PART FIVE

DISNEYLAND
PARK

ARRIVING and GETTING ORIENTED

IF YOU DRIVE, you will probably be directed to the massive Mickey and Friends parking garage on West Street near Ball Road. Parking costs $15 for cars, $20 for RVs, and $25 for buses. Be sure to make a note of your section, row, and space. A tram will transport you to a loading/unloading area connected to the entrance by a pedestrian corridor. Many locals prefer to park in the Toy Story surface lot on Harbor Boulevard south of Katella Avenue, which offers shuttle service to the east side of the resort entrance esplanade. Most pedestrians enter the resort from Harbor Boulevard to the east, passing though the bus drop-off area on their way to the ticket booths; on-site hotel guests approach from the west through Downtown Disney. Because security screening is conducted just before passing through the turnstiles, the lines to enter the park are often quite lengthy. Two entrance gates, 14 and 19, are blocked by trees situated in the entrance plaza about 10 feet from the security checkpoint. The trees sometimes inhibit the formation of a line in front of both of the obstructed gates. These gates (14 and 19) are staffed nonetheless and draw guests from adjacent lines 13 or 15 and 18 or 20. When this happens, it significantly speeds up the entry process for guests waiting in lines 13 and 20. Our advice on arriving, therefore, is to inspect the lines leading to gates 14 and 19 and join whichever looks to be shortest. Later in the day, the outside gates (1 and 32) tend to be fastest for re-entry. Stroller and wheelchair rentals are available in the Main Entrance Plaza between Disneyland and DCA. As you enter Main Street, City Hall is to your left, serving as the center for general information, lost and found, and entertainment information.

Be sure to pick up a park map as you pass through the turnstiles. Maps are also available in the passages connecting the park entrance to Main Street, U.S.A.; at City Hall; and at a number of shops throughout the park. Also, pick up a Times Guide. This pamphlet contains the daily entertainment schedule for live shows, parades, fireworks, and other events and tells you where you can find the characters. If a Times Guide is not available for the day you visit (a very rare occurrence), the daily entertainment schedule will be included in the park map. The park map lists all the attractions, shops, and eateries and provides helpful information about first aid, baby care, assistance for the disabled, and more.

NOT TO BE MISSED AT DISNEYLAND PARK

ADVENTURELAND Indiana Jones Adventure

CRITTER COUNTRY Splash Mountain

FRONTIERLAND Big Thunder Mountain Railroad | Golden Horseshoe

NEW ORLEANS SQUARE The Haunted Mansion | Pirates of the Caribbean

TOMORROWLAND Space Mountain | Star Tours: The Adventures Continue

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT Fantasmic!

Notice on your map that Main Street ends at a central hub from which branch the entrances to four other sections of Disneyland: Adventureland, Frontierland, Fantasyland, and Tomorrowland. Two other “lands,” New Orleans Square and Critter Country, can be reached through Adventureland and Frontierland. Mickey’s Toontown is located on the far side of the railroad tracks from It’s a Small World in Fantasyland. Sleeping Beauty Castle, the entrance to Fantasyland, is a focal landmark and the visual center of the park. The castle is a great place to meet if your group decides to split up for any reason during the day, and it can serve as an emergency meeting place if you are accidentally separated. Keep in mind, however, that the castle covers a lot of territory, so be specific about where to meet at the castle. Also be forewarned that parades and live shows sometimes make it difficult to access the entrance of the castle fronting the central hub. Another good meeting spot is the Partners statue of Mickey and Walt in the central hub.

STARTING THE TOUR

EVERYONE WILL SOON FIND his or her own favorite and not-so-favorite attractions in Disneyland Park. Be open-minded and adventuresome. Don’t dismiss a particular ride or show as not being for you until after you have tried it. Our personal experience as well as our research indicates that each visitor is different in terms of which Disney offerings he or she most enjoys. So don’t miss seeing an attraction because a friend from home didn’t like it; that attraction may turn out to be your favorite.

We do recommend that you take advantage of what Disney does best—the fantasy adventures such as Indiana Jones Adventure and The Haunted Mansion, and the audio-animatronic (talking robots, that is) attractions such as Pirates of the Caribbean. Unless you have almost unlimited time, don’t burn a lot of daylight browsing through the shops. Except for some special Disney souvenirs, you can find much of the same merchandise elsewhere. Try to minimize the time you spend on midway-type rides, as you probably have an amusement park, carnival, or state fair close to your hometown. Don’t, however, mistake rides such as Splash Mountain and the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad for amusement-park rides. They may be of the flume-ride or the roller-coaster genre, but they represent pure Disney genius. Similarly, do not devote a lot of time to waiting in line for meals. Eat a good early breakfast before you come, snack on vendor-sold foods during the touring day, or follow the suggestions for meals incorporated into the various touring plans presented.

SINGLE-RIDER LINES

YOU CAN OFTEN SAVE TIME WAITING IN LINE by taking advantage of single-rider lines, a separate line for people who are alone or don’t mind riding alone or with a stranger. The objective of single-rider lines is to fill odd spaces left by groups who don’t quite fill the entire ride vehicle. Because there aren’t many singles and most groups aren’t willing to split up, single-rider lines are usually much shorter than the regular line. In Disneyland Park, Indiana Jones Adventure, the Matterhorn Bobsleds, and Splash Mountain have single-rider lines. Ask an attraction employee how to enter the single-rider queue; you’ll usually be given a paper pass and directed up the exit.

MAIN STREET, U.S.A.

THIS SECTION OF DISNEYLAND PARK is where you’ll begin and end your visit. We have already mentioned that assistance and information are available at City Hall. The Disneyland Railroad stops at the Main Street Station, and you can board here for a grand circle tour of the park, or you can get off the train in New Orleans Square, Mickey’s Toontown/Fantasyland, or Tomorrowland.

Main Street is an idealized version of a turn-of-the-20th-century American small-town street. Many visitors are surprised to discover that all the buildings are real, not elaborate props. Attention to detail is exceptional—interiors, furnishings, and fixtures conform to the period. As with any real Main Street, the Disney version is essentially a collection of shops and eating places, with a city hall, a fire station, and an old-time cinema. A mixed-media attraction combines static exhibits recalling the life of Walt Disney with a patriotic remembrance of Abraham Lincoln. Horse-drawn trolleys, fire engines, and horseless carriages give rides along Main Street and transport visitors to the central hub.

Main Street Services

Most of the park’s service facilities are centered in the Main Street section, including the following:

Baby Care Center At the central-hub end of Main Street

Banking Services/Currency Exchange At City Hall at the railroad-station end of Main Street

Disneyland and Local Attraction Information At City Hall

First Aid First Aid Center two doors from Plaza Inn at the central-hub end of Main Street

Live Entertainment and Parade Information At City Hall, at the railroad-station end of Main Street

Lost Adults and Messages At City Hall

Lost and Found Lost and Found for the entire resort is located west of the entrance to Disneyland Park

Lost Children At the central-hub end of Main Street

Storage Lockers Down Main Street one block (as you walk toward the castle) and to the right

Disneyland Railroad

What it is Scenic railroad ride around the park’s perimeter; also transportation to New Orleans Square, Mickey’s Toontown, Fantasyland, and Tomorrowland. Scope and scale Major attraction. When to go After 11 a.m. or when you need transportation. Special comments The Main Street and Tomorrowland stations are usually the least-congested boarding points. Duration of ride About 22 minutes for a complete circuit. Average wait in line per 100 people ahead of you 8 minutes. Assumes 3 trains operating. Loading speed Fast.

DESCRIPTION AND COMMENTS A transportation ride that blends an eclectic variety of sights and experiences with an energy-saving way of getting around the park. In addition to providing a glimpse of all the lands except Adventureland, the train passes through the Grand Canyon Diorama (between Tomorrowland and Main Street), a three-dimensional replication of the canyon, complete with wildlife, as it appears from the southern rim. Another sight on the train circuit is Primeval World, a depiction of a prehistoric peat bog and rain forest populated by audio-animatronic (robotic) dinosaurs. Opened in 1966 Primeval World uses animatronics recycled from the Disney-designed Ford’s Magic Skyway pavilion for the 1964 World’s Fair, and was a precursor to a similar presentation at Epcot’s Universe of Energy.

TOURING TIPS Save the train ride until after you have seen the featured attractions, or use it when you need transportation. It can also be a helpful way to relax during the peak times of the day when the crowds are swelling. You can get a good estimate of how long you’ll wait for the next train by using the posted wait time sign outside each station. It will either list 5 minutes (three trains operating), 10 minutes (two trains), or 20 minutes (only one train). If you have small children who are hell-bent to see Mickey first thing in the morning, you might consider taking the train to Mickey’s Toontown (a half circuit) and visiting Mickey in his dressing room as soon as you enter the park. Many families find that this tactic puts the kids in a more receptive frame of mind for the other attractions. On busy days, lines form at the New Orleans Square and Mickey’s Toontown/Fantasyland stations but rarely at the Main Street or Tomorrowland stations.

The Disneyland Story, presenting Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln ½

What it is Nostalgic exhibits documenting the Disney success story followed by an audio-animatronic patriotic presentation. Scope and scale Minor attraction. When to go During the hot, crowded period of the day. Duration of show 15 minutes including preshow. Preshow Disney exhibits. Probable waiting time Usually no wait.

DISNEY DISH WITH JIM HILL

FOUR SCORE AND SEVEN BALLOONS AGO In December 2009, the Imagineers were programming the new, improved version of Abraham Lincoln. They wanted this next-generation audio-animatronic to scan the audience and pick out guests to talk to. But how do you program for something like that when nobody is actually seated inside the hall? It’s simple, really. You buy a couple of Mickey Mouse balloons, tie them to seats on different sides of the auditorium, and have the Abe figure focus its attention on those.

DESCRIPTION AND COMMENTS A warm and well-presented remembrance of the man who started it all. Well worth seeing; especially touching for those old enough to remember Walt Disney himself. The attraction consists of a museum of Disney memorabilia. Especially interesting are displays illustrating the construction and evolution of Disneyland, including a beautiful scale model of the park as it looked on opening day. A short film starring comedian (and former Disneyland cast member) Steve Martin and Donald Duck, originally created to celebrate the park’s 50th anniversary in 2005, screens in the lobby as a preshow. Beyond the Disney memorabilia, guests are admitted to a large theater where Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln is presented. A patriotic performance, Great Moments stars an extremely lifelike and sophisticated audio-animatronic Abe Lincoln delivering an amalgamation of his notable speeches (though the over-familiar “Gettysburg Address” is not recited in full) as originally recorded by Royal Dano for the 1964 World’s Fair. Lincoln’s recently upgraded head is stunningly emotive, capable of wrinkling his brow and pursing his lips with unrivaled realism. New surround sound effects and songs borrowed from Epcot’s American Adventure add to this brief but inspiring biography of America’s 16th president.

TOURING TIPS You usually do not have to wait long for this show, so see it during the busy times of day when lines are long elsewhere or as you are leaving the park. Sit up close to best see the detail on the Lincoln figure, or a few rows back for a more comfortable view of the screen. Before or after the show, stop in the adjacent Disney Gallery, a small museum celebrating Disney history. Recent rotating exhibits have highlighted the artwork of Mary Blair, Walt Disney’s railroad obsession (including remnants of his personal backyard train), and castles from Disneylands around the world.

Main Street Cinema

What it is Vintage Disney cartoons. Scope and scale Diversion. When to go Whenever you want. Special comments Wonderful selection of old-time flicks. Duration of show Runs continuously. Preshow None. Probable waiting time No waiting.

DESCRIPTION AND COMMENTS An opening-day attraction, this small theater shows six classic Disney cartoons simultaneously. Early black-and-white Mickey Mouse shorts such as “Steamboat Willie” and “Plane Crazy” are screened, along with the celebrity caricature–stocked oddity “Mickey’s Polo Team.” The films have sound but are played at low enough volume that the theater remains a quiet respite from the rest of the park.

TOURING TIPS Good place to get out of the sun or rain or to kill time while others in your group shop on Main Street. Fun, but not something you can’t afford to miss. No seats; viewers stand.

Transportation Rides

DESCRIPTION AND COMMENTS Trolleys, buses, and the like add color to Main Street. One-way only.

TOURING TIPS The rides will save you a walk to the central hub. Not worth waiting in line. If you catch the first trolley of the morning, you may be serenaded onboard by the Dapper Dans.

ADVENTURELAND

ADVENTURELAND IS THE FIRST “LAND” to the left of Main Street and somehow manages to seamlessly combine South Pacific island, Middle Eastern bazaar, and African safari themes. Transitions from one part of Adventureland to another feel quite natural, and the identity crisis inherent in the mixed-theme cocktail never registers in the minds of most guests. Space is tight in Adventureland, however, making for some of the worst pedestrian congestion in any of the Disney theme parks. If you’re just passing through Adventureland, say on your way to Splash Mountain, you can avoid the congestion by transiting Frontierland instead.

Enchanted Tiki Room ½

What it is Audio-animatronic Pacific Island musical show. Scope and scale Minor attraction. When to go Anytime. Special comments Very, very unusual. Duration of show 14½ minutes. Preshow Talking totem poles. Probable waiting time 11 minutes.

DESCRIPTION AND COMMENTS An unusual sit-down theater performance in which more than 200 birds, flowers, and tiki-god statues sing and whistle through a Polynesian-style musical program. One of Walt’s first large-scale uses of audio-animatronics, Tiki Room might be more impressive for the technology it took to get the show (ahem) flying in 1963. Beloved by Disneyland fans for its detail and immersive setting, the current version of the show is only slightly altered from the original.

TOURING TIPS One of the most bizarre (yet endearing) of the Disneyland Park entertainments and rarely very crowded. We like it in the late afternoon, when we can especially appreciate sitting for a bit in an air-conditioned theater. Back row seats provide the broadest view with the least neck strain.

Indiana Jones Adventure (Fastpass)

What it is Motion-simulator dark ride. Scope and scale Super-headliner. When to go Before 9:30 a.m. or use Fastpass. Special comments Not to be missed; must be 46″ tall to ride; switching-off provided. Duration of ride 3 minutes and 20 seconds. Average wait in line per 100 people ahead of you 3 minutes. Assumes Full-capacity operation with 18-second dispatch interval. Loading speed Fast.

DESCRIPTION AND COMMENTS This is a combination track ride and motion simulator. You ride a military troop–transport vehicle; in addition to moving along its path, the vehicle bucks and pitches (the simulator part) in sync with the visuals and special effects. Though the plot is complicated and not altogether clear, the bottom line is that if you look into the Forbidden Eye, you’re in big trouble. The Forbidden Eye, of course, stands out like Rush Limbaugh in a diaper, and everybody stares at it. The rest of the ride consists of a mad race to escape the temple as it collapses around you. In the process, you encounter snakes, spiders, lava pits, rats, swinging bridges, and the house-size granite bowling ball that everyone remembers from Raiders of the Lost Ark.

The Indiana Jones ride is a Disney masterpiece—nonstop action from beginning to end with brilliant visual effects. Elaborate even by Disney standards, the attraction provides a level of detail and variety of action that make use of the entire Imagineering arsenal of high-tech gimmickry. Combining a setting as rich as Pirates of the Caribbean with a ride that rivals Star Tours, Indiana Jones is a powerhouse. Recently, the ride was upgraded with new animatronic Indys that bear a remarkable likeness to Harrison Ford.

Sophisticated in its electronic and computer applications, Indiana Jones purports to offer a different experience on each ride. According to the designers, there are veritable menus of special effects that the computer can mix and match. In practice, however, we could not see much difference from ride to ride. There are, no doubt, subtle variations, but the ride is so wild and frenetic that it’s hard to apprehend subtlety. Between explosions and falling rocks, your poor fried brain simply does not register nuance.

The adventure begins in the queue, which sometimes extends out the entrance of the attraction and over the bridge leading to Adventureland! When you ultimately work your way into the attraction area, you find yourself at the site of an archaeology expedition with the Temple of the Forbidden Eye entrance beckoning only 50 feet away. After crossing a wooden bridge, you finally step into the temple. The good news is that you are out of the California sun. The bad news is that you have just entered Indiana Jones’s indoor queuing area, a system of tunnels and passageways extending to within 50 yards of the Santa Monica Pier.

Fortunately, the queuing area is interesting. You wind through caves, down the interior corridors of the temple, and into subterranean rotundas where the archaeologists have been hard at work. Along the way there are various surprises (be sure to disregard any DO NOT TOUCH signs you see on supporting poles or safety ropes), as well as a succession of homilies etched in an “ancient” language on the temple walls. You will eventually stumble into a chamber where a short movie will explain the plot. From there it’s back into the maze and finally on to the loading area. The ride itself is memorable.

TOURING TIPS Indiana Jones stays fairly mobbed all day. Try to ride during the first hour the park is open or use Fastpass. Another alternative, if you don’t mind riding alone, is to take advantage of the single-rider line. Guests from the single-rider lines are tapped, one at a time, to fill any odd seats remaining in the ride vehicles before they are dispatched. Generally the wait for guests in the single-rider line is about one-third that of guests in the regular queue. Be forewarned that the single-rider line at Indiana Jones is a bit of a maze, requiring you to negotiate your way up the exit ramp, up one elevator, across a walkway over the track, and then down another elevator to the loading area.

During the first hour or so the park is open, Indiana Jones cast members often employ a line management technique known as stacking. Simply stated, they allow the line for Indiana Jones to form outside of the attraction, leaving the cavernous inside queuing area virtually empty. Guests, of course, assume that the attraction is packed to the gills and that the outside line is overflow. Naturally, this discourages guests from getting in line. The reality is that the wait is not nearly as bad as it looks, and that it is probably as short as it will be all day. If you arrive in the park early and the Indiana Jones line appears huge, have the rest of your party get in line while you enter Indiana Jones through the attraction exit and check out the inside queue. If it is empty or sparsely populated, stacking is being practiced. Join your party in line and enjoy the attraction; your wait will be comparatively short. If the inside queue is bumper to bumper, try Indiana Jones later or use Fastpass or the single-rider line. Stacking is also sometimes practiced during the hour just before the park closes.

There is one other thing you should know. Indiana Jones, because it is high-tech, breaks down a lot. The Disney people will announce that the ride is broken but usually will not estimate how long repairs will take. From our experience, most glitches are resolved in approximately 15–30 minutes, and probably the best advice is to stick it out.

If you miss Indiana Jones in the early morning and the Fastpasses are all gone, use the single-rider line or try again during a parade or Fantasmic!, or during the hour before the park closes. Regarding the latter, the Disney folks will usually admit to the attraction anyone in line at closing time. During a recent visit to Indiana Jones, Disneyland Park closed at 8 p.m. We hopped in the line for Indiana Jones at 7:45 p.m. and actually got on the ride at 8:30 p.m.

Though the Indiana Jones ride is wild and jerky, the motion has been somewhat toned down since its debut, and it is primarily distinguished by its visual impact and realistic special effects. Thus, we encourage the over-50 crowd to give it a chance: We think you’ll like it. As for children, most find the ride extremely intense and action-packed but not particularly frightening. We encountered very few children who met the 46-inch minimum-height requirement who were in any way intimidated.

Jungle Cruise

What it is A Disney outdoor-adventure boat ride. Scope and scale Major attraction. When to go Before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m. Special comments A Disney standard. Duration of ride 7½ minutes. Average wait in line per 100 people ahead of you 3½ minutes. Assumes 10 boats operating. Loading speed Moderate–slow.

DESCRIPTION AND COMMENTS A boat ride through jungle waterways. Passengers encounter elephants, lions, hostile natives, and a menacing hippo. A long-enduring Disney favorite with the boatman’s spiel adding measurably to the fun.

As more technologically advanced attractions have been added to the park over the years, the Jungle Cruise has, by comparison, lost some of its luster. Though still a good attraction, it offers few thrills and no surprises for Disneyland Park veterans, many of whom can rattle off the ride’s narration right along with the guide. For park first-timers, however, the Jungle Cruise continues to delight.

DISNEY DISH WITH JIM HILL

HANK-ERING FOR SOME NEW SHOW SCENES It’s been several years now since the Imagineers last added any elements to the Jungle Cruise. But given that Walt Disney Studios has a movie with Tom Hanks and Tim Allen in the works, which will be built around the general premise and specific show scenes featured in this Adventureland attraction, the Imagineers are now planning on seriously juicing up the Jungle in 2013. The Imagineers are looking to add dimensional sound to this ride, so it will sound as though animals are actually moving through the brush along the shoreline, as well as incorporating some new physical effects. Which—at least in the case of the ride’s hippo pool sequences—will make it seem as though the animals are attacking your boat from below.

TOURING TIPS This ride loads slowly, and long lines form as the park fills. To compound problems, guests exiting Indiana Jones tend to head for the Jungle Cruise. Go early, or during a parade or Fantasmic! Be forewarned that the Jungle Cruise has an especially deceptive line: Just when you think that you are about to board, you are shunted into yet another queuing maze (not visible outside the ride). Regardless of how short the line looks when you approach the Jungle Cruise, inquire about the length of the wait—at least you will know what you are getting into. If the second floor of the queue building is in use, you’re in for at least a 20-minute wait. When the queue splits before the loading dock, the left lane is often quicker. Finally, many readers consider the Jungle Cruise much better at night.

Tarzan’s Treehouse

What it is Walk-through treehouse exhibit. Scope and scale Minor attraction. When to go Anytime. Special comments Requires climbing a lot of stairs; a very creative exhibit. Duration of tour 8–12 minutes. Average wait in line per 100 people ahead of you 7 minutes.

DESCRIPTION AND COMMENTS Inspired by Disney’s 1999 animated film Tarzan, Tarzan’s Treehouse replaced the venerable Swiss Family Treehouse that had been an Adventureland icon for 37 years. To enter the attraction, you climb a rustic staircase and cross a suspension bridge. From there, as they say, it’s all downhill. Pages from Jane’s sketchbook scattered about tell the Tarzan story and provide insights into the various rooms and levels of the treehouse. At the base of the tree is an interactive play area where characters from Disney’s Tarzan drop in for photos and autographs.

TOURING TIPS A self-guided, walk-through tour that involves a lot of climbing up and down stairs but with no ropes or ladders or anything fancy. People stopping during the walk-through to look extra-long or to rest sometimes create bottlenecks that slow crowd flow. We recommend visiting this attraction in the late afternoon or early evening if you are on a 1-day tour schedule.

NEW ORLEANS SQUARE

ACCESSIBLE VIA ADVENTURELAND AND FRONTIERLAND, New Orleans Square is one of three “lands” that does not emanate from the central hub. The architecture and setting are Caribbean colonial, like New Orleans itself, with exceptional attention to detail.

Disneyland Railroad

DESCRIPTION AND COMMENTS The Disneyland Railroad stops in New Orleans Square on its circle tour around the park. See the description for additional details regarding the sights en route.

TOURING TIPS This is a pleasant and feet-saving way to commute to Mickey’s Toontown/Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, or Main Street. Be advised, however, that the New Orleans Square station is usually the most congested.

The Haunted Mansion

What it is Indoor haunted-house ride. Scope and scale Major attraction. When to go Before 11:30 a.m. or after 6:30 p.m. Special comments Not to be missed; frightens some small children; some of Disneyland’s best special effects. Duration of ride 5½-minute ride plus a 2-minute preshow. Average wait in line per 100 people ahead of you 2½ minutes. Assumes Both stretch rooms operating. Loading speed Fast.

DESCRIPTION AND COMMENTS The Haunted Mansion is a fun attraction more than a scary one. An ingenious preshow serves as a vehicle to deliver guests to the ride’s boarding area, where they board “doom buggies” for a ride through the mansion’s parlor, dining room, library, halls, and attic before descending to an uncommonly active graveyard. Disney employs almost every special effect in its repertoire in The Haunted Mansion, making it one of the most inventive and different of all Disney attractions. Be warned that some youngsters build a lot of anxiety concerning what they think they will see. The actual attraction scares almost nobody. Though this mansion is the original, the ride is somewhat shorter and lacks the high-tech interactive upgrades of the Walt Disney World version.

The Haunted Mansion is one of veteran Unofficial Guide writer Eve Zibart’s favorite attractions. She warns:

Don’t let the childishness of the old-fashioned Haunted Mansion put you off: This is one of the best attractions [in the park]. It’s jam-packed with visual puns, special effects, hidden Mickeys, and really lovely Victorian-spooky sets. It’s not scary, except in the sweetest of ways, but it will remind you of the days before ghost stories gave way to slasher flicks.

Each September, The Haunted Mansion substitutes a special holiday version of the attraction that runs through early January. Inspired by Tim Burton’s 1993 stop-motion musical The Nightmare Before Christmas, the overlay features characters such as Jack Skellington and Oogie Boogie cavorting among the familiar mansion haunts to songs from Danny Elfman’s classic score. Though the Haunted Mansion is not normally a Fastpass attraction, the holiday version is usually included in the Fastpass lineup. Be aware that the attraction will be closed for several weeks before and after the holiday season to install and remove the overlay.

TOURING TIPS This attraction would be more at home in Fantasyland, but no matter—it’s Disney at its best: another not-to-be-missed attraction. Because The Haunted Mansion is in an especially high-traffic corridor (between Pirates of the Caribbean and Splash Mountain), it stays busy all day. Try to see The Haunted Mansion before 11:30 a.m., after 6:30 p.m., or during a parade. In the evening, crowds for Fantasmic! gather in front of The Haunted Mansion, making it very difficult to access.

Pirates of the Caribbean

What it is A Disney indoor-adventure boat ride. Scope and scale Major attraction. When to go Before 11:30 a.m. or after 4:30 p.m. Special comments Frightens some small children; our pick as one of Disneyland’s very best. Duration of ride Approximately 14 minutes. Average wait in line per 100 people ahead of you 3 minutes. Assumes 42 boats operating. Loading speed Fast.

DESCRIPTION AND COMMENTS Another boat ride, this time indoors, through a series of sets depicting a pirate raid on an island settlement, from the bombardment of the fortress to the debauchery that follows the victory. Pirates of the Caribbean was the target of a much-publicized political-correctness controversy relating to the objectification of women and the “boys will be boys” way in which the pirates’ debauchery was depicted. Ultimately, Disney was pressured into revamping the attraction (though not much). More recently, the attraction underwent an extensive rehab that included the addition of characters (Jack Sparrow and Barbossa in animatronic form, and a high-tech mist projection of Davy Jones and Blackbeard) from the Pirates of the Caribbean movies.

TOURING TIPS Another not-to-be-missed attraction. Undoubtedly one of the most elaborate and imaginative attractions in Disneyland Park. Though engineered to move large crowds, this ride sometimes gets overwhelmingly busy in the early and midafternoon. Try to ride before noon or while a parade or Fantasmic! is in progress. If you have only experienced the Walt Disney World version of Pirates, don’t bypass Disneyland’s version thinking that it’s more of the same: The original ride is far longer, more detailed, and better maintained than its Floridian cousin.

CRITTER COUNTRY

CRITTER COUNTRY, situated at the end of a cul-de-sac and accessible via New Orleans Square, sports a pioneer appearance not unlike that of Frontierland.

Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes (open seasonally)

What it is Scenic canoe ride. Scope and scale Minor attraction. When to go As soon as it opens, usually 11 a.m. Special comments Skip if the lines are long; closes at dusk. Special comments Most fun way to see Rivers of America. Duration of ride 8–10 minutes, depending on how fast you paddle. Average wait in line per 100 people ahead of you 12½ minutes. Assumes 6 canoes operating. Loading speed Slow.

DESCRIPTION AND COMMENTS Paddle-powered ride (you do the paddling) around Tom Sawyer Island and Fort Wilderness. Runs the same route with the same sights as the steamboat and the sailing ship. According to newspaper accounts, when the entire 9-million-gallon river was drained in 2010 for refurbishment, workers found half a canoe, scores of Mickey Mouse ears, and hundreds of cell phones at the bottom. The lesson here is to always keep a tight grip on your canoe. The canoes operate only on busier days and close at dusk. The sights are fun and the ride is a little different in that the patrons paddle the canoe. Those with tender rotator cuffs be warned: the trip can give your shoulders quite a workout, unless you slack off and let your fellow passengers handle the hard rowing. We think that this is the most fun of any of the various river trips. Long lines from about 11 a.m. on reflect the popularity of this attraction.

TOURING TIPS The canoes represent one of three ways to see the same waterways. Since the canoes are slower in loading, we usually opt for the larger steamboat or sailing ship. If you are not up for a boat ride, a different view of the same sights can be had by hoofing around Tom Sawyer Island. Try to ride at 11 a.m. or shortly thereafter. The canoes operate on selected days and seasonal periods only. If the canoes are a big deal to you, call ahead to make sure they are operating.

The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh ½

What it is Indoor track ride. Scope and scale Minor attraction. When to go Before 11 a.m. or the late afternoon or evening. Duration of ride About 3 minutes. Average wait in line per 100 people ahead of you 5 minutes. Loading speed Moderate.

DESCRIPTION AND COMMENTS Pooh is sunny, upbeat, and fun—more in the image of Peter Pan’s Flight or Splash Mountain. You ride a “hunny pot” through the pages of a huge picture book into the Hundred Acre Wood, where you encounter Pooh, Eeyore, Owl, Rabbit, Tigger, Kanga, Roo, and Piglet too as they contend with a blustery day. There’s even a dream sequence with Heffalumps and Woozles, a favorite of this 30-something couple from Lexington, Massachusetts, who think Pooh has plenty to offer adults:

DISNEY DISH WITH JIM HILL

WHERE TO LOOK IF YOU WANT TO SEE-O THE TRIO Many Disneyland fans still miss The Country Bear Jamboree, the audio-animatronic extravaganza that used to occupy the building that now houses The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. But if you know just where to look while you’re riding through Pooh, you can still see a few members of the Jamboree cast. As you exit this ride’s Heffalumps and Woozles scene, turn around and look up. There, on the wall above you, you’ll see Max the buck, Buff the buffalo, and Melvin the moose, which the Imagineers hid inside this Critter Country attraction as a tribute to the Country Bear Jamboree.

The attention to detail and special effects on this ride make it worth seeing even if you don’t have children in your party. The Pooh dream sequence was great!

TOURING TIPS Though well done, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh is not wildly popular. There is rarely more than a 15-minute wait, and it’s typically less than 5. The only exceptions are on supercrowded days or when Splash Mountain is temporarily closed, which then causes crowds to swarm Winnie the Pooh.

Splash Mountain (Fastpass) ½

† Many preschoolers are too short to meet the height requirement, while others are intimidated by watching the ride while standing in line. Of those preschoolers who actually ride, most give the attraction high marks; .

What it is Water-flume adventure boat ride. Scope and scale Headliner. When to go Before 9:45 a.m. or use Fastpass. Special comments A wet winner, not to be missed; must be 40″ tall to ride; those age 7 or younger must ride with an adult; switching-off provided. Duration of ride About 10 minutes. Average wait in line per 100 people ahead of you 3½ minutes. Assumes Operation at full capacity. Loading speed Moderate.

DESCRIPTION AND COMMENTS Splash Mountain is a Disney-style amusement-park flume ride. The ride combines steep chutes with a variety of Disney’s best special effects. Covering more than 0.5 mile, the ride splashes through swamps, caves, and backwoods bayous before climaxing in a 52-foot plunge and Br’er Rabbit’s triumphant return home. The entire ride is populated by more than 100 audio-animatronic characters, including Br’er Rabbit, Br’er Bear, and Br’er Fox, all regaling riders with songs, including “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah.”

TOURING TIPS This is the most popular ride in Disneyland Park for patrons of all ages—happy, exciting, and adventuresome all at once. Though eclipsed somewhat by newer attractions, Splash Mountain nevertheless builds crowds quickly during the morning, and waits of more than 2 hours are not uncommon once Disneyland Park fills up on a busy day. Lines persist throughout the day until a few minutes before closing.

There are five ways to experience Splash Mountain without a long wait. The first is to be on hand when the park opens and to sprint over and get in line before anyone else. The second way is to allow the initial mob of Splash cadets to be processed through and to arrive at Splash Mountain about 20–40 minutes after the park opens or after riding Peter Pan and/or Space Mountain. A third strategy is to get in line for Splash Mountain during a parade and/or a performance of Fantasmic! Be advised, however, that huge crowds gathering along the New Orleans Square and Frontierland waterfronts for Fantasmic! make getting to Splash Mountain very difficult (if not impossible) just before, during, and just after performances. Fourth, use Fastpass, and fifth, use the single-rider line by entering through the exit.

Disneyland veteran Ken Warhola offers this suggestion:

Use Fastpass to experience Splash. Using Fastpass lets you visit non-Fastpass, slow-loading attractions in the golden early morning. Also, who wants to get wet first thing in the morning?

A Suffolk, Virginia, mom contends that there are more important considerations than beating crowds:

The only recommendation I do have is to definitely wait to do Splash Mountain at the end of the day. We were seated in the front of the ride, and needless to say we were drenched to the bone. If we had ridden the ride [first thing in the morning] according to your plan, I personally would have been miserable for the rest of the day. Parents, beware! It says you will get wet, not drowned.

It is almost a certainty that you will get wet, though probably not drenched, riding Splash Mountain. During the summer months, the water jets are cranked up to 11, practically guaranteeing that you’ll get soaked. If you visit on a cool day, you may want to carry a plastic garbage bag. By tearing holes in the bottom and sides, you can fashion a sort of raincoat. Be sure to tuck the bag under your bottom. Though you can get splashed regardless of where you sit, riders in the front seat generally get the worst of it. If you have a camera, either leave it with a nonriding member of your party or wrap it in a plastic bag.

One final word: This is not just a fancy flume ride—it is a full-blown Disney adventure. The scariest part by far is the big drop into the pool (visible from the sidewalk in front of Splash Mountain), and even this plunge looks worse than it really is. Despite reassurances, however, many children wig out after watching it from the sidewalk. A Grand Rapids, Michigan, mother recalls her kids’ rather unique reaction:

We discovered after the fact that our children thought they would go underwater after the five-story drop and tried to hold their breath throughout the ride in preparation. They were really too preoccupied to enjoy the clever Br’er Rabbit story.

Flash Mountain

What it is Water-flume adventure strip show. Scope and scale Eyepopper. When to go Spring break; weekend nights. Special comments A liberating experience. Duration of show About 2 seconds.

DESCRIPTION AND COMMENTS It was reported by the Associated Press that certain female Splash Mountain riders (though we’re sure that male riders, not to be outdone, will soon follow their female compatriots in similar fashion) are behaving in a most un–Disney-like manner by “flinging their blouses open” as they plummet down the climactic plunge at the end of the ride. (Fully visible, we might add, to dozens of guests waiting in line in front of the attraction.)

Indeed, automatic cameras shooting souvenir photographs of participants have documented an astounding array of feminine anatomy in free fall. The practice is apparently too spontaneous for Disneyland, which reports that it “has no plans at this time to change the theme of the attraction.” Though, ever mindful of guest safety, management has concerns about “undue congestion” in front of the ride and the “possibility of guests catching cold.” Some years ago, Disney initiated what it called its “nipple policy,” which decreed that photos of offending guests were vaporized immediately. Thanks to budget cuts, the cast members who formerly spent their days screening snapshots for contraband skin have been reassigned, leaving the images free for all to enjoy again. This development has been roundly applauded by nearly everyone except the reassigned employees, some of whom had collected veritable scrapbooks of the floating strippers.

TOURING TIPS During spring break or weekend nights, spectators should stand on the walkway directly in front of Splash Mountain. Be sure to bring a sign denouncing such unchaste exhibitionist behavior, or, depending on your point of view, a camera with a telescopic lens. If you are a participant, you will have approximately 2 minutes following the big plunge to get yourself back together before you arrive at the unloading area.

FRONTIERLAND

FRONTIERLAND ADJOINS NEW ORLEANS SQUARE as you move clockwise around the theme park. The focus here is on the Old West, with log stockades and pioneer trappings. In addition to the attractions listed below, there is the Big Thunder Ranch—featuring pungent pygmy petting goats and Miss Chris’s cabin of coloring activities and equestrian Disney memorabilia—on the walkway to Fantasyland.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (Fastpass)

What it is Tame roller coaster with exciting special effects. Scope and scale Headliner. When to go Before 10:30 a.m., after 6:30 p.m., or use Fastpass. Special comments Great effects, though a relatively tame ride; must be 40″ tall to ride; those age 8 and younger must ride with an adult; switching-off option provided. Duration of ride 3½ minutes. Average wait in line per 100 people ahead of you 3 minutes. Assumes 5 trains operating. Loading speed Moderate–fast.

DESCRIPTION AND COMMENTS A roller-coaster ride through and around a Disney “mountain.” The idea is that you are on a runaway mine train during gold rush days. Along with the usual thrills of a roller-coaster ride (about a 5 on a “scary scale” of 10), the ride showcases some first-rate examples of Disney creativity: lifelike scenes depicting a mining town, falling rocks, and an earthquake, all humorously animated.

TOURING TIPS A superb Disney experience, but not too wild a roller coaster. The emphasis here is much more on the sights than on the thrill of the ride itself. Regardless, it’s a not-to-be-missed attraction. Finally, give Big Thunder a try after dark. The lighting gives the attraction a whole new feel.

As an example of how differently guests experience Disney attractions, consider this letter that we received from a reader in Brookline, Massachusetts:

Being in the senior citizens’ category and having limited time, my friend and I confined our activities to those attractions rated as 4 or 5 stars for seniors. Because of your recommendation and because you listed it as “not to be missed,” we waited for 1 hour to board the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, which you rated a 5 on a scary scale of 10. After living through 3½ minutes of pure terror, I will rate that attraction a 15 on a scary scale of 10. We were so busy holding on and screaming and even praying for our safety that we did not see any falling rocks, a mining town, or an earthquake. In our opinion it should not be recommended for seniors or preschool children.

A woman from New England discovered that there’s more to consider about Big Thunder than being scared:

I won’t say it warranted a higher scare rating, but it was much higher on the lose-your-lunch meter. One more sharp turn and the kids in front of me would have needed a dip in Splash Mountain!

Frontierland Shootin’ Exposition

What it is Electronic shooting gallery. Scope and scale Diversion. When to go Whenever convenient. Special comments Costs extra; a nifty shooting gallery.

DESCRIPTION AND COMMENTS A very elaborate electronic shooting gallery that costs $1 to play. One of the few attractions in Disneyland Park not included in the admission pass.

TOURING TIPS Good fun for those who like to shoot, but definitely not a place to blow time if you are on a tight schedule. Try it on your second day if time allows.

The Golden Horseshoe ½

What it is Western dance-hall stage show. Scope and scale Minor attraction. When to go Catch a show and lunch at the same time. Special comments Delightfully zany show; food is available. Duration of show 30 minutes.

DESCRIPTION AND COMMENTS The Golden Horseshoe has always offered a decent show, hearty snacks, and a nice air-conditioned respite from the sun. A while back, however, either intentionally or accidentally, Disney signed up an act so good that it turned the humble venue into one of the best attractions in either park. The talent, the unfortunately named Billy Hill and the Hillbillies, consists of a quartet of master bluegrass fiddlers who also happen to be born comics. The show is double-over funny, zany, and totally engaging. And did we mention that the fiddling is phenomenal? At the end of the show, we noticed something that we’ve never seen at any Disney stage production—the audience refused to leave. Instead, they stood clapping and cheering like at a rock concert, trying to bring back the performers for an encore. They stayed at it so long that the fiddlers were forced to return and take a second bow (though they didn’t perform another song). Still the audience lingered, departing only reluctantly after many minutes. We rate the Golden Horseshoe ½ and classify it as not to be missed. In the summer of 2012, the Hillbillies were relocated to the stage behind Big Thunder Ranch; if they draw a crowd there, the move may prove long-term.

TOURING TIPS The Golden Horseshoe has first-come, first-serve seating. Find performance times in the daily Times Guide. An interactive comedy troupe performs here when the Hillbillies are elsewhere. We recommend arriving 30 minutes early if you want to find a table and grab some grub. Food service can be slow; look for the shortest of three service lines, usually on the far left. Absurdly oversize safety railings now ruin sight lines from the balcony (curse you, OSHA!), so the best view is from the floor front and center, but Walt liked the opera box seats best.

Mark Twain Riverboat

What it is Scenic boat ride. Scope and scale Minor attraction. When to go 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Special comments Provides an excellent vantage point; suspends operation at dusk. Duration of ride About 14 minutes. Average wait to board 10 minutes. Assumes Normal operations. Loading method En masse.

DESCRIPTION AND COMMENTS Large-capacity paddle-wheel riverboat that navigates the waters around Tom Sawyer Island and Fort Wilderness. A beautiful craft, the riverboat provides a lofty perch from which to see Frontierland and New Orleans Square. The Mark Twain, Sailing Ship Columbia, and Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes travel through the Rivers of America, which was refurbished in 2010. The show scenes were updated to include a home for Mike Fink (and one of his keelboats, a former Disneyland attraction) and 26 new audio-animatronic animals, and the audio spiel now includes a musical nod to the New Orleans–set The Princess and the Frog.

TOURING TIPS One of three boat rides that survey the same real estate. Because the Explorer Canoes are slower in loading and the Columbia operates seasonally, we think the riverboat makes more efficient use of touring time. If you are not in the mood for a boat ride, many of the same sights can be seen by hiking around Tom Sawyer Island.

Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island

What it is Walk-through exhibit and rustic playground. Scope and scale Minor attraction. When to go Midmorning–late afternoon. Special comments The place for rambunctious kids; closes at dusk.

DESCRIPTION AND COMMENTS Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island manages to impart something of a sense of isolation from the rest of the park. It has hills to climb, a cave and a treehouse to explore, tipsy bridges to cross, paths to follow, and a “rock-climbing” play area. It’s a delight for adults but a godsend for children who have been in tow all day.

As an aside, a mother of four from Duncan, South Carolina, found Tom Sawyer Island as much a refuge as an attraction, writing:

I do have one tip for parents. In the afternoon, when the crowds were at their peak, the weather was hottest, and the kids started lagging behind, our organization began to suffer. We then retreated over to Tom Sawyer Island, which proved to be a true haven. My husband and I found a secluded bench and regrouped. Meanwhile, the kids were able to run freely in the shade. Afterward, we were ready to tackle the park again refreshed and with direction once more.

The island has sets from the Pirates of the Caribbean films, such as William Turner’s blacksmith shop, and story artifacts such as Elizabeth Swann’s love letters tucked into every nook and cranny. Kids exploring the caverns of Dead Man’s Grotto will encounter spooky voices, ghostly apparitions, and buried treasure. Elsewhere, a sunken chest can be discovered by operating a hoist.

Evidently, you can’t have a pirate’s lair without a bunch of gore. A pop-up head and moving skeletal arm are just the beginning. There’s also a “bone cage,” and our favorite—a treasure chest containing Davy Jones’s beating heart. If your child doesn’t have a playmate, don’t worry. There’s usually a gang of itinerant pirates on hand to administer the “pirate oath” and, somewhat incongruously, lead sing-alongs.

TOURING TIPS Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island is not one of Disneyland Park’s more celebrated attractions, but it’s certainly one of the most well done. Attention to detail is excellent, and kids particularly revel in its adventuresome atmosphere. We think it’s a must for families with children ages 5–15. If your party has only adults, visit the island on your second day, or stop by on your first day if you have seen the attractions you most wanted to see. We like the island from about noon until the island closes at dusk. Access is by raft from Frontierland, and you may have to stand in line to board both coming and going. Two or three rafts operate simultaneously, however, and the round-trip is usually pretty time efficient. Tom Sawyer Island takes about 30 minutes or so to see, but many children could spend a whole day there.

Raft to and from Tom Sawyer Island

What it is Transportation ride to Tom Sawyer Island. Scope and scale Minor attraction. Duration of ride A little more than 1 minute one way. Average wait in line per 100 people ahead of you 4½ minutes. Assumes 3 rafts operating. Loading speed Moderate.

Sailing Ship Columbia (open seasonally) ½

What it is Scenic boat ride. Scope and scale Minor attraction. When to go 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Special comments Pirates on extremely busy days; a stunning piece of workmanship. Duration of ride About 14 minutes. Average wait to board 10 minutes. Assumes Normal operations. Loading method En masse.

DESCRIPTION AND COMMENTS The Columbia is a stunning replica of a three-masted 18th-century merchant ship. Both its above and below decks are open to visitors, with below decks outfitted to depict the life and work environment of the ship’s crew in 1787. The Columbia operates only on busier days and runs the same route as the canoes and the riverboat. As with the other rivercraft, the Columbia suspends operations at dusk.

TOURING TIPS The Columbia, along with the Mark Twain Riverboat, provides a short-wait, high-carrying-capacity alternative for cruising the Rivers of America. We found the beautifully crafted Columbia by far the most aesthetically pleasing and historically interesting of any of the three choices of boat rides on the Rivers of America. If you have time to be choosy, ride aboard the Columbia. After boarding, while waiting for the cruise to begin, tour below deck. Once the ride begins, come topside and stroll the deck, taking in the beauty and complexity of the rigging.

The Columbia does not usually require a long wait, which makes it a good bet during the crowded afternoon hours.

FANTASYLAND

TRULY AN ENCHANTING PLACE, spread gracefully like a miniature alpine village beneath the towers of Sleeping Beauty Castle, Fantasyland is the heart of the park. Fantasyland is the backbone of the Magic Mornings early-entry program, with nine rides open. If your group consists of older kids and adults, ride Matterhorn Bobsleds first during the early-entry period, followed by Peter Pan’s Flight. If you have younger children in your group, start with Peter Pan and then ride Dumbo.

Alice in Wonderland ½

What it is Track ride in the dark. Scope and scale Minor attraction. When to go Before 11 a.m. or after 5 p.m. Special comments Good characterization and story line; do not confuse with Mad Tea Party ride. Duration of ride Almost 4 minutes. Average wait in line per 100 people ahead of you 12 minutes. Assumes 16 cars operating. Loading speed Slow.

DESCRIPTION AND COMMENTS This attraction recalls the story of Alice in Wonderland with some nice surprises and colorful effects. Guests ride nifty caterpillar cars in this Disney spook-house adaptation. Though not a spring chicken, Alice is a third-generation Disney dark ride with more vibrant, evocative, and three-dimensional sets and characters than Pinocchio’s Daring Journey or Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride. This is also the only two-story Disney dark ride with an outdoor section.

TOURING TIPS This is a very well-done ride in the best Disney tradition, with familiar characters, good effects, and a theme you can follow—too bad it loads very slowly. Do not confuse it with the Mad Tea Party ride.

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique

This pricey beauty salon for little girls is located in Sleeping Beauty Castle. Here, Fairy Godmothers–in-training make would-be princesses look like prom queens (or vice versa). A range of packages are offered, including everything from hair styling and makeup to princess gowns and accessories (cha-ching). If you have the bucks, the girls love it. For reservations, call 714-781-7895. A Winston, Oregon, mom thinks highly of Bibbidi Bobbidi:

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is a must if traveling with little girls. Our party had three girls ages 4, 4, and 6, and this was their favorite and most memorable event of the trip. Even though we traveled during the off-season, it was hectic and a little unorganized. We made reservations and still had to wait around for 30 minutes, but once the girls were matched up with their Fairy Godmother–in-training we were absolutely pleased with the service. It is a little spendy (I think around $50 for a princess hairdo, even more if you want the full service), but it was completely worth it. The hair survived the rest of the day and looked perfect when they put their princess gowns on at night for the fireworks.

Casey Jr. Circus Train ½

What it is Miniature-train ride. Scope and scale Minor attraction. When to go Before 11 a.m. or after 5 p.m. Special comments A quiet, scenic ride. Duration of ride A little under 4 minutes. Average wait in line per 100 people ahead of you 12 minutes. Assumes 2 trains operating. Loading speed Slow.

DESCRIPTION AND COMMENTS A long-standing attraction and a pet project of Walt Disney, Casey Jr. circulates through a landscape of miniature towns, farms, and lakes. Visible from this ride are some stunning bonsai specimens, as well as some of the most manicured landscaping you are ever likely to see.

TOURING TIPS This ride covers the same sights as the Storybook Land Canal Boats but does it faster and with less of a wait. Accommodations for adults, however, are less than optimal on this ride, with some passengers having to squeeze into diminutive caged cars (after all, it is a circus train). If you do not have children in your party, you can enjoy the same sights more comfortably by riding the Storybook Land Canal Boats, which also benefits from live narration instead of Casey Jr.’s canned soundtrack.

A father of two toddlers from Menlo Park, California, explains that issues of redundancy were not uppermost in his children’s minds.

Contrary to your advice, the Casey Jr. Train and Storybook Land Boats are totally different experiences—if you are 4 or younger. Hey, one is a boat and one is a train! Seems obvious to the mind of a 4-year-old! We did both, and the kids loved both, and we loved it because they loved it.

Disneyland Railroad

DESCRIPTION AND COMMENTS The Disneyland Railroad stops in Fantasyland/Mickey’s Toontown on its circuit around the park. The station is located to the left of It’s a Small World, next to the Fantasyland Theatre. From this boarding point, transportation is available to Tomorrowland, Main Street, and New Orleans Square.

Dumbo the Flying Elephant ½

What it is Disney-fied midway ride. Scope and scale Minor attraction. When to go Before 10 a.m. or during late evening parades, fireworks, or Fantasmic! performances. Special comments An attractive children’s ride. Duration of ride 1 minute and 40 seconds. Average wait in line per 100 people ahead of you 12 minutes. Assumes Normal staffing. Loading speed Slow.

DESCRIPTION AND COMMENTS A nice, tame, happy children’s ride based on the lovable Disney flying elephant. An upgraded rendition of a ride that can be found at state fairs and amusement parks across the country. Shortcomings notwithstanding, Dumbo is the favorite Disneyland Park attraction of most preschoolers. A lot of readers take us to task for lumping Dumbo in with state-fair midway rides. These comments from a reader in Armdale, Nova Scotia, are representative:

I think you have acquired a jaded attitude. I know [Dumbo] is not for everybody, but when we took our oldest child (then just 4), the sign at the end of the line said there would be a 90-minute wait. He knew and he didn’t care, and he and I stood in the hot afternoon sun for 90 blissful minutes waiting for his 90-second flight. Anything that a 4-year-old would wait for that long and that patiently must be pretty special.

TOURING TIPS This is a slow-loading ride that we recommend you bypass unless you are on a very relaxed touring schedule. If your kids are excited about Dumbo, try to get them on the ride before 10 a.m., during the parades or Fantasmic!, or just before the park closes. Also, consider this advice from an Arlington, Virginia, mom:

Grown-ups, beware! Dumbo is really a tight fit with one adult and two kids. My kids threw me out of their Dumbo and I had to sit in a Dumbo all by myself. Pretty embarrassing, and my husband got lots of pictures.

Fantasyland Theatre/Disney Princess Fantasy Faire

DESCRIPTION AND COMMENTS Originally installed as a teen nightspot called Videopolis, this venue has been converted into a sophisticated amphitheater where concerts and elaborate stage shows are performed according to the daily entertainment schedule. Better productions that have played the Fantasyland Theatre stage include Beauty and the Beast Live, Snow White, and The Spirit of Pocahontas, all musical stage adaptations of the respective Disney-animated features. In 2007, adding fuel to the fire of little girls’ infatuation with Disney princesses, an elaborate, interactive meet and greet called the Princess Fantasy Faire was installed. Here, little ones can meet princesses, participate in a crafts project, join in a combination stage show and coronation, listen to a princess read a story, and, of course, shop for princess duds and other regalia. The usual Disneyland queue must be endured to meet and be photographed with the duty princess on the Disney Princess Royal Walk, but no lines are required for the other activities and events. The coronation ceremony is a stage show involving several princesses with help from the children. Performed several times daily, showtimes are listed in the Times Guide. Kids learn dance steps and courtly gestures before the ceremony and cap the coronation with a maypole dance. This last is clearly something that most kids have never seen and that typically leaves them dumbfounded. There are great photos to be had, however, as the kids circle in conflicting directions tying the maypole in knots. It too is billed as interactive, but children’s participation in the less-than-10-minute event is minimal to nonexistent. The princesses don’t stick around after the show for autographs and photos; for those, you’ll need to stand in the Royal Walk queue, which regularly reaches a 45–60 minutes’ wait at the peak of the day.

In 2012, construction began to build a new home for the princesses on the site of the former Carnation Plaza Gardens near the Main Street hub, which will include an elaborate meet and greet area, a stage for shows featuring your favorite feminine characters, and a new Tangled-inspired tower for audience participation “royal ribbon parades.” Boogie and jive fans, don’t get jumpy yet: the weekend swing dance parties, a popular fixture of the Plaza Gardens since the park’s early days, have temporarily relocated to a stage in Downtown Disney, and we’re promised that they’ll return to the park once the project is complete. The Fantasyland Theater is expected to begin hosting staged shows again before the new meet-and-greet location is complete in late 2013. In the interim, you will find the princesses greeting guests across the path on the elevated mall near It’s a Small World.

TOURING TIPS Little girls love the Princess Fantasy Faire, as do boys age 6 and under. The best way to take in the whole thing is to arrive about 10 minutes in advance of a coronation and then stay after the show for crafts, princess meet and greet, and storytelling. Incidentally, you won’t believe how many of the kids come in costume. If you do everything, you’ll spend about an hour, not counting shopping time.

It’s a Small World ½

What it is World brotherhood–themed indoor boat ride. Scope and scale Major attraction. When to go Anytime except after a parade. Special comments A pleasant change of pace. Duration of ride 14 minutes. Average wait in line per 100 people ahead of you 2½ minutes. Assumes Busy conditions with 56 boats operating. Loading speed Fast.

DESCRIPTION AND COMMENTS A happy and upbeat attraction with a world-brotherhood theme and a catchy tune that will stick in your head for weeks. Small boats convey visitors on a tour around the world, with singing and dancing dolls showcasing the dress and culture of each nation. Almost everyone enjoys It’s a Small World (well, there are those jaded folks who are put off by the dolls’ homogeneous appearance, especially in light of the diversity theme), but it stands, along with the Enchanted Tiki Room, as an attraction that some could take or leave but that others consider one of the real masterpieces of Disneyland Park. In 2009 Disney inserted more than 20 new figures of Disney and Pixar characters into the classic attraction, over the vocal objections of some serious Disney fans. Tastefully crafted in the style of original artist Mary Blair, the additions don’t detract from the ride, except in the tacky U.S.A. tribute tacked onto the end. In any event, a woman from Holbrook, New York, wrote with this devilish suggestion for improvement:

Small World would be much better if each person got a few softballs on the way in!

A mom from Castleton, Vermont, added this:

It’s a Small World at Fantasyland was like a pit stop in the Twilight Zone. They were very slow unloading the boats, and we were stuck in a line of about six boats waiting to get out while the endless chanting of that song grated on my nerves. I told my husband I was going to swim for it just to escape one more chorus.

From November through New Year’s, the attraction receives an annual holiday overlay inside the attraction as well as outside, featuring “Jingle Bells” and “Deck the Halls” instead of the usual earworm soundtrack. We particularly enjoy the light show and projection effects outside the attraction that happen every 15 minutes.

TOURING TIPS Totally renovated and upgraded in 2009 with a deeper flue to accommodate today’s heavier guests, It’s a Small World is a fast-loading ride that’s usually a good bet during the busier times of the day. The boats are moved along by water pressure, which increases as boats are added. Thus, the more boats in service when you ride (up to a maximum total of 60), the shorter the duration of the ride (and wait). Small World is taken off-line in mid-October and reopened in November with a special Christmas holiday theme. Two notes: While the loading can be very quick when there are many boats running, the unloading can be very slow. Second, the attraction has two loading zones, one which has wheelchair access and one without. Unless you need wheelchair access, we recommend using the loading zone on the far side of the entrance by choosing the right-hand side of the queue when it splits.

King Arthur Carrousel

What it is Merry-go-round. Scope and scale Minor attraction. When to go Before 11:30 a.m. or after 5 p.m. Special comments A showpiece carousel; adults enjoy the beauty and nostalgia of this ride. Duration of ride A little more than 2 minutes. Average wait in line per 100 people ahead of you 8 minutes. Assumes Normal staffing. Loading speed Slow.

DESCRIPTION AND COMMENTS A merry-go-round to be sure, but certainly one of the most elaborate and beautiful you will ever see, especially when lit at night. For the 50th anniversary in 2005, a special horse was added in tribute to Julie Andrews and her iconic role in Mary Poppins. It is a white horse with bells all over, hence her name, Jingles. She is the horse closest to the handicapped ramp.

TOURING TIPS Unless there are small children in your party, we suggest that you appreciate this ride from the sidelines. If your children want to ride, try to get them on before 11:30 a.m. or after 5 p.m. While nice to look at, the carousel loads and unloads very slowly.

Mad Tea Party

What it is Midway-type spinning ride. Scope and scale Minor attraction. When to go Before 11 a.m. or after 5 p.m. Special comments You can make the teacups spin faster by turning the wheel in the center of the cup; fun but not worth the wait. Duration of ride 1½ minutes. Average wait in line per 100 people ahead of you 8 minutes. Assumes Normal staffing. Loading speed Slow.

DESCRIPTION AND COMMENTS Well done in the Disney style, but still just an amusement-park ride. Alice in Wonderland’s Mad Hatter provides the theme, and patrons whirl around feverishly in big teacups. A rendition of this ride, sans Disney characters, can be found at every local carnival and fair.

TOURING TIPS This ride, besides not being particularly special, loads notoriously slowly. Skip it on a busy schedule if the kids will let you. Ride in the morning of your second day if your schedule is more relaxed. A warning for parents who have not given this ride much thought: Teenagers like to lure an adult onto the teacups and then turn the wheel in the middle (which makes the cup spin faster) until the adults are plastered against the side of the cup and are on the verge of throwing up.

Matterhorn Bobsleds ½

† Some preschoolers loved Matterhorn Bobsleds; others were frightened.

What it is Roller coaster. Scope and scale Major attraction. When to go During the first 90 minutes the park is open or during the hour before it closes. Special comments Fun ride but not too scary; must be 42″ tall to ride. Duration of ride 2½ minutes. Average wait in line per 100 people ahead of you 13 minutes. Assumes Both tracks operating with 10 sleds per track with 23-second dispatch intervals. Loading speed Moderate.

DESCRIPTION AND COMMENTS The Matterhorn is the most distinctive landmark on the Disneyland scene, visible from almost anywhere in the park. Open since 1959, the Matterhorn maintains its popularity and long lines year in and year out. The Matterhorn Bobsleds is a roller-coaster ride with an alpine motif. On the scary scale, the ride ranks about 6 on a scale of 10. The special effects cannot compare to Space Mountain, but they do afford a few surprises. In 2012, the Matterhorn completed its first top-to-bottom overhaul since the 1970s, receiving rehabilitated tracks and a more-realistic exterior paint job. More controversially, the old four-passenger vehicles with straddle seats were replaced by three-passenger cars with individual seats (similar to Florida’s Space Mountain) and seat belts. Future children will be robbed of the traditional thrill of riding nestled between their parent’s legs, and thankful fathers will be spared the traditional bruising of their family jewels. The new configuration also increased the minimum height from 35″ to 42″ and reduced the theoretical hourly capacity, though an added single-rider line helps move things along. The revamped vehicles are also unfriendly to the long-legged; tall riders are advised to ask for the middle or back rows, which have marginally more room. A Richboro, Pennsylvania, dad disagrees with our scary rating of the Matterhorn:

My biggest disappointment was the Matterhorn. I understand it’s iconic, but the notion that it could rate as a 6 out of 10 on the scare factor is pure insanity. I’d rate it as a 1! After the steep climb in the dark, you basically just go down in circles until you are left baffled that the “roller coaster” ride is over.

TOURING TIPS Lines for the Matterhorn form as soon as the gates open and persist throughout the day. Ride first thing in the morning or just before the park closes. If you are a roller-coaster person, ride Space Mountain and then hurry over and hop on the Matterhorn. If roller coasters are not the end-all for you, we recommend choosing one of the other coasters or saving one for a second day. The Matterhorn’s poorly marked single-rider line, which can save you an hour in the queue, is currently one of the park’s best-kept secrets. Ask an employee at the Fantasyland side exit how to take advantage of it.

One of the things we like about the Matterhorn is that the entire queuing area is visible. This makes the lines look more oppressive than they actually are and also provides an opportunity to closely approximate the time of your wait. If the line extending toward Tomorrowland reaches a point across from the Photo Spot, your wait to ride the Matterhorn Bobsleds will be about 16 minutes. The line normally forms on the Tomorrowland side of the mountain, but during busy times, there is a line along the Fantasyland side as well. Most people do not know about this, so if you have a party of two or more, have one person wait in line, and check out if there is a line on the other side. In our research, when the Fantasyland line is operating, it is a much shorter wait. When there is only one line along the Tomorrowland side, most people stay to the left when the queue splits, often leaving the right-hand loading station with a shorter line. Though the two sides are similar, they are not identical; veterans say the Tomorrowland track is faster, while the Fantasyland side is slightly longer with sharper turns.

Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride ½

What it is Track ride in the dark. Scope and scale Minor attraction. When to go Before 11 a.m. Special comments Past its prime. Duration of ride Almost 2 minutes. Average wait in line per 100 people ahead of you 9 minutes. Assumes 12 cars operating. Loading speed Slow.

DESCRIPTION AND COMMENTS Mr. Toad is a twisting, curving ride in the dark that passes two-dimensional sets and props. There are a couple of clever effects, but basically it’s at the technological basement of the Disney attraction mix. Its sister attraction at Disney World was scrapped in 1999. Though Mr. Toad doesn’t compare well with newer high-tech attractions, many Disneyland veterans appreciate it because it’s one of a handful of attractions remaining from the park’s beginning.

TOURING TIPS Not a great but certainly a popular attraction. Lines build early in the day and never let up. Catch Mr. Toad before 11 a.m.

Peter Pan’s Flight

What it is Indoor fantasy-adventure ride. Scope and scale Minor attraction. When to go Before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m. Special comments Happy and mellow. Duration of ride Just over 2 minutes. Average wait in line per 100 people ahead of you 11 minutes. Assumes 13 ships operating. Loading speed Slow.

DESCRIPTION AND COMMENTS Although it is not considered one of Disneyland Park’s major attractions, Peter Pan’s Flight is superbly designed and absolutely delightful, with a happy theme, a reunion with some unforgettable Disney characters, beautiful effects, and charming music. Tiny pirate ships suspended from an overhead track launch you from Wendy’s window to fly over nighttime London and on to Never Land and an encounter with Captain Hook, Mr. Smee, and the ubiquitous crocodile.

TOURING TIPS Though not a major feature of Disneyland Park, we nevertheless classify it as the best attraction in Fantasyland. Try to ride before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m., during the afternoon or evening parade(s), or during a performance of Fantasmic!

Pinocchio’s Daring Journey ½

What it is Track ride in the dark. Scope and scale Minor attraction. When to go Before noon or after 3:30 p.m. Special comments A big letdown. Duration of ride Almost 3 minutes. Average wait in line per 100 people ahead of you 8 minutes. Assumes 15 cars operating. Loading speed Slow.

DESCRIPTION AND COMMENTS This is another twisting, curving track ride in the dark, this time tracing the adventures of Pinocchio as he tries to find his way home. The action is hard to follow, and it lacks continuity. Although the sets are three-dimensional and more visually compelling than, say, Mr. Toad, the story line is dull and fails to engage the guest. In the ride’s defense, it features some deliciously trippy Pleasure Island imagery, a clever vanishing Blue Fairy effect, and almost always an empty queue.

TOURING TIPS The word must be out about Pinocchio because the lines are seldom very long. Still, the longest waits occur 11:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Sleeping Beauty Castle

What it is Walk-through exhibit. Scope and scale Minor attraction. When to go Anytime. Special comments Must be able to climb up and down two flights of stairs. Duration of exhibit Varies; about 10 minutes. Average wait Usually none.

DESCRIPTION AND COMMENTS Disneyland Park’s most famous icon, Sleeping Beauty Castle is at the heart of Disneyland and serves as a stage for shows and special events. For the non-claustrophobic, the Sleeping Beauty Castle walk-through exhibit is a miniature 3-D series, arranged along a narrow passage inside the castle, that tells the story of Sleeping Beauty. Originally opened on April 29, 1957, to “preview” the upcoming 1959 movie Sleeping Beauty, and then closed for most of a decade after 9/11, the attraction reopened in November 2008 with new dioramas reflecting the style of artist Eyvind Earle, who gave Sleeping Beauty its distinctive design. In this version there are animated scenes, interactive elements, and Pepper’s Ghost projection effects (as also seen in the Haunted Mansion) that have re-energized this classic attraction.

TOURING TIPS The entrance is on the Fantasyland side of the castle near the passageway to Plaza Gardens and Frontierland. The exhibit allows for one-way traffic only. It can get a bit crowded inside, but there should rarely be a line outside the attraction. For those guests unable to handle stairs, a small alcove is to the left of the bridge to Tomorrowland. Inside you will find a collection of the animations, as well as music, allowing you to experience the attraction’s elements without walking. The viewing location runs on a loop, so you might have to watch it out of order.

Snow White’s Scary Adventures

What it is Track ride in the dark. Scope and scale Minor attraction. When to go Before 11 a.m. or after 5 p.m. Special comments Quite intimidating for preschoolers; worth seeing if the wait is not long. Duration of ride Almost 2 minutes. Average wait in line per 100 people ahead of you 9 minutes. Assumes 10 cars operating. Loading speed Slow.

DESCRIPTION AND COMMENTS Here, you ride in a mining car in the dark through a series of sets drawn from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. The attraction has a Perils of Pauline flavor and features Snow White as she narrowly escapes harm at the hands of the wicked witch. The action and effects are a cut above Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride but not as good as Peter Pan’s Flight. This ride is more condensed and less coherent compared to its now-closed Orlando cousin, but it does boast new high-tech projection effects enhancing the magic mirror and rainstorm scenes.

TOURING TIPS Enjoyable but not particularly compelling. Experience it if the lines are not too long or on a second-day visit. Ride before 11 a.m. or after 5 p.m. if possible. Also, don’t take the “scary” part too seriously. The witch looks mean, but most kids take her in stride. Or maybe not. A mother from Knoxville, Tennessee, commented:

The outside looks cute and fluffy, but inside, the evil witch just keeps coming at you. My 5-year-old, who rode Space Mountain three times [and took other scary rides] right in stride, was near panic when our car stopped unexpectedly twice during Snow White. [After Snow White] my 6-year-old niece spent a lot of time asking, “Will a witch jump out at you?” before other rides. So I suggest that you explain a little more what this ride is about. It’s tough on preschoolers who are expecting forest animals and dwarfs.

In point of fact, we receive more mail from parents about this ride than about all other Disneyland Park attractions combined. The bottom line is that it really punches the buttons of the 6-and-under crowd, when other more traditionally scary rides don’t. Many kids, once frightened by Snow White’s Scary Adventures, balk at trying any other attractions that go into the dark, regardless how benign.

Storybook Land Canal Boats

What it is Scenic boat ride. Scope and scale Minor attraction. When to go Before 10:30 a.m. or after 5:30 p.m. Special comments Pretty, tranquil, and serene. Duration of ride 6½ minutes. Average wait in line per 100 people ahead of you 16 minutes. Assumes 7 boats operating. Loading speed Slow.

DESCRIPTION AND COMMENTS Guide-operated boats wind along canals situated beneath the same miniature landscapes visible from the Casey Jr. Circus Train. This ride, offering stellar examples of bonsai cultivation, selective pruning, and miniaturization, is a must for landscape-gardening enthusiasts. The landscapes include scenes from more recent Disney features, in addition to those from such classics as The Wind in the Willows and The Three Little Pigs.

TOURING TIPS The boats are much more comfortable than the train, the view of the miniatures is better, and the pace is more leisurely. On the downside, the lines are long, and if not long, definitely slow moving. The ride itself also takes a lot of time. Our recommendation is to ride Casey Jr. if you have children or are in a hurry. Take the boat if your party is all adults or your pace is more leisurely. Best of all, the boats’ pilots deliver live narration that (depending on the driver) can be delightfully droll. If you ride the canal boats, try to get on before 10:30 a.m. If the queue isn’t prohibitive, this ride is especially appealing after dusk, when the creative lighting adds a whole new dimension. Closed during parades.

MICKEY’S TOONTOWN

MICKEY’S TOONTOWN IS SITUATED across the Disneyland Railroad tracks from Fantasyland. Its entrance is a tunnel that opens into Fantasyland just to the left of It’s a Small World. As its name suggests, Toontown is a fanciful representation of the wacky cartoon community where all of the Disney characters live. Mickey’s Toontown was inspired by the Disney animated feature Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, in which humans were able to enter the world of cartoon characters.

Mickey’s Toontown consists of a colorful collection of miniature buildings, all executed in exaggerated cartoon style with rounded edges and brilliant colors. Among the buildings are Mickey’s and Minnie’s Houses, both open to inspection inside and out.

unofficial TIP

When Toontown Morning Madness begins at the same time as general park opening, it will take you 20 minutes or more to get through the turnstiles and walk or board the train to Toontown. To take advantage of the entire Morning Madness hour, therefore, you need to be among the first guests admitted to the park.

If you want to see characters, Mickey’s Toontown is the place to go. In addition to Mickey, who receives guests all day (except during parades) in his dressing room, and Minnie, who entertains in her house, you are likely to bump into such august personages as Goofy and Pluto lurking around the streets. It would be a rare event to visit Toontown without bumping into a few characters. From time to time, horns sound and whistles blow atop the Toontown City Hall, followed by a fanfare rendition of the Mickey Mouse Club theme song. This indicates, as a mom from Texas explained to us, that “some characters are fixin’ to come out.” And there you have it.

Mickey’s Toontown is rendered with masterful attention to artistic humor and detail. The colorful buildings each have a story to tell or a gag to visit upon an unsuspecting guest. There is an explosion at the Fireworks Factory every minute or so, always unannounced. Across the street, the sidewalk is littered with crates containing strange contents addressed to exotic destinations. If you pry open the top of one of the crates (easy to do), the crate will emit a noise consistent with its contents. A box of “train parts,” for example, broadcasts the sound of a racing locomotive when you lift the top.

Everywhere in Mickey’s Toontown are subtleties and absurdities to delight the imagination. Next to Goofy’s Playhouse is a Goofy-shaped impact crater marking the spot where he missed his swimming pool while high diving. A sign in front of the local garage declares, “If we can’t fix it, we won’t.”

DISNEY DISH WITH JIM HILL

FINE-TUNING TOONTOWN When the Imagineers were originally designing this part of the park, Mickey Land (as this proposed expansion area was then known) looked very different. The Hundred Acre Wood, featuring a meet and greet with Winnie the Pooh and pals, was supposed to be where Mickey’s and Minnie’s Houses are now. And where Goofy’s Playouse was eventually built, Imagineers initially dreamed of installing earlier incarnations of DCA’s The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Undersea Adventure and Muppet-Vision 3-D. What’s more, Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin would have literally burst through the roof of the Cab Company and then sent your car careening across the rooftops of Toontown before it then dropped back into the show building for the dark ride’s gag-filled grand finale. But not everything the Imagineers propose actually makes it off the drawing board, which is how we wound up with today’s version of Mickey’s Toontown.

While adults will enjoy the imaginative charm of Mickey’s Toontown, it will quickly become apparent that there is not much for them to do there. Most of the attractions in Mickey’s Toontown are for kids, specifically smaller children. Attractions open to adults include a dark ride drawn from Who Framed Roger Rabbit? (sort of a high-tech rendition of Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride) and a diminutive roller coaster.

In many ways, Mickey’s Toontown is a designer playground, a fanciful cousin to Tom Sawyer Island in Frontierland, where it’s OK for the kids to run, climb, and let off steam. What distinguishes Mickey’s Toontown is that the play areas are specially designed for smaller children; it’s also much cleaner than Tom Sawyer Island (that is, no dirt—though this does not guarantee a dirt-free child upon leaving the area). Finally, in the noblest Disney tradition, you must wait in line for virtually everything.

Also, be forewarned that Mickey’s Toontown is not very large, especially in comparison with neighboring Fantasyland. A tolerable crowd in most of the other lands will seem like Times Square on New Year’s Eve in Mickey’s Toontown. Couple this congestion with the unfortunate fact that none of the attractions in Mickey’s Toontown are engineered to handle huge crowds, and you come face-to-face with possibly the most attractive traffic jam the Disney folks have ever created.

Mickey’s Toontown opens 1 hour after the rest of the park. If you’re touring with younger children, hit the Fantasyland attractions during the first hour the park is open, and then head for Mickey’s Toontown.

Beating the crowds in Toontown is complicated by Toontown Morning Madness, an early-entry perk bundled with most tickets included in travel packages purchased through the Walt Disney Travel Company. On Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, guests with the special tickets can enter Toontown 1 hour before the general public. Because Mickey’s Toontown opens 1 hour later than the rest of the park, Toontown Morning Madness actually commences at the same time that Disneyland Park opens. The festivities focus on character meet and greets—oddly, rides do not begin operating until the Morning Madness hour ends. If your tickets do not include Morning Madness admission, try to tour Toontown as soon as it opens on Tuesday, Thursday, or Sunday. Because Toontown Morning Madness days are subject to change, call Disneyland information in advance to verify them during your visit. Finally, be aware that all of Toontown, including the Roger Rabbit ride, will close early before every nighttime fireworks show. It seems that rockets are launched from a building behind the land, showering Mickey’s city with fiery embers, which might prove inconvenient for anyone standing below.

Chip ’n Dale Treehouse

What it is Imaginative children’s play area. Scope and scale Diversion. When to go Anytime. Special comments Good exercise for the small fry.

DESCRIPTION AND COMMENTS The play area consists of a treehouse with slides.

TOURING TIPS Located in the most remote corner of Mickey’s Toontown and obscured by the crowd waiting to ride the roller coaster next door, the treehouse is frequently overlooked. Of all the attractions in Mickey’s Toontown, this is the easiest one to get the kids into without much of a wait. Most any child who can fit is allowed to rummage around in the treehouse.

Disneyland Railroad

DESCRIPTION AND COMMENTS Mickey’s Toontown and Fantasyland share a station on the Disneyland Railroad’s route around the perimeter of the park. This station becomes fairly crowded on busy days. If you are interested primarily in getting there, it may be quicker to walk.

Gadget’s Go Coaster

What it is Small roller coaster. Scope and scale Minor attraction. When to go Before 10:30 a.m., during the parades or Fantasmic! in the evening, or just before the park closes. Special comments Great for little ones but not worth the wait for adults; must be 35″ to ride; expectant moms shouldn’t ride. Duration of ride About 50 seconds. Average wait in line per 100 people ahead of you 10 minutes. Assumes Normal staffing. Loading speed Slow.

DESCRIPTION AND COMMENTS Gadget’s Go Coaster is a very small roller coaster, the idea of which is that you are miniaturized and riding around in an acorn shell. The ride itself is pretty zippy, but it is over so quickly that you hardly know that you’ve been anywhere. In fact, of the 52 seconds the ride is in motion, 32 seconds are consumed in exiting the loading area, being ratcheted up the first hill, and braking into the off-loading area. The actual time you spend careening around the track is a whopping 20 seconds.

TOURING TIPS Gadget’s Go Coaster, a beginner roller coaster for young children, is the perfect attraction to gauge the pluckiness of your little ones before tossing them to the coyotes on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. The coaster cars are not very comfortable for adults, and you can expect a fair amount of whiplash, but as noted, the ride takes less than a minute. The coaster is both slow-loading and visually attractive, so you can expect long waits except during the first 30 minutes that Mickey’s Toontown is open.

Goofy’s Playhouse ½

What it is A whimsical children’s play area. Scope and scale Diversion. When to go Anytime.

DESCRIPTION AND COMMENTS Goofy’s Playhouse is a small but nicely themed play area for the under-6 set. Usually not crowded, the playhouse is a pleasant place to let preschoolers ramble and parents relax while older sibs enjoy more adventurous attractions.

TOURING TIPS There’s not a lot of shade, so visit early or late in the day.

Mickey’s House and Meet Mickey

What it is Walk-through tour of Mickey’s House and Movie Barn, ending with a personal visit with Mickey. Scope and scale Minor attraction and character-greeting opportunity. When to go Before 10:30 a.m. or after 5:30 p.m. Special comments Well done. Duration of tour 15–30 minutes (depending on the crowd). Average wait in line per 100 people ahead of you 20 minutes. Assumes Normal staffing. Touring speed Slow.

DESCRIPTION AND COMMENTS Mickey’s House is the starting point of a self-guided tour that winds through the famous mouse’s house, into his backyard and past Pluto’s doghouse, and then into Mickey’s Movie Barn. This last stop harks back to the so-called “barn” studio where Walt Disney created a number of the earlier Mickey Mouse cartoons. Once in the Movie Barn, guests watch vintage Disney cartoons while awaiting admittance to Mickey’s Dressing Room.

In small groups of one or two families, guests are ultimately conducted into the dressing room where Mickey awaits to pose for photos and sign autographs. The visit is not lengthy (2–4 minutes), but there is adequate time for all of the children to hug, poke, and admire the star.

TOURING TIPS The cynical observer will discern immediately that Mickey’s House, backyard, Movie Barn, and so on are no more than a cleverly devised queuing area designed to deliver guests to Mickey’s Dressing Room for the mouse encounter. For those with some vestige of child in their personalities, however, the preamble serves to heighten anticipation while providing the opportunity to get to know the corporate symbol on a more personal level. Mickey’s House is well conceived and contains a lot of Disney memorabilia. You will notice that children touch everything as they proceed through the house, hoping to find some artifact that is not welded or riveted into the set (an especially tenacious child during one of our visits was actually able to rip a couple of books from a bookcase).

Meeting Mickey and touring his house are best done during the first 2 hours the park is open or, alternatively, in the evening during Fantasmic! If meeting Mickey is at the top of your child’s list, you might consider taking the Disneyland Railroad from Main Street to the Toontown/Fantasyland station as soon as you enter the park. Some children are so obsessed with seeing Mickey that they cannot enjoy anything else until they get Mickey in the rearview mirror.

Minnie’s House ½

What it is Walk-through exhibit. Scope and scale Minor attraction and character-greeting opportunity. When to go Before 11:30 a.m. or after 4:30 p.m. Special comments OK but not great. Duration of tour About 10 minutes. Average wait in line per 100 people ahead of you 12 minutes. Touring speed Slow.

DESCRIPTION AND COMMENTS Minnie’s House consists of a self-guided tour through the various rooms and backyard of Mickey Mouse’s main squeeze. Similar to Mickey’s House, only predictably more feminine, Minnie’s House likewise showcases some fun Disney memorabilia. Among the highlights of the short tour are the fanciful appliances in Minnie’s kitchen. Like Mickey, Minnie is usually present to receive guests.

TOURING TIPS The main difference between Mickey’s House and Minnie’s House is that Minnie’s House cannot accommodate as many guests. See Minnie early and before Mickey to avoid waiting outdoors in a long queue. (Neither Mickey nor Minnie is available during parades.)

Miss Daisy, Donald’s Boat

What it is Creative play area with a boat theme. Scope and scale Diversion. When to go Before 10:30 a.m. or after 4:30 p.m.

DESCRIPTION AND COMMENTS Another children’s play area, this time with a tugboat theme. Children can climb nets, ring bells, survey Toontown from the captain’s bridge, and scoot down slides. The idea is that Donald Duck (who, as everyone knows, lives in Duckburg) is visiting Toontown.

TOURING TIPS Kids more or less wander on and off of the Miss Daisy, and usually there is not any sort of organized line or queuing area. Enjoy this play area at your leisure and stay as long as you like.

Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin (Fastpass)

What it is Track ride in the dark. Scope and scale Major attraction. When to go Before 10:30 a.m. or after 6:30 p.m. Special comments Ride with your kids, if you can stomach it. Duration of ride A little more than 3 minutes. Average wait in line per 100 people ahead of you 7 minutes. Assumes Full-capacity operation. Loading speed Moderate.

DESCRIPTION AND COMMENTS A so-called dark ride where guests become part of a cartoon plot. The idea is that you are renting a taxicab for a tour of Toontown. As soon as your cab gets under way, however, weasels throw a slippery glop (known as “dip”) on the road, sending the cab into a more or less uncontrollable spin. This spinning continues as the cab passes through a variety of sets populated by cartoon and audio-animatronic characters and punctuated by simulated explosions. As a child of the 1960s put it, “It was like combining Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride with the Mad Tea Party while tripping on LSD.” The ride features an elaborate indoor queue, and the best effects of any Disneyland cartoon dark ride, climaxing in a head-scratchingly effective “portable hole” gag that holds up under repeated viewing.

The main problem with the Car Toon Spin is that, because of the spinning, you are often pointed in the wrong direction to appreciate (or even see) many of the better visual effects. Furthermore, the story line is loose. The attraction lacks the continuity and humor of Splash Mountain or the suspense of The Haunted Mansion or Snow White’s Scary Adventures.

The spinning, incidentally, can be controlled by the guests. If you don’t want to spin, you don’t have to. If you do elect to spin, you still will not be able to approach the eye-popping speed attainable on the teacups at the Mad Tea Party. Sluggish spinning aside, our advice for those who are at all susceptible to motion sickness is not to get near this ride if you are touring with anyone under 21 years of age.

A reader from Milford, Michigan, echoed our sentiments, lamenting:

The most disappointing ride to me was Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin. I stood 45 minutes for a fun-house ride, and the wheel was so difficult to operate that I spent most of my time trying to steer the bloody car and missed the point of the ride.

TOURING TIPS The ride is popular for its novelty, and it is one of the few Mickey’s Toontown attractions that parents (with strong stomachs) can enjoy with their children. Because the ride stays fairly thronged with people all day long, ride before 10:30 a.m., during parades or Fantasmic!, or in the hour before the park closes. The Car Toon Spin Fastpass machines are not connected to the park system, meaning that you can obtain a Fastpass at any time irrespective of whether you are holding another Fastpass. Because the attraction is in such an isolated part of the park, however, the inconvenience of returning to ride can be considerable. The best move is to obtain Fastpasses before 10:30 a.m., when the return time is an hour or less away, and then let your children enjoy the other Toontown attractions until it’s time to ride.

TOMORROWLAND

LOCATED DIRECTLY TO THE RIGHT of the central hub is Tomorrowland. This themed area is a futuristic mix of rides and experiences that relates to technological development and what life will be like in the years to come.

Before its 2000 renovation, Tomorrowland’s 40-year-old buildings more resembled 1970s motel architecture than anyone’s vision of the future. Tomorrowland’s current design is more enduring, reflecting a nostalgic vision of the future as imagined by dreamers and scientists in the 1920s and 1930s. Frozen in time, Tomorrowland conjures up visions of Buck Rogers (whom nobody under age 60 remembers), fanciful mechanical rockets, and metallic cities spread beneath towering obelisks. Disney refers to Tomorrowland as the “Future That Never Was.” Newsweek has dubbed it “retro-future.”

Astro Orbitor

What it is Very mild midway-type thrill ride. Scope and scale Minor attraction. When to go Before 10 a.m. or during the hour before the park closes. Special comments Not worth the wait. Duration of ride 1½ minutes. Average wait in line per 100 people ahead of you 13 minutes. Assumes Normal staffing. Loading speed Slow.

DESCRIPTION AND COMMENTS The Astro Orbitor is a visually appealing midway-type ride involving small rockets that rotate on arms around a central axis. Be aware that the Astro Orbitor flies higher and faster than Dumbo and that it frightens some small children.

TOURING TIPS Astro Orbitor is slow to load and expendable on any schedule. If you want to take a preschooler on this ride, place your child in the seat first and then sit down yourself.

Autopia (Fastpass) ½

What it is Drive-’em-yourself miniature cars. Scope and scale Minor attraction. When to go Before 10 a.m., after 5 p.m., or use Fastpass. Special comments Boring for adults; great for preschoolers; must be at least 32″ tall to ride, and at least one guest in car must be 54". Duration of ride Approximately 4½ minutes. Average wait in line per 100 people ahead of you 6 minutes. Assumes 35 cars operating on each track. Loading speed Slow.

DESCRIPTION AND COMMENTS An elaborate miniature freeway with gasoline-powered cars that will travel at speeds of up to 7 miles per hour. The attraction design, with its sleek cars, auto noises, highway signs, and even an “off-road” section, is quite alluring. In fact, however, the cars poke along on a track that leaves the driver with little to do. Pretty ho-hum for most adults and teenagers, but at least it’s much more visually stimulating than the unthemed Magic Kingdom version.

TOURING TIPS This ride is appealing to the eye but definitely expendable on a schedule for adults. Preschoolers, however, love it. If your preschooler is too short to drive, place the child behind the wheel and allow him or her to steer (the car runs on a guide rail) while you work the foot pedal.

A mom from North Billerica, Massachusetts, writes:

I was truly amazed by the number of adults in the line. Please emphasize to your readers that these cars travel on a guided path and are not a whole lot of fun. The only reason I could think of for adults to be in line was an insane desire to go on absolutely every ride. The other feature about the cars is that they tend to pile up at the end, so it takes almost as long to get off as it did to get on. Parents riding with their preschoolers should keep the car going as slow as it can without stalling. This prolongs the preschooler’s joy and decreases the time you will have to wait at the end.

Be aware that Fastpass is only offered on busier days and doesn’t work very well at Autopia. It’s typical for the wait in the Fastpass return line to exceed 20 minutes. If Autopia ranks high on your pop chart, you might be better off riding the first hour the park is open and using the standby line.

Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters

What it is Space-travel interactive dark ride. Scope and scale Major attraction. When to go Before 10:30 a.m. or after 6 p.m. Special comments A real winner! Duration of ride About 4½ minutes. Average wait in line per 100 people ahead of you 3 minutes. Loading speed Fast.

DESCRIPTION AND COMMENTS This attraction is based on the space-commando character Buzz Lightyear from Toy Story. The marginal story line has you and Buzz Lightyear trying to save the universe from the evil Emperor Zurg. The indoor ride is interactive to the extent that you can spin your car and shoot simulated “laser cannons” at Zurg and his minions.

A similar attraction at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World opened with little fanfare in 1998 but immediately became one of the most popular attractions in the park. The Disneyland version, situated across from Star Tours, is much the same except mobile guns allow more accurate aiming. Don’t forget to smile! There is an in-ride photo that you can actually e-mail to yourself for free from kiosks at the exit.

Praise for Buzz Lightyear is almost universal. This comment from a Massachusetts couple is typical:

Buzz Lightyear was the surprise hit of our trip! My husband and I enjoyed competing for the best score so much that we went on this ride several times during our stay. Definitely a must, especially when there’s no wait.

TOURING TIPS Each car is equipped with two laser cannons and a scorekeeping display. Each scorekeeping display is independent, so you can compete with your riding partner. A joystick allows you to spin the car to line up the various targets. Each time you pull the trigger, you’ll release a red laser beam that you can see hitting or missing the target. Most folks’ first ride is occupied with learning how to use the equipment (fire off individual shots as opposed to keeping the trigger depressed) and figuring out how the targets work. The next ride (as with certain potato chips, one is not enough), you’ll surprise yourself by how much better you do. Unofficial readers are unanimous in their praise of Buzz Lightyear. Some guests, in fact, spend several hours on the attraction, riding again and again. See Buzz Lightyear after riding Space Mountain and Star Tours first thing in the morning.

Captain EO ½

What it is 3-D film with special effects. Scope and scale Major attraction. When to go Before noon or after 4 p.m. Special comments Not to be missed. Adults should not be put off by the sci-fi theme or rock music. The loud, intense show with tactile effects frightens some young children. Duration of show Approximately 17 minutes. Preshow 8 minutes. Probable waiting time 15 minutes (at suggested times).

DESCRIPTION AND COMMENTS In response to pop music star Michael Jackson’s death in 2009, Disney brought back Jackson’s 3-D space-themed rock music video, Captain EO, for a limited engagement in its theme parks. Captain EO originally ran in Epcot 1986–1994. There’s no telling how long it’ll last on its second run in Disneyland, but showings have been sparsely attended during our recent visits, so it’s possible that Disney may posthumously pull the plug on the King of Pop at any point. The film has an exceptionally loud soundtrack and a propensity to frighten small children.

Captain EO is sort of the ultimate music video. Starring Jackson and directed by Francis Coppola, this 3-D space fantasy is more than a film; it’s a happening. Action on the screen is augmented by in-theater lighting and hydraulic moving seats that enforce involuntary audience participation, though the original laser and fog effects have sadly not returned. There’s not much of a story, but there’s plenty of music and dancing performed by some of the most unlikely creatures ever to shake a tail feather. If nothing else, Captain EO reminds us that music videos once contained more than young urbanites dancing in clubs or five ill-dressed, unshaven guys whining onstage. Unfortunately, the 70-millimeter film looks fuzzy and faded compared to modern projection methods, and the aggressive bouncing with every bass beat grows bothersome.

TOURING TIPS Shows usually begin every 20 minutes. The sound level is earsplitting, frightening some young children. Many adults report that the loud soundtrack is distracting, even uncomfortable. Avoid seats in the first several rows; if you sit too close to the screen, the 3-D images don’t focus properly. If the bouncing floor bothers you, ask for a stationary seat in the last row.

Disneyland Monorail System

What it is Scenic transportation. Scope and scale Major attraction. When to go During the hot, crowded period of the day (11:30 a.m.–5 p.m.). Special comments Nice, relaxing ride with some interesting views of the park; take the monorail to Downtown Disney for lunch. Duration of ride 12–15 minutes round-trip. Average wait in line per 100 people ahead of you 10 minutes. Assumes 3 monorails operating. Loading speed Moderate–fast.

DESCRIPTION AND COMMENTS The monorail is a futuristic transportation ride that affords the only practical opportunity for escaping the park during the crowded lunch period and early afternoon. Boarding at the Tomorrowland monorail station, you can commute to the Disneyland Resort hotels and Downtown Disney complex, where it’s possible to have a nice lunch without fighting the crowds. For those not interested in lunch, the monorail provides a tranquil trip with a nice view of Downtown Disney, Disney California Adventure theme park, Fantasyland, and Tomorrowland. The new Mark VII monorails have a sleek, retro look but can get quite hot inside during the summer (no air-conditioning!).

TOURING TIPS We recommend using the monorail to commute to Downtown Disney for a quiet, relaxing lunch away from the crowds and the heat. If you only want to experience the ride, go whenever you wish; the wait to board is usually 15–25 minutes except in the 2 hours before closing. Also note that during busy times you may be required to disembark and then queue up to reboard at Downtown Disney. The monorail does not provide service during the evening fireworks at Disneyland Park and ceases to bring guests into the park 30 minutes before closing.

Disneyland Railroad

DESCRIPTION AND COMMENTS The Disneyland Railroad makes a regular stop at the Tomorrowland Railroad Station. Usually the wait to board here is short.

Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage

What it is Simulated submarine ride. Scope and scale Headliner. When to go Before 10 a.m. or during evening parades or fireworks. Duration of ride 11½ minutes. Average wait in line per 100 people ahead of you 7½ minutes. Assumes All 8 subs are operating. Loading speed Slow–moderate.

DESCRIPTION AND COMMENTS The Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage ride is based on the story line of the hit Disney/Pixar animated feature Finding Nemo. Here you board a submarine in a loading area situated below the Disneyland monorail station in Tomorrowland. After a quick lap of the open-air lagoon, the sub passes through a waterfall and inside to follow the general Finding Nemo story. Special effects center on a combination of traditional audio-animatronics and, once you’re inside the dark interior of the building, what appear to be rear-projection screens, underwater, at a distance of 3–10 feet from the sub’s windows. Encased in rock and shipwrecks, the screens are natural looking and allow the animated characters to appear three-dimensionally in the undersea world. Other elements include traveling through a minefield and a sea of jellyfish (very cool) and entering the mouth of a whale. The onboard sound system allows the story to “travel” from front to back of the sub, and the visual experience is different depending on what seat you’re in.

The attraction is well done. You don’t have to be a Nemo fan to be impressed by the scale and effects. It’s not fast-paced but, rather, leisurely in the way that Pirates of the Caribbean is.

TOURING TIPS Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage is a theatrical and technical success but in many ways an engineering failure. By lengthening the duration of the voyage, by failing to provide adequate loading facilities, and by being slowed down due to a technical dispatching constraint, the Imagineers have reduced the attraction’s capacity to about 900 guests per hour, a shockingly small capacity for a headliner attraction. Further, owing to the low carrying capacity, the subs are not a good candidate for Fastpass (all Fastpasses would be gone before noon).

Although Finding Nemo isn’t as immensely popular as when it first opened, a sizable percentage of the guests on hand at park opening head straight for the subs—only if you are literally among the first 70 people to enter the park and arrive at the subs will you be rewarded with a short wait. But here’s the kicker: Adding the time it takes to reach the subs, wait to board, ride, and disembark, you will invest 35–70 minutes to ride Finding Nemo first thing in the morning, sacrificing in the process the most crowd-free touring period of the day for the other popular attractions.

We’ve determined that, taking the day as a whole, you make much better use of your time enjoying Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, Peter Pan’s Flight, and other popular attractions during the first hour the park is open and saving the subs for later, when a parade, fireworks show, or Fantasmic! has siphoned a large number of guests from the line. Incidentally, arriving 15 minutes before a parade or other presentation is not an arbitrary suggestion—during this time window, the Finding Nemo line (or lines at other popular attractions) will be its shortest. The last 30 minutes before park closing is another good time to get in line.

Claustrophobes may not be comfortable with the experience, even though the sub doesn’t actually submerge (we saw one 30-ish woman who started hyperventilating before the sub left the dock). Children may be scared of the same thing, or of the encounter with sharks (they keep their distance). The sharks here are a bit less menacing than in the movie too.

The bright-yellow subs, revived from the previous attraction, have been reengineered with electric power to minimize noise and pollution. The subs fit 40 people. It’s not easy to get 40 aboard, however, because the seats are narrow and a few guests take up two. Ideally, large guests should aim to be in one of the four seats at the front or back, but this may be difficult to negotiate. Wheelchair-bound guests or those who can’t get down the spiral staircase into the sub can view the experience from a special topside viewing room (seats about six able-bodied persons plus two wheelchairs). With the exception of one small animated effect, the visual is identical (perhaps faster), but despite a large monitor the creatures appear smaller than when viewing them through a real porthole.

A reader from Sydney, Australia, disagrees with our Finding Nemo rating, writing:

The ride that was the most overrated was Finding Nemo. Perhaps it would rate high for the under 8-year-olds, but for our group it was one of the worst rides. It was boring, had rushing water, moved slowly, and creaked with age. What made it worse was that it had a high rating and this raised expectations.

Innoventions

What it is Multifaceted attraction featuring static and hands-on exhibits relating to products and technologies of the near future. Scope and scale Major diversion. When to go On your second day or after you have seen all the major attractions. Special comments Most exhibits demand time and participation to be rewarding; not much gained here by a quick walk-through; very commercial, but well presented.

DESCRIPTION AND COMMENTS Modeled after a similar attraction at Epcot in Walt Disney World, Innoventions was part of the 1996–2000 Tomorrowland renovation. In 2008 Disney scrapped the trade-show-like collection of high-tech gizmos and games and borrowed a page from the park’s ancient past. One of the most beloved and often remembered attractions of Disneyland’s early years was the Monsanto House of the Future, a stand-alone building with a curved spaceship-style exterior and rooms outfitted with furniture and appliances forecast to be in everyone’s home before the millennium. This time around, sans Monsanto, it’s the Dream Home, located in the middle of the ground floor of Innoventions. Surrounding the Dream Home are rooms from equally futuristic “neighbors’” homes, complete with actors playing the neighbors. Between the neighbors and a member of the Dream Home family, you are guided on a tour of the home’s wondrous rooms and the technology within them. A grand piano in the great room is networked to a music teacher across the country. In the dining room, touch screens in the dinner table allow the family to assemble a scrapbook. A 100-inch television dominates the family room. The kitchen, which will remind you of the bridge of the Starship Enterprise, is of course the mother lode: Among its many amazements is a computer that reads RFID (radio-frequency identification) “smart” labels on food packages and warns you if you’re about to chug a glass of milk past its expiration date; the same computer will alert you if you don’t have an ingredient on hand for a recipe you’re making. A story line concerning the Dream Home family, the Eliases, sort of ties everything together. On the second floor you’ll find an entertaining 15-minute show demonstrating Honda’s ASIMO, an impressive humanoid robot capable of walking autonomously, climbing stairs, and kicking soccer balls. Also upstairs are some Xbox Kinect video game consoles, Siemens’s “Project Tomorrow” simulations (as also seen at Epcot’s Spaceship Earth), and St. John’s Hospital’s interactive health-living play area.

A reader from Washington state likes the Dream Home but sees it as a Band-Aid:

Innoventions seems a little more coherent than it was, now that the model house has been installed, but I don’t get the whole point. It still strikes me as filling up room until the Disney people figure out what “real attraction” they’re going to put in there.

TOURING TIPS The Dream Home creates order and continuity at Innoventions, where previously there was an almost random assemblage of games, gadgets, and imponderables. It also provides structure, with the house tour regimenting the way you view the exhibit and probably extending the amount of time you would have spent there otherwise. Crowds are rarely an issue at this attraction. Puzzlingly, Disney recently reversed this attraction’s crowd flow, eliminating the “Tom Morrow” animatronic introduction and forcing guests to climb the former exit ramp and enter on the second story.

We recommend that you spend time at Innoventions on your second day. If you have only 1 day, visit sometime during the evening if you have the time and endurance. Be forewarned that when you return home, your wife will want to remodel the kitchen.

Incidentally, Innoventions is a great place to hide out during inclement weather.

Be aware that this attraction usually opens 1 hour after the rest of the park and shuts its doors to new entrants 2 hours before the official closing time.

Jedi Training Academy ½

What it is Live entertainment where young audience members are trained to be Jedis. Scope and scale Major diversion. When to go See Times Guide for performance times. Duration of show 25 minutes.

DESCRIPTION AND COMMENTS Staged at the Tomorrowland Terrace Theater, the Jedi Training Academy recruits 30 young volunteers and trains them to fight with a lightsaber (an elegant, if plastic, weapon). The training consists of practicing a surprisingly long set of fencing-style moves while the audience gets to enjoy the minimal comprehension by some of the youngest Jedis. Just when the training ends, Darth Vader and Darth Maul arrive with a couple of Stormtroopers, and the young recruits meet them in “battle,” with each Jedi getting his or her turn to take a whack at a Darth. All volunteers are awarded a Jedi Training Academy diploma. It’s a great photo op for parents and a major hoot for everyone else. For a London, England, mother, Jedi boot camp was a highlight of the trip:

My 8-year-old son literally cried with joy after participating in the Jedi Experience in Tomorrowland. You advise sitting in the front two rows to be picked, but actually, they picked my son only after my husband launched him onto his shoulders to draw their attention. I noticed they especially picked other kids on their parents’ shoulders.

TOURING TIPS There are two prime viewing locations: standing room on the show floor underneath the overhang, and seating at the Terrace counter-service restaurant. There are only 10–20 tables with decent views of the show, so make sure to stake them out early. Otherwise, there is plenty of standing room space around the sides of the stage.

To be chosen to participate, arrive 20–30 minutes early and seat your child in the first couple of rows surrounding the stage. Jedis look for energetic and excited children to recruit; wearing a Star Wars T-shirt helps, but don’t bring your own lightsaber because those are supplied.

Space Mountain (Fastpass) ½

What it is Roller coaster in the dark. Scope and scale Super-headliner. When to go Right after the park opens or use Fastpass. Special comments Much improved; must be 40″ tall to ride. Duration of ride 2 minutes and 45 seconds. Average wait in line per 100 people ahead of you 3½ minutes. Loading speed Moderate.

DESCRIPTION AND COMMENTS Space Mountain is an indoor roller coaster with a theme of high-speed interstellar travel. Roller-coaster aficionados will tell you (correctly) that Space Mountain is a designer version of the Wild Mouse, a midway ride that’s been around for at least 50 years. There are no long drops or swooping hills as there are on a traditional roller coaster—only quick, unexpected turns and small drops. Disney’s contribution essentially was to add a space theme to the Wild Mouse and put it in the dark. And this does indeed make the Mouse seem wilder.

The most surprising thing about the new Space Mountain is its aesthetic beauty. No, we’re not kidding. The vistas of the solar system and the stars, the distant galaxies, and passing comets are intoxicating and very realistic. Because you cannot see the ride’s infrastructure, Space Mountain is no longer simply a roller coaster in a dimly lit building with some Buck Rogers planets and meteors projected on the ceiling. Because you can’t see the track or anticipate where your vehicle will go, your eyes are free to feast on the rich visuals. Since 2009, Disney has transformed Space Mountain into Ghost Galaxy for Halloween, adding atmospheric audio and video projections of an angry space ghost (no, not that Space Ghost) chasing you through the cosmos. The interstellar specter is more goofy than genuinely scary, but it makes a fun novelty for the spooky season. Nighttime video projections, which make the iconic conical building look like it’s crumbling to dust or crackling with electricity, are the most impressive element of the overlay.

TOURING TIPS Space Mountain is one of the park’s most popular attractions. Experience it immediately after the park opens or use Fastpass.

Starcade

DESCRIPTION AND COMMENTS Starcade is nothing more or less than a large electronic-games arcade. Since the Sega jet-combat simulator was removed, the most interesting items in here are a Guitar Hero Arcade game and a few skill-crane claw machines. In other words, move along; there’s nothing to see here.

TOURING TIPS Enjoy your time in the area with a pocket full of quarters.

Star Tours: The Adventures Continue (Fastpass) ½

What it is Space-flight simulation ride. Scope and scale Headliner. When to go Before 11 a.m. or use Fastpass. Special comments A blast; not to be missed; frightens many small children; expectant mothers are also advised against riding; must be 40″ tall to ride. Duration of ride Approximately 7 minutes. Average wait in line per 100 people ahead of you 6 minutes. Assumes 4 simulators operating. Loading speed Moderate.

DESCRIPTION AND COMMENTS When Disney’s first modern flight simulator ride debuted in 1987, guests lined up for hours (us included) for their hyperspace voyage into a galaxy far, far away. But time and technology march on, and because George Lucas is never finished tinkering with the Star Wars universe, Star Tours received a top-to-bottom overhaul in 2011. The original StarSpeeder 3000 cabins (retro-christened as the model 1000) have been upgraded with cutting-edge digital 3-D screens (the sharpest and clearest that we’ve ever seen) and new in-cabin audio-animatronic figures of C-3P0, your golden droid pilot. During your inevitably turbulent travels, you’ll bump, twist, and dive into a who’s-who of Star Wars icons, with heroes Master Yoda and Admiral “It’s A Trap!” Akbar on your side, and villains Darth Vader and Boba Fett on your back. Jedi junkies will want to know that the refreshed ride takes place between episodes III and IV, so you’ll be visiting planets from both the classic trilogy—such as icy Hot and arid Tatooine—and the not-so-classic prequels, including Geonosis (home of the dreaded Death Star) and Naboo (home of the equally dreaded Jar Jar Binks).

The big twist is that the six possible cosmic destinations and five celebrity cameos are randomly combined into 54 different story variations, giving the attraction unprecedented re-ridability (though you may see all 11 potential ride elements in as few as three voyages). Fans of the former ride will be thrilled to find a wealth of references (along with hidden Disney characters and Star Wars inside jokes) inside the detailed queue, and those made uncomfortable by the old ride’s jerkiness will be surprised at how smooth and well-synchronized the reprogrammed experience now is.

TOURING TIPS Disney has a galactic-size smash on its hands with the refreshed Star Tours, and lines have remained long throughout 2012, with Fastpasses frequently running out before noon. With only two-thirds the carrying capacity of Walt Disney World’s version, Disneyland’s Star Tours has seen multihour waits, so grab a Fastpass as early in the morning as possible. If you have young children (or anyone) who are apprehensive about this attraction, ask the attendant about switching off.

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT and SPECIAL EVENTS

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT IN THE FORM OF BANDS, Disney character appearances, parades, singing and dancing, and ceremonies further enliven and add color to Disneyland Park on a daily basis. For specific information about what’s happening on the day you visit, check the daily entertainment schedule in the Times Guide. Be forewarned, however, that if you are on a tight schedule, it is impossible to both see the park’s featured attractions and take in the numerous and varied live performances offered. In our 1-day touring plans, starting, we exclude the live performances in favor of seeing as much of the park as time permits. This is a tactical decision based on the fact that the parades and Fantasmic!, Disneyland Park’s river spectacular, siphon crowds away from the more popular rides, shortening waiting lines.

The color and pageantry of live events around the park are an integral part of the Disneyland Park entertainment mix and a persuasive argument for second-day touring. Though live entertainment is varied, plentiful, and nearly continuous throughout the day, several productions are preeminent.

Fantasmic!

DESCRIPTION AND COMMENTS Fantasmic! is a mixed-media show presented one or more times each evening that the park is open late (10 p.m. or later). Staged at the end of Tom Sawyer Island opposite the Frontierland and New Orleans Square waterfronts, Fantasmic! is far and away the most extraordinary and ambitious outdoor spectacle ever attempted in any theme park. Starring Mickey Mouse in his role as the sorcerer’s apprentice from Fantasia, the production uses lasers, images projected on a shroud of mist, fireworks, lighting effects, and music in combinations so stunning that you can scarcely believe what you have seen.

The plot is simple: good versus evil. The story gets lost in all the special effects at times, but no matter—it is the spectacle, not the story line, that is so overpowering. While beautiful, stunning, and powerful are words that immediately come to mind, they fail to convey the uniqueness of this presentation. In recent years, the production has been upgraded with brighter high-definition projectors and a 45-foot-tall full-bodied fire-breathing dragon (nicknamed Murphy) for the finale. It could be argued, with some validity, that Fantasmic! alone is worth the price of Disneyland Park admission. Needless to say, we rate Fantasmic! as not to be missed.

TOURING TIPS It is not easy to see Fantasmic! For the first show particularly, guests begin staking out prime viewing spots along the edge of the New Orleans Square and Frontierland waterfronts as much as 4 hours in advance. Similarly, good vantage points on raised walkways and terraces are also grabbed up early on. A mom from Lummi Island, Washington, dismantled her Disney stroller to make a nest:

We used the snap-off cover on the rental stroller to sit on during Fantasmic! since the ground was really cold.

Along similar lines, a middle-aged New York man wrote, saying:

Your excellent guidebook also served as a seat cushion while seated on the ground waiting for the show to begin. Make future editions thicker for greater comfort.

The best seats in the house are at the water’s edge. For adults, it is really not necessary to have an unobstructed view of the staging area because most of the action is high above the crowd. Children standing in the closely packed crowd, however, are able to catch only bits and pieces of the presentation. The best elevated view can be had from the bridge over the Pirates of the Caribbean queue.

The Smith family from East Wimple stakes out their viewing spot for Fantasmic!

Probably the most painless strategy for seeing Fantasmic! is to attend the second show. Usually, the second performance follows the first performance by about 90 minutes. At the second Fantasmic! fewer people are in the park and viewing conditions are less crowded. If you let the crowd for the first show clear out and then take up your position, you should be able to find a good vantage point, as a Salt Lake City reader found:

During the first showing, I perused the shops in New Orleans Square and then found a place to sit for awhile. When the show was almost over, I worked my way to Pirates and stationed myself in front of the entrance. When the show was over and the crowd started to disperse, I worked my way down to the riverfront and into prime seating where I was able to watch the fireworks and the second showing of Fantasmic!

Another good strategy is to board the train as the first show is concluding and disembark in New Orleans Square. Rain and wind conditions sometimes cause Fantasmic! to be canceled. Unfortunately, Disney officials usually do not make a final decision about whether to proceed or cancel until just before showtime. We have seen guests wrapped in ponchos sit stoically in rain or drizzle for more than an hour with no assurance that their patience and sacrifice would be rewarded. Unless you can find a covered viewing spot, we do not recommend staking out vantage points on rainy or especially windy nights. On nights like these, pursue your own agenda until 10 minutes or so before showtime, and then head to the waterfront to see what happens.

You can view Fantasmic! from a special reserved viewing area located near the Tom Sawyer Island raft dock. To make reservations, call 714-781-4400. The price for the dock-viewing area runs $59 for adults and $49 for children ages 3–9. A dessert box is included, but be aware of this Petaluma, California, family’s experience:

We did the reserved seating for Fantasmic!, and that was pretty much a waste of money. After picking up our tickets earlier in the day, we stood in line at the designated spot at 7:50 p.m. for the 8 p.m. opening of first-come, first-serve seating. Somehow every seat was taken by the time we got to the front of the line at 8:15 p.m., except for four seats in the very back. When the show began at 9 p.m., we had a terrible view of the show between the light pole and people’s heads in front of us. Note that they serve hot coffee/chocolate and give a dessert box, but bring your own treats for the kids—the dessert box is full of fancy desserts that no child recognizes or wants to eat.

Finally, make sure to hang on to children during Fantasmic! and to give them explicit instructions for regrouping in the event you are separated. Be especially vigilant when the crowd disperses after the show.

PARADES

DISNEY THEME PARKS ARE FAMOUS THE WORLD OVER for their parades. Currently, there is a parade every day in late afternoon or early evening. On days when the park closes late (10 p.m.–midnight), the parade runs twice.

The parades are full-blown Disney productions with some combination of floats, huge inflated balloons of the characters, marching bands, old-time vehicles, dancers, and, of course, literally dozens of costumed Disney characters. Themes for the parades vary from time to time, and a special holiday parade is always produced for Christmas. Mickey’s Soundsational Parade, Disneyland’s latest daytime processional, premiered in 2011. It features a whimsical marching band theme with brand-new floats dedicated to The Princess and the Frog, The Little Mermaid, and a Keith Moon–channeling Drummer Mickey. The new parade is a big improvement over Disneyland’s previous street party, and well worth watching from the stick-twirling drum-line kickoff to the Mary Poppins finale.

Parades always draw thousands of guests from the attraction lines. We recommend, therefore, watching from the departure point. With this strategy you can enjoy the parade, and then while the parade is continuing on its route, take advantage of the diminished lines at the attractions. Watching a parade that begins in Fantasyland from Small World Mall affords the greatest mobility in terms of accessing other areas of the park when the parade has passed.

Main Street is the most crowded area from which to watch a parade when it begins at Town Square. The opposite is true when the parade begins in Fantasyland. The upper platform of the Main Street train station affords the best viewing perspective along the route. The best time to get a position on the platform is when the parade begins in Fantasyland. When this happens, good spots on the platform are available right up to the time the parade begins. When you are at the end of the parade route, you can assume that it will take the parade 15–18 minutes to get to you. Some recent Disney parades have included show stops, meaning that the floats freeze in place for a few minutes while the cast dances in the streets. When this happens, show stop viewing spots will be marked on the park map. There are usually three locations (two on Main Street and one in Fantasyland), with the Small World Mall providing the best perspective.

Keep an eye on your children during parades and give them explicit instructions for regrouping in the event you get separated. Children constantly jockey for better viewing positions. A few wiggles this way and a few wiggles the other, and presto, they are lost in the crowd. Finally, be especially vigilant when the crowd starts dispersing after the parade. Thousands of people suddenly strike out in different directions, creating a perfect situation for losing a child or two.

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT THROUGHOUT THE PARK

PARADES AND FANTASMIC! MAKE UP only a part of the daily live-entertainment offerings at Disneyland Park. The following is an incomplete list of other performances and events that are scheduled with some regularity and that require no reservations.

DISNEY CHARACTER APPEARANCES Disney characters appear at random throughout the park but are routinely present in Mickey’s Toontown, Fantasyland, and on Main Street. Rapunzel, still riding high on the popularity of 2010’s Tangled, draws long lines at her meet and greet location in Fantasyland. An irregularly used greeting area that sometimes features Aladdin and Jasmine is located at Aladdin’s Oasis in Adventureland (see the Times Guide). Disney princesses are on call daily at the Princess Fantasy Faire. Subsequent to the release of the Tinker Bell animated feature, pixies and fairies are all the rage (and have been in LA for years, but that’s another story). An elaborate character-greeting area, Pixie Hollow, situated on the path connecting the Matterhorn Bobsleds to the central hub, accumulates substantial wait times to meet Tink and a squad of her buddies.

DISNEY CHARACTER BREAKFASTS AND DINNERS Disney characters join guests for breakfast each morning until 11 a.m. at the Plaza Inn on Main Street and Storytellers Café at the Grand Californian Hotel. Disney characters also join guests for breakfast and dinner at Goofy’s Kitchen at the Disneyland Hotel and Disney’s PCH Grill at Paradise Pier Hotel. Ariel’s Grotto at Disney California Adventure serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner with Ariel and friends.

DISNEY ROCK GROUPS High-energy Disney rock groups perform seasonally in Tomorrowland according to the Times Guide.

unofficial TIP

If you plan to leave the park after the fireworks, the second-floor platform of the Main Street train station affords one of the best views you’ll find.

FIREWORKS REMEMBER … DREAMS COME TRUE Since it debuted in 2005, Remember has been the go-to fireworks show in between seasonal varieties and is a particular favorite among locals. The show runs the full gamut of special effects: a rousing score, spectacular firework effects, castle lighting, lasers, and an impressive flight from the fairy Tinker Bell. Julie Andrews narrates this pyrotechnic tribute to classic Disneyland attractions—featuring a pirate cannon assault on Sleeping Beauty Castle and audio from Adventure Thru Inner Space—with music from Walt Disney World’s popular Wishes fireworks. We rate this show as five stars and not to be missed.

During the summer season, Remember is replaced by Magical. Tinker Bell is your host and kicks it off with a zany flight path that makes you wonder what she’s on besides pixie dust. Magical features an array of Disney’s most magical characters, including Peter Pan, Mary Poppins, and the three good fairies from Sleeping Beauty. Dumbo (in the form of a giant puppet) joins Tink in flight and steals the show. Broadway singer Eden Espinosa belts out the theme song, and the program also features sentimental classic Disney tunes such as “Baby Mine” from Dumbo and “So This Is Love” from Cinderella.

Without a doubt, the central hub is the best vantage point for watching fireworks. Unfortunately, every guest in the park won’t fit in the hub at the same time. The next-best positions are at any open (that is, not canopied by trees) spots facing Sleeping Beauty Castle. We’ve stood between the castle and the Matterhorn, for example, and found the view just gorgeous. If those spots are taken, try any open spot without something really big, such as a Disney mountain, in the way. Concerning the latter, you’ll be able to see the fireworks fine but will miss Tinker Bell. Other interesting (and less crowded) viewing angles can be found in Fantasyland and Tomorrowland.

GOLDEN HORSESHOE—LAUGHING STOCK CO. The Laughing Stock Company is a Frontierland comedy show that performs inside the Golden Horseshoe Saloon on days when Billy Hill is not on the stage, and outside the building (sometimes on the second floor!) when he is. Each show is different and includes a set of zany Wild West–style characters. A particular favorite of ours is the “find a suitor,” where three unsuspecting members of the crowd are selected to answer questions from the Mayor of Frontierland’s less-than-handsome daughter (played by a man).

The showtimes are in the Times Guide as well as our Lines app, and we recommend showing up just 1 or 2 minutes before the show. They don’t perform daily, but when they do perform, they can have up to eight shows throughout the late morning until late afternoon.

THE MAGIC, THE MEMORIES, AND YOU! Tied to Disney Parks’ 2011 marketing campaign, this nightly show uses cutting-edge projection mapping technology, along with a smattering of pyrotechnics, to display striking animated images onto the outside of It’s A Small World. During the 10-minute show, the ride’s white facade is transformed into a child’s coloring book, a pirate’s battlement, a blizzard of balloons and birthday candles, and a cartoon construction zone. There’s some gimmickry involving that day’s guests’ PhotoPass pictures being mixed into the imagery, but the odds of you actually seeing yourself up there are practically nil, so just relax and enjoy the eye candy. Small World doesn’t make as dramatic a canvas as Cinderella Castle (where the show is projected in the Magic Kingdom), but Disneyland’s setting is more intimate and accessible. This show has surprisingly outlasted the advertising campaign that spawned it, and special seasonal editions around Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and summertime have given it additional legs, but we wouldn’t be shocked if it sails into the sunset soon.

RETREAT CEREMONY Daily at around dusk in Town Square, an honor guard lowers the flag as the Disneyland marching band plays patriotic tunes. Members of the armed forces are encouraged to participate in this respectful ceremony and are called up to be honored by branch.

STREET ENTERTAINMENT Various bands, singers, comics, and strolling musicians entertain in spontaneous (that is, unscheduled) street performances throughout the park. Musical styles include banjo, Dixieland, steel drum, marching, and fife and drum. You’ll often find the Bootstrappers, a roving band of musical pirates, roaming the waterfront near New Orleans Square. For a respite from the rides, grab a snack and listen to the ragtime piano player outside the Refreshment Corner on Main Street. You don’t want to miss the Dapper Dans, a slapstick barbershop quartet that has been performing on Main Street, U.S.A. in Disneyland since 1959. While the cast changes on a regular basis, the Dans really liven up the street. The Voices of Liberty, an a capella vocal group imported from Epcot, sings patriotic songs inside the Main Street Opera House before showings of Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln.

UNHERALDED TREASURES at DISNEYLAND PARK

UNHERALDED TREASURES ARE SPECIAL FEATURES found in all of the Disney theme parks that add texture, context, beauty, depth, and subtlety to your visit. Generally speaking, Unheralded Treasures are nice surprises that should be accorded a little time. Lani Teshima, Unofficial Guide friend and writer for mouseplanet.com, knows them all. Her list follows.

TREASURE Snow White’s Grotto and Wishing Well

LOCATION The front right of Sleeping Beauty Castle

A SLOW STROLL AROUND THE SLEEPING BEAUTY CASTLE can be romantic, but sitting quietly to its right is Snow White’s Grotto and Wishing Well. If you stop for a few moments, you can hear the voice of Snow White singing “I’m Wishing” in the area. The grotto includes a trickling waterfall framing statues of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, placed on three tiers in such a way as to make Snow White appear to be off in the distance in an optical illusion that masks the fact that her statue is the same height as those of the dwarfs. Next to the grotto is a wishing well, where you can toss a coin and make a wish. This area is a popular place for Disney to trot out its princesses for photos, so don’t be surprised to see a group of people milling around.

TREASURE Disneyland Railroad | LOCATION Stations in Main Street, U.S.A.; New Orleans Square; Toontown/Fantasyland; and Tomorrowland

AFTER A LONG DAY, the Disneyland Railroad offers a nice way to get from one end of the park to another. But trains held a special place in Walt Disney’s heart, and the railroad offers much more than just a ride back to the park gates. Pause and turn around before you enter Main Street Station for a beautiful view of the entire length of Main Street, U.S.A. Inside the station, you can enjoy looking at model trains and other little exhibits. If you get off at the New Orleans Square Station, stop and listen—that beeping sound you hear is Walt Disney’s 1955 Disneyland park opening speech in land-line telegraphic code. And don’t forget to ride from Tomorrowland back to Main Street so you can enjoy an unexpected treat: two large indoor dioramas inside the train tunnel, one depicting the Grand Canyon and another depicting a primeval world, complete with large-scale dinosaurs!

TREASURE Windows on Main Street | LOCATION Main Street, U.S.A.

EVER WONDER IF THE NAMES ON ALL THOSE WINDOWS on Main Street mean anything? Like guardian angels looking over everyone who walks through the park, these are the names of very special people who have had a profound influence on the park in some way. The names are also often associated with “professions” related to what they used to do when they worked for Disney. For example, the inscription for a window dedicated to the person who modeled Disneyland’s waterways reads, “Decorative Fountains and Watercolor by Fred Joerger.” Disneyland still occasionally bestows this window honor in official dedication ceremonies in the park.

TREASURE Frontierland Shootin’ Exposition | LOCATION Frontierland

SMACK IN THE MIDDLE OF FRONTIERLAND is the shooting gallery where cowpokes can close an eye and squeeze the trigger to try to get their target to ping, ting, move, or light up. Don’t discount the Frontierland Shootin’ Exposition as just another arcade gimmick. Everything about this well-themed attraction is dusty and rustic—except the laser-powered guns, which are both safe and cause little wear on the targets—and about the only things missing are blowing tumbleweeds and Clint Eastwood.

TREASURE Edible Plants | LOCATION Tomorrowland

DON’T BE SO SURE THAT ALL YOU CAN FIND in Disneyland is junk food. The Disney theme parks are known for their magnificent landscaping, but did you know that many of the plants in Tomorrowland are edible, emphasizing the practicality of a future where the garden plants do double duty as your vegetable garden? For example, the entryway to Tomorrowland is lined with orange trees, and the bushes along the walkways are planted with leafy vegetables such as lettuce, kale, and rhubarb, as well as herbs such as sage, chives, rosemary, and basil.

TREASURE Flag Retreat Ceremony | LOCATION Main Street Square

EVERY DAY IN THE AFTERNOON, THE DISNEYLAND BAND or Dapper Dans vocal group marches to the front of Main Street to perform a number of Americana tunes. Park security guards then lower the American flag as the band plays “The Star-Spangled Banner” in this very respectful ceremony.

TREASURE Partners Statue | LOCATION Central Hub

AT THE CASTLE-END OF MAIN STREET, in the center of the circular hub, is a bronze statue of Walt Disney holding the hand of Mickey Mouse. The statue, simply called Partners, pays homage to the two original ambassadors of Disneyland. If you stand in front of the statue, you can get a nice shot of it with Sleeping Beauty Castle in the background. The spot is encircled by a bench, and it’s a great place to meet should your family decide to split off to visit different lands. Smaller statues of other popular Disney figures such as Dumbo, Goofy, and Pluto form a ring around this garden oasis in the middle of the park.

QUIET PLACES AT DISNEYLAND PARK

PEACE AND QUIET ARE ANYTHING BUT THE NORM at Disneyland. Yet sometimes when you’re overwhelmed by it all, a place to decompress is worth a lot, as a reader from Culver City, California, points out:

I confess that I can’t tolerate the hyperstimulation as well as my husband and kids. Sometimes when I’m on my ninth nerve, I’d give anything to put myself in time-out and just collapse for a while. Are there any nice out-of-the-way places in the park where this is possible?

Actually, there are a few. There’s a pier with a canopy and benches opposite the Matterhorn Bobsleds loading area. Created for a long-departed boat ride, the pier overlooks a quiet pool. There’s still ambient noise, of course, but the pier is far enough removed from the action to afford both tranquillity and a lovely setting. The Hungry Bear Restaurant in Critter Country offers upper and lower covered outdoor decks overlooking the Rivers of America. In between major feeding periods, the decks are decidedly low-key. Snow White’s Grotto and Wishing Well, described, is also very pleasant, though there is a modest but continuous flow of pedestrian traffic there. Finally, the alfresco dining area of Troubadour Tavern, adjacent to Fantasyland Theatre, is very relaxing between shows.

TRAFFIC PATTERNS at DISNEYLAND PARK

WHEN WE BEGAN our research on Disneyland, we were very interested in traffic patterns throughout the park, specifically these issues:

1. WHAT ATTRACTIONS AND WHICH SECTIONS OF THE PARK DO VISITORS HEAD FOR WHEN THEY FIRST ARRIVE? When guests are admitted to the various lands, the flow of people to Tomorrowland (Space Mountain, Buzz Lightyear, and Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage) is heaviest. The next most crowded land is Fantasyland, though the crowds are distributed over a large number of attractions. Critter Country is likewise crowded with its small area and only two attractions (Splash Mountain and The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh). Adventureland, Frontierland, and New Orleans Square fill more slowly, with Mickey’s Toontown not really coming alive until later in the morning. As the park fills, visitors appear to head for specific favored attractions that they wish to ride before the lines get long. This, more than any other factor, determines traffic patterns in the mornings and accounts for the relatively equal distribution of visitors throughout Disneyland.

ATTRACTIONS HEAVILY ATTENDED IN EARLY MORNING

ADVENTURELAND Indiana Jones Adventure | Jungle Cruise

CRITTER COUNTRY Splash Mountain

FANTASYLAND Alice in Wonderland | Dumbo the Flying Elephant Matterhorn Bobsleds | Peter Pan’s Flight

TOMORROWLAND Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters | Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage Space Mountain | Star Tours: The Adventures Continue

2. HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR THE PARK TO REACH PEAK CAPACITY FOR A GIVEN DAY? HOW ARE THE VISITORS DISPERSED THROUGHOUT THE PARK? There is a surge of early birds who arrive before or around opening time but are quickly dispersed throughout the empty park. After the initial onslaught is absorbed, there is a bit of a lull that lasts until about an hour after opening. Following the lull, the park is inundated with arriving guests for about 2 hours, peaking 10–11 a.m. Guests continue to arrive in a steady but diminishing stream until around 2 p.m.

Sampled lines reached their longest length noon–3 p.m., indicating more arrivals than departures in the early afternoon. For general touring purposes, most attractions develop substantial lines 9:30–11 a.m. In the early morning, Tomorrowland, Critter Country, and Fantasyland fill up first. By late morning and into early afternoon, attendance is fairly equally distributed throughout all of the “lands.” Mickey’s Toontown, because it is comparatively small, stays mobbed from about 11:30 a.m. on. By midafternoon, however, we noted a concentration of visitors in Fantasyland, New Orleans Square, and Adventureland, and a slight decrease of visitors in Tomorrowland.

In the late afternoon and early evening, attendance continues to be more heavily distributed in Tomorrowland, Critter Country, and Fantasyland. Though Space Mountain, Buzz Lightyear, Splash Mountain, and Star Tours remain inundated throughout the day, most of the other attractions in Tomorrowland and Critter Country have reasonable lines. In New Orleans Square, The Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, and the multitudes returning from nearby Critter Country keep traffic brisk. Frontierland and Adventureland (except the Indiana Jones ride) become less congested as the afternoon and evening progress.

3. HOW DO MOST VISITORS GO ABOUT TOURING THE PARK? IS THERE A DIFFERENCE IN THE TOURING BEHAVIOR OF FIRST-TIME VISITORS AND REPEAT VISITORS? Many first-time visitors accompany friends or relatives who are familiar with Disneyland and who guide their tour. These tours sometimes do and sometimes do not proceed in an orderly (clockwise or counterclockwise) touring sequence. First-time visitors without personal touring guidance tend to be more orderly in their touring. Many first-time visitors, however, are drawn to Sleeping Beauty Castle on entering the park and thus commence their rotation from Fantasyland. Repeat visitors usually proceed directly to their favorite attractions or to whatever is new.

4. WHAT EFFECT DO SPECIAL EVENTS SUCH AS PARADES, FIREWORKS, AND FANTASMIC! HAVE ON TRAFFIC PATTERNS? Special events such as parades, fireworks, and Fantasmic! pull substantial numbers of visitors from the lines for rides. Unfortunately, however, the left hand taketh what the right hand giveth. A parade or Fantasmic! snarls traffic flow throughout Disneyland so much that guests find themselves captive wherever they are. Attraction lines in Tomorrowland, Mickey’s Toontown, Adventureland, and Fantasyland (behind the castle) diminish dramatically, making Space Mountain, Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage, Buzz Lightyear, Star Tours, the Jungle Cruise, Indiana Jones Adventure, Peter Pan’s Flight, and Snow White’s Scary Adventures particularly good choices during the evening festivities. The remainder of the park (Critter Country, New Orleans Square, Frontierland, Main Street, and Small World Plaza in Fantasyland) is so congested with guests viewing the parade or Fantasmic! that it’s almost impossible to move.

5. WHAT ARE THE TRAFFIC PATTERNS NEAR TO AND AT CLOSING TIME? On our sample days, which were recorded in and out of season, park departures outnumbered arrivals beginning in midafternoon, with a substantial number of guests leaving after the afternoon parade. Additional numbers of visitors departed during the late afternoon as the dinner hour approached. When the park closed early, there were steady departures during the 2 hours preceding closing, with a mass exodus of remaining visitors at closing time.

When the park closed late, departures were distributed throughout the evening hours, with waves of departures following the evening parade(s), fireworks, and Fantasmic! Though departures increased exponentially as closing time approached, a huge throng was still on hand when the park finally shut down. The balloon effect of this last throng at the end of the day generally overwhelmed the shops on Main Street, the parking lot, trams, and the hotel shuttles, and the exits onto adjoining Anaheim streets. In the hour before closing in the lands other than Main Street, touring conditions were normally uncrowded except at Indiana Jones in Adventureland and Splash Mountain in Critter Country.

DISNEYLAND PARK TOURING PLANS

THE DISNEYLAND PARK TOURING PLANS are step-by-step plans for seeing as much as possible with a minimum of time wasted standing in line. They are designed to assist you in avoiding crowds and bottlenecks on days of moderate to heavy attendance. On days of lighter attendance (see “Selecting the Time of Year for Your Visit,”), the plans will still save you time but will not be as critical to successful touring.

Choosing the Right Touring Plan

Six different touring plans are presented:

• 1-Day Touring Plan for Adults
• Author’s Select 1-Day Touring Plan
• Dumbo-or-Die-in-a-Day Touring Plan for Adults with Small Children
• 2-Day Touring Plan for Adults with Small Children
• 2-Day Touring Plan A, for Daytime Touring or for When the Park Closes Early (before 8 p.m.)
• 2-Day Touring Plan B, for Morning and Evening Touring or for When the Park Is Open Late (after 8 p.m.)

If you have 2 days to spend at Disneyland Park, the 2-day touring plans are by far the most relaxed and efficient. The 2-Day Touring Plan A takes advantage of early-morning touring, when lines are short and the park has not yet filled with guests. This plan works well all year and is particularly recommended for days when Disneyland Park closes before 8 p.m. On the other hand, 2-Day Touring Plan B combines the efficiencies of early-morning touring on the first day with the splendor of Disneyland Park at night on the second day. This plan is perfect for guests who wish to sample both the attractions and the special magic of Disneyland Park after dark, including Fantasmic!, parades, and fireworks. The 2-Day Touring Plan for Adults with Small Children spreads the experience over 2 more-relaxed days and incorporates more attractions that both children and parents will enjoy.

For readers who have requested a 3-Day Park Hopper Touring Plan, we recommend using the 2-Day Disneyland Park Touring Plan of your choice and mixing it with the 1-Day Disney California Adventure Touring Plan as you see fit. Enter Disneyland Park first, and then when DCA opens, send a runner across the Esplanade with your entire group’s tickets. Because the Fastpass systems of the two parks are disconnected, you can collect Fastpasses for World of Color and Soarin’ Over California (or Radiator Springs Racers) simultaneously with any you’ve already claimed in Disneyland Park (such as Space or Splash Mountains).

If you have only 1 day but wish to see as much as possible, use the 1-Day Touring Plan for Adults. This plan will pack as much into a single day as is humanly possible, but it is pretty exhausting. If you prefer a more relaxed visit, try the Author’s Select 1-Day Touring Plan. This plan features the best Disneyland Park has to offer (in the author’s opinion), eliminating some of the less impressive attractions.

If you have small children, you may want to use the Dumbo-or-Die-in-a-Day Touring Plan for Adults with Small Children. This plan includes most of the children’s rides in Fantasyland and Toontown and omits roller-coaster rides and other attractions that small children cannot ride (because of Disney’s age and height requirements), as well as rides and shows that are frightening for small children. Because this plan calls for adults to sacrifice many of the better Disney attractions, it is not recommended unless you are touring Disneyland Park primarily for the benefit of your children. In essence, you pretty much stand around, sweat, wipe noses, pay for stuff, and watch the children have fun. It’s great.

An alternative to the Dumbo Plan would be to use the 1-Day Touring Plan for Adults or the Author’s Select 1-Day Touring Plan, and take advantage of switching off, a technique whereby children accompany adults to the loading area of rides with age and height requirements but do not actually ride. Switching off allows adults to enjoy the wilder rides while keeping the whole group together.

Park-Opening Procedures

Your progress and success during your first hour of touring will be affected by the particular opening procedure the Disney people use that day.

1. All guests are held at the turnstiles until the park opens (which may or may not be at the official opening time). On admittance, all “lands” are open. If this is the case on the day you visit, blow right past Main Street and head for the first attraction on whatever touring plan you are following.

2. Guests are admitted to Main Street 30 minutes–1 hour before the remaining “lands” open. Access to the other lands is blocked by a rope barrier at the central-hub end of Main Street on these days. On admittance, move to the rope barrier and stake out a position as follows:

(1) If you are going to Indiana Jones or Splash Mountain first, take up a position in front of Plaza Pavilion at the central-hub end of Main Street on the left. Wait next to the rope barrier blocking the walkway to Adventureland. When the rest of the park opens, proceed quickly to Adventureland for Indiana Jones, or Critter Country by way of Adventureland and New Orleans Square for Splash Mountain.

(2) If you are going to Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage, Star Tours, or Space Mountain first, wait on the right at the central-hub end of Main Street. When the rope drops at opening time, bear right and zip into Tomorrowland.

(3) If you are going to Fantasyland or Frontierland first, proceed to the end of Main Street and line up at the rope right of center.

PRELIMINARY INSTRUCTIONS FOR ALL DISNEYLAND PARK TOURING PLANS

ON DAYS OF MODERATE to heavy attendance, follow the touring plans exactly, deviating only when you do not wish to experience a listed show or ride. For instance, the touring plan may direct you to go next to Big Thunder Mountain, a roller-coaster ride. If you do not like roller coasters, simply skip that step and proceed to the next activity.

1. Buy your admission in advance (see “Admission Options”).

2. Call 714-781-7290 the day before you go for the official opening time.

3. Become familiar with the park-opening procedures (described on the previous page) and read over the touring plan of your choice so that you will have a basic understanding of what you are likely to encounter as you enter the park.

DISNEYLAND PARK 1-DAY TOURING PLAN FOR ADULTS

FOR Adults without small children.

ASSUMES Willingness to experience all major rides (including roller coasters) and shows.

If you have only 1 day but wish to see as much as possible, use this touring plan. It packs as much into a single day as is humanly possible, but it is pretty exhausting. Be forewarned that this plan requires a lot of walking and some backtracking; this is necessary to avoid long waits in line. A little extra walking coupled with some hustle in the morning will save you 2–3 hours of standing in line. Note that you might not complete the tour. How far you get will depend on the size of your group, how quickly you move from ride to ride, how many times you pause for rest or food, how quickly the park fills, and what time the park closes.

ABOUT EARLY ENTRY If you are eligible for early entry, arrive at the turnstiles 45–60 minutes before the early-entry period begins on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, or Sunday (days subject to change) with admission in hand. Upon admission to the park, experience (1) Peter Pan’s Flight, (2) Star Tours, (3) Space Mountain, and (4) Matterhorn Bobsleds, in that order. If you’re not able to enjoy all of the above during the early-entry hour, see as many as you can. When the park opens to the general public, join the touring plan at Step 7 and proceed from there.

If you are not eligible for early entry, use the plan on a non-early-entry day (currently Monday, Wednesday, or Friday). Do not attempt to use the plan on an early-entry day—Disneyland Park will be packed with early-entry guests before you even make it past the turnstiles. If you wish to tour on an early-entry day but are not eligible for early entry, visit DCA and save Disneyland Park for a non-early-entry day.

Note: The success of the touring plan hinges on you entering the park when it first opens. Arrive at the entrance 40 minutes before official opening time.

AUTHOR’S SELECT DISNEYLAND PARK 1-DAY TOURING PLAN

FOR Adults touring without small children.

ASSUMES Willingness to experience all major rides (including roller coasters) and shows.

This touring plan is selective, including only attractions that, in the author’s opinion, represent the best Disneyland Park has to offer.

Be forewarned that this plan requires a lot of walking and some backtracking; this is necessary to avoid long waits in line. A little extra walking coupled with some hustle in the morning will save you 2–3 hours of standing in line. Note that you might not complete this tour. How far you get will depend on the size of your group, how quickly you move from ride to ride, how many times you pause for rest or food, how quickly the park fills, and what time the park closes. With a little zip and some luck, it is possible to complete the touring plan even on a busy day when the park closes early.

ABOUT EARLY ENTRY If you are eligible for early entry, arrive at the turnstiles 45–60 minutes before the early-entry period begins on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, or Sunday (days subject to change) with admission in hand. Upon admission to the park, experience (1) Peter Pan’s Flight, (2) Star Tours, (3) Space Mountain, and (4) Matterhorn Bobsleds, in that order. If you’re not able to enjoy all of the above during the early-entry hour, see as many as you can. When the park opens to the general public, join the touring plan at Step 7 and proceed from there.

If you are not eligible for early entry, use the plan on a non-early-entry day (currently Monday, Wednesday, or Friday). Do not attempt to use the plan on an early-entry day—Disneyland Park will be packed with early-entry guests before you even make it past the turnstiles. If you wish to tour on an early-entry day but are not eligible for early entry, visit DCA and save Disneyland Park for a non-early-entry day.

Note: The success of the touring plan hinges on your entering the park when it first opens. Arrive at the entrance 40 minutes before official opening time.

DUMBO-OR-DIE-IN-A-DAY TOURING PLAN FOR ADULTS WITH SMALL CHILDREN

FOR Parents with children under age 7 who feel compelled to devote every waking moment to the pleasure and entertainment of their small children, and rich people who are paying someone else to take their children to the theme park.

ASSUMES Periodic stops for rest, restrooms, and refreshment.

The name of this touring plan notwithstanding, this itinerary is not a joke. Regardless of whether you are loving, guilty, masochistic, truly selfless, insane, or saintly, this touring plan will provide a small child with about as perfect a day as is possible at Disneyland Park.

If this description has intimidated you somewhat or if you have concluded that your day at Disneyland Park is as important as your children’s, use the 1-Day Touring Plan for Adults, making use of the witching-off option at those attractions that impose height or age restrictions.

Because the children’s attractions in Disneyland Park are the most poorly engineered in terms of handling large crowds, this touring plan is the least efficient of our touring plans. It does represent the best way to experience most of the child-oriented attractions in 1 day if that is what you hope to do. We do not make recommendations in this plan for meals. If you can, try to hustle along as quickly as is comfortable until about noon. After noon, it won’t make much difference if you stop to eat or take it a little easier.

ABOUT EARLY ENTRY Do not attempt to use the plan on an early-entry day if you’re not eligible for early entry—Disneyland Park will be packed with early-entry guests before you even make it past the turnstiles. If you wish to tour on an early-entry day but are not eligible for early entry, visit DCA and save Disneyland Park for a non-early-entry day.

If you are eligible for early entry, experience (1) Peter Pan’s Flight, (2) Dumbo, and (3) Alice in Wonderland, in that order, followed by the other Fantasyland attractions through Step 9.

Note: The success of this touring plan hinges on you being among the first to enter the park when it opens. Arrive at the entrance 40 minutes before official opening time.

DISNEYLAND PARK 2-DAY TOURING PLAN FOR ADULTS WITH SMALL CHILDREN

FOR Parents with children under age 7 who wish to spread their Disneyland Park visit over 2 days.

ASSUMES Frequent stops for rest, restrooms, and refreshments.

This touring plan represents a compromise between the observed tastes of adults and the observed tastes of younger children. Included in this touring plan are many of the midway-type rides that your children may have the opportunity to experience at local fairs and amusement parks. These rides at Disneyland Park often require long waits in line, and they consume valuable touring time that could be better spent experiencing the many rides and shows found only at a Disney theme park and which best demonstrate the Disney genius. This touring plan is heavily weighted toward the tastes of younger children. If you want to balance it a bit, try working out a compromise with your kids to forgo some of the carnival-type rides (such as Mad Tea Party, Dumbo, King Arthur Carrousel, and Gadget’s Go Coaster) or such rides as Autopia. All of the attractions are appropriate for children 40 inches and shorter.

Another alternative is to use one of the other 2-day touring plans and take advantage of the switching-off option. This technique allows small children to be admitted to rides such as Space Mountain, Indiana Jones, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Star Tours, and Splash Mountain. The children wait in the loading area as their parents ride one at a time; the nonriding parent waits with the children.

TIMING This 2-day touring plan takes advantage of early-morning touring. On each day you should complete the structured part of the plan by 3 p.m. or so. We highly recommend returning to your hotel by midafternoon for a nap and an early dinner. If the park is open in the evening, come back to the park by 7:30 or 8 p.m. for the evening parade, fireworks, and Fantasmic!

ABOUT EARLY ENTRY Do not attempt to use the touring plan on early-entry days if you are not eligible for early entry—Disneyland Park will be packed with early-entry guests before you even make it past the turnstiles. Do day 1 of the plan on a non-early-entry day. The next day will be an early-entry day, so visit DCA on that day. Come back to Disneyland Park on the following non-early-entry day and proceed with day 2.

If you are eligible for early entry, experience (1) Peter Pan’s Flight, (2) Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, and (3) Dumbo, in that order, followed by the other Fantasyland attractions. At the end of the early-entry hour, begin the touring plan, skipping any attractions called for in the touring plan that you experienced during early entry.

Note: Because the needs of small children are so varied, we have not built specific instructions for eating into the touring plan. Simply stop for refreshments or a meal when you feel the urge. For best results, however, try to keep moving in the morning. In the afternoon, you can eat, rest often, and adjust the pace to your liking.

DISNEYLAND PARK 2-DAY TOURING PLAN A, FOR DAYTIME TOURING OR FOR WHEN THE PARK CLOSES EARLY

FOR Parties wishing to spread their Disneyland Park visit over 2 days and parties preferring to tour in the morning.

ASSUMES Willingness to experience all major rides (including roller coasters) and shows.

TIMING This 2-day touring plan takes advantage of early-morning touring and is the most efficient of all the touring plans for comprehensive touring with the least time lost waiting in line. On each day you should complete the structured part of the plan by 3 p.m. or so. If you are visiting Disneyland Park during a period of the year when the park is open late (after 8 p.m.), you might prefer our 2-Day Touring Plan B, which offers morning touring on 1 day and late afternoon and evening touring on the other day. Another highly recommended option is to return to your hotel around midafternoon for a well-deserved nap and an early dinner, and to come back to the park by 7:30 or 8 p.m. for the evening parade, fireworks, and live entertainment.

ABOUT EARLY ENTRY Do not attempt to use the plan on early-entry days if you are not eligible for early entry—Disneyland Park will be packed with early-entry guests before you even make it past the turnstiles. Do day 1 of the plan on a non-early-entry day. The next day will be an early-entry day, so visit DCA on that day. Come back to Disneyland Park on the following non-early-entry day and proceed with day 2.

If you’re eligible for early entry, experience (1) Peter Pan’s Flight, (2) Star Tours, (3) Space Mountain, and (4) Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, in that order. If you’re not able to enjoy all of the above during the early-entry hour, ride as many as you can. When the park opens to the general public, continue the sequence until you’ve experienced all four. At that point, begin the touring plan, skipping any attractions you’ve already seen.

DISNEYLAND PARK 2-DAY TOURING PLAN B, FOR MORNING AND EVENING TOURING OR FOR WHEN THE PARK IS OPEN LATE

FOR Parties who want to enjoy Disneyland Park at different times of day, including evenings and early mornings.

ASSUMES Willingness to experience all major rides (including roller coasters) and shows.

TIMING This 2-day touring plan is for those visiting Disneyland Park on days when the park is open late (after 8 p.m.). The plan offers morning touring on the first day and late afternoon and evening touring on the other day. If the park closes early, or if you prefer to do all of your touring during the morning and early afternoon, use the 2-Day Touring Plan A, for Daytime Touring or for When the Park Closes Early.

ABOUT EARLY ENTRY If you are not eligible for early entry, do not try to use day 1 of the plan on an early-entry day. Disneyland Park will be packed with early-entry guests before you even get past the turnstiles.

If you’re eligible for early entry and want to use day 1 of the plan on an early-entry day, experience (1) Peter Pan’s Flight, (2) Matterhorn Bobsleds, (3) Space Mountain, and (4) Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage, in that order. If you’re not able to enjoy all of the above during the early-entry hour, ride as many as you can. When the park opens to the general public, continue the sequence until you’ve experienced all four. At that point, begin the touring plan, skipping any attractions you’ve already seen.

THE DISNEYLAND NO RIDES/NO QUEUES/NO STRESS ANTI-TOURING PLAN

Most of our readers are interested in touring plans to get them through as many attractions as possible in the most efficient manner. But, like the authors, some of you may have siblings, spouses, or other companions who are congenitally opposed to queuing for anything clanking or claustrophobic. What can Disney do to occupy your Aunt Gertie, who is dead-set against standing in a line, or sitting in anything with a lap bar?

Disneyland Park is one of the few places where you can experience a full day of entertainment without getting on a ride faster than the railroad, and without waiting more than 15 minutes or so, even during the busiest season.

Yes, you can get your money’s worth at Disneyland without sprinting to Space Mountain or spinning in a teacup. You just have to adjust your expectation of what constitutes an attraction. (A handful of sedate activities are available at Disney California Adventure, such as Disney Animation, the winery, and the bakery tour, but not enough to justify a full-price pass.)

Because this “anti-plan” is designed to eliminate stress, there is no strict order to follow the steps in, nor instructions to arrive before rope drop (though it doesn’t hurt). Simply tour the park as your feet take you, skipping any suggested experiences that don’t interest you. If there is more than a 15–20 minute wait for anything you want to do, simply move along and check back later. Most important, take a break after 4 or 5 hours and leave the park for a nap, meal, or swim. The key is to take your time and (literally) stop to smell the roses.

Main Street, U.S.A.

• Ride one of the vintage vehicles up Main Street to the hub, and then take a different one back.
• Look at the memorabilia in the Main Street train station, and then ride the rails for a round-trip or two around the park.
• Explore the Disney Gallery’s rotating art exhibit inside the old Bank of Main Street.
• See Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, arriving early enough to see the Steve Martin preshow and the lobby’s historical Disneyland models.
• Watch the classic short films inside the Main Street Cinema.
• Grab a cup of coffee from the Market House, and save your receipt for free same-day refills. Snoop on the antique party line telephones, and then sit outside at a table on Center Street, listening to the amusing sounds emanating from the windows above.
• Check out the primitive 3-D movie viewers in the Penny Arcade.
• Watch the chefs in the candy store whip up a batch of sweets.
• Catch a performance or three of the Dapper Dans, Main Street Marching Band, or Coke Corner ragtime pianist. The daily flag retreat ceremony is not to be missed.
• Try to identify the names of Disney legends and Imagineers honored on Main Street’s windows.
• Stop and watch some artisans work, such as the silhouette cutters, glass sculptors, and watch painters.
• Ask the prestidigitators at the Magic Shop to demonstrate some tricks for you, and stare at the creepy optical illusion in the window.
• On the right side of the street next to the silhouette shop, sit in the chairs on the porch.
• Take a picture with the Partners statue in the central hub, and appreciate the surrounding flora and fauna.

Adventureland

• See the Enchanted Tiki Room, arriving in time to buy a Dole Whip and watch the preshow.
• Jungle Cruise is gentle fun if the line isn’t long.
• If stairs aren’t an issue, climb Tarzan’s Treehouse, or at least enter through the exit and watch the kids going wild on the playground.
• Consider walking through the Indiana Jones queue at least once, even if you aren’t interested in riding; it’s an impressive (if exhausting) example of scenic design. When the wait is posted over 15 minutes, get a Fastpass to skip the boring exterior line. Before you climb the stairs near the loading bay, you can simply tell a cast member that you want to exit. If you are brave but impatient, Indy’s single-rider line often has little to no wait.

New Orleans Square

• Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean both move guests through quickly even on busy days, and neither is likely to disturb any but the most delicate constitutions.
• Seek out the jazz and pirate bands that play in the area.
• Poke around the lovingly detailed alleyways around the Pirates of the Caribbean exit.
• Sit outside at Café Orléans with a plate of pommes frites and watch the crowds go by.

Critter Country

• Stand on the bridge near Splash Mountain and watch riders take the plunge. If you dare to get damp, the single-rider wait is usually bearable.
• Feed the ducks from the porch behind the Hungry Bear Restaurant.

Frontierland

• Take a raft to Tom Sawyer Island. Explore the caves (watch your head!).
• Sail on the Sailing Ship Columbia, Mark Twain, or both. You can usually step on board just before departure time without standing in line, or board early for the best seat at the top front.
• Don’t miss Billy Hill and the Hillbillies at the Golden Horseshoe. Show up early to grab a box seat and some chili. If the Billys have the day off, the Laughing Stock comics are a fun diversion.
• Get to know the pygmy goats, pardoned turkeys, and other animals at the Big Thunder Ranch petting zoo. Explore the decor inside Miss Chris’s cabin.
• Look for the petrified tree that was an anniversary gift from Walt to his wife; she donated it to the park. Also try to spot the jumping fish and railroad tunnel remains from Mine Train Through Nature’s Wonderland, across from Big Thunder Mountain.
• Pump some quarters into the Frontierland shooting gallery.
• Walk through the Rancho de Zocalo patio, especially when decorated for Dia de Los Muertos.

Fantasyland

• Go through the Sleeping Beauty Castle walk-through, or watch the alternative experience video.
• Toss a wish into Snow White’s well in front of the castle, and gaze at her grotto of handcrafted sculptures.
• Cruise Storybook Land or It’s a Small World if lines are short.
• Try on some mouse ears in the Mad Hatter chapeau shop.
• Take a break with a vendor treat (like an ear of corn) on the benches at the old motor boat dock across from the Matterhorn.
• Stick your head in the Fantasy Faire if a show is scheduled, but don’t bother with the massive queue to meet a princess.
• The elevated mall near It’s a Small World is a convenient spot to stand for the parade or video projection show.

Mickey’s Toontown

• Play with the interactive doodads dotted around the building facades.
• Take a tour of Mickey and Minnie’s homes, but bail on the meet and greet if the line is out the door.
• Walk though the cleverly decorated children’s playgrounds, being wary of bouncing babes.

Tomorrowland

• Take the monorail to Downtown Disney for a bite or a drink, and then return (remember your park ticket!).
• Watch young Padawans battle Sith Lords on Tomorrowland Terrace in the Jedi Training Academy show. Check the schedule for other entertainment on this stage.
• Explore both levels of the Innoventions building, leaving time to take in the ASIMO robot demonstration upstairs.
• Experience Captain EO if you can endure the rock-concert volume. Ask for a non-moving seat in the back to avoid bouncing.
• The line for Buzz Lightyear moves swiftly, and almost everyone of all ages loves it.
• Browse the unique Star Wars merchandise in Star Traders with a life-size X-Wing overhead.
• Search for imaginatively groomed edible plants along the Tomorrowland walkways.