AUTHOR: Tom Bell

Tom is the former host/producer of the Disneyland Edition podcast and is currently the co-host of the Connecting With Walt podcast, plus is also providing Disneyland content from the parks. He enjoys traveling with friends and spending time with family, including his son and grandson. In his spare time he volunteers with Scouts BSA and Cub Scouts, and helped found his son's former Cub Scout Pack. His favorite Disneyland attraction is Space Mountain.

A Relaxing Stay at the Candlewood Suites Near Disneyland

By Tom Bell | Published April 22, 2025

The great thing about the Disneyland Resort area is that, despite the compact footprint compared to Walt Disney World, there are still plenty of different types of hotel and motel options for travelers. Over the last few months, I’ve stayed at several different Good Neighbor Hotel categories from moderate to superior, but never a one … A Relaxing Stay at the Candlewood Suites Near Disneyland

Time is Running Out to Visit the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival

By Tom Bell | Published April 15, 2025

Have you visited the 2025 Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival? If you haven’t made it out to this annual event, you do have time, but you’d better hurry as the celebration ends on April 21st. I stopped in for the first time recently and enjoyed some of the festival fun, including some of … Time is Running Out to Visit the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival

Riding Anaheim Regional Transportation to the Disneyland Resort

By Tom Bell | Published March 31, 2025

On my last two trips to the Disneyland Resort area, I stayed at Good Neighbor Hotels that were beyond where I felt comfortable walking to the theme parks. Other folks were walking, but for me, a 0.75-mile walk in the cool morning air or at the end of a long day wasn’t something I wanted … Riding Anaheim Regional Transportation to the Disneyland Resort

Why We’re Glad that Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe Has Reopened at Disneyland

By Tom Bell | Published March 28, 2025

Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe reopened this weekend at the end of Disneyland Park’s Main Street, U.S.A. and we couldn’t be happier. With its great menu and vast seating, it was definitely missed. We visited on opening weekend to check the place out and try some of the new menu items. From what we could tell, … Why We’re Glad that Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe Has Reopened at Disneyland

The Quest for a Decent Breakfast at Disney California Adventure

By Tom Bell | Published March 22, 2025

The Disneyland Resort has some of the best theme park food available, but picky me always has trouble deciding on breakfast when I “rope drop” Disney California Adventure. Disneyland Park has a breakfast character meal, two sit-down breakfast options, two bakeries, and several counter-service breakfast options. California Adventure has a brunch, one bakery, and a … The Quest for a Decent Breakfast at Disney California Adventure

A Stay at the Budget-Friendly Motel 6 Near Disneyland

By Tom Bell | Published March 18, 2025

Did you know that there’s a Motel 6 in Anaheim near the Disneyland Resort? I’ve stayed at many a Motel 6 in my day, but never the one near Disneyland, so I decided to check it out. This is not your typical roadside Motel 6 that welcomes travelers traveling cross-country. This is a 240-room 3 … A Stay at the Budget-Friendly Motel 6 Near Disneyland

Sampling GG’s Chicken Shop in Downtown Disney’s Parkside Market

By Tom Bell | Published March 6, 2025

GG’s Chicken Shop is one of the eateries inside the new Parkside Market at the west end of Downtown Disney in the Disneyland Resort. I didn’t make it to the new location last trip, so I made sure to stop by this visit to check things out. The location features fried and grilled chicken sandwiches, … Sampling GG’s Chicken Shop in Downtown Disney’s Parkside Market

Let’s See Why Disneyland Fans Love Howard Johnson Anaheim

By Tom Bell | Published March 5, 2025

The Howard Johnson Anaheim Hotel & Water Playground has been a fan favorite as long as I can remember. With its mid-century modern decor and its convenient location, the Good Neighbor Hotel continues to be popular with Disneyland Resort visitors, so I decided to spend a weekend here to see just what makes this hotel … Let’s See Why Disneyland Fans Love Howard Johnson Anaheim

My Experience With Lightning Lane at the Disneyland Resort

By Tom Bell | Published February 6, 2025

On a recent trip to the Disneyland Resort, I decided to give Lightning Lane Multi Pass another chance. I had used the service a few months ago but got a late start that day, so the results were mediocre at best. With the addition of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and Haunted Mansion to Lightning Lane, I … My Experience With Lightning Lane at the Disneyland Resort

Top New Food Picks at Disney California Adventure’s Lunar New Year

By Tom Bell | Published January 29, 2025

Since I made it to opening weekend of the Lunar New Year Celebration at Disney California Adventure, I figured it was my responsibility to try some of the new food items at this year’s Festival Marketplaces. I picked up a Sip and Savor Pass [$48] that allowed me to try 6 items and headed over … Top New Food Picks at Disney California Adventure’s Lunar New Year