Archive for the 'Disneyland' Category

No kids allowed on Disneyland’s Splash Mountain?

My four year old daughter is going to be crushed. She loves to sit in the front row.
No kids allowed on Disneyland’s Splash Mountain?

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Video of the Monsanto House of the Future - part 2

Part to of the previous post’s video.

YouTube - House of the future - part 2

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Video of the Monsanto House of the Future - part 1

This video shows an extinct Tomorrowland attraction: The Monsanto House of the Future. The house was made out of plastic and inside, you could see new technologies and holdhold items. It’s kind of like Innoventions housed in a life size playhouse.

YouTube - House of the future - part 1

(via BoingBoing)

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DCA Redwood Creek Challenge Trail

Redwood Creek Map from Disney's California Adventure
One of my favorite attractions in Disney’s California Adventure is the often over looked Redwood Creek Challenge Trail. It’s located on the west side of the park just north of the Grand Californian Hotel. Once you enter the trail, you are transported to the pacific northwest as you are surrounded by tall pine trees that block your view of the outside world.Imagine the playground-like feel of Tarzan’s Tree House without the cheesy theming. Hikers can walk through an old red wood tree, swing on a rope swing, climb rope towers, and map forest fires at the Mt Shasta lookout. A small rock climbing wall allows kids to test their finger strength while slides and boulders allow them to play freely.There is a tie to Disney’s Brother Bear in Hibernation Hallow that allows kids to learn what their spirit animal is and regular shows feature Kenai at Ahwahnee Camp Circle.This giant playground is the perfect way to allow your kids to get some of their energy out after waiting in too many lines.

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Eating at Disneyland

I’ve come to the realization that eating in the park isn’t “that” expensive. When we sit down to eat in the park and buy two adult meals and two kids meals, the price is consistently around $30. I’ve been paying attention here in Phoenix to our recent eating-out expenses. Most places we eat at the bill is between $20 and $30 for basically the same thing - two adult meals and two kids meals. I’m talking about casual dining like Red Robin, Macaroni Grill, and even Chuck E Cheese which I would say is comparable to the quality food you get at places like the French Market, Rancho del Zocalo, and Redd Rockett’s Pizza Port.Â

The biggest difference are beverages. This is where the bill will creep up on you if you’re not careful. The kids meals come with drinks, but due to price, we usually only purchase one adult drink to share. Typically, this is a bottle of water that is easy to take with us and we don’t have to worry about it spilling in the stroller. Also, we avoid buying snacks with our meals. Almost all the cashiers have cookies, rice krispy treats or some sugary snack at their station. Heath concerns aside, these are expensive. Plus, don’t go for the souvenir cups if trying to save on cash.

We also avoid the temptation of the snack stands throughout the park. Buying a snack for everyone can easily be half the price of a full meal. Plus the crash after the sugar wears off is hard to deal with.

When we go in a few weeks, we are going to see exactly much we can avoid eating in the park. I think this is more experimental than necessity. How do you deal with eating in the parks?Â

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Disneyland Sleeping Beauty Castle Snow Show


I received my annual passholder newsletter today and read about this new holiday experience. The holiday decoration on Sleeping Beauty’s Castle looks great this year, but each night they do a show that simulates snow. Apparently, this is for the tikes that can’t make it through the fireworks show to see the “real” snow. Anyway, youtube user chrisaustx has posted a video where he captured it on video.Â

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Parking at Disneyland

When driving to Disneyland, you have several choices for parking. If you are staying at one of the official Disneyland hotels, there are designated parking spots to park you car in during your stay. You can then either ride the monorail or walk to the park of your choice. However, if you are staying elsewhere, you have a few options.

  • Anaheim Resort Transit: The trolley is a quick and efficient way to get from most good neighbor hotels to the park. They will pick you up at the hotel’s entrance and drop you off at the main gate. They run every 15 minutes to 30 minutes depending on the time of year. The cost is reasonable: Kids 9 and under are free. 9 and over can get a pass at the following rates:
    • 1 day - $3
    • 2 day - $6
    • 3 day - $8
    • 5 day - $12

    Remember, this is per person. Most the good neighbor hotels sell the tickets. The biggest drawback is you have to catch the trolley. If you miss it, you may be waiting 20 or more minutes before it comes around again. And this is on both sides, leaving your hotel and leaving Disneyland. Also, if you go during peak season, fitting everyone on with strollers and such can become a mess.

  • Pumba Parking Lot: The entrance to this parking lot is off of Disney Way. It’s a decent size lot but may only be open on busy days (Fri-Sun) depending on the season. There is no tram or shuttle from this lot to the main gate so be prepared for the walk. The walk isn’t too difficult and is probably faster than catching a shuttle in pure time. You basically have to walk down Disney Way and Down Harbour to the main gate.
  • Timon Parking Lot: Take the Lion King tram to and from Disneyland. Entrance is off of Harbour Blvd. $11 per car. This is the best lot for quick shuttle access and the shuttle ride is short. Use this lot if you can. It may fill up fast and close early.
  • Mickey and Friends Parking Structure: This is a massive parking garage. Once there, take the tram to Downtown Disney (this puts you as close to the main gates as you can get). $11 per car. The garage is huge with lots of spaces but you’ll have to deal with stairs, elevators or escalators. Shuttles run frequently but will get full. The tram ride is scenic with a few decorations but rather long.
  • Pinocchio Parking Lot: Located right outside the Mickey and Friends Parking Structure, this lot is usually unavailable. However, if you are returning to the park after 3 or 4 pm, give it a look. It has the same pros and cons as the garage except you don’t have to mess with the going up and down floors.


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Tough to be a bug

Though 2 B A Bug, originally uploaded by Rick & Bart.

Pretty cool photo from the Tough to be a Bug attraction in DCA

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LaughingPlace.com: DCA Expansion complete release and concept art

LaughingPlace.com: DCA Expansion complete release and concept art

All I can say is, "Yay!" The additions sound awesome. I can’t wait. 

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Disney’s HalloweenTime Video

Now that I live in Phoenix and Disneyland is only 5.5 hours away, I purchased annual passes. Our first trip, Disney’s HalloweenTime. We’re going to Mickey’s Halloween Treat on October 30th and the kids are gonna be dressed as Mickey and Arial. Trip count down stands at 12 days (271 hours 6 minutes and 4 seconds, but whose counting?).

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Walt Disney’s CLUB 33 at Disneyland

YouTube - Walt Disney's CLUB 33 at Disneyland

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Disney Attractions have Stories

They’d say, ‘I want to go on the Jungle Cruise, the Mark Twain Riverboat, the Pirates of the Caribbean…but I don’t want to go on any of the rides!’ I figured out that rides meant the whip or the Ferris wheel at amusement parks. The public recognized these were different. They all had stories.
- Marty Sklar : Long Time Walt Disney Imagineer

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Disneyland for Disney World Lovers

LaughingPlace.com blog True-Life Adventureland has six tips for the Walt Disney World fans traveling to Disneyland for the first time.

LaughingPlace.com: Disneyland for Disney World Lovers (True-Life Adventureland)

I think the tips are spot on. And I totally think that the ferris wheel (Sun Wheel) in California Adventure is the scariest Disney attraction.

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Disneyland Cast Members Offer their Top 10 Tips for Disneyland

Official Disneyland Podcast
The official Disneyland podcast has released a new video episode with cast memebers sharing the top ten travel tips while at Disneyland. Watch it on their website or download via iTunes. Most seasoned travelers to the parks will find these obvious but it’s still fun to watch.

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Remember…Dreams Come True Video Montage

Albert wrote in to share his video of Disney clips set to the soundtrack of the Remember…Dreams Come True fireworks show. It is very well done and includes movie clips and in park pictures and clips. The video runs 8 minutes so it’s not the length of the entire fireworks show, but it is very well done.

Albert has quite a collection of Disney fan videos on his YouTube page.

For an impressively in-depth guide of Remember…Dreams Come True, check out MousePlanet’s coverage by Alex Stroup. Not only does Alex do a detailed show description with spoilers, but he also tells you where to sit for best viewing and includes photos and maps. Awesome job Alex!

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