Disneyland by RickinDutch
On this trip we spent 5 days in Anaheim with 2 days at Disneyland and a day at California Adventure. I grew up in L.A. and went to Disneyland at least once a year but this was my first trip back in 20 years. Much was the same but there were enough new rides that I had a ball.As artificial as the park is, it is still magical and you can easily get lost in its alternate reality. The biggest detraction is the crowds - avoid weekends at any time but especially in the summer. We were here the week before school got out and both days (Wednesday and Thursday) seemed fairly tame. If you can go on one of those rare rainy days that is the best time to avoid the crowds. There is a Fastpass program that I never figured out that can help avoid the long lines. Seemed too elitist for my comfort level so we slogged out each of the lines. The only ride we gave up on was the Autopia. After almost an hour we didn't feel much closer and would have missed the parade.
Rather than a detailed list, I thought I would give you a list of my favortite rides:
1) Pirates of the Carribean (they've added Jack Straw)
2) Splash Mountain
3) Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters
4) Matterhorn
5) Space Mountain.
Besides the rides be sure to take in the live entertainment that goes on all over the park. Billy Hill & the Hillbillies in Frontierland were great fun and my grandson loved the Jedi Training Academy in Tomorrowland (ok - I did too). Get a schedule as you enter the park.
It is a spendy experience, but you pay just once and can go on any ride now. We bought 3 days passes for $159 each online, which were good at both Disneyland and California Adventure. Much cheaper than the $83/day tickets at the door. Of course eating is expensive and don't forget all the trinkets.
Our biggest let down was that they don't do the big firework show every night - only on weekends. Perhaps that changes in the peak season?
