Pack your own food: the cost of food at a theme park, regardless of which one, is going to be extremely high. To get a child’s hot dog, a small bag of apple slices, and a drink (kid size) is going to cost you $7. The fact is that there are far better ways to spend your money when at the parks. You are allowed to bring food into the park, and so you should. Pack a water bottle, or beverage for each person, and some sandwiches, as well as a few other snacks. This will be easy to take in, you can put it all in a backpack or stroller. You will save a lot of money that way. Just be careful not to pack something that will go back if it is not refrigerated. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, some chips, crackers, fruit snacks, granola bars, etc. are all great options. You will not even feel like you are missing out because in addition to the savings on the cost of the food, you will save time too. You can eat while you wait in line for rides, while you take the train from one side of the park to another, or while you walk between attractions. Instead of waiting in long food lines, you eat right away for a fraction of the price.

Use FastPass, Rider Switch Passes, etc.: Disneyland is extremely family friendly, and they have set up several services to make it as convenient as possible for families with small children. The more popular rides offer what is called a Fast Pass. You insert your ticket, and you get a pass. Then you can come back to the ride an hour later, and you have an hour window to return, where you get to go to the fast line, instead of the standby waiting line. This can cut several hours out of your waiting time if you take advantage of it, and use it the whole day. If you really like a ride, grab an additional Fast Pass to come back and do it later. If you have children not tall enough for a ride, you can get what is called a Rider Switch pass that allows part of your party to ride, then the part that stayed off with the kids to get in the fast line to ride once you are done. This makes it possible for the adults to enjoy the rides that their kids can’t ride, without having to wait in long lines twice. For the parades, many people stake their spot and start waiting an hour or more before they start. If you visit guest relations, and ask for a reserved spot, they will reserve one for you, and you can ride rides and visit attractions for the time you would have been waiting, then simply go back ten minutes before the parade starts and be escorted to your reserved spot.

Don’t wait in line for characters: Some of the longest lines at Disneyland are those to see the Princesses and other characters. The trick is to wait outside of the lines. The characters switch off every hour or so, so if you wait by the changing area you can catch them coming or going rather than waiting in a long line. You often get more face time, and better photos this way as well.

So, what can you do to see the most characters during your stay at Disneyland, and make the most of your time to see them as well?

One of the best things you can do to see the most characters is to simply read the information you get when you enter the gate. The park has various places that have character visits all day long. If you know where they will be and when you can plan your day accordingly, and visit the rides that are close to it and that way you still get to have fun, and see the characters without wasting tons of time in line. If your child has a favorite character, and you want to make sure they get to see them, call Guest services, or guest relations, and ask when and where that character will be at the park. Then plan your day to help you get to see them.  The guest services is there to help you and help make sure your experience is awesome, so take advantage of it.

Wait by the entrance. Another thing you can do is chill out near the places where the characters come and go, when they are switching places. In some instances you will be able to see far more characters, and not have to wait in any lines at all.  The characters are really nice, and even though they are going to try and get back into the changing areas, etc. they will be nice enough to pose for a few pictures, and give your kids a hug or two.

Eat at Ariel’s Gratta. The Disney Princesses are a big draw, many little girls come dressed up to the parks, looking like their favorite Disney Princess. The problem is that often times the line to see them is long, and you only get to see 3, so if your favorite princess is not there, you are just out of luck. It costs over $30 a person to eat at the Gratta, but the princesses will all come to your table, and you get to see several of them, not just 3.

Go to the shows. There are several shows that go on during the day both at the Disney park and at California Adventure. Usually during the shows certain characters will come out on stage, and after the show you get to see them, get their autographs, and take pictures with them. This is a fun way to see the characters, and catch a show at the same time.

Places: Disneyland, like most theme parks, has several food stands serving traditional American foods, aka, hot dogs hamburgers, French fries, etc. However, in addition to that, they have some specialty dining places. For example, they have a restaurant that is partially in the Pirates of the Carribean ride. They have a few other specialty places that incorporate the theme of the part of the park they are in.  In addition to that there are some places at the neighboring park, California Adventure. The most popular place there is called Aerial’s Gratta. It is a multiple course meal that is served with visits from the Disney Princesses.  Most of these specialty dining places require a reservation to be made. They are pricy, and are more focused on the dining experience, then on the food.

In addition to the many places you can get food, there are ice cream carts, snack carts, and beverage carts located throughout the parks. There are even some ice cream shops, etc.

When you are at the Disneyland park there is no where that serves alcohol, however, at California Adventure, there is a winery.

Tips: When it comes to eating at Disney land there are a few tips you may want to consider.

First, whether you purchase food, or bring your own, consider eating it in line. This means you get to ride more rides, and do more things.  Some times the wait is over half an hour, so send someone to get food while the rest of you wait in line, then eat as you move forward.

Second, bring your own drinks. Beverages are really expensive, but it is important to stay hydrated, especially on hot days. Dehydration will make your visit to the park not very fun. However, warm drinks are not good either. So, freeze your drinks, and take them to the park frozen as they will thaw as you go through the park, and you will have a nice cold drink all day long. Just remember to take a few sips out before you freeze it, as liquid expands as it freezes.

Third, make your reservations early. At the specialty restaurants, like Aerial’s Gratta, the space is limited, and goes quickly. If you do not want to eat lunch at a random time like 3:45, then make your reservation early in the day, so that you get in at the time that will best suit you and your family.

Fourth: Save time and a lot of money by simply bringing your own food into the park. They do not forbid it, and it will save you a lot, and allow you to spend your money on a fun ice cream cone, or frozen lemonade instead of a $7 hot dog.  Just remember, things like Tuna sandwiches do not keep well if you do not have them in a cooler, so take a cooler, or pack peanut butter.

Tickets:
First, look for ways to get your tickets cheaper than buying them at the gate. The cost at the gate for a two day park hopper is $143. If you were to go to eBay and buy your tickets, you could save yourself about half of that. If you want to save money on tickets, try options like the Southern California resident discounts. Or, buy your tickets with someone else. Check Craigslist, eBay, and other auction and classified sites to find tickets at a discount. Buy them with other tickets, such as through the Southern California City Pass, or by purchasing tickets through Costco, etc.

Stay:
The closer you are to Disneyland, the more expensive it is, in most cases. The places around Disneyland are big resorts, and most offer on site amenities. However, if you plan to be at the park all day, you really do not need fancy pools, game rooms, lounges, etc. So, stay somewhere not as nice, as you won’t be in your room anyway. Use a time share, stay with family, etc. Or, combine your ticket package with a hotel package and get the whole thing for a nice discount.

Food:
One of the best ways to save money on a Disney vacation is with food. To feed someone at the Disney park is going to cost you $8 or more minimum. So, for a family of 4, that is $36. You could pack an awesome picnic for half that price. Take food with you, drinks, and snacks, and you will save a whole bunch on the high cost of eating at a theme park. Freeze your water bottle, or drink before you go, and it will stay cold all day. Take a backpack with some chips, pretzels, fruit snacks, peanut butter sandwiches, juice boxes, etc. in it, and eat while you wait in line for rides, or walk from one attraction to the next. You really won’t feel like you are missing out, and you will save a TON of money on food.

Souvenirs:
Disney souvenirs are half the fun of going to Disneyland, but a T-shirt will cost you $25, so for a family of 4 that is $100 more. A better option is to take a favorite Disney item with you to the park, and get it signed by a character. This still gives you the memory, but costs a lot less. Or, opt for one of the less expensive options, like a ring, bracelet, etc. over a stuffed animal or toy.  Pictures make great memories too, so forgo the souvenirs, and just be sure to frame their favorite picture when you get home.

How fast pass works? The way Fast pass works is that you can get a Fast Pass by inserting your ticket into the machine. You get one pass per ticket. It prints the time you can use the pass, and when you are able to use it, you have a one hour window where you are allowed to get in the fast line, rather than the stand by line. This means that you can get a fast pass, and then go do other rides, and see other attractions, and then come back and get in the quick line. This line usually has significantly less people then the other line, and you get priority. It does not guarantee you will be in the front of the line, but it does cut your wait time down significantly, and depending on the day and time you go, it can mean no wait at all.

If you get your Fast pass at 9:05, you can use it between 10:05 and 11:05. So, you can’t use it for an hour, and you get one hour to use it. You can only get one fast pass per hour per ticket.

How to use it most effectively? In order to make the system effective for you, and to help keep you out of lines, first you need to know which rides have the Fast Pass capability, and which are available on the day you go. The print out that comes with the map you get when you enter the park will have that information on it.

One of the best ways to make fast pass work for you is to get in line for something else, and send someone in your group to get the Fast Pass tickets while you wait. Then, take advantage of rides or attractions with shorter wait times while you are waiting for your fast pass to become active. The passes are free, and come with the ticket purchase, so if you enjoy the ride, get more passes, and hit it up again after doing some other rides.

Is it worth it? To get a fast pass takes only a few moments, and can save you several minutes in line, so it is worth it, especially if the fast pass lines are short. There is no obligation to use the pass, and no penalty if you do not, so there is no risk, and only reward for getting them.

Other options: There are a few other ways to cut your wait time in lines down. One, you can rent a wheel chair, and that allows you to go to the handicap access for lines that are not handicap accessible. This can reduce your wait significantly on a busy day, and costs about $65.

Families with disabled, autistic, etc. children can get passes to help them avoid lines, free of charge if you have proof of the disability.

If you have small children you can get a ride switch pass that allows part of your party to use the fast pass line, whether it is open or not, as the other part of your party stays with the kids.

1. eBay. There are several people who will sell you Disneyland tickets on eBay. These are usually tickets that they got as a gift, the remaining days on a multiple day Park Hopper pass, or through someone who gets them at a discount already.  In some cases there are some stipulations on these tickets. For example, the person selling the ticket may require you to meet them outside of the park to pick up the tickets, and meet them after you are finished at the park to return them. Sometimes this makes the tickets seem a little sketchy but the fact is, they are usually legitimate.  The cost per ticket on these auctions usually ends up being about $50 a day, which is a savings, but may not be the cheapest option out there. However, if you only want to go for one day, this is probably the cheapest option.
2. Multiple day passes. One great way to get cheaper Disneyland tickets is to go in with someone that is planning a trip near the same time you are. You can get multiple day park hopper passes that allow you into both Disneyland and California Adventure for a set number of days.  If you do this and split the cost the per day entry is going to be significantly less. For example, you can get a 6 day park hopper pass for just under $200 for an adult. This makes the per day entrance cost about $33. If you were to buy a one day pass you would spend $69 for one park or $94 for both. These passes have to be used within 14 days of the first use, and so you have to make sure your dates coordinate in such a way to make it possible. If you do not know anyone who is going, or who will split a pass with you, you can always post an ad on Craigslist or a similar online classifieds site, and will generally get a taker willing to split the cost with you. A  3 day ticket is going to cost an adult about $179, so if you were to add 3 more days it would only be an additional $30-$40, making it well worth it if you can find someone to split it with you.
3. Southern California City Pass. This is a promotional pass that includes entrance into many of the various attractions in Southern California, such as Sea World, etc. It gets you entrance into 5 places, and one of those is a 3 day park hopper pass. The cost for this is about $250 for an adult, which means you get several days worth of fun for one low price. If you are going to be staying in the area about a week, this is a great way to save money, see Disneyland, and do other things as well.

Disneyland:

Disneyland is a great park that is very family friendly. With plenty of rides for every age.  There are some great places to eat. There are character meetings on a regular basis. There are some shows, and shops, etc.

Disneyland offers a historical value, with rides like “It’s a Small World” that have been around for ages, and that shows characters, etc. from the start of Disney.

Disney offers a parade at the end of the day, fireworks on weekends, rides and attractions throughout the day. They offer options like Fast Pass to help you get through the rides faster. They offer stroller rentals, wheelchair rentals, lockers, etc.

It is a great theme park that is geared toward families.

California Adventure:

California Adventure offers much of the same stuff as Disneyland in that there are rides, shows, character meetings, and places to eat, buy souvenirs, etc.  However, it also has a few extra things. For example, it has the Pixar parade. It has a High School Musical show, it has a winery so you can get alcohol, which is not an option at Disneyland.

One of the things with California Adventure is that it has a slightly different feel. There are several theaters in a row that allow you to see different shows, some live, etc. It is a fun place for kids. California Adventure has a whole set of theaters and shows. They offer shows that are Pixar based, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse based, Aladin, etc. The shows are fun for the kids, and most are followed up by a character meet and greet type activity.

The rides are great. One of the most popular is Soarin’ over California , which is a virtual ride over Ca, including scents. They have some great rides for little kids, but most of the rides are for a bigger crowd as many have height restrictions. There is a lot of walking as the rides are further spaced out, and they have construction.  If you only have one day, Disneyland is a better option, but if you intend to spend several days at the parks, make sure you visit the park as it does have a lot of fun things to offer.

The parks go hand in hand. In many cases you will see more characters, and the newer characters as California Adventure, but there are more rides for little kids, and more historic rides at Disneyland.

The best age to take your children to Disneyland is typically between the age of 6 and 10. This four year span is the ideal time for a number of reasons, addressed below:

1. Your child will likely be tall enough for the rides. While the Disneyland park is designed for people of all ages, and there are attractions and rides for your children of all ages, there are several rides with height restrictions. This can be very disappointing for your child if they think they are going to get to go on Splash Mountain, for instance, only to be told they are too short. The most common height restriction is 40 inches, which most children have reached by age four. However, there are some rides, especially those at California Adventure that have restrictions of 43, 46, and 48 inches. So, if you wait until your child is school aged, chances are they will be tall enough for all, or the majority of the rides.
2. Lines won’t be as difficult. Even when you go on the less busy days you have to wait in line some. This can be really hard on children, especially younger kids that do not quite grasp that they are going to have to wait 20 minutes for a 3 minute ride. When your child is older, they will generally behave better.
3. Less stuff to bring along. Kids require stuff. The older your kids are, the less “stuff” you need. You won’t have to take along all the extra “just in case” items. You won’t need a stroller, or a bottle, or a blanket to nurse, or a pacifier, and all those other things.
4. Potty trained. Changing diapers at a theme park is never fun. Neither is trying to get a newly potty trained child into a bathroom in time. If you go when your child is at least 5, they have learned to control their bladder and can wait long enough to make it to a bathroom, and you do not have to lug around diapers and wipes, find a place to change your child’s diapers, etc.
5. Still see the magic. While Disneyland is fun for all ages, the characters, princesses, and unique rides most appeal to children that regularly watch Disney shows, the Disney cartoons, and that are still enthralled by the Princesses and stories. As your child hits tween and teen years, seeing someone dressed up like Buzz Lightyear will not be nearly as exciting as it will be for a 5 year old whose favorite movie is  Toy Story.

When you visit Maui you can try something that is unique and fun, you can zipline across a canyon, or several gulches, over trees, and space. You can go on a Skyline Eco-Adventure. These adventures are based out of Haleakala ranch. Haleakala is the volcano on Maui. When you visit Skyline Eco-Adventure they will provide you with all the gear and support you need to have the experience of a lifetime.

So what do you do exactly? Well, here is how it works. You get buckled into a harness, which is attached to an overhead zipline. You will walk to the edge of the crevice and step off. Those first few steps into thin air might be a bit nerve racking, but after that you are in for a great adventure. From there you fly through the air, over trees, and above a lot of Maui, and before you know it you are on the other side of the canyon. You can repeat the process over a series of gulches, or not.it is up to you. If you like it keep going, if not, at least you tried it once.

Now you might be wondering what crazy person would trust their life to a simple zipline as they fly over a canyon. Well, just so you know, all of the equipment is state of the art. It all exceeds the industry standard for safety. Each zipline is made of galvanized aircraft cables and has a minimum breaking strength of 14,400 pounds. Which, is equivalent to a large semi hanging from the lines, so even if you are a larger person, you do not need to fear. You won’t break the cable. That is the cable itself. The pulleys, carabiners, and seat harness each have a minimum breaking weight of 5,000 pounds. So, it is safe to say that you will be safe.

Each person that tries this fun adventure will be instructed as to safety and technique by a tour guide, who is adept and knowledgeable to all aspects of the zipline ride, the safety precautions one must take, and the limitations that would prohibit you from going on the Skyline Eco-Adventure.

Some such limitations are that you have to be 12 years of age to participate, and you have to sign a consent waiver. Liability waivers are standard with all Maui activities, so signing one for this adventure is not an indication that it is any more dangerous than a boat ride.

The tour starts with a walk through the woods and a little pep talk to get you ready to leap. The first step over the edge is the biggest one, and sometimes it takes people a while to work up their nerve to take it.

Whatever adventures you choose to do while on Maui, there are some that will be more memorable than others. This is an adventure you will talk about for years to come. The Skyline Eco-Adventure is one of a kind, there are not other companies on Maui that offer a similar activity, so don’t miss out. Book your Skyline Eco-Adventure, and experience something new.

While this is the most popular destination in the world, you will want to save that beach until you get the hang of windsurfing as it takes a little more skill than a beginner has. If you are a beginner wind surfer on Maui, one of the best places to try it out at is Kanaha Beach Park, which is near the airport everyone that goes to Maui flies in to. This is a great place to learn because the trade winds are relatively steady and slow, and the waters stay pretty flat. Other appealing aspects of Kanaha Beach Park is that it has a grassy area that you can rig in, and it has showers, shade trees, and picnic tables, not to mention the beach is close to a windsurfing shop, so if you discover you need anything else, you won’t have to go too far to get it.

The beaches in Pa’ia are for the intermediate to experiences windsurfer because there are powerful rip currents, exposed reefs, and jagged rocks, that would be potentially dangerous to a beginner. However, it is a great place to hang out and pick up some tips if you are wanting to be around some of the best windsurfers in the world.

Some things to remember if you want to go windsurfing in Maui:

1. Rent your equipment on the island
   • It is way too expensive to bring your own over
   • The island has the best equipment available so you are sure to find something that works out great for you
2. Never sail before 11 a.m.
3. Make sure the beach you want to windsurf at has windsurfing accessibility and it is not restricted.
4. Find out about reefs, tide and wave conditions, etc BEFORE you go in the water.
5. Outbound sailors have the right of way in the waves.
6. First come first serve, so basically the first windsurfer to the wave owns it.

Mornings are for the beginners because winds are lighter, afternoons are for the more advanced because the winds pick up and the water gets choppier So, go out, have fun, but remember to be safe. Kahalui is home the some of the world’s best windsurfing shops, so if you try it out and decide you want to make a habit of it, Maui is one of the best places to buy your equipment. The local shops have a wide selection of the most state of the art equipment. And why wouldn’t they? They have one of the world’s best places to use it.

If you want to try windsurfing out and have no idea where to begin, your best bet would be simply to go to a windsurfing shop, and talk to the store clerk. They are sure to know exactly what you need, and if there are any instructors available to you, price, times, etc. They can also hook you up with the equipment that is right for you, and everything you will need while trying out windsurfing on the island.

Whether you try windsurfing on Maui or not, be sure to do as many water activities as you can, the water is warm and wonderful, and it would be regrettable not to take advantage of the natural beauty of the ocean and the life that lives under that choppy surface.