Disneyland became the very definition of a theme park and family vacation when it opened in California in July, 1955.

For decades, it has amazed kids and parents alike, with its enchanting atmosphere, great attractions and shows. It soon became a popular vacation spot for families, allowing the parent to enjoy a soothing vacation at the nearby resort, but still allowing the kids to have a blast at the park.

First-time visitors will be able to take in the Disneyland Resort with a three- or four-day visit, as opposed to the full week or more that a first-timer would need to see Disney World. That leaves a visitor with a few extra days to visit some of Southern California's other attractions, including Knott's Berry Farm, Universal Studios, and the beaches.

When going to Disneyland, think about the hotel you will stay at. It is best to stay at a hotel inside Disneyland, or in some of the Harbor Blvd hotels, which are not far from the front entrances of the park, rather than in an on- property hotel.

On the other hand, some of the on-property hotels, like Disneylands Grand California Hotel or Candy Cane Inn have done miracles to preserve the Disneyland theme. These hotels provide such an exciting experience that it would be a shame to miss.

Although getting up early is hardly what you dream about while on vacation, try to arrive early at Disney~s and use their FastPass system. FastPasses are available at the distribution center for each ride. Arriving early is advisable because only this way you can enjoy most of the rides and have unforgettable days at Disney~s.

Just put a valid park admission ticket in the machine, and it gives you a FastPass ticket for that ride. Unfortunately, it is not available for all rides, only the larger, more popular ones.

If you go to Disney~s with very young children, you can still enjoy all park~s attractions. Consider a child swap ~ i.e. one of the adults stays with the children, who are too young for a particular ride. The others from the group enjoy the ride and when they return from there, they stay with the children, while the other guy or lady has fun at the ride.

Disneyland is a great place to go to anytime of the year, since there are great shows all the time. A popular show is parades. This is a chance for kids to meet their beloved Disneyland characters and above all ~ to have their picture taken with them. Another attraction is floats of dancers, musicians, and horses. The astonishing fireworks are another great show to see at Disney~s.

Whatever rides and attractions inside Disney you visit, there is no doubt that it will be a memorable vacation for the whole family. Certainly, for children it will be a really exciting experience to visit a dream place like Disney~s but for parents, too, the time at Disney~s (and the resorts inside it) will also be a remarkable experience. And why not repeat it again next year?

David Banderton is the operator of ALTA Vacation His site has a comprehensive collection of information on vacations, plus a free newsletter, resources and vacation articles. For great vacation information, go to: http://www.altavacation.com