Tag Archives: Past Disney Challenges

The 15 Day Disneyland Challenge – Day 15!

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Note: This post is part of a 15 Day challenge with questions referring to Disneyland or Walt Disney World. For more information, or to see all 15 questions, please refer to the introductory post, The 15 Day Disneyland Challenge. As stated in that post, I am not the creator of the challenge – just a willing participant!

Day 15 – Your Favorite Castle/Park Icon

This one’s not tough at all. Nothing comes close. Not in beauty. Not in meaning. It’s not the tallest, not the biggest, not housing a ride, but a true icon: Sleeping Beauty’s Castle.

Nothing more beautiful in the park, even at night.

I’ve repeated a few times what it means to me to hear Jiminy Cricket singing “When You Wish Upon a Star” as you walk through, but it bears repeating. As you pass through, whether walking into Fantsayland or leaving the park, for that moment, if you pause and listen, you begin to truly believe your dreams WILL come true. It’s not just the song, it’s the location. You can look into a world of Fantasy or out onto the streets of yore, but either way, for just that brief moment, all is right with the world.

The castle is quaint – any bigger, and the Matterhorn would be dwarfed – the perception would be ruined. As it is, it’s perfect. It’s the obligatory picture shot. It’s the spot to see fireworks in front of. It’s the location of Lord knows how many wedding proposals. What little girl hasn’t looked upon Sleeping Beauty’s Castle, imagining it was their royal home? I know mine has. Maybe that’s the reason she never wants to leave. She doesn’t want to leave her home. And who knows? Someday it might be. After all, When You Wish Upon a Star…..

I still get misty every time I see this.

And with that, dear readers, we conclude The 15 Day Disneyland Challenge. As I have stated on the official Confessions of a Disnerd Facebook Page, I’m not going anywhere – I’m just getting started. Next week I plan sharing exactly where I see the blog going from here, as well as a fun giveaway! I’m excited to be on this Disneyfied journey with all of you!

Until then, I ask you to share: What’s your favorite icon in any of the parks?

The 15 Day Disneyland Challenge – Day 14

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Note: This post is part of a 15 Day challenge with questions referring to Disneyland or Walt Disney World. For more information, or to see all 15 questions, please refer to the introductory post, The 15 Day Disneyland Challenge. As stated in that post, I am not the creator of the challenge – just a willing participant!

Day 14: Your Favorite Place To Eat In the Park

This one is harsh – especially for a Disney foodie. There are few places I don’t like to eat in the park. I’m a fan of Redd Rockett’s Pizza Port and their shareable Count Down Chicken Fusili. The Monte Cristos in the Blue Bayou and Cafe Orleans – artery clogging goodness, along with the overall atmosphere of both spots. Village Haus in Fantasyland? Love the decor and the yodeling music that goes along with it! Skewers at the Bengal Barbecue? Yes, please! Jolly Holiday bakery? Practically perfect in every way! Corn dogs from the Little Red Wagon? Don’t mind if I do! If you were to ask my daughter, any place that sells a kids’ power pack is at the top of her list. Until someone offers to get me into Club 33, that one won’t even be an option.

So many decisions, but if I had to narrow down to one (and for the sake of this post I must)….

 

It’s Just Plain….Beautiful.

 

It only makes sense that my favorite dining spot in The Land would be in my favorite land. There’s an elegance to the place that’s quaint – not over the top or cheesy – but a true elegance. On winter nights, sitting outside beneath a space heater, watching snow fall on the hub… it’s beautiful. And of course, there’s the food. Now I’ve never had a character breakfast, so I can’t attest to that meal, but the fried chicken is superb. Many evenings the scent wafts into Tomorrowland answering the question of “Where shall we eat?” to passers by. While the prices are slightly higher (of course it IS Disneyland), the food is very shareable; in fact, I’ll be the first to admit I couldn’t finish a dish on my own!

Where’s your favorite place to eat? Is it because of the food, the atmosphere, or both? I love hearing from all of you!

 

 

The 15 Day Disneyland Challenge: Day 13

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Note: This post is part of a 15 Day challenge with questions referring to Disneyland or Walt Disney World. For more information, or to see all 15 questions, please refer to the introductory post, The 15 Day Disneyland Challenge. As stated in that post, I am not the creator of the challenge – just a willing participant!

Day 13: The thing you like to take a picture of at the parks that isn’t a character.

Honestly, there’s so much I was unsure what I should pick – until I started looking through my pictures and realized there’s one icon that is definitely used more than others: The Matterhorn. There are just so many angles to take pictures from, so many perspectives! Instead of using many words today, I’ve decided to let some of my pictures from past trips speak for themselves.

A view from the Submarine Lagoon – Only things missing are Skyway buckets!

 

The view from Alice in Wonderland – truly a wonder.

 

Almost the same spot as from Alice, only from the ground and with the Monorail!

 

Even with scaffolding on the mountain, I love to take pictures of it – this one from Pixie Hollow!

 

A view from an elephant…

 

I love how it peeks out over the top of Peter Pan’s Flight!

 

Perhaps my favorite picture I’ve taken of the mountain – love how it blends with the faux range of Pinocchio’s village yet still towers over all in its majesty.

 

And with that, I leave it to your answers – who else has a favorite thing to photograph in the parks?

 

 

 

The 15 Day Disneyland Challenge: Day 12

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Note: This post is part of a 15 Day challenge with questions referring to Disneyland or Walt Disney World. For more information, or to see all 15 questions, please refer to the introductory post, The 15 Day Disneyland Challenge. As stated in that post, I am not the creator of the challenge – just a willing participant!

Day 12: A Character You Have Always Wanted To Meet (But Never Have)

I really have met just about every character at the park that is used on a regular basis. Thanks to the opening of the Big Thunder Ranch Jamboree, I’ve even had a chance to meet Horace Horsecollar, so I can cross him off the list! If you ask my daughter, the answer would probably be Pocahontas – the only one of the ten “official” Disney Princesses she has yet to meet. Guess the colors of the wind aren’t included in The Princess Fantasy Faire. However, I do have a desire to meet a particular character. One of my all time favorites, along with Mickey, Donald and Goofy. A character that I know exists, but is almost never seen in the park with the exception of parades and garbage cans.

Give a Little Whistle!

Jiminy, you elusive cricket. Why don’t you ever come out to meet me? I’ve seen you on parade floats – I’ve heard you make appearances at private parties. Yet, no regular visits. The biggest reason I can think of is the idea, that next to Pinocchio, the supposedly miniscule cricket is a behemoth. There’s no “Cricket Hollow,” where, like Tinkerbell, it can be believed that guests are shrunk down to his size. And no, I don’t believe his popularity is big enough to warrant it. It would just be fun to get my picture taken with the fellow.

Yet, he’s in the park regardless. As stated by me so many times before, you hear his voice underneath Sleeping Beauty’s Castle convincing you that dreams come true – all it takes is the wish on the star. He guides your ride vehicle on Pinocchio’s Daring Journey, trying to be the conscience the little wooden head so desperately needs! (Look out! You’re going the wrong way!) He’s on one of many bronze statues that surround the Partners that started it all – a testament to dreams coming true. And of course, he’s there as the face of “Environmentality,” making sure we treat the earth with the respect it deserves – in this case, by throwing our plastic water bottles in properly marked containers (one of my daughter’s favorite things to do at the park, believe it or not!).

Always Let Enironmentality Be Your Guide!

He’s just not out for pictures and autographs. Maybe I’ll start wishing on a different star for that one.

Now it’s your turn! Anyone else out there have a favorite that they’ve yet to meet at the parks?

The 15 Day Disneyland Challenge: Day 11

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Note: This post is part of a 15 Day challenge with questions referring to Disneyland or Walt Disney World. For more information, or to see all 15 questions, please refer to the introductory post, The 15 Day Disneyland Challenge. As stated in that post, I am not the creator of the challenge – just a willing participant!

Day 11: Your favorite person (face) character to meet at the parks.

I never really was a big character person. Until I had a kid. A kid who LOVES characters. Then everything changed. Yes, we are now one of the autograph seeking, wait-in-line families who will turn on a dime if we see a character walking past – as long as it’s not a villain. So then, I have to ask the question, who would be my favorite? The answer would lie within another question. Who is my favorite to see my daughter interact with?

The princesses, are, of course, awesome. As are the antics of Alice and the Mad Hatter. However, through all the interactions, my answer would have to go back to my little girl’s favorite:

Peter and my Goose.

Peter will always hold a special place in our heart.  He was her first true favorite character. She was so obsessed with Peter, I commissioned a good friend to do a painting reflecting this. Notice how her eyes never leave Peter, although she’s flying over Neverland. More to the point, she’s flying with him! At the park, Peter has that same effect.

Notice Pinocchio? Another early favorite!

Even To this day, he’s still a favorite of hers. Of course, what child, be it boy or girl, doesn’t dream of flying to Neverland? What adult doesn’t dream of being a kid again? Perhaps it’s because we see him so rarely, but Peter’s interactions with my kiddo are my favorites to watch. He gets down on her level, acts as much the kid as she is, and just has fun! What’s not to love about that?

What about you? Do you have a favorite face character to meet?

The 15 Day Disneyland Challenge: Day 10

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Note: This post is part of a 15 Day challenge with questions referring to Disneyland or Walt Disney World. For more information, or to see all 15 questions, please refer to the introductory post, The 15 Day Disneyland Challenge. As stated in that post, I am not the creator of the challenge – just a willing participant!

Day 10: The Attraction You Avoid.

At first I thought to myself, “should I just leave this entry blank? I mean, I don’t purposely avoid anything I can think of. Of course, I have favorites and ones I’m not heartbroken if we don’t visit, but avoid?? No such thing. Then I realized, there is one area. One that I didn’t even think of, because to me, it’s less of an attraction and more of a pointless commercial.

 

More advertising than innovative.

 

I had hopes for Innoventions when the “New” Tomorrowland opened. I think this was partially due to the fact that this was the building that housed the Carousel of Progress and America Sings, and, well, I was just happy to see it getting used again. I have never felt so let down by an attraction in my life, and this is coming from someone who rode the Rocket Rods. I don’t know what I was expecting. Maybe more “hands on” exhibits, like a science museum. Instead, we were treated to video games, computer software, and a virtual tour of a GM plant. Disney has tried to add more from time to time, and a few times I have gone back in, only to want out rather quickly. I realize this sounds harsh coming from someone who loves Disney as much as I claim; but I love them because they’ve usually exceeded my expectations. Alas, this was not one  of those times.

 

Until a new attraction replaces it, it’s not so beautiful for me.

 

I hold out hope that an expansion will come soon, that something worth seeing will soon be in that area. I even have my own ideas of a show that would work within the building. But until something new and different happens, I’ll just have to keep waiting.

How about the rest of you? Anything in the parks you avoid on your trips?

 

The 15 Day Disneyland Challenge: Day 9

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Note: This post is part of a 15 Day challenge with questions referring to Disneyland or Walt Disney World. For more information, or to see all 15 questions, please refer to the introductory post, The 15 Day Disneyland Challenge. As stated in that post, I am not the creator of the challenge – just a willing participant!

Day 9: Your Favorite Park

For some more traveled readers, this one may not be as easy. For me it’s a no-brainer. Even with California Adventure taking many steps in the right direction, nothing will ever be able to nudge the original park out of my heart and mind.

I Know You’re Shocked.

 

Really… I don’t think any other words are necessary.

Anyone else have a different favorite?

The 15 Day Disneyland Challenge: Day 8

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Note: This post is part of a 15 Day challenge with questions referring to Disneyland or Walt Disney World. For more information, or to see all 15 questions, please refer to the introductory post, The 15 Day Disneyland Challenge. As stated in that post, I am not the creator of the challenge – just a willing participant!

Day 8: Your favorite hotel or resort.

I’m not a hotel snob. I’m far from it. I need a clean room and a bed to be happy – mind you, the more comfortable the bed, the happier I am. The most important thing for me is location and cost. Due to that criteria, I’ve stayed at many of the hotels up and down Harbor – just a few  more before I’ve tried them all! The point being, I don’t need a Disney-owned property to make me happy when on vacation. In fact, I’ve only stayed at the Paradise Pier Hotel and couldn’t even judge the others. That’s fine by me, though. I doubt either of them would take away from my favorite place to stay when visiting The Land.

The Candy Cane Inn

To me, there’s nothing that says Disney to me more than a stay at The Candy Cane Inn. I’ve stayed there since I was very young. The place looked much different than it does now, but it still had candy canes at the front desk! While not on Disney property, its close proximity (on Harbor Blvd) makes for a pleasant walk. And while the Cane offers a shuttle, for me, the walk has always been a part of the experience; perhaps that’s one reason I hold it in high respects. Walking down Harbor, taking in the smell of Anaheim air (you know, that, muggy, misty, early morning smell you get while walking near Disneyland? It’s very distinctive…), watching my little girl run and race to each star on the Anaheim Walk of Fame, just to end on Walt’s star… it’s definitely a part of the routine I love when staying there.

Of course, if it wasn’t a good hotel with courteous staff, it would all be for naught. The rooms are small and quaint, but comfortable. The staff is friendly: Edd, the hotel’s resident ambassador is there to great guests every morning as they eat their continental breakfasts (which, I may add, is one of the best continental breakfasts around), chatting up the children about Tinker Bell, showing off his collection on his lanyard. It’s a very homey, independently owned hotel, and very much worth the stay if you can afford it.

Not to mention, free candy canes!

Now it’s your turn? Do you have a favorite place to stay when you visit a Disney park? Can’t wait to hear your answers!

The 15 Day Disneyland Challenge: Day 7

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Note: This post is part of a 15 Day challenge with questions referring to Disneyland or Walt Disney World. For more information, or to see all 15 questions, please refer to the introductory post, The 15 Day Disneyland Challenge. As stated in that post, I am not the creator of the challenge – just a willing participant!

Day 7: Your favorite parade, show or attraction that is no longer in the park.

Oh, Tomorrowland. How you torture me so. Your empty Peoplemover track is a reminder of Yesterland – so much gone from a different time, removed for the sake of progress, yet leaving us reminders of former glory. I miss the “iconic” look of Tomorrowland: The Rocket Jets spinning high in the air, the brightly colored Peoplemover Vehichles passing through, guests lining up to be shrunk by something or someone other than Rick Moranis, Skyway Buckets overhead…

 

Anyone else hoping that one day the holes in the Matterhorn are just magically “unplugged” and it was all some horrible dream?

 

Yes, the Skyway takes the cake as the ride I miss most and want back. What a grand way to travel! I remember going on this ride with my sister when I was younger – the first ride we ever took without parental supervision – and just marveling at the sights below. Of course, at a younger age, the height I remember looking down from was greatly exaggerated, I’m sure, but at that point, I felt on top of the world. In high school, I saw the Main Street Electrical Parade from the best point of view ever: A Skyway bucket. I remember how I thought to myself, “I’m going to have to remember this one. Others need to see this view!” Alas, ’twas not to be. The Skyway closed in 1994. The tunnels in the Matterhorn were sealed up, and the Fantasyland station was left standing as a reminder that makes me nostalgic to  this day.

I’ve included another video for viewing in today’s entry; this one taken by Kevin Yee on the Skyway’s final day of operation. The quality isn’t the greatest, but with the accompanying music, it definitely captures the feel of what it was like to ride it; especially when passing through the Matterhorn to the Tomorrowland side, looking out on a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow.

 

 

Walt said Disneyland would never be complete as long as there was imagination left in the world. But in my imagination, if this ride is ever able to make a comeback, it may feel just a touch more complete.

Well, that’s it for today’s selection for the challenge! What is your favorite ride from a bygone time? I’m sure there are a plethora of answers out there, and I can’t wait to hear!

The 15 Day Disneyland Challenge: Day 6

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Note: This post is part of a 15 Day challenge with questions referring to Disneyland or Walt Disney World. For more information, or to see all 15 questions, please refer to the introductory post, The 15 Day Disneyland Challenge. As stated in that post, I am not the creator of the challenge – just a willing participant!

Day 6: Your Favorite Parade

I’ll be honest. I’ve never been a huge fan of parades. Sure, they’re fun and have great music a lot of the time; they’re also a great way to see characters you may not be able to meet elsewhere in the park. However, to me, waiting for and watching parades are taking up valuable time that can be spent elsewhere – like a less congested Fantasyland or Tomorrowland. There are rides to ride, people!

That being said, I do have a fondness for some parades. Of course, I’m a fan of the Main Street Electrical Parade (later to be titled Disney’s Electrical Parade, but let’s face it – Main Street, USA is its rightful home and always will be!), with its sparkling lights and electro-synthemagnetic musical sounds – it’s a classic, and a pretty one at that! I still remember being able to watch parts of it from overhead on the Skyway, but that’s a post for a different day. The latest offering, Soundsational is pretty fun, too. It embraces the idea of a parade over show stops, with great music and fun interactions. One of my daughter’s favorite activities is riding on my shoulders after the parade is over and following the last float down Main Street. What daddy couldn’t appreciate that?

There is, however, one parade, that seems to catch my attention more than others: A Christmas Fantasy Parade.

And the soldiers actually play their trumpets!

I think perhaps it’s just because I am an absolute nut when it comes to Christmas. The entire season is magical for me – throw in Disneyland and I’m just plain enchanted. The parade itself, with the oft repeating music, marching soldiers, dancing snowmen, ice skating Mickey and Minnie, Santa and so much more, is a spectacle to behold. Add in the factor that this is an annual occurrence; it gives me time to miss it and discover it new the following year! Now that I’m a parent, it’s even more fun to enjoy with my little girl; to keep our eyes out for whoever may be coming up next to spread the Christmas cheer!

“Have a Tiggery Christmas and a Poohriffic New Year!”

I will admit, there is one part of the parade I’m okay with missing: the reindeer. Yes, they’re cute and entertaining, but when you’ve seen this after working at the Disney Store for countless Christmases, you tend to be a little concerned:

*SHUDDER* I guess there’s one part of Christmas and Disney that just doesn’t do it for me.

Alright, dear readers, now it’s your turn. Do you have a favorite parade? If so, feel free to share below!

*Quick note – I’ll be taking tomorrow, July 4th off from the Disneyland Challenge, but be sure to check in for a few Independence Day themed video links!