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Meet Anna & Elsa at Disney California Adventure Park

September 4, 2016 / Anaheim, California, Disney Travel, Disneyland, Travel, USA / 10 Comments

The Frozen sisters have found a permanent home in California Adventure Park’s Hollywood Land. The meet and greet isn’t anywhere near as crazy popular as it was when we visited two years ago. Back then, if you didn’t get to the link as soon as the park opened you were in for an all-day wait.

This time, we did the rounds in the morning to get FastPasses for our fave rides and then came back to meet the sisters. Anna and Elsa’s Royal Welcome is located deep inside the Animation Academy within the Disney California Adventure Park.

From the outside, it’s unclear that this is even the place to meed the Frozen duo as there are no clear signs that say so. We asked a helpful Disney cast member outside who confirmed that this was the place and pointed where to go.

The Animation Academy has several experiences inside, just one of which is the Anna and Elsa Royal Welcome. it’s a huge space with Disney films playing all over the walls, which makes waiting to meet the sisters much more palatable. The queue wasn’t too bad – maybe 10 people before us, and we waited in total about 30 minutes to meet the pair.

Anna and Elsa share an Arandelle-themed room in the Animation Academy for meeting their royal guests. I really think the pair are best as a dual act – they play off each other, make witty jokes, and in general are so much fun when they’re experienced together.

The princess and queen really took their time talking to Cheese. They wanted to know all about her kingdom and commented on her beautiful hair.

After the meet and greet, with Frozen stars in our eyes, we head off to the new show, Frozen – Live that is now playing at the Hyperion Theatre next door. If you have an avid artist on your hands, drop by the Royal Academy (it’s tucked inside the Animation Academy) where a real-life artist is on hand to teach you how to sketch characters like Olaf and Marshmallow.

Get more information about Frozen experiences at Disneyland and Disney California Adventure Park here.

British Virgin Islands: The Baths & Devil’s Bay On Virgin Gorda

September 1, 2016 / British Virgin Islands, Caribbean, Disney Cruises / 6 Comments

The beautiful Virgin Gorda, second-largest of the British Virgin islands, is a popular day trip for cruise ships stopping in Tortola. The “plump” shape of the island reminded Christopher Columbus of a reclining woman, or a “Fat Virgin,” which inspired the rather interesting name.

Virgin Gorda has a population of around 3000 people, including celebrities like Morgan Freeman and Richard Branson. A glimpse at the pristine beauty of the island and it’s easy to see why. White sand beaches, crystal blue ocean and a slow way of life are draw cards for those wanting a relaxing vacation or a complete sea change.

A Tour of The Baths is a popular way to see one of the area’s must-see sights – The Baths. Many cruise ships, including the Disney Cruise Line’s 7-Night Eastern Caribbean include this as a port of call option for an additional fee.

To get to The Baths from Tortola, the main port of call where cruise ships dock, it’s possible to go on the cheap and take the local ferry, but I would advise to just pay the bit extra to have the entire trip organised for you so there is zero stress involved. It’s quite a way from where the ferry lands on Virgin Gorda to The Baths and not much in the way of public or private transport options.

The half-day tour to Virgin Gorda begins with a scenic 40-minute cruise along the Sir Francis Drake Channel to Spanish Town, Virgin Gorda. Open-air safari buses await the cruise boat, ready to take its passengers on the short 20-minute drive through Spanish Town to an outlook over Savannah Bay for a photo stop.

It’s only a short drive further to the Top of the Baths, where a local tour guide meets the group and leads us down to The Baths. The path is somewhat rocky but doesn’t take more than 10 or 15 minutes, and is easy enough for my 4.5 year old to walk on her own.

The spectacularly beautiful Baths lies at the bottom of the path. There are waves to swim, boulders to climb and beaches to laze on. Paradise.

We journey further through narrow caves and water-filled grottos to find the pristine waters of Devil’s Bay on the other side.

This stunning beach is perfect for families with its gentle waves and soft sand.

The tour ends with a retracing of our steps. Back up to the car park, back on the safari buses, back onto the cruise boat, which speeds us back to our ship, just in time for lunch.

Tour To Virgin Gorda Tips
*Wear comfortable walking shoes as the path to The Baths is rough and uneven.
*Recommended age for the tour is 5 and up. Our 4.5 year old had no problem with the walk or the climb through the caves.
*Take plenty of drink bottles with water. Food from the ship is not allowed off the boat (such as fruit) so eat a hearty breakfast. We did take packaged crackers that we had taken aboard with us and were very grateful we did when our daughter badly needed food and there was nowhere to buy any.
*While our tour notes said a beverage (water, soda or fruit juice) is included, we were served the beverage on the cruise boat back to the ship at the very end of the tour, so taking lots of water is crucial.
*Additional food and drinks can be purchased at the Top of The Baths restaurant.
*Bathrooms/changing facilities and lockers are available at the beach; however, Guests are encouraged to wear a swimsuit underneath their clothes if wishing to swim at the beach as there are limited bathrooms and a long line to use them.
*Bring credit cards or cash for optional extras such as souvenirs.
*Pack a swim suit, sunscreen, sunglasses, additional clothing, hats, cameras, backpacks and towels.
*After swimming in the salty beach water you’ll want to rinse off – which was a problem when we visited as there was no running tap to use and we had to use the rest of our drinking water.

More info on the Tour to Virgin Gorda here.

A Disney Cruise Port of Call: Castaway Cay & Stingray Adventure

September 1, 2016 / Disney Cruises, Disney Travel / 8 Comments

Castaway Cay is a private island in the Bahamas reserved exclusively for Disney Cruise Line (DCL) guests on Bahamian and Caribbean cruises.

Because the island is only used by guests debarking from the Disney boats, it’s possible to enjoy a fun-filled day without spending an extra cent.

Many of the amenities on the island are FOC for DCL guests, such as tram transport to the different parts of the island, a full buffet lunch and beverage station, several gorgeous beaches, character meet and greets, child care for kids aged 3-12 at Scuttle’s Cove and the two water play areas, Pelican Plunge (more below) and Spring-a-leak, which we didn’t find on our day at Castaway Cove. Don’t have kids? Adults can enjoy Serenity Cove, the 18+ area on the island.

There is so much to do on this island, particularly for families, that many guests say it’s their fave place to stop even on repeat cruises.

Castaway Cay Stingray Adventure

On our Castaway Cay day we booked into the Castaway Cay Stingray Adventure, suitable for guests aged 5 and up. Despite Cheese being not quite 5, it was fine for her to join us.

We checked into Ray’s Stingray Hut straight off the boat and were given a very quick run down by the crew on how to put on our gear (lifejackets and snorkel equipment) and told the rules of how to handle the stingrays during the feeding, which was the first part of the adventure.

Into the water, we gathered around platforms thigh-deep in water and held pieces of slimy fish in our fingers for the stingrays to eat. While we waited for the rays to approach the platform a few of the more curious of the stingrays rubbed against our legs. Don’t worry – the stingrays here to not have stingers, making them completely harmless.

The stingrays caught the scent of food and slid themselves onto the platform to slurp up the food from our fingers, tickling out palms with their rubbery mouths. After the food supply ran out, we donned our snorkels and went for a swim to watch these amazing creatures underwater.

See our Castaway Cay adventures in the video below at 1:42.

Castaway Cay Beaches

The majority of people who visit Castaway Cay are content to just relax on the beach and paddle in the soft waves.

We hired a water tube for some serious floating action. There are several beaches to enjoy, all marked clearly on the island’s map, so while the beaches are busy you’d never guess that a few thousand people were there all at the same time.

The free tram makes it very easy to get between the beaches, and there are also plenty of shaded deck chairs available for lounging.

Pelican Plunge

After the free buffet lunch we walked to the Pelican Plunge to check out the water play area.

It looked a bit scary for our little one, so we contented ourselves with squirting the water guns over the side while watching people climb up and slide down the plunge adjacent.

Castaway Cay Tips
*No need to bring a towel – there are plenty of towels available on the island.
*Do bring sunscreen, hat, water shoes/thongs and a refillable water bottle to fill at the free beverage station.
*Head to the buffet either at the beginning or end of service when the queues are shorter.
*Bring some cash if you’re planning on shopping.
*There is occasionally sea lice in the water – you may want to buy some Sea Safe just incase. We didn’t have any problems with the sea lice.
*Head back to the ship early to ride the Aquaduck with zero queues!

Get more info on Castaway Cay here.

Journey To The Top Of Table Mountain, Cape Town

August 31, 2016 / Africa, Cape Town, South Africa, Travel / 0 comment

A journey up the mountain is a must for any visitor to Cape Town. The flat top peak of the mountain reaches 1,086m above sea level, so you’re guaranteed an incredible view of the entire city from up the top.

Getting up the top is half the fun! Catch the 360° rotating Table Mountain Cableway to the top of one of the oldest mountains in the world. The rotating cable car enables every person inside to see all view points during the ascent and descent – just keep your hands (and camera!) inside the windows.

Up the top of Table Mountain there are three easy three easy walking trails, or you can go rouge like the majority of people we saw up there, hopping from rock to rock like mountain goats.

Look for landmarks such as Robben island, Lion’s Head and the southern Cape – all of which are visible from the top.

Table Mountain is home to an incredibly diverse range of plant, animal and insect species, with many of the plant species found nowhere else in the world. The mountain’s vegetation types form part of the Cape Floral Region protected areas, which have been classified as a World Heritage Site.

More info:

Buy tickets online: http://www.tablemountain.net. Seasonal rates apply, kids under 4 are free.
More info:

Getting around
Use a metered taxi or Uber for taking short trips around Cape Town.

Where to stay:
While in the Cape Town City Centre, I stayed at the Westin Cape Town Hotel. The hotel is extremely modern, secure, and an easy walking distance to the stunning V & A Waterfront district.

My room was large and comfortable – with an incredible heated floor! I also enjoyed the hotel’s free wifi and helpful staff who gave us a plenty of assistance in getting around the city.

The daily buffet breakfast at the Westin was excellent, particularly the fresh fruit and yoghurts and omelette station.
More info: westincapetown.com

More info on my stay
I visited South Africa as part of the Australian Society Of Travel Writers’ annual general gathering. While my trip was supported by South Africa Tourism Australia, all opinions are my own.

Get ideas on more things to do in Cape Town here.

A Colourful Stroll Through Bo-Kaap, Cape Town

August 31, 2016 / Africa, Cape Town, South Africa, Travel / 0 comment

This little neighbourhood of Cape Town, situated on the slopes of Signal Hill above the city centre, is an Instagrammer’s dream come true. Bo-Kaap, with its colourful houses all shades of pink, green, yellow and blue, has become a must-visit for visitors to Cape Town both due to its vibrant colour combinations and also because of its historical significance.

Bo-Kaap is a former township* formerly known as the Malay Quarter. It is an historical centre of Cape Malay culture in Cape Town, with the Nurul Islam Mosque, established in 1844, located in the area.

After the demise of forced racial separation under the apartheid laws, Bo-Kaap has become much sought after for property, due to it’s location, architecture and cobble stoned streets.

*In South Africa, the term township and location usually refers to the (often underdeveloped) urban living areas that, from the late 19th century until the end of Apartheid, were reserved for non-whites (black Africans, Coloureds and Indians). Townships were usually built on the periphery of towns and cities.

More info:

Getting around
Use a metered taxi or Uber for taking short trips around Cape Town.

My room was large and comfortable – with an incredible heated floor! I also enjoyed the hotel’s free wifi and helpful staff who gave us a plenty of assistance in getting around the city.

The daily buffet breakfast at the Westin was excellent, particularly the fresh fruit and yoghurts and omelette station.
More info: westincapetown.com

See more of Cape Town’s history with a visit to Robben Island.

Street Art in Cape Town: A Walking Tour of Woodstock

August 31, 2016 / Africa, Cape Town, South Africa, Travel / 2 Comments

One of Cape Town’s oldest suburbs, Woodstock has undergone a dramatic transformation in recent years from a run down town filled with litter, crime and drugs, to becoming a hip neighbourhood with trendy restaurants, offices and boutiques.

The regeneration of Woodstock comes in part thanks to the Woodstock street art project that began in 2009, where locals like our walking tour guide, Juma, decided to take art from its traditional setting indoors, to the great outdoors. “We wanted to put art on the street to inspire people,” said Juma, as he explained the beginnings of the project at the start of our tour. “This way, everyone owns the art”.

With the lofty goal to change the neighbourhood through beautiful, socially conscious murals, Juma and his collaborators invited established artists from all over the world to contribute to the project.

The result is over 100 murals and installations by 40 artists, with topics ranting from the political, such as the tribute to the Sharpeville massacre by Freddy Sam that we see in the parking lot at the start of the tour, to the ecological and educational.

The murals are painted all over the streets – on fences, houses and shops. “Permission is asked and rarely denied”, says Juma.

While you can absolutely take yourself on a street art walking tour of Woodstock, the experience is enriched with the correct context applied to each work.

The success of the Woodstock street art project is evident in the vibrant atmosphere to be found in the streets and converted warehouses, which are filled with young professionals, urban hipsters and plenty of tourists.

More info:

Juma’s Woodstock Street Art Walking Tour runs four times a day in summer and four times a week in winter. For an additional cost, participants can paint their own mural in the neighbourhood.

To book a street art walking tour of Woodstock contact Juma directly on juma.mkwela@gmail.com or +27734004064. Get more details online.

Distance from Cape Town City Centre to Woodstock: 3.5km

Getting around
Use a metered taxi or Uber for taking short trips around Cape Town. For longer journeys, such as the Capes and Boulders Beach, either hire a car and self-drive or book an escorted tour. We travelled with the very knowledgable and kind Francois from Hylton Ross.

Where to stay:
While in the Cape Town City Centre, I stayed at the Westin Cape Town Hotel. The hotel is extremely modern, secure, and an easy walking distance to the stunning V & A Waterfront district.

My room was large and comfortable – with an incredible heated floor! I also enjoyed the hotel’s free wifi and helpful staff who gave us a plenty of assistance in getting around the city.

The daily buffet breakfast at the Westin was excellent, particularly the fresh fruit and yoghurts and omelette station.
More info: westincapetown.com

The Best of Cape Town for Wine Lovers

August 31, 2016 / Africa, Cape Town, South Africa, Travel / 0 comment

The Durbanville Wine Valley is renowned for the quality of wine produced, as well as the delicious food offered at the winery restaurants. I had the pleasure of visiting a few truly unique wineries on my visit to Cape Town, that I would highly recommend to fellow travellers to the regions.

Diemersdal Wine Farm
Diemersdal sits on an estate that back to 1698 and has been owned and operated by the Louw family. for six generations. The winery specialises in sauvignon, with 6 different versions from the farm’s vineyards available for tasting.

The winery also operates the popular Diemersdal Farm Eatery in the estate’s converted stable. Sit down to a hearty family-style meal Tuesday to Saturday and enjoy locally grown and regionally sourced produce.

Sundays the farm holds their special traditional roast which is reservation only and a bargain at only $22AUD per person.
More info: diemersdal.co.za

Klein Roosboom
The most unique wine and cheese tasting experience you’ll find on the Cape, Klein Roosboom is a quirky, truly unique place to unwind with friends or on a special date for two.

Order a delectable cheese and charcuterie platter made from locally sourced produce, paired perfectly with the vineyard’s wine, which is delightfully named after family members. A platter for two will set you back around $17AUD, while the wine tasting is $3 for seven wines, $4 for nine.

If you’re after bit of a romantic atmosphere, book one of the special little nook rooms which look like holes in the wall from the outside, and are cosy on the inside.
More info: kleinroosboom.co.za

Taking the kids with you?
While I did not visit either of these wineries with my child on this trip, I would absolutely take children to either, particularly when dining in. Klein Roosboom even had a small kids’ playground outside.

Have more time in Cape Town and want to sip a few more wines? Check out:

Durbanville Hills
A luxurious winery with an uninterrupted view of Table Mountain.
More info: durbanvillehills.co.za

Groot Constantia
The oldest wine estate in South Africa and home to the delicious Jonkershuis restaurant.
More info on the winery: grootconstantia.co.za
More info on the restaurant: jonkershuisconstantia.co.za

Where to stay
I stayed at the brand new, beautiful Bliss Boutique Hotel. This five star luxury hotel has stunning views of Table Mountain, Table Bay, Robben Island and the Atlantic Ocean.

Located 20 minutes from the centre of Cape Town, Bliss is ideal for visitors who want to escape the hustle of the city and relax in the quiet neighbourhood of Sunset Beach.

The location is also ideal for visiting the nearby Durbanville wine region. Don’t miss the private path to Sunset beach over the sand dunes for an early morning walk. The view is extraordinary.

Visiting Cape Town and looking for great places to eat? Check out the 2 Food Trippers food guide to Cape Town.

More info
I visited South Africa as part of the Australian Society Of Travel Writers’ annual general gathering. While my trip was supported by South Africa Tourism Australia, all opinions are my own.

Best of Cape Town for Lovers of Nature and Wildlife

August 26, 2016 / Africa, Cape Town, South Africa, Travel / 2 Comments

Lions may not roam the streets of Cape Town, but the city and its surrounds are a nature-lover’s delight. There are plenty of places on the Cape to get up and close with wild animals or discover beautiful plants that grow nowhere else in the world.

Cape Point
Ride the Flying Dutchman Funicular to the top of Cape Point, over 200 metres above sea level. Cape Point is located in the southern region of Table Mountain National Park, where the natural vegetation of the area, called Fynbos, comprises the smallest but richest of the world’s six floral kingdoms. There are 9,000 plant species found here, making the cape not only a dramatic meeting of rugged cliffs and ocean, but also a vibrant landscape of colourful flowers in the springtime.

Walking back down the cape along the easy walking path, watch out for the cheeky baboon colony who call this area their home.
More info: capepoint.co.za

Cape of Good Hope
The most south-western point in Africa, Cape of Good Hope has the most instagrammed sign in the South Africa, with a queue of people wanting a selfie at all times of the day. We bypassed the line and instead strolled up the Cape on the lookout for a few of the 250 species of birds who call the national park home.

While my untrained eyes don’t see any birds of note, I do spot some of the small animals who are abundant in this area – antelope, ostriches, Rock Hyrax (also called a “dassie”, it looks like a small wombat crossed with a quokka) and even some seals. Herds of Zebra are also known to live in the area, plus otters, mongoose, tortoises, snakes and lizards. Between June and November the cape is an excellent vantage point for spotting the Southern Right Whale.

Boulders Beach
This tiny cove, nestled between Simon’s Town and Cape Point, is one of the few sites where the African Penguin colony can be seen up close in the wild. What was once a 1.5-million strong population of African Penguins has dwindled in recent years to around 50,000, placing the breed on the endangered species list.

African Penguins are active on the beach during the day, with a few hundred spotted swimming, fishing and generally lounging in the ocean and dunes when we visited. Entrance to Boulders Beach is 65RAN (around $6.5 AUD).
More info: http://www.capetown.travel

Table Mountain
Catch the 360° rotating Table Mountain Cableway to the top of one of the oldest mountains in the world. Take in the scenery on one of three easy walking trails at the peak – landmarks such as Robben island, Lion’s Head and even the southern Cape are visible from the top.

Table Mountain is also home to an incredibly diverse range of plant, animal and insect species, with many of the plant species found nowhere else in the world.
More info: http://www.tablemountain.net

A handsome malachite sunbird collecting nectar from a protea in Kirstenbosch Gardens. Kirstenbosch Gardens is a real treat for bird lovers & you will not be disappointed! . . #kirstenbosch #kirstenboschgardens #capetown #capetownisfun #southafrica #westerncape #flora #fauna #protea #spring #summer #gardening #urbangarden #garden #sunbird #turquoise #birds #malachite #birdwatching #nectar #floral

A photo posted by Cape Town Is Fun (@capetownisfun) on Aug 24, 2016 at 2:04am PDT

Kirstenbosch
The Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden sits in the heart of the Cape Floral Kingdom, against the eastern slopes of Cape Town’s Table Mountain. Established in 1913, it is the first botanic garden in the world to be included within a natural World Heritage Site.

In the Kirstenbosch gardens.. ⋅ ⋅ ⋅ #capetown #kaapstad #kirstenbosch #nature #beautiful #rainy

A photo posted by Gert ?? ??? (@eliteop) on Aug 25, 2016 at 11:33am PDT

Over 7,000 species of plants are carefully nurtured at Kirstenbosch, many of them classified as rare and threatened.
More info: http://www.sanbi.org/gardens/kirstenbosch

Where to stay
I stayed at the brand new, beautiful Bliss Boutique Hotel. This five star luxury hotel has stunning views of Table Mountain, Table Bay, Robben Island and the Atlantic Ocean.

Located 20 minutes from the centre of Cape Town, Bliss is ideal for visitors who want to escape the hustle of the city and relax in the quiet neighbourhood of Sunset Beach.

The location is also ideal for visiting the nearby Durbanville wine region. Don’t miss the private path to Sunset beach over the sand dunes for an early morning walk. The view is extraordinary.

Find out where else you can see wildlife in Africa here.

Disneyland Planning Tips: How To Have The Best Disneyland Holiday Ever

August 25, 2016 / California, Disney Travel, Disneyland, Theme Parks, Travel, USA / 8 Comments

Disneyland is magical for adults and kids alike. It’s such an incredibly designed place that keeps the magic of childhood well and truly alive, through rides, entertainment and live characters. Disneyland is also a place that requires a lot of planning to get the most out of. I hope my tips will help you plan your perfect Disneyland holiday.

Disneyland Planning Tips: How To have The Best Disneyland Holiday Ever

What age is best for Disneyland?

Honestly, any age! Disneyland caters to all ages from 0-100 as long as you love Disney. I’ve been as an adult without kids, with a 2 year old, and most recently with my almost 5-year-old. Each time is different but equally enjoyable.

What time of year should we go?

Disneyland is gorgeous to visit all-year round. They have special seasonal events around Halloween and Christmas in particular, making these two times of year a really special time to visit. Check out the crowds at the time of year you’re considering visiting at this website – if you can visit during a slower time, I would suggest doing so. We have visited twice in June or July and both times it has been very hot and very busy.

Where should we stay?

There are so many choices! Disneyland have their own hotels that are on the park grounds and give you special benefits – the biggest two being early entry into the parks every day (an hour before general admission) and a special entry to Disney California Adventure Park through Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa so you’ll never have to line up. While the Disneyland hotels also offer other great features that carry the Disney magic to all areas of your stay, they are also the pricey accomodation option – so if you’re on a budget you’ll want to consider staying at a “good neighbor” hotel instead.

All the benefits of staying at a Disneyland hotel

We have stayed at the Grand Californian Hotel and loved it. You can read our review of the Grand Californian Hotel & Spa here.

We have stayed at three different “good neighbor” hotels, the Howard Johnson Hotel and Water Park, the Carousel Inn and Suites and the Grand Legacy at the Park. All three were half the price of the Disneyland hotels and had excellent locations – directly across the road from Disneyland, making our commute each morning a mere 5 minutes walk.

You can read our review of the Howard Johnson Hotel and Water Park here and of the Grand Legacy at the Park here.

How long should we stay for?

We have stayed for three days twice and four days once (with the Halloween party taking up one day). We spent one day each at Disneyland and California Adventure park, and one day hopping between the two. If you buy tickets for three or more consecutive days, you get a magic morning included, where you can enter Disneyland an hour early on a designated day. Ideally I would suggest going for five days as we always feel like there’s never enough time to fit in everything.

What’s a “magic morning”?

Magic mornings are the days when you can enter the park at 7am instead of 8am, which is when the parks usually open. You need to have a 3+ day pass to be able to use a magic morning early entry. Magic mornings are held on Tuesdays, Thursday and Saturdays. It’s recommended that you arrive an hour and a quarter before the regular park opening.

We didn’t have magic mornings with our first two trips and we went to California Adventure park that day instead – which turned out to be a brilliant choice as the park was pretty much empty – everyone was at Disneyland using their magic morning!

What’s “early magic hour”?

Guests of the Disney hotels can enter the parks an hour early on designated days – ahead of the Magic Morning entry. Early Magic Hour applies to both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park. Check here for the current EMH schedule.

What tickets should we get?

You have a choice between single park passes, which allow you entry into one park per day, or “park hoppers” which let you go back and forth between the parks. If you buy multi day passes (which is the cheapest way to buy tickets), you will have to choose between the two types, you can’t mix and match. With older kids, I’d recommend park hoppers, particularly if you will be there three days. I found a full day at each park was perfect, plus that extra day to jump between the two and finish up a few things we missed or wanted to do again.

I always advise buying tickets at least a few days in advance. While the queues have always been short to buy tickets when we’ve arrived, it just cuts out one extra step to get into the park. When you buy a ticket online you can choose an eTicket which you then present on your phone (or printed out) at the gates for entry.

More info on ticket types and prices

What time of day should I arrive?

The parks open at different times throughout the year – anywhere between 8am and 10am. My best advice on getting the most out of a Disneyland day is to arrive well before the park opens. At least 30 minutes. It can take quite a while to get through security, and also through the gates. When you use your tickets for the first time, you will have a photo taken and linked online to your pass, and you will need to sign the tickets they give you – all making the entry process that much longer.

We enjoyed the early mornings the most as there were the fewest people in the park, so lines were shorter.

Check the Disneyland calendar here to find out what time the park opens for your visit.

How do I plan a day at Disneyland?

My best advice is to plan to do all the rides first thing in the morning. As soon as the gates open, go straight to the rides you want to do the most that are the most popular rides, and either do the rides immediately, or get a FASTPASS (see more below) to return and do the ride later without having to line up to do so.

We spent the first three hours just doing all of the rides, then took a break for lunch and spent the afternoons watching shows, meeting characters, shopping, eating ice cream, and watching the parades.

Find out the height requirement for rides in advance and plan accordingly!

This site gives you the average wait time for each ride, so you can see which ones are the most popular.

What is a FASTPASS?

A FASTPASS lets you skip the queue for the most popular rides at the park. Look for the FASTPASS Distribution sign near the entrance of an attraction, check the Return Time displayed on the sign, insert your Disneyland Resort admission ticket into the FASTPASS machine and take with you the FASTPASS ticket it spits out, printed with your return time. Then return to the ride during your time window at any time, show your FASTPASS ticket to the Cast Member at the entrance to the ride, and enjoy a minimal wait. Note: You can only have one FASTPASS at a time.

Disneyland has also introduced MaxPass as a way of making it easier to secure FASTPASS tickets.

Attractions that have FASTPASS
Entertainment that has FASTPASS

Find out more about FASTPASS!

What is MaxPass?

Add Disney MaxPass to your park tickets for $15 per person, per day to receive all of the Disney PhotoPass photos taken during the day (the photos taken by the Disneyland park photographers), plus the ability to reserve digital Disney FASTPASS tickets directly from your mobile device using the Disneyland App while you’re in the parks. This saves having to run to the various ticket machines in the park in person.

Disney MaxPass = Disney PhotoPass Downloads + Digital FASTPASS Selections

Get more info on MaxPass here

What are some tips for watching the parades?

The parades are incredibly popular, with people staking out their front row spots over 45 minutes before the parade begins. If you watch carefully around the park from an hour before the parades start, Disneyland staff will begin marking out the areas for crowd control. Grab a spot on a bench or on the gutter edge and either all sit with some snacks and wait, or leave one adult there while the rest of the family entertain themselves in other ways while you’re waiting.

The parades wind their way from the back of the park to the front, so if the start time is 4:30pm, it will reach around the front of the park around 4:45-4:50pm.

Can we take food and drink into the park?

Yes you can. Take a large refillable water bottle – you can refill with water at any drink station through out the parks. You can also ask for cups of ice water at any restaurant/fast food outlet. You are allowed to take whatever food and snacks you like into the park, which is a great way to cut down on costs. We didn’t take many snacks with us as we were staying at a very basic hotel with nowhere to keep food. We ate park food all day and didn’t find it overly expensive.

Should I take a stroller?

If your child fits in one, absolutely yes. Many hours of walking will tired even older children. There is stroller parking at every ride, and every restaurant/facility is stroller-accessible. I also like having a stroller to put our stuff in, like water bottles and snacks, and the canopy provides much needed shade during the heat.

Effective May 1, 2019, strollers that are greater than 31” in width and 52” in length will be prohibited. Stroller wagons will also be prohibited.

Read about Disneyland’s stroller restrictions here.

Should I use the Disneyland photographers?

Personally, I always utilise the Disneyland photography service, called PhotoPass. For $39 a day you can download all of the images taken by the Disneyland photographers. The photographers are scattered around both parks all throughout the day and take some really great quality photos – with the entire family in them! I love that I can get out whole family in the same shot with zero effort, and I also like to leave my giant SLR camera at home and just take my point and shoot with me, knowing the Disneyland photographers will have their excellent cameras to snap portraits for me that save me lugging around my behemoth for the day.

At time of editing (Sept 2017), purchasing a MaxPass for $10 per person, per day also gives you the PhotoPass images. If you have three or less people in your group, this is the way to go.

When getting your photo taken, you can either download the Disneyland app to your phone and present the app to the photographer and add the photos to your account, or the photographer will give you a small card with a bar code that you can then add into your account yourself later on.

You can take the cards to a Disneyland PhotoPass store to buy the images at the park, or log into the Disneyland PhotoPass website later to buy and download them.

How do I keep on top of what’s happening during the day?

I love the excellent (free) Disneyland app. It allowed me to see the wait times on every ride, has a map with a compass so you know where you are, and also shows what characters are where for meet and greets, where food outlets and bathrooms are, and times for entertainment such as shows and parades.

How do I meet characters at Disneyland?

Characters roam around the parks all day. Some have designated spots and times that you can find either on the app or by asking at Guest Services inside the park. The core characters such as Minnie, Mickey and friends and the princesses have designated places where they can be found.

Others simply roam and you have to be lucky to spot them, such as Alice in Wonderland and the Mad Hatter, and Mary Poppins. If you want an easy way to meet lots of the characters all together, book in for a character Breakfast or dinner.

What are the character dining options?

There are five character dining options at Disneyland. One is inside the park: Minnie & Friends at the Plaza Inn, which is available for breakfast/brunch. This character dining experience requires a park ticket to attend.

Minnie & Friends is our top pick as it has the most variety and volume of characters. We met Minnie Mouse, plus core Disney faves like Donald Duck, Hook and Chip & Dale, Winnie the Pooh and Eeyore. Peter Pan, Rafiki and other lesser characters also feature.

Review of Minnie & Friends at the Plaza Inn

Outside the park there are three options:

Goofy’s Kitchen at the Disneyland Hotel, which is open for breakfast and dinner. This is the only character dining experience which is open for dinner. We met Mickey, Minnie, Chip, Dale, Pluto and Goofy.

Review of Goofy’s Kitchen at the Disneyland Hotel

Mickey’s Tales of Adventures at the Grand Californian. This is a fun buffet experience with Mickey, Minnie, Chip, Dale and Pluto. Breakfast/brunch only.

Review of Mickey’s Tales of Adventure at the Grand Californian

Donald Duck’s Seaside Breakfast and Brunch at Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel. Daisy and Stitch are at this dining experience.

More info on Donald Duck’s Seaside Breakfast and Brunch here.

Disney Princess Breakfast Adventures at the Napa Rose, Grand Californian. This is the only princess-themed dining experience. It’s a pricey meal with plenty of interactions and take-home gifts.

More info the Princess Breakfast here.

Book in for a character Breakfast or dinner here.

How do I meet the Disney princesses?

You can meet three princesses at any time of day at the Fantasy Faire inside Fantasyland, Disneyland. The princesses change regularly so you won’t know which ones will be there until you go inside.

The princesses are in seperate rooms and you walk around to meet them one at a time. You can also happen upon princesses outside Cinderella’s Castle – we found Aurora this way. As of Jan 2018, this is the only way to meet multiple princesses at the same venue.

Princesses also roam around the park. Check the app to see where they will appear and when.

You can also book in for the Disney Princess Breakfast Adventures at the Napa Rose, Grand Californian. This is the only princess-themed dining experience. It’s a pricey meal with plenty of interactions and take-home gifts.

More info the Princess Breakfast here.

What about Anna and Elsa?

The sisters are located inside the Animation Academy in California Adventure Park, and are the only princesses you meet together. We really enjoyed meeting Anna and Elsa – they have a great repartee together, making the sisters a really fun duo to chat with.

Is there any thing else “Frozen”?

Yes, there is a fantastic new live “Frozen” show in the Hyperion Theatre in California Adventure Park. the show goes for an hour, and runs several times a day.

I would advise returning to line up for the show 40 minutes before start time to guarantee a decent seat. The show is excellent, and does a fantastic job of telling the Frozen story minus the scary bits.

More info on Frozen – Live at the Hyperion Theater

What is the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique?

This is a must (but pricey) experience for little girls who want a princess makeover. You can read about our experience and more info on the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique here.

Do you have any questions about how to plan the perfect Disneyland holiday?

More Disneyland tips

Tips on the best things to do at Disneyland with little kids

How to survive (and enjoy!) Disneyland with a toddler

Get ready for your Disney trip with these packing tips

Celebrating the holidays at Disneyland

Celebrating Halloween at Disneyland

A guide to the best desserts at Disneyland

24 Hours in Johannesburg

August 25, 2016 / Africa, Johannesburg, South Africa, Travel / 4 Comments

“Joburg” as the city is colloquially known, is South Africa’s largest city, with roots as a 19th-century gold-mining settlement.

It’s an historic city that has much to offer visitors in terms of culture and its important links to the past, as well as being under intense modern rejuvenation.

A visit to South Africa isn’t complete without at least a stopover in Johannesburg, so here are a few ideas on how to spent 24 hours in this exciting town.

Morning
Kick off the day with a visit to Neighbourgoods Market in Braamfontein. The market is a popular place for locals to buy fresh food and locally made jewellery and clothing, as well as being a spot for enjoying a coffee with friends.

Be sure to try the food – I really enjoyed a slab of halloumi covered in filo pastry and a fruit tart with strawberry pastry creme. The scarves and jewellery on the second floor are also hard to resist.

Late morning / lunch
Take a stroll through the Maboneng Precinct, the centrepiece of the city’s regeneration project. The precinct is a mix of creative office spaces used by start ups, galleries, shops and restaurants.

Before you stop for lunch at one of the many modern cafes that line the streets, duck into the gallery on Fox Street that houses the “I Was Shot In Joburg” photography project/retail store. The project teaches the formerly homeless youth of the city to to take photographs of their neighbourhood and make a profit from it.

Afternoon
A visit to Johannesburg isn’t complete without a tour of Soweto.

The town (its name is an acronym for “South-Western Townships”) began as a settlement for native African workers during the gold mining period and became a separate residential area for blacks in the 1950s under the apartheid segregation laws, when they were not permitted to live in Johannesburg proper anymore.

The township was at the centre of the apartheid uprising during the 1970s, and is nowadays home to around about a third of the population of Joburg, with a mix of upper class business people, poverty stricken lower classes and vibrant restaurants and clubs. While the apartheid laws have been removed, the township remains a largely area, with a strong sense of community.

Soweto’s Vilakazi Street is the only street in the world to have been home to two Nobel Peace Prize Winners – Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu. The Nelson Mandela House is now a museum paying homage to his life.

While we did an exhilarating quad bike tour of Soweto with Soweto Outdoor Adventures that enabled us to cover a great distance over a thrilling mix of off roading and main roads, if you prefer to move at a slower pace you might want to try an immersive cycle tour (get more info on the cycle tour on Jayne from Girl Tweet’s World’s post).

Evening
For a truly iconic African experience, dine at Moyo Melrose Arch and enjoy live stage bands playing African music while diving into delicious local cuisine. The amazing face painting is just an added bonus.

Where to stay
I stayed at the Protea Hotel Fire and Ice, Melrose Arch.

This Hollywood-themed hotel has rooms outfitted with legends such as Audrey Hepburn, gorgeous modern decor and killer milkshakes (you absolutely must try their milkshake bar). The Protea Fire & Ice features 197 luxurious rooms with all the modern amenities you’d expect from a four-star hotel such as air conditioning, free (although a bit dodgy) WiFi and a delicious breakfast buffet complete with omelet bar. The location is pretty spot on too – it’s located 10.4 km from Johannesburg city centre in the trendy Melrose Arch shopping district.
22 Whitely Street, Johannesburg, 2076, ZA

Getting around
Use taxis or Uber to get from your hotel to Maboneng and the Neighbourgoods Market. I highly suggest booking a local tour to see Soweto.

More info
I visited South Africa as part of the Australian Society Of Travel Writers’ annual general gathering. While my trip was supported by South Africa Tourism Australia, all opinions are my own.