and are going to Disneyland in two weeks.

I'm one that initially viewed taking the family to Disney as a total chore (crowds, heat, expense = not relaxing).

What I've learned is that Disney can be a blast if you follow the following principles:

1. Go during a relatively less crowded time (i.e., when most kids are in school). Along those lines, avoid Christmas, Easter, and the middle of the summer.
2. Plan the hades out of the vacation (research the attractions, restaurants, etc. and use "Ridemax" etc. to have a daily plan for visiting attractions)
3. Get to the parks at rope drop.

Doing the combination of 1-3 will result in a SIGNFICANT reduction of your average wait time.

We also think that at least at Disney World, staying on-property, albeit expensive, really enhances the vacation (not as necessary at Disneyland since there are many relatively less expensive hotels close to the parks, e.g., "Good Neighbor" hotels).

Along those lines, we don't stay in the parks all day. We go from about rope drop to 1-2 pm, then go back to the resort to chill out/swim (big advantage to staying on property at Disney World), then go back to the parks in the evening after a nice, relaxing dinner. It's a great vacation because the kids are never bored and there's enough R&R built in that the adults are happy too.

My biggest beef with Disney is that it's so darn expensive.