Although I love Walt Disney World and it is like home to me (wink to the CA girls), I find myself giddy to get to place where it all began. I’m heading to Disneyland this month before my Disney Mexican Riviera Cruise to pay homage to Walt.

I’m returning to the Grand Calfornian, which I had the pleasure to stay the first year it opened. I was so impressed with just the front door to this resort (and of course all that is beyond it) that I have a pin to commemorate it. The whole resort is done in the Arts and Crafts style and was designed by Peter Dominick, who also did the Walt Disney World Wilderness Lodge and Animal Kingdom Lodge. The door to which I refer is a gorgeous sliding glass door that I literally have sat in the lobby and watched open and close as the guests arrive.

The private entrance to California Adventure and being in such close walking distance to either park is a special perk that I savor. But once I’m off for the day, it is the charming dark rides that draw me. There was a time when I’d head straight for Soarin’ Over California. But this time, being a bit older and more sentimental, my first stop following Main Street USA will be to photograph my foot on the spike that marks the center of the "land" just past Sleeping Beauty Castle. (Watch for that photo at the end of the month!)

From there, I must take a spin on those rides I just can’t find at the "World". Alice’s Mad Tea Party, Pinocchio’s Daring Adventure, Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin and Storybook Land Canal Boat are at the top of my list. And yes……….there’s the Toad. I have to admit, I fell in love with Mr. Toad at Walt Disney World. And although I do enjoy an occasional ride on "the Pooh", I feel Mr. Toad’s departure from Walt Disney World did leave a gaping hole where wild used to live. There’s a little bit of a dark side with this ride that appeals to me. I mean, where else can you have such a great time in hell? I’d like to know how come I never get to experience the heaven ending to this ride??!! What kind of secret meter did the Imagineers invent to determine that this is where I should end up?

And of course, there’s the modern dark ride that I will experience in a row until my travel mates scream "no more"! Indiana Jones Adventure is hands down one of my favorites at either Disneyland or Walt Disney World. And my timing couldn’t be better!! With the release of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Skull to theaters on May 22nd, I’m hoping to ride IJA until my body gives in to my vertigo-esque motion sickness and then swoon over a still adorable Harrison Ford for a late show that evening!

Joanne
Joanne at MouseFanTravel dot com

Although I love Walt Disney World and it is like home to me (wink to the CA girls), I find myself giddy to get to place where it all began. I’m heading to Disneyland this month before my Disney Mexican Riviera Cruise to pay homage to Walt. < more... >

So I have that song, made famous the ketchup commerical, stuck in my head. Poor Carly Simon… ANTICIPATION, Anticipaayshun….it’s making me wait. I remember a time when the anticipation made me crazy! You remember that feeling you had when you were a kid on Christmas Eve lying in bed waiting for Santa to come? Or maybe you remember those last few looooong weeks before school let out for summer vacation? Agonizing, right?

Well now, the anticipation of my vacation is half the fun. I almost make a party of it. In May, I’m joining friends for a Disney Cruise Line Mexican Riviera Cruise. And before that, we’re going to Disneyland, where I will meet up with some friends and clients. In anticipation, I’ve set up dinners at Mexican restaurants for us to "channel" our ports. There, my travel companions chit chat about our shore excursion choices over our queso fundido. Can I tell you that I’m so excited to be doing a Canopy Tour (zip lining) for the first time in my life?! I can’t wait….but I’m enjoying the thinking about it.

I’ve also talked about restaurant choices with my close friend in California. She informs me that although we see each other annually at Walt Disney World, that Disneyland is her home turf! (She’s also my Club 33 connection…but sshhhh! That’s between you and me.) She is as giddy about meeting me on her "turf" as I am about returning to Disneyland!

And I’ve been "crafty" in anticipation of my trip. There are mouse ear magnets to make for our stateroom door and cute designs to design to let everyone know that that is our space for that week.

Then, my mom twisted my arm and told me I had to go shopping in Mexico and get her something cute. I have no idea what she means by cute.   But hey, if I can talk about shopping, all is good. I informed her there would be plenty of time for shopping as one of my travel companions is the most thorough shopper I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing.  So I’ll find her something cute, by my standards at least!

The shopper in me is also aching to shop for a new dress for the cruise. So when I have a free moment, which isn’t often, I find myself checking out some of my favorite clothing store sites to see what’s new for spring.

There’s the foodie in me. She’s anticipating dinners on the ship. And in anticipation has been putting in a few extra hours a week at the gym.

Many of my clients have ways of anticipating their trips too. Some of the ways are like mine. Those with kids, love to do countdowns with paper chains or get the kids involved with the planning so they can better handle the anticipation!

As you can tell, my childhood dislike for the "anticipation part" has grown into a fond appreciation for the process of it. It’s probably why I became I travel planner in the first place. Not only can I anticipate my own vacations, I can anticipate everyone else’s too!

Joanne
joanne@mousefantravel.com

So I have that song, made famous the ketchup commerical, stuck in my head. Poor Carly Simon… ANTICIPATION, Anticipaayshun….it’s making me wait. I remember a time when the anticipation made me crazy! You remember that feeling you had when you were a kid on Christmas Eve lying in bed waiting for Santa to come? < more... >

So you think you are a true Jedi Lightsaber master?  Think again !  I got a chance to visit Disneyland this week and see the Jedi Training Academy which was tons of fun.  Its located in what used to be the Pepsi stage, but is now called Tomorrowland Terrace at Disneyland.   Back in the 70s I used to watch Disco bands and others performing on this stage.  Anyway, kids line up on the stage patio and wait to be one of the 25-30 kids chosen to learn how to use the Force and a lightsaber.  Once the show starts, the Jedi Master and his Padawan look-a-lik e apprentices march out and the Master begins selecting kids.  There is no order to do this although, kid who jumped alot, had Mickey ears on or just showed enthusiasm seemed more likely to be chosen for the show.

 After the kids are chosen (about 8 get to be up on stage while the others are on the cement floor in front of the Jedi Master) the are given a brown Padawan robe and plastic lightsaber.  They all have to say a Jedi oath then are told the 3 rules:  Remember your training position, be mindful of your lightsaber, and NO failling off the stage!  The little 4 year old like in my picture kept getting his sword tangled in his robe but mastered the moves no problem.  He kept trying to tell the Jedi Master how to do it.  The Jedi Master also makes Adult sized "jests" throughout to keep us entertained which we all found "very funny". 

The kids are taught a basic routine and then suddenly down the ramp come storm troopers while the floor of the stage starts rising and out come Darth Vader and Darth Mal who bounces around doing his own lightsaber acrobatic show.  All the kids are moved to the side of the stage and Darth Vader asks them to all come to the Dark Side.  The kids then single file in front of either Darth Vader or Darth Mal and get to duel them one-on-one with the routine they have just mastered.  Of course there is lightsaber sound effects, mist and lights which add to the effect.

 All of the kids defeat the 2 evil one’s who then descend back down in the stage, the kids cheer and they have proven themselves to be great Padawans and all return their sabers and robes and are given a certificate.  THe nice thing is they have shows throughout the day 10:30am, 11:35am, 12:40pm, 2:25pm, 3:30pm and 4:35pm so if you miss the chance at one show, you could come back later on.

The terrace also serves food and has tables that overlook the stage for viewing.  Salads, sandwiches, hamburgers, chicken, fries and a cute kids meal in a Star Wars box are all offered.

From there of course I went to a few of my favorite rides both inside Disneyland like the Disneyland Railroad, Star Wars and at CA Adventure Park I had to go hear the Red Hot Chili Peppers on CA Screamin’ as well as go to Soarin’ which I really enjoyed.  Much different to go without kids and just be one yourself!  Weather was 73 and perfect and crowds were light, perfect time of year to go!


 

So you think you are a true Jedi Lightsaber master?  Think again !  I got a chance to visit Disneyland this week and see the Jedi Training Academy which was tons of fun.  Its located in what used to be the Pepsi stage, but is now called Tomorrowland Terrace at Disneyland. < more... >

A couple weeks ago, there was a red-carpet movie premiere of Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest.  From what I understand, it was an amazing event and an even better movie!  I can’t wait until I get to see it in the theatre!  Along with the movie premiere, the namesake attraction re-opened after being closed for a few months. 

I’ve got to hand it to Disney.  They had everything so organized!  I was told to expect a 60-75 minute wait.  As I prepared myself for a long wait, I found out from a Cast Member that I was able to keep my stroller until a later point in the line.  As a mother alone with her 19 month old child, this was a GREAT relief!  If I had to spend that whole time in line with a toddler, without a stroller, I would have gone nuts!  As I stood in line, I passed the time by talking to others in line and by calling and bragging to friends to let them know where I was and what I was doing.  Boy, were they envious! 

Surprisingly, the line went extremely fast!  There was a point where I had to take my child out of the stroller and pass it off to a Cast Member who then parked it.  Great Disney service!  They even have valet parking with strollers!

The one sad thing about the updates that Disney made is that they removed the Fast Pass system from this attraction.  The nice thing about this is that now both sides are open for all guests.  For some reason, everyone tended to veer to the right line.  This left the opposite side (the left side) wide open!  The only thing, the left side has a little bit extra queue area.  The lack of people in the left side more than made up for it though. 

It seemed like no time at all before we were feeling the ice cold breeze from the inside queue area.  On this hot and muggy day, it was quite refreshing!  One thing that was added was a painting on Jack Sparrow on the left wall as soon as you walk inside. 

In just a few short minutes, we were at the front of the line.  We loaded the boat, and our adventure began!  For the most part, the attraction was the same.  It looked like it was brand new, well as new as it could with spider webs.  The music was new.  It was the music from the movie.  There was also a great new effect in the cave right before the battle scene.  It’s an effect that makes it look like you’re about to go right thru a waterfall.  Also, Barbossa is now the captain of the ship in the battle scene.  There was also some new dialog. 

The next scene was almost the same as well.  The man being dunked in the well is now being questioned about Jack Sparrow with Jack waiting just a few feet away.  The likeness to Johnny Depp is amazing!  Everything else is pretty much the same.  There are a couple more sightings of Jack Sparrow thru the attraction and a couple new things.  For the most part, the attraction had a great “spruce up” job.

When all was said and done, after waiting in line and going on the attraction, it had been LESS than 1 hour!  Leave it to Disney to exceed your expectations!

Stephne

Stephne@MEI-Travel.com