APPENDIX

READERS’ QUESTIONS to the AUTHOR

QUESTION:

When you do your research, are you admitted to the park for free? Do the Disney people know you are there?

ANSWER:

We pay the regular admission, and usually the Disney people do not know we are on-site. Both in and out of Disneyland, we pay for our own meals and lodging.

QUESTION:

How often is the Unofficial Guide revised?

ANSWER:

We publish a new edition once a year but make corrections every time we go to press.

QUESTION:

I have an older edition of the Unofficial Guide. How much of the information in it is still correct?

ANSWER:

Veteran travel writers will acknowledge that 5%–8% of the information in a guidebook is out of date by the time it comes off the press! Disneyland is always changing. If you are using an old edition of the Unofficial Guide, the descriptions of attractions existing when the guide was published should still be generally accurate. Many other things, however—particularly the touring plans and the hotel and restaurant reviews—change with every edition. Finally, and obviously, older editions of the Unofficial Guide do not include new attractions or developments.

QUESTION:

Do you write each new edition from scratch?

ANSWER:

We do not. With a destination the size of Disneyland, it’s hard enough keeping up with what is new. Moreover, we put great effort into communicating the most salient and useful information in the clearest possible language. If an attraction or hotel has not changed, we are very reluctant to tinker with its coverage for the sake of freshening up the writing.

QUESTION:

Do you stay at Disneyland hotels? If not, where do you stay?

ANSWER:

We do stay at Disneyland-area hotels from time to time, usually after a renovation or management change. Since we began writing about Disneyland in 1984, we have stayed in more than 50 different properties in various locations around Anaheim.

QUESTION:

How many people have you interviewed or surveyed for your age-group ratings on the attractions?

ANSWER:

Since the publication of the first edition of the Unofficial Guide in 1985, we have interviewed or surveyed more than 18,000 Disneyland patrons.

QUESTION:

How are your age-group ratings determined? I am 42 years old. During Star Tours, I was quite worried about hurting my back. If the senior-citizens rating is determined only by those brave enough to ride, it will skew the results.

ANSWER:

The reader makes a good point. Unfortunately, it’s impossible to develop a rating unless the guest (of any age group) has actually experienced the attraction. So yes, all age-group ratings are derived exclusively from members of that age group who have experienced the attraction. Health problems, such as a bad back, however, can affect guests of any age, and Disney provides more-than-ample warnings on attractions that warrant such admonitions. But if you are in good health, our ratings will give you a sense of how much others your age enjoyed the attraction.

QUESTION:

I have heard that when there are two lines to an attraction, the left line is faster. Is this true?

ANSWER:

In general, no. We have tested this theory many times and usually have not gained an advantage of even 90 seconds by getting in one line versus another. The few rare exceptions are noted in the ride descriptions. What does occasionally occur, however, is that after a second line has just been opened, guests ignore the new line and persist in standing in the established line. Generally, if you encounter a two-line waiting configuration with no barrier to entry for either and one of the lines is conspicuously less populated than the other, get in it.

AND FINALLY …

To end on a high note, consider this compliment from a Redding, California, reader:

Thanks to your book, this trip turned out much better than our last, so much in fact that I required only half as much Valium.

And so it goes …

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  1. As soon as the park opens, ride Peter Pan’s Flight in Fantasyland.
  2. In Tomorrowland, ride Star Tours: The Adventures Continue.
  3. Obtain Fastpasses for Space Mountain in Tomorrowland.
  4. Experience the Matterhorn Bobsleds in Fantasyland.
  5. Take the Indiana Jones Adventure in Adventureland.
  6. Explore Tarzan’s Treehouse while you’re in Adventureland.
  7. Ride Splash Mountain in Critter Country.
  8. See The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, also in Critter Country.
  9. See The Haunted Mansion in New Orleans Square.
  10. Ride It’s a Small World in Fantasyland.
  11. Check the daily entertainment schedule for the next performance at the Golden Horseshoe. If possible, eat lunch while watching the show.
  12. Take the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage in Tomorrowland.
  13. In Tomorrowland, try Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters.
  14. See Captain EO, also in Tomorrowland.
  15. Ride Space Mountain using the Fastpasses obtained earlier.
  16. Send one member of your party to obtain Fastpasses for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in Frontierland.
  17. See The Disneyland Story, presenting Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, on Main Street.
  18. See Enchanted Tiki Room in Adventureland.
  19. Ride Big Thunder Mountain in Frontierland, using the Fastpasses obtained earlier.
  20. Take a round-trip on the Disneyland Railroad from the New Orleans Square station.
  21. Ride Pirates of the Caribbean in New Orleans Square.
  22. Experience the Sailing Ship Columbia or the Mark Twain Riverboat.
  23. Take the Jungle Cruise in Adventureland.
  24. Eat dinner.
  25. Tour Mickey’s Toontown if you have kids and time permits.
  26. Visit any attractions you may have missed earlier.
  27. Check the Times Guide for parades, fireworks, and Fantasmic!

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  1. As soon as the park opens, ride Peter Pan’s Flight in Fantasyland.
  2. In Tomorrowland, ride Star Tours: The Adventures Continue.
  3. Ride Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters, also in Tomorrowland.
  4. Send one member of your party to obtain Fastpasses for Space Mountain.
  5. See The Haunted Mansion in New Orleans Square.
  6. Ride Splash Mountain in Critter Country.
  7. Also ride The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh in Critter Country.
  8. Ride Big Thunder Mountain in Frontierland.
  9. Experience Pirates of the Caribbean in New Orleans Square.
  10. Take the It’s a Small World boat ride in Fantasyland.
  11. Check the daily entertainment schedule for the next performance at the Golden Horseshoe. If possible, eat lunch while watching the show.
  12. See Captain EO in Tomorrowland.
  13. Ride Space Mountain using the Fastpasses obtained earlier.
  14. Take the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage.
  15. See The Disneyland Story, presenting Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, on Main Street.
  16. Obtain Fastpasses for the Indiana Jones Adventure in Adventureland.
  17. Experience the Sailing Ship Columbia or the Mark Twain Riverboat.
  18. Take a round-trip on the Disneyland Railroad from the New Orleans Square station.
  19. Ride Indiana Jones using the Fastpasses obtained earlier.
  20. In Fantasyland, ride the Matterhorn Bobsleds. If you can use the single-rider line, it may reduce your wait.
  21. Tour Mickey’s Toontown if you have kids and time permits.
  22. Visit any attractions you may have missed earlier.
  23. Check the Times Guide for parades, fireworks, and Fantasmic!

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  1. As soon as the park opens, ride Peter Pan’s Flight in Fantasyland.
  2. Ride Dumbo the Flying Elephant.
  3. Ride Alice in Wonderland.
  4. Ride the King Arthur Carrousel.
  5. Take Pinocchio’s Daring Journey.
  6. Ride the Casey Jr. Circus Train.
  7. Take a spin on the Mad Tea Party.
  8. Ride the Storybook Land Canal Boats.
  9. In Toontown, ride Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin. Obtain Fastpasses if the wait exceeds 30 minutes.
  10. Tour Mickey’s House.
  11. Ride Gadget’s Go Coaster.
  12. Tour Minnie’s House.
  13. Let the kids blow off some steam at Goofy’s Playhouse.
  14. Take the It’s a Small World boat ride.
  15. Experience the Disney Princess Royal Walk.
  16. In Tomorrowland, ride the Autopia.
  17. Ride Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters.
  18. See Enchanted Tiki Room in Adventureland.
  19. Ride Pirates of the Caribbean in New Orleans Square.
  20. Eat lunch.
  21. If you’re visiting between mid-September and New Year’s, and Haunted Mansion has Fastpasses available, obtain Fastpasses for Haunted Mansion now. Otherwise, skip this step.
  22. Take The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh ride in Critter Country.
  23. Take a raft to explore the Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island.
  24. See The Haunted Mansion.
  25. Take a round-trip on the Disneyland Railroad from the New Orleans Square station.
  26. If time permits, ride the Mark Twain Riverboat.
  27. Explore Tarzan’s Treehouse in Adventureland.
  28. If time permits, let the kids play at Donald’s Boat and the Chip ‘n Dale Treehouse in Mickey’s Toontown.
  29. Visit any attractions you may have missed earlier.
  30. Check the Times Guide for parades, fireworks, and Fantasmic!

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  1. Arrive at the entrance 40 minutes before official opening time.
  2. As soon as the park opens, ride the Indiana Jones Adventure in Adventureland.
  3. Take the Jungle Cruise, also in Adventureland.
  4. Try Splash Mountain in Critter Country.
  5. Ride The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, also in Critter Country.
  6. Experience the Disney Princess Royal Walk in Fantasyland.
  7. In Toontown, tour Mickey’s House.
  8. Ride Gadget’s Go Coaster.
  9. Let the kids blow off some steam at Goofy’s Playhouse.
  10. Try Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin. Obtain Fastpasses if the wait exceeds 30 minutes.
  11. In Fantasyland, ride It’s a Small World.
  12. Ride Pirates of the Caribbean in New Orleans Square.
  13. See The Haunted Mansion. If you’re visiting between mid-September and New Year’s, and Haunted Mansion is distributing Fastpasses, obtain Fastpasses if the wait exceeds 30 minutes.
  14. Eat lunch and take the Disneyland Railroad from New Orleans Square to Toontown.
  15. In Mickey’s Toontown, see Minnie’s House.
  16. Try the Chip ‘n Dale Treehouse and Donald’s Boat, also in Mickey’s Toontown.
  17. Obtain Fastpasses for Autopia in Tomorrowland.
  18. If time permits, take a round-trip on the Disneyland Monorail in Tomorrowland.
  19. See Captain EO in Tomorrowland.
  20. Ride the Autopia using the Fastpasses obtained earlier.
  21. Eat dinner.
  22. Visit any attractions you may have missed earlier.
  23. Check the Times Guide for parades, fireworks, and Fantasmic!

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  1. Arrive at the entrance 40 minutes before official opening time.
  2. As soon as the park opens, ride Peter Pan’s Flight in Fantasyland.
  3. Take Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride.
  4. Experience Dumbo the Flying Elephant.
  5. Ride Alice in Wonderland.
  6. Try the Storybook Land Canal Boats.
  7. Take a spin on the Mad Tea Party.
  8. In Tomorrowland, send one member of your party to obtain Fastpasses for Star Tours: The Adventures Continue.
  9. Ride Space Mountain.
  10. Take the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage.
  11. Ride Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters, also in Tomorrowland.
  12. In Fantasyland, ride Pinocchio’s Daring Journey.
  13. Take a spin on the King Arthur Carrousel.
  14. Ride Big Thunder Mountain in Frontierland.
  15. See Enchanted Tiki Room in Adventureland.
  16. Ride Star Tours in Tomorrowland, using the Fastpasses obtained earlier.
  17. Eat lunch.
  18. Take a raft to Tom Sawyer Island, and let the kids run around the island’s Pirate’s Lair.
  19. Explore Tarzan’s Treehouse.
  20. If time permits, try the Sailing Ship Columbia or the Mark Twain Riverboat.
  21. Visit any attractions you may have missed earlier.
  22. Check the Times Guide for parades, fireworks, and Fantasmic!

image

  1. Arrive at the entrance 40 minutes before official opening time.
  2. As soon as the park opens, ride Peter Pan’s Flight in Fantasyland.
  3. Take Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride.
  4. Take Pinocchio’s Daring Journey.
  5. Ride Snow White’s Scary Adventures.
  6. Ride the Storybook Land Canal Boats.
  7. Experience the Matterhorn Bobsleds.
  8. In Tomorrowland, take the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage.
  9. Obtain Fastpasses for Space Mountain.
  10. Ride Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters.
  11. Eat lunch and work in a show at the Golden Horseshoe.
  12. Return to Tomorrowland and ride Space Mountain using the Fastpasses obtained earlier.
  13. See Enchanted Tiki Room in Adventureland.
  14. See The Disneyland Story, presenting Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln.
  15. Ride the Sailing Ship Columbia or the Mark Twain Riverboat, whichever is boarding first.
  16. Send one member of your party to obtain Fastpasses for Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in Frontierland.
  17. Take a raft to the Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island.
  18. Climb through Tarzan’s Treehouse in Adventureland.
  19. Ride Big Thunder Mountain Railroad using the Fastpasses obtained earlier.
  20. Eat dinner.
  21. Visit any attractions you may have missed earlier.
  22. Check the Times Guide for parades, fireworks, and Fantasmic!

image

  1. Arrive at the entrance 40 minutes before official opening time.
  2. As soon as the park opens, ride Star Tours: The Adventures Continue in Tomorrowland.
  3. Take the Indiana Jones Adventure in Adventureland.
  4. In Mickey’s Toontown, visit Mickey’s House.
  5. See Minnie’s House.
  6. Try Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin. Use Fastpasses if the wait exceeds 30 minutes.
  7. Ride Alice in Wonderland in Fantasyland.
  8. Ride It’s a Small World.
  9. Take the Jungle Cruise in Adventureland.
  10. Ride The Haunted Mansion.
  11. Experience The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh in Critter Country.
  12. Obtain Fastpasses for Splash Mountain, also in Critter Country.
  13. Take a round-trip on the Disneyland Railroad from the New Orleans Square station.
  14. Ride Pirates of the Caribbean.
  15. Eat lunch.
  16. Ride Splash Mountain using the Fastpasses obtained earlier.
  17. In Tomorrowland, see Captain EO.
  18. See the Jedi Training Academy.
  19. Revisit any favorite attractions or visit any attractions you may have missed earlier.
  20. Check the Times Guide for parades, fireworks, and Fantasmic!

image

  1. Arrive at the entrance 40 minutes before official opening time.
  2. As soon as the park opens, ride Peter Pan’s Flight in Fantasyland.
  3. Try the Matterhorn Bobsleds, also in Fantasyland.
  4. Ride Space Mountain in Tomorrowland.
  5. Take the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage, also in Tomorrowland.
  6. Ride Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters.
  7. Obtain Fastpasses for the Indiana Jones Adventure in Adventureland.
  8. Ride Pirates of the Caribbean in New Orleans Square.
  9. See The Haunted Mansion.
  10. Obtain Fastpasses for Splash Mountain in Critter Country.
  11. Check the daily entertainment schedule for the next performance at the Golden Horseshoe. If possible, eat lunch while watching the show.
  12. Ride The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh in Critter Country.
  13. Experience Splash Mountain using the Fastpasses obtained earlier.
  14. Obtain Fastpasses for Big Thunder Mountain in Frontierland.
  15. Ride the Mark Twain Riverboat or Sailing Ship Columbia, whichever boards first.
  16. Ride the Indiana Jones Adventure using the Fastpasses obtained earlier.
  17. Ride Big Thunder Mountain Railroad using the Fastpasses obtained earlier.
  18. In Tomorrowland, see Captain EO.
  19. On Main Street, see The Disneyland Story, presenting Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln.
  20. Revisit any favorite attractions or visit any attractions you may have missed earlier.
  21. Check the Times Guide for parades, fireworks, and Fantasmic!

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  1. Arrive at the entrance around 5 p.m.
  2. Ride Star Tours: The Adventures Continue in Tomorrowland.
  3. Ride Alice in Wonderland in Fantasyland.
  4. Obtain Fastpasses for Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin in Mickey’s Toontown.
  5. See It’s a Small World in Fantasyland.
  6. Ride Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin using the Fastpasses obtained earlier.
  7. See Enchanted Tiki Room in Adventureland.
  8. Take the Jungle Cruise.
  9. Explore Tarzan’s Treehouse.
  10. Take a round-trip on the Disneyland Railroad from New Orleans Square.
  11. If time permits, try Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride in Fantasyland.
  12. Revisit any favorite attractions or visit any attractions you may have missed earlier.
  13. Check the Times Guide for parades, fireworks, and Fantasmic!

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  1. Arrive at the entrance 40 minutes before official opening time.
  2. As soon as the park opens, obtain Fastpasses for Radiator Springs Racers in Cars Land.
  3. Ride Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree.
  4. Ride Luigi’s Flying Tires.
  5. Ride Radiator Springs Racers using the Fastpasses obtained earlier. If your passes are not yet valid, leave Cars Land now, and break from the plan to return at the printed time.
  6. Obtain Fastpasses for Soarin’ Over California after your Fastpass for Radiator Springs Racers becomes valid or 2 hours after you received your first Fastpass.
  7. Obtain Fastpasses for World of Color. Fastpasses are distributed near the entrance to Grizzly River Run.
  8. Try Toy Story Midway Mania! in Paradise Pier.
  9. Ride Goofy’s Sky School in Paradise Pier.
  10. Try the Silly Symphony Swings.
  11. Check the daily entertainment schedule for the next showing of Disney’s Aladdin—A Musical Spectacular. Work in this show either before or after lunch.
  12. Send one member of your party to obtain Fastpasses for California Screamin’ in Paradise Pier.
  13. Ride Soarin’ Over California using the Fastpasses obtained earlier.
  14. See It’s Tough to Be a Bug!
  15. Ride California Screamin’ using the Fastpasses obtained earlier.
  16. Obtain Fastpasses for The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror in Hollywood Land.
  17. Ride Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue!
  18. See Muppet-Vision 3-D.
  19. Ride The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, using the Fastpasses obtained earlier.
  20. Ride The Little Mermaid—Ariel’s Undersea Adventure.
  21. If time permits, take the bakery tour in the Pacific Wharf.
  22. See the Disney Animation exhibit, including the Animation Academy and Turtle Talk with Crush.
  23. Eat dinner.
  24. Ride Grizzly River Run.
  25. Repeat any favorite attractions or see any missed attractions.
  26. Check your daily entertainment schedule for parades, and check your World of Color Fastpass for the performance time.

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  1. Arrive at the entrance 40 minutes before official opening time.
  2. As soon as the park opens, obtain Fastpasses for Radiator Springs Racers in Cars Land.
  3. Ride Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree.
  4. Ride Luigi’s Flying Tires.
  5. Ride Radiator Springs Racers using the Fastpasses obtained earlier. If your passes are not yet valid, leave Cars Land now, and break from the plan to return at the printed time.
  6. Obtain Fastpasses for Soarin’ Over California after your Fastpass for Radiator Springs Racers becomes valid or 2 hours after you received your first Fastpass.
  7. Obtain Fastpasses for World of Color. Fastpasses are distributed near the entrance to Grizzly River Run.
  8. Ride Francis’ Ladybug Boogie in a bug’s land.
  9. Ride Tuck and Roll’s Drive ‘Em Buggies, also in a bug’s land.
  10. Experience Flik’s Flyers.
  11. Check the daily entertainment schedule for the next showing of Disney’s Aladdin—A Musical Spectacular. Work in this show either before or after lunch.
  12. See the Disney Animation exhibit, including the Animation Academy and Turtle Talk with Crush.
  13. Ride Soarin’ Over California using the Fastpasses obtained earlier.
  14. Try the Silly Symphony Swings in Paradise Pier.
  15. Ride Toy Story Midway Mania!
  16. Experience King Triton’s Carousel in Paradise Pier.
  17. Explore the Redwood Creek Challenge Train in Grizzly Peak.
  18. Obtain Fastpasses for The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror in Hollywood Land.
  19. Ride Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue!
  20. See Muppet-Vision 3-D.
  21. Experience Disney Junior.
  22. Ride The Tower of Terror using the Fastpasses obtained earlier.
  23. Eat dinner.
  24. Ride The Little Mermaid—Ariel’s Undersea Adventure.
  25. Repeat any favorite attractions or see any missed attractions.
  26. Check your daily entertainment schedule for parades, and check your World of Color Fastpass for the performance time.

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  1. Arrive 20 minutes before opening time.
  2. Ride Transformers in the Lower Lot.
  3. Ride Revenge of the Mummy.
  4. Check out Jurassic Park.
  5. In the Upper Lot, experience The Simpsons Ride.
  6. See Shrek 4-D.
  7. See Terminator 2: 3-D.
  8. See the Special Effects Stage.
  9. Check your daily entertainment schedule for a) WaterWorld and b) Universal’s Animal Actors showtimes.
  10. Eat lunch and take the Studio Tour. Allocate an hour and 10 minutes for the tour.
  11. Return to the Lower Lot and check out The NBC Universal Experience. Return to the Upper Lot.
  12. Check out a) Universal’s House of Horrors and b) The Blues Brothers show or try the c) Curious George play area.
  13. Revisit your favorites or see attractions you missed. Check your daily entertainment schedule for live performances that interest you.