Ugh. Before you roll your eyes and say ‘She’s doing another post on Disneyland?’….hear me out. I have lots of new Disneyland information; cool new things, some changes and great deals.
We started our press day off at the fun Big Thunder Ranch Restaurant. What never heard of it? Its new. You will know the location…its that weird place behind Thunder Mountain that you would always walk by and go ‘I wonder what that place is for?’…well it has been used as a location for private parties and corporate gatherings and now it a family style restaurant. Complete with themed (western y’all) entertainment. Wonderful singers and of course characters (See me with Woody. He totally has a thing for bloggers). The meal was OUTSTANDING. BBQ chicken, pork, corn, coleslaw, corn bread and more. And by more I mean the cutest dessert ever. A waffle cone with filling in the bottom and a cupcake on top. It is ‘all you can eat’ and prices are around $29 adult and $13 for kiddies. Okay not cheap- but when you consider a soda is $2.50 and a basic burger anywhere else in the park is about $9.00….this really doesn’t seem all that bad. Plus the entertainment part of it. But really? Its about the food. Just outstanding. I had a nice conversation with Gary who is the head of all food and catering for the park- and learned about great plans and changes happening in lots of locations. (have you been to the carving-style place which serves huge carved beef sandwiches right above Pirates? ). And I am certain he is going to run with my idea for a coffee cart out on the plaza for me when I am waiting in line to get in the park. Gave him that idea for free. I am a giver ya know.
We also watched the new parade. It is a simpler parade than I have seen in years past with a strong emphasis on music. And you know what- I loved it. Especially loved that Mickey was sporting not only a killer hoodie but also a pair of custom Pumas. Although it seems a little unfair Minnie was still stuck wearing a torturous pair of heels (as were the dancers)…..come on Disney, cut the girls a break!
And then we were on to what I thought was going to be the ‘boring’ part of the press event. The informative presentation. But actually it was great. Here is a summary:
The SoCal Resident deal was revealed: $99 for a 3 day park hopper pass
‘Two nights free’ at Disneyland hotels.
The beloved Electrical Parade is returning with changes and improvements. The 3 original floats from the 1972 version of the parade which never made it back in 1996, are returning! (Including Snow White’s float)
Lots of LED lights are being added to the floats to help enhance and add detail to the existing designs.
The parade music has been re-done. Don’t worry Disney traditionalists-we heard a sample- and it is the same song, only the sound is richer.
In part of the original concept of “A fairy’s light leads the way”, Tinker Bell will become the leader of the parade.
And then there was Steve Davison, the man responsible for the firework show every night at Disneyland. And he has probably the coolest job title ever (something like VP of Parades and Spectaculars). He gave a rather….dramatic presentation on the new firework show. He danced, he sang….he used jazz hands. Here is a short snippet….isn’t his passion for the show great? Jump to 1:30 for the finale… Hope to see all of you in the Park this Spring and Summer.And if you go- let me know what you think of these new changes…
Disneyland freaks fans like me are often torn between wanting the park to evolve and also wanting it to stay exactly as we remember from our first magical visit as a young child. Most of us are in general agreement that a full blown revolt might occur if the holy popular Tea-cups, Casey Jr. or Jungle Cruise were ever altered any any way. And yet Disney still presses forward making small improvements and changes every year; keeping the attractions fresh for even the most regular visitor to the park. Was I thrilled to see Johnny Dep in Pirates of the Caribbean? Not so much…. (and I hope he will be removed when the movies are no longer relevant), and was I happy to hear that Mary Blair’s "Its a Small World" was being re-vamped? Not at all. So when I was invited to be one of the first people to see the attraction after the changes were made, I jumped at the chance.
Why on earth was I so worried? I should have a little faith in Disney by now! In addition to re-glittering and repainting the existing sets, all the moving dolls are now working perfectly (my last ride thru I counted 20 not functioning) and the big change? Classic Disney characters have been ’sprinkled’ thru-out the ride. You’ll find Tinker Bell flying over England, Jasmine on her magic carpet and even Nemo if you look close enough. But you may have to ride it a few times to catch them all (there are 29 total!) We rode it 5 times before we spotted my favorite character-Jiminy Cricket. And now a week later I am STILL singing that darn catchty song.
Read (and watch video) of all the changes here. And make a date to go see the ride for yourself….it is still as charming and as magical as you remember.
And maybe even slightly better. I am certain Walt and Mary Blair would approve.
What do the Disneyland employees do to relax during their lunch break?
They ride the tea-cups of course!!
I thought this Disneyland ride operator, all alone on the teacups, was charming. Just because you work at Disneyland does not mean you are a regular there. I knew a girl in high school who had never had the financial means to visit Disneyland, until the day she was hired to run the Matterhorn ride. And she was simply enthralled with everything about Disneyland. She adored her job. I think maybe this guy might be a lot like her. And I hope he gets a chance to go on all the rides one lunch break at a time.
Jenny of Brain Bunnies recently did some work for a story in Brougton Quarterly (wonderful travel mag) about the great iconic dinosaur in the California desert. This is her photo that I stole from her site. So while walking around Disney’s California Adventure (DCA) this weekend I took a shot of its knock-off. All of DCA is themed after the great locations and destinations found in California. Some are obvious. Some are subtle. Some are giant dinosaurs.
(*do you see the little bird on the dino’s head? It was like he was waiting for me to come and take his picture. As soon as I clicked he was gone)
We went to Disneyland yesterday in the reckless way Annual Passholders tend to do. Last minute and in the light rain. And on visits like these when we are less obsessed with getting on every ride we are more into just walking the park and seeing what we come across. And yesterday we stopped to participate in the flag ceremony on the Main Street. They take down the American and California flag in a ceremony with military style precision. The best part of this event was when they called forth from the audience those who had served in the military. They stood at attention and were greeted with thankful applause as the band played. We all sang God Bless America and Star Spangled Banner. It was moving. It was genuine. And it was magical.
*Walt was a passionate member of the American Ambulance Corps during WWI… so I’d say Walt would be very pleased.
When Disney’s PR department says they had a little video clip they thought my readers would like- I was afraid it was going to tell us to have your own rocket size Christmas Tree or perhaps how to time your own fireworks holiday show to music. But as usual, I was wrong. This little video has some very clever and practical tips. And from the “its a small world” department (I couldn’t help myself on that one) the man in the video? I know him. From Tucker’s Little League team ….and I had no idea he worked for Disney. Although looking back- he had a ‘Disneyesque’ demeanor about him (consistently positive, friendly and happy even when the boys were losing the games). Enjoy the video….and for the nine millionth time…Happy Holidays.
Returned to Disneyland today (I swear I will get back to reality soon) and thanks to Disney Marketing people who value bloggers, I was able to walk on ‘Its a Small World’ with a Fast Pass. And they don’t even have Fast Pass for that ride. (Even the cast member who took the ticket was excited to SAVE it since it was an instant collectible) So why other families were waiting in line for like AN HOUR we walked right on. And man it was rock star cool. I was just waiting for someone in the long line to stop me and ask “Why are you skipping the line? Who are you?” to which I would have replied….”I am a blogger. And Disneyland totally loves bloggers”.
As most of you know by now, I am somewhat of a Disneyland freak. (remember this? Or the Disney Virgins?) Not to the point that I would wear my Tinker Bell shirt to a job interview…but pretty much a life long fan. Which is actually hard to maintain after growing up in Orange County. You would THINK I would be ‘over’ it and the Disney magic was gone. Well, that couldn’t be farther from the truth and last night at the blogger Holiday Event I was absolutely in heaven. We arrived and after exiting our car at valet a woman greeted me with a “Hello” and MY NAME. Jack was stunned…”how did they know your name?”…and I told him the first thing that came to mind “Disney Telepathy”. Actually I had given my name at the front gate before entering, so I guess it was more ‘Disney headset technology’…but still it was a very nice touch. The party had everything you would expect from Disney; crafts for kids, video games, airbrush tattoo artist, stunning Christmas tree, the kiddie buffet and more. So the kids played and the bloggers talked. It was very exciting to know I was in an entire room of women who (for once) would not think I am a freak strange for being a blogger. A whole room of people who were taking pictures of their food, handing out business cards and talking about Blissdom and Blogher with ease. The sense of ‘community’ was wonderful. Disney gave a nice presentation with the man behind the best (and largest) rice crispy treats in the world. World renowned Disney Chef Jean Marc. This was quite a thrill for Jack who has been working on launching his own restaurant review blog for kids. Chef Jean Marc gave us a lesson in gingerbread house making. Something I do every year. And every year I take a photo of the boys in front of it after it collapses. It always collapses. Yeah that is the kinda holiday tradition you find in this glamorous family. But I will try again- and this year I have renewed hope, since Jean Marc gave me some tricks of the trade.
We also learned more about the details in food service. You know, the Hoilday napkins, food containers and all the little things that make going to Disney…so darn unbelievable. I laughed out loud when there was a powerpoint slide up of the napkins for the 2008 season. Only because I was just admiring these sugar packets from Disneyland 1965 on this blog. And at the time I thought-who would be smart enough to save a sugar packet? Well, guess what I brought home last night? Yup a 2008 Holiday napkin. And it is just as lovely.
We were escorted into the park to watch the fireworks and snow. Yes, snow. After the fireworks Disney makes it ’snow’ on Main Street. Take that- all you people who say we don’t have seasons here in Southern California! All in all it was a lovely time, at one of my favorite places on earth. We are going back today (they gave us all 3 day park passes too) and taking in all the AMAZING Christmas decorations. Nothing escapes the decor. From the lit up Castle to the rocket size Christmas tree on Main Street- to the NAPKINS.
It is all done, perfectly DISNEY.
Photo Notes:
The Chef making it look too easy.
Suzanne and me, making Goofy uncomfortable when she said “Goofy do you like grown up girls too?”
The four Goofys (including the rarely seen Husband)
The View as we walked down mainstreet to the castle.
Tucker has a thing for all the princesses…and Belle might be his favorite crush now. “She smelled nice mom”
Disneyland embraces Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). A ‘lively’ celebration of Mexico in which the deceased ancestors are remembered. Often thru the use of comical and animated skeltons. I love this holiday, and it is celebrated November 1st and 2nd. So get ready…it is coming! I tried to get my kids to stand next to this giant (12 feet tall?) statue…and they refused. said it creeped them out. “Hey what is nicer than a dead skelton bride?” I said. And Jack replied “um, just about ANYTHING”
We started our press day off at the fun Big Thunder Ranch Restaurant. What never heard of it? Its new. You will know the location…its that weird place behind Thunder Mountain that
you would always walk by and go ‘I wonder what that place is for?’…well it has been used as a location for private parties and corporate gatherings and now it a family style restaurant. Complete with themed (western y’all) entertainment. Wonderful singers and of course characters (See me with Woody. He totally has a thing for bloggers). The meal was OUTSTANDING. BBQ chicken, pork, corn, coleslaw, corn bread and more. And by more I mean the cutest dessert ever. A waffle cone with filling in the bottom and a cupcake on top. It is ‘all you can eat’ and prices are around $29 adult and $13 for kiddies. Okay not cheap- but when you consider a soda is $2.50 and a basic burger anywhere else in the park is about $9.00….this really doesn’t seem all that bad. Plus the entertainment part of it. But really? Its about the food. Just outstanding. I had a nice conversation with Gary who is the head of all food and catering for the park- and learned about great plans and changes happening in lots of locations. (have you been to the carving-style place which serves huge carved beef sandwiches right above Pirates? ). And I am certain he is going to run with my idea for a coffee cart out on the plaza for me when I am waiting in line to get in the park. Gave him that idea for free. I am a giver ya know.
And then we were on to what I thought was going to be the ‘boring’ part of the press event. The informative presentation. But actually it was great. Here is a summary:
