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Showing posts from January, 2013

Ride Profile: Splash Mountain

As you walk past Haunted Past it is hard to miss the sounds of screams and water splashing from Splash Mountain! This flume takes guests through more than half a mile through caves, swamps, and backwoods to return Br’er Rabbit safe and sound to his home. Obviously the biggest feature that stands out on this ride is the 52- foot plunge at the end of the ride, getting passengers wet, possibly drenched. Generally, the front seat gets the most wet, but all seats can expect to get at least a little wet at some point throughout the ride. Passengers ride aboard six-to-seven-seater logs with six single-file seats. The last seat in each log is larger and allows room for larger guests or an adult and a small child, thus allowing the capacity to be seven in each log.  The ride is filled with over 100 audio-animatronic characters singing catchy tunes, most famous “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah”. Although there are Mickey heads all over the ride, the main one can be seen from the side

Mickey's Soundsational Parade!

Experience one of the biggest highlights at Disneyland is when the streets are filled with music and dancing as characters from your favorite movies ride on astonishing floats! Mickey leads the parade at the head of the drum line! If you have not seen this “soundsational”, unforgettable parade, it is best to plan to watch and enjoy the whole show.        Find a spot where people will not stand in front of you, there are several benches and curbs along Main Street for optimal viewing.  If your trip is in the summer or on a busy day, plan to stake out your spot about 30 minutes before the parade, trust me, it is worth it! The parade itself from starting float to end is about 23 minutes.       As a Disneyland veteran, growing up seeing the parade, even now as a college student, I always stop when the parade is going on and end up having the catchy tunes stuck in my head the rest of the day.        The parade is absolutely like nothing else, which I believe gives the

Disneyland Fireworks: Nighttime Spectacular

Bursting high above the sky of the Sleeping Beauty Castle, fireworks light up the sky. Throughout the year, special shows are offered, but every night is magical. It is very important to get a spot early for good viewing, I personally suggest being to the right of the castle or near the Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse statue. Although you can watch the fireworks from a further distant, being near the castle gives you the full effect as the show is synced to wonderful classic Disney tunes. During the current season, the “Remember… Dreams Come True” fireworks spectacular is shown once a night. Rekindle your fondest memories with this breathtaking fireworks show that touches the heart and inspires the imagination. Disneyland Park has offered a fireworks show every summer since 1956. At first, fireworks fuses were lit by hand, but by the 1960s an electronic system launched the shells, the shows carefully synchronized to music. By 2000, the fireworks had become far more elaborate,

Ride Profile: Matterhorn Bobsleds

When walking down to the end of Main Street, it is hard to miss the Matterhorn Bobsleds to the right of Sleeping Beauty’s Castle. After last years renovations the ride looks and sounds better than ever. They kept the famous abominable snowmen but added some new twists and made the ride turns much smoother. The ride still has two steel tracks, but they have done away with the two-a-seat bobsleds with individual seats. Keeping with the Swiss theme of the ride, there is plenty of yodelers and polka music to listen to while in line. Disneyland makes a big deal about the mountain climbers who are once again ascending and descending the mountain, accompanied periodically updating guests on their “progress.” The occasional daily event commands the attention of everyone around the mountain. Guests may not have to wait long to try out the new cars though, as the best addition to the Matterhorn Bobsleds is the Single Rider line. Those who don’t mind riding separately f

2013 Bayou Bash!

Once again this year Disneyland is celebrating Mardi Gras through the New Orleans Bayou Bash! Every weekend from now until February 12 th at New Orleans Square there will be exciting entertainment like Princess Tiana’s Showboat Jubilee and the Jambalaya Jazz Band. In addition, other favorite Disney characters dance through the area in their Mardi Gras finest.  Special food items will also be served in the local restaurants – all presented with warm Southern hospitality!  Specific Dates: •   January 25 through 27, 2013 •   February 1 through 3, 2013 •   February 8 through 12, 2013