Disneyland California - Adults Who Love Disneyland Too Much

Disneyland is also a popular destination for adults on honeymoons, dates or just getaways

It had been 20 years since our first trip to Disneyland with two daughters in tow. Having spent Sunday evenings as a child glued to the Wonderful World of Disney on the tube, the park was more of a thrill to me than to them.

So the question was: after two full decades, would a couple of empty nesters still be charmed by the Magic Kingdom? Well, yes. Despite Disney’s popular image as a family park mostly geared to children, it’s also a popular destination for adults on honeymoons, dates or just getaways.

California Themin’

The original Disneyland still looks pretty much the same. But what was once the parking lot has now been transformed into a whole new theme park - Disney’s California Adventure - 55 acres that simulate and celebrate the best of California.

Best of all if you’re an adult, three of California Adventure’s four distinct areas are more geared to big kids. And, in a complete departure for Disney theme parks, beer and wine are available on-site. Here then is a brief sampler of what to expect at California Adventure:

Golden State showcases California’s natural and cultural diversity. A must-see is Soarin’ over California, a simulated hang-glider tour of California. The gorgeous IMAX screen images are complemented by special effects such as the smell of orange groves and ocean breezes. Other attractions include a white water raft ride at Grizzly River Run, and Golden Dreams, a film about the history of California.

You’re in the middle of the action at Hollywood Pictures Backlot. Movie sets, sound stages and facades reproduce Hollywood’s golden age. Here you can take a behind-the-scenes look at Disney animation, enjoy a major live production at the 2000-seat Hyperion Theater and experience the latest in multi-sensory 3-D entertainment at Muppet Vision 3-D.

Paradise Pier recreates the old seaside amusement parks of the past. Here the emphasis is on carnival games and rides such as California Screamin’, an aptly named roller coaster (0-90 kph in 4.7 seconds), and Maliboomer, a vertical launch (60 meters in 4 seconds) and subsequent freefall intended to confuse your brain as to the current location of your stomach. To add to the seaside realism, man-made waves crash against the Pier.

The Original And what of the park that started it all – The Magic Kingdom? If the crowds are any indication, it has lost none of its magic. In the last 50 years, over 450 million people have visited California’s most popular tourist destination. Though the park looks pretty much the same as it did on our last couple of visits, change is always at the heart of the Disney mission.

One example is the “Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln” presentation in the Walt Disney Story. Though the audio-animatronic Abraham Lincoln looks a bit dated and his patriotic pitch hasn’t much changed, the show has been substantially altered.

Wireless earphones deliver some remarkable special effects through a technology called “bineural sound” that creates the impression of being part of the action. You become a Civil War soldier and at various points in the show, find yourself startled, as it seems that a barber is giving you a haircut, and someone else is whispering into your ear.

New to us, but already a Disneyland classic since it opened in 1995, Indiana Jones Adventure is still one of the most popular rides in either park and with good reason. Its remarkable special effects and thrill-per-second intensity are a wild experience.

On our first visit, It’s a Small World was our kids’ favorite. We must have ridden it a dozen times to their delight, while my mood progressed from charmed to annoyed to malevolent. It has a new coat of paint, but is otherwise unchanged and I was captivated enough to ride it twice with barely a twinge of violent intent.

An ever-changing menu of parades, marching bands, character greetings, story-telling and other live performances guarantee that no two visits to Disneyland will ever be exactly alike.

Getting the most out of your visit Arrive early; leave late. Get there at least a half hour before opening, check out the shops on Main Street and be ready to march double-time to the most popular attractions right at rope-drop. Similarly, the rides are not nearly as crowded later in the evening and you’ll also want to see the fireworks and parades.

Pace yourself. After going flat-out in the morning, relax over a late lunch, head back to your hotel, have a nap, a swim, an early dinner and then head back to the park in the late afternoon or early evening until closing. Disneyland is magical when the lights come on in the evening, especially if everyone is well rested, fed and in a good mood.

Have a plan and use FASTPASS to minimize wait times. FASTPASS is a free service that essentially allows you to reserve a place in line. It’s available at the most popular attractions.

Bring the right stuff and use lockers. You will need a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, film, comfortable shoes, and layers of clothing. Juice, fruit and snacks are also a good idea. Rather than drag all this around with you, rent one of the lockers available inside or outside both parks.

Choose your hotel and ticket packages carefully. The three on-site Disney hotels put you closest to the action, but of course you pay for the convenience. The newest, the Grand Californian Hotel has its own entrance to California Adventure Park and is worth a visit even if you’re not staying there.

Many hotels outside the park are within a very short walk or have a shuttle service. Check on special admission deals for Canadian visitors. These need to be purchased from a travel agent before leaving Canada.

If you go You can also order a free 16-minute Disneyland Resort Vacation Planning video and printed Vacation Planning Guide. The main website is at: www.disneyland.com

There are other guides to help you plan your visit. One of the best is The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland by Bob Sehlinger.

Lastly, though it’s important to have a plan, rigidity is not a virtue. Far better to take your time and savor the things you really enjoy than to rush around in a frenzied attempt to see everything.

Author : Jeff Lukovich and Cathy Lukovich