I got the chance to go out to Anaheim 3 weekends in Jan/Feb for a company job. What are some of key things I need to do while at Disneyland? Should I visit Knotts Berry Farms as well? What all should I do? I'll be staying like 3 miles from Disneyland and can extend my stay to enjoy Cali.
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Going to DL in Anaheim this Jan/Feb... what shall I do?
- Thread starter BAD311
- Start date
TP2000
Well-Known Member
This probably needs to be moved to the Disneyland section, where Easterners are constantly bombarding us with "Going To Disneyland For The First Time - HELP!" topics. 
But to answer your question "What should I do?".... You should go to Disneyland and revel in all it's world-famous charms and wonder and pure, unadulterated Walt-ness. Don't expect the big corporate parks of Walt Disney World, but instead expect a theme park that is physically much smaller than the Magic Kingdom Park, but is packed with enough rides, entertainment and attractions to fill up two of the Walt Disney World theme parks. You'll want to spend at least two full days at Disneyland to see and do it all, especially the things that are different from Florida.
I would strongly suggest focusing in on the Disneyland rides that either don't exist in WDW, or are dramatically different in their Disneyland incarnation. In no particular order, I would make sure you see/do at least the bulk of this list of rides and attractions;
Indiana Jones Adventure
Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room (original 1963 show, lovingly maintained and fresh)
Tarzan's Treehouse
Pirates of the Caribbean (to see where the missing 7 minutes of ride time is)
Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes
Sailing Ship Columbia
Pirate's Lair on Tom Sawyer Island (check out the effects and animatronics in the caves!)
Big Thunder Ranch petting zoo
Pinocchio's Daring Journey
Mr. Toad's Wild Ride
Peter Pan's Flight (to see how dark ride technology progressed after Nixon left the White House)
Alice In Wonderland
Snow White's Scary Adventures (brand new digitial mapping tech added this year)
Storybookland Canal Boats (a total 1950's Walt throwback, but gorgeously maintained)
Casey Jr. Circus Train
It's A Small World (to see where the missing 6 minutes of ride time is)
Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin (to see how dark ride technology progressed after Bush Sr. left the White House)
Mickey's Toontown
Disneyland Railroad thru Grand Canyon Diorama and Primeval World (total 1960's Walt throwback)
Disneyland Opera House and Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln
Main Street Cinema (actual movies instead of another shop)
Main Street Penny Arcade (actual penny arcade machines to use and enjoy)
Sleeping Beauty Castle Walk-Through (21st century update on 1958 Walt Classic)
Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage (21st century update on 1959 Walt Classic)
Disneyland Monorail (Ditto)
Space Mountain (Very different from Florida version)
If I were you I would skip Innoventions, Autopia and Captain EO in Tomorrowland, as they are either inferior to the Florida version (Innoventions) or just slightly different versions of the same thing. Buzz Lightyear in Tomorrowland has guns you can remove from the holsters and a bit better show, but that's about it. Jungle Cruise, Splash Mountain, Thunder Mountain and Haunted Mansion are all quite different from the WDW versions, but not noticeably better in design (although animatronic, audio, and effects maintenance is better at Disneyland, particularly on these big E Tickets).
Try to see Fantasmic! at Disneyland. It always plays at least twice per night on weekends Friday through Sunday, even in January. It's been plussed up and polished relentlessly for the past four years, and it's never looked better. It's a noticeably better show than the Florida version, although its setting in New Orleans Square means you wont' have a stadium seat but will be sitting on the ground or standing for the show.
If you can't get a reservation for the Blue Bayou, Cafe Orleans across the alley also has the excellent Monte Cristo sandwich. The Billy Hill and the Hillbillies show in the Golden Horseshoe Saloon is very funny.
Remember, Disneyland is physically much smaller than Magic Kingdom, but packs in about two dozen additional attractions of all sizes and also offers weekend Fantasmic! shows each night. Dancing, dining and strolling are popular weekend activities for the locals who flood the park on weekends, so prepare to experience a much different vibe at Disneyland than tourist-centric WDW.
Have fun! :wave:
But to answer your question "What should I do?".... You should go to Disneyland and revel in all it's world-famous charms and wonder and pure, unadulterated Walt-ness. Don't expect the big corporate parks of Walt Disney World, but instead expect a theme park that is physically much smaller than the Magic Kingdom Park, but is packed with enough rides, entertainment and attractions to fill up two of the Walt Disney World theme parks. You'll want to spend at least two full days at Disneyland to see and do it all, especially the things that are different from Florida.
I would strongly suggest focusing in on the Disneyland rides that either don't exist in WDW, or are dramatically different in their Disneyland incarnation. In no particular order, I would make sure you see/do at least the bulk of this list of rides and attractions;
Indiana Jones Adventure
Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room (original 1963 show, lovingly maintained and fresh)
Tarzan's Treehouse
Pirates of the Caribbean (to see where the missing 7 minutes of ride time is)
Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes
Sailing Ship Columbia
Pirate's Lair on Tom Sawyer Island (check out the effects and animatronics in the caves!)
Big Thunder Ranch petting zoo
Pinocchio's Daring Journey
Mr. Toad's Wild Ride
Peter Pan's Flight (to see how dark ride technology progressed after Nixon left the White House)
Alice In Wonderland
Snow White's Scary Adventures (brand new digitial mapping tech added this year)
Storybookland Canal Boats (a total 1950's Walt throwback, but gorgeously maintained)
Casey Jr. Circus Train
It's A Small World (to see where the missing 6 minutes of ride time is)
Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin (to see how dark ride technology progressed after Bush Sr. left the White House)
Mickey's Toontown
Disneyland Railroad thru Grand Canyon Diorama and Primeval World (total 1960's Walt throwback)
Disneyland Opera House and Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln
Main Street Cinema (actual movies instead of another shop)
Main Street Penny Arcade (actual penny arcade machines to use and enjoy)
Sleeping Beauty Castle Walk-Through (21st century update on 1958 Walt Classic)
Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage (21st century update on 1959 Walt Classic)
Disneyland Monorail (Ditto)
Space Mountain (Very different from Florida version)
If I were you I would skip Innoventions, Autopia and Captain EO in Tomorrowland, as they are either inferior to the Florida version (Innoventions) or just slightly different versions of the same thing. Buzz Lightyear in Tomorrowland has guns you can remove from the holsters and a bit better show, but that's about it. Jungle Cruise, Splash Mountain, Thunder Mountain and Haunted Mansion are all quite different from the WDW versions, but not noticeably better in design (although animatronic, audio, and effects maintenance is better at Disneyland, particularly on these big E Tickets).
Try to see Fantasmic! at Disneyland. It always plays at least twice per night on weekends Friday through Sunday, even in January. It's been plussed up and polished relentlessly for the past four years, and it's never looked better. It's a noticeably better show than the Florida version, although its setting in New Orleans Square means you wont' have a stadium seat but will be sitting on the ground or standing for the show.
If you can't get a reservation for the Blue Bayou, Cafe Orleans across the alley also has the excellent Monte Cristo sandwich. The Billy Hill and the Hillbillies show in the Golden Horseshoe Saloon is very funny.
Remember, Disneyland is physically much smaller than Magic Kingdom, but packs in about two dozen additional attractions of all sizes and also offers weekend Fantasmic! shows each night. Dancing, dining and strolling are popular weekend activities for the locals who flood the park on weekends, so prepare to experience a much different vibe at Disneyland than tourist-centric WDW.
Have fun! :wave:
NedFlanders
New Member
Where were the animatronics and effects in the pirate's lair? We were there this fall and I don't remember seeing any animatronic or any effects... was there a part of the island we missed?
You have to climb through the caves. They are loaded with special effects. Lots of motion activated things. Places where if you put your hand into an opening, visual effects change. It's all pirate themed and done very well.
TP2000
Well-Known Member
Yes, the caverns and caves were plussed up immensely for Pirate's Lair.
At the end of the main cave there is an animatronic pirate chained up in a jail cell, overlooking a bay. When the moon above him is revealed by the passing clouds, he morphs into a skeleton ghoul and rattles his chains and says menacing things about pirates and cursed treasure. It's incredibly well done, and appears to be a technology that has digital projections both on the exterior and interior of the animatronic figure. AMAZING!
You have to discover it yourself though, and not just rush through everything in a hurry on your way to the next big E Ticket Fastpass time.
TP2000
Well-Known Member
I like this treasure chest effect, when you try and put your hand on it, the best. Very clever technology used!
Here's a picture of that creepy "un-dead" pirate, before he changes into a skeleton when the moon appears. I won't link to the YouTube videos of this guy doing his act, so as not to spoil it for those who haven't explored Pirate's Lair on Tom Sawyer Island yet. But look out for this guy!
greebomusic
Well-Known Member
As a guilty Midwestern bombardier, thanks for the post! I'll be there for a week in Feb and we are really looking forward to it!
NedFlanders
New Member
I am amazed. I got a bit tired of squeezing through the tight spaces and went out letting the kids continue to go through... I'm simply amazed that they didn't see any of the things you mention. Don't know how we missed it, next time we will have to look closer for it.
Mickey_777
Well-Known Member
What shall you do? Enjoy yourself and enjoy Disneyland for Disneyland. Try your best not to compare both resorts while you're there and just have fun.