Been To Disneyland Lately? [Archive] - HP Deals, Computer Coupons And Bargains

bendogg

01-06-2006, 12:24 PM

I didn't like Tower of Terror. I guess I'm just a wuss, but I'm not a big fan of that sinking feeling. It's wierd, because I'll go on Space Mountain 18X but refuse to go on California Screamin. I've never been to Magic Mtn cause I probably wouldn't go on anything.

ABG's Mom got the Buzz thing right. This ride reminds me of the Men In Black ride @ Universal Orlando. Any of you been on that one? My top score on Buzz is 700,000 (Level 6).

The big secret is to hit The Evil Emperor Zurg in the quarter-sized hole in his chest covering. You get 50,000 points each time you hit it. I got yelled at yesterday when they caught me almost standing in my cart on the ride to better hit Zurg. Whatever, I got 699K that time!

Also, you have to be smart about which targets you shoot. The blue triangles are worth 10,000 points, the purple diamonds are 5,000, and the green squares are 1,000. Don't even bother with the orange circles, they're worth 100. If the targets are lit in neon, it tripples the value.

Now that the Christmas holidays are over, any Monday through Friday should be pretty dead at the parks. Your best bet is to check the park hours here http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneyland/en_US/calendar/monthly/monthly?name=CalendarMonthlyPage.

If D-Land closes at 8 p.m., you're in good shape, as they don't expect many people.

DarkFury

01-06-2006, 12:40 PM

They need to put that ride in Disney World... :D

I guess they are only catering to the "West Coast's fixation" on doing "drive by shootings" and what not huh? :hmm:

KIISQueen

01-06-2006, 12:54 PM

My family and I also have yearly passes, I love the haunted mansion, space mountain, pirates of caribbean Awwww hell i love them all =)

bendogg

01-06-2006, 01:22 PM

I think they do have that ride in Florida. I was told that it is @ the Magic Kingdom park and is called "Buzz Lightyear's Spinning Space Cruisers" or something. I'll let you know in April when I go there!

Grimm

01-06-2006, 01:23 PM

Mr. Toad's Wild Ride for teh WIN!!!

vhs

01-06-2006, 02:00 PM

I bought the cheapie SoCal passes. Haven't been to a theme park on a weekend in about 15 years, same for skiing. I also have boy/girl twins who just turned 3, so why stand in line with those 2 loaded up on whatever goodies we decided to buy them? And then a 5-mo old on top of that.

We stayed for the parade right near the exit for a quick break out. We saw the flags on City Hall standing straight so we knew there wouldn't be any fireworks. Got burned on that during the Santa Ana in Dec when they cancelled, fortunately we stayed for a 2nd day-although they did delay it 15min, but you could see the effect it has in the fireworks. Is it more for Tinkerbell's safety?

Space Mountain is always great, nice smooth ride now.

How do I set up so that when I go to these threads, it always takes me to the most recent?

bendogg

01-06-2006, 04:24 PM

I'd love to figure that one out as well. I have always just bookmarked the page, scrolled down to the bottom of the page when I return to the site, and then updated my bookmark every time a new page is added. I'll ask the Mods, maybe they have a better answer. It is really easy on Fatwallet, but I haven't figured it out here yet.

goofy72

01-06-2006, 06:14 PM

thanks for starting this forumn, bendogg, because i love disneyland-world. i've been to both and nothing can compare to disneyworld. all of the parks put together are already a whole city!

bendogg

01-06-2006, 06:56 PM

You've got it J! I've been to Disneyworld once, and am going again in April. When I went in 2001 they were doing the "100 Years of Magic" celebration of Disney's 100th B-Day. I was forbidden to go on Space Mountain or any other good ride by my doctor because of a kidney problem I was having at the time. Now, that kidney is gone, so Space Mountain here I come!

BTW, the new Space Mtn @ D-Land is AWESOME! They closed it for almost 2 yrs to completely re-build the track. They re-opebed it in May 2005 I think, and I have ridden it more than 18X since then! I love it!

Your best bet if you plan on visiting D-Land is to make a B-line for Space Mtn and to Fast Pass it. Depending on how busy it is that day, the return time will vary. If you're really lucky, it will be an hour away. I came one day at about 1 p.m. and the return time was 9:50-10:50 p.m. If it's close to an hour later, I get the Fast Pass and wait in the normal line. Then, when I'm off the ride, just go back and use the fast pass and you're back on the ride in like 10 minutes!

Mommypooh

01-06-2006, 09:11 PM

I haven't been in like 7 years. I really want to go again soon so that I can take the kids. I had fun even though I was a teenager when I went. My brother was only like 5 so I got to do it all and pretend it was because I had to, but really I wanted to.

Trigun

01-06-2006, 11:43 PM

Ben be careful with your windshield when you go there. And thanks for the tip on the Buzz ride. :bow: I can't wait to beat my wife high score now.

My wife and I love everything Disney as well as my kids. We have been to Disneyland, Disney World, and for our honeymoon Disneyland Paris or Euro Disney as it was called back in '96.

My best experience was at Disneyland when we gat invited to the exclusive and secret "Club 33". WOW what an experience that was and the food MMMMMMMMMMMMM.:lick: So glad we ditched the kids that day. :thumbup:

http://membres.lycos.fr/neigedvt/images/Mickey%20et%20minnie%20dance.gif

Sirrich3

01-07-2006, 01:26 AM

Been there 8 times since December 2nd! Going again on Sunday!

bendogg

01-07-2006, 11:14 AM

Wow! That's even more than me! I want to see at least 500K on Buzz from you before February!

Trigun

01-07-2006, 09:55 PM

Does it really snow on Disneyland? We could not make it on December.

renovation

01-08-2006, 10:28 AM

i go to disney every time i go to florida about 3 times a year .but and its a big but my wife is not a big one for amusement rides so maybe 1 in 3 times i get to go to a park .most the time its hit the beach or site seeing ! i much perfer to go to the amusement parks ! im not a water person .just before christmas i went to univeral with my daughter .it was good but i wish i went with a person who like the rides more . she is more like her mom !

bendogg

01-08-2006, 11:33 AM

Yeah Trigun, It does snow. You don't want to open your mouth though, cause I think it's some mixture of dish soap and something else. It is white and looks cool, but it feels wierd! I got it on tape and will show you next time I see you in person. They make it snow on Main street after the fireworks.

Sirrich3

01-08-2006, 02:40 PM

Its does make a good bubble shower...

vhs

01-30-2006, 06:59 PM

On our way up tomorrow morning, but with no one to watch the baby, we'll be sticking to stuff like Winnie the Pooh, Haunted Mansion, Pirates-which I saw will be closed March-June for renovation, all of Fantasyland, Toontown, Small World, etc.

Sirrich3

01-30-2006, 07:05 PM

Heading there on Thursday night! Winner of free tickets

kgsilvas

01-31-2006, 08:15 AM

I love Disneyland! Annual passes for many years now. That's the only way to fly.

I was disappointed in the new Monsters Inc. ride though. It didn't seem worth the wait.

PiPhiAngel

01-31-2006, 08:49 AM

i have been living in orange county for about five years now and have been reminding myself to buy an annual pass ever since i first moved here. haven't really gotten around to doing it, but i will definitely buy one as soon as i find some free time. my old favorites are pirates, space mountain, and matterhorn.

i haven't been back to disneyland in about three or four years now, but my firm offers free tickets to both parks when we make reservations to club 33...i haven't been to club 33 yet, but am really, really looking forward to it! (anyone know what its like?) hopefully i will find time to visit soon.

esme

01-31-2006, 08:58 AM

for those w/kids ....would you recommend that i take my 13 month old daughter to disneyland? i haven't been there in about 4 yrs.

PiPhiAngel

01-31-2006, 09:37 AM

for those w/kids ....would you recommend that i take my 13 month old daughter to disneyland? i haven't been there in about 4 yrs.

my sister and her husband have an 8 month old boy and a 7 year old girl and they have been taking both kids to disneyland once or twice a week for a few months now and the kids seem to really enjoy it. they have taken my niece to disneyland about once or twice a week since she was around 12 months old and 6 years later, she still looks forward to the trips each week. at 13 months, your daughter would really enjoy herself.

cheapie

01-31-2006, 09:41 AM

1-2 times per WEEK???

PiPhiAngel

01-31-2006, 09:43 AM

1-2 times per WEEK???

annual passport and about a 20 minute drive. :)

Jihforce

01-31-2006, 09:55 AM

i get tired of disneyland going once a year, i don't think i can do it on a weekly basis. now if i had kids, i'd probably have to do it for the kids.

esme

01-31-2006, 10:06 AM

my sister and her husband have an 8 month old boy and a 7 year old girl and they have been taking both kids to disneyland once or twice a week for a few months now and the kids seem to really enjoy it. they have taken my niece to disneyland about once or twice a week since she was around 12 months old and 6 years later, she still looks forward to the trips each week. at 13 months, your daughter would really enjoy herself.

she really enjoys all the lights so as far as that i know she'll enjoy it ....hopefully she likes getting on some of the kiddie rides .....i'll be going as soon as the weather's a little warmer and also during the week to avoid the crowds. i live about 10 min away so no prob there :)

i'd also like to take her to the zoo and sea world ...i've never been myself

Devhux

01-31-2006, 04:51 PM

How do I set up so that when I go to these threads, it always takes me to the most recent?

On new threads, there will be a little icon just to the left of the text. (looks like an arrow on a light blue background to me) Just click that and it will work. :)

Paymaster

01-31-2006, 05:05 PM

Mr. Toad's Wild Ride for teh WIN!!!

Agreed... scariest ride ever... I mean, you die, and you go to hell! How much scarier can a ride get!!!

(Hope I didn't spoil the ending for anyone. :))

Paymaster

01-31-2006, 05:22 PM

imy firm offers free tickets to both parks when we make reservations to club 33...i haven't been to club 33 yet, but am really, really looking forward to it! (anyone know what its like?) hopefully

Club33 is basically a really fancy restaurant, overlooking the french quarter area. You have to know where it is, or you would never find it... it simply had an understated "33" on the door. You buzz the intercom to get in. Once they have confirmed your reservation, they unlock the door, and you can enter.

I've been there twice. Food and atmosphere were awesome. AFAIK, it's also the only place in Disneyland where you can purchase alcohol.

The cost of the food was just about equal to the cost of park admission, so it's a no-brainer to go there.

I'd love to go again, but I lost my "connection". If your firm can hook up any of us got-apexers, please do!!!

vhs

02-02-2006, 07:12 PM

We just started taking our b/g twins late last year-so approaching their 3rd b-day. We live in Clairemont, so whenever I don't have T/Th commitments (as a business owner) we go up-about every 3 weeks. I actually went up today for West Pack at the Convention Ctr-I was out of there by noon, but forgot my AP at home. Wife & I were talking about just the 2 of us going to ride the roller coasters. The boy has 2 more inches before he can ride Star Tours-he already knows the music.
Kind of disappointed with Monsters, Inc. For one, we went there first and it was down. 2nd, I haven't seen the movie, so I didn't really get the gist. I did expect it to be like the other rides in Fantasyland since I figured it was storytelling. BTW, the boy also loves Peter Pan, probably because it flies. The girl threw a tantrum at Alice, Peter Pan, & Snow White, so she sat in the stroller and waited with Mommy or Daddy.
First ride is typically Small World, then the coaster at ToonTown.

bendogg

02-03-2006, 08:16 PM

If you forget your Annual Pass (AP), they will issue you another one, but they charge you like $20, which is too much IMO.

vhs

02-04-2006, 03:12 PM

A friend of mine who works at SBC said they have some kind of program where they get to have a meal at Club33 when they hit a certain anniversary, but their direct supervisor has to be one of the guests.

Read that the Blue Bayou Cafe will be closed while they do the Pirates renovation Mar-Jun.

cheapie

02-08-2006, 03:49 PM

i have a 4yo and a 2yo. would they enjoy disney? would it be a pain to take them? worth the effort? etc?

Grimm

02-08-2006, 04:09 PM

i have a 4yo and a 2yo. would they enjoy disney? would it be a pain to take them? worth the effort? etc?
I think the 4yo would love it absolutely. The 2yo might be a waste of money because he/she might not be able to process much. But there's only one way to find out.

Paymaster

02-10-2006, 04:37 PM

i have a 4yo and a 2yo. would they enjoy disney? would it be a pain to take them? worth the effort? etc?

I took my 1 yo last year. He fell asleep on Small World. He laughed through the entire Dumbo ride. He was mesmerized on Pirates (and clung to me like there was no tomorrow on the few small drops).

I didn't get to go on any E ticket rides, but it was great family time. I fully plan to take him again this summer (at 2 years old).

bendogg

02-11-2006, 09:37 AM

I FINALLY DID IT! I cracked a million on the Buzz Lightyear ride @ Disneyland! I had to kill about 6 hrs on Wednesday so I drove 50 miles (from Moreno Valley where I was working last week) and was very glad I did.

The wait for Space Mtn was 5 to 10 minutes and Buzz was at 5 minutes all night! I think I went on it like 10 times Wednesday!

After talking to every staff ("cast") member I could, I found out the secret... It's the gun! There are 3 or 4 guns out of the 162 on the ride that are more accurate than the others. Next time you're there, ask to be on car #27. I used the right gun and scored 1.2 Million and 1.25 Million using it! Here's a picture to prove it.

http://myspace-525.vo.llnwd.net/00492/52/55/492915525_m.jpg

kimchicowboy

02-11-2006, 10:26 AM

i'm not much of a disneyland fan. when i was going to UCLA, all my friends always wanted to go to disneyland instead of six flags. i'd much rather go to six flags for the rides than the disneyland atmosphere. :)

bendogg

02-11-2006, 03:08 PM

I understand, but do not agree. Some people are the thrill-seeking type, others are not. Plenty of my friends would agree with you, but for me, Space Mountain is about as extreme as it gets. I guess we just have to go with what makes us feel good!

Sirrich3

02-11-2006, 06:07 PM

Hey Bendogg, no I know why I did so lowsy the first 2 times on there. I did pretty good the last time on there.

bendogg

02-12-2006, 03:15 AM

Yep. Try my suggestion next time you're there and I'll bet you'll do better. Your score that is in front of you tops out at 999,999 points, but the gun keeps track of the rest of your scoring up to 2 Million, so don't worry when you stop seeing the numbers go up.

Butch

02-20-2006, 04:08 AM

Looks like one of Disney's top designer for its theme parks has resigned . . . he has been with the company nearly 50 years and used to work with good ol' Walt

(no link since it is from WSJ.com, but it's an AP story, so I'm sure some industrious person could find a link somewhere)

Top Disney Designer Steps Down

Associated Press
February 18, 2006 11:01 p.m.

LOS ANGELES -- One of Walt Disney Co.'s top theme park designers is stepping down after decades of service, signaling the end of an era for the Magic Kingdom.

Marty Sklar is one of the last remaining employees who once worked closely with the company's co-founder, Walt Disney.

He helped to design such park attractions as "The Enchanted Tiki Room," "It's a Small World" and "Space Mountain."

The 72-year-old said he would leave his executive job at Walt Disney Imagineering to serve as its "ambassador," according to a memo to colleagues Thursday.

"He understands the Disney way because he learned it at Walt's knee," said Jim Cora, a former chairman of Disneyland International. "He is the keeper of the keys, the conscience, the Jiminy Cricket for the organization."

Mr. Sklar said he had long planned to step down after reaching two milestones -- the 50th anniversary of Disneyland and his own half-century at the company. Last year he reached the first mark, and this June he will hit the other.

The move follows Disney's recent announcement that after its planned acquisition of Pixar Animation Studios this summer, Pixar's creative chief, John Lasseter, will help design rides for Disney's theme parks. Mr. Lasseter also will become chief creative officer of both animation studios.

The timing of Mr. Sklar's decision was unrelated to Lasseter's pending arrival, Disney officials said.

Low-key and unimposing, Mr. Sklar is revered by a generation of designers he trained, dubbed "Imagineers," for his mentoring and his links to the company's heritage. Mr. Sklar condensed Walt Disney's ideas into a widely circulated creed called "Mickey's Ten Commandments."

Copyright © 2006 Associated Press

bendogg

02-24-2006, 06:49 PM

Thanks for sharing that with us Butch. I must pay homage to the designer of Space Mountain. He has improved my life! Happy retirement dude!

bendogg

03-12-2006, 09:48 AM

The Disneyland security people finally caught me! I drove there all the way from Indio to try and sell one last park hopper pass that I had (expiring on 3/15) and had no luck. I stood in the parking garage for over an hour and couldn't get a taker. Disney security finally showed up and ran me off the premesis!

I will have to sell those tickets through Ebay or something next time, because they said I'd be arrested if they caught me again.

So, I've got a Park Hopper ticket that I can't use now. If anyone out there can use it by Wednesday please PM me ASAP and we'll arrange to meet up.

PoorAvatar

03-12-2006, 11:35 AM

bendogg

03-12-2006, 03:01 PM

I ended up giving it to a lady on Wednesday at the park (I went back again because my work took me to Anaheim this week). I don't know if she got any good out of it, as it was already like 9:45 p.m.

I went AGAIN yesterday (3/17) and had a great time! I needed to kill from between 3:30 p.m. (when I got off work) and 7 p.m. (when the traffic back to San Diego lightened up). I scored over 1 Million on Buzz Lightyear 3X yesterday! Not a bad way to kill 4 hrs. The park is getting more busy because of the different Spring Breaks starting this week and running through Mid April.

bendogg

03-25-2006, 09:08 AM

I finally had the Buzz Lightyear ride stop at 2 very good spots and scored 1.9 Million! Here's proof that I made it to #1 on the daily leader board.

http://myspace-107.vo.llnwd.net/00596/70/11/596931107_m.jpg

Paniolo

03-26-2006, 08:23 AM

I have not been to Disneyland in probably 15 years:shrug:

bendogg

03-26-2006, 02:04 PM

Well then, it's time to go again! It is a completely different experience when you're not dragging whiney little kids around with you! I'll be your (or anyone else on this board for that matter) tour guide if you want me to!

vhs

06-28-2006, 09:53 PM

Last chance to take the kids for the summer on the select pass was yesterday, but the main reason was to see the new Pirates. Didn't get the chance as we waited in line about 45 minutes, then stood for 30min down in the rotunda before they dispersed the line. An usher later told us that it was breaking down all Monday too. Now, unless they changed the course of the ride also, I don't understand what could go wrong, unless the animatronics kept breaking down. Forgot to mention that we had three 3-year olds and it was about 5 in the hot afternoon we were trying to do this.

Then we walked by Indiana Jones as they made the announcement that it was broken down too. Our friend wanted to ride the Jungle Cruise, but we didn't realize they were sending the line upstairs-that had to be one of the muggiest places in the park.

After riding Winnie the Pooh, we got in line to take pictures with the cast then somehow Winnie got punched in the gut and all we got was Eeyore and Tigger. Walked by StorybookLand and that was shut down! Not prepared for the summer was the Disney cast.

Thankfully, the kids were happy with the few rides we made it on and seeing Fantasmic for the first time. The Pirates will have to wait until Aug or Sept.