Disneyland Resort

Disney Sunday- A little bit of Pixie Dust- Guest Blog

This week’s installment of Disney Sunday comes from Katie, from the fun blog OCMomactivities. She is a Disney Fanatic like me and had some great tips on your next visit to Disneyland or Disney’s California Adventure.

She writes…

One of the things I love most about Disneyland is the amount of layers of magic the Imagineers work to create. It leaves people wondering if all things are intentional or just plain coincidence. I’m sure it’s intentional, but I love to think it is coincidence with a sprinkle of pixie dust magic! Pay close attention to everything and explore, but in the meantime here are a few of my favorite elements that are often missed by first time visitors (or sometimes even regulars) to the parks:

Did you know that Disneyland and California Adventure are home to a number of resident cats? If you look closely you can see the little cat houses while riding the Disneyland Railroad after going past the Hungry Bear. We’ve been greeted by several of the cats as we sat on the bottom level of the Hungry Bear in the back corner. I’ve been told there is also a cat house behind the train that Bur-r-r Bank Ice Cream is in and on the right as you head towards Soarin’ over California. The cats are reported by castmembers to have Disney themed names. I think it’s safe to say that the cats are there to cut down on rodent problems. Those sure are lucky cats that get to call Disneyland and California Adventure home!

Did you know that if you eat something at one of the restaurants at the Disney theme parks, that you can ask for the recipe and they will bring it to you? How cool is that! There are some great salad dressings at the Pizza Port and some great sandwiches over in New Orleans Square. Imagine bringing a dish to a pot luck and being able to call it “Pizza Port Salad” or “New Orleans Square Po Boy Sandwiches”, talk about a conversation starter!

Have you ever noticed the hidden Mickey Mouse on the face of the golf ball that comes flying at you in Soarin’ Over California? I bet once you do, you’ll never – not see it again!

Have you ever wondered what the room is above the Fire Station on Main Street in Disneyland? Walt Disney had an apartment built for himself above the Fire Station for him to stay in. There is even a private veranda for him to wander where he could quietly see guests wandering the park. The apartment is exactly the same as the way he left it years ago (cleaned and refurbished!). A light is left on for him in the front window and hasn’t gone out since he passed away. So the next time you pass by, take a minute to remember Walt and all that he built.

Did you know that all of the plants in Tomorrowland are edible? Well, in theory they are, but the actual ones planted aren’t meant to be actually eaten! But I have personally seen rosemary bushes, chili pepper plants, cabbage plants, lettuce plants, bell pepper plans among others as we wait in the lines.

Did you know that you can get a “Death Certificate” at the Haunted Mansion? I didn’t know this one until recently. Be aware that not all the castmembers working the ride will know what you are talking about, so you many have to ask a couple of different ones, but ask as you are entering the buggies and one will be waiting for you at the end of the ride. That’s pretty funny.

And last but not least, my personal favorite… Are you in on the Goat Trick on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad? If you’ve done the trick right, you know it. If not, it’s actually pretty simple. The next time you’re on the ride ask for the back rows (rows 11- 15 are ideal). On the second climb up (the one with the turtles and snakes on the left), position yourself at a right looking angle so you are looking out the right side of the train comfortably. As you begin to crest the hill, notice the billy goat on the right hand side in the center of the curve. Stare at the goat and DON’T STOP until you literally can’t look anymore. You’ll find yourself dizzy and disoriented and it makes the rest of the ride just a bit more fun. If you didn’t get it right, ride the ride again because it’s just plain fun!

Katie is a working mother of two active boys and lives in South Orange County. She’s made it her passion to fill her children’s lives with fun adventures . She chronicles their adventures at OCMomActivities.com in hopes of inspiring other parents to do the same.

A late edition of Disney Sunday- All you ever wanted to know about FASTPASS!

I know I’m a little late with my Disney Sunday post but I still wanted to squeeze in a Disney post before the end of the week. In this week’s installment I wanted to write about Disneyland/Disney’s California Adventure FASTPASS.

Basically a Disney FASTPASS allows you to cut your wait time at certain attractions by standing in line for you electronically. The FASTPASS system is included with your admission/annual pass and one that you will want to use whenever you are heading over to the Disneyland resort.

Here is how it works- You head over to one of the rides(I included a list at the end of the post) that uses the FASTPASS system. Once you are there look for the distribution area near the entrance of the attraction. Check the return time (be sure to get your passes early because on very busy days they run out!) and insert your ticket or annual pass into the FASTPASS machine. Once you insert your ticket/annual pass a ticket will print out with your return time. When it’s time to return to the attraction enter through the FASTPASS line/queue and you will avoid the long wait. It’s simple, painless and will save you time!Once you have your ticket in hand head out to enjoy the other attractions. We usually grab a FASTPASS and catch a show or ride an attraction with a minimal wait line.

Here are two things that you should also know about FASTPASS.

  • You can only have one FASTPASS ticket to one attraction at a time. This means you can’t head over to Splash Mountain and pick up a FASTPASS then walk over to Big Tunder Railroad and pick up another while you wait. You can grab another FASTPASS as soon as your return time comes up.
  • Your FASTPASS tickets don’t expire. I met my sisters at the park a little late last week only to find them complaining about their FASTPASS tickets expiring. There is no such thing. Your recommended time is printed on your ticket but you are always welcome to come after that time on the day of your visit.

Here is the list of attractions at both parks that utilize the FASTPASS system.

Disneyland
Autopia
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
Indiana Jones
Haunted Mansion(holidays)
Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin
Splash Mountain
Space Mountain

Disney’s California Adventure
California Screamin
Grizzly River Run
Mulholland Madness
Soarin Over California
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

Have a terrific rest of the day and use a FASTPASS next time you are heading over to the parks!

Disney Sunday – Part 2- Parking at the Happiest Place on Earth

I spent the entire day at both parks yesterday(and a few evenings last week) and it inspired a couple of posts. I hope you don’t mind two Disney posts in one week.

I love going to Disneyland and DCA, as you have probably figured out. The one thing that I do not like is having to deal with parking. I usually don’t mind parking in the Mickey and Friends parking lot(the big structure) unless it is a busy day. On busy days parking and then riding the tram to the entrance of the resort can feel like a bad nightmare. I can’t tell you how many times I have seen people almost scuffle over their place in the “stroller line”.

The stroller line is found on the very first car of the tram and the very last car. It allows you to ride without having to fold your stroller. It is very popular and the wait for a spot in the first or last car is usually long. In fact the wait on a busy days for a tram can take a long long time. It is definitely not what you want to be doing when you have tired and cranky kids and have to be around other cranky people. It’s just not a good combination.

Here are a couple of alternatives to parking in the Mickey and Friends parking lot and taking the tram.

My favorite option for parking on nights when I know that I will be spending less than 3 hours is to park in Downtown Disney. If I’m heading over for the evening- I will usually park in the Downtown Disney lot. Parking is free for the first 3 hours. When I park in the DD parking lot I either take the monorail to Disneyland or walk through the Grand Californian Hotel to the DCA hotel entrance. It’s easy, painless and only a short walk.

My second option would be to park in the Mickey and Friends parking structure. Take the tram in but on the way out, only have the driver in your party head on the tram(they will usually be able to squeeze right on to a tram). The rest of the party will head over to the 15 minute parking on Harbor blvd(just follow the walkway to Harbor Blvd- it’s the parking lot on the right hand side) and be picked up from there. This is what we usually do on a busy day.

The last option is to park in the Mickey and Friends parking structure. Take the tram on your way in and at the end of the night, walk the path back to the structure. It’s a nice walk and on a busy night you will get to your car faster walking, then waiting and loading for the tram.