Discovering the Magic Kingdom: an Unofficial Disneyland Vacation Guide

Discovering

The Magic Kingdom

An Unofficial Disneyland Vacation Guide

By

Joshua C. Shaffer

Front cover and back cover photos taken by Joshua C. Shaffer

Front cover and back cover edited by Courtney R. Allsup

Illustrations by Joshua C. Shaffer

AuthorHouse™

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN47403

www.authorhouse.com

Phone: 1-800-839-8640

©2010 Joshua C. Shaffer. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

First published by AuthorHouse 9/14/10

ISBN: 978-1-4520-6312-6 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4520-6313-3 (ebook)

Library of Congress Control Number: applied for

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any Web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Table Of Contents

Foreward

Copyright and trademark Information

Acknowledgments

The Book History

Introduction

Planning Ahead

Visiting Times

An Example Of A Trip

Attendance Of Disneyland In the Millions

Tickets and Masses

Wardrobe For the trip

Packing For the trip Checklist

getting to the Parks & Parking

UPON ARRIVAL

Surrounding Area info

Cost To Eat In the Park-a Cross Section

Disneyland Hotel

Disney’s Fairy Tale Wedding

Disneyland Birthday Party

Kennel Club & Service Dogs

Downtown Disney

Package Check Service

Magic Morning

Jedi Training Academy

Bibbi Bobbidi Boutique

Lost And Found

Foreign Currency Exchange & Disney Collars

Height Requirements For Small Visitors

Disney History

Creation Of the Park

Opening Day 1955

Disneyland Resort

Disney Princesses

Disney Movie Trivia

Top Villains

A Full List Of Every Disney Film

Disney On Broadway

A Film Company In The Making

Pixar

THINGS TO KNOW INSIDE

Photo Pass

Little Things To Do Just For The Memories

Preparing For Entry

Ghost Stories Of Disneyland

Closures

Incidents

THe Hidden Mickeys

Club 33

THe Disneyland Dream Suite

Parades

Penny Smashing & other Souvieners

PIN TRADING

Random Park Information

Disney World Resort TRivia

Disney Legends Program

Meet and Greet Characters

Fastpass, Switch Pass and Single Rider

TIPS AND TRICKS

SCAVANGER HUNT

Get through All the Disneyland Attractions In one Day

DISNEYLAND

MAIN STREET U.S.A

ATTRACTIONS

Disneyland Railroad

Main Street Cinema

(1955)

Fire Engine

(1955)

Horse-Drawn Streetcars

(1955)

Horseless Carriage

(1958)

Omnibus

(1959)

ADVENTURELAND

ATTRACTIONS

ENCHANTED TIKI ROOM

(1963)-Duration: 16:08 (pre show 10:00)

INDIANA JONES ADVENTURE

JUNGLE CRUISE

(1955)-Duration: 9:05

TARZAN’S TREE HOUSE

(1999)-Duration: N A

NEW ORLEANS SQUARE

ATTRACTION

DISNEYLAND RAILROAD

(1966)-Duration: 18:00

Pirates of the Carribean

(1967)-Duration: 16:30

CRITTER COUNTRY

ATTRACTIONS

SPLASH MOUNTAIN

Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes

(1971)-Duration: 10:00

The Many Adventures

of Winnie the Pooh

(2003)-Duration: 3:10

FRONTIERLAND

ATTRACTIONS

BIG THUNDER MOUNTAIN RAILROAD

PIRATE’S LAIR ON TOM SAWYER ISLAND

(2007)-Duration: N/A

FRONTIERLAN SHOOTIN’ EXPOSITION

MARK TWAIN RIVERBOAT

(1955)-Duration: 12:00

RAFTS TO TOM SAWYER ISLAND

(1956)-Duration: 1:00

THE GOLDEN HORSESHOE STAGE

SAILING SHIP COLUMBIA

(1958)-Duration: 12:00

BIG THUNDER RANCH

FANTASYLAND

ATTRACTIONS

Alice in Wonderland

(1958)-Duration: 3:40

Casey Jr. Circus Train

(1955)-Duration: 3:30

Dumbo the Flying Elephant

(1955)-Duration: 1:35

disney Princess Fantasy Faire

(2006)-Duration: N/A

it’s α small world

(1966)-Duration: 14:23

King Arthur Carousel

(1955)-Duration: 2:18

Mad Tea party

(1955)-Duration: 1:30

Matterhorn Bobsleds

(1959)-Duration: 2:07

Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride

(1955)-Duration: 2:01

Peter Pan’s Flight

(1955)-Duration: 2:10

Pinocchio’s Daring Journey

(1983)-Duration: 2:47

Pixie Hollow

(2008)-Duration: N/A

Sleeping Beauty Castle

(1955)-Duration: N/A

Snow White’s Scary Adventures

(1955 as Snow White’s Adventures)-Duration: 1:51

Storybook Land Canal Boats

(1955)-Duration: 6:00

ATTRACTIONS

TOMORROWLAND

ATTRACTIONS

AUTOPIA

(1955)-Duration: 5:00 FP

BUZZ LIGHTYEAR ASTRO BLASTERS

(2005)-Duration: 5:00 FP

CAPTAIN GO TRIBUTE

(2010)-Duration: 17:00

DISNEYLAND MONORAIL

(1959)-Duration: 13:00

DISNEYLAND RAILROAD

(1966)-Duration: 18:00

FINDING NEMO SUBMARINE VOYAGE

(2007)-Duration: 15:00-20:00

INNOVENTIONS

(1998)-Duration: N/A

SPACE MOUNTAIN

STARCADE

(1977)-Duration: N/A

STAR TOURS

(1987)-Show length: 4:30

Get through All the California Adventure Attractions In One Day

CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE

SUNSBINE PLAZA

GOLDEN STATE

CONDOR FLATS

Soarin Over California

GRIZZLY PEAK RECREATIONAL AREA

GRIZZLY RIVER RUN

ΤΗΕ ΒΑY ΑRΕΑ

THE GOLDEN VINE WINERY

PACIFIC WHARF

California Screamin’

Maliboomer

Mickeys Fun Wheel

(2009)-Duration: 9:00

MalhoLLand Madness

Golden Zephyr

(2001)-Duration: 1:30

King Triton’s Carousel

(2001)-Duration: 2:00

Jumpin’ Jellyfish

(2001)-Duration: 1:30

S.S. Rastworthy

(2001)-Duration: N/A

Toy Story Midway Mania!

A BUG’S LAND

It’s Tough to be a Bug!

(2001)-Duration: 6:00

Bountiful Valley Farm

(2001)Duration: N/A

Flik’s Fun Fair

Flik’s Flyers

(2002)-Duration: 1:30

Francis’ Ladybug Boogie

(2002)-Duration: 1:30

Heimlich’s Chew Chew Train

(2002)-Duration: 1:30

Princess Dot Puddle Park

(2002)-Duration: N/A

Tuck and Roll’s Drive’ Em Buggies

(2002)-Duration: 1:30

BOLLYWOOD PICTURES BACKLOT

MONSTERS, INC. MΙΚΕ

AND SULLEY TO THE RESCUE!

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

Disney’s Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular

(2003)-Duration: 45:00

Playhouse Disney-Live on Stage!

(2003)-Duration: N/A

Disney Animation Studio

PERFORMANCE CORRIDOR

Mew Additions

DISNEYLAND’S

Attractions Of the Past

California Adventures

Attractions Of the Past

Walt is the man

Scavenger Hunt Locations

Glossary

Foreward

First time published author, Joshua Shaffer, has spent his adult life frequenting Disneyland. One year while on a Disney vacation, it struck him that he should write an all inclusive book compiling every bit of information into one vacation guide that cannot be found anywhere else. It started with that simple notion and has evolved into this final work. As a hobby he spends much of his spare time researching and investigating to find out the facts not just the rumors on a variety of topics. Joshua has been a cartoonist and artist since the age of ten.

Copyright and trademark Information

This Unofficial Disneyland, Vacation Guide is in no way authorized by, endorsed by or associated with Disneyland Park or the Walt Disney Company or any of its corporate sponsors or affiliates.

All trademarks referred to or depicted in this book are the property of their respective owners and are used here for the purposes of information, commentary and history only. All of the photos which are contained in this book are not copyrighted by any one other than the author. The animations added in their respective sections were also drawn and copyrighted by the author.

The author has made every effort to be as accurate as possible. All the information contained herein is true and accurate to the best of his knowledge through research and querying. The author does not assume responsibility for the services provided by any service listed in this guide or for any error or omissions. The information herein originated with the author.

Acknowledgments

There are so many people I would like to thank for helping me with information for this book. Some of the contributors are the frequent visitors of the parks that I have met over the years, the cast members and friends that I visit with at the parks. I went to many websites and blogs to learn the information that I did. Most of the information in here was gathered from random websites; none of the information contained in this book is copyrighted information. All the photos contained in this book were taken by me or are owned by me. I would like to give credit to the websites that contributed information to this book;

I. -to wikipedia.com for supplying most of the information about:

i. the attractions

ii. the attraction lengths

iii. the dates and times

iv. the attractions of the past

v. the biography of Walt Disney

vi. some of the random Disneyland facts

vii. the complete list of all the Disney movies

viii. the history of the Walt Disney Productions Company

ix. the information about the Disney Princesses

II. -to disney.com for providing:

x. the attraction height requirements

xi. the visitors pass prices

III. -to hiddenmickeys.org for providing:

xii. a list of guest findings of the hidden Mickeys

xiii. some of the random Disneyland facts

IV. -to imdb.com for providing:

xiv. some of the random movie facts

xv. actors acting history

V. -to mapquest.com for providing:

xvi. map for surrounding area information

VI. -to ultimatedisney.com for providing:

viii. the list of top Disney villains

Special thanks to: Louise Pitt and Justin Brown for helping me gather information I didn’t have, Craig Johnson for offering great travel deals at magictrips.org, Sandy Shaffer for special support and proofing this book, Jeanie Ramos for also proofing this book and an overall thank you to my friends Rahne MacGovern and Suzzanne Sperry. A special thanks to my future wife Courtney Allsup for designing the front and back cover.

The Book History

Throughout the years during my Disneyland visits, I started to learn more and more about the parks, the attractions and the history of everything from talking to Disneyland cast members, friends and other park visitors. While waiting in lines and walking around the park, I would randomly strike up conversations with other people and would always land on the topic of Disneyland facts. Spending lots of time with these people, I transferred the information that I already knew over to them. In 2006 I wanted to make a list of all the random Disneyland facts that I had learned. I wanted a list that I could share with others while I was at the park. While compiling the list, I decided to look up some information online to verify statements or to learn something new. After discovering there was so much more information out there than I could have ever imagined, I started adding it to my existing list. In the beginning I had everything divided up by lands and then by attractions. That’s when I decided to make a little book. I added in some information about the FastPass and how to get cheap tickets and so on. Not putting a whole lot of effort into the book, it got pushed to the wayside for a little while. In the beginning of 2008 I started to pick back up on it and completed my first draft. I printed up several copies of this book, then containing 67 pages, and sold them to friends and on Ebay. Friends began to ask me questions about items that were not in my book. That’s when I made a complete overhaul. By mid 2008 I decided to accommodate the queries of everyone and added another 152 pages, more photos and information. That leaves the book where it is today.

Introduction

This guide is to assist you with working your way through the Wonderful World of Disneyland and California Adventure. It will also give you several tips on how to save money during your stay. Also listed are some interesting facts about the park and other Disney related trivia.

I do not work for the Disney Corporation in any way. I am a huge fan of the Disneyland theme parks, and I go there quite frequently with my family using our season passes during several different seasons of the year.

Disneyland has attracted millions of visitors since it first opened its gates in 1955. When you enter Disneyland, the cares and worries of the day are left behind. You’re transported to a fantasy world where elephants can fly and pirates serenade.

Disneyland is most certainly a land of enchantment where children and the young at heart find that dreams really do come true. The Park is a seamless blend of yesterday, today and tomorrow. Smiling train conductors, marching bands and the clip-clop of the horses pulling the carriages bring you back to carefree days. You can also rocket through the galaxy, meet a mermaid or trek through the jungle. Laughter is always in the air with friendly smiles all around. The secret to Disneyland is its ability to change yet, remain the same. As Walt Disney said, ’Disneyland will never be completed. It will continue to grow as long as there is imagination left in the world.’

I hope you find this guidebook very useful for informing and showing you how to save a few bucks on your visit to the happiest place on earth. Every Fun Fact and the other information listed in here is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge and research.

Keep in mind that the park is continually changing, opening new attractions and removing old ones. This book had it’s most recent update prior to publishing in the summer of 2010.

Planning Ahead

Visiting Times

The best times to visit Disneyland or California Adventures is from January through April and September through December because they are less crowded. The last week in December is very busy due to Christmas and New Years. Avoid Saturdays if you can; they are the busiest. Saturdays are when most of the meet and greet characters are out.

Selecting the best time to visit the Disneyland Resort depends upon your interests. If you want to visit when the number of guests is fairly low, plan to stay mid-week (Tuesdays-Thursdays) during:

Image3769.JPG mid-September through mid-November

Image3775.JPG mid-January through mid-March

Image3781.JPG mid-April through mid-May

The benefit of visiting the resort during lower attendance is that wait times are shorter enabling you to do more; however, California Adventure and Disneyland typically reduce their operating hours making for fewer events (ie. fireworks, Fantasmic! and the parades) and entertainment. Frequently, more attractions are closed for refurbishing.

If you want to visit while the parks have extended hours, entertainment, events and most attractions operating, plan your stay for weekends, including extended holiday weekends during Christmas and Spring Break or June-August. During these times, the number of guests is usually increased.

The hours of operation vary from day to day, year to year and seasonally (also see Magic Morning on page 25). Use the following chart to help base your visitation time. Times are estimates and subject to change.

An Example Of A Trip

The following is an example of what it may cost for a family of four to visit the parks for 5 days. I talk about each item later on in more detail and how to save money.

• Tickets-2 adults (from AAA): $358

• Tickets-2 children over 3 years (from AAA): $318

• Hotel for 6 nights, walking distance, about $49 a night (off season): $294

• Food-pre-purchased sandwich stuff and snacks at a grocery store, carry in food, eat breakfast at the hotel, possibly return to hotel for dinner: $100

• Travel expenses: depends on mode of travel

• No souvenirs

Your total trip, not including travel, would be about: $1,070

Now if you decide to do things the more costly way, this is a rough total you would be looking at.

• Tickets-2 adults: $488

• Tickets-2 children over 3 years: $428

• Hotel for 6 nights, walking distance about $109 a night (off season): $654

• Food-two meals in the park, not including snacks, prices vary for meals from $6-$28 each: $400

• Travel expenses: depends on mode of travel

• Average for souvenirs a family might spend: $200

Your total trip, not including travel, would be about: $2,170

At last check the attendance for 2009 was 15.9 million visitors. In the 54 years since Disneyland first opened its gates, 571.98 million, well over half a billion, patrons have passed through those turnstiles. That would be about 8.375% of the entire world population or more than the entire population of North America has been to Disneyland.

Tickets and Masses

The current cost for ticket varies upon point of purchase. Buying it at the park will cost more. A Park Hopper is a ticket that lets you go back and fourth from Disneyland to California Adventure throughout your stay.

Current ticket prices as of June 2010 (ticket prices may go up):

Deluxe Annual Passport Includes:

Image3884.PNG 315 pre-selected days of admission to both Disneyland Resort Theme Parks and unlimited enjoyment of attractions (except arcades and midway games) during regular operating hours. Blocked out days are Saturdays, March through August (days may change, you can verify the blockout days on disneyland.com, keep in mind that Saturdays are the busiest days), the last 2 weeks in December and any major holidays. If you would like to go on any blocked out days, purchase a $40 day pass.

Image3890.PNG 10% dining discount at select Disneyland Resort restaurants ($10 minimum purchase; restrictions apply)

Image3896.PNG Special rates at the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort (subject to availability; restrictions apply)

Image3902.PNG Exclusive benefits at select Downtown Disney District locations. V An annual parking pass for the Mickey & Friends parking structure is available for an additional $79. (subject to availability; restrictions apply)

Premium Annual Passport Includes:

Image3908.PNG 365 consecutive days of admission to both Disneyland Resort Theme Parks and unlimited enjoyment of attractions (except arcades and midway games) during regular operating hours.

Image3914.PNG 10% merchandise discount at select locations throughout the Disneyland Resort ($10 minimum purchase; restrictions apply).

Image3920.PNG Exclusive benefits at select Downtown Disney District locations

Image3926.PNG Free annual parking pass for the Mickey & Friends parking structure (subject to availability; restrictions apply), a $59 value.

Image3932.PNG 10-15% dining discount at select Disneyland Resort restaurants ($10 minimum purchase; restrictions apply).

Image3938.PNG Special rates at the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort (subject to availability; restrictions apply).

At any time during your trip, the visitor can take the purchased ticket to the ticket booth and trade it in adding the difference to upgrade to a season pass (that’s what I did). For example $249 for a 5 day pass plus $50 will get you a pass for one year from the day you first used your card. If you cannot pay for the whole amount at once, they have a payment plan available. This is just for the Deluxe pass, there are some days blocked out, such as: Saturdays in March through July, the last week in December and major holidays. Believe me; Saturdays in the summer when the local schools are out, are way too busy.

You can purchase your tickets online at:

Image3944.PNG http://www.disneyland.com

Image3950.PNG http://www.mousesavers.com

Image3956.PNG http://www.cheaptickets.com

Image3962.PNG http://www.citypass.com

Or you can pick them up locally:

Image3968.PNG AAA card members can get great deals on tickets at your local AAA office.

Image3974.PNG You can also find passes at Safeway grocery stores.

Image3980.PNG Your local credit union may have deals on tickets as well.

The good thing about getting a discount ticket from a credit union or AAA is the ticket still has the selling price on it. Example: I just got a 3-Day pass for $152 from my credit union, but the ticket was marked $169. This comes in handy when upgrading your ticket to a season pass; you are only required to pay the difference between the cost of the season pass and the price listed on the ticket.

WARNING about getting tickets from places like:

Image3986.JPG http://www.craigslist.com

Image3992.JPG http://www.ebay.com

Image3998.JPG http://www.diztix.com

People used to be able to get a cheap season pass if someone was selling their partially used ticket online on such sites as craigslist.com or ebay.com. Sometimes people cut their visit short after purchasing a 5-Day Hopper Pass, but only used 4 days of it. You can use their ticket to take advantage of Disney’s offer as long as:

Image4004.JPG there is 1 day left on it

Image4010.JPG it is still within the 13 days of its first use

Image4016.JPG if the seller didn’t take advantage and pay the difference between a season pass and the price listed on the ticket

The problem now is Disneyland doesn’t stamp the entry date on the ticket. The start date is stored in the computer system, so there is no way to check out the validity of a ticket when you buy it used. Sites like diztix.com have strict rules about returning their passes to them by the end of a certain day. If you fail to return them on time, they charge your credit card an outlandish amount of money to compensate them because the buyer kept the ticket.

There are ways to get free admission to Disneyland. Every year Disneyland has special promotions to get people into the park for free. In 2009 anyone was free on their birthday. They just had to register online ahead of time. If you already had a season pass to the park then they gave you a $72 gift card for use in the parks. In 2010 they had Give a day, get a day. The first 1 million people to register and work a day as a volunteer got in for one day. They were all registered for the 1 million volunteers by January 20th. Check online to find out what will be happening in 2011.

Wardrobe For the trip

Since you will be in Southern California, you can dress according to the seasons:

During the summer months, pack light clothing, shorts, bathing suits, sunscreen and a light jacket.

During the winter months, be prepared to dress in layers. Pack jeans and t-shirts or long-sleeved shirts for the day time and a sweatshirt or heavy jacket for early mornings and evenings. Come prepared for the unexpected. Pack an umbrella and the appropriate clothing in case the weather suddenly turns wet or unseasonably warm or cool. Check a weather site like http://www.weather.com and type in Anaheim, CA for a listing of the 10-Day forecast, and pack accordingly.

Packing For the trip Checklist

___ Address book, stamps and pre-addressed labels (mail boxes available in Disneyland)

___ Autograph book and fat pen (big pens make it easier for the characters to hold)

___ Backpack (with zippers, not buttons, clips or draw strings, things fall out)

___ Camera and batteries, video camera (extra film if not a digital camera)

___ Cash and credit cards

___ Driver’s license

___ Emergency numbers or contacts from home

___ Fanny packs

___ Hat

___ Health Insurance card

___ Insect Repellent (in the summer)

___ Lip balm with sunscreen

___ Mister (sprays a mist of water during the hotter months)

___ Motion sickness pills (if you get car sick on attractions)

___ Pennies & quarters for the souvenir penny press machines

___ Purse pack sized tissue

___ Rain ponchos/umbrella (plastic ponchos are $7.50 in the park)

___ Re-sealable plastic bags (big and small)

___ Sunglasses

___ Sunscreen (Disney Sun Pals SPF 45 has been approved by dermatologists)

___ Sweatshirt or Jacket

___ Veterinarian records if you are bringing your dog or cat and leaving them at the Kennel Club

___ Walkie Talkies (if you plan on splitting up your group)

___ Walking shoes

___ Wet wipes and hand sanitizer

getting to the Parks & Parking

Exit hwy 5 at Disneyland Dr. in Anaheim California from north or south and drive straight through to the entrance of the Disneyland parking lot on Ball Road.

Currently the parking price is $14.00 a day. If you have a season pass, you can have parking added for $79 annually.

The Disneyland parking structure is the second largest parking structure in the world.

If you would like to save money on parking, just walk in.

Image4040.JPG Off of Ball Road on West Place is a small parking lot for employees. You can walk across that small parking lot, proceed across the parking structure and then take the tram into the park.

Image4046.JPG From Katella Ave, you can walk down Disneyland Way and enter Downtown Disney then ride the Monorail into Tomorrowland.

Image4052.JPG If you will be visiting Disneyland for three hours or less, you can park in the Downtown Disney parking lot for free. Every hour thereafter is $6 (which is cheaper than the regular parking fee)

Image4058.JPG If you plan on eating at one of the table service restaurants in Downtown Disney, you can get an extra two hours validated giving you 5 hours of free parking. They also validate if you are going to watch a movie at the AMC Theater.

Image4064.JPG If you are going to be upgrading your ticket to a season pass, then take the parking pass you are given upon entering the parking garage with you. They will subtract the amount on the ticket from your season pass parking upgrade.

Besides the savings on parking costs (especially if you are an annual passholder without parking on your pass), the Downtown Disney lot affords you the convenience of not having to deal with the parking lot trams. You can board the Monorail and enter Disneyland in Tomorrowland. This can be a huge time saver and lots of fun for the kids.

UPON ARRIVAL

Surrounding Area info

The main streets surrounding the Disneyland theme parks are Katella Ave, Disneyland Dr, Walnut St, Harbor Blvd. and Ball Rd. If you can find a hotel on these streets, then you’re set for a straight shot to the parks. When making reservations, you can usually find a cheap hotel room for around $35 to $55 a night, depending on the time of year, days of the week and how far in advance you book. You can get some great deals at the following sites:

Image4076.JPG http://www.travelocity.com

Image4082.JPG http://www.orbitz.com

Image4088.JPG http://www.expedia.com

Image4094.JPG http://www.magictrips.org

About 95% of the hotels that I have researched in the area have microwaves and mini-fridges. If this is important to you, look into it before making your reservations. One time my hotel said they had a microwave, but I found out upon arrival it was for rent at $10 a night. Find out in advance if this is included in the price or an extra.

Some hotels offer a transit pass to get to Disneyland. Others offer a bus pass. If you are on the main streets, walking may be just fine.

The following list is for convenience only, not for advertisement.

Image4100.JPG If you need some food to take into the park, take Katella to Food 4 Less.

Image4106.JPG If the weather changes and you don’t want to spend $35 on a sweater in the park, take Harbor to Target.

Image4112.JPG If you don’t want to spend $80 to eat lunch in the park, walk down Katella to Del Taco, or right outside the entrance to McDonalds (prices there are inflated due to its location).

Image4118.JPG If you don’t want fast food, go to Tiffy’s on Katella (by the back corner of California Adventure).

Image4289.JPG If you are leaving the parking structure and you need gas before entering the freeway, go to the Arco on W. Ball.