Friday, 21 October 2011

Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes

Paddle around the Rivers of America on a grand sightseeing adventure aboard Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes. Named after the legendary frontiersman, Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes transport you back to a time before highways, when water was the fastest mode of transportation and an exciting new discovery was around every river bend.

The Rivers of America

The canoe voyage will take you in a full circle around Pirate's Lair on Tom Sawyer Island. Along the banks of the Rivers of America, you'll see sights and sounds from 3 different lands — including the backwoods of Frontierland, the wrought-iron railings of New Orleans Square and the peak of Chick-A-Pin Hill towering over Critter Country.

Also along the river's edge, sharp-eyed explorers can observe:

The rustic cabin of a frontier settler
An idyllic Native American village
Busy beavers at work on a dam
A moose enjoying a leisurely lunch
An ominous mansion lurking in the shadows
A skunk staring down raccoons
Mountain lions relaxing in the sun
An osprey guarding it's nest
The Disneyland Railroad steaming into the wilderness

While you'll get a very unique perspective of the Rivers of America from the Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes, the attraction follows the same path as two larger ships: the Mark Twain Riverboat and the Sailing Ship Columbia.

The Canoes

The 20-passager vessels are real, old-fashioned canoes — there is no motor and no track. Modeled after the boats that early Native American and European explorers used to traverse the real rivers of America, these 35-foot-long canoes are powered entirely by the strong arms and paddles of the people inside.

Don't worry about the workload! The boats are lightweight and most of the paddling is more for fun than propulsion. While your help is appreciated, the river guides who sit in the fore and aft of the canoe are capable enough of navigating the waters by themselves.

Operation Times

Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes operate seasonally, may close due to inclement weather and are only open during certain times of day. If paddling around the Rivers of America is a priority, try to make it over to Critter Country earlier in the day.

Guest Policies

Supervise children at all times. Children under age 7 years must be accompanied by a person age 14 years or older.
This attraction closes at dusk.
Guests must transfer from their wheelchair or Electric Convenience Vehicle to the ride vehicle by themselves or with assistance by members of their party to experience this attraction.
Wheelchair Access: Proceed to the attraction exit via the ramp next to the lower-level stairs of Hungry Bear Restaurant. Contact a Cast Member for boarding instructions.
Guests must negotiate steps when boarding and disembarking the canoe. Guests must maintain their balance when stepping in or out of canoe.

Chip 'n Dale Treehouse

Visit the home of the nuttiest duo around! There's a party up in the old Redwood tree and you're invited. Chip 'n Dale are 2 industrious chipmunks who have carved out the entire acorn tree.

Go Nuts

Enter through a carved formal entry and see the world the same way your favorite pair of chipmunks do. Climb the winding spiral staircase into the heart of the tree that Chip 'n Dale call home. Up top you'll be rewarded with a stunning view of all of Mickey's Toontown!

Who's Who?

Ever wonder how to tell these 2 chipmunk brothers apart? Chip has a small black nose with 2 teeth in the center of his mouth. Dale has a big red nose and 2 buck teeth with a gap in the middle.

Guest Policies

Guests must walk by themselves or be assisted by members of their party to experience this attraction.
This attraction requires Guests to negotiate narrow, winding stairs.

Character Close-Up

Explore a fascinating exhibition filled with original Disney artwork and see how designs progress from concept sketch to three-dimensional models to their final animated form. At Character Close-Up, you'll discover first-hand how Disney artists created some of your favorite characters.

Toy Story Zoetrope

It is impossible to miss the mesmerizing Toy Story Zoetrope dramatically spinning in the center of the room. Instead of using traditional, one-dimensional drawings, the Toy Story Zoetrope features three-dimensional sculptures of characters from the Disney•Pixar film Toy Story 2. As large disks whirl under a flashing strobe light, the Toy Story characters appear to come to life right before your eyes.

Disney Animation Building

Character Close-Up is only one part of the Disney Animation building, where you can learn all about the art and history of Disney animation, in a fun, interactive, hands-on environment.

Sunday, 16 October 2011

Casey Jr. Circus Train

Relive the enchantment of Disney's classic film, Dumbo. Jump in one of the animal cage cars or ornate sleighs. Follow the brave engine Casey Jr. as he battles up the hill and chugs around Storybook Land. Enjoy a birds-eye view of the magical miniature castles, villages and lush gardens seen from the Storybook Land Canal Boats. It's full steam ahead!

History

The Casey Jr. Circus Train was one of the original Disneyland Park attractions from 1955. The sleigh-style train cars were transplanted from the merry-go-round that later became King Arthur Carrousel. The classic theme song for the ride was written by Frank Churchill and Ned Washington, who also worked on Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and Pinocchio.

Guest Policies

Supervise children at all times. Children under age 7 years must be accompanied by a person age 14 years or older.
Guests must transfer from their wheelchair or Electric Convenience Vehicle to the ride vehicle by themselves or with assistance by members of their party to experience this attraction.
Wheelchair Access: Proceed through the exit, located across from the Village Haus Restaurant, and wait for a Cast Member for boarding instructions.

Captain EO Starring Michael Jackson

Enjoy the music of Michael Jackson, combined with the visual effects magic of some of Hollywood's best, as Captain EO returns to Disneyland Park.

The 17-minute interactive film stars Michael Jackson as Captain EO on his quest to change the world. With show-stopping musical numbers written by Michael Jackson, and stunning effects orchestrated by executive producer George Lucas and director Francis Ford Coppola, Captain EO is a sight and sound spectacular with an enduring message.

Screening in the same Tomorrowland theater in which it debuted, Captain EO now features a new 70mm print and improved sound, thanks to acoustical enhancements made to the theater in recent years. A dazzling blend of music and images, Captain EO will take a new generation of Guests on a journey to the stars.

Guest Policies

Supervise children at all times. Children under age 7 years must be accompanied by a person age 14 years or older.
Assistive listening devices which amplify the audio may be used at this location and are available at Guest Relations.
Guest-activated captioning is available on selected preshow video monitors in this attraction. Please contact a Cast Member at the location for assistance.
Reflective Captioning system is available. Contact a Cast Member at the location for assistance.
Guests may remain in their wheelchair or Electric Convenience Vehicle to experience this attraction.

California Screamin'

Start screaming as your tear through the air on this totally tubular thrill ride! It might look like a turn-of-the-century coaster, but this state-of-the-art steel superstructure is ready to rock you in the 21st century.

The Launch

Buckle up in a coaster car with up to 3 other passengers and enjoy an easy jaunt to the launch site. It's the last quiet moment you have before you hear:

"Launch in five, four, three, two, ONE!"

The Ride

Blast up the steep incline to an altitude of almost 120 feet, then take the plunge downward! Catapult past the waves splashing against the rock jetty of Paradise Bay before you swoop, swirl, dip and curl. Shoot into the sky blue "scream tube" and then twist and turn until you reach a brief lull at the peak. Catch your breath for half a second before diving into the loop-de-loop that winds 360 degrees around the blazing sunburst...

Do you dare ride the longest and fastest roller coaster at the Disneyland Resort?

The Construction

Reminiscent of the coasters built before the 1930s, California Screamin' rips around Paradise Pier on steel tracks that cover a distance of almost 1-1/8 miles. Thousands of steel towers, struts and beams comprise the gleaming white structure that coils around other attractions on the Pier.

Your Belongings

You can store your loose belongings — such as hats, glasses and purses — in the storage compartment at your feet.

Guest Policies

Supervise children at all times. Children under age 7 years must be accompanied by a person age 14 years or older.
Guests must transfer from their wheelchair or Electric Convenience Vehicle to the ride vehicle by themselves or with assistance by members of their party to experience this attraction.
Service animals may not accompany Guests on this attraction.
WARNING! For safety, you should be in good health andLink free from high blood pressure, heart, back or neck problems, motion sickness, or other conditions that could be aggravated by this adventure. Expectant mothers should not ride.
Guests with young children may take turns experiencing attractions. See a Cast Member for additional information.
Wheelchair Access: Enter through the standard queue or, if you have a Disney's FASTPASS® return ticket, enter the FASTPASS® return line. Proceed to the elevator and wait for a Cast Member for boarding instructions.

Friday, 14 October 2011

Big Thunder Ranch – Presented by Brawny

Get up close with some friendly critters at Big Thunder Ranch, a charming little petting zoo located alongside Big Thunder Ranch Barbecue.

Animals

Inspired by the western ranches of the 1880s, Big Thunder Ranch features a small wooden ranch house and petting barnyard where young cowpokes can meet and pet barnyard animals, such as cows, goats, sheep, donkeys and pigs. From time to time, the ranch has even served as home to the Thanksgiving turkeys pardoned by the President of the United States.

Holidays

When the holiday season rolls around, Big Thunder Ranch is transformed into Santa's Reindeer Round-up, complete with real reindeer, crafts and the merriest couple of all — Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Disneyland Information