Disneyland Trip Report

Disneyland Park

4/14-4/16/2011

Accommodations: Candy Cane Inn

• I really enjoyed CCI. The complimentary breakfast was good: orange/apple juice, coffee, bagels, donuts, fruit, yogurt, three types of cereal, and toast. The room was good size and very clean. Right around the corner from Disneyland. The only "negative" would have to be the fact that the walls are a little thin so late at night when people were coming home from the park and walking by our room we could hear them loud and clear. Not really the hotel's fault... more of people need to be more courteous.

Dining Reservations:

• Cafe Orleans (2:30pm 4/15/11): Excellent as always! I had the Mardi Gras Kitchen Sandwich, my mother had the Monte Cristo, and my sister had the Three Cheese Monte Cristo. For appetizers my mom and sister split the gumbo and we all shared the pommes frites. I did try my sister's Three Cheese Monte Cristo and it was tasty, but I don't think I could have eaten all four pieces of it in one sitting. It was interesting to say the least!
• Goofy's Kitchen (9:10am 4/16/11): It was really good! I was pleasantly surprised! The food selection was excellent and the food itself was delicious. Service was great. First we took a picture with Goofy at the front, then Chip, Dale, Baloo, Mulan, Aurora, and Pluto walked around and spent a great deal of time with each table, including us! It wasn't super busy so we weren't skipped by any characters and the characters that came to the table while my sister or I were up getting a plate, came back to see us just like they told my mom they would. I really enjoyed the meal!

Attractions

• Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough (twice) - 8:20am & 8:50am (walk on)
• Snow White's Scary Adventures (twice) - 8:25am & 8:39am (walk on)
• Mr. Toad's Wild Ride (twice) - 8:30am & 8:34am (walk on)
• Pinocchio's Daring Journey - 8:45am (walk on)
• Dumbo the Flying Elephant - 8:56am (5 min. wait)
• Storybook Land Canal Boats - 9:05am (5 min. wait)
• Disney Princess Fantasy Faire - 9:35am (30 min. wait)
• "it's a small world" - 10:15am (5 min. wait)
• SNACK BREAK - Chimichangas!
• Jungle Cruise - 11:00am (10 min. wait)
• Pirates of the Caribbean - 11:25am (10 min. wait)
• SNACK BREAK - Mint Julep!
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh - 12:05pm (10 min. wait)
• Davy Crockett Explore Canoes - 12:30pm (5 min. wait)
• Haunted Mansion - 12:55pm (10 min. wait)
• Big Thunder Mountain - 1:20pm (10 min. wait)
• Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters - 1:50pm (8 min. wait)
• LUNCH BREAK - Cafe Orleans!
• Indiana Jones Adventure - 3:30pm (FASTPASS)
• Casey Jr. Circus Train - 4:10pm (5 min. wait)
• Matterhorn Bobsleds - 4:30pm (20 min. wait)
• Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage - 4:40pm (25 min. wait)
• Disneyland Railroad - 6:45pm
• Space Mountain - 7:15pm (FASTPASS)
• Disneyland Monorail - 7:35pm
• SNACK BREAK - Hot Chocolate
• Fantasmic! - 9:00pm

Wordless Wednesdays

*if any of these are your photos, feel free to let me know so I can give you credit!
Photo credit to fotofreak84

Tuesday Tips

Disneyland: Solo Trips

I've been to both Disneyland and Walt Disney World by myself. Sometimes, I actually prefer it. You get to do what you want, when you want. You can eat whatever you want without judgement. Plus, you can take it slow and actually absorb your surroundings. So here are my tips to have a fun-filled day at the Happiest Place on Earth solo!

1) Single Rider. A few of the rides at both Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure offer a Single Rider line. At Disneyland, single rider is offered at Indiana Jones and Splash Mountain, and at Disney's California Adventure California Screamin', Grizzly River Run, and Soarin'. Single Rider line is a quicker way to get on the above rides. Even for rides that don't offer Single Rider specified lines, sometimes the Cast Members who ask, "How many?" will ask if there is a party of one and you can jump several people. Also, if it's a ride like Space Mountain where there's two people per seat, you can sit with another single rider instead of watching the single person go and waiting for the next train.

2) Meet the characters. This is your chance to get one-on-one time with the characters. Chances are you have lots of pictures with you and your family with the characters, or your kids with the characters. With going alone, you get to choose which characters you want to see. Don't forget your autograph book. Disney is the place to be a kid and what's more fun as a kid than seeing Mickey and Goofy?

3) Party of one? Some people feel very insecure about eating by themselves, especially at Disney where it's a more of a "family" atmosphere. But never fear! Take this time to grab a churro. And some ice cream. And a turkey leg. Here's the best part: you don't have to share and no one is keeping track of what you're eating! If you're more daring, do what I do: go to a sit down restaurant and enjoy a relaxing meal. You can people watch while you eat! Disney is home to some of the best treats so self-indulge! You're at the Happiest Place on Earth!

4) It's showtime! Take your alone time to see a show, or two, or three! They don't ask, "How many?" so you don't have to worry about being embarrassed. Catch the Aladdin show, It's Tough to Be a Bug!, or Muppet*Vision at Disney's California Adventure and Captain EO at Disneyland. you also get the opportunity to watch World of Color, Fantasmic!, and/or the fireworks without worrying if everyone in your party can see or having little ones on your shoulders so they can see.

5) Explore. Now is the time to do things you always wanted to do that you never get to do. Innoventions, Mark Twain Riverboat/Sailing Ship Columbia, Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes, Tarzan's Treehouse, Main Street vehicles, Main Street Cinema, and The Walt Disney Story Featuring Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln are just some of the things at Disneyland that are sometimes skipped over due to the rush of trying to fit in all the popular rides. Disney Animation at Disney's California Adventure is also a good one to do when solo; you can learn to draw a character (and you can keep doing the show twice, three times, etc.), visit the Sorcerer's Workshop, or Turtle Talk with Crush.

6) Take a tour. If you have the money, be sure to call in advance to take one of the tours the Disneyland Resort has to offer. Click here to see all the tours they have to offer. If money's tight, there are a couple of free tours, and they are both inside of Disney's California Adventure. Boudin Bakery and Mission Tortilla Factory both offer short tours of their space and you may even get a little sample at the end!

7) What to bring? Be sure to bring a bottle of water (you can refill it at a water fountain), sunscreen, a jacket/sweatshirt, money/credit/debit cards/AP or ticket, make-up, chap stick, cell phone (fully charged), keys (if driving), camera (a friendly guest or Cast Member can help you document your trip!), and gum or mints (gum is not available anywhere on Disney property), a pen and autograph book, and the most important part: you can't forget about your ears!

Photo credit to darthservo

Magical Monday

Walt Disney World

Magic Kingdom
Mainstreet USA
● Area Music Loops:
- Main Entrance Loop
- Mainstreet Loop 1
- Mainstreet Loop 2
- Mainstreet Holiday Loop

● Parades:
- Mickey Mania
- Remember the Magic
- Share a Dream Come True
- Celebrate a Dream Come True
- Dreams Come True
- Once Upon a Christmastime
- SpectroMagic
- Move It, Shake It, Celebrate It!
- The Boo to You Halloween Parade
- Enchanted Adventures Parade (Pirate & Princess Party)
- Music, Magic, and Mayhem

● Shows:
- Disney Mania
- Everyday’s a Holiday
- Cinderella Suprise Celebration
- Dream Along with Mickey

● Fireworks:
- Fantasy in the Sky
- Wishes
- Magic, Memories, and You!
- Holiday Wishes
- HalloWishes

Adventureland
- Adventureland Loop
- The Tiki Room
- The Pirates of the Caribbean

Frontierland
- Big Thunder Mountain Loop
- Splash Mountain

Liberty Square
- Hall of Presidents
- Liberty Square Area Loop
- The Haunted Mansion

Fantasyland
- Mad Hatter Tea Party
- It’s a Small World
- Peter Pan’s Flight
- Cinderella’s Golden Carousel
- Winnie the Pooh

Tomorrowland
- Tomorrowland Music Loop
- Tomorrowland Transit Authority
- Carousel of Progress
- Space Mountain



Epcot
World Showcase
● Area Music Loops:
- Main Entrance
- China
- Japan
- Epcot International Gateway Loop

● Shows:
- Impressions De France
- American Adventure

● Fireworks:
- Reflections of Earth
- We Go On
- Promise
- Celebrate the Future Hand in Hand
- Illuminations Preshow

● Parades:
- Tapestry of Nations

Future World
● Area Music Loops:
- Main Entrance
- Innoventions
- The Land

● Shows:
- Fountain of Nations

● Rides:
- Journey Into Imagination
- Captain EO Area Music Loop
- Captain EO Show
- Soarin’
- Spaceship Earth - Jeremy Irons (narration only)
- Spaceship Earth - Jeremy Irons (full attraction)
- Spaceship Earth - Judi Dench
- Mission Space
- Ellen’s Energy Adventure
- Universe of Energy
- The Living Seas with Nemo and Friends



Hollywood Studios
Hollywood Blvd.
● Area Music Loops:
- Hollywood Blvd.
- Great Movie Ride
● Parades:
- Toy Story
- Mulan
- Disney Stars in Motor Cars
Commisionary Lane
- Sci-Fi Drive-In Theater Loop

Sunset Blvd.
- Rock N’ Rollercoaster
- Tower of Terror
- Tower of Terror Queue

Echo Lake
- Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular
- Star Tours

Hollywood Hills Ampitheater
- Fantasmic Preshow
- Fantasmic




Animal Kingdom
Discovery Island
● Area Music Loops:
- Tree of Life Area Music
● Parades:
- Mickey’s Jammin Jungle Parade

Camp Minnie-Mickey
- Character Grove Loop
- Festival of the Lion King

Dinoland USA
- Finding Nemo Musical Area Loop
- Finding Nemo Musical

Asia
- Expedition Everest Queue




Special
- Monorail loop
- “Please stand clear of the doors…”
- Resort TV loop




Disneyland Resort

Disneyland
Mainstreet USA
● Area Music Loops:
- Walt Disney’s Disneyland Dedication
- Mickey and Friends Tram
- Welcome Spiel
- Disneyland Entry Sound
- Disneyland Entry Whistle Sound
- Disneyland Railroad
- Mainstreet Announcements
- Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln
- Barber Shop Quartet
- Walt’s (An American Restaurant) Loop

● Parades:
- Parade of Dreams
- Celebrate a Street Party
- Mainstreet Electrical Parade
- Animazement

● Fireworks:
- Remember Dreams Come True
- Believe there’s Magic in the Stars
- Magical!

Adventureland
- Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye
- Jungle Cruise Boathouse Loop
- Jungle Cruise Queue Loop
- Indiana Jones Adventure Queue Loop
- The Tiki Room
- Tarzan’s Treehouse

New Orleans Square
- Swanee River
- The Pirates of the Caribbean
- The Haunted Mansion
- Haunted Mansion Holiday Ride-Through
- New Orleans Square Loop
- Disney Gallery
- Club 33
- Fantasmic!

Frontierland
- The Ballad of Davy Crocket
- Rainbow Caverns
- Big Thunder Mountain

Critter Country
- Country Bears Jamboree
- Splash Mountain
- The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

Fantasyland
- Peter Pan’s Flight Queue
- Fantasyland Suite
- Storybook Land
- Sleeping Beauty Area Sounds
- Alice in Wonderland
- Dumbo the Flying Elephant
- Snow White’s Scary Adventure
- King Arthur’s Carousel
- Matterhorn Queue
- Pixie Hollow Area Loop

Tomorrowland
- Peoplemover
- Carousel of Progress (Load Music)
- Carousel of Progress (Original)
- Miracles from Molecules
- Monorail
- Submarine Voyage
- Space Mountain Concourse



California Adventure
The Golden State
- Soarin’ Over California
- Eureka! A California Parade
- Steps In Time
- Condor Flats Loop
- Block Party Bash

Hollywood Pictures Backlot
- Aladdin - A Musical Spectacular

Paradise Pier
- Area Music Loop
- Toy Story Mania
- California Screamin’
- World of Color
- World of Color Ending

Sunday Spotlight

ABCDisney - D is for...

The Disney Vacation Club revolutionized the concept of timeshares and is one of the fastest growing "clubs" in the industry. If you're a Disney "addict", this program is worth looking into. You purchase "points" which can be used to stay at one of the Disney Vacation Club Resorts. You can also use your points for a Disney Cruise, Disney Resort or Disneyland Resort stay. If you want to branch out from the Mouse, your points can be used to stay at a top hotel or resort world-wide.

The flexibility is what makes the Disney Vacation Club so unique. You can use your DVC points at anytime throughout the year and you can choose the size of accommodations that best suit your needs. From studios to Grand Villas, your "Home Away From Home" will have everything you need to make your vacation memorable.

D is also for: Disney, Disneyland, Disney's California Adventure, Downtown Disney, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Donald's Boat, Daisy's Diner, Dumbo Bucket Brigade

Friday Favorites

Who can resist the delicious smell of churros? Not me that's for sure. There's something about dough being rolled around in cinnamon and sugar that complete's a day at the Disneyland Resort. If you haven't tried one before, you're missing out! Disney churros are unlike any other churro and I believe it's well worth the money!

Photo credit to xoxojennifer