Disneyland
Trip Start
Sep 15, 2008
1
8
13
Trip End
Oct 03, 2008
Anaheim,
California,
United States
Saturday, September 27, 2008
After catching a quick breakfast we were waiting for the bus to pick us up at 8:30, and yes, you guessed it, the LA traffic caught up with us, and the bus was late, but it did show.
We arrived at Disneyland at just after 10am and straight into it.
First stop was "Adventureland" where we went in Tarzan's Treehouse - a neat, quick simple attraction that just involves walking through a rainforest canopy.
Unfortunately the Indiana Jones ride was closed when we got there so it was off to "New Orleans Square" and into the Haunted Mansion Holiday. This was a bit of a twist on the Christmas Carol, but was done on a "Have a Scary Christmas" Basis. Was dark at times and poor Ange left her glasses in the hotel room so had to wear her sunnies in so it was even darker for her, but a bit of fun to start off the day.
Then onto the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. This was fun, it was stinking hot and the ride saw us in a "row boat" and it was a water ride. The breeze off the water cooled us instantly. The effects of the ride are incredible. Not too many bumps or sudden drops on the roller coaster either.
Off to "Critter Country" where I had a crack at Slash Mountain. Riding in a log type contraption, we meandered all through water up and down. The best part was the sudden drop from the top of the ride. It was about 5 metre drop at 45 degree angle. I only got a little bit wet, but even then I dried off pretty quick in the heat.
The "Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh" was next. This was a nice simple ride that would be great for the young kids. Heaps of Winnie's, tiggers, piglet and all the gang going their bit - mainly based around Pooh's love for Honey. We finished here with a spot of shopping and lunch at the Hungry Bear Restaurant.
Off to "Frontierland". We caught a ferry across the moat to Tom Sawyer Island. Not much here other then just a walking trail, but it was in the shade so that was good. Back on the ferry to go to "Big Thunder Rail Road". This was roller coaster in the form of a train and its carriages through the Gold Rush Years. Didn't get thrown around too much, but the thighs were sore from pressing against the bar to brace into the corners.
Big Thunder Ranch is like a Kids Petting Zoo. We didn't stop her to Pat the animals but looked like another great one for the kids!
Off the "Fantasyland". This one is really for the kids, or the kids at heart. We had a go on those famous tea cups we all see on the Disney shows (Mad Tea Party) and it was way dizzy when it gets going. Peter Pan's Flight was fun - you go through Neverland and fight Captain Hook, but you are suspended in a flying ship, not like the traditional roller coaster on the ground. The line for Pinocchio's Daring Journey was heaps long, but we had to go as Ange was wearing her Pinocchio T-shirt. Unfortunately "It's a small world' was closed due to open later in the year.
Now it was the turn of "Mickey's Toontown". Given it was getting close to the Grand Parade starting we had to be quick so off to "Roger Rabbits Car Toon Spin". This was fun - you sit in a yellow car, but the car has a wheel that means you can turn the car around whilst it is going around the track - essentially controlling what direction you are looking. We also had a quick look inside Mickey's House and bumped into Goofy then over to the Grand Parade.
We saw floats and characters for Lion King, Beauty & the Beast, Little Mermaid, Cinderella, Snow White & the 7 Dwarfs, Pinocchio, Aladdin, Alice in Wonderland and of course the King and Queen of Disneyland - Mickey & Minnie.
When the parade finished I bolted to Matterhorn Bobsled as the line was still building up after the Parade, a bit like Splash Mountain but not as eventful.
Off to "Tomorrowland" and first stop was Autopia - a hybrid of dodgem cars vs roller coaster. Ange drove and controlled the speed and direction of the car, but the car was still on a track so if we steered in the wrong direction it was corrected. After some massive over steering issues (the grip on the tyres is rather bad) we finished a lap in record time and it was time for a drink.
Whilst having our drink, we settled into the show for the "Jedi Training Academy" Again we took this chance to see some other attractions whilst all the kids were amused elsewhere. The line for the Finding Nemo ride (underwater in Submarine) was too long to even consider going in even though it would have been tremendous, so we settled for "Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters" instead - what a choice we made. Like the Roger Rabbit ride, you can also control the direction you face, but we had Astro Blasters and had to shoot the enemy and help Buzz and the team save the universe. We had a lot of fun in this one, but after all the shots we took both our fingers were a bit sore.
I then went on the "Star Tours" Simulator. I was warned of severe and sudden jolts and to be honest I was disappointed given all the hype around Star Wars and the quality of the product they produce.
Time was running tight for our 6:30 pickup so we went and had a look at "Honey, I Shrunk the Audience". A 3D movie where the Audience is shrunk and a number of other things happened like 1 mouse was duplicated into 900 mice. When they escaped they ran through the audience and gave us a bit of a fright under the chairs.
That was about all we had time for so we caught the Train back to the front gate, did a bit or souvenir shopping and headed back to the bus which picked us up a bit after 6:30. We got back to the Hotel about 8. We were last to be dropped off by the driver so we had a chat about LA and in particular West Hollywood where we were staying. When we got back, we walked down the street to grab a bit to eat and that was our day.
My take on Disneyland. The time we had there was enough for one day - there is a lot of walking to be done, but if you stayed till 11pm when the park closes it would make a very long day of it. We prob didn't plan our day very well and spent too long in lines. The Fastpass would have been a better idea here, but would have also involved more walking around the park.
There is also a "sister park" called California Adventures so I guess the 3 day pass if you have the time and the the conviction to walk a lot for three days straight is the pass to go for.
All in all a great day was had!!
