The Disney Frontier Blog

This blogger went to Disneyland expecting the worst:

I expected it to look like a Mad Max wasteland, as depicted in the 2Pac and Dr. Dre music video of “California Love“. I was disappointed in this respect.

Instead, he found real magic.

Who pissed in your Corn Flakes?: Confirmed: Disneyland is in fact, the happiest place on Earth.

Disneylandtour.com has posted a video walk through of the Toy Story Mania ride with a full strategy guide on how to score the most points. Check it out.

TJ of Disneylandtour.com has done an awesome job with this video - I think it must have taken many hours to put together. This is his first dedicated video of Disney’s California Adventure and shows in detail where and how the $1.1 Billion will be spent.

Before watching this video, I hadn’t fully comprehended the extend of the changes. They will affect most areas of the park in some way or another and will definitely draw more crowds.

I’m most excited for the new Toy Story Mania ride. It should be technically awesome - and spending $1 million on the Mr. Potato Head animatronic is huge.

YouTube - Disneyland Update-Expansion of Disney’s California Adventure

I know this isn’t new news, but I’m so excited about the Disney’s California Adventure updates that I want to share them again:

• # A major new attraction based on the animated Disney classic "The Little Mermaid"
• An amazing nighttime spectacular that plays out on the sparkling waters of Paradise Bay
• Toy Story Mania! — a new attraction that combines the fun of classic boardwalk games and the Disney*Pixar "Toy Story" films.
• A 12-acre "Cars" Land that recreates the town of Radiator Springs, complete with three amazing new attractions featuring characters from the hit Disney*Pixar film "Cars."

Disneyland® - Annual Passholder News & Events

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

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

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

LaughingPlace.com: DCA Expansion complete release and concept art

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

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?).

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.

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.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.

Tags: Disney, Vacation, Theme Parks

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.

Austin wrote in to ask:

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.