Disneyland California - Mickey's Toontown

On the visit that inspired my love of Disney and it's theme parks, September 1993, a brand new area had been opened at Disneyland. Mickey's Toontown is roughly based on the fictional area of the same name in the 1988 Disney classic, Who Framed Roger Rabbit. The buildings in Toontown are colourful and stylised and represent everything 'cartoon.'

This land is always amazingly crowded as it caters to families with younger children and those who are young at heart. There are no big thrill rides in this area - rather a cleverly put together land that is completely interactive and leaves you smiling constantly.


The biggest 'attractions' in Toontown are Mickey and Minnie's houses. Mickey's house is a walkthrough attraction and when you finally reach his living room, you'll join a queue and meet the famous Mouse. I love the houses as they encapsulate everything that is cartoon and fun. When we first went to Disneyland in 1993, you met Mickey Mouse on Main Street with all the other wandering characters. As much as I dislike saying it, this walkthrough and meet and greet doesn't live up to my expectations. However, there is a way around queuing to meet the famous Mouse. If you are a guest at one of the Disneyland resort hotels, you will receive a booklet on check-in with some coupons inside. One of these is for a Magic Morning in Toontown. Whilst the rest of the park opens at 9 - Toontown normally opens at 10. For that one hour, guests of the resort hotels are let inside Toontown, are treated to a special show, are given one of a kind buttons to wear and get to meet the characters themselves! We were lucky enough to be in the park early, right on nine and got to meet Mickey before the show. We avoided the queue and still got in that special cuddle. But Mickey isn't the only character available to resort guests in the Magic Morning - Goofy, Donald, Pluto and Minnie are all in attendance too! Minnie's house is much the same as Mickey's house - but with a girly spin. Little ones will love walking through these attractions - and if you choose to queue to meet the characters - it will definitely be worth it for the smile on the little ones face!

Hanging out with The Mouse!

Other walkthrough attractions in Toontown include Donald's Boat and the Chip 'n Dale Treehouse. Although these are designed for youngsters - the young at heart will have equally as much fun. Donald's Boat has a variety of hands-on activities that you can participate in - Andrew's favourite is pulling the rope to sound the horn. The Chip 'n Dale Treehouse is much like the Tarzan's Treehouse attraction in Adventureland. However, this walkthrough, self-paced attraction is designed for the younger guest so watch out for your head and your shins!

Goofy's Playhouse is designed for children 2-5 years of age. It encompasses Goofy's "backyard" and has crawl-throughs, climb-ons and slides of all shapes and sizes. Children will happily spend an eternity exploring and playing here and the inside of Goofy's house is sure to entertain young and old. When visiting this area, pay attention to the detail that the Disney Imagineers have put into designing this area. Everything from the cleverly disguised fire-extinguisher inside Goofy's House to the "crops" Goofy is growing in his garden. As a little bit of trivia, prior to becoming the Playhouse, Goofy's house was named "Goofy's Bounce House" the entire inside of the house was a jumping castle. It is one of my fondest memories of Disneyland. I'm sad that it went, but I am happy that children have an equally enjoyable activity in the form of the Playhouse.

Gadget's Go-Coaster is a roller coaster based on Gadget Hackwrench from the animated television series Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers (admit it, you're singing that catchy theme song in your head!). This is the only ride remaining at Disneyland to be based on a Disney Afternoon telelvision series and interestingly enough it opened 3 years after the cartoon was cancelled. The concept of the "Go-Coaster" is that it was built by Gadget and the coaster trains reflect this by looking as if they are built with acorns and scavenged parts. The coaster is designed for children and whilst sitting side by side would be comfortable for most children, it was a definite squeeze for Andrew and I. The coaster travels through Gadget's salvaged items that include a spool of thread, a soup tin and a comb and the coaster also travels over a small lake. Toward the end of the ride, cartoon type frogs will squirt water at guests (I am yet to get wet by them!). The caster is great fun, but often has a little bit of a queue. Whilst the wait time will not rival that of bigger attractions it is best to ride during the early morning or later in the evening.

Roger Rabbit's Cartoon Spin is one ride you won't mind queuing for as the area that you queue in has quite a bit to look at. In saying that, this is a fastpass attraction and the standby queue is outside, in the sun. So ride early morning or late at evening if you can. The queue winds past offices with voices and shadows, past doorways and you eventually end up in a car garage. You'll enjoy looking at all the different things in the line. Make sure you have a look at the number plates hanging on the wall in the queue line. It took me a little while to figure out but they are code-like for various Disney things or slogans. Whilst I won't spoil the fun for you, my favourite is CAP 10 HK (Captain Hook). The ride itself is like a cross between a Fantasyland Dark Ride and the Mad Tea Party. The steering wheel of the yellow taxi cab you board functions similarly to that of the centre disk of the teacup on the Mad Tea Party Attraction. The ride ventures through various scenes of the Who Framed Roger Rabbit movie and the first scene of the ride features cans of "DIP" that are actual props from the movie. The ride may not be suitable for those who are prone to motion sickness or children who dislike the dark. The ride, although you can control the amount it spins will still spin a little without you even touching the steering wheel.

In Toontown you will encounter four main food outlets. These are Daisy's Diner, Pluto's Dog House, Clarabelle's Frozen Yoghurt and Toon Up Treats. Whilst most places in Toontown stock your usual hot dogs, chips, burgers and drinks, Clarabelle's Frozen Yoghurt offers sandwiches and subs for under $10 and frozen treats for $4-5. It's a nice alternative to the other options if you are wanting some variety.

The only shopping available in Toontown is at the Gag Factory and Toontown Five and Dime. Inside the store, a gag contraption hangs overhead. Suspended gloves travel on a track, pick up a 'gag' from inside the gag machine and drop them off at an undisclosed location. It always captures my attention and I've watched many children stop in their tracks to watch it. Inside this store you can purchase the usual picture frames, keychains, clothing and other common Disney souvenirs. However, within this store you won't find any Princess merchandise - it is mainly related to Mickey Mouse and his friends and the occasional Roger Rabbit piece. Also in this store is a station where you can make your own charm bracelet - it's a nice touch!

Getting ready to blow up the fireworks factory!

What else can Toontown offer you? Well, I mentioned above that the land is mostly interactive - what I didn't mention is that it offers some fantastic photo opportunities. The Fireworks factory has an explosives box that you can press the handle on and sound effects, lights and smoke come out the top of the building. When you open the door to the electricity station a large noise, strobe lighting and smoke come out. There are ample interactive things to do around Toontown (it's just a matter of finding them!!). The other must-see in Toontown are the cars, Mickey and Goofy's cars are just in the street - climb on in and have your photo taken!

Mickey's Car at the Toontown Gas Station

Goofy's Parking job...

I've rolled this land into one post - it's the smallest land in the park but packs a punch! Looking forward to sharing Tomorrowland with you next!

Until next time, Have a Magical Day.

Love,
Michelle
xxx

Disneyland California - Frontierland (part II)

Welcome to part II of Frontierland. Sorry that I missed a post yesterday - I was trouble-shooting a few issues with our iMac. I've started getting some emails from readers - and I'm really glad that those who are giving me feedback are finding the posts useful. I can't wait to get into more detailed posting - but I want to make sure you at least have a place to come and read a run-down of everything available to you in the parks before we start focusing on some other things in detail. I'm looking forward to reading some more emails and comments from you in the not too distant future. Don't forget, I am on facebook (look for and then hit like on the "Disneyland Dreaming" page) and also on Twitter @auDisneyDreamer and I welcome your questions, comments and feedback on those pages :-)

 Let's focus on the entertainment, shopping and food available in Frontierland...

The Golden Horseshoe stage also known as the Golden Horseshoe Saloon or Golden Horseshoe Review opened in 1955 - when Disneyland originally opened. Over the years, it has been been home to many shows all with a distinctly western theme - in a cabaret style setting. The exterior of the building is much the same as it was in 1955 and the interior features a stage, orchestra pit and a 'mile-long bar' that is in fact built to 5/8 scale! In 1999 and 2000, the show featured was called "Woody's Round-Up Show" and featured characters from Disney's Toy Story! The show changes regularly and I would highly recommend that you attend this show during your visit. Check your park map or guide or ask at customer relations in Main Street for show times! oh, and the other thing about the Golden Horseshoe is it is a restaurant - so you get dinner (or lunch) and a show!!! It is counter service food (not a restaurant) but great food for the family. Kids who have never attended a dinner-show will really enjoy this experience! It's good old-fashioned family entertainment!

Other dining options in Frontierland include Stage Door Cafe, Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante, River Belle Terrace and Big Thunder Ranch Barbecue.

 - The Stage Door Cafe serves corn dogs, fish and chips and chicken breast tenders - great for a quick bite.

 - The River Belle Terrace is popular for all meals and snacks throughout the day. For breakfast I'd suggest the popular Mickey Mouse Pancakes - but you may prefer bacon and scrambled eggs. For lunch or dinner the Terrace serves a grand selection of sandwiches served on soft baguette rolls and served with "southern baked beans" and a side of your choice. Meals are reasonably priced.

- Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante boasts to have some of the best Mexican cuisine North of the border. The name of the restaurant roughly translates to Ranch of the Square. The restaurant is decorated with beautiful fountains, Mexican glass lanterns and you will sit comfortably on the patio with bougainvillaea trees all around you. Meals are slightly more expensive than other options in Frontierland - but worth the extra dollars.

- The Big Thunder Ranch Barbecue is the best option for family dining in Frontierland. An all-you-can-eat lunch that includes cornbread, ranch beans, coleslaw, ribs and barbecue chicken is bound to please your family. There are vegetarian options available on request. Dessert is also available for an additional cost. You will be treated to music that will keep you toe-tapping and hand-clapping during your luncheon here. It is recommended that you book in advance for this option either through your travel agent, the Disney Dining number (which is, unfortunately, an international call) or at guest relations during your visit.


Shopping cravings can be cured in Frontierland at one of five stores - The Spirit of Pocahontas Shop, Bonanza Outfitters, Westward Ho Trading Company, Pioneer Mercantile and the Silver Spur. You can find a variety of merchandise from Pocahontas and Toy Story in these shops. Also, a variety of western paraphernalia can be found in these shops. Once again, all the stores are wonderfully appointed and they are an attraction in their own right and well worth a look.

In Frontierland, guests may have character encounters with a variety of characters in this area of the park. Two of the most popular characters are Woody and Jessie from Toy Story. If possible, try to greet them as early in the morning as possible. Sometimes, guest relations are able to tell you a day in advance where certain characters are making an appearance and you can plan your day around a certain greeting!

Well, that's a brief run down on the magic of Frontierland. We'll move on to Critter County next. One of my favourite places in the park - and home to Winnie the Pooh and friends!!

Until next time, Have a Magical Day.

Love,
Michelle
xxx

Disneyland California - Frontierland (part I)

Before I start writing about Frontierland - I'd just like to give you a quick reminder to find me on facebook by the Disneyland Dreaming page - make sure you hit like! OR if you prefer twitter you can find me @auDisneyDreamer - hope to find you on there soon!

Frontierland is themed to the Old West in 19th Century America. Home to some of Disneyland's most famous rides, Frontierland was also one of the five original themed lands when the park opened in 1955. In this post we will have a brief look at the attractions of Frontierland - Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Frontierland Shooting Exposition, Pirate's Lair and the Mark Twain Riverboat.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

The runaway Mine Cart

Some of the scenery of the Mountain

Hold on to your hats because Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is going to get your adrenaline pumping and it will most definitely put a smile on your face. Big Thunder Mountain originally opened in September 1979 and is an indoor/outdoor rollercoaster through some rather rugged terrain. The back story of the ride is that once upon a time gold was found in Big Thunder and of course the town became popular and was thriving. An earthquake struck the town and the town was abandoned. Some time later, the old mine trains of the town were found to be running on the tracks - on their own! The Big Thunder Mountain Mining Camp was established to enable tourists to ride these runaway trains. During the three and half minute ride, guests will travel in their mine car through the abandoned town and into the rocky terrain of Big Thunder Mountain. During the rollercoaster ride, guests will climb three hills and take sweeping turns and twists through the mountain. There are some wonderful views of the park from the top of the hills - but they won't last long. The ride itself has it's own picturesque scenery which guests are sure to love. The ride has a safety bar restraint which comes across your lap and their are some height restrictions for this ride. Guests in a wheelchair must be able to get in and out of the cars to be able to ride.

The Frontierland Shootin' Arcade is a infra-red light shooting gallery. Originally, the guns in the shooting gallery shot lead pellets when the attraction opened in 1971 but due to dangers and cos associated with this, Walt Disney Enterprises moved to the infra-red technology. There are 97 targets in the shooting gallery that are animated when shot. The scene inside the shooting gallery include a jail, hotel, bank and cemetery.

The Columbia

Frontierland, NewOrleans' Square, Critter County all surround the Rivers Of America. A river that is home to the attractions of the Mark Twain River Boat, The Columbia Ship, Canoe Tours and the Pirate's Lair on Tom Sawyers Island. During peak periods, both the Mark Twain River Boat and Columbia (a pirate ship) sail a round trip of the Rivers of America. The Mark Twain River Boat is a paddle steamer style boat. It is also used in the night time show, Fantasmic (that I will discuss in a post in the near future). The Columbia (pictured) is a sail boat - and when it is used in Fantasmic you will see it as Captain Hook's ship, complete with a crew of pirates and Peter Pan fighting Hook himself! It takes between 20-30 minutes to cruise around the Island, but you will get to see some scenery that you cannot see from anywhere else in the park. It is a great ride for the whole family to partake in and their are provisions for those with disabilities and in wheelchairs (and those with prams) to make this accessible. However, the canoes that you can board near the rafts that take you to Tom Sawyer's Island are only accessible to those who are able to board via walking. The canoes are just like those you saw in Pocahontas - you will board them and paddle your heart out the whole way around the Island - it takes longer than the River Boat or the Columbia but it really is enjoyable and will be a great way to rid little ones of any excess energy they may be carrying.

Some of Tom Sawyer's Island

To travel to Tom Sawyers Island and the Pirate's Lair you need to board a raft. The rafts leave frequently to and from the Island with more rafts travelling in peak periods than in off-peak periods. The Island is great to explore with bridges, caverns, tunnels and the wreck of a sailing vessel. This Island was formally known only as Tom Sawyer's Island but now incorporates the "Pirate's Lair" - a tie in with the amazingly popular Disney franchise, Pirates of the Caribbean. You will enjoy some wonderful photo opportunities on the Island - allow yourself an hour, maybe more to spend out here. If you are travelling with children, this will be one of the highlights for them - particularly adventurous young pirates!!

In the next post, we will look at the food, entertainment and other attractions in Adventureland! I hope you've had a great weekend!!

Until the next post, Have a Magical Day!

Love,
Michelle
xxx

Disneyland California - Main Street U.S.A

Each Disney Park has similarities. Each has it's own version of the famous Disney Castle. They have similar rides. And mostly, a similar layout. However, each park is distinctly different with a different feel.

Disneyland in California is the original Disney Park. It opened on July 17th 1955 (however, some people will tell you that it opened on 18th July - it's a long story) and it is the only of the Disney Parks that Walt Disney had direction over the building of. I wish that I had've been alive or had the opportunity to meet Walt Disney. It seems that he had a mind full of hopes and dreams that he never gave up on - and in essence the Disney Parks are still carrying forth that tradition.

Over the next few blog entries, I will take you through each area of Disneyland in California. We will begin with Main Street U.S.A. and then continue with Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, Frontierland, New Orleans Square, Adventureland and Critter County. Following these lands, we will take a hop, skip and a jump (because you will be too excited to walk once you are inside the parks and running is not allowed) over to the California Adventure Park. Toward the end of July, I will began writing about Walt Disney World, in Florida before moving on to Japan's Disney Parks in August.

(In advance, I apologise for some of my dodgy photography, I get so excited when I'm at the Parks that I want to capture everything but at the same time, I want to embrace everything all at once. Since these photos were taken, we have invested in an SLR that takes a much nicer photo - which you'll get to see when we get to blogging about Walt Disney World!)

These two images, are two of the first things that you will encounter on any visit to Disneyland. Most people who have visited the parks would say that I have them around the wrong way - but I have put them in this order for a reason. I want you to remember, that this is not a theme park. Rather, you walk under the archway, and, like the sign says, you enter a new world. A world where there is a blur between fantasy and reality, between current and future, and also a blur between present and past. When seeing my images and reading my words on this blog, remember that you are not hearing, smelling or sensing any of your surrounds - this all encompassing nature is what makes Disney the best at what it does.

This second image - Disney's pride and joy and Walt's best mate, Mickey Mouse. Walt Disney once said, "Let's not forget, it all started with a Mouse." A Mouse that he dreamt up on a train trip, that had a personality unlike any other character of it's time. Speaking of trains, the brick building you can see in the background of the image is Mainstreet U.S.A. station, one of the stations on the Disneyland Railroad - one of my all time favourite rides at the park. Oops, tangent. Back to where we were, this garden must appear in a gazillion tourists photographs around the world - particularly those who wait and wait and wait and get that illustrious shot with the train pulling into the station in the background. It's the perfectly manicured lawns and plants that give away that you aren't just at any theme park - this is a Disney Park. Attention to detail separates the Disney experience from any other.

Main Street U.S.A. - Sleeping Beauty's Castle in the distance

Main Street U.S.A.

As you admire Mickey in the garden and the sound of the steam train in the distance, you are drawn with the crowds under the archways and into Main Street U.S.A. As you can see, Main Street is actually quite wide, with what appears to be tram tracks down the middle. The buildings are quite old fashioned in style. The street is designed to represent Walt Disney's home town of Marceline, Missouri at the turn of the century. At the end of the street stands Sleeping Beauty Castle. Sleeping Beauty Castle stands at the end of Main Street in Disneyland Paris and also Disneyland Hong Kong as well - however in Tokyo Disneyland and Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World, the castle is actually Cinderella's Castle. Mainstreet U.S.A. is home to Town Hall (which houses Guest Relations), a Fire House (that above it, is Walt Disney's own apartment - a lamp is kept lit in the window in his memory), a cinema, a gallery, several restaurants and cafes as well as a significant amount of souvenir shops. As you enter Main Street, you come to a town square with a flag pole. This area is popular for character sightings so have your camera ready! As you head down the stretch toward the Castle, you will notice the smells and sounds around you change as the scenery does. The bakery and confectionary shops actually pump smells into the air and the music changes to match the stores around you. Make sure you read the names on the second floor windows of the stores on Main Street. These names, although utilised in a fictional context, are there to pay tribute to cast members, Imagineers and friends of Walt Disney. It's a really great concept!

Michelle's Fast Fact: Main Street U.S.A.

If you are celebrating ANYTHING while you are at the Park, go and see Guest Relations in the Town Hall on Main Street. We had big button-style badges that said "Happily Ever After" and "Just Married" whilst on our Honeymoon. Everywhere we went, Cast Members congratulated us and more than once, our buttons got us to the front of the queue with the aide of a kind staff member! They seem to have these badges for everything - birthdays, anniversaries, family vacations. Just pop in and let them know! You can also make restaurant bookings and character dining bookings at guest services.

Michelle's Must Sees: Main Street U.S.A.

My own personal suggestion for first time visitors, is a suggestion that my Mum "forcibly suggested" to Dad and I on our first visit to Disneyland in 1993 (sorry Mum - but you were definitely right in the end!). Walk under the archway, climb the stairs to Main Street Station and board the train for a full round journey of the park. It sounds silly but it is the absolute best thing that you can do. Not only do you get acquainted with the park and get to see some of the rides and attractions as you go past on a steam train but the round trip has a few surprises. The first surprise is the train pulls into a tunnel and you go inside the Critter County favourite - Splash Mountain. You are able to see the audio-animatronic figures, hear the music and if the timing is right, see some fellow visitors cruising past in a log! The second surprise is a journey back in time, through the Grand Canyon to the time of the dinosaurs. The settings are so detailed and the animatronic dinosaurs are a delight to young and old! You'll be back at Main Street before you know it. The round trip takes about 20 minutes but it is a great orientation ride - and family and friends who aren't anticipating the surprise will just love it!!

My second suggestion is allow yourself time to explore the shops - most days the park opens earlier than the rides and you can go no further than the end of Main Street. The shops have some amazing things in them - not just for buying but the way they are decorated! My one purchase suggestion for adults and children alike - buy an autograph book (or bring one with you) and make sure you have a pen. Characters you meet and greet around the park are all able to sign autographs! Even as a fully grown adult, I still delight in collecting autographs from characters! Most of the autograph books now have a photo slot - it becomes a keepsake all of its own. Here's a few shots of some of the characters Andrew and I met in the Main Street U.S.A precinct on our visit in July 2010:

Cinderella's Fairy Godmother (she was so lovely!!! )

Minnie Mouse

Andrew and Pluto with the Main Street Fire House in the background

Alice and The Mad Hatter from Alice in Wonderland

Partner's Statue - Walt and Mickey

My third suggestion - ride one of the Main Street Vehicles. They are all designed to reflect the turn-of-the-century feel of Main Street. My favourite is the fire engine or the double-decker bus. However, sometimes there are horse drawn cars, horse-less carriages and other vehicles that do laps of the stretch between Main Street Station and the Sleeping Beauty Castle end. They will normally take you one-way from either the station to the Castle or vice-versa. However, more than once, we had a kind driver allow us to stay on for a full circle!

My final suggestion is to enjoy the small park in front of the Castle that features the "Partners" statue. This statue of Mickey and Walt is one of my favourite things to admire in the park. In this park, on our Honeymoon in July 2010, they also have the Disney Photo Pass people who are happy to take a group shot of your family or group and give you a card so you can access your photos online later. I wish we had've taken advantage of this more on our Honeymoon as we have very few shots of us together as a couple.

Make sure you take time to explore the shops, admire the gardens, greet the characters and stop for that all-important shot of the Castle on Main Street. Despite their being no rides or big attractions on Main Street, it truly is amazing in terms of the amount of detail placed into absolutely every store, shopfront and garden. In a future post, I'll write some details about parades and the best viewing points - Main Street is definitely one of my favourite places to watch the parades!!

Until next post, Have a Magic Day!

Love,

Michelle
xxx

Sleep Beauty Castle at night!