This page features our various trip reports from Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Shanghai Disneyland, Tokyo Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, and Hong Kong Disneyland. All of the reports feature a ton of our photos and rambling anecdotes about our experiences as we strive to make you feel like you’re part of the trip.
Our Walt Disney World trip reports were the original inspiration for this website. For years we wrote trip reports on Disney forums, and in reply, we received a number of questions about the parks, resorts, and dining, plus lots of, “you should write your own blog” comments. Nearly a decade ago, we finally listened to these comments and started this site, initially only as a way to organize our popular trip reports.
The site has since grown into a full-blown Disney online resource, so if you’ve stumbled upon the blog from Google, Pinterest, or Facebook, you may why the heck anyone would care about someone else’s vacation. We think they’re pretty fun, and the trip reports are what many regular readers tell us they like most about the blog.
Along the way, our Disney trip reports feature our candid opinions about Disney, tips for improving your own Disney trips, random photo-babble, and the occasional witty remark. (Well, we think it’s witty…) The trip reports aren’t for everyone, but for those who enjoy them, they are great tools for planning, or just killing a few hours at the office when you have nothing better to do. 😉
These trip reports are eclectic smorgasbords of Disney adventures by two married twenty-somethings. The FDA warns that they are not safe for human consumption, but we encourage you to read anyway. Or skim them for pretty Disney photos!
Our Best Trip Reports
Shanghai Disneyland Grand Opening Trip Report – We were there for the official grand opening of Shanghai Disneyland, and had a blast being a part of history as Disney opened its newest park in China! This trip report features tons of photos, including two beautiful sunsets, and our thoughts on the highs and lows of Shanghai Disneyland.
Walt Disney World Honeymoon Trip Report – After our wedding, we went to Disney World for our “Disneymoon.” Join us for our Walt Disney World honeymoon trip, as we stay at the BoardWalk Villas and Old Key West Resort and have an absolute blast. And, like any honeymoon, we did a lot of… EATING!
The Clandestine Engagement Plan – If you’ve read the “Disneymoon” report, you should check out how this Disney love story started. Read the story of the night of our engagement on the beach of the Polynesian.
Disneyland Paris Christmas Trip Report – Our first trip to an international park occurred with our Christmas visit to Disneyland Paris. Read our account of the differences and similarities between Disneyland Paris and the American parks, along with our tours of the hotels, extensive photos of the attractions (especially Phantom Manor), photos of Disney Dreams!, and even some general tips for traveling to Europe!
Tokyo Disney Resort 30th Anniversary Trip Report – We visited Tokyo Disney Resort for its 30th Anniversary, and instantly fell in love. Check out our photos and thoughts on Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea, our two favorite Disney theme parks in the world. Just be warned–you will want to book a trip across the Pacific after seeing this report!
Our First Disneyland Visit Trip Report – As life-long Walt Disney World fans, our first trip to Disneyland was something special. Walking in Walt’s footsteps was a somewhat surreal experience, as was seeing Sleeping Beauty Castle. This report contains extensive commentary comparing Walt Disney World and Disneyland. Recommended background for any Walt Disney World fan considering a Disneyland trip.
Hong Kong Disneyland Christmas Trip Report – Our first visit to Hong Kong shortly after the opening of Mystic Manor, during their Christmas season. Photos of the park, plus random tips for visiting, dim sum, and more.
Walt Disney World Trip Reports
Walt Disney World 40th Anniversary Trip Report – Being “Vacation Kingdom of the World” nerds, this was a big trip for us because it commemorated the 40th Anniversary of Walt Disney World.
Walt Disney World 24-Hour Party Trip Report – Being in Magic Kingdom for a little over 24 consecutive hours–including two sunrises–was an incredible experience.
The Brickers’ VERY Merry Christmas Trip Report – Holy cow…this trip was packed with fun. We attended with Tom’s parents, and visited for D23’s Magic and Merriment and WDW Today Podcast Reunion. Join us as we visit the Cinderella Castle Suite and dine on-stage at Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular!
Retro Walt Disney World Trip Report (1984 – Spring 2001) – If you love Vintage-Disney, this is the trip report for you. From Rainbow EPCOT Center spacesuits to Alien Encounter to the Disney Afternoon in Mickey’s Birthdayland to the original Journey into Imagination (with Dreamfinder!), this report is a veritable trip down memory lane.
A Rainy Day At Disney Is Better Than A Normal Day at Home! – A rainy night at Disney is better than a regular day at Disney. Really! Check out this trip report for breathtaking rainy night photos of Walt Disney World.
Dopey Challenge Race Weekend Report – As a challenge, Tom decided to participate in the Dopey Challenge, which is a runDisney weekend consisting of a 5K, 10K, Half Marathon, and Marathon.
Disneyland Resort Trip Reports
Crazy California Christmas Trip Report – Join us on our incredible Christmas Expedition, as we dine at Club 33, photograph Disney time-lapse videos, eat our way through Disneyland’s holiday snacks as we prepare our book, A Disneyland Christmas, experience Haunted Mansion Holiday and “it’s a small world” holiday for the first times!
Disneyland 24-Hour Day Trip Report – We headed to Disneyland for the Leap Day 2012 “One More Disney Day” promotion. The highlight of the trip would be spending 24-consecutive hours in Disneyland, but a trip to The Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California was another highlight, as was seeing the ABC television series Modern Family film.
Coast-to-Coast Disney Trip Report – We took (almost) back-to-back trips to Disneyland and Walt Disney World! The Walt Disney World leg of the trip was better, as we conducted a “research” resort bar crawl, participated in the D23 Scavenger Hunt, and…most exciting of all…watched a tear-jerking Richard Sherman concert featuring Figment and DREAMFINDER!
Our Other Trip Reports
Walt Disney World:
Adventures in Disney Dining – Disney Dining Plan Trip Report
First Walt Disney World Christmas Trip Report
Sweltering, Yet Quite Swell Summer Trip Report
Photography Weekend Fall Trip Report
Deluxe Dining Madness & Star Wars Weekend Trip Report
New Fantasyland Grand Opening Weekend Trip Report
Disneyland:
Security, Steak, and Success! Spring Trip Report
Home for the Holidays – Disneyland Christmas Trip Report
We hope you enjoyed these Disney trip reports! Like we said, they’re the foundation of the website, and what keeps the regular readers coming back (really…they’ve told us!). They’re a bit of an acquired taste, but we hope you acquired that taste!
If you enjoyed any of these reports, we’d be incredibly grateful if you’d share them with your friends by Tweeting out a link to this page, sharing the link on Facebook, or pinning photos from the reports to Pinterest! We spent a lot of time creating these reports, and we’d love it if you’d help us spread the word!
Need Disney trip planning tips and comprehensive advice? Make sure to read Disney Parks Vacation Planning Guides, where you can find comprehensive guides to Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and beyond!
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Your Thoughts…
Have any comments about the trip reports? Anything you’d like to see us do and report on? Share your thoughts below!
Just a heads up,the pictures in your first trip to Disneyland are not showing. Love the trip reports by the way!
Hey Tom-
I noticed your adventures in disney dining trip report doesn’t work. I’d love to read it.
Jason
My husband and adult son took me to Disneyland and California Adventure for my birthday, March 9, 2015. I have been going to Disneyland regularly since 1957. We have been annual pass holders but this trip was on the special for Southern California Residents that is currently being offered. I was disappointed that so many rides were closed – Soarin’ Over California (a favorite!), Splash Mountain, World of Color, Grizzly River Run, Captain EO, just to name a few. I realize they must have time for refurbishment and pick the “off-peak” months to do so. So, I was willing to work with that. We arrived at the park early, and after getting into Disneyland for a locker, went right over to California Adventure and arrived for the rope drop that lets everyone in. We headed straight to Radiator Springs as we wanted to ride the cars. We haven’t done this as it is so busy every other time we are there, but figured we do it this time. Well, people were lined up in the street with Cast Members telling us that the ride was down, but they hoped to get it going soon. They were not distributing Fast Passes. We waited for about 10 minutes, then left. Rode CA Screamin’ and a few other rides on Paradise Pier, then went back to Radiator Springs. People still waiting in the street. Waited for 15 mins then they let us into the line! Yay! We were in a great spot in line. We could see the cars being tested on the track, but we were told they still didn’t know when they would open. We waited for 30 mins and decided to get out of line – what a waste of time. Hung around on Buena Vista Street waiting to use our Fast Passes for Tower of Terror. Did that then headed back over to Disneyland for lunch. Had a great lunch at Carnation Cafe on Main Street then went to Indiana Jones, but it was also broken down – no fast passes being issued – drat again! Went on down and waited in line for Pirates of the Carribbean and rode that. Ran over and got fast passes for Big Thunder Mountain with a return time of 6:25 and it was early afternoon then. Haunted Mansion’s line was too long. All the people were bunched up at the rides that were open as so many of the rides were closed or broken down. We walked over to Space Mountain and it was also broken down! What is going on here? Like, I want my money back! We did get in a 30 minute line for Buzz Lightyear and rode that. Went back and Space Mtn was still down. Then we walked back to Indiana Jones and it was miraculously running again, so got in a 40 minute line, wait that long, and BAM! we get up to the car, have one group in front of us and the ride breaks down again. So now we’re worried because we have dinner reservations in Downtown Disney at Catal’s and are afraid, after spending the 40 minutes in line, will have to leave not riding Indian Jones to make our dinner reservation. We waited about 15 mins more and they finally got the ride going again, so we were able to ride Indiana Jones AND make our dinner reservation. Dinner was really nice, by the way. After diner, we went to check on Radiator Springs but the line was like 70 mins – NO, not doing that. We did the single line for CA Screamin’ then got in a 30 min. line for Toy Story Midway Mania and rode that. We walked back to Disneyland and went to Space Mountain and it was open with a 40 min line. We got in it and rode, then it was time for the park to close. We logged 13 miles traipsing between the two parks trying to find rides open! (We actually did use apps that helped us a bit with that, but with so many rides breaking down 2-3 times in a day, how can you rely on those apps being accurate?)
We live only 1 1/2 hours from Disneyland and try to plan our trips so we don’t have to deal with the crowds. I was REALLY DISAPPOINTED in this trip. Too many people and too many people trying to ride much fewer rides that we expected. I really feel like we deserve some kind of discount or refund. What do you think?
Patti,
The Disneyland web site actually posts all of their refurbishments on their site and you can check them up to 6 weeks in advance of your trip. For instance I can see right now that Indiana Jones, Peter Pan, Starcade, Matterhorn, and Soarin Over California are all being worked on right now but should be back up sometime next month. I suppose they want to make sure everything is up and running by the time the 60th Celebration begins in late May. So sorry this happened to you. I would be really upset too! I have no idea if Disney would give you any kind of compensation but I do know they are really into making sure guests are happy. If you kindly explain your disappointment and dissatisfaction to someone there, they may give you something for your trouble – but only if you’re nice! Good luck!
-Michelle
Problem is that chat DOES NOT WORK in https! Plus, if you visit ANY OTHER links in facebook, not restricted to "profile" etc you are redirected to the http link again.
Last week I take my 5 years old son to Disneyland. It’s the first time of him. We miss the parade 2 times, afternoon and evening, because of strong wind.
Hi Tom,
Thank you for your site. I just signed up and already feeling that I can’t find enough time to read all of the very useful blogs that you posted.
Using my DVC points work perfect for me and my boyfriend. I use my points and he pays for our airfare and food.
I recently used my points (160 points) to stay in a 2-bedroom at Playa Conchal in Costa Rica (April 26-May 3, 2014). We were upgraded to a 2-bedroom from a 1 bedroom. The stay was to die for (room, service, pool, beach and food). We paid $85/person/day for meals and all drinks. For me, this was a real big bang for your buck.
About 2 weeks ago, we were looking at booking at the world collection again and surprised to find that Playa Conchal is no longer listed in the RCI site. I guess our stay was too good to be true. We looked at Riviera Maya in Mexico but their all-inclusive fee was ridiculously expensive $170-230/person/day. Then, at this point, I agree that using my points in RCI is no longer an efficient option.
What can you say about using my points to an RCI destination?
Thanks for your time and more power to you.
Blanche
Can anyone comment on the best place to stay at the Contemporary Resort? The main building or garden wings?
Main building is definitely a cooler experience.
Will you be uploading your 2013 Monstrous Summer trip report? 🙂
I’m sure I speak for MANY of your most loyal and devoted fans when I say that we’re all DYING for the DCA re opening trip report!
No seriously though, not only have I been checking back weekly, but I’m putting off my first visit to the newly reopened DCA until I hear what my favorite Disney bloggers think of it! So get writing, please! I feel like I’m waiting for George R R Martin to finish book 6. Or it’s 2005 and I’m waiting for the last Harry Potter book.
Also thank you for creating a blog for twentysomething disnerds!
Oh wow, I didn’t realize that “Coming Soon” bit was still there. First, the bad news: since we did so many other DCA 2.0 posts, we decided against doing a trip report. It would have been redundant.
Now, the good news. We’ve done another trip report since that covers DCA 2.0 (at Christmas!): https://www.disneytouristblog.com/disneyland-christmas-2013-trip-report/
We also have a DCA 2.0 Review: https://www.disneytouristblog.com/disney-california-adventure-review/
Don’t put off that trip any longer. Get to DCA now!!! 🙂
Hey! I know it sometimes take a while but I was just wondering if you’ll be doing a Hong Kong Disneyland trip report? Or a second Tokyo Disneyland one??
No to a second Tokyo one, but most likely on the Hong Kong report. Things have gotten busy for me, and those trip reports take a long time to do!
Yeh, I assumed that was the case! They must take forever to write.
I love them though, I like to live vicariously through you. My bank account won’t let me go on as many Disney trips as I’d like to!
oh forgot to thank you for the DVC tips!!! I purchased at BLT this past April from The Timeshare Store – wonderful transaction and I paid $96/point!!!! Our Jan trip will be the first time it is used!!!
Tom – First let me say LOVE YOUR BLOG! Secondly, you know you are a die hard Disney fan when in conversation with friends we refer to you by first name as if we know you!!! So thank you for reporting on everything Disney and for your amazing photography! Your wisdom helped me purchase a Canon PowerShot last year before my Sept trip and my photos came out wonderful!
Ok now my question…traveling to WDW in January (surprise trip for my daughter – actually her Christmas present!) We will arrive Jan 17th – 21st and spend 2 half days at Universal. Any tips on what to expect int he parks for January – crowd wise, weather and/or any tips for “that other park”?? Thanks!
Love these. Wish there was a way to sort them in chronological order though. Or even just a list of links off to the side. I don’t know why, maybe it’s just that my brain likes to think more linear, but it’s interesting to see what trips you took in 2012, for example. I understand why you have them grouped by destination though.
How long until you guys go to and review Hong Kong? We just got back from WDW and although we had an amazing time, we’re looking for something fresher and more updated in our next Disney experience and thought HKD (or Tokyo) looked like places we could look at visiting next. Have you ever been?
It has been about 3 years since my last visit to Disneyland. I’ve been a regular since it opened. I read all the hype on how fabulous the upgrades at California Adventure are and while that may be true, I opted to take my grandchildren to Disneyland for their first visit. The last time I was there I couldn’t help but notice how run down so many of the original rides were… light bulbs out, faded glow in the dark paint on rides like Peter Pan. Just an overall run down look. So yesterday I was looking forward to watching little faces light up just as mine had at age 5. It appears that all the improvements were invested in attracting more visitors to California Adventure as I found Disneyland to be in the same run down condition as my previous visit. I was devasted when my granddaughter got off her first ride declairing “this is lame”. I agree. The magic goes out the window when the park isn’t properly maintained. It was a ridiculously expensive day and were we able to do it over we would have gone to California Adventure where everything is shiny and new. Shame on the Disney Company. For what you charge a family for admission it would behoove you to keep the park in pristeen condition. It was clean but inexcusably rundown.
I’d THOROUGHLY recommend a holiday to the TDR!
We found every single ride in PERFECT upkeep and the two parks look like they just opened yesterday!!!!
Great reports! I just spent a week in Orlando, and I made a fun video of the cool places I’d been! Check it out:
I had not been in a month or two and I am sure I know why they are gone – less pressure to keep up with everything you guys have going on Disney wise and Real life, but I actually miss the list of all the trips you had that said coming soon! 🙂 It was fun to see the times you had been and what was coming up!! 🙂 LOVE the Trip Reports!
There’s a new report on the main page of the blog!