Anaheim FOR FAMILIES
things TO DO
Families will love everything on offer in Anaheim, from Disneyland Resort and family friendly tours to museums and beaches
Dine and shop
Alfreso shopping centres, outlet stores and kidfriendly dining venues will keep the whole family busy
THE HOLIDAY OF A LIFETIME
Why Anaheim is a firm family favourite
Themed rooms and Disney characters brought to life are some of the innovative accommodation extras
Image: ŠDisney.Pixar
where to stay
Flight Deck ~ Anaheim
UNCOMMON CHARACTER
FANTASY IS THE BEST REALITY. Imagination is in Anaheim’s DNA. We’ve been bringing the fun for families since forever. So gather up your crew and explore the good times indoors and out, all across this land. Let Anaheim share our magical mojo with you and yours. Explore the unconventional at VisitAnaheim.org.
COLOURFUL CHARACTERS AND CAREFREE FUN Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck may be among the best-known characters to come out of Southern California, but there are plenty more fun, quirky individuals beyond Disneyland’s animated heroes you are likely to encounter on a visit to Anaheim. From surfer dudes at Huntington Beach to friendly food-truck vendors and bearded hipster craftbrewers dads will love, it’s the people that make a trip to Anaheim a holiday to remember.
A FRUITFUL HISTORY
The city lies in Orange County – nicknamed the OC, as fans of the TV series will know – in Southern California. It was founded by a group of German immigrants looking for somewhere to grow grapes in the 1850s, with its name derived from the nearby Santa Ana River and the German word for ‘home’. The landscape was dominated by fruit orchards before Disneyland opened in 1955, which was quickly followed by hotels and other theme parks.
AMAZING ATTRACTIONS
CEO Janeece Keller Communications manager Natasha Keller Executive editor Elisa Elwin Managing editor Tatyana Leonov Editor Angela Saurine Sub-editor Sarah Friggieri Art director Jon Wolfgang Miller Advertising enquiries salesmanager@boundround.com 02 9904 4111 Published by Bound Round Pty Ltd 431 Warringah Rd Frenchs Forest NSW 2086
Anaheim is the place to turn your imagination into reality. Imagination is its foundation, from the magic of Main Street to wild rides and first-ever adventures. It’s pretty much one big family fun zone. The two theme parks at Disneyland Resort in California – Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure Park – are, of course, the major drawcards, but that’s just the start! There are so many things to do! Anaheim’s heritage is recognised in the name of attractions such as Knott’s Berry Farm, which originated in the 1920s when Walter Knott and his family began selling berries at a roadside stall, and grew into a modern amusement park with rollercoasters, waterslides and a ghost town. You can also take a day trip to learn about marine animals including orcas, dolphins and beluga whales at SeaWorld San Diego, one-anda-half hours’ drive south of Anaheim. One hour to Los Angeles, see original Batmobiles and ride a broomstick like Harry Potter on the Warner Bros Studio Tour. Fans of the boy wizard will also love the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at
Universal Studios Hollywood, where you can go behind the scenes to see famous movie sets and experience thrilling 3D rides including Transformers, The Simpsons and Revenge of the Mummy. Families who love the water will also be impressed with Orange County’s vibrant beaches, which are great places for people-watching and beach fun. Enjoy a surf lesson at Huntington Beach, go cycling along the pier at Newport Beach and spot sea lions while kayaking at Laguna Beach. For that all-American experience, you must include a sporting event in your itinerary. Cheer on the Anaheim Ducks at an ice-hockey game and the Angels baseball team while devouring a hot dog. Anaheim is also a fabulous shopping destination, with everything from surf shops to outlet shopping malls to grab a bargain.
JUST ONE FLIGHT AWAY
Located on America’s West Coast, Anaheim is extremely easy to get to. United Airlines, Qantas, Virgin Australia and Delta fly from Australia to Los Angeles International Airport. From there it’s about a one-hour drive to Anaheim, with many transfer options available, from resort transportation to airport shuttles, coaches, hire cars and even limousines. And there’s just as many ways to get around Southern California once you’re there, including shuttles, buses, trains, taxis and rideshare services. Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center (ARTIC) is the OC’s first centralised hub for all regional public transit lines. Anaheim Resort Transportation (ART) has shuttle buses that take guests from their hotels to Disneyland, Downtown Anaheim and Angel Stadium, shopping centres including The Outlets at Orange and South Coast Plaza and attractions such as Knott’s Berry Farm and the Pirate’s Dinner Adventure show. Buses also run to Los Angeles Union Station, where you can connect with the Metrolink and catch trains to the beaches and Santa Barbara. With so much going for it, it’s no wonder Anaheim is the number-one destination on many Aussie kids’ bucket lists – a visit here will result in the ultimate playground bragging rights. SUMMER 2019 familytravel.com.au
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THINGS TO DO
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DISNEYLAND RESORT IN CALIFORNIA
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Image: Paul Hiffmeyer
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very child dreams of going to Disneyland, and nothing beats the original. Animator Walt Disney opened Disneyland Resort in California in 1955, and when you visit you can still experience attractions from that day, including the Mark Twain Riverboat, the Mad Tea Party and Peter Pan’s Flight, as well as thrilling new rides and attractions that use the latest digital technology. Known as the ‘happiest place on Earth’, the site has expanded to cover more than 200 hectares, with two theme parks, the shopping, dining and entertainment area known as Downtown Disney District and three hotels: Disneyland Hotel, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa and Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel. With more than 100 attractions across the two theme parks, you will need at least four days to experience the magic of Disneyland Resort. Disneyland Park offers eight themed areas to explore across the enchanted kingdom. Feel the excitement as the soundtrack to iconic films plays as you ride a Jeep through a tunnel on the Indiana Jones Adventure ride, see your favourite film characters come alive in Pirates of the Caribbean, and float past dolls from across the world as the catchy tune plays on It’s A Small World. Other musts include Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage, Haunted Mansion, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Space Mountain and Star Wars – The Adventures Continue. You can get Instagram snaps with your favourite characters. Pop into Mickey’s House for a pic with the famous mouse, visit Mickey’s Toontown for a shot with Goofy, Pluto and pals, and pose with Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen in New Orleans Square. Star Wars fans can meet their heroes at Star Wars Launch Bay, plus younglings can train in the ways of the Force at Jedi Training Academy. Each day, guests can enjoy parades featuring beloved Disney characters, culminating in spectacular fireworks shows over Sleeping Beauty Castle, which lies at the centre of the park. Neighbouring Disney California Adventure Park, which opened in 2001, welcomes guests to a world where the stories of Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Beyond come to life. The park is known for attractions including flight-motion simulator Soarin’ Around the World, interactive 4D carnival game Toy Story Midway Mania and evening show World of Color. Cars Land – an area inspired by the popular Disney•Pixar film series – is a must for fans of the animated film Cars, where they can rocket through the desert on Radiator Spring Racers. Other popular rides
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Main: Pixar Pier’s Incredicoaster is like no other ride in the world Above: Kids will love seeing Mickey and Minnie Mouse in Anaheim Below: Meet Lightning McQueen in CarsLand
include Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: BREAKOUT!, where you can join Rocket on a thrilling mission to rescue the rag-tag crew of heroes, and The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Undersea Adventure – a must for The Little Mermaid fans. Whatever you do, don’t miss Turtle Talk with Crush, where a digital version of the loveable sea turtle from the Finding Nemo franchise chats to members of the audience. Pixar Pier, which opened mid-2018, features the thrilling Incredicoaster and Pixar Pal-ARound attractions, Pixar-inspired food and the new Lamplight Lounge. Guests enter Pixar Pier through a dazzling marquee that leads to four themed neighbourhoods. The first is Incredibles Park, inspired by Disney•Pixar’s The Incredibles. Home to the Incredicoaster, the first ride-through attraction in the world to feature beloved characters from the franchise, it takes guests on an adventure with the Parr family to chase after the elusive baby JackJack – a storyline that fans of Incredibles 2 will connect with. New music, lighting, special effects, character figures and distinctively coloured vehicles add to the thrills on this super-speedy coaster – the fastest attraction at Disneyland Resort. Next to Incredibles Park is the Toy Story Boardwalk neighbourhood, where in 2019 guests can saddle up on Jessie’s Critter Carousel, inspired by the television show Woody’s Roundup featured in Toy Story 2. In the American summer, the highly anticipated Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is also set to open at Disneyland Park. The new land is set on the planet Batuu and will have two signature attractions as well as many familiar faces. It will be followed by a new superherothemed land at Disney California Adventure Park in 2020, with Guardians of the Galaxy to be joined by Spider-Man and the Avengers. disneyland.com.au
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THINGS TO DO
An artist impression of the Jurassic World ride opening at Universal Studios Hollywood in 2019
Watch filming taking place on a backlot during a Studio Tour
Magic awaits at Hogwarts Castle
UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOLLYWOOD I
mmerse yourself in the glamour and excitement of Hollywood and be transported into the world of movie magic with rides inspired by films and television shows. Universal Studios Hollywood invites guests to go behind the scenes at the largest and busiest motion picture and TV studio in the world. The theme park’s world-famous Studio Tour gives guests up-close access to soundstages, outdoor sets and rides, including King Kong 360 3D and Fast & Furious – Supercharged, with guides who are well versed in the history of filmmaking. Guests can laugh along with the tour’s video host, comedian Jimmy Fallon, encounter the smouldering wreckage of the Boeing 747 from The War of the Worlds and come face-to-face with Amity Island’s most famous resident. Don’t miss the Special Effects Show, where real Hollywood stunt actors recreate the sounds, sights and illusions that fool the cameras to create unforgettable moments on the big and small screen. Learn the secrets behind realistic physical combat sequences, horror scenes, zero-gravity space travel and even live animation. One of the park’s major drawcards is
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ – a land that celebrates J.K. Rowling’s compelling stories and characters that were brought to life in the Warner Bros. films. Hogwarts Castle serves as the focal point, with fans also able to visit the shops of Hogsmeade™, spiral and dive around the pumpkin patch on the Flight of the Hippogriff™ rollercoaster, and make their way down the passageways and corridors of Hogwarts™ School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to visit iconic locations such as Dumbledore’s office, the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom and the Gryffindor™ common room on the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey thrill ride. The recently introduced multisensory attraction DreamWorks Theatre Featuring Kung Fu Panda takes guests on a journey that fuses captivating storytelling with state-of-the-art visual effects. It recounts a story whereby on the morning of The Emperor’s Great Feast of Heroes, dragon warrior Po embarks on a wild and perilous mission to deliver the rare and precious Liquid of Limitless Power to the palace while enlisting guests to join him on the adventure filled with raging rapids, river pirates, awesome magic and kung fu.
Another highlight is The Simpsons Ride™, a simulated rollercoaster. As the journey begins, someone is sabotaging Krustyland, Krusty the Clown’s low-budget theme park, and you’ll smash and blast through the park with Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie in an over-the-top non-stop adventure. Transformers™: The Ride3D is an immersive thrill ride blurring the line between fiction and reality, while Revenge of the Mummy catapults guests at speeds of up to 70km per hour in virtual darkness, with Egyptian hieroglyphics on the walls spelling out real words and ancient warnings. The Jurassic World ride will open in 2019, with new colossal, dimensional dinosaurs once again roaming the Earth in a technologically advanced epic adventure inspired by Universal Pictures’ blockbuster film Jurassic World. If that’s not enough, next to the theme park lies Universal CityWalk, an entertainment, shopping and dining complex that also includes the allnew multi-million-dollar redesigned Universal CityWalk Cinema and the 5 Towers state-of-the-art outdoor concert stage. universalstudioshollywood.com SUMMER 2019 familytravel.com.au
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Fun is always in season at Knott’s Berry Farm with dozens of rides, shows and attractions in four themed areas. Splash down the Timber Mountain Log Ride, stroll through the Located just 10 minutes from
Anaheim
© Peanuts Worldwide LLC, Peanuts.com Cedar Fair Entertainment Company® ©2015 Cedar Fair, L.P. KB16-046
THINGS TO DO
SEAWORLD SAN DIEGO olphins, orcas, penguins, otters, sea lions, beluga whales, sharks, seals, walruses – you name the marine animal and you can see it at SeaWorld San Diego. As well as offering shows, aquariums, rides and education programs, the theme park, which is spread across 77 hectares on Mission Bay Park, is a leader in the care, welfare, education, conservation, research and rescue of animals. Learn about how killer whales move, hunt and navigate at the live-documentary style presentation Orca Encounter, set against a three-storey-high infinity video screen that shows images of orcas in the wild. Laugh at the park’s prank-loving pinnipeds Clyde and Seamore and the adorable O.P. Otter at Sea Lions LIVE as they poke fun at popular TV shows with their own renditions, including their Dancing with the Stars parody ‘Dancing with the Pinnipeds’ and SLSI (Sea Lion Scene Investigation). Get a close-up look at SeaWorld’s dolphins and pilot whales and the relationship they have with their trainers at Dolphin Days. You can also see trainers get in the water and play, swim and splash with bottlenose dolphins at Dolphin Point, and may even get a chance to feed a dolphin, watch a medical check-up or give the dolphins signals – just like a trainer! Aquariums at SeaWorld have nearly 13,000 fish and invertebrates of more than 500 species found across the globe, from Australia’s Great Barrier Reef to the Amazon River in Brazil. But the biggest wows can be expected at Aquaria: World of Fishes, which showcases one of the
Images: Mike Aguilera SeaWorld San Diego
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largest schools of piranhas on exhibit, prehistoric alligator gar and large fruit-eating pacus. There are also heaps of sea-inspired rides, such as Tentacle Twist, Sea Dragon Drop and Elmo’s Flying Fish. Prepare to be drenched on the raft ride Shipwreck Rapids, or take a leisurely gondola ride. Adrenaline junkies will love the new Electric Eel rollercoaster, which flies at more than 90km per hour forwards and backwards through looping twists and an inverted heartline roll, and drops riders from heights of more than 45 metres. There’s also a double-launch roller coaster called Manta, with a 16-metre drop and twists and turns that make riders feel like they’re soaring and diving like a giant manta ray. You can even touch and feed California bat rays, while at Penguin Encounter you can get a close-up look at six species of Antarctic and sub-Antarctic penguins as they swim and waddle in the snowy habitat. SeaWorld San Diego boasts the only emperor penguin colony in the western hemisphere, with 21 successful hatchings since 1980. Best of all, every visit to SeaWorld supports its animal rescue program, so seeing animals at the park helps save them in the wild. At Otter Outlook, you can see rescued California sea otters, which are listed as a threatened species by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service as a result of oil spills, entanglement in fishing nets and diseases. The Turtle Reef aquarium also offers the chance to see threatened loggerhead, hawksbill and green sea turtles. seaworld.com/san-diego
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Main: Killer whales are one of many marine species found at Seaworld San Diego Right: Wild Arctic includes encounters with beluga whales; Penguin Encounter
THINGS TO DO
KNOTT’S BERRY FARM hen Walter Knott began selling berries from a roadside stand in the 1930s, he never would have dreamed of his little farm expanding to become one of the most popular theme parks in the country. But that’s exactly what happened, with Knott’s Berry Farm now attracting millions of visitors each year. Walter and his family arrived in Buena Park, 10 minutes from Anaheim, to farm eight hectares of land in 1920. After cultivating the world’s first boysenberry, he started selling it at the gate. His wife began serving fried chicken dinners from her kitchen the same year, soon opening Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant. A few years later, they decided to build Ghost Town to help entertain the thousands of hungry people who lined up each day; the rough’n’ready 1880s Old West Boom Town of cowboys, gunfights and stagecoaches is now one of four themed lands at the park. As well as the chance to pan for gold, you can ride on a steam train and rollercoasters, including the wooden coaster GhostRider®, as well as rides such as Bigfoot Rapids, Timber Mountain Log Ride and Calico Mine Ride. The other lands include Camp Snoopy, which is home to family friendly rides for children who aren’t tall enough for some of the bigger rides, The Boardwalk and the Mexican-themed Fiesta Village. Whatever you do, don’t miss a ride on the new HangTime rollercoaster, which has the steepest drop in California, at 96 degrees, with a top speed of more than 90km per hour.
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If you’re visiting during summer, make sure you incorporate Knott’s Soak City next door. The five-hectare water park, open from May to September, is themed around Southern California beach towns of the 1950s, with 16 speed, tube and body slides, the 75,000-gallon Tidal Wave Bay wave pool, Sunset River and the three-storey Beach House. Gremmie Lagoon is a handson water playground for young surfers, complete with giant-size turtles, crabs and a mischievous submarine-swallowing octopus, while the seven-storey Shore Break has six thrilling water slides. Four of them have a chamber that launches guests as the floor under their feet drops them into an almost vertical freefall through a series of flat loops and S-curves in a translucent flume. You can also race family members on duelling tube slides that zip riders through a series of drops and turns. The Wedge slide tower, meanwhile, is an open-air family raft ride that descends up to six people at a time through navigating twists and turns and unexpected drops. If you can, try to time your visit to Knott’s Berry Farm around one of the many special events throughout the year, such as the three-week-long Boysenberry Festival each spring, which celebrates the park’s agricultural roots with boysenberryinspired food and drinks, shows and live music. On holiday weekends, including Memorial Day in late May, Independence Day on July 4 and Labor Day (late August/ early September), fireworks light up the sky over the park each evening. knotts.com
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From left to right: Snoopy at his Dog House; Camp Snoopy Grand Sierra Railroad; The new HangTime rollercoaster
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THINGS TO DO
WARNER BROS. STUDIO TOUR HOLLYWOOD
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et closer to the entertainment you love on a Warner Bros. Studio Tour in Hollywood. Explore the iconic 110-acre backlot that brought to life Batman, Argo, The Big Bang Theory, Casablanca, Pretty Little Liars, La La Land, Friends, Gilmore Girls and many more. Tour guides will take you behind the lens for a look at how and where TV and movie magic is made, with a three-hour Studio Tour. Visit areas like the Warner Bros. Archive featuring DC Universe: The Exhibit with original props and costumes from the Justice League film set, including Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Cyborg, The Flash, Batman and Superman. On the second floor of the Archive is the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts Exhibit, with detailed costumes from the Wizarding World. Guests also make a stop to the Batcave to see some of Batman’s most famous vehicles over the years, including the Tumbler from The Dark Knight trilogy and the iconic Batmobile from the 1989 film starring Michael Keaton. The finale of the tour concludes at Stage 48: Script to Screen, where guests can ride a broomstick like Harry Potter, take an Instagram snap on the popular orange couch at Central Perk cafe from the hit TV series Friends, and be immersed in the phases of film and TV production. The Classics Made Here Tour gives film fans an up-close look at how movies from the Golden Age of Hollywood – including My Fair Lady and Rebel Without a Cause – were made. Guests can retrace the footsteps and stories of legendary stars with a tour focused on the Studio’s origin to the 1970s. For the ultimate fan, the Deluxe Tour offers guests a five-hour extended tour, including breakfast inside a private screening room, lunch at the Warner Bros. fine-dining restaurant and exclusive access to areas, including the property department and costume department. Get an insider’s view into one of the world’s busiest working Hollywood studios. The studio is located at Burbank, just over an hours’ drive from Anaheim, and is easily accessible by train and bus. wbstudiotour.com
Work out which Hogwarts house you belong to
Visit the real Central Perk set from the hit TV series Friends
Tour the Batcave to see some of the famous Batmobiles
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Photo courtesy of Soupy Bouasaysy
AQUARIUM OF THE PACIFIC Discover the differences between three parts of the Pacific Ocean at this aquarium, which features 11,000 animal exhibits representing nearly 500 species. The main galleries explore the waters of Southern California and Baja, the Northern Pacific and the Tropical Pacific. There are also outdoor exhibits, including Shark Lagoon, which has more than 150 sharks and three shallow touch pools. Meet a colony of Magellanic Penguins at the June Keyes Penguin Habitat, find out where water comes from and ways to conserve it in Our Water Future, and learn about veterinary care at the Molina Animal Care Center. If your kids are aged seven or older, you can also book a behind-the-scenes tour to get a glimpse into the daily operations at the aquarium by helping feed the fish and learn about everything from water filtration to how the animals are cared for. aquariumofpacific.org
There are more than 11,000 animal exhibits to explore!
ADVENTURE AWAITS BIG AIR TRAMPOLINE PARK
The art of trampolining takes on a whole new level at this attraction. Bounce off the walls at Big Court, which has a matrix of trampolines in every direction, and play extreme dodgeball, with the game reimagined in high-flying 3D on specially designed trampoline dodgeball courts. Enter an epic one-on-one jousting battle while maintaining your balance over a foam pit at the Battlebeam, and test your climbing skills on the X Wall. There’s also an area for smaller guests to jump
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without fear, called Lil’ Air, with toddler time for children aged six and under every Sunday and Tuesday. bigairusa.com
radio communication and landing, and given a mission to complete. flightdeck1.com
FLIGHTDECK FLIGHT SIMULATION CENTER
As well as showcasing art from across the world, this museum in Santa Ana has a high-tech interactive children’s museum called Kidseum. Ride a Wells Fargo stagecoach through time in the Green Screen Time Machine, study human culture at the Archaeology Lab, and make glow bugs in the Glow Cave. bowers.org
Feel what it’s like to take the controls of a Boeing 737 and fly a fighter jet on state-of-the-art simulators at this super-fun attraction. It also offers aviation camps and two-day programs in which students aged 11 to 15 learn about navigation and radar, take-off,
BOWERS MUSEUM
PIRATE’S DINNER ADVENTURE
DISCOVERY CUBE
See life-size dinosaurs and learn about the scientific aspects of hockey with the help of the Anaheim Ducks at this science museum in Santa Ana. It’s located on Interstate 5, and you won’t miss it, thanks to the 10-storey solar cube incorporated in its architecture. There are more than 100 hands-on exhibits across several themed areas: Science of Hockey, Dino Quest, Rocket Lab, Air & Space, Eco Challenge, Dynamic Earth, Quake Zone and the Showcase Gallery, which houses travelling exhibits. oc.discoverycube.org
Ahoy, me hearties! Jump onboard for a rollicking high-spirited adventure on the high seas. Up to 150 volunteers take part in the fun during the interactive show at Buena Park. Watch in awe as buccaneers swoop from the rigging of the 18th century Spanish galleon, battling each other with swords, knives and fists while you enjoy a four-course feast. Be sure to keep an eye out for the Loch Ness Monster seen circling the waters of the dark lagoon! piratesdinneradventure. com
LEGOLAND CALIFORNIA Those brightly coloured building bricks that generations of children have grown up with come to life in imaginative ways at this theme park, created by their Danish toymaker at Carlsbad, one hour south of Anaheim. There are more than 30,000 models across the park made from over 60 billion LEGO bricks, ranging from a small rabbit in Miniland Las Vegas built of just four bricks to a large two-million-brick Brontosaurus. Add to that more than 60 rides, shows and attractions and you can see how easy it is to fill a day here. Explore hidden tombs and hunt for treasure in Land of Adventure, set in 1920s Egypt, train to become a ninja at NINJAGO World and roam prehistoric Dino Island. Explore Village has an enchanting boat ride with characters from Brothers Grimm fairytales and a safari trek, while Fun Town features a police and fire academy and driving school. Star Wars fans will love the displays in Miniland USA, which also features miniature versions of Las Vegas, Washington, D.C. and New York. The hottest new attraction, LEGO® City: Deep Sea Adventure submarine ride, invites guests under water on a real submarine to hunt for
a sunken ship’s treasure. In summer, LEGOLAND Water Park also gives kids the chance to build their own LEGO raft and float along, race on side-byside slides and build bridges, dams and cities out of DUPLO bricks to test them against the flow of water. legoland.com/california
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SAND AND SURF
Image: Visit Anaheim
Southern California is famous for its beaches, so take a break from the theme parks for a day or two and soak up the vibe at one of these coastal hotspots.
HUNTINGTON BEACH It’s known as ‘Surf City USA’, and that pretty much sums up Huntington Beach. The Vans US Open Of Surfing is held here each summer – fitting, as the town is full of surf shops. Book a surf lesson or just hang out and watch the locals in action from the beach or the pier. At sunset, families gather to toast s’mores (crackers with chocolate bars and marshmallows) around the 500 concrete fire rings that dot the sand just south of the pier, in front of Pacific City. Fire rings also line Huntington State Beach to the south and Bolsa Chica State Beach to the north. In peak season, it’s best to get there early to claim your spot or reserve a picnic area (complete with its own fire ring) at either state beach.
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Swim, surf or laze around at these hotspots.
LAGUNA BEACH There’s way more to this beachside hub than seen on the reality TV series of the same name. An artist colony in the 1960s, the city has 11km of coves and beaches where you can explore sea caves, oceanside bluffs and natural tide pools. It also has a 2800-hectare wilderness park in the San Joaquin Hills, which is great for mountain-biking and hiking. If possible, time your visit around the First Thursdays Art Walk, where on the first Thursday of every month, from 6pm to 9pm, there’s a free shuttle service linking more than 40 galleries that participate in the event, where you can meet the artists and enjoy live music. Admission to the Laguna Art Museum is free on the night.
Sun, sand and surf perfection in sunny California.
SANTA CATALINA ISLAND
NEWPORT BEACH
Image: Visit Anaheim
Just an hour’s ferry ride from the mainland, Santa Catalina Island is a wonderful place to escape for the day. There are no traffic lights on the island, which was once owned by chewing-gum magnate William Wrigley Jr, who was responsible for the Spanish Mission-style architecture throughout. Visit the Wrigley Memorial & Botanical Gardens, a 30-minute walk from the town of Avalon. The island is a popular place for water sports, including kayaking, standup paddleboarding, parasailing, jet-skiing, scuba-diving and fishing. Dads can have a round of golf, mums will love the shopping and spa treatments, and kids will delight in a visit to an ice-cream or candy shop. Most of the island is a nature preserve, and outdoorsy types should hike the Trans-Catalina trail or book a 4WD tour to see wild buffalo roam in the interior. Thrillseekers will also get a buzz out of ziplining through canyons with Zip Line Eco Tour. Ferries depart from San Pedro, Long Beach, Newport Beach and Dana Point. Upon arrival, you can rent a bike or hire a golf cart – like a local – to explore.
Whether it’s skating or cycling along Newport Beach Pier, or riding the ferris wheel or playing arcade games at Balboa Fun Zone, Newport Beach offers a classic Southern Californian beach experience. Home to the largest small craft yacht harbour in the US, you can walk or ride a Segway along the boardwalk, grab lunch from the historic Dory Fishing Fleet and Market, founded at the pier in 1891, or go whale-watching, surfing, kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding. SUMMER 2019 familytravel.com.au
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HOLLYWOOD MADE HERE BOOK ONLINE AND SAVE a© & TM WBEI. WONDER WOMAN and all related characters and elements are © & TM DC Comics and Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. (s18) HARRY POTTER characters, names and related indicia are © & TM Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Harry Potter Publishing Rights © JKR. (s18)
DINE & SHOP
Huntingon Beach Pacific City
SHOPPER’S PARADISE
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hopping is one of Australians’ favourite pastimes in the USA, and Anaheim and its surrounds do not disappoint, with an abundance of shopping centres and outlet stores in the area. The Downtown Disney precinct is the place to buy Disney-themed products that even grown-ups will love. Anchored by the World of Disney store, which was recently remodelled, it includes a new Disney Home that sells Disney-inspired cushions, blankets and beds, and Disney Dress Shop
Image: Joshua Sudock-Disneyland Resort
The open-air Fashion Island
Disney Home store at Downtown Disney
offering one-of-a-kind designs that pay homage to popular Disney icons and park attractions, including Alice in Wonderland, Minnie Mouse and Snow White, as well as jewellery, hats and handbags from such brands as ALEX AND ANI®, Kate Spade and Disney Boutique. Popular beauty store Sephora also has an outlet here. Anaheim GardenWalk is a large outdoor shopping centre nearby which is also worth checking out, while the historical centre of commerce for Anaheim at the turn of the century, Center Street Promenade, is also experiencing a revival with quaintly curated shops and artisan-inspired eateries for the family to enjoy. Citadel Outlets is another great place to grab a bargain, with savings of 30 to 70 per cent off retail prices at more than 130 top brand-name stores. Kate Spade New York, COACH Factory, Michael Kors, TUMI, Hugo Boss, Disney Outlet and NIKE Factory Store are
among the names represented. Desert Hills Premium Outlets, near Palm Springs, has the largest collection of luxury outlets in California, with 180 stores including Alexander McQueen, Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, Jimmy Choo, Marc Jacobs, Prada, Saint Laurent Paris, Saks Fifth Avenue OFF FIFTH, Valentino and Versace. Less than an hour’s drive south, at Costa Mesa, South Coast Plaza is home to 250 boutiques, including Cartier, Hermès, Gucci, Roger Vivier and COACH, as well as 30 restaurants. Personal stylists available at the centre offer wardrobe and image consultations with 24 hours’ notice. The open-air Fashion Island at Newport Beach offers a luxury coastal shopping experience, with Orange County’s only Neiman Marcus, a Bloomingdale’s Home Store and Juicy Couture. Huntington Beach, meanwhile, boasts its own oceanfront option in Pacific City. SUMMER 2019 familytravel.com.au
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DINE & SHOP
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THE OUTLETS AT ORANGE
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s one of the county’s only outlet shopping mall, The Outlets at Orange is the most convenient place to go to grab a bargain. Just a 10-minute drive from Disneyland Resort Anaheim, the open-air centre has more than 120 outlets and stores offering savings of up to 70 per cent daily, as well as great entertainment, family attractions and restaurants. Shopaholics will revel in the designer and name brands in the casual and mid-market range, including Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger Company Store, Levi’s Outlet, Banana Republic Factory Store, GAP and H&M. Luxury lovers are also well catered to, with Bloomingdale’s – The Outlet Store, Nordstrom Rack, Neiman Marcus Last Call and Saks Fifth Avenue OFF FIFTH. This centre is part of Simon Shopping Destinations group, which has more than 100 Simon Premium Outlets, Simon Mills and Simon Malls centres across the US. But The Outlets at Orange is much more than just a place to shop. Mums can indulge at the Burke Williams Day Spa, where the therapeutic aroma of essential oils wafts through the air. Inspired by world-class European day spas, it has more than 25 treatment rooms and a large
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range of options to get you into holiday relaxation mode. Families can also catch a flick at the AMC 30 cinema, which has an IMAX theatre for the ultimate movie experience, and play games such as PacMan and Skee-ball at Dave & Buster’s sports bar. Thrill It Fun Center has activities for children of all ages; there’s laser tag, the Adrenaline Arcade, a high-ropes challenge, a three-level interactive Ballocity, rock climbing and even a mechanical bull. The Lucky Strike bowling alley has 24 state-of-the-art lanes plus five tournamentquality billiard tables and a shuffleboard table. There are also more than 25 restaurants, bars and cafes. Tuck into chicken at Buffalo Wild Wings, or feast on pizza and burgers at BJ’s Restaurant Brewery, which boasts award-winning, handcrafted beers dads would love to taste-test. For a seafood extravaganza, head to Market Broiler. Inspired by California seafood landmarks from the 1950s, the casual, moderately priced eatery serves 18 types of fish, which are all on display at the fresh fish market and prepared over mesquite charcoal flames. Better yet, its chowders, sauces and dressings are made from scratch in-house. simon.com/mall/theoutlets-at-orange
Main: The Outlets at Orange at night Below: Bloomingdales – The Outlet Store; Lucky Strike Bowling alley
DINE & SHOP
Image: © Disney
Meal times can be fun for the whole family!
EATING OUT With so many family attractions in the area, it’s no wonder kid-friendly eateries are popping up everywhere
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rom burgers and milkshakes at old-school diners to authentic Vietnamese cuisine in Little Saigon, there’s plenty of diversity in Anaheim’s food scene. Downtown Disney is a great place to start. How about a buffet breakfast with Disney characters at PCH Grill in Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel, where menu items include Mickey waffles, Minnie pancakes and Banana Foster French toast? Littlies will also love the peanut butter and jelly pizza at Goofy’s Kitchen, in Disneyland Hotel, where guest chef Mickey Mouse helps prepare dishes at night. Experience a touch of New Orleans at Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen, head to Italian noshery Naples Ristorante e Pizzeria, or dine at bowling-alley eatery Splitsville Luxury Lanes. As with everything else at Disneyland Resort, the district is constantly evolving, with new additions including the brewery Ballast Point, Black Tap Craft Burgers & Shakes and ice-cream shop Salt & Straw. There’s even a vending machine that dispenses cupcakes and cookies baked by Sprinkles Bakery 24/7! For a taste of Asia, head to Little Saigon, a bustling district tucked between Westminster and Garden Grove, which has the largest concentration of Vietnamese immigrants in the US. Brodard Chateau is famous for its spring rolls, while fans of Vietnamese noodle soup should head to Pho Dakao or Pho 79. The historic Anaheim Packing District is home to Anaheim Packing House, a former citrus-packing warehouse that has been retrofitted as a food hall. You’ll find Unami Burger and Anaheim Brewery in the Packard Building, and Unsung Brewing Company and Jav’s BBQ in the MAKE Building. Fans of Forrest Gump will find food and fun at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. at
Meet the characters at Goofy’s Kitchen at Disneyland Hotel
Anaheim GardenWalk, with burgers, pasta and plenty of prawn dishes, including shrimp mac and cheese, popcorn shrimp and shrimp po’ boy. Meanwhile, the outdoor entertainment and shopping centre, just across from Disneyland Resort, houses California Pizza Kitchen, The Cheesecake Factory, and steak and seafood chain McCormick & Schmick’s Grille. Another great option is FiRE + iCE Interactive Grill + Bar, which has an outdoor fire pit on the patio. Ruby’s Diner, in the historic Five Points district, offers a classic 1940s American diner experience, with rollerskating servers dishing up burgers, sundaes, banana splits and shakes, including Oreo Cookie Fantasy, Peanut Butter and Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough flavours.
Dad will love trying the craft beer at Anaheim Brewery
Families with a sweet tooth can also indulge at Joe’s Italian Ice and IceCreamery, in Harbor Blvd, where the high-quality soft-serve ice-cream is shipped from a dairy in Pennsylvania. There are nearly 100 flavours, including Strawberries ’n Cream, Wild Cherry and Blue Raspberry, plus smoothies and old-fashioned hand-scooped icecream served in cups or cones. Yum! SUMMER 2019 familytravel.com.au
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WHERE TO STAY
WHERE TO STAY Whether you’re looking for an affordable stay or want to splash out on luxury digs, there’s no shortage of hotels competing to attract families in Anaheim Mickey Mouse Penthouse at Disneyland Hotel
DISNEYLAND RESORT HOTELS The magic of Disney continues outside the theme parks at Disneyland Resort’s three hotels, which allow entry to the parks up to an hour before other guests – a great perk for Disney-loving families. The 973-room Disneyland Hotel has special Disney furnishings, including light-up Sleeping Beauty Castle headboards, pools with waterslides and five themed Signature Suites where you can pretend you are a pirate, a princess, a miner or an explorer – or
stay in the grand Mickey Mouse Penthouse. It also has several restaurants, including Goofy’s Kitchen, where you can meet Disney characters at breakfast, the award-winning Steakhouse 55 and Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar. Overlooking Disney California Adventure Park, the 481-room Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel was inspired by California beach culture, with surf-themed furnishings. It has a rooftop pool and a waterslide and is home to PCH Grill, where
HOMEWOOD SUITES BY HILTON® ANAHEIM RESORT – CONVENTION CENTER Opened in 2015, this hotel has spacious suites with separate living and sleeping areas, including suites with bunk beds, a full kitchen and included wi-fi. There’s also a heated outdoor pool, kids’ pool, hot tub, fire pit, games room, putting green, sports court, barbeque area and fitness centre. homewoodsuitesanaheim.com
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Image: © Disney
KNOTT’S BERRY FARM RESORT HOTEL
you can have breakfast with Mickey and friends. The luxurious Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa was built in the turnof-the-century California craftsman style, with 948 recently refurbished rooms and 50 two-bedroomequivalent villas, a private entrance into California Adventure Park, themed pools and waterslides, a spa and two restaurants: Storytellers Café and the award-winning Napa Rose. disneyparks.disney.go.com/ au/disneyland/hotels
This 320-room hotel has a SNOOPY-themed wing with PEANUTS® decorations that includes a visit from Snoopy to tuck children in for the night and two Snoopy plush dolls to take home. There’s also a fitness centre, pool, sports courts and restaurant. Up to three rooms can be connected for up to 12 guests. knotts.com/stay/knottsberry-farm-hotel
HYATT HOUSE AND HYATT PLACE
Just one block from Disneyland Resort at Anaheim Resort/ Convention Center, both these hotels are great for families. The new Hyatt House has large rooms and suites with separate living and sleeping areas, full kitchens and bunk beds ideal for big families, while Hyatt Place has reasonably priced rooms and suites with bunk beds and included wi-fi. hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/ california/hyatt-houseat-anaheim-resortconvention-center/anaxa
WHERE TO STAY
Waterslide fun
GREAT WOLF LODGE
Relax and unwind at the end of a busy and fun-filled day.
DESERT PALMS HOTEL & SUITES
Kids can take part in a Mickey and Minnie Mouse scavenger hunt and weekly arts and crafts at this hotel, a hop, skip and jump from Disneyland Resort. It also has a heated outdoor pool, spa, fitness centre, gift shop, and Oasis Kitchen and Bar with a buffet breakfast included. desertpalmshotel.com
CORTONA INN & SUITES
This affordable, renovated Tuscan-style hotel in the Anaheim Resort district has 127 rooms and suites, including kids’ suites with bunk beds, an outdoor pool, jacuzzi and on-site ticket sales. Continental breakfast and wi-fi is included. cortonainn.com
A destination in itself, this is every child’s dream accommodation. Kids can stay in cave, log-cabin and wolf-den themed rooms and play in the on-site water park, which has 14 slides and four pools. There’s also heaps of family friendly activities, including its own character appearances at breakfast, storytime, a daily Forest Friends show, kids’ spa, arcade games room, laser games, a kids’ bowling alley, mini golf and its own 4D movie theatre. There are several eateries, including the Loose Moose Family Kitchen, Dunkin’ Donuts and Bear Paw Sweets and Eats. A free shuttle runs to Disneyland Resort. greatwolf.com/southern-california
SPRINGHILL SUITES ANAHEIM
Located two blocks from Disneyland Resort, SpringHill Suites at Anaheim Resort/ Convention Center has suites that are 25 per cent larger than the average hotel room, with new kids’ suites. It has an outdoor heated rooftop pool and a rooftop deck, which is perfect for viewing Disneyland fireworks each night, a gym and included wi-fi. springhillanaheim.com
PORTOFINO INN & SUITES ANAHEIM
Just steps from Disneyland Resort, this hotel has rooms with bunk beds, a heated outdoor pool, spa, video arcade games room, fitness centre, coin-operated laundry and included wi-fi. Guests can borrow board games and hire strollers, beach bags, towels and beach toys from the front desk, and there’s a shuttle service to Disneyland. portofinoinnanaheim.com SUMMER 2019 familytravel.com.au
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HARRY POTTER characters, names and related indicia are © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Harry Potter Publishing Rights © JKR. (s18) TRANSFORMERS and all related characters are trademarks of Hasbro and are used with permission. © 2018 Hasbro. All Rights Reserved. Licensed by Hasbro. ©2018 Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved. 18-TRA-25309
WHERE TO STAY
BEST WESTERN PLUS STOVALL’S Hotel owner and operator Al Stovall began opening accommodation in the Anaheim area in the 1960s. His four family friendly Best Western Plus Stovall’s properties – all with pools and spas – have been remodelled over the years. As well as being Best Western Plus hotels, indicating well-appointed rooms with modern amenities and an enhanced level of comfort, they are certified as Disney Good Neighbor® hotels, are AAA® 3 diamond-rated and all received the 2017 and 2018 Trip Advisor® Certificate of Excellence® award. Best Western Plus Park Place Inn and Mini Suites is the closest hotel to the main pedestrian entrance of Disneyland Resort, which is directly across the street and an easy two-minute walk. Best Western Plus Anaheim Inn is also just steps away from the pedestrian entrance. The Best Western Plus Pavilions and Stovall’s Inn are both within walking distance to the theme parks, and there is also a shuttle service available with
Anaheim Resort Transit for a small fee. The hotel’s rooms have high-speed wi-fi included, as well as microwaves, mini fridges, fresh-brewed singleserving coffee makers and access to the HBO Family TV channel. There’s also a business centre in the lobby of each. Best Western Plus Stovall’s Inn has an upgraded pool area with private cabanas, a state-of-the-art fitness centre and a seasonal snack bar area. Best Western Plus Anaheim Inn and Best Western Plus Park Place have both recently refurbished their guest rooms and suites. A breakfast buffet with various hot items is available at the Anaheim Inn, Park Place and Stovall’s Inn, which includes all-new seating areas for families to enjoy breakfast together, while Pavilions offers a full breakfast for two per day plus grab-and-go breakfast snacks. stovallsinn.com parkplaceinnandminisuites. com anaheiminn.com pavilionshotel.com
There are plenty of comfortable room options for families
Check in and then it’s officially time for holidays!
The lobby at Best Western Plus Stovall’s
Did someone say “pool time”?
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ANAHEIM, CA
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Free WIFI Free Hot Breakfast, selection varies by property Microwaves / Refrigerators in all guest rooms 4 Family Friendly Hotels Friendly staff ready to assist you Walking distance to the Disneyland Resort
ANAHEIM INN PARK PLACE PAVILIONS STOVALL’S INN
(800) 854-8175 STOVALLSHOTELS.COM
WHERE TO STAY
CLEMENTINE HOTEL & SUITES ANAHEIM Fall in love with the condominium-style feel of this bright and colourful hotel. Previously known as Residence Inn Anaheim Maingate, Clementine Hotel & Suites is surrounded by palm trees and has a lovely Barbecue area lit by lanterns at night, an outdoor pool lined with banana beds and a spa. There’s also a fitness centre, sports court and a children’s playground with two slides and a slippery dip. Parents can keep an eye on their little ones and watch them play from a picnic table or bench nearby. There is a range of beautifully decorated light and airy suites to choose from, all with full kitchens. They include cosy Studio Suites with one queen bed and a sofa bed, One-Bedroom Suites with two queen beds and a sofa bed (bedroom is separated), and a Bi-Level
Loft with two queens, a sofa bed, a king bed and two bathrooms. There are also Two-Bedroom Suites in which one room has a queen bed and the second has two queen beds. They also have a sofa bed and two bathrooms. Most suites also have a fireplace. Buffet breakfast and wi-fi are included in bookings, and there are laundry facilities, a business centre and a Disneyland Resort desk on site where you can buy tickets to the theme parks and book other tours. A small market sells essentials including bread, milk, nappies and bottled water, plus there’s a grocery delivery service available where your order can be delivered to your in-room kitchen for convenience. You can catch a shuttle to Disneyland Resort for a small fee from the hotel, or simply drive. clementinehotel.com
How sweet is this Two-Bedroom Suite?
Pool time and a barbeque is a great finish to the day.
Pool fun for the whole family
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1700 South Clementine Street Anaheim, California 92802 USA Phone: +1 714-533-3555 Toll-Free: 1-866-465-7672
Our Two Bedroom Suite is ideal for families or larger groups Free parking for the length of your stay Get your groceries delivered straight to your Clementine kitchen
POOL
FITNESS CENTRE
SPORTS COURT
PLAYGROUND
MINI-MART
BBQ AREA