09.14.2010

Toontown panorama - click for big

Disneyland 2010 part #1 here

On to something a lot more innocent and pretty much a must when hitting Disneyland… the Teacup ride, as part of Fantasyland! So simple yet so fun, even the most motion sickness prone will have no problem on this ride as you can control how fast the cup spins, via a “steering wheel”. Wait time was around 20-30min.

Tea cup ride

Also in Fantasyland you’ll find the Matterhorn Bobsleds, the grand King Arthur’s Carousel and of course the renowned Disney castle. With the success of the current remake the Alice in Wonderland movie, the ride based on the original animated version had about a 40min wait but worth it for a bit of nostalgia. Just ignore the kids asking where Johnny Depp was *facepalm*

Alice in Wonderland ride

Hang around the castle entrance for song and dance routines from Disney classics like Mary Poppins and later in the evening for the closing fireworks.

Mary Poppins show

Try as you might but you’ll be hard pressed to escape Sleeping Beauty, Snow White and Pixie Hollow features without a set of fairy wings or a fluffy glitter wand!

Heading towards 12 o’clock on the Disney map clock is a place that would have WHS and building code inspectors in fits but I’d be damned if I don’t want a curved house, rainbow coloured with oversized tiling and supports! Mickey’s Toontown, is the home to all the Disney toon characters, Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and friends and their wonky architecture buildings where you don’t know whether they’re real or drawn on!

Toontown

In the streets you’ll also see objects and fixtures perfect for a holiday snap, there’s even signs to guide you where to take the photos. Completing the warped world of toons are random objects like mailboxes and telephones that talk! I don’t know who was on the other end of the line but I was pretty certain if I slammed the phone down hard enough it would explode at the other end.

Toontown

Toontown is also the opposite stop to the main entrance for the Disney Railroad.

Continuing on is Frontierland. For some, the highlight would be the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad rollercoaster, for others it would be the Big Thunder Ranch BBQ – an all you can eat meatfest, but alas that too had a wait time of 45min, so it would be best to get in early if you want something to fill you up before you hit the bobsleds.

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

The rest of Frontierland, namely the riverboat and pirate features were closed for maintenance. So, again, if there’s a particular ride you want to go on, make sure you check the schedule for maintenance days before booking.

Adjacent lands are Critter Country with “can we go, can we go, can we go to..” Splash Mountain, Adventureland with Indian Jones and more Tiki and tribal paraphernalia than a New Zealand drum and bass gig and New Orleans Square celebrating the deep south in the 1800’s minus the slavery with another staple attraction, the Haunted Mansion.
Photo tip:If you’re up for taking photos inside, you’ll need fast glass, super high ISO and slow shutter. Try to meter on the holographic ghosts as anywhere else is pitch dark so the holograms will be completely blown out. Be ready at the end of the ride for a shot of yourself in the mirror with a new friend 😉

Ghosts in the Haunted Mansion

By late afternoon, you’ll more than likely will be seeking refuge from the crowd and from being on your feet all day, then what better way than to spend 20min or so on the Disney Railroad. The train circles the whole of the park and makes 4 stops. To liven up the journey between the “behind the scenes” areas, there are 2 recreations, one of the Grand Canyon complete with wildlife and the other of a prehistoric era with a variety of dinosaurs, both very impressive and look very realistic. They come up and go by rather quickly (depending on the enthusiasm of your driver) so have your camera at the ready.

Grand Canyon scene

Prehistoric scene

At the end of the day you can choose to fight the rush at the souvenir store at the main entrance, hang around for the closing parade and fireworks or you could pick up your gifts through out the day and choose to get back to West Hollywood for more shopping, then you’ll want to beat the rush and step out a little early.

If you’re on a “tour”, you should still have a couple departure times to choose from, which you will be told when you are dropped off, or will have it as part of your itinerary. Also remember that the bus will make multiple stops so check with the driver if you want to be dropped some where other than your original pick up point to save on redundant traveling. If it’s a little out of their way don’t forget to be a good American and tip them for their troubles 😉

So that concludes a big day at a big theme park and the end to the Los Angeles stop. Next up, its time to start spreading the news, we’re going to wake up in a city that never sleeps to find we’re king of the hill.. A number one…. NEW YORK CITY.

Disney castle

Complete Disneyland gallery here

Morgan MacManus throws down for his first single, Booty Boots, a dubstep tinged hiphop dancefloor burner that will no doubt get the club bouncing.
SBM was there to snap some behind the scenes shots and a few of the luscious extras 😉 The theme was Alice in wonderland, let’s see how deep that burrow goes!

Gallery Here