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Category Archives: Rides
Visiting Disneyland – What to expect from a Disney World point of view
Sleeping Beauty's Castle in Disneyland
Cinderella's Castle in Disney World
So you’ve been to Walt Disney World, and now you’ve decided you want to make a trip to the place where the magic began. Disneyland is as special and magical as can be, and it is also VERY different from Walt Disney World.
Here are some things to expect when you head to Disneyland:
Booking your trip: Things are different in Disneyland, the Dining Plan is actually meal vouchers (purchased at a discount rate then redeemed at participating restaurants), and their Advance Dining Reservations can only be booked via phone up to 60 days in advance (versus 180 days with WDW). They do have vacation packages, where you can book hotel/tickets/meal plan all together, which is similar to how Walt Disney World package vacations work.
Hotel Choices: There are only 3 “on property” hotels at Disneyland – The Grand Californian, Disneyland Hotel, and Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel, and they aren’t grouped into “value/moderate/deluxe” classifications like at Disney World. However, Disney Land does give more lodging options with their “Good Neighbor Hotels”, which are hotels Disney recommends and are close to the resort, and these are listed by types (economy/moderate/superior/suites) to help you pick which one works best for you and your travel companions
Park Size: This was the first thing I noticed upon arriving at Disneyland – its so much smaller than Disney World! The Walt Disney World Resort sits on roughly 25,000 acres while Disneyland’s parks and resorts occupy just 430 acres. Instead of a huge parking lot like at WDW, you park in a tall parking garage at Disneyland, and instead of huge intricate indoor line queues, your wait times for rides at Disneyland takes place mostly outdoors (which might be in part due to the fact that California weather tends to be a lot less rainy/icky than Florida weather, but i’m sure its partly a size issue too!). It doesn’t really feel cramped or small, but there definitely was a limit on the amount of space Walt had to work with when building Disneyland – which was why he purchased so much land for the building of WDW – to make sure any and all ideas would have space to flourish in the future!
Theme Parks: There are 2 theme parks at Disneyland, the Disneyland Park (which is similar in layout and theming as it’s Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom Counterpart), and Disney’s California Advanture, which opened in 2001 and is divided into 6 districts, each of which represents various aspects of Californian culture and landmarks
Authenticity: Disneyland was where it all started, it was Walt’s ideas that created it, and he was there to see them executed and was there for the opening day of the park, to see all his hard work come to life in amazing ways. Sadly, he passed away before Walt Disney World opened, so while many of his ideas were brought to life in Florida as well, Disneyland is truly ‘the real deal’ when it comes to the man behind the mouse – Walt Disney.
Oh yeah, and one more difference – the castles! At Disney World, you stand at the base of Main Street USA and see Cinderella’s Castle tall and looming in the distance (and soon you will see the Beast’s Castle too, once they complete the Fantasyland expansion!), and in Disneyland, your view down Main Street is of Sleeping Beauty’s Castle.
There may be a lot of differences between the two Resorts, and it is these differences that give each park a unique guest experience. But at the end of the day, both places were created by Walt Disney, a man who knew how to create a truly special place for those of all ages to go to enjoy themselves and feel like kids again. The magic is abundant in both places, and no matter whether you decide the World or the Land is more your speed, you will have a great time!
Related articles
- DisneyWORLD vs. DisneyLAND – what’s the difference? (livinginagrownupworld.wordpress.com)
- Getting a Postcard from the Main Mouse (chipandco.com)
What to do with a Test Track Junkie During the Rehab
As most Walt Disney World fans know, the popular Test Track attraction at Epcot is going to be down for refurbishment from April 2012 to sometime in the Fall of 2012.
So, what are you supposed to do with the Test Track junkie in your party with the attraction down for the busy and crowded summer season?
Most of the people I have spoken to agree that Test Track’s biggest fans are usually under the age of 12. Not that adults don’t enjoy it, but younger kids seem to relish the attraction. Obviously, you need to prepare your Test Track junkie that the attraction is going to be closed. After the initial wave of disappointment is over, you can start planning your trip.
Other Epcot attractions to try:
The Sum of All Thrills in Innoventions East. This is a state of the art motion-simulator ride where you can design your own track layout. It seats two people per ride. You are enclosed in a large hood and cannot touch your face or upper body during the ride. You must be 48 inches tall to ride and 54 inches tall to invert (an average 8 year old should be able to ride but not do inversions).
Soarin’ in the Land Pavilion. This is a gate buster and will typically have a large wait with Test Track open. This is the first attraction you should hit for a FastPass at rope drop.
Mission: Space. This attraction is often critiqued, but it still offers plenty of thrills, especially for the Green Team which offers less spinning. You have to be 44 inches tall to ride.
Maelstom. Located in the Norway Pavilion, this five minute boat ride has a few surprises and drops, but nothing that requires a height restriction.
Epcot does offer other amazing attractions, but nothing with the same intensity and speed as Test Track.
Looking for other experiences at Epcot? Try some of these.
Behind the Seeds Tour at the Land Pavilion. This 45 minute walking tour takes you behind the scenes to see the future of food production. There is a charge for the tour.
Reflections of China and O Canada Circle Vision films. Both of these films surround you and offer amazing shots and scenes. People bypass them because they are just films, but they are spectacular and can offer multiple viewings to see it all.
Captain EO. Take a trip back to the future and enjoy this retro presentation of this 3d film. It is Michael Jackson at his height and a great way to relive some of the 1980s at EPCOT Center.
Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure. Perfect for any age, you can work your way around World Showcase looking for clues with the special Kimmunicator.
Kidcot Fun Stops. Situated in each World Showcase Pavilion, kids are able to meet cast members from their respective countries and make a souvenir craft.
George writes at Imaginerding and The Disney Navigator. He is also a travel agent with Pixie Vacations. You can email him at george@pixievacations.com for vacation help and planning.
Related articles
- Test Track Closes for New Name Change and Design Center (chipandco.com)
- Disney and GM Renew Contract and Create Magic for Guests at a Re-Imagined Test Track Experience (chipandco.com)
Disney World Planning 101: Know the Height Requirements
Riders must be 54 inches tall to ride Tomorrowland Speedway solo. Riders over 32 inches can ride with an adult.
Nothing kills a great day at Disney faster than the disappointment when your child realizes he’s not quite tall enough for the one ride he’s been looking forward to. A little planning and some expectations management can prevent ride queue meltdowns. Before you leave home, measure your child. If he is between 38 and 54 inches, prepare him for the fact that he may be too short to ride some attractions, and offer him an equally interesting alternative. Many attractions at Walt Disney World offer a Rider Swap pass that allows one adult to wait with children too small to ride, then swap with another adult in the party without waiting in line twice.
The best way to find out height requirements for a specific ride is to check the Disney website, but here are a few of the most popular attractions and their height requirements:
Magic Kingdom and Disneyland:
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad – 40 inches (102 cm)
Space Mountain – 44 inches (112 cm)
Splash Mountain – 40 inches (102 cm)
Tomorrowland Speedway (Magic Kingdom) – 54 inches (137 cm) to ride alone, 32 inches (80 cm) to ride with an adult
EPCOT:
Mission: SPACE – 44 inches (112 cm)
Soarin – 40 inches (102 cm)
Test Track – 40 inches (102 cm)
Disney’s Hollywood Studios:
Tower of Terror – 40 inches (102 cm)
Star Tours – 40 inches (102 cm)
Rock n Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith – 48 inches (122 cm)
Animal Kingdom:
DINOSAUR – 40 inches (102 cm)
Expedition Everest – 44 inches (112 cm)
Kali River Rapids – 38 inches (97 cm)
Primeval Whirl – 48 inches (122 cm)
Related articles
- Please Refurbish This Ride – Tomorrowland Speedway! (chipandco.com)
- Disney World Planning 101 – Using Childcare Services (chipandco.com)
Disney Confidential – Peter Pan’s Flight Getting New Intereactive Queue
Here there guys and gals Anonymouse here.
Today’s Gossip comes to us from the Cast Members Mouth. Word is being spread that Peter Pan’s Flight in the Magic Kingdom is scheduled to get an Interactive Queue (Like The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh). So while you are waiting in these really long lines for a mediocre ride you will have something to stare at instead of the wild child waiting in line in front of you.
Construction is expected to start January 16th and end by March 6th, 2012. Disney is not expecting any closures during the construction and I imagine getting around in Fantasyland is going to start getting worse as the closure of Dumbo the Flying Elephant has occurred and Disney gets ready to open the new area.
Personally I think this ride is in need of an overhaul. But I know many of you Disney World purists will probably defend it till your dying day. Don’t get me wrong I love Peter Pan and I am an even bigger fan of Jake & the Neverland Pirates, but I don’t understand waiting in line for hours for a quick 2 minute ride.
If you need me I will be across the street riding It’s a Small World over and over again!
Anywho that is all the Disney Gossip I have right now. For my past Gossip articles be sure to check them out here.
Got any good rumors? Please email me at AnonyMouse@chipandco.com or on my Facebook Page
Related articles
- Peter Pan Returns to Neverland in All New ‘Jake and the Neverland Pirates’ Premiere (chipandco.com)
- Top 10 Attractions at Walt Disney World (couponingtodisney.com)
Disneyspeak: Do You Speak Disney’s Language?
Fantasmic
Chip & Company would like to extend a Pooh-sized welcome to all Guests! Come one, come all Cast Members and VoluntEARS to the Show. We hope you’ll find us to be a Fantasmic Innovention and refer to us often as an E-Ticket Attraction. Consider us your Automagic Fastpass to the Utilidors of Disney knowledge!
The world of Walt Disney entertainment is so unique it requires its own language. Some words originated directly from Walt and his Imagineers. Others, it seems, have grown into their own Disneyness and have acquired new meanings along the way.
Attraction = a theme park ride or show
Audio animatronics = realistic robotics that bring 3-D effect to an Attraction
Automagic = play on automatic; the Disney way of making things magically happen
Backstage = a park area not accessible to guests
Cast Member = a Disney theme park or resort employee
Casting center = theme park or resort employment office
Costume = the uniform worn by a Cast Member
Crew Member = Disney Cruise Line employee
Disney point = to point with index and middle finger together; in some cultures it is rude to point with only one finger
Earffel Tower = water tower at DHS; example of wienie
Epcot = from EPCOT, Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow
E-Ticket = the newest, best, most popular attraction; stems from former system of ride coupons ranking rides A-E (A were least popular, E most popular)
Fantasmic = lights, lasers, fireworks, and waterworks show at DHS
FastPass = ticket generated to assign Guest a time to return to a busy Attraction without waiting in long line
Guest = visitor to Disney theme park or resort
Hallowishes = special Magic Kingdom fireworks during MNSSHP Halloween celebrations
IllumiNations = fireworks at Epcot
Imagineer = employee of Walt Disney Imagineering (formerly Walter Elias Disney, WED Enterprises); combination of imagine+engineer; scientists and artists who design the Attractions
Innovention = innovation+invention
Mousekeeping = resort housekeeping/maid service
Mouseketeer = play on musketeer; cast members of the TV show The Mickey Mouse Club
On stage = any area where a Cast Member might be seen by Guests
Philharmagic = philharmonic+magic 3-D film at MK
PhotoPass = barcoded card/web access to photos taken by Cast Member photographers
Plussing = constantly striving to improve a project even when it is considered complete
Pooh-sized = big, like Pooh Bear
Protein spill = term used by Cast Members to indicate someone has vomited
Show = everything that encompasses an Attraction or park feature; all the effects & mood setters that combine to make it feel like you’re walking into that world
Utilidors = utility+corridors The underground tunnels at Magic Kingdom that provide access for maintenance, Cast Members, readying, etc.
VoluntEARS = The Disney VoluntEARS program provides opportunities for Cast Members to contribute their time and expertise to charitable causes.
Wienie = a visual Attraction or landmark that can be seen by Guests from far away; it is used to guide visitors through park, i.e. Cinderella Castle
Wishes = Magic Kingdom fireworks
Then, there’s a slew of abbreviations representing different Resorts, restaurants, shows, etc.
Parks:
DLR = Disneyland Resort
DLP = Disneyland Park
DCA = Disney California Adventure
DTD = Downtown Disney (both DLR & WDW)
WDW = Walt Disney World Resort
AK or DAK = Disney’s Animal Kingdom
DHS = Disney’s Hollywood Studios
EC = Epcot
MK = Magic Kingdom
BB = Blizzard Beach
TL = Typhoon Lagoon
DLRP or DLP = Disneyland Resort Paris
DCL = Disney Cruise Line
TDL = Tokyo Disneyland
TDS = Tokyo Disney Sea
HKDL = Hong Kong Disneyland
Resorts:
AKL = Animal Kingdom Lodge
AS = All Star Sports
ASM = All Star Movies
ASMu = All Star Music
BLT = Bay Lake Tower
Cont = Contemporary
CS = Coronado Springs
DLH = Disneyland Hotel
FW = Fort Wilderness Campground
FtW = Fort Wilderness
GC = Disney’s Grand Californian
GF = Grand Floridian
PFQ = Port Orleans French Quarter
Poly = Polynesian
POP = Pop Century
POR = Port Orleans Riverside
SS = Saratoga Springs
WL = Wilderness Lodge
Y&B = Yacht & Beach Club
Attractions:
BTM = Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
CoP = Carousel of Progress
EE = Expedition Everest
GMR = Great Movie Ride
HM = Haunted Mansion
MNSSHP = Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party
MVMCP = Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
PotC = Pirates of the Caribbean
RnRC = Rock–n–Roller Coaster
SM = Space Mountain
SSE = Spaceship Earth
SM = Splash Mountain
ST = Star Tours
ToT = Tower of Terror
TSM = Toy Story Mania
TTA = Tomorrowland Transit Authority
Other:
AA = Audio Animatronics
ADR = Advanced Dining Reservations
AP = Annual Pass
CM = Cast Member
DDP = Disney Dining Plan
DVC = Disney Vacation Club
ECV = Electric Convenience Vehicle (motorized scooter)
EMH = Extra Magic Hours
FW = Future World
HM = Hidden Mickey
ME = Magical Express
TIW = Tables in Wonderland
TTC = Transportation and Ticket Center
WS = World Showcase
Next time you want to impress your friends, drop some Disneyspeak. It’ll confirm what they’ve suspected all along: Yep, you’re a Disney addict!
These lists are hardly exhaustive. Help us add to them in the comments below.
Related articles
- Do You Need a Car while at Walt Disney World? (chipandco.com)
- What’s It All Mean? Disney Acronyms. (chipandco.com)
