Disneyland-the Good, the Bad and the Ugly

I love Disneyland--and we are going very soon. The trip is a surprise for the kids. Of course, getting ready for this trip has got me thinking about our past two trips to Disneyland. Like anywhere, The Happiest Place on Earth has its good things, its not so good things, and its downright ugly things.

Disneyland 2006

THE GOOD:

1-The Magic--Disneyland has a magical feeling that cannot be duplicated. If I was looking for big rollercoasters, I would go to Magic Mountain. I go to Disneyland for the magic and the characters.

Sammie watching the parade 2007

2-The Rides--with that said, I do love the rides. They are rides that I remember from my childhood--Space Mountain, the Teacups, Dumbo, Peter Pan. Then of course, you have the new rides, Soaring over California, Buzz Lightyear, Tower of Terror.

Sammie and Grandpa Paul on Dumbo 2007

Sammie on Buzz Lightyear 2007

3-The Cleanliness. Yes, I know Disneyland is probably the germiest place on earth (well--actually that is probably Lagoon.) But it doesn't feel germy--it looks pristine. I saw workers scraping gum off the sidewalk and cleaning garbage cans constantly. I like that the place feels clean.

Luke and Sammie 2006

4-The Hotel. We stay at an awesome Marriot right across the street from Dland. It has a McDonalds in the parking lot where we eat breakfast everyday. I love walking to the park and not worrying about parking.

Luke and Sammie in the hotel 2006

5- The Calorie burn. You do so much walking at Disneyland that I don't think about what I eat the entire time I'm there--hot dog? Yes. Big Mac? yes please. Chocolate shake? Make mine a large. My favorite restaurant is Rancho Del Zocalo in Fronteirland. I appreciate the opportunity to sit down and eat a greasy mexican meal in peace.

THE BAD

1-The Lines. The first time we went to Disneyland was in July of '06. There were long lines. 'nuf said.

Grandma Linda and Luke on It's a Small World 2007

2-The Characters--I love the characters--this is a big part of why we go to Disneyland. But I have a major beef with the fact that they are very hard to find. They show up and are then whisked away by their chaperones when there are still people waiting in line for a photo. Occasionally, we were lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time but most of the time, we had to settle for the second string characters like Pluto. If it were up to me there would be 4 Mickeys wandering the park at all times.

Luke and Pluto 2007

3-The Prices--Disneyland ain't cheap. I won't tell you what we paid for four 4-day passes (yes, I know--keep me in your prayers--we are going for 4 days!). Let's just say I could have bought a large piece of furniture or a really great wardrobe with that money.

Disneyland decorated for Halloween 2007

THE UGLY

1-The Price of a Diet Coke. I know this is technically under the category of "the prices" but I felt it deserved it's own line. As one who chain drinks diet coke--especially when I have a headache (and trust me, I'll have a headache at Dland!) I will need a diet coke constantly. At $3.50 a pop--I'll have to limit my consumption.

2-I Won't Have a Wheelchair. Last year, we went to Dland with my parents in October. My mother had just undergone a hip replacement in September and was in a wheelchair. Wheelchair at Disneyland=Celebrity treatment at Disneyland. We walked on every ride. It's going to be hard going back to regular status. Plus, she was kind enough to let the rest of us ride in it when we got tired of walking around.

Sammie in Grandma's wheelchair 2007

3-My feet. Every night in the hotel, I'm begging Sam to rub my dogs. It's not pretty.

What are your tips and secrets for Disneyland? I especially need to know good places to eat! Is the character breakfast worth the cost? Where are the best restrooms/mothers' rooms?