Hi there, Vicki! Welcome to planDisney!
A stay at
Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa to kick off the New Year sounds pretty magical to me! I'm happy to report that the January calendar is now open so you can get your Disneyland ducks in a row by purchasing those
theme park tickets and making
theme park reservations. The good news is that if you do this on the Disneyland Resort website, you'll do both with just a few taps of your magic wand during the checkout process!
While you'll be visiting just after the holidays have said adieu, it's actually a great time to be in the parks as they reset for the year. The crowds will have subsided a bit and the weather can even have a bit of a chill in the air, making a great excuse for a stop at the
Mint Julep Bar for hot coffee and Mickey Beignets in the morning! I would recommend taking a peek at the
park hours which open up about six weeks ahead of your visit as they can be amended at this time of year to accommodate for the slightly lower crowd levels. You'll also be able to see there if any attractions are closed for refurbishment so that you can plan your days accordingly!
I think it goes without saying that the charm and nostalgia of being in Walt's original park is the foundation for making Disneyland the Happiest Place on Earth. If you're looking for something a bit more unique to add to your itinerary, I highly recommend checking out the newly returned
Walt's Main Street Story Tour. As part of the experience, you'll get a 90-minute walking tour filled with behind-the-scenes stories, trivia, and little-known facts about how this magical place came to be. You'll even get to visit Walt's apartment right there above the Fire Station! I can't imagine a more perfect addition to a Disneyland park day and will be adding it to my list on our next visit!
Vicki, I sure hope this was helpful in planning your vacation! Don't forget as a Guest of a Disneyland Resort Hotel, you'll have access to
Early Entry to enjoy 30 extra magical minutes in the park ahead of park opening. It's the perfect time to get a great photo of Sleeping Beauty Castle or head to one of your favorite attractions. If you have any more questions, you know where to find us here at
planDisney!
Magic awaits!
Tara