Author Archives: jennypersons

Earfful Tower and More Changes at Hollywood Studios

More Changes at HollyWood Studios! There is not going to be much left once they are done. I am excited about the changes and seeing the new Star Wars and Toy Story Lands… However, in the meantime, there are not many attractions left to see at the park! Glad I don’t have a visit planned right now. Our last visit was JUST before they started closing everything down.

I am a bit sad to see the Earffel Tower coming down. Although, you will no longer be able to see it from the park anyway with the closure of the Backstage Tour. I just remember as a kid, it was one of the things I was excited to see at my first trip to the park! Honey I Shrunk the Kids has been around since I was a kid, and my kids really have no idea what the movie is. I was excited to play there as a child, but as a parent, it gave me anxiety to let my kids play in there and not able to see them the entire time, constantly afraid they would take off without me. The Stunt Show never interested us, and in all our trips to the park, so we never made an effort to see the show.

Here is the information about what is changing:

“The “Earffel Tower” landmark will come down at Disney’s Hollywood Studios soon, and the theme park will close several attractions April 2.

Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show; Honey, I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure; a Monsters Inc. meet-and-greet, and the Studio Catering Co. restaurant will all close as part of a makeover. The theme park – which is also slated to get a new name – is adding two new lands, one themed on Star Wars and another on Toy Story. It has recently added a couple new attractions based on the space saga, including Star Wars Launch Bay and a new fireworks show.

No date was given for the Earffel Tower removal. The structure, 130 feet tall with a 32,000-pound set of mouse ears, has been at Disney’s Hollywood Studios since it opened. It does not hold water but was inspired by the working water tower in Burbank, Calif., a landmark at the Disney Studios since 1939.

The 40-minute Lights, Motors, Action! show features stunt cars performing high-speed chases and performers falling five stories. The stunts are played back on a massive video screen to demonstrate how movie chase scenes are made through film editing and camera angles.

Honey, I Shrunk the Kids is a giant playground that gives kids the illusion that they are the size of bugs. They can climb on a giant spider web and crawl through tunnels.

Also at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights on the Streets of America recently ended to make way for the new lands. Other closings have included the Studio Backlot Tour and American Idol Experience. The giant sorcerer’s hat at the center of the park also came down last year.”

New Buttons

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It is being reported that Disney is updating the buttons that you can pick up at the Parks! This is welcome news for us, as we have all the old buttons, and it will be nice to have some new ones to pick up on our upcoming trips. My daughter loves the buttons and they are one of her favorite souvenirs. Considering we’ll have a 1st visit and birthday celebration on our next trip to Disneyland, I am excited to pick up the new designs!

New Experiences at Disneyland

With the closing of the Disneyland Railroad and other rides this week, Disneyland has added a few new experiences to try and make up for some of the closures. I am bummed the Railroad will be closed on our upcoming trip, especially since my soon to be 3-year-old LOVES Choo-Choo’s (He is obsessed with trains!), so I am glad we’ll still be able to see the trains! And even get a good picture with the Engine – it will make his trip. It also looks like they will be adding similar experiences with the Mark Twain Riverboat and Sailing Ship Columbia.

Here is what the Disney Parks Blog has to say:

Have you ever wondered how the Disneyland Railroad steam engines run? Or what Jungle Cruise skippers do when they aren’t in their boats? Beginning this month, Disneyland park guests will have unique, limited-time opportunities to experience some of their favorite attractions in new ways.

While the Disneyland Railroad is temporarily closed this year, guests at the Main Street and New Orleans Square Train Stations will be able to get up-close with the historic steam engines that have circled Disneyland park for decades, learn about these amazing machines firsthand from our own train engineers and even take a picture with an engine! Each engine will be accompanied by knowledgeable train engineers, who will share fun facts, details on how the engines operate, stories from the history of the Disneyland Railroad and more.

While the world-famous Jungle Cruise undergoes refurbishment early this year, the skippers will still share their stories, adventures and humor with Disneyland park guests in front of the attraction. Join them as they recount tales from their travels while the Jungle Navigation Company headquarters readies for reopening later this year.

Look for these special opportunities and more – including new, limited-time experiences aboard the Mark Twain Riverboat and Sailing Ship Columbia – throughout the year at Disneyland park!

Metal Detectors and end of Osborne Lights

As has been widely reported, Disneyland and Disneyworld will be installing Metal Detectors at their theme park entrances. I am all for anything that keeps us safe. I have never felt anything but safe and happy at Disney, so anything to keep that feeling, I am in favor of! I simply hope that they look “nice” and don’t detract from the ambiance that is Disney. I remember the first time I went to Magic Mountain (six flags) and we had to go through metal detectors – they looked awful and the whole park just seemed so blah after being at Disney – so I initially thought of that experience when I first heard about the metal detectors. My husband replied, “It’s Disney – I’m sure they’ll theme them or something!”

This season also marks the end of The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Hollywood Studios. I have to say I am so sad about this event leaving. It was my favorite part of the Christmas season at Disneyworld (Candlelight processional close behind). I rarely get sad about rides/shows leaving, usually because I think it is time, or I never cared for it much anyway, but this one makes me sad that I won’t see it again! If you are headed to Disneyworld before January 3rd, make sure you take this awesome display in. I am tempted to take a quick trip just to see it one more time!

Pictures from out Christmas trip:

  

  

Target sale on Disney gift cards

I meant to post this earlier, but better late than never right? You still have until Saturday to pick this deal up! At Target, they are offering a $5 gift card when you purchase 2 $50 Disney gift cards. Plus if you have a Red Card, you can get another 5% off!! That is like getting $100 in gift cards for $90 – or 10% off! I went today and picked up enough to cover our food and souvenirs for our next trip! Unfortunately, the offer does not seem to be available online, so you have to go into the store.

Getting Picked for Jedi Academy at Disneyland

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Please note this is an old post. They have changed the way you participate in Jedi Training – you now sign up to participate. Please see the new post about how Jedi Training participation now occurs.

 

The Jedi Academy is a popular show for kids and adults alike. Now, when they start on Star Wars Land and make changes, I am sure this will all change. But until then, there is one sure way to make sure that your kid(s) get picked for the show:

Make a sign

I have shared this tip with friends and it ALWAYS works. Seriously, I don’t know anyone that has done it and not gotten picked. To avoid the sadness and your kids being upset about not being picked, make them a sign (one for each child) to take to the show and have them hold it up when they are picking kids to participate. We simply made signs with some notebook paper we had along on our trip. It doesn’t need to be fancy, just some sort of sign to show they really want to participate.

So if this is one of your kids’ “must do’s” for their trip, make a sign and be sure they get to participate in this fun show! (and avoid sad/disappointed kids!)

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How to survive a day at Disney with small children

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We have gone to Disney with all ages – from 4 months up! We have always had a good experience, no matter the age of our children. You simply have to be smart with the ages that you have, to help have a successful day, no matter what ages your children are! I have a few things that work well for our family, to help us have a wonderful vacation, for all our kids and us. (The above picture was taken at Disneyworld in December – it was COLD for Florida! The baby was only 4 months old!)

Bring Snacks – LOTS of snacks! – This is a big deal for us. Snacks go a long way to making the kids happy. Actually, my oldest son (he is 10), gets really cranky when he gets hungry. When we were at Disneyworld last time, we had lots of bags of Chex Mix, and we called it “baby crack” because my one-year-old got so excited and happy whenever he got a bag. Keep kids fed, and this will go a long way to keeping them happy.

Hydration – this is just important. My kids whine when they are thirsty. Just keep lots of water bottles (or get them refilled) or get ice water at quick service restaurants. Make sure they are drinking often and keeping hydrated.

Mid-day breaks – I can’t stress this enough! We almost always take a break after lunch for naps at the hotel. Even the older kids enjoy the quiet/down time. Then we often go for a swim in the pool. We then head back to the parks, recharged and happy.

Get to the parks when they open! You will have shorter lines and the ability to do more rides in a shorter amount of time. I get cranky in line, so of course my kids do. Get there early and avoid many of the mid-day lines. You can be enjoying a break at your hotel when the weather is the hottest and the lines are the longest, if you get there at opening time.

Try for the low/off season – we always like the low season, because the lines are shorter, thus less time waiting in line and you can get more done in a shorter amount of time. I guess no matter the age of our kids, we always try and go at the low season.

Sleep – make sure your kids (and you!) get to bed at a reasonable time. We also let the small ones nap in the stroller. A stroller is so nice! We have a double stroller and the seats can lay down and it has a cover from the sun! This is a lifesaver when they get tired and need a break! (this is often when we use our rider swap passes!)

Find a quiet/shaded table or spot to take a break. We often will find a table in the shade or in a restuarant and just take a short break when everyone needs to little downtime. Get a snack, have some drinks, and just take a few minutes to “chill.” Don’t worry about your next ride/show or your schedule. Enjoy 5-15 minutes just to relax and have a break. Taking this time before (or during) any meltdowns, will save you time and stress for the rest of your day (we often take 2-3 of these breaks during a day).

Bring things to occupy them in line/waiting for the parades – last time we were waiting for a parade, I let my kids watch “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse” on my phone. Having things to do while waiting in line can help alot – phones, taking pictures (let them take the pictures – mine love this!), tablets, games, etc! Not only did they happily wait for the parade, but they also got a little down time. We got the Hidden Mickey Book for our last trip, and the kids loved it!

Have your “Must-do’s” for each day – Every night or in the morning, I ask my kids what they really want to make sure gets done that day (or the next day). That is our “Must-do” list for the day. We make sure to do those rides/shows first. Then whatever else we get in, is topping for the day. You will never get everything done, so just be sure you get the things you really want done first. Then you will be more relaxed, and less stressed about getting it all in!

Know your kids signs – I know when my oldest needs a snack and is about to breakdown. We give him a snack and he’s good to go! I know when my youngest is wearing down and needs a nap – time for his break! Watch for and notice your kids’ signs and have preventative measures to stop the meltdowns before they occur.

Relax and enjoy your vacation. A relaxed parent, helps the kids to be more relaxed. You will not get everything done. Just enjoy the time as a family. Enjoy their faces, their excitement, and their smiles. Soak in the experience and the joy of the Happiest Place on Earth!

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Top 5 Disneyland Restaurants

Eating at Disneyland is not nearly as big of a deal as Disneyworld, and the food at Disneyland is not nearly as good – for the most part. Plus, since it is in the middle of a city, it is easy to leave and eat outside the parks. However, there are a few restaurants at Disneyland that stand out among the others. Most are just “theme park” food, but there are a few that I enjoy and will spend the money to eat at.

Here are my top 5 Restaurants at Disneyland.

5. Blue Bayou or Cafe Orleans – I have to say that every person that goes to Disneyland should eat at Blue Bayou at least once – just for the atmosphere. I mean eating inside a ride (Pirates of the Caribbean) is pretty cool! However, having said that, I was actually disappointed in the food. When we ate there, the food was not that great, and considering the prices you pay, I wanted it to be MUCH better! So when you eat there, go at lunch to save some money and enjoy the atmosphere at least once in your life. Once you’ve eaten there once, save a little money and eat at Cafe Orleans! You can get the Monte Cristo there (cheaper too!) and eat some Mickey Beignets! YUM!

4. French Market – Maybe it is because I enjoy Jambalaya, French Dips, and Po’Boys, but this place is great because it offers more than just the traditional “theme park” food of Hamburgers, pizza, and hot dogs. It is a great change of pace! Plus stop by the Mint Julep Bar for some Mickey Beignets! YUM!

3. Carnation Cafe – I enjoy the Carnation Cafe because it is a table service restaurant, but their prices are closer to that of a quick service restaurant. The food is pretty good and it is fun to eat on Main Street. Plus, it has some of Walt’s favorite dishes to get a true Disney experience.

2. Plaza Inn – We eat here each trip. My little secret? We pick up dessert and wait for the fireworks. You can see the fireworks pretty well here (sit near the hedge outside), you have a place to sit, a table to sit at, it is not crowded/full, and you have dessert to eat. It is our favorite place for fireworks (let’s keep this our little secret, ok?). Plus, the fried chicken here is DELICIOUS! Seriously, try the chicken, have some dessert, and sit back and enjoy the fireworks. You can thank me when you get back….. The Character Breakfast in the morning is fun too! You get so many different characters!

1. Rancho Del Zocalo – this is my FAVORITE place to eat at Disneyland. The food is actually good and the portions are HUGE. I mean GIANT. I could never eat a whole meal myself. So not only do you get good food, but you save money because you have to share. Trust me, pick entrees that you are willing to share – unless you are REALLY hungry. That is why this is my favorite restaurant – it hits my frugal side by giving big portions at decent prices, so we can split the meals, thus saving money and it hits my foodie side by actually serving good food!

*Update* New to the list: Harbour Galley – you can pick up a Lobster Roll here! It is a small quick service restaurant with only a few food options, but the Lobster Roll makes this a great stop if you want something a little different and at a pretty good price – for a theme park that is! Plus you can get yourself a Lobster Roll on your way to Hungry Bear to get your kids some burgers. The Lobster Roll may now be my new favorite item at any Quick Service restaurant in Disneyland!

Did I miss your favorite place to eat at Disneyland? What is your favorite Disneyland Restaurant?

Soarin’ Around the World

It was announced today that Soarin’ at Epcot will be closing on January 4th until Summer of 2016 to add a 3rd theater and to upgrade equipment to premier the new Soarin’ Around the World.

I am thrilled about the new video. I actually skipped riding last time, because I have ridden the ride soooo many times between Disneyland and Disneyworld (and it takes forever to child swap, since it is a longer ride in general, even with rider swap). I am thrilled to get a fresh video, making it like a new ride. It is a great ride!

There was no announcement when it will be coming to California Adventures. I hope it is there before we go! Fingers crossed!! I want to see the new video! Since they recently refurbished Soarin’ (just earlier this year), I am hopeful they won’t need as long of a refurbishment that they are doing at Epcot.

Alternate rides to ride while waiting for Rider Switch at Disneyland and Disneyworld 

 

While waiting for my husband and older kids to ride rides with height restrictions, I have explored which rides are best to ride while waiting for them! It is a great way to keep the kids occupied and happy while waiting for their siblings. If they aren’t napping, or eating a snack, we go ride another ride while waiting for the rest of our family. Luckily, there is usually a ride nearby that doesn’t have long lines and makes this easy to do. Since we usually use fastpasses, it luckily doesn’t take them to long to get through the attractions.

See my tips for Rider Swap here

Here is my list of alternate rides while waiting for rider swap:

Disneyland:

  • Big Thunder Mountain Railroad – I usually ride Pirates of the Caribbean. However, the line (for fastpass at least) is usually short enough that it doesn’t take long for them to get through ride, so we often just sit at Rancho del Zocalo and eat a snack. You could also go around the corner and ride some rides in Fantasyland (any without a line)
  • Gadget Coaster – this is an easy one! There are lots of things to play with or in at Toon Town. Donald’s Boat, Goofy’s Playhouse, or ride Roger Rabbit’s toon car spin
  • Indiana Jones – Jungle Cruise or Tarzan’s Treehouse
  • Matterhorn Bobsleds – Any ride in Fantasyland
  • Space Mountain – Toy Story Mania
  • Star Tours – Toy Story Mania
  • Splash Mountain – Winnie the Pooh (since there is never a line, we usually ride 2-3 times in a row!)

 

California Adventures:

  • California Screaming – King Triton’s Carousel or the Little Mermaid. I would love to ride Toy Story Mania, but the line is usually too long…
  • Goofy Sky School – Golden Zephyr or Little Mermaid
  • Grizzly River Run – Redwood Creek Challenge, Little Mermaid, Red Car Trolley
  • Jumpin Jellyfish – Golden Zephyr or Little Mermaid
  • Radiator Springs – Mater’s Junkyard, Little Mermaid, or King Triton’s Carousel
  • Silly Symphony Swings – Golden Zephyr or Little Mermaid
  • Soarin’ Over California – Redwood Creek Challenge, Little Mermaid, Red Car Trolley. This tends to be a long wait (even with fastpasses, it is just a longer ride in general), so you could go all the way over to Bug’s Land or Monster’s Inc as well!
  • Tower of Terror – Any of the rides in Bug’s Land or Monster’s Inc

Can you tell the Little Mermaid ride is in the center of the park and easily accessible by most “lands” in California Adventures?!? 🙂

 

Magic Kingdom:

  • Big Thunder Mountain – This ride and Splash Mountain are the hardest because they are off by themselves, are basically a dead-end at the park, and with 2 big rides together with no other exit, it is often packed with people. There are no other rides around. Sometimes, they will have cast members there with coloring pages and tables. There is also a small play area for kids to play in. These are great rides for nap time, or snack time. Otherwise, take a walk over and ride Pirates of the Caribbean or the Magic Carpets.
  • Splash Mountain – see above
  • Barnstormer – Dumbo or walk over to Fantasyland and ride Little Mermaid, Teacups or Winne the Pooh
  • Space Mountain – Tomorrow Land Transit Authority – this is the PERFECT ride for rider swap! Never a line and one ride around is almost exactly perfect for one ride through the fastpass lane at Space Mountain (seriously perfectly timed almost everytime we’ve done it! Everyone gets off their rides at about the same time!). You could also ride Buzz Lightyear if there isn’t much of a line.

Animal Kingdom:

  • Dinosaur – TriceraTop Spin
  • Expedition Everest – this one is HARD to find another ride or attraction close enough to experience during rider swap. Luckily, when using the fastpass line, it goes VERY fast. Usually, we just have enough time to eat a snack and they are done. Otherwise walk over to TriceraTop Spin or the Boneyard
  • Kali River Rapids – Walk through the Maharajah Jungle Trek
  • Primeval Whirl – TriceraTop Spin or Boneyard

Epcot:

  • Mission: Space – We usually get to sit in the special employee lounge, the “Red Room,” thanks to my husband’s job. However, there is also a play area at the exit of the ride for kids. It is indoor and a great place for them to play. There are other things (like games) to see and do in the whole “exit” area of the ride as well! Disney did this well for families of all ages!
  • Soarin’ – This is my favorite Rider Swap – especially since Soarin’ takes forever, even with fastpass! You can ride Living on the Land right next to Soarin’. There had never been a line for it when we are there. Plus, there is Sunshine Seasons where you can get a snack, or there is just lots of indoor seating for you to sit back, relax, and eat your own snacks. Or if they are napping, you can sit, enjoy your own snack inside, and read – plus it is fairly quiet!
  • Test Track – There is no other ride nearby that is easily accessible. However, there are lots of different things to look at and play with (real cars!) at the exit of the ride. You could also head over to Innoventions and play as well.

Epcot is my FAVORITE place for rider swap. Thanks to the pavilions, there is always a cool, shaded place to wait out of the elements and luckily, they give you lots of options at the exits of each ride.

 

Hollywood Studios:

  • Rock N Roller Coaster – This and Tower of Terror are difficult because there is nothing around. Your best bet is to do this during nap time, or plan to go during a showing of Disney Junior Live or see the Little Mermaid show.
  • Tower of Terror – See above
  • Star Tours – See Muppet Vision 3D or play at the Honey I Shrunk the kids play area

Hollywood Studios is my least favorite place for rider swap. Due to lack of rides, there are not many options! Hopefully with the addition of Star Wars and Toy Story Lands, we will get more options! Last time we were there, they had the Frozen Summer open, so we would just go play in the”snow!”