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Category Archives: Disneyland
Staying at the New & Improved Disneyland Hotel
Disneyland Hotel – New And Improved!
Usually this just means new packaging. We’re often sold on things that are new and improved that are nothing more than a shining up of the previous product. I should note that I am calling Disneyland Hotel “New and Improved” on my own. To my knowledge Disney themselves haven’t referred to it that way. They will tell you they are a AAA 4-Diamond Award Hotel though… Which I would too, I suppose…
However, in the case of Disneyland Hotel it truly is new and improved with the same charm we’ve always known it to have. Disney truly went in and updated this hotel while maintaining the classic feel.
Disneyland Hotel has undergone major renovations this past few years. From the rooms, to new Suites and the pool. With very few exceptions, the new Disneyland Resort is fresh, fun and a blast to stay at. The first night we stayed in the room, my then 5 year old son went on a exploration of the room and found that when he turned a specific switch on the nightstand the mural on the wall behind us lit up with fireworks. Not only did this surprise us but he found that he could also make music play for us to go to sleep to, not that we could go to sleep after discovering this magic. Matter of fact, I’m pretty sure that we stayed up another hour to play with the fireworks and music. I’m not telling you the song that plays because you need to be surprised too!
Disneyland’s Matterhorn, Space Mountain, Soarin’ Closed Indefinitely Due to OSHA Citation
Some big news out of Disneyland today. It is being reported that three big name attractions at the Disneyland Resort have been suddenly closed this weekend. The Matterhorn, Space Mountain and Soarin’ Over California are now closed indefinitely, after state DOSH investigators on Friday disciplined Disneyland for the accident last November where an outside contractor roof slipped and was slightly injured while cleaning Space Mountain.
The closed attractions all have at least one backstage area that don’t meet the state requirement of harnessed fall protection for any employee walkway with more than a 30 inch drop opposite a hand rail.
Right now Disney is rushing to find quick fixes for these backstage areas to satisfy DOSH.
Win a Trip to Disneyland with Lady Antebellum Golden Flyaway Sweepstakes
You could win a trip to the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California to see Lady Antebellum perform live when you enter the Lady Antebellum Golden Flyaway Sweepstakes! One of country music’s hottest bands, Lady Antebellum, will be performing at Disneyland Park’s Golden Horseshoe Theater later this month. Lady Antebellum is giving one lucky fan the chance to see them perform live at this exclusive concert event, plus a vacation package at the Disneyland Resort!
One Grand Prize Winner will receive the following valued at $3,910:
- A three-night resort stay for four at the Disneyland Resort
- Round trip coach-class air transportation for four people on Southwest Airlines
Long-Lost Disney Friends Coming to Disneyland Park for ‘Limited Time Magic’ April 8-14
Your votes have been counted, and it’s time for some of your favorite long-lost Disney friends to step into the spotlight at the Disneyland park for some Limited Time Magic.” From April 8-14, you will find them at Big Thunder Ranch Jamboree in Frontierland
You will have the chance to visit the following long-lost Disney friends during this “Limited Time Magic” event:
- “Esmeralda, From ‘The Hunchback of Notre Dame,’ Will be at Disneyland Park for ‘Limited Time Magic’”
- “Pocahontas Will be at Disneyland Park for ‘Limited Time Magic’”
- From “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” – Esmeralda, Clopin and Frollo
Disney Attack Plan – Radiator Springs Racers
Vroom, Whoosh, Screech, Vroom… When I think of Cars and specifically Radiator Springs Racers these are the sounds I hear in my head. It’s okay if you don’t hear the same things. You might want to get it looked into though. Amongst the many attractions you’ll find in Cars Land, Radiator Springs Racers is by far the most popular. You’ll need to have a plan of attack to get on this ride!
It’s not uncommon to be in line at Radiator Springs Racers for upwards of 2 1/2 hours on a slower park day. Here’s a tip though, get to the park early! When I say early, I mean before the park even opens. Head over to Buena Vista Street entrance half hour or more before park opening. You’ll be able to get into the park around 30 minutes before official opening. Once in California Adventure, send one person from your group to get the Fast Passes at Radiator Springs Racers, while the rest of you hit up the new Starbucks.
Radiator Springs Racers is the most popular attraction in Cars Land, and honestly in all of California Adventure currently, and there are days when the entire allotment of Fast Passes are gone within the first hour or so of park opening. You’ll be sorry if you don’t get those Fast Passes early!
Quick tip for those with toddlers, make sure you have them measured up first. The ride height minimum is 40 inches. In addition to the ride height requirement, know that the ride is fast, there are dips and hills, quick turns and speed. These can be scary to some kids, so know your toddlers limits. If your children are anything like mine, they will expect to be the “winner” every time they ride. This won’t happen, so prep them early to know that there is no set car that will “win” every time. You’d have as much luck figuring out how many drops and how far the Tower of Terror will have. There are a few moments of stomach drops as you experience roller coaster like “flying” and “near misses” along the way. These can be scary for most younger kids, but generally if they enjoy rides such as Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, they’ll be just fine on Radiator Springs Racers.
One last tidbit that you should know is that much like it’s cousin, Test Track, in Walt Disney World, this ride will break down and break down often. Much of the long line can be attributed to those holding out hope for the ride to be fixed and quickly return to operation. Unfortunately the ride hasn’t gotten the bugs worked out completely so be prepared to entertain the kids, and adults, in your group for possible extended periods of time.
Overall, take the time to enjoy Radiator Springs Racers and all of Cars Land. you’ll find there is plenty to do and if you can swing it, ride the racers twice. Hit it once during the day and again at night for two completely different experiences. Whatever you do, you do not want to miss Cars Land during your visit!
I hope you find this information fun, new and worthwhile.
Related articles
- Visiting Cars Land at Disney’s California Adventure (chipandco.com)
- I’m Going to California Adventure. Now what do I do? (chipandco.com)
