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.
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
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?).
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.
Long Lines - This is completely dependent on when you go and how “new” the ride is. The most popular time of year is during the summer. Kids are out of school and families enjoy taking summer vacations. Lines can easily creep up to an hour long. Plan your vacation to avoid these busy times and you’ll be able to walk on to most rides in 15 minutes or less. Also, a popular refurbished ride like Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage may have a two or three hour line, but that’s because it just opened after years of being closed. Last year, Pirates of the Caribbean reopened with characters from the new movies and it saw lines of two to three hours. Now, lines are shorter than 10 minutes.
It’s Too Expensive - General admission at Six Flags in L.A. is $59.00 per day - for one park. Knotts Berry Farm is a little cheaper at $48.95 per ticket for one park. A single day ticket for one park at Disneyland is $53.00. If you want to go to Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure, you’ll pay $73.00 or $36 per park. No matter which theme park you go to, you’re gonna pay for hotel, parking, food, and your tickets. Disneyland isn’t anymore expensive than the competitors.
They Only Serve Junk Food - While Disneyland has always served fried and fatty food, they are changing their ways. Most menus now offer fruit cups, yogurt and juice. They have also vowed to eliminate all Trans fatty foods from their menus. For those that don’t know, Trans Fatty food lowers your good cholesterol and raises the bad.
It’s Only for Kids - While Disneyland won’t give you the thrillers like a Six Flags will, Disney’s California Adventure does have some pretty exhilarating rides. If you’re a parent, rides will be far less important than hanging out having funs will the little ones. The faces they make are priceless. Lastly, the Disney Magic will still impress the most cynical of adults. You may not envision yourself having fun or being fascinated, but trust me, you will.
Shooting the video with a little more quick pans and jerkyness would had made it look even more vintage. It seems like most old 8mm videos make you motion sick.
Do you happen to have a video or sound file of the short-lived streetshow at California Adventure called “Chance to Shine?”
The only place I know to get this video is on the DVD A Look Back at DCA Entertainment. I don’t own and haven’t seen this DVD. Does anyone have a review of it they’d like to share?
Disneylandtour.com does his monthly 10 minute goodness on youtube taking us on Rockin’ Space Mountain and Rockin’ California Screamin’. After listening to the official Disneyland podcast yesterday, I have some appreciation for the work that went into adding these soundtracks. As a special bonus, he’s included footage of the Animal Kingdom’s Expedition Everest in Walt Disney World.
As you go through the Scream Factory on the Monsters, Inc. ride in DCA, there are bulliten boards with various notes, wanted ads and company postings. If you click through on the above picture, you will some pretty humorous notes. The one I particularly like is, “Top Ten Ways to Get Fired.”
This family spent a weekend at California theme parks. Day 1 they were at Knotts Berry Farm and day 2 was Disney’s California Adventure. The video is a little heavy on Knotts with only about two minutes out of the six focused on Disney. However, it’s still fun to watch. Especially if you’re a Knotts fan.
