When Walt oversaw the initial construction of Disneyland in the 1950’s, he wanted a place where he and his family could stay overnight in the park. So Imagineers built a small apartment over the Main Street USA fire house for the Disney family. Though quite small (about 500 square feet), the apartment was fully functional, […] Read more…
Have you ever noticed how Disneyland seems both giant and kind of small at the same time? You can thank Walt Disney Imagineering for this visual feat, particularly their methodical use of a technique called “Forced Perspective”. With Forced Perspective, buildings and objects look taller than they actually are, and Imagineers can manipulate perceived distance […] Read more…
Each year, Disneyland gears up for its most popular and consistently crowded season: summer! To officially kick off summer, the resort hosts a 24-hour day in both Disneyland and California Adventure, usually around Memorial Day. This celebration gives guests unlimited access to all of the rides and attractions in the park for a full 24-hours! […] Read more…
The unfortunate reality of southern California is the occasional heat wave. And when it’s hot in Disneyland, it’s BRUTAL. If you’re planning on visiting the park during a heat wave, here are some helpful tips to keep you safe, cool, and hydrated! THE BASICS This goes without saying, but make sure to have plenty of […] Read more…
When you’re planning for a trip to the Disneyland Resort, it’s hard not to be excited. A great way to pump yourself up (and refresh your memory) is to watch some of the classic movies. I like to watch a movie or two per day leading up to my trip and it helps me get […] Read more…
Everyone who has ever visited the Haunted Mansion can appreciate the tremendous detail and decoration, both inside and outside of the ride. There are so many tombstones, cobwebs, and eerie portraits in each and every corner of the Mansion; even frequent park visitors notice something new when they return for another ride. We are all familiar […] Read more…
Although Disneyland is loud and jam-packed with activity, sometimes you just need a minute to sit down and regroup. With streams of people everywhere and headline attractions in every direction, it can be hard to find a place to take a break or make a plan for the rest of your day. Here are some […] Read more…
Sometimes the long lines for the big rides in the park can be incredibly frustrating. You forgot to grab a fast pass, and now you’re stuck with a big wait. But all hope is not lost, thanks to the Single Rider lines! Single Rider lines, like fast pass lines, allow guests to cut past a […] Read more…
When you’re prepping for your trip to the park, you probably have a standard list of stuff to bring: wallet, phone, sunglasses, etc. But every time I go to Disneyland, I find myself wishing I had brought something I hadn’t thought of. Here is a list of items you might not think to throw in […] Read more…
The beauty of southern California is the weather (or lack thereof!). But every so often, Disneyland experiences its share of downpours, and anxious guests wonder if they should bag their trip or stick it out. My advice is to brave the bad weather if you can. The majority of rides in Disneyland are indoors, and […] Read more…
You may have noticed that the Matterhorn Bobsleds never quite reach the top of the mountain. Ever wondered why? Well, the upper third of the mountain is actually open inside, with storage, staircases, and this park secret: the Matterhorn Basketball Court! Source: Invisible Theme Park The small basketball court has a full backboard and net, […] Read more…
BASIC INFO App Name: Walkee Company Name: MediaLAB, Inc. App Price: $3.99 Free version: Yes HOW IT WORKS Walkee is one of the many wait time apps. It is designed to show the locations of rides and attractions by mapping them, and provides estimated wait times for each. Unlike many other apps, Walkee also shows […] Read more…
The worst kept secret of Disneyland veterans is the Fast Pass. These are incredible time-savers and both free and easy to use, so it amazes me that most park guests don’t take advantage of them. I recommend that even on lightly-attended park days, visitors use as many fast passes as possible…there’s really no reason not […] Read more…
Disneyland has tons of rides for kids and adults of all ages, but getting your money’s worth from the park seems difficult if your kids are hesitant about braving the coasters. When I was little, I was afraid of EVERYTHING: roller coasters, dark rides, you name it! For me, it was the tamer the better. […] Read more…