my best to maximize our Lightning Lane usage, and I think I did well.  

Basically, you can book only once you (and all members of your party) are in the park.  You can only book 1 Lightning Lane every 2 hours, or you may book once you use your pass. 

Immediately upon entering I booked a Multi Pass ride, and throughout the day I kept track of when I could book another Multi Pass ride and checked redemption times to make sure there were no conflicts.

The only downside to Lightning Lane is constantly monitoring times or being on your phone.

To redeem, simply scan your ticket via the app, or scan your MagicBand+ at the Lightning Lane entry.

There are numerous tips and tricks that people offer, but here are mine:

• Always refresh your Tip Board in case earlier times open up.  Several times I was able to snag an earlier time and I could modify a Pass.  This also helped when I needed to modify to a later time (eg when we took a break and went back to our room - we ended up taking a longer break than we thought so I had to get a later time for a Pass).  Modifying the times do not affect the 2-hour window of selecting another Pass.
• Set your alarm to obtain another Lightning Lane at the 2-hour mark, where applicable
• If a ride breaks down while you are on it, waiting in line, or during your redemption time, you will be given a Multiple Experience Pass good for that ride, or any other ride specified on the pass.  This happened to us twice:
• On Rise of the Resistance, the ride broke down, so we were given passes.  I noticed, however, that the Cast Member was having trouble scanning our MagicBand+ and / phone, and he had a hard time viewing his unit from the glare of the sun.  Luckily, I checked my account as we were still in the area and noticed only 3 of us (out of 5) had passes.  I went to a different Cast Member and told her what happened, and she scanned the other 2 into our account.  
• Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway (a new-to-us ride), broke down before we got in line, but during our 1-hour redemption period.  When the ride opened back up, the wait was only 10 minutes, so we decided to just go standby and save the pass for something else.  We ended up riding that same ride again with our Pass later that night.
• If you leave the parks (eg go back to your hotel to nap) - you can book / modify Passes.
• Review "My Day" for your ride and dining times so you don't miss anything, and this is also where you can find the Multiple Experience Passes as noted above.

By the end of the second night, we had already ridden everything we wanted to, and we didn't need to secure any more Lightning Lanes.

The first day we rode 20+ rides, including a few repeats.  The second day we rode 15+ rides, including a few repeats (we also took a longer midday break).

Definitely get the Lightning Lane Multi Pass to reduce your wait time, especially during a peak attendance day.  If you are still on the fence, you can wait until you get into the park and see how standby lines are as the day progresses (since we went during Spring Break, we bought passes ahead of time) .  

And of course, Single Rider lines may be an option for you as well for certain rides, should you not wish to fork over $ for Lightning Lane passes.

Get up to 8% off on Disneyland tickets via Klook through 11/15/25.  Use code DLTCAL8 at check out! (affiliate link)

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Visit Disneyland: Our Experience with Early Entry

I always thought the people who rope-dropped or did the "Magic Hour" or "Magic Mornings," as it was called years before, were crazy.  Whenever we would visit Disneyland, we'd just take our time getting to the park, maybe around 9am or 10am.  Even though our kids would wake up early (until this day they are always up by 6am; 7am at the latest), we'd just have a leisurely breakfast at our hotel, then walk across the street to Disney.  We did have Annual Passports which eased the pressure off of us having to wake up early or rushing for Fast Passes (as it was called back then), but since it seems way more competitive now to get on certain rides, we thought we'd try and experience Early Entry, while also using Lightning Lane Multi Pass.  

Guests staying at Disneyland Resort hotel get Early Entry.  Early Entry is now only 30 minutes, and parks are designated Early Entry depending on the day of the week.

In terms of Early Entry, the Magical Tour Guide YouTube videos helped immensely in guiding us where to go.

Through her videos, I discovered how to get to the security checkpoint to Downtown Disney via the Grand Californian from Pixar Place Hotel, where we stayed.  

The first day of our Early Entry was a Thursday, which meant Disneyland.  We got to the security checkpoint at 620am, and the line was already about 15 people deep!  The security guards will brief everyone about going through the checkpoint and ask to see everyone's hotel keys or online confirmations, as only the Early Entry guests would be allowed through at 645am.

In just a few minutes we were at the main gates for Disneyland.  The gates do not open until 720am, even though Early Entry starts at 730am.  Also, there is no designated gate for Early Entry guests.  All rope-dropping and Early Entry guests are mixed in with each other, unlike at Universal Studios Hollywood, where only SNW Early Entry guests can enter through the admission gates before the general admission guests.

Once through the gates, you have to look for the roped off areas for Early Entry guests, at which you will have to swipe your key card and let a cast member know how many in your party.  

I haven't dug deep enough as to why they do the entry this way (combined with rope-droppers), especially since I've read how some people were not able to get through security and / or the gates until 15 minutes already into Early Entry since they are mixed in with rope-droppers, so it's highly recommended you get through security and line up at the gates really early.

We went to Tomorrowland and Fantasyland and got through four rides (Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters, Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, Snow White's Enchanted Wish, Pinocchio's Daring Journey).  Early Entry rides may not always be operable during the 30 minutes (Space Mountain was not yet open during Early Entry).

When it was DCA Early Entry day, it was the same process, but some of us got to security earlier (by 6am and ended up being the second in line), and the rest of us joined in by 630am.  We ended up doing two rides - Guardians of the Galaxy - Mission Breakout! and Web Slingers (a new-to-us ride) during Early Entry.  We also tried rope-dropping Radiator Springs after the rides, but the line was already 2 hours long by the time some of our family members got in line. so we just decided to buy Lightning Lane Single Pass (one of two rides at the resort you can buy passes for).

As stated in the Magical Tour Guide videos, there is a separate entrance / security to DCA, but she notes that's not the quickest way to get into DCA for Early Entry, especially if you're trying to get to Guardians or Web Slingers, or Rope Drop for Radiator Spring Racers.  

Even the security guard and another guest in line confirmed this - the quickest way is to go through Downtown Disney and enter through the main gates.

I am glad we experienced Early Entry, but I will say that during our visit, because we had Multi Pass Lightning Lane, the Early Entry wasn't worth it.

We were able to secure Lightning Lane passes for everything we wanted to go on both days we were there (we also had Park Hopper), and the rides we did Early Entry for, with the exception of Guardians, had decent wait times throughout the day (for me, decent means less than 30 minutes).  

There were rides we did multiple times even without Lightning Lane too (Astro Blasters, Star Tours).

And of course there are the Single Rider lines as well that minimize wait times.

If you don't buy Lightning Lane Multi Passes, the Early Entry could definitely be worth it for you,  But for us, we think we'll stick to Lightning Lane and spend some extra time in bed the next time. 

Get up to 8% off on Disneyland tickets via Klook through 11/15/25.  Use code DLTCAL8 at check out! (affiliate link)

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Visit Disneyland Resort: MagicBand+

Not too many people had MagicBand+ at Disneyland Resort, from what I noticed, but that didn't stop us from getting them.  

You can use the MagicBand+ to scan into the entry gates or scan your Lightning Lane passes.  No need to take out your phone and open up the Disneyland app or your photos app for a screenshot of your admission ticket or Lightning Lane pass. 

It's easy to sync the MagicBand+ to everyone in your party through the Disneyland app.

It's rechargeable, and one full charge is supposed to last 1-3 days, but we'd charge them at the end of each night.

Another fun thing about the MagicBand+ is that it'll blink and flash in all sorts of colors depending on where you are, whether at certain rides or shows.  You can also use to link PhotoPass photos and other experiences.

It's totally not a necessary thing to have, but it's a nice-to-have for the convenience.  

One thing I did read prior to getting them is that they have a tendency to fall off your wrist, especially on certain rides.  So, I brought mini rubber bands and hair ties to secure the ends on everyone's wrist just as an extra precaution.  

You can find the MagicBand+ at various shops throughout the resort (we bought ours from World of Disney at Downtown Disney, but also saw them at STOR-E in Pixar Place).

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Visit Anaheim: Pixar Place Hotel

We usually stay at a Good Neighbor Hotel when visiting Disneyland Resort, but for the first time, we stayed at a resort hotel - Pixar Place Hotel, and it was primarily to get Early Entry (which I will blog about later).

We reserved two rooms because we need two bathrooms, but one room can easily fit 5 with 2 queen beds and a sofa-day bed.  I called Customer Service to get guaranteed connecting rooms.

We arrived before noon, and one of the rooms was ready so we were able to check-in.

A note on payment - if you've read about the Disney Gift Cards and transferring to one for up to $1k since only one can be used - that's actually incorrect, as the team member was willing to take multiple cards that I hadn't yet transferred to one.  

Cleanliness is taken seriously!  I loved that they offer hand soap - something we usually bring on our own to hotels.

As you can imagine, there are Pixar touches everywhere.

We had connecting Standard View Rooms, from which we could see Disney California Adventure.  At night, we could even watch the fireworks at Disneyland, as well as see some of the World of Color show at Disney California Adventure.

There were lots of places to charge your tech (and your MagicBand+).  There was a mini fridge, and I love how easy it was to put the sofa-day bed back into a sofa (I never saw a sofa bed like it before - you just flip and unzip! 

Excuse the wrinkles - I took the pic after it was slept in.

You can also go to the pool deck to watch the fireworks.

The pool was undergoing refurbishment while we were there, but they do have a Pixar Shorts Court, where you can Play foosball, shuffleboard, and more!  

There is an atrium on the second-floor with art. 

And there are character appearances!  

Noise wasn't an issue except for the surprising sounds of kids running through the hall at 11pm (why do parents allow their kids to do that?).

Everything you read about the inefficient "smart" elevator system is true.  It's one of those systems where you press the floor on a touch pad and you are designated a specific elevator to enter (vs pressing the up or down button and going to whichever elevator opens up).  

I'm sure it cost a lot of $ to implement, so I don't know if anything will ever change with the elevators, but guests will just have to grin and bear it.  There was one time during our stay where I saw a team member guide people to the correct elevator, and although the waits weren't exhorbitantly long, the elevator system is far from perfect. 

To access the amusement parks, we were able to go through the Grand Californian to get to Downtown Disney to get to the main entrances for DCA and Disney (more on that in a future post) and there is also a separate DCA entrance just right across the street from the hotel.

I loved Great Maple, the sit-down restaurant inside Pixar Place.  

Parking was never an issue.

The rooms were pricey, as expected, but I thought it was worth it to experience.

Pixar Place Hotel
1717 Disneyland Dr

Anaheim, CA 92802

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Visit Anaheim: Disneyland Resort Eats & Drinks Round-Up

One of my favorite things to do at Disneyland Resort is eat! We have our usual go-tos (Gibson Girl!), but we always like to try new-to-us spots and foods too. Mobile ordering makes things a breeze, and despite the crowds, we were pretty fortunate in finding tables wherever we went, and were actually surprised whenever we found lots of open tables at certain eateries.

Here is what we ate and drank during our recent visit:

Cookies & Cream Ice Cream / Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor

Rocky Road Ice Cream / Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor

Churro Toffee Square / Candy Palace and Candy Kitchen

Micky Cereal Treat with M&M's MINIS / Candy Palace and Candy Kitchen

Peanut Butter Square / Candy Palace and Candy Kitchen

Milk Chocolate Marshmallow Wand / Candy Palace and Candy Kitchen

Double Chocolate Cookie / Candy Palace and Candy Kitchen

Dole Whip Float / Tiki Juice Bar

Cookie Dough Ice Cream / Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor

Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream / Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor

Green Milk / Milk Stand

Blue Milk / Milk Stand

Strawberry & Pineapple Churros / Cart in Bayou Country

Sampler Box / The Golden Horseshoe

Outback Vegetable Skewer / Bengal Barbecue

Pork Belly Skewer / Bengal Barbecue

Chieftan Chicken Skewer / Bengal Barbecue

Bengal Beef Skewer / Bengal Barbecue

Strawberry Lemonade (Cozy Cone Motel 4 - Cone-coctions)

Maple & Bacon Churro / Willie's Churros

Pickle-in-a-Pouch / Disney California Adventure

Mickey-shaped Macaron made with SNICKERS® bar pieces / Uncork California (Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival)

Lavender Lemonade / Tiana's Palace

S'mores Macaron / Kayla's Cake

Muffuletta Sandwich / Tiana's Palace

7 Greens Gumbo with Chicken & Andouille Sausage  / Tiana's Palace

Catfish Po'Boy  / Tiana's Palace

Jambalaya / Tiana's Palace

Popping Particle Punch / Pym Tasting Lab

Reactor Melt  / Pym Test Kitchen

Not so Little Chicken Sandwich / Pym Test Kitchen

Humongous Taco Salad  / Pym Test Kitchen

Red Gamma Gulp  / Pym Test Kitchen

Frozen Cherry Glacier / Candy Palace and Candy Kitchen

Nutella Milk Chocolate / Kayla's Cake

Fried Chicken Baos  / Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo

Endorian Fried Chicken Tip-Yip  / Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo

Shaaken Beef with Tattooine Bounty / Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo

Three Ice Cream Floats Sampler / The Golden Horseshoe

Cinnamaon Churros / Disneyland

Housemade Chocolate Chunk Cookie Sundae / The Golden Horseshoe

Meiloorun Juice / Ronto Roasters

Our faves were from Pym's Test Kitchen, Tiana's Palace, and Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo.  My personal favorite was the Reactor Melt at Pym's, and I liked the Chicken in the Bao at Docking Bay, but the Bao was too rubbery.  

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