The First Thing to Do
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| My son's first thought when you mention Disneyland. |
Proper planning prevents poor performance they say. Part of the fun in going to Disneyland is the planning. You go on the website and figure out your plan of attack. Which of the parks to visit first? Attractions fly in and out of your head. You find yourself playing the game I Got My Place. Seasoned veterans that my kids are, having gone to Disneyland since eighteen months and every year after, They knew every nook and corner. They have remembered every change since 1998 positively. I Got My Place is a game we as a family played when we were out to dinner or driving in the car. One person would announce they have their place and the rest of us took turns in sequence trying to guess. The place had to be in four categories: attractions, entertainment, dining, and sights (statues, fountains, and golden spikes). Your place could be in Disneyland, Disney California Adventure, Downtown Disney, or the Disney Resort Hotels. It is only natural that when planning a trip I Got My Place would be the game to play to attaining what everyone wants to do first.
Dad is your place in Disneyland? Yes. Is it Jungle Cruse? Oh, you guessed it. You always start with Jungle Cruise, Dad.
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| Welcome aboard! |
You would think since Jungle Cruise was an original 1955 ride, it would remain old and mundane. Not so because Walt Disney knew that changes had to be made to keep guest coming back. He called it "plussing". This attraction has had many changes except some of the jokes. Many captains have their own style and jokes for some of the features of the ride. However some are still the same for years and if they were changed or experimented with we guests would feel cheated. One would be "this is the famous Schweitzer Falls. Named for that famous African explorer, Albert Falls." Then as you progress and come to the fall again they still use as does a least 90% of the boat, "Look to your left and you'll see the backside of water." Finally there is the famous "Trader Sam, he's the head salesman here in the jungle. He is having a sale, two of his heads for one of yours."
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| One simple ride, with lots to see. |
Son? Son? You playing?
"Ok, my turn I got my place. Is it in Disneyland? Yes. Is it a ride? Yes. Is it in New Orleans Square? No. Is it in Tomorrowland? Yes. Is it Buzzlightyear's Astroblasters. Yeah.
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| Emperor Zurg - You're Toast! |
As a family we love this attraction. The first time we rode it, we said that all new attractions should be interactive. With video action games now firmly part of our children's world, this type of attraction places them into the action. Honestly, adults enjoy the action the Astro Blasters gives. It is a perfect Disney experience where the adults enjoy the attraction with their children. Other newer "Dark Rides" like Winnie the Pooh, Little Mermaid, and sadly Monsters Inc., the adult can just "ride along," But other than knowing your child is happily in awe, the experience is not as enjoyable for mom and dad. The storyline of helping Buzz Lightyear try to stop the evil Emperor Zurg is so exciting for the kids and interactive for the parents. Plus there is the friendly competition to gain the higher score.
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| Mom says the points aren't that imortant. Yeah but look at her score and you'll know why. |
When your waiting in the queue, look at the map on the wall. One of the planets has a continent that is a hidden Mickey.
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| Mickey, you are truly everywhere even out of this world. |
Ok honey your turn. Is it in Disneyland? No. Is it in Disney's California Adventure? Yes. Do you get wet? NOOooo! Is it on Paradise Pier? Yes. Is it Toy Story Midway Mania? Yes.
This is another one of those attractions that allow the guests to be a participant in the action and storyline. We have all lost our corndog money at a fair or a bazaar trying to win a midway game. Here we get to immerse ourselves in the world of sentient toys playing games like breaking plates with balls and popping balloons with darts and ring toss. Plus it is done in 3-D as you are transported from game to game.
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| I've done my hand exercises and now I'm ready you hockey puck. |
I got my place! Yeah, yeah, we should of let you go first. You want a churro. Dad, I thought we were doing rides. We are, is it in DCA? Yes. Is it a ride you've ridden on? Yes. Well, that leaves out Cars Land. Is it Grizzly? Yes.
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| It's perfect for a hot day and on a cold night. |
For the longest time the only ones who took a chance on this attraction were my son and I. We rode it day and night hot or cold. We have been splashed, swamped, and drowned by the geyser. We once rode it one night late and there was no waiting line. We disembarked and then were allowed to re board. We rode it eight straight times. When we were done, we were soaked head to foot. We rejoined my wife and daughter, who had walked to get a churro, showing them how soaked we were. I walked over to the fencing on the other side of the trail took off my shoe and dumped the water. It was late so we walked to the Grand Californian Hotel entrance and headed up to our room.
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| The bumps, twists, turns, and of course the drenching. Bring on the fun. |
We finally got to get the girls to ride on it with us. My wife was going to buy a poncho. I said son, "What do we call people who wear Ponchos." He answered, " Weak sucks." My wife was concerned about only one thing. She did not want to ride down backwards. We came to the first drop and she was facing forward. Anyone who knows the ride knows it spins before the drop. I don't think she ever has gone down forward in the many times we have ridden it this ride.
The next blog post will be from the Disneyland Resort. We will be looking for another fun family time. With the kids getting older it will be a different adventure. We will no longer have to set the agenda. But there is a plus in that. We spent many times at Disneyland before they were born. I'm sure we'll remember what to do. Peace to you all and see you at the parks.
