<<Introduction>>
"To all that come to this happy place:
welcome. Disneyland is your land. Here age relives fond memories of the past,
and here youth may savor the challenge and promise of the future. Disneyland is
dedicated to the ideals, the dreams, and the hard facts that have created
America... with hope that it will be a source of joy and inspiration to all the
world" --Walt Disney, July 17, 1955.
Those words ring as true today as they did
60 years ago. In this very special edition of the INTERCOT Insider we take
a look at the 'the park that Walt built' as the park crosses the 60 year mark
and the whole Disneyland resort celebrates with a proper Diamond Anniversary
celebration. We'll take a look at how you can save on a trip to experience
the anniversary fun, find out how an INTERCOTee is preparing for their
Disneyland trip, take a look at all the pictures from an INTERCOTee who just
returned from Disneyland, and wrap-up with some tips on how to experience this
special celebration. Hang on to them diamond studded hats and glasses, cause this here's the most informative ride on
the internet!
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<<... here we goooooo with Mikki Young>>
This year we are travelling to the
original Disneyland. It is no coincidence that it is the 60th Anniversary. Our
first visit was for the 40th and our second for the 50th. Since then we have
been joking saying we will go back for the the 60th but now here we are. We will
be there at the end of August for 4 nights staying at the Grand Californian
Villas (a new experience for us)How much will things have changed? How different
is it to Florida?
We have bought 5 day park hopper tickets. It has been years since I have used
anything other than an annual pass in Florida! We can walk straight from the
hotel into the park and even the two parks and the Disney village are walking
distance apart. We bought a Photopass+ package in advance – less than $70 and to
my huge surprise this included the official Disneyland Photo Gallery CD. OK, the
number of dining and ride photo options are more limited than in Florida but
this is a much more reasonable price.
When we first went California Adventure did not exist. This time I think it will
have dramatically changed and improved since our last visit. Can’t wait to see
Carsland! However I suspect I will be even less likely to try California
Screamin or the moving cars on Mickey’s fun wheel. I still have fond memories of
Matterhorn so hope it is working when we visit and that my body is still up to
it! And our toy cat Figaro will want to go on the Pinnochio ride. And dare I
hope that Mr toad still resides there? Ten years ago they had golden ride
vehicles outside all the rides that had been there since the beginning. These
were not just great photo opportunities but a lovely reminder about how timeless
Disney can be even with all the continuing changes.
<<Practically Perfect Pics with Christine>>
Out intrepid field reporter Christine,
recently shared a plethora of pictures from her 60th Disneyland trip. From
celebration merchandise to dazzling decorations and from Disneyland details to
the charm of the parks; Christine sent a care package of pixie dust to her
friends in INTERCOT USA.
Check out Christine's more than 60 pictures of the 60th Celebration on
INTERCOT's Facebook:
>>
Disneyland 60th Album
<<Navigating
Disneyland: 60th Anniversary Edition>>
Disneyland can be a bit different of a
park planning experience for those unfamiliar with factors like weekend crowd
swells. With the 60th celebration above normal crowd levels are expected,
here's two views from INTERCOTee's that are Disneyland veterans and have already
navigated the 60th Celebration crowds:
--2Epcot's View--
Visited the park twice in June, on a Tuesday and Thursday. Tuesday was a grad
night, with lots of high school kids. Thursday was not a grad night ... Both
days were almost equally crowded, at least for Main Street.
I've been arriving late afternoon mainly to see the new Paint The Night Parade
and Disneyland Forever, the new 60th Fireworks show. People have been already
staking out spots for the parade more than 4 hours in advance. The fireworks
show was cancelled on Tuesday due to high winds, but I did see the parade.
Disneyland has been without a night parade for a while now since the Electric
Light parade went to Walt Disney World. Not sure if its just because it's an all
new parade, or people here just haven't had a night parade in such a long time
that they are arriving so early to stake out spots.
So for the first time in forever, Disneyland now has a daytime parade, Fantasmic,
a night parade running twice a night, and fireworks. Expect the park to be a zoo
between 8pm and 11:00 every night which is when the second Paint the Night
parade starts. Also since Fantasmic has become a FASTPASS ticket show, there are
more restrictions walking through that area.
California Adventure Park has the same daytime parade, but the brand new World
of Color show. I haven't seen that yet in person, but hoping to soon.
I usually avoid the parks most of the summer, but I'm seeing summer like crowds
already in the parks with the new entertainment offerings.
Loved the new parade, though wish it was a little longer. Great floats and light
technology. Happy to hear the music incorporating a little bit of our old Main
Street Electrical Parade theme. Imagineering can do so much more with the LED
lights than the old light parade technology.
Thursday I did see the fireworks show. Disneyland went all out for the 50th
Anniversary fireworks show. That was the best fireworks show I've seen at any
Disney park. The 60th Show doesn't disappoint either. It's an incredible show. I
won't spoil it for those who want surprises, but from what is commonly known ...
The show incorporates projection mapping, not only on the Castle, but the entire
Main Street USA buildings, the Matterhorn Mountain, and as before on It's A
Small World. There are also other surprises mixed in. Also more lighting
throughout the park than I've ever seen used for a fireworks show.
The combination of all of the elements is almost overwhelming ... At times
you're almost not sure what you should focus on more. This is the first time
I've really wanted to watch a fireworks show from multiple locations in the park
because you just can't see everything from any one spot.
As a local it's easier to handle, but I'm already working on my strategy for
July when I bring someone who has never been to Disneyland ... Plan wisely.
--TinkWest's View--
We were there in June and watched Paint the Night and the fireworks from the
it's a small world area. We arrived a little more than two hours before the
parade and were lucky to find a spot to sit down. By the time the parade started
it was packed like sardines. As soon as it was over everyone spilled out in to
the parade route to get a spot for the fireworks, which started about half an
hour later. We just held our spot and only could see a sliver of the face of
small world so couldn't enjoy the projections to their fullest. But we could see
the back of the castle so caught some of that action, Tinker Bell for example,
and we could see the fireworks themselves perfectly. No more spoilers.
It took about 25 minutes to get out of the park after that. It can be
frustrating when cast members are directing you to go one way when you want to
go the other but, especially around 10pm, you must remember that the fireworks
have just ended so the areas around the castle are closed zones while they check
for any possible fire danger, Fantasmic! will be starting up in 45 minutes, and
another parade will begin at 11pm. It is a mad house. People are trying to
leave, get to the Rivers of America, filling space by sitting on sidewalks and
walkways. Just be patient and move with the crowd. Don't plow me over with your
stroller. And if they could turn down the blaring post fireworks music just a
notch it would be a lot easier to hear cast member instructions.
We went expecting crowds. We knew it was the last day that Southern California
Select passholders would be able to get in to the parks until late August. So
that part did not bother us. We loved Paint the Night. I will not quite give it
the honor of my favorite parade (which in my book is the Electrical Parade) but
like Chris said, it has been a long time since we've had a nighttime parade and
this makes it a huge draw. So glad it was NOT a disappointment. I loved the
incorporation of Electrical Parade music. I'll definitely be going back to see
it again, crowds or not. The fireworks will also bring me back, again agreeing
with Chris that I want to see this show from multiple spots. With a pass I have
the wonderful option to go to the park for the sole purpose of watching a parade
or a fireworks display and then leaving. Now that I've had a taste, I plan on
doing this as much as possible over this 60th celebration.
In the daylight I commented that I liked the 50th castle decorations better than
the 60th. But the castle at night is gorgeous, reminding me of the holiday
castle.
<<
Conclusion >>
Disneyland may never be
finished as long as there is imagination left in the world, but this edition of
the INTERCOT Insider has come to a close. We hope this edition has given you a
reason to experience the Disneyland 60th Celebration first hand. We'll be back in a few weeks with more great tips, news, and deals. See ya real soon!
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