Disneyland revisited...

It's been 11 years since my last trip to the World of Disney. A lot has changed within those years and it is amazing how progressive this amusement park is. There is now a 2 mile long row of restaurants and bars and shopping stores outside the main park which means you can now have the feel of Disney even without going inside. This new strip alone is enough to fulfill the childlike wonder in you. Toys, lights, songs and the smell of freshly popped chocolate popcorn fills the air. You can hear children laughing, crying, screaming and singing. Even adults seem to shed off the years as they walk hand in hand with a stuffed Mickey in between them. It was like a scene from a movie where the weather was utmost perfection, moon was bright, stars twinkling and people are generally happy.


The main park is awesome. Even now that I am 30 something, I am still amazed by the effort Disneyland makes to bring out the kid in each and everyone that visits. Of course, being a Disney fan, I know all the characters, stories and movies that are featured in the theme park which makes it great for me to see a "real" life Samba and Nala, Belle and the Beast, Ariel and others. The garden parade is still a favorite because of the upclose and personal experience that one has with the famous heroins, heroes and villains. I mean, from cartoons to actually being able to touch them, a kid could go crazy with joy!



The rides are still exciting especially since they are often upgraded or add a new twist to it. I must tell you that the Haunted House that we all rode as kids? Still exactly the same. The half moon black chairs, the swing to the left and ride, up and down, the ghosts, paintings the noise and smoke, same same. I was a bit disappointed since there's just so many things that they can do to send more chills up the spine with this ride and still keep it child friendly.


Pirates of the Carribean, now this is number 3 on my list. Since the movie came out, they have incorporated Jack Sparrow and some scenes into the ride which connects the old PoC as we oldies now it, to the one that we all know now. The ride is longer as well which makes standing in line worth every second. There is also an added attraction to this ride which makes it even more interesting. As you enter, they have now a restaurant inside the structure so people who have just sat down on their boats to take the ride, can see people in a romantic and beautifully set up dining area.

For my 2 top ride, It's a Small World. There is something about the boat ride of IaSW that makes me feel warm inside. The memories perhaps that I was only 8 when I first saw these adorable dolls wearing their National costumes singing and dancing to a tune that almost every kid knows. The vibrant colors and the urgent need to find the doll that represents your country is almost like searching for gold. There is only 1 doll that's a Flipper, by the way, and she is dressed like Imelda Marcos. A crown, gold full on dress with butterfly sleeves and diamond studded shoes. We know it's a Flipper because she has got a bit of an Imelda hairstyle. It's a bit sad that we only have 1 doll in small corner of the whole ride because other Asian countries like Japan, India, Thai have their own gallery with backdrop and even own version of the song sung in their own language! Oh well...it still funny how all the Flippers in the ride points out to Imelda when they see her. Guilty!


My number 1, Indiana Jones...what can I say. One of the best ones ever. Even better than rides in Universal Studios. I don't want to have to say anymore about this except "Harrison Ford" is in it and that for me is already enough to take my number 1 spot.

Other rides are also still running as it did when I first visited 27 years ago such as Autopia, Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, Big Thunder (love this), monorail, and other small rides. There is also Star Tours, which to me, can be improved on since Star Wars is all about the future, it is only a hydrolic space car and video monitor deal which only makes me dizzy! Buzz Lightyear Astro Blaster is fun. It is interactive so as your ride is on it's way, you get to shoot on targets and if you hit it, your points go up. You don't know it but your photo is taken while you are shooting away like there's no tomorrow and as you exit, your photo is on a monitor and if you want, you can email the photo to your account, for free! Now, that's what I call ingenuity.

Check out my mom and dad really getting serious with this ride.

Still very popular and a favorite, the Matterhorn Bobsleds. Yes, the 2 white Big Foot monsters are still there with red angry eyes. Sound effects are same and you still get a little bit wet at the end.


There is also a theatre for Prince and Princesses where kids are taught how to curtsy, dance and get to see all the famous Princesses like Sleeping Beauty, Belle and Mulan...but wait, Mulan is not a princess!!!! What the....(don't mess with a Disney freak like me!). Better write them a letter.


One thing you might find useful to know is that Disneyland allows you to bring in food so if you don't want to spend $8.00 on a dry bacon cheeseburger and $2.00 on a drink, you might want to pack something. The lines for the restaurants are also quite a wait, so as long as you don't bring a ricecooker and tupperware filled with oily chicken and pork adobo, it might be wise to bring in your own lunch. Snacks like banana covered with chocolate and pretzels and churros are available if you get hungry in the afternoon. Since the park closes at 8 pm on weekdays, dinner outside the park might be fun because there are more choices and for sure better quality food.

Also, try to go on a weekday during school months, preferrably April to May. The lines are very short, weather is great (don't forget to bring a sweater as it gets chilly night time) and the risk of losing your kid is lessened because it's not so crowded.

All in all, if your kid is old enough to remember, make it a priority to take them because it builds great memories that they will surely take to their adulthood. As for me, I think I will follow my mom and dad's footsteps and revisit Disneyland only when I am 60+ because after all, Hakuna Matata.

Disneyland
M-Th: 9 to 8 pm
Fr-Sun: 9 to 12 am
Kids under 3: FREE
3 to 10 yrs old: $53.00
Adult: $63.00