Disneyland Park / California Adventure Park
Anaheim, CA
I can't believe I'm doing a blog post about the Magic Kingdom ! But I just had to because I haven't been here in eons. I was really not feelin' it, already over it, because Disney had become for me, just a long day standing in lines, walking thru crowds of people, all the magic was not so magic anymore.
This visit was different ! I actually had a GREAT day ! I had no idea HOW much has changed since my last visit... I mean a lot of new rides and attractions, mostly over at California Adventure Park, but still, it was a fun day. We decided to go on Memorial Day of all the days to pick! SERIOUSLY. (because we were celebrating our 27 year wedding Anniversary, taking the Grand-baby and using up my daughters last weekend of her 2-day pass she bought back in February) and lucky for us what was once a negative thing in our lives was about to payback !
My eldest daughter has had back issues since middle school (Scheuermann's Kyphosis, not fun, held in a body brace through high school 24 -7!) so that garnered us a what I call " MAGIC PASS" ! No long line waiting for us ! HOOORAY! We managed 25+ rides and attractions in less than a day. (*Tip you get one of these at the Guest Relations on Main Street once you enter the park, this let's you enter the exit door of each ride and get on quick !... not good for ALL rides, mostly only for Disneyland and not California Adventures) (*TIp this where you also get the free collectors pins) We were able to score 4 pins, 2 "Happy Anniversarys", one "Honorary Citizen" and one "I'll get back to you on this one" pin.
Our first ride and always our first ride, since I was a child going to the D.L. is Pirates of the Caribbean ! The ride itself is the same, only now they have added some JACK SPARROWS to the mix of pirates :) and who doesn't like a Jack Sparrow ?
I am not going to bore you with each and every ride that we went on so I am just going to talk about the highlights and new things to me. I had never been on the Buzz Light year Astro Blaster ride, well at least that I could recall, most likely because of the long lines at the height of it's popularity, during the movie Toy Story (just about the time I last visited perhaps?) That was pretty fun, at least the inter-activeness of it was. It takes your photo towards the end so be ready ! You get to email the photo to yourself at the end of the ride. Just find your photo on the screens provided and type in your email address.
Sad to see that the Bear Jamboree was gone ! It's now the The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh ride. Psychidellic colored ride for the little kids. *TIP Funny part is that at one point in the ride if you turn and look back.. you'll find some of the old MOOSE head friends from bear jamboree still hangin' around :)
Mickey's SoundSational Parade, this day it was it's 1 Year Anniversary. It's a cute daytime parade. But nothing will ever compare to the Main Street Electrical Parade. booooh Adjacent to It's a Small World while waiting for the parade to start there was a character meet and greet for the new movie Brave, girl.
It's a Small World... this ride has been refurbished. Still pretty much the same. Only they've added new characters segments like Ariel, Toy Story etc. Still one of the longest rides in the park, but not for us :)
I hadn't been on the new Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage ride since it's makeover either. It seemed roomier in the subs. It was cute, themed out around Nemo... (it needed some repairs, starfish decorations were missing with giant glue globs showing everywhere on the rock formations) I was sad that the mermaids were nowhere to be seen, they were always a big highlight for me as a little girl. I would think they would have had Ariel under the sea ! and her Kingdom and King Triton ! but nooooooooooooo.
One ride I had never been patient enough to go on was Peter Pan. Really, I don't think I had been on it in many decades do to the fact the line was always the longest ! But with the Magic Pass, it was no problem. I luved it ! I can see why the line is the longest. Flying over London, like Peter Pan and Tink, cool. :)
Okay, so we ended up heading over to California Adventures and I was scratching my head as to why, because the last time we were there it was sooo boring ! They had what, 3-4 rides, a vineyard, YAWN. This time there seemed to be more to do and I didn't even go on those 3-4 rides I had been on before.
Paradise Pier here we come ! We went on Toy Story Mania an interactive 4D ride where you compete at shooting targets, with you spring action shooter, as you go through the TS character areas, soooo fun and then over to the Hollywood Pictures Back Lot for the The MAD T PARTY !! (A new attraction replacing Tron), Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland. Basically, it's an outdoor RAVE club, with a DJ playing techno music (all the trend, Vegas, LA etc) a variety of performance artists, for the whole family. Perfect theme if you ask me ! The bar had DRINK ME across the top, the DJ was wearing glass white rabbit ears. JUMBO screens, laser lights... an arcade, all the games were themed out, Alice in Wonderland. This area is adjacent to the MONSTERS INC RIDE (uhm, why is this ride even here?) Dancers, glowing blinking drinking tea glasses to enjoy your cocktails in, yes as in BOOZE! (Booze at a Disney Destination?) There were some MAD dancing teenagers there, Ecstasy is surely in their system. It was so fun, I really want to go back and do that. It only goes on till 11:00p.
There is an evening World of Color nighttime water show (much like the old Fantastmic that was over on Sawyers Isd back in the 90s, lasers and fountains) This goes on twice 8:00 and 10:00 although most people don't know about the second showing for some reason ? Quite a lot of people clear out by then. ) *Tip: get tickets over at Grizzly Riverrun Fastpass machines, attendants are there to help you.... this gets you a reserved spot over by the water show.) If you don't get a ticket you get seated farther back over by the Little Mermiad ride.
The Little Mermaid ~ Ariels Undersea Adventure is so cool, sort of like it's a small world, but better, better animatronics ! We went on it twice, in a row!) Sort of like the Haunted mansion only you ride in a clam shaped car.
(Tip: If you're a big fan of Ariel you can see her in Ariels Grotto adjacent to the ride.)
Lots of places to eat, much healthier food choices... look for "Mickey's Check" mark - "Disney Magic Healthy Living" program.
Come June 15th the New CarsLand will open ! Luigis Flying Tires, Mater's Junkyard, Radiator Springs races. Our 2-Park Hopper pass expires on the 9th, wouldn't you know it. On June 14th the park will be closed due to a press day for the new park area opening.
Anaheim, CA
I can't believe I'm doing a blog post about the Magic Kingdom ! But I just had to because I haven't been here in eons. I was really not feelin' it, already over it, because Disney had become for me, just a long day standing in lines, walking thru crowds of people, all the magic was not so magic anymore.
This visit was different ! I actually had a GREAT day ! I had no idea HOW much has changed since my last visit... I mean a lot of new rides and attractions, mostly over at California Adventure Park, but still, it was a fun day. We decided to go on Memorial Day of all the days to pick! SERIOUSLY. (because we were celebrating our 27 year wedding Anniversary, taking the Grand-baby and using up my daughters last weekend of her 2-day pass she bought back in February) and lucky for us what was once a negative thing in our lives was about to payback !
My eldest daughter has had back issues since middle school (Scheuermann's Kyphosis, not fun, held in a body brace through high school 24 -7!) so that garnered us a what I call " MAGIC PASS" ! No long line waiting for us ! HOOORAY! We managed 25+ rides and attractions in less than a day. (*Tip you get one of these at the Guest Relations on Main Street once you enter the park, this let's you enter the exit door of each ride and get on quick !... not good for ALL rides, mostly only for Disneyland and not California Adventures) (*TIp this where you also get the free collectors pins) We were able to score 4 pins, 2 "Happy Anniversarys", one "Honorary Citizen" and one "I'll get back to you on this one" pin.
Our first ride and always our first ride, since I was a child going to the D.L. is Pirates of the Caribbean ! The ride itself is the same, only now they have added some JACK SPARROWS to the mix of pirates :) and who doesn't like a Jack Sparrow ?
I am not going to bore you with each and every ride that we went on so I am just going to talk about the highlights and new things to me. I had never been on the Buzz Light year Astro Blaster ride, well at least that I could recall, most likely because of the long lines at the height of it's popularity, during the movie Toy Story (just about the time I last visited perhaps?) That was pretty fun, at least the inter-activeness of it was. It takes your photo towards the end so be ready ! You get to email the photo to yourself at the end of the ride. Just find your photo on the screens provided and type in your email address.
Sad to see that the Bear Jamboree was gone ! It's now the The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh ride. Psychidellic colored ride for the little kids. *TIP Funny part is that at one point in the ride if you turn and look back.. you'll find some of the old MOOSE head friends from bear jamboree still hangin' around :)
Mickey's SoundSational Parade, this day it was it's 1 Year Anniversary. It's a cute daytime parade. But nothing will ever compare to the Main Street Electrical Parade. booooh Adjacent to It's a Small World while waiting for the parade to start there was a character meet and greet for the new movie Brave, girl.
It's a Small World... this ride has been refurbished. Still pretty much the same. Only they've added new characters segments like Ariel, Toy Story etc. Still one of the longest rides in the park, but not for us :)
I hadn't been on the new Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage ride since it's makeover either. It seemed roomier in the subs. It was cute, themed out around Nemo... (it needed some repairs, starfish decorations were missing with giant glue globs showing everywhere on the rock formations) I was sad that the mermaids were nowhere to be seen, they were always a big highlight for me as a little girl. I would think they would have had Ariel under the sea ! and her Kingdom and King Triton ! but nooooooooooooo.
One ride I had never been patient enough to go on was Peter Pan. Really, I don't think I had been on it in many decades do to the fact the line was always the longest ! But with the Magic Pass, it was no problem. I luved it ! I can see why the line is the longest. Flying over London, like Peter Pan and Tink, cool. :)
Okay, so we ended up heading over to California Adventures and I was scratching my head as to why, because the last time we were there it was sooo boring ! They had what, 3-4 rides, a vineyard, YAWN. This time there seemed to be more to do and I didn't even go on those 3-4 rides I had been on before.
Paradise Pier here we come ! We went on Toy Story Mania an interactive 4D ride where you compete at shooting targets, with you spring action shooter, as you go through the TS character areas, soooo fun and then over to the Hollywood Pictures Back Lot for the The MAD T PARTY !! (A new attraction replacing Tron), Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland. Basically, it's an outdoor RAVE club, with a DJ playing techno music (all the trend, Vegas, LA etc) a variety of performance artists, for the whole family. Perfect theme if you ask me ! The bar had DRINK ME across the top, the DJ was wearing glass white rabbit ears. JUMBO screens, laser lights... an arcade, all the games were themed out, Alice in Wonderland. This area is adjacent to the MONSTERS INC RIDE (uhm, why is this ride even here?) Dancers, glowing blinking drinking tea glasses to enjoy your cocktails in, yes as in BOOZE! (Booze at a Disney Destination?) There were some MAD dancing teenagers there, Ecstasy is surely in their system. It was so fun, I really want to go back and do that. It only goes on till 11:00p.
There is an evening World of Color nighttime water show (much like the old Fantastmic that was over on Sawyers Isd back in the 90s, lasers and fountains) This goes on twice 8:00 and 10:00 although most people don't know about the second showing for some reason ? Quite a lot of people clear out by then. ) *Tip: get tickets over at Grizzly Riverrun Fastpass machines, attendants are there to help you.... this gets you a reserved spot over by the water show.) If you don't get a ticket you get seated farther back over by the Little Mermiad ride.
The Little Mermaid ~ Ariels Undersea Adventure is so cool, sort of like it's a small world, but better, better animatronics ! We went on it twice, in a row!) Sort of like the Haunted mansion only you ride in a clam shaped car.
(Tip: If you're a big fan of Ariel you can see her in Ariels Grotto adjacent to the ride.)
Lots of places to eat, much healthier food choices... look for "Mickey's Check" mark - "Disney Magic Healthy Living" program.
Come June 15th the New CarsLand will open ! Luigis Flying Tires, Mater's Junkyard, Radiator Springs races. Our 2-Park Hopper pass expires on the 9th, wouldn't you know it. On June 14th the park will be closed due to a press day for the new park area opening.
Big tip: On the getting to the parking structure, don't get caught on Disney Dr. take the Ball Road (off Harbor blvd). Otherwise you get caught up in traffic and people cutting in on you.. FOREVER! FYI : My husband found tickets on Craiglist. Apparently some people buy hopper passes at stores and then turn around and "Rent" them out to people for the day at a discount. (the store passes don't collect your name to match to the pass) The guys meet you at a location by DL. Sketchy to me so we opted to purchase our own 2-park hoppers at full price.
Day 2 well more like NIght 2 - June 8th
California Adventures on GRAD NIGHT ! OH noooooooooh. High energy. A bit crowded. After 10:00p most of the family's with mall children go home so you get that last hour of space. We arrived by 8:30ish. C.A.P closes at 10:00, D.L.P. closes at 11:00, Main Street shopping and trams go till an hour after park closing hours. We hadn't much time !
First stop back to, Arie's ride, for Grandbaby, no magic pass this time, the line wasn't too bad at all, moves quick. We had planned to check out the Jumpin Jellyfish next. *Tip: The JellyFish and Golden Zephyr rides get shut down early, because of the water show. So then a Bugs land it is... Francis's Ladybug Boogie (like the tea-cups only for the little ones), bumper cars... kiddy rides all encased in Fliks Fun Fair... we decided not to wait for the bumper cars and head back over to our favorite...
Back to the Mad T party of course ! This time we actually enjoyed a drink or two. (choices are, mojito, cosmo and one other) FYI, they shut down the bar at 9:30p. Party is over at 10:00p. Basically the same show we saw on Memorial weekend. A few new characters, tweedle dee and dumb greeted us at the gate. Still so much fun, great energy. Grandbaby loves it! We got front row, right on the stage and a photo with the DJ Bunny !, if you want one just wait on the side of the stage after the last song.
Water show time, this time we got our tickets, (yellow) so we were 2 rows from the front of the water. (soak zone)
Park closing so off we went back over to Disneyland for our last hour.
At one point they shut down the passage way to sleeping beauty's castle...
We got lost looking for a shortcut from Adventureland over to Fantasyland and ended up behind the scenes ! Hilarious. A lot of queer looks from employees as to how we got to where we were. I snuck a few quick photos. :)
We made our way to King Arthur's carousel, snuck in another ride on it (just stay on it as other get off), then over to the Tea cups... ( we were slammed, kicked out of our tea cup !... needed a GradNight wristband, park was closed to regular visitors and still a go for the Gradnighter crowd.) Since I missed my chance at a Disneyland Gradnight adventure, I got to sort of live it out now, via a little peak into their world that night, if only for a ride or two. :) Alice in Wonderland let us on. As we were walking out to exit the park there was a concert going on, bright sky lights for the grads...
This whole Adventure turned out to be pretty fun in the end and I would highly recommend anyone that has trepidations like me to venture back into your youth with a re-visit to Disneyland to DO IT ! ... and splurge a little, get a 2-Day Hopper pass.
Pin Collectors : FYI as we were purchasing a souvenier for the Grandbaby, the cashier offered us a collectors pin and let us ruffle though a box to select one. So you can get them elsewhere besides Guest Relations.
A Magical App for a Magical Vacation
Get attraction wait times, FASTPASS return times,
Find Characters via GPS enabled park maps, Park info, hours, dining and more.
text MAGIC to 2777 or Android Market for download (free) Verizon phone
m.disneyland.com
A Magical App for a Magical Vacation
Get attraction wait times, FASTPASS return times,
Find Characters via GPS enabled park maps, Park info, hours, dining and more.
text MAGIC to 2777 or Android Market for download (free) Verizon phone
m.disneyland.com
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