10 Must See Things at the Disneyland Resort

Since it’s opening in 1955, Disneyland in Anaheim, California has been captivating the minds of both the young and the young at heart. “The Happiest Place on Earth” as Disneyland is billed, is filled with excited rides and shows. Joining Disneyland in 2001, Disney’s California Adventure offers more rides and shows at this second theme park that, together with Disneyland, makes up The Disneyland Resort.


Soarin' Over California - this flight simulator takes thrill seekers on a hang glider ride over California. Flying high over the major cities, the Napa valley, the coast, orange groves (complete with orange grove smell), and eventually Disneyland, riders have the sensation of flying as the movie screen surrounds the hang glider that is suspended in mid air.
Park: Disney’s California Adventure


Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Forbidden Eye – is a ride aboard a “jeep” into a temple recently discovered by Indiana Jones. Riders are in for a rough ride through the temple as they try to advice the wrath of the god Mara. This ride is in an enclosed, dark space and often at high speeds, so it often scary ride and is not advisable for small children.Park: Disneyland


Muppet Vision 3D – takes you on a 3D journey into the Muppet Laboratories where anything can, and usually does happen. This 3D movie has Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and his assistant, Beaker, demonstrating the newest Muppet technology, Muppets 3D. What ensues is 13 minutes of chaos and hilarity.
Park: Disney’s California Adventure


Fantasmic - is a 25 minute spectacular presented on and around the Rivers of America. In the show, Mickey Mouse’s imagination comes to life and the forces or good and evil, right and wrong battle. This amazing spectacle uses pyrotechnics, lasers, fire, water screens, and a cast of your favorite Disney characters to bring the story to life.
Park: Disneyland


Snow White - An Enchanting Musical – brings to the stage the story of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. This lavish musical features some favorite songs from the film including “Whistle While you Work” and “Heigh-Ho, Heigh-Ho.” The lavish sets and the animated effects of the Magic Mirror (voice provided by Patrick Stewart) make this a “must see” on your visit to Disneyland.
Park: Disneyland


Twilight Zone Tower of Terror – is where yourself in an episode of the classis TV show “The Twilight Zone.” From the moment you step in to the deserted Hollywood hotel, you know something’s not right. From the hotel’s boiler room, riders are whisked in to a service elevator for a journey to the top of the hotel… 13 stories up. Along the way, the elevator stops on different floors to reveal scenes straight out of the Twilight Zone. Then, without warning, the elevator plunges 13 stories straight down.
Park: Disney’s California Adventure


Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters – is a ride in which space cadets pilot their own Space Cruisers and help Buzz Lightyear (from the Disney/Pixar Toy Story films) defeat the evil Emperor Zurg. Each Space Cruiser features laser cannons that allow riders to shoot at targets and collect points. This interactive shooting gallery is a big hit with today’s computer generation.
Park: Disneyland


Grizzly River Rapids – is where “wetter is better” and it’s true! One of Disney’s largest water rapids type of rides, this adventure takes you through an abandon mine in the scenic of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Your raft winds through caves and under waterfalls as you and your fellow rivers get soacking wet. There are a total of three drops on this ride, but the last is the longest, scariest, and the best!
Park: Disney’s California Adventure


California Screamin' – launches riders from 0 - 55 in six seconds. From there it’s a heart pounding, high speed ride. In the next mile, riders experience a drop of over 100 feet, hairpin turns, and a giant loop. More thrilling that the wooden rollercoaster of the past that this ride portrays, this modern steel rollercoaster will have you screamin’ the entire time you’re on it!
Park: Disney’s California Adventure


Big Thunder Mountain Railroad – is a great, but not the scariest, roller coaster type ride at Disneyland. Great for both children and adults, A Disneyland classic, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad is an exciting journey aboard a run away mine train as it twists and turns through the mountains of Frontierland.
Park: Disneyland

7 Tips for Saving Money on a Walt Disney World Vacation

Okay, I know it's only a top 7 list (and not a top 10), but still worth checking out!

Okay, you’ve decided to take the plunge and plan a visit to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. Now you’re faced with the realization that a trip for the family to Walt Disney World can add up. Getting there, staying there, hotels, food, and souvenirs can all make a vacation to Walt Disney World out of reach for many. Here are seven tips to make your vacation to the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom a bit more affordable.

1. When to Visit for the Best Deals (and smallest crowds)

Walt Disney World is the least busy, and hotels are less expensive, during off-peak times. Besides visiting during off-peak times to save some money, the parks are less crowded and you’ll wait in line for rides much less then you would other times.

The off-peak times for Walt Disney World are basically anytime that schools are in session (that leaves out summer, Christmas to New Years, and Easter). Generally, the least busy period is the first week of January. And being Florida, it’s not always cold in January, and the temperatures can be in the 70s.

2. Disney Vacation Club – Deluxe Disney Resorts Without the Deluxe Price

Disney Vacation Club is Disney’s timeshare program. The timeshare units are all on property and include a kitchen (great for making meals and saving money). You don’t have to be an “owner” to enjoy the accommodations. Members often sell points which can be redeemed for accommodation and the total price paid is often less than half of what the unit would cost you if you rented it directly from Disney. Check out http://www.dvcnews.com/ for more information.

3. Flying to Orlando? Forget the Rental Car

If you’re flying in to Orlando International Airport, and staying on Disney property, then you don’t need a rental car. All of the Disney hotels are linked to the theme parks by monorail, bus, and/or water craft. Once you’re on property, there’s no need to drive. And getting to Walt Disney World from Orlando International Airport is now easier than ever (and free!) with Disney’s Magical Express, a service for guests staying at the Walt Disney World resort. Simply board the Magical Express bus at the airport and it will take you directly to Walt Disney World. They can even have your bags delivered to your room so you can go straight to the parks and begin your vacation. And when you’re returning to the airport, simply check in at the resort and check your bags through to your destination (available for most airlines) and enjoy more time at the parks.

4. Eat, Drink, and Save… The Disney Dining Plan

For a set price per day, per guest, you can dine at your choice of over 100 restaurants throughout Walt Disney World. The Disney Dining Plan allows you to prepare by knowing exactly how much you’ll spend on meals each day.

For about $37 per day for adults, and $11 per child, you’ll receive credits for one full service meal (appetizer, main course, dessert, and beverage), one counter service meal (Disney speak for fast food), and one snack. These credits can be used at most dining location and, for snacks, at most carts throughout the parks and the entire Walt Disney World resort (including restaurants in hotels, Downtown Disney, and the water parks).

5. Tickets

Tickets for the Disney theme parks can be expensive. A one day, one park ticket can cost around $75 dollars. There are ways to save money, often substantial savings, if you know where to look.

If you are member of, or a family member of someone in the US Military, there are discounts available on base or at Walt Disney World (often, members of the US Military get in for free).
AAA Members can get discounts at the gate or in advance through your local AAA office. Often times, depending on the number of days you’re staying, it’s worthwhile to join AAA just to get the savings on Disney tickets.
There are also great savings for Florida residents; however, proof of Florida residency is required. Check out http://www.disneyworld.com/ for the latest specials.

6. Save on the Mouse Ears, Too!

You can’t walk two feet in one of the Disney parks without encountering some sort of trinket for sale. While it may be tempting to buy stuff in the parks, there are alternatives. If you are going off property, you’ll be encountered with hundreds of souvenir stores offering similar merchandise at much less (think 5 Mickey tee shirts for $10). Alternately, Disney actually runs several discount stores with Walt Disney World merchandise (often overstock or discontinued) at several factory outlet shopping centers in the Orlando area.

7. Nothing Beats Free!

While the above mentioned tips can help you save some money, nothing beats something for nothing. Here are a few free things to do at Walt Disney World:

Ride in the front of the monorail – Just ask when you enter the monorail station and you’ll get to sit up-front with the monorail pilot. You’ll even get your own “co-pilot” certificate.
Watch a Disney animated movie at Fort Wilderness. Each night, there’s a sing-along, marshmallow roast, and a free Disney animated movie shown on a large outdoor screen.
Hop aboard a “friendship” and cruise around Crescent Lake, which makes stops at Epcot, The Boardwalk, The Yacht & Beach Club, The Swan & Dolphin, and Disney's Hollywood Studios. You can get off at each stop, or stay on the boat.

10 Best Rides at Walt Disney World for Teens

Walt Disney World has long been a favorite place to take the kids for an unforgettable family vacation. But what if the “kids” are not so little anymore? While your teens might not enjoy the continuous chorus of “It’s a Small World After All” as they ride in a slow boat past happy dolls of the world singing, there are plenty of rides at the four Walt Disney World theme parks that the teen in your family is sure to enjoy.

Magic Kingdom

Space Mountain - This classis Disney ride takes space travelers on a high-speed, indoor rollercoaster ride through space. As you’re rocket is set to “launch,” you travel past mission control on your way to the launching pad (and, being this is an attraction built in the 70’s, the mission control mannequins are dressed in the finest polyester space crew uniforms of the day). Once at the top, your rocket begins its travels through space as it twists and turns and encounters a few, albeit small, drops along the way.

Splash Mountain – Get ready to get wet on this Disney take on the classic log flume ride. At first this attraction seems like a slow-moving, leisurely ride as your “log” travels through scenes from the movie “Song of the South.” However, it soon becomes apparent that Br'er Rabbit is in trouble as Br'er Fox and Br'er Bear follow him thought the ride. Finally, you see that Br’er Rabbit has been caught in the brier patch and things go downhill from there, literally. Your “log” (with you in it) plunges 52 ½ feet down to a watery finish and everyone winds up soaking wet!

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad – Billed as the “wildest ride in the west,” Thunder Mountain is the tamest of the three “mountain” rides in the Magic Kingdom. The out of control mining train winds its way at high speeds past an avalanche to whisk riders through a wide west mining town, a dark bat cave, and in and out of the mountain.

Epcot

Sorin’ – Based on the popular attraction at Disney’s California Adventure, “Sorin’ over California,” this flight simulator takes thrill seekers on a hang glider ride over California. Flying high over the major cities, the Napa valley, the coast, orange groves (complete with orange grove smell), and eventually Disneyland, riders have the sensation of flying as the movie screen surrounds the hang glider that is suspended in mid air.

Mission Space – Feel the sensation of blast off with the same technology that NASA uses to prepare their astronauts for flight. In the space vehicle, each person on the four person flight crew is assigned a task to make the mission successful. As your space craft “launches” into space, you feel the G forces push you back as your window to space shows your progress as you race toward the heavens.

Test Track – You would have to be a “crash test dummy” not to enjoy this high-speed tryout of the latest safety technology for automobiles. Riders put concept cars through their paces at the GM Epoct proving grounds. While some of the tests are not that exciting (sure, the car can handle at slow speeds a road made of “Belgium blocks” – whatever those are), it’s the breaking at high speeds without the anti lock break on or the outdoor speed tests that will get your adrenalin pumping.

Disney’s Hollywood Studio

Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster – Aerosmith invite riders to be VIP’s at their concert. The only problem is that the show beings in just a few minutes. Riders get into a stretch limo and it shoots of from 0 – 57 miles per hour in 2.8 seconds. From there, it’s a super-fast journey through the freeways of LA to get to the show on time. Along with plenty of ups, downs, and loops, riders rock out to an awesome speaker system in each “limo” playing some of Aerosmith’s greatest hits.

The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror – Find yourself in an episode of the classis TV show “The Twilight Zone.” From the moment you step in to the deserted Hollywood hotel, you know something’s not right. From the hotel’s boiler room, riders are whisked in to a service elevator for a journey to the top of the hotel… 13 stories up. Along the way, the elevator stops on different floors to reveal scenes straight out of the Twilight Zone. Then, without warning, the elevator plunges 13 stories straight down.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Expedition Everest – Enjoy a scenic train trek to the top of Mount Everest, that is at lest until the infamous Yeti changes the plan. As your train emerges from a cave, riders catch a glimpse of the Yeti’s shadow and notice the train track ahead is ripped into two. Unable to proceed, the train starts going backwards, downhill into a dark cave and speeds over and around Mount Everest to escape the Yeti.

Kali River Rapids – Join a crew of other explores and make your way down the Kali River. However, the Kali river can be torturous, and the before long, you and your boat have encountered the dreaded rapids. While you’ll probably survive the rapids, you’re bound to come out soaking wet.