Just make sure they're missing out on a friend's birthday party or something that weekend!
Also: I haven't been to Disneyland since I was younger than three years old, so I can't really help you in deciding on what to see.
Posts: 1592 | Registered: Jan 2001
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ohhh man, Pat. Three days, you'll be able to do everything at least twice.
Must visit these things at least once: Indiana Jones Space Mountain Star Wars Pirates of the Carribean (don't listen to OSC, this ride is cool) Splash Mountain
as far as rides, these are the great ones. The not-so-great-but-still-cool ones are Matterhorn, Haunted Mansion, and Thunder Mountain. Don't go on Small World. Just don't. The Rocket Rods look cool, but only go when the park is about to close and the lines are really short. In fact, that's the best time to ride the rides. I went on Indiana Jones like five times after eleven o'clock once. Save that for the older kids, though. Little ones tend to burn out at around seven. And don't listen to what anyone tells you: the line is half the experience. Pull the well ropes at IJ, read the gravestones at the Haunted Mansion, etc etc.
Watch Fanstasmic. Just do it. It's an awesome show.
Don't buy food. If you absolutely must, there's a clam chowder place near the pier I think, and they have really good breadbowl chowder. But seriously, the food is expensive, take a cooler and stick it in the lockers outside the park
***Knows Disneyland***
[ October 23, 2003, 10:39 PM: Message edited by: Her Royal Sweekiness ]
Posts: 59 | Registered: Sep 2003
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It's been so long since I have been to Disneyland. Do they still have the Tiki Room? If they do, definitely go. It will give you a place to sit for a little while. If the kids are little and prone to scares, be sure to hold their hands when the tiki gods start singing, that's a freaky part.
Do they still have the Swiss Family Robinson tree? I loved that thing. Do that, if you can.
I second the not eating food there unless you absolutely have to, it's way expensive. Be sure to know where the bathrooms are. Catch some of the shows when you feel tired, they are fun.
Also, the Pirates of the Caribbean ride IS fun. Do it. Do it. Do it. Do NOT go into "It's a Small World". It might seem like a fun idea when you are there, but resist.
Posts: 1545 | Registered: May 2002
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Let's see, in the bag we have a big: for Pat. Here you go Pat:
I haven't been Disney Land since I was 6 (I think, around then anyways). I've been to Disney World more recently, but I'm still not the one to talk to about that since people like Icky know a whole lot more. But like I said, enjoy your time there.
I disagree with Sweeky on where Haunted Mansion fits in, though. It is one of our absolute favorites . . . so much so that we had the one in Orlando opened for us when we got married there.
Small World is an okay way to rest little kids between bigger rides. I think it's a strength of Disney's that they have slow rides mixed in with somewhat fast ones, so families can pace themselves. Disneyland's Small World is much better than Disney World's.
But that's generally true of their fantasyland rides.
Posts: 1001 | Registered: Dec 2002
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rivka stated that I something big is happening on the 31st, and she better tell me or I'll withdraw my hugs, one by one.
Posts: 1800 | Registered: Apr 2000
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Wow. Those are some good ideas. Space Mountain and Big Thunder railroad will be closed while we're there. And the park closes at 6 pm. on the days that we're there.
But we chose that time because we hear there's no one there. And that's how we like it.
What are Hidden Mickeys?
Posts: 1800 | Registered: Apr 2000
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Space Mountain is awesome, from what I remember... It's closed? That's too bad. I suppose it might be too intense for younger kids like yours, though.
Posts: 1466 | Registered: Jan 2003
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Every buiding that is disney property anywhere has at least one, and often many, hidden mickeys in it. Hidden mickeys are drawings of Mickey Mouse subtly worked into the existing artwork. Often they are as simple as tri-circles of the appropriate ratio. Sometimes they are more elaborate. Sometimes they are architectural, and cannot be seen at all except from positions a toursit can't get to . . . but you can still discover them by using your imagination.
Hidden Mickeys are most often in murals.
Sometimes, there are other characters hidden. The Haunted Mansion has a hidden Donald as well.
Looking them up online or asking cast members to point them out to you is cheating, and it is lame. Finding them is very difficult. If you find one or two new ones on a trip, you should feel pretty smug.
Some people wonder why I never get bored with Disney. The reason is that am very detail-oriented, and so is Disney. I love searching for the little details they took the time to put in. I have found a couple dozen hidden mickeys on my own, and I'm always looking for more.
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If that's a slam Joe, then I must be a big geek for spending all my waking moments at a forum dedicated to Orson Scott Card.
So it's cheating if you look em up ahead of time? You better believe I'll be looking for the Hidden Donald. Any hints?
Posts: 1800 | Registered: Apr 2000
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(I'm not really offended. It's more of a mental adjustment . . . trying to figure out if this is one of the threads where we poke fun of each other or one of the ones where we converse. )
I have to hold back from showing off by giving tons of hints . . . and dead giveaways.
So tell me how much of a hint you want, and I'll try to keep it to that level.
(Most of the ones I know are from WDW, but the Haunted Mansion one is the same in both.)
-o-
I too am confused by the statement that the Haunted Mansion is not a ride.
You know me well. You should have seen the tantrum I threw to get my wife to sign off on the trip in the first place.
I am a 33-year-old kid at heart, and I'm proud of it. Dallin's friends openly talk about how how his Dad never grew up, wishing their Dad's would play video games, football and all other kinds of immature things with them.
Anyway, I am totally the driving force behind this trip to D-land. And we're planning another in the spring.
Joe -- tell me where to look for the hidden Donald -- generally. Like, is it near the chick who' head is in a crystal ball?
Posts: 1800 | Registered: Apr 2000
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Little kids would probably love the Peter Pan and Dumbo rides (they're classic!). And the other Fantasyland ride you must do is Mr. Toad's Wild Ride! You get to die and go to hell! Plus the kids will probably just think it's a cool ride.
I must say, I love Thunder Mountain and the Matterhorn. The Matterhorn was my first real rollercoaster. I was barely tall enough to ride it the first time I went to Disneyland.
Splash Mountain is another one of those rides that's perfect just before closing, so long as it's not too cold. But I agree with all, the lines are part of the experience.
Let's see, oh yeah, Tom Sawyer's island is a good place to take the kids when they get tired of standing in line. That or Tarzan's Treehouse (it replaced the Swiss Family Robinson one). They're both places kids can run around and climb in.
Food is definitely expensive, but I highly encourage buying "Dole Whips" outside of the Tiki Room (yes it's still there ). It's pineapple soft serve ice cream, and it's amazing!
"Honey, I Shrunk the Audience" is a pretty cool 3-D show that might thrill your kids. (Also, a good sit down break between all the riding and standing in line.)
Also, look into fast passes. You can get one at a time for every ticket, and then you get to bypass the long line. Great invention.
That's all I can think of, for now... Posts: 1635 | Registered: Aug 2002
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One of the first bends in the ride, after you see the busts thet seem to follow you with their eyes, and right around the switch to the funky wallpaper with the mock-spooky eyes on it (I so want that wallpaper!), features a hallway that seems to stretch on into infinity--mirrors, of course. If I recall correctly, there is a candelabra floating down the hallway. Anyway, at this moment the hidden donald is within sight. Cleverly subtle enough to be easy to miss . . . but once you see it you will never miss it again!
As a further hint, what you see is his face, not his body.
Tell you what . . . I'll give you my phone numbers, and if you don't see it when you ride it, you can call me from the park and I'll give you more hints!
-o-
Funny . . . I'm always described as an overgrown kid myself, and I think it's apt. But you sound like you're stuck at thirteen, whereas I'm stuck at nine or ten.
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The order Chiroptera is the order to which bats belong. Megachirops would be a giant bat. Which is in keeping with the flying mammal theme.
Megachirops is also the "screen name" of a great character by Charles Sheffield, a kind of futuristic Nero Wolfe type who appears in three or four novels.
Posts: 1001 | Registered: Dec 2002
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I agree with jexx about the Tiki Room and the Treehouse (which may have a new name, but is still much the same).
Pirates of the Caribbean is fun, but so is Small World. Don't let anyone tell you different!
The Haunted Mansion is one of my favorite things in Disneyland. Go twice! At least.
Kids usually love Autopia. The Star Tours ride is fun (and I'm not even a particular SW fan).
If your kids are at all into dinosaurs, make sure you take the train. You may want to anyway, to get around.
The Country Bear Jamboree is still there, isn't it? That's a fun show.
The Jungle Cruise is much more fun in the last 10 or so years, now that the guides are allowed to ad lib.
After all the rides are closed, several things on Main Street stay open for another 30-60 minutes. You can go to a video arcade anytime, but the recently-redone Lincoln exhibit is really nice.
And you didn't answer whether any of the three days will be CA Adventure? Or all Disneyland. If the former, I can recommend a few things there as well.
Posts: 32919 | Registered: Mar 2003
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Ok then! CA Adventure. I only spent half a day there, so I'm likely leaving out lots of fun stuff.
My kids adored the then-just-opened Bug's Land area. Some rides, some climbing stuff, some other stuff I don't remember . . .
Muppet 3D was great fun! So was Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.
*thinks* That's all I remember from CA Adventure -- but I'm most emphatically NOT a roller-coaster person. I hear from friends who are that the coaster is pretty good. Posts: 32919 | Registered: Mar 2003
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*sings* All the birds sing words and the flowers croooon, in the tiki tiki tiki tiki tiki room!
Posts: 32919 | Registered: Mar 2003
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If you go to California Adventure, you must go on Soaring Over California. Best ride in the park. If you like roller coasters, California Screamin' is pretty good. I also liked the Maliboomer. Not good for kids, though. The Grizzly River Run is also good, but only if you're willing to get wet.
The main attraction, though, is located about 20 to 30 minutes away from Main Street USA (depending on traffic). Although I suppose that this one could certainly be convinced to come up to Downtown Disney for dinner or ice cream or something.
Posts: 4534 | Registered: Jan 2003
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Hmmph. saxy, if you and Juliette are the main attraction, what does that makes the rest of the SoCal clump?
But yeah, I could probably find room in my busy schedule to mosey on over to Downtown Disney some evening too.
Posts: 32919 | Registered: Mar 2003
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I don't know Disneyland that well, but I worked at Disney World for 5 years, so I know a bit about Disney....... as for HIDDEN MICKEYs ... they are the "signature" of whoever did the work...whether it be a mural, part of a ride, or a manhole cover (WDW's Tomorrow Land has one directly over the bridge between Timekeeper and Extra Terrorestrial Alien Encounter {there is also a hidden Mickey disguised as an alien symbol outside that attraction, and one directly across from it as a popcorn "ball" on the wall at Timekeeper} and I even found a tiny one on the mural in the Dwarf's mine ride... on the chimney of the dwarf's cottage!) The artists, engineers, etc. are not allowed to sign their work because it technically belongs to Disney and is Disney work...so they find unique and creative ways to hide these Mickey Icons as their signature..... As for the Haunted Mansion...it is my alltime fave ride and I have seen it with the lights on before the park opened for the day...very cool! I am a purist and hate the "new" Tiki room ...they cut off the song and change it to "get on your Feet" as they tell you (nicely) to get out! Fantasmic is a must!!!!! Very likely the best show in all of Disney... get there early and try to sit near the middle in the front! Of course my favorite thing at WDW (FLorida) is the Candlelight Processional that runs 3 shows a day from the day after Thanksgiving to Dec. 30th.....I dont know if they have this tradition in CA, but it is a beautiful tradition explaining the Christian story of Christmas with song and music and a celebrity narrator......
All I can say is have a great time!!!!!
Posts: 325 | Registered: Aug 2002
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Ah, Disneyland. My favorite place in the world.
Rides have been adequately covered, so I won't go into that. My advice? Spend some time on Main Street. Stop and watch at the candy store if they are in the front window making candy. It's fascinating. And go into the movie house and watch the silents for a bit. These are small pleasure that often get lost in the run for the rides, but they offer a break from long lines.
Also - make time to sit and watch the ducks. You'll find it relaxing, and the kids should get a kick out of their antics, especially if a couple of the ducks are squabbling. They're silly to watch then.
Posts: 2454 | Registered: Jan 2003
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I know that Small World is not a favorite for everyone, but my kids love it. While you're there, the ride will be decorated for Christmas. Definitely cool.
Also, there's a new Winnie the Pooh ride. I haven't taken the kids to D'Land since last year, but they rode it at D'World and liked it. Nice colors and all.
The kids also like Star Tours, Dumbo, Mad Hatter's Tea Party, Country Bear Jamboree, Spinning Cups, Autopia and The Carrousel. I hear that there will be a "Brother Bear" show on during the time you're there.
My favorite rides are Space Mountain and Indiana Jones, but to ride these the family has to split-up and take turns since the rides are either too scary for some kids or the height limit can't be met.
Our favorite event is always the Parade. We get a seat near the exit from Main Street. At Christmas time we station ourselves in front of the Christmas Tree. There are a couple of benches there. This vantage point is at the end of the Parade route and offers easy escape from the Park .
And what about a Shinda VI? You know we'd love to get together with you and our other Hatrack families in the area!
Posts: 2425 | Registered: Jan 2002
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Icarus- Speaking of hidden Mickey's, my girlfriend is an artist for Disney.A bit more Disney lore for you, not only do the buildings and murals secret them, but just about EVERY PRINTED ITEM does. It's a requirement for everything from giftwrap to wallpaper to carpeting. They're very subtle sometimes, but they're there.
When we go over to her house, she runs two tests for her latest graphics... one on the adults and one on the kids. Invariably, the kids find the Mickey's faster than we do. Posts: 2425 | Registered: Jan 2002
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Shinda VI could be very cool, but when is Pat gonna be here? It's not entirely clear yet. Though I guess if one wishes to travel on November 31st, Fantasyland is the place to go....
Yes, Pop, I like the ducks. Thanks. My mother just decided that I am totally demented because I was just sitting here feeding the ducks and giggling in delight.
By the way...you have a guestbook in the bathroom? I am going to have to come visit. That is about the coolest thing I've ever heard.
Posts: 2454 | Registered: Jan 2003
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for Pat. Here you go Pat: ![[Wink]](wink.gif)
, or just made a simple mistake.
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You get to die and go to hell! Plus the kids will probably just think it's a cool ride. ![[Dont Know]](graemlins/dontknow.gif)
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saxy, if you and Juliette are the main attraction, what does that makes the rest of the SoCal clump? ![[Taunt]](graemlins/taunt.gif)
